13 Best Restaurants in Turks and Caicos Islands

Off the town's main drag, this restaurant sits on a stunning but quiet stretch of beach just north of Cockburn Town. The food goes beyond the usual Grand Turk fare and is some of the island's best. They have an international theme night buffet on Tuesdays, each week featuring the cuisine of a different country. The wonderful barbecue on Saturday nights, including live music beachside, is a must-do event for locals and visitors alike. This is also a good spot to enjoy live music. There's jazz on Friday nights, rake 'n' scrape on Saturdays, and there's a fantastic saxophonist on Sundays. Dine inside by candlelight or out under starry skies. During the high season there's a lot more on offer, including movie night on the beach, Japanese bento box dinners, and even oldies night with a musician from Salt Cay.

Walk 1,600 feet down the beach from the cruise terminal to find this local beach bar. It gets busy with volleyball players, and offers chair rentals and tropical drinks. It's best approached from the beach, as from the back it looks like a warehouse. Casual food such as burgers and hot dogs are on the menu as well as local fare. There’s a coupon on their website for a free shot of Bambarra rum. The bar opens by 9 am, the grill by 11 am.

Run by two Canadian sisters, this popular beachside bar is very good value and the perfect spot to enjoy island time—no shoes or shirt required. The menu includes fresh-caught fish, lobster, and conch, as well as typical North American fare—burgers, quesadillas, and chicken and ribs—served island-style with peas and rice. On Friday, they pull out the barbecue and throw on whatever they were able to get from the store or the dock. The covered wooden deck juts out over the beach offering shade during the day; it's also a great place to enjoy a casual dinner while watching the sunset. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service friendly, and locals often meet here to socialize. If you’re just over for a day, be sure to arrive before 2:30, as service stops for a couple of hours midday to gear up for the evening crowd. If you're staying the night, drop by for some late-evening conversation.

A favorite local treat is homemade ice cream, and Aunty Nann's makes some of the best! The owner Cherline has crafted delicious flavors that are sure to cool you down on one of Grand Turk's famously hot days. Some of her most loved flavors include the Toasted Coconut that is a creamy coconut ice cream with toasted coconut flakes and the Bambarra Rum and Raisins—a traditional flavor with a local twist as the rum used is the locally made Bambarra Gold rum. Just look for the blue and pink cart to get a taste of Aunty Nann's homemade ice cream.

This takeout joint doesn't look like much, but it's a good place to get some local food, as evidenced by the locals who gather here. In addition to conch fritters (the best in town, they say), they also serve real island food like oxtail and cracked conch. There are picnic benches out front.

This restaurant is a little more upscale than most of the other dining spots on the island, with a lovely view of the ocean and tablecloths in the evening. It's become the place to be on Saturday nights, when a sizzling menu of barbecue ribs, chicken, and lobster (in season) combines with live music. The rest of the week offers a menu that changes frequently and a full bar with specialty drinks. Arrive early to secure waterfront tables, but note that a table around the Osprey's pool is also lovely. Simple island weddings are also a possibility here.

The left side of this tiny shack is Friskyz, where you can grab a takeout lunch or a light bite of conch fritters or potato wedges. Everything is fried, but that's what makes it all taste so good. There's a picnic bench outside the takeout window, and the spot overlooks the ocean and beach. 

One of the largest Margaritavilles in the world opens its doors when a cruise ship is parked at the dock. Tables are scattered around a large winding pool; there's even a DJ, a swim-up bar, and it's right next to the FlowRider (a wave pool where you can surf on land—for a fee). You can enjoy 52 flavors of margaritas or the restaurant's own beer, Landshark, while you eat casual bar food, including wings, quesadillas, burgers, and fish dishes. The food is decent, but the people-watching is great and there is always something fun to do.

Located at Arches on the Ridge, this small cafe is definitely not a spot to miss on your trip to Grand Turk. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Ridge Cafe has a menu full of options that will delight. Their huevos rancheros have received rave reviews from visitors, as have their fish tacos. The menu tends to change, as grocery options on Grand Turk can fluctuate, but this does not stop the Ridge Cafe from serving a delicious meal. The cafe also bakes bread, bagels, and buns on a regular, so if you're craving some fresh bread during your stay, you can call in to make an order.

This locally beloved open-air spot is tucked away amid tall tamarind and neem trees in a courtyard garden behind the historical Salt Raker Inn and serves simply prepared, local dishes such as grilled grouper and snapper, conch, and lobster. Be sure to try the grits if you’re around for breakfast. There's free Wi-Fi in the restaurant.

Head through the outdoor John Glenn landing museum to this laid-back spot for lunch, cocktails, and beach views. They offer traditional island cuisine, including jerk chicken and pork, as well as burgers and wings. As you look out on the beach you'll see the cruise ships to the left and the model beached whale to the right.

Located at the over 180-year-old Turks Head Inne, this restaurant is filled with old-world charm; the rich wood accents have been maintained, as well as much of the architectural detailing, some of it borrowed from decommissioned ships. Meals are served on a covered patio or overlooking the ocean on an elevated terrace, and service is friendly yet efficient—not quite as laid-back as might be experienced in other venues. The chef uses his expertise in Asian cuisine to create a wonderful fusion of island delicacies, incorporating lots of fresh vegetables and seafood.