8 Best Restaurants in Anguilla

Creative cuisine, an upscale atmosphere, attentive service, and an excellent wine cellar please the star-studded crowd at Blanchards, one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. Ever changing but always good, the contemporary menu, with items such as the warm Brussels sprout Caesar and the sesame-crusted sea bass, wins over even the most sophisticated palates. Proprietors Bob and Melinda Blanchard moved to Anguilla from Vermont in 1994 to fulfill their culinary dreams. A festive atmosphere pervades the handsome, airy white room, accented with teal-blue, floor-to-ceiling shutters to let in the breezes, and colorful artwork by the Blanchards' son Jesse. No matter what, do save room for dessert---even though choosing will not be easy.

The romantic open-air setting of Celeste by Kerth Gumbs on a promontory overlooking Meads Bay sets the stage for a memorable meal. The menu is created by famed local chef Kerth Gumbs, who has made quite a name for himself in London, including appearing on Young MasterChef and Great British Menu. Back on his home island, he cooks up creative dishes with international flare, using as many local ingredients as possible. At breakfast, there's an extensive selection including salmon eggs Benedict. Dinners include whole fish, beef tenderloin, lamb chops, and scallops, among many others. Keep this restaurant in mind for a special occasion---it absolutely will not disappoint.

As the only steak house on the island, D Richard's just off the golf course at Aurora Anguilla hits all the marks expected with the classic cuisine. Large high-quality steaks made in a Josper oven, comforting side dishes, beautifully made salads (using greens and produce from the property's hydroponic garden) grace the menu. Martinis (and other cocktails) are made ice cold to your liking and the wine cellar features so many options that an iPad is brought to your table allowing you to glance through the offerings easily. During the day lighter lunch fare (think steak sandwiches and eggplant milanese) is served and grab n' go breakfast is available for those with early tee times.

On beautiful Meads Bay, this restaurant continues to receive raves. Chef Alain has created a lovely open-air restaurant that turns out carefully prepared and nicely presented French food accompanied by good wines and personal attention. A delicious starter terrine of feta and grilled vegetables is infused with pesto. Hand-chopped Jacala steak tartare and olive oil–poached mahimahi with curry-lemongrass sauce are entrée standouts. Lighter lunchtime options include a cucumber-yogurt soup garnished with tomato sorbet. After lunch you can digest on the beach in a Fatboy lounger, but save room for dessert.

A not-to-be-missed restaurant where Caribbean flavors steal the show, Sharky's is a result of Chef Lowell Hodge's perfectionism. He does a few things here and does them well, as a usually full house well attests ("house," by the way, is an operative word---you'll dine on the front porch of a private home). The very creamy cinnamon spice soup is a great prelude to the Anguilla lobster cakes, mingled with red pepper. An outstanding entrée is the jerk shrimp served with creamy mashed potato or the chef's famous lobster stir-fry. Leave room for dessert because the black cake, a recipe that has been passed in the chef's family from generation to generation, is a must try. If you prefer your dessert poured into a glass, try the island flavored coconut mojito.

A charming owner, a gorgeous oceanfront location, sophisticated and original food, and friendly service are why this stylish restaurant on the beautiful Meads Bay has been in business since the mid-1990s. Whether for breakfast, lunch, late afternoon snack, or dinner, you will find appealing, tasty, and fresh choices to mix up or share. Try the lobster johnnycake Benedict for breakfast, the big-eye-tuna flatbread carpaccio for lunch, and the curried goat for dinner. Fish of the day is truly caught that day, and vegetarians and kids find many options, too. The coconut curry cauliflower comes highly recommended. The view of the stunning beach just a few feet away makes it difficult to leave this restaurant after your meal. The good news is that you don' t have to. Take a lounge chair and umbrella and stay for drinks, where the friendly beach service makes sure you won't have to lift a finger. 

This sophisticated sushi and teppanyaki restaurant owes its raves to its chef from Nobu in London; if you love sushi, dinner here is a must. Chances are you will find local chefs and other restaurant people here on their night out. The sake bar features terrific cocktails with names like Eager Ninja and Saketini, and chefs slice up ocean-fresh fish for sashimi and sushi both traditional and otherwise. Hot pots, rice dishes, Wagyu beef, and yakitori skewers round out the menu. There are even sushi classes for those looking for an interactive dinner experience.

On the suavely minimalist four-sided verandah, stylishly appointed tables glow with flickering candlelight from sea urchin–shape porcelain votive holders. Chic patrons mingle and sip mojitos to the purr of soft jazz in a lively lounge. Co-owner Carrie Bogar's "cuisine of the sun" features ingenious preparations, first-rate provisions, and ample portions that are shareable works of art. Sample Moroccan-spiced shrimp "cigars" with roast tomato–apricot chutney or Indian spiced yellow pea soup. Jerk-spiced tuna is served with poached pineapple, plantain chips and red pepper, and butter-poached lobster is divine, as is warm chocolate cake with toasted almond ice cream. Consider splurging on the exquisite five-course tasting menu. For a relaxing casual evening, head downstairs to Meze at Veya to lounge in an open-air Moroccan tent while you share small tapas-style Mediterranean plates. There's live music nightly and Omari Banks, one of the island's best musicians, plays on Monday and Friday.