The most popular local foods include Coconut shrimp, Turtle stew, Breadfruit salad, and Heavy cake. The menu is full of traditional favorites and unique twists on familiar dishes. If you can’t decide what to eat, read on for some suggestions. Whether you’re hungry for a tasty lunch or a filling dinner, the local cuisine has something for everyone. Try some of these delicacies, and you’ll leave the Cayman Islands with a taste of a place you’ve never been.
Turtle stew
Although the Cayman Islands was once known as the ‘Islands that time forgot,’ the island has adapted to the modern world by incorporating some of its traditional foods into the modern diet. You have to see all restaurants in Grand Cayman for a more memorable experience. The national dish, Turtle stew, is one such example. Turtle stew is made with meat and other turtle parts, including the menavlins. Although some turtles are used for meat, most are harvested for preservation and released back into the wild.
Unlike many other local dishes, turtle stew is made with turtle meat and is unique to the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Turtle Centre, once a Turtle Farm, now serves as a tourist attraction and breeds and raises green sea turtles for meat. While the meat is sold only within the islands, its use as a delicacy is vital to the ecosystem of the Cayman Islands.
Coconut shrimp
This Caribbean delicacy is fried in beer batter. It is served with a side of seasoned rice, and you can try the recipe at home, too. It is delicious, and you can mix it with vegetables of your choice. To get the best results, use big shrimp. Check the size of the shrimp you buy before frying them. There are several different recipes for coconut shrimp, so you should try many before settling for one.
For a delicious meal, try the Coconut Shrimp. This dish is found all over the islands. It is made with fresh shrimp dipped in coconut and then deep-fried. You can enjoy it as an appetizer, snack, or meal. Despite being a local delicacy, you can also try lobster, the king of seafood cuisines. Its thick meat combined with spices is a winning combination. Try Cayman lobster, too!
Breadfruit salad
There are many foods to try in the Cayman Islands, and breadfruit salad is one of them. Cayman stew is a popular choice; it uses coconut milk and a variety of root vegetables. There are also dumplings and five different kinds of fruit, all soaked in rum. Cayman stew is traditionally served at Christmas time or during wedding celebrations.
Fried lionfish and breadfruit salad is a delicious combination, and you can enjoy it at Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink. The restaurant staff catches the lionfish directly from nature, making the lionfish perfectly cooked. Other Cayman Island specialties include Coconut Shrimp and Breadfruit Salad. If you are craving seafood, you should also try the island’s famous coconut shrimp.
Heavy cake
A traditional Caymanian delicacy, the Cayman Islands heavy cake is a must-try at the annual Taste of the Island Food and Wine Festival. These tasty treats were created with ordinary ingredients considered a luxury in those days. In addition, the ingredients used to make the cake included cassava, coconut milk, spices, and cornstarch. But, with the advent of modern components, heavy cakes have become more than just tasty.
The traditional heavy cake in Cayman is made with cassava, also known as tapioca in the United States. The cake should stand upright when sliced and must jiggle a bit when eaten with your hands. This makes it a perfect dessert for a family gathering or a special celebration. And, of course, it should be served hot! But, the secret to an excellent heavy cake is in its proportions.
Big Tree BBQ
If you’re traveling to Grand Cayman, you may want to try Big Tree Barbecue. This delightful eatery is located on the east end of the island. Moreover, Trip Advisor has rated it the number two restaurant in Grand Cayman. The most memorable dishes are the barbecued chicken and pork, ginger-spiced cornbread, and cole slaw.
The big tree is a small open-air venue where you can enjoy delicious chargrilled Caymanian fare. This restaurant offers a convenient, inexpensive lunch near the beach in Gun Bay. The restaurant is operated by Henry Harris and his son, Arvin. Arvid wakes up early every morning to fire up the grill and smoker. The two men spend all day cooking. Try the ribs, chicken, and turtle, and don’t miss out on the freshest local seafood.