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Where to Eat
The Cayman Islands offer a wide variety of dining options, especially Grand Cayman, where visitors can opt for anything from a three-course gourmet meal to fast food. Typically, vacationers should expect to pay about US$45-75 per person for a three-course meal with wine in one of the island's finest restaurants; about US$6-10 for a casual lunch or dinner. Fast food lunches or snacks can be obtained for about US$3-7 per person.
American
American Eats Crocodile Rock Café, Falls Shopping Mall on West Bay Rd., (345) 947-5288. This American-style diner starts with a full breakfast then moves on to serve daily lunch specials, including burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches and fajitas. Dinner offerings run from stir-fry dishes and steak to seafood, and pasta.
Caribbean Café Tortuga, West Bay Rd., (345) 949-8669 or 949-7427. $$. Sit inside in the faux-Caribbean atmosphere or outdoors on a very faux-sand "beach" and enjoy reasonably priced breakfast, lunch, or dinner at this restaurant owned by Tortuga Rum. Menu selections include many Caribbean favorites - jerk chicken with rice and peas is popular - along with steaks, burgers, pizza, pastas, fish burgers, and much more. It's all followed, not too surprisingly, by dessert selections that include a slice of that not-to-be-missed Tortuga Rum Cake. Service here can be glacial, but reasonable prices make it worth a visit.
Lantana's Restaurant and Bar, West Bay Rd., (345) 947-5595. $$$. This elegant restaurant has an excellent menu featuring spicy Cuban black bean soup, jerk pork tenderloin, grilled yellowfin tuna with cilantro linguine, and more. Top it off with tropical coconut cream pie with white chocolate and mango sauce or frozen Cayman lime pie with raspberry sauce and whipped cream. Inventive presentations make this a good choice for a special night out.
Lone Star Bar, West Bay Rd., (345) 945-5175. $-$$. This bar, next to the Hyatt Regency entrance, was recently named one of the "World's Top 100 Bars" by Newsweek magazine. The atmosphere is rollicking and fun, a mix of both locals and vacationers who come to enjoy a drink and some conversation in this t-shirt decorated bar. Every inch of available space seems to be occupied by the donated t-shirts as well as autographed memorabilia. The Lone Star is often patronized by visiting celebrities. The adjoining restaurant, decorated as a 50s diner, features an All-You-Can-Eat Fajita Rita night on Monday and Thursday, a Cayman bargain.
Continental
The Links Restaurant, The Links at Safehaven Golf Course, (345) 949-5988. $$$. Located upstairs in the golf club, this air-conditioned restaurant is a favorite with duffers for both lunch and dinner. The lunch menu offers fried scampi, fish and chips, burgers, and steaks. Dinner includes a wide variety of dishes, from salmon steak to Jamaican jumbo shrimp to veal schnitzel and Brazilian pork. Open for lunch from 11:30 to 2:30; dinner 6 to 9:30.
Fast Food
It may not seem right to come to the islands and dine on fast food, but budget-conscious travelers find this is a valuable option. We found the fast food chains, while offering American food, did offer a slice of local life - most fellow diners are local residents. We also found the service to be friendly and prompt; Pizza Hut provided excellent table service and a kind staff member transformed a penny-pinching night out into a nice dinner for the two of us. Fast food franchises found along Seven Mile Beach include Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and others.
Italian
Ristorante Bella Capri, West Bay Rd., (345) 945-4755. $$. Enjoy seafood or Italian specialties at this casual eatery. Veal and steak round out the menu. Open for lunch 11:45 to 2 p.m. on weekedays; dinner 5:30 to 10:30. Reservations are suggested.
Seafood
Seafood Benjamin's Roof Seafood Restaurant, West Bay Road at Coconut Place, (345) 947-4080. $$$. When you're ready to go all out, head to this elegant restaurant which serves clams casino, marinated conch, turtle steak, lobster, shrimp, crab, scallops, and a full line of meat and pasta dishes. Open for dinner from 5:30 to 10:30; an early bird menu is offered from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
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