Julie’s guidebook

Restaurants - there are many fine restaurants in the Cayman lslands. On the up-market end of the spectrum, the Calypso Grill in Botabano is quite nice, we prefer outside seating on the patio. Sunday brunch is an island tradition and can be experienced in expensive splendor at the Ritz-Carlton or excellent food is availably more reasonably at the Cracked Conch (just past turtle farm). We find a nice intermediate choice is Luca at the Caribbean Club. Request outdoor seating by the pool, there is a splendid view and great food. Edoardo’s and Casanova are two good Italian restaurants. The Wharf is a good restaurant for viewing the beautiful Cayman sunsets. lf you go to the wharf, try to make sure to get there 30 minutes before sunset and request seaside seating. Pappagallo is a very nice northern ltalian restaurant located in the heart of West Bay. Ragazzi is excellent in the mall off SM Beach Road. Alfresco just down the beach from us in West Bay serves a nice seaside lunch at reasonable prices. Calico Jacks is halfway down Seven Mile Beach towards Georgetown and is fun, attracts a younger crowd, but should be avoided when the cruise ships are in town Monday through Wednesday. There are numerous quality restaurants in the new Dart SeaFire resort. For the younger set Coconut Joes (and for burgers) is a good hangout at night and the Sunset or Reef Grill (formerly Royal Palms) has jump-ups on weekends. Legendz Sports bar has coverage of most major sporting events. Remember in Cayman typically 15% gratuity is already included in the bill (not at Alfrescos) and the Cayman Dollar is typically exchanged at 80% of the US dollar. The actual bank rate is 82%, so there is some additional Caribbean piracy in every transaction. Dine-in Tonight maintains a delivery service right to your door and you will find their menus in the cottage. They also carry some grocery items and even some DVD's. For the more adventuresome, the Heritage Kitchen on Boggy Sands (left @ 4 Way stop in WB) serves local delicacies and an assortment of fish. For Guy Harvey fans, his restaurant in the heart of George Town is decent and good value. Sunshine Grill offers excellent food at a reasonable price, although helps to call as there is often a wait. They are known for fish tacos but menu items cleverly emulate signature dishes from restaurants across the globe. This is an informal dining experience inside the restaurant or poolside. Seafood at Morgan’s at the Cayman Island’s Yacht Club is good. There is an excellent tapas place adjacent Morgans in the Yacht Club complex – Bacaro. Both of those places are seaside on Governor’s harbor and have a lively small bar scene. Of all the restaurants, I have most consistently enjoyed Ragazzi for a full breadth of menu. The new Boggy Sand Café is excellent and is located just new to the Jaques Scott Wine store, next to Fosters Grocery, just before the four corners in West Bay.

Tour operators and things to see while visiting our beautiful island.

Our recommended dive operators

Great fishing in Cayman.