Where to eat in Anguilla: crayfish, the grill and the sea

Anguilla is flat, dry and coral, with thin soil and little rain, so the food has always come from the sea rather than the land. That is the whole idea here: this is a seafood island, and the best meals are built around whatever came out of the water that day.

What to order

Crayfish is the one to chase, the local spiny lobster, sweeter and more tender than most, usually grilled with garlic or lemon butter. Grilled fish, conch and mahi-mahi turn up everywhere. For something older and plainer, pigeon peas and rice is the national plate, and johnny cakes, the fried bread, come with breakfast and most things after. Saltfish, shredded with onion and pepper, is the traditional morning dish.

The kitchens

☆

Water’s Edge

5WF8+CCW, Jeremiah Gumbs Highway, Anguilla BWI, The Valley, Anguilla

Open until 12:00 AM☆

Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve

Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla BWI, 2640, Anguilla

Closed☆

Vincy On The Beach

South Hill Village 2640, Anguilla

Closed☆

Lobster House Anguilla

South Hill Village 2640, Anguilla

Open until 10:00 PM☆

Ocean Echo

Meads Bay, West End Village 2640, Anguilla

Closed☆

SALT

Barnes Bay, 2640, Anguilla

Closed☆

Cip’s By Cipriani

Long Bay Village, Anguilla

Open until 9:00 PM☆

Falcon Nest Bar & Grill

Island Harbour, The Valley 2640, Anguilla

Closed☆

The Cap Shack

Maundays Bay, 2640, Anguilla

Before you go

Ring ahead for grilled crayfish and lobster, which the smaller kitchens cook to order. The number on each page is the restaurant’s own.