2 Best Restaurants in North Side, Cayman Islands

Overlooking the North Sound, this beach hangout rocks during the day (fantastic lunches that cost half the price of dinner, festive atmosphere including impromptu volleyball tourneys, and free Wi-Fi) and serves murderous margaritas and mudslides well into the evening to boisterous yachties, locals, sports buffs, and expats. Enjoy smoked mahi-mahi pâté, brick-oven pizzas, hefty burgers, and wondrous wraps, either on the multitier seafood platter with Christmas lights or in hammocks and thatched cabanas amid the palms. Swaddled in white muslin, the nautically themed Upstairs dining room (noted for its rare rum selection) is open nightly except Tuesday (reservations essential) and serves more creative fare at higher prices. The ultimate in romance is the catered Luna del Mar on the Friday evening closest to the full moon. Tuesday beach barbecues are popular (including limbo dancing, live music, half-price drinks, and discounted water taxi service to the "mainland").

This fun, funky seaside spot brims with character and characters (a soused regular might welcome you by reciting, "The daily lunch special: chilled barley soup . . . That's beer"). Expertly prepared local fare (Cajun chicken, conch steak, or Cayman rock lobster escoveitch, served with rice and beans, plantains, and fried festival bread) is a bargain, especially at lunch, though the chef also surprises with such gussied-up fare as shrimp in Pernod sauce and turtle steak in Port. The nutty nautical decor—brass ships' lanterns dangle from the ceiling, and steering wheels, lacquered turtle shells, and fishing photos adorn the walls—contrasts with cool mirrored ads for Gitanes and Mumm Cordon Rouge and the trendily semi-open kitchen with fresh fish prominently displayed. The jukebox jumps (country music rules the roost), and the tiki-torch-lit terrace offers stunning views and fresh breezes.