Let’s get this out of the way. This list looks different than it otherwise might if a pair of unwelcome visitors named Irma and Maria hadn’t made their way through the Caribbean this fall. Indeed, the storm hit some of the Caribbean’s major culinary capitals like Anguilla, St Martin, St Barth and Puerto Rico (although many eateries there have already begun to reopen, too). Happily, the Caribbean culinary world is as robust as it has ever been, and the number of terrific restaurants in the Caribbean continues to rise. Caribbean Journal’s preeminent list of the 50 best restaurants in the Caribbean continues this year, with another impressive offering from across the region. Having scoured the region and evaluated the region’s greatest restaurants using our three pillars of evaluation: food, service and ambience, here are the 50 best restaurants in the Caribbean of 2017.
Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant, Curaçao The new number one restaurant in the Caribbean is a masterwork, with international cuisine impeccably prepared by superstar chef Rene Klop, all with an indescribably romantic, beachfront ambience. And then there are the little touches — everything from steak tartare prepared tableside to an always-creative amuse bouche.
Screaming Eagle, Aruba
Star chef Erwin Husken’s magnum opus (and Aruba’s greatest eatery) is a hip, elegant restaurant focused on sourcing the best ingredients from all over the world. And it just keeps getting better.
Blue, Cayman Islands Eric Ripert’s Caribbean outpost lives up to the billing with the best seafood you’ll eat anywhere in the Caribbean. Period.
Bistrot Caraïbes, St Martin The culinary capital of the Caribbean is making a comeback, with more Grand Case, St Martin restaurants opening their doors, led by the world-class Bistrot Caraibes.
Graycliff, Nassau The Caribbean’s first five-star restaurant remains one of its best. It’s still one of the few places in the Caribbean where eating dinner is very much an event, set in the heart of a historic mansion in Old Nassau.
Flying Fish, Grand Bahama Chef Tim Tibbitts is the man who put Grand Bahama on the culinary map with this molecular gastronomy restaurant right on the water in Freeport.
Parallel 23, Turks and Caicos The most romantic restaurant in Turks and Caicos has a wide-ranging menu of artfully crafted dishes, with particularly good seafood. But the dessert at The Palms’ flagship restaurant just might be the real star.
The Cliff at Cap, St Lucia St Lucia’s signature restaurant has a sparkling view (you can even see Martinique), a broad wine list and superb offering of local and continental cuisine. But it’s Chef Craig Jones’ commitment to creativity that truly inspires — it’s the kind of restaurant that even makes its own limoncello and ages its own rum.
The Restaurant at Round Hill, Jamaica Jamaican food doesn’t get any better than this delightful restaurant by Chef Martin Maginley, who puts an emphasis on local sourcing and gourmet takes on local recipes.
Cocovan, Turks and Caicos One of the new additions to this list is a playful, wonderful restaurant that’s half food truck, half haute cuisine. The result? A huge hit.
Rhodes Restaurant at Calabash, Grenada Grenada’s greatest restaurant has superb seafood, warm service and a hard to beat setting on the beautiful grounds of the Calabash boutique hotel.
Sheer Rocks, Antigua Antigua’s new flagship restaurant has one of the best views anywhere in the Caribbean, with the food to match.
Balter, St Croix St Croix has quietly become one of the Caribbean’s hottest food scenes, and it’s in large part thanks to Balter, an inventive eatery in the heart of Christiansted.
Chaud, Trinidad Chef Khalid Mohammed’s Chaud, in a new location in Port of Spain since it first appeared on this list, offers up superb international cuisine from zaatar spiced lamb carpaccio to foie gras.
Le Tropicana, St Martin The always-marvelous Tropicana in the heart of Marigot’s Marina Royale is back open again, still serving up inspired French Caribbean fare right on the water.
Uptown Eatery, St Croix Local culinary legends Dave and Jane Kendrick just opened this tiny spot in August, and it’s already a sensation, led by its signature Mahi Piccata — possibly the greatest fish dish in the Caribbean. Get there early though — it’s only open until 7 PM.
La Voile Blanche, Martinique Another new name on this list, the relatively new eatery in the town of Le Diamant stuns with overwhelmingly good seafood, a direct beachfront setting and terrific service.
Tamarin, St Barth St Barth’s quick comeback from the hurricane means many of its top eateries are back including the out of this world Tamarin steps from Grand Saline.
Marmalade Restaurant and Wine Bar, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has long been one of the region’s culinary epicenters, and its gastronomic scene continues to recover with the comebacks of institutional like Chef Peter Schintler’s endlessly creative Marmalade in Old San Juan.
Jacala in Anguilla.
Jacala Beach Restaurant, Anguilla A regular on this list, this magnificent eatery on the beach in Meads Bay has long set the standard on an island known for its food – and it’s officially back open.
Chef Jose Enrique.
Jose Enrique, Puerto Rico Jose Enrique’s now legendary, eponymous eatery in San Juan’s Santurce neighborhood is still open, and better than ever.
