Island Epicurean’s Favourite Date Night Restaurants in Cayman

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, those of us who celebrate with dinner need to start booking those reservations immediately. It may seem premature, but with our island currently being in the peak stage of our tourist season it means that there are more people to complete with for a table.  If you’re not a Valentine’s Day regular, then the below guide will also help you choose an amazing restaurant for a date.  These are some of my favourite restaurants in Cayman due to their top notch service, delectable meals and stunning ambiance.

Bácaro

Bácaro’s canalside location and nautical-inspired décor make it one of the most stunning restaurants in Cayman.  I particularly enjoy this style of dining because you’re encouraged to order multiple items as their name comes from an Italian word that is suggestive of a small plates/ tapas experience.  They offer an incredible wine and cocktail menu (plus mocktails) and their small plates range from elevated comfort food to luxuriously plated dishes.  There is also a limited selection of large plates if you’re feeling hungry enough for one or keen to share with your date. 

The Brasserie

If you’re in the mood for locally sourced ingredients and a touch of the Caribbean, The Brasserie is the restaurant for you.  Their décor features furniture made of natural materials, a wine room and walls draped with art of tropical flora.  They are so dedicated to the farm-to-table movement that they have gone above and beyond what any other restaurant does on island; an on-site garden, ‘catch of the day’ courtesy of their two fishing boats, eggs from their Chateau Chook hens and even honey from their apiary.  With two deep-sea fishing boats it’s clear that their menu predominantly focuses on seafood, but there are also a handful of meat-centric dishes and vegetarian options available too.  

LUCA

If you want a more elevated Mediterranean dining experience, you need to visit LUCA.  This restaurant holds a special place for me because it was also my wedding reception venue.  Their indoor seating is surrounded by two glass-enclosed wine rooms, while the outside patio sits amongst a grassy area adjacent to Seven Mile Beach so you can hear the hum of waves crashing in the distance.  Every year since opening, LUCA have been granted the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence because their climate controlled wine rooms hold 5,500 bottles and over 1,000 labels.  Their menu features a variety of pasta (with a gluten-free option available), meat and seafood items with some examples being Spaghetti Alle Vongole, Chicken Piccata and Branzino.

Taikun

You may have your casual restaurant in Cayman for Japanese cuisine, but a trip to Taikun will change your mindset entirely.  This beautiful restaurant with private booths tucked along the wall is located a short distance from the foyer at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. With the largest sake list in Cayman, it’s worth trying this Japanese spirit if you haven’t before or stick to your guns and enjoy a selection of cocktails and wine.  Note only does Taikun use only the best quality fish for their sushi, but they even feature dishes with ingredients like truffle oil, wagyu beef and foie gras.  Even though I’m not a big dessert fan, I always cave to any of the desserts made by the Ritz-Carlton’s pastry chefs and you will too.

If you feel like you want a more detailed list, feel free to send me a message on Instagram (@island_epicurean).