Monday, July 31, 2006

Anguilla Restaurants


Another thing, besides beaches that Anguilla has no shortage of is restaurants. Restaurants, restaurants, restaurants. How do you choose?

Well, for me it's simple. Go where the locals eat! The first thing I do is ask the taxi driver for a recommendation. I go the local route whenever I can. It's cheaper and I think more of a true flavor of the island than the many more expensive restaurants that cater to the Caribbean tourist crowd. Restaurants come and go on Anguilla, although a few have been mainstays for many years.

There are many fine small local restaurants that serve local food for very reasonable rates. One is English Rose. Located in the Valley English Rose has fantastic Caribbean specialties with dinner less than $10. Another favorite of mine is the restaurant located in the airport, Til' Last Flight. This little restaurant is always bustling in the afternoon, and after eight trips to the island it's still my favorite place for lamb curry.

For fresh seafood there is no place like Anguilla. I'll never forget the first time I had fish at the Palm Grove on Junk's Hole. My friend and I watched the fish be caught, and cooked. Fantastic. Smitty's in Island Harbor has the best crayfish around, and a pretty good rum punch to boot.

I'd never suggest any type of meal plan if you're planning to visit Anguilla, not that there are many offered. I did take a meal plan once, when I stayed at Cove Castles. But this was only after I'd visited about five times to the island, so I didn't feel like I'd miss out on anything. The food was fantastic. It was from the Altamer Restaurant.

The most popular "sit down - fancy" restaurants are located on the West End, where the high end resorts are. However, if you have a jeep you really should travel around to find the smaller restaurant gems located throughout the island, such as the Hibernia in Island Harbor.