Dune, Nassau Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten’s famous Bahamas outpost at the now Four Seasons-branded Ocean Club has returned to this list with its perfectly prepared mix of Bahamian and French flavors.
Sapodilla Estate, Nassau Executive Chef Edwin Johnson’s eatery in an old home in New Providence is a triumph of Bahamian-continental fusion.
Rock House, Harbour Island There’s just something special about this hilltop eatery on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, with a warmly romantic ambience and outstanding food.
Le Petibonum, Martinique Yes, it may seem like a beach bar, but it’s so much more, with some of the most creative French Caribbean food you’ll ever find and a commitment to creative sourcing and preparation. Chef Guy Ferdinand continues to wow.
Mahogany House, Nassau It’s worth the trek to the far west of Nassau for a meal at this hip eatery at the Island House boutique hotel emphasizing simple, exquisitely prepared fare.
Veya, Anguilla The most romantic place to eat in Anguilla has reopened its doors with its astonishingly diverse menu and an impressive wine list.
The dishes at La Table de Marcel are works of art.
La Table de Marcel, Martinique
Michelin-star chef Marcel Ravin’s unassuming eatery in Fort de France’s Hotel Simon is, in a word, remarkable, thanks to the kind of preparation, plating and technique you seldom find in the region.
Le Poisson Rouge, Guadeloupe As romantic a restaurant as there is in the Caribbean, this hillside eatery in the Tendacayou eco-boutique has a magnificent menu of Creole favorites and French fare. Go for the tasting menu if it’s available.
La Savane, Guadeloupe The best restaurant in the budding culinary capital of Deshaies, La Savane wows with its fish and its exotic, African-inspired decor.
Boucan By Hotel Chocolat, St Lucia Everything in the food here has some form of cacao in it, meaning it’s one of the most adventurous, surprising meals you’ll find in the Caribbean.
Orlando’s, St Lucia One of the best-kept secrets in St Lucia, this Soufriere-area outpost by Chef Orlando Sachell takes authentic Caribbean cuisine to another level.
Hartwood, Mexico
One of the hardest tables to get in the Caribbean, this Tulum outpost has become perhaps the most stunning restaurant on the Riviera Maya with a menu that’s different every day of the week.
Daphne’s, Barbados Italian fare doesn’t get much better than this, now in the hands of Chef Michele Blasi adjacent to The House by Elegant Hotels.
The Cliff, Barbados Barbados’ most exclusive table continues to deliver under the stewardship of Chef Paul Owens.
Wilhelmina, Aruba The food is from all over the world, but the vibe is quintessentially Aruba: that means, cool, playful with awesome service in one of Aruba’s hippest new neighborhoods.
At Sea, Bonaire Even under new ownership, At Sea continues to lead the pack in Bonaire with a wide-ranging menu of seafood-focused favorites.
Le Babaorum, Martinique This tucked-away spot in the outskirts of Fort de France isn’t just a place to see and be seen — it’s got truly impressive French Caribbean food, too.
Jellyfish, Dominican Republic You drive down a dirt road and think you’ve found a large beach bar. Think again. This Punta Cana spot has some of the Caribbean’s most impressive seafood.
Au Bon Vivre, Guadeloupe Set in the heart of Terre de Haut’s main street, this warm, welcoming bistro is all about fresh fish, great wine and classic French Caribbean hospitality.
Luca, Cayman Islands The Caribbean Club’s on-site Italian eatery has delicious pasta and one of the region’s most impressive wine lists, too.
Kai Manje, St Lucia It’s not just the marvelous wine list (although that alone is a reason to come here). The local, authentic cuisine is as good as it gets in St Lucia at the flagship restaurant of the Ti Kaye Resort.
Bananas, Nevis Nevis’ destination restaurant continues to impress with its menu of “international comfort food” with local flair.
Mill Privee, Nevis The most romantic restaurant in Nevis is also its best, set in an old sugar mill that’s one of the great meals you’ll have in the Caribbean.
Ristorante Papagallo, Cayman Islands As any great restaurant should be, this landmark spot on a lagoon in Grand Cayman is an experience — with outstanding service and food masterly prepared by Chef Marco Signori.
Savant, St Croix The menu is constantly changing at this St Croix stalwart that emphasizes high-level local sourcing from seafood to produce. Chef Chris Booth’s creative dishes range from shrimp toast to pork empanadas to “sous vide poulet rouge roulade.” And then there’s the ambience, with both an indoor room and a beautiful garden courtyard.
Le Bistro, Antigua Antigua’s venerable French restaurant is still serving up indulgent fare, with a romantic setting and very attentive service.
Maroc, Aruba It’s hard to decide what’s more impressive, the hip, Moroccan decor or the superb tapas-style cuisine.
La Langouste, St Barth Want to eat on the water in St Barth right now? This is the spot, with terrific food and a great bar. And yes, the lobster is oustanding, too.
Queen’s Gardens Restaurant, Saba Saba’s flagship restaurant (and hotel) serves up stunning views and even more impressive seafood, led by the worth-the-trip Saban lobster.
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