Anguilla, the quiet jewel of the Caribbean, enjoys a good reputation for its picturesque white sand beaches and extensive offer of quiet luxury properties. In addition, the island has also recently earned increasing acclaim for its breadth and quality of culinary options. Indeed, Anguilla has become something of a culinary hotspot in the Caribbean, offering both local fare and internationally inspired gourmet dishes right on the sands of its signature beaches.
With so many options to choose from, planning a meal for your next Anguilla itinerary can seem like a daunting task. Never fear: below we have compiled some recommendations perfect for every price point. Whether you’re looking to save some money for souvenirs or ready to splurge on a truly life-changing meal, Anguilla has options to please every palate.
A budget-friendly experience
For a true Anguillian experience stroll up Falcon Nest, near Island Harbor Beach Wharf. It’s one of the top-rated beach shacks on the island and for good reason. You will receive a warm welcome from the host, who is also a bartender and server. She brings you your choice of fresh lobster, snapper, calamari or prawns served in many delicious ways, with all the traditional sides. Dine on the terrace under the shade or on one of the tables scattered on the sand near the azure sea. For an even more casual experience, sit at the bar and enjoy a rum punch. The atmosphere is relaxed. Fishing boats bobbing on the calm waters in the background provide a beautiful setting for your meal. Maybe one of those boats landed your fish earlier in the day? Prices are surprisingly reasonable.
A mid-range oasis of gourmet delights
Shoal Bay beach is consistently voted as one of the top 10 best beaches in the Caribbean, with two miles of pink-hued white sand, intense turquoise water, framed by a fringe of coconut trees and no people to disturb the peace – this Shoal Bay is not to be confused with Shoal Bay West on the other side of the island. Steps from the alley that leads from the parking lot to the beach, you will find another large restaurant Madeariman Bar and Restaurant. The restaurant opened 15 years ago and underwent a major renovation three years ago. It offers casual beach dining at its best, where you can relax in a beach chair under a shady umbrella with a refreshing drink before or after your meal, just inches away from the enticing warm water. While Madeariman commands the highest price, you absolutely get what you pay for: the seafood is the freshest, served with flair and comes in plenty of portions. The secret is the French chef-owner, who serves delights with a Mediterranean-Caribbean flavor every day. Best of all, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Enjoy a Mediterranean menu at one of Anguilla‘s best beaches
At the eastern end of Island Harbor and more centrally located on the budget scale is Hibernia Restaurant and Art Gallery. The restaurant was established in 1987 when the French chef and his partner moved to Anguilla. In 2013 they bought the property and made extensive improvements. The tables now border a Balinese-style water pool, and a stone sculpture garden filled with desert roses. During the off-season, the owners travel far – Japan, Burma, Laos, Thailand and Indonesia are some recent destinations – and from there they bring back treasures to fill their art gallery, as well as inspirations for their ever-changing menu. The chef’s background may be in the French cuisine that inspires the daily offering, but his worldwide travels have introduced him to a wide variety of other influences. Travel writers have said that Hibernia serves the most creative and delicious food on the island, that it has the most inventive cooking on the island and one writer even went so far as to say that it is probably among the most exquisite restaurants not only in Anguilla. but throughout the Caribbean. High praise indeed, but true. In addition, the restaurant offers an island-wide pick-up service upon request at a very reasonable round-trip price to get there and back without worry.
