30 Best Restaurants in Turks and Caicos Islands

This casual local hot spot is one of the only restaurants in Grace Bay that serves authentic and traditional Turks and Caicos cuisine (beyond the standard cracked conch or conch salad). From braised oxtail with butter beans to hash shark, you'll find items on this menu that you won't find elsewhere, all infused with life and love from Chef Nik. If you're looking for something a little more familiar, try the grilled lamb racks, or the tamarind-glazed rack of ribs. Saturday morning brunch is real island style—with steamed, stewed, or pan-fried snapper, pork or chicken souse, and fire engine—that's corned beef hash with steamy hot grits.

An institution on Provo for years, this brightly colored beach shack with live music is justly famous for its seafood and the island's freshest conch, which is fished fresh out of the shallows and broiled, spiced, cracked, or fried to absolute perfection. They also have Johnny fries, a local tradition of French fries with a black-bean-and-local-pepper sauce. Other options include a few chicken dishes, as well as shrimp, tacos, and lobster when in season. Bands play Wednesdays evenings and a DJ on Friday nights. There's a lively Sunday Funday on the beach starting just after noon. 

Miss B is cook, the bartender, the hostess, and even leads karaoke sessions when there's a crowd, yet she still makes the time to chat with every guest. The menu is simple, but the food is good and includes fresh fish and conch, juicy burgers, and jerk chicken. There's indoor and outdoor seating, and strong Wi-Fi. Dinner is available during the high season by reservation, and Miss B will deliver to just about any part of North or Middle Caicos. The $5 drinks and snacks are a bargain in these parts.

The view alone from the outside deck overlooking the dramatically stunning Mudjin Harbour makes a meal here worthwhile. Standouts for lunch are the jerk burger, and—of course—the conch fritters with balsamic reduction and roasted garlic aioli. For dinner, try the chipotle Southern fried chicken or the ceviche with pico de gallo. Prices are less than you would pay in Provo, though the quality of the food is just as good as that in some of the more upscale and expensive restaurants there. Walk-ins are fine for lunch, but reservations for dinner are essential.

Fondly thought of as the gathering spot, this bistro with a full bar and occasional live music is a block from the dock and overlooking the salina. It offers simple but good breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare that changes depending on what's available. Theme nights (tacos on Tuesday, ribs on Sunday) are popular with visitors and locals, making this a great hangout for all. Reservations for dinner are essential and must be made by 2 pm. The kitchen closes at 8 pm.

The fish at this beachside bar and restaurant is as fresh as it gets—they’re located immediately next to the dock so they grab the best that's brought in from the sea each afternoon. The owner, Omar, is Jamaican-born and Turks and Caicos–raised, and the menu pays homage to both cultures with excellent conch salad as well as some of the best authentic jerk chicken and pork around. Grab a drink and lounge in the shallow ocean just steps away. Omar's also offers a combo lunch and water-sports package with Five Cays Watersports.

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.

Most folks refer to this spot as "Darryl's" after the outgoing owner, who is also the head chef. This casual restaurant features a menu of the day that usually boasts conch and fish that's as fresh as it gets. He's right across from the dock, so your food travels right from the sea to your plate. Darryl sticks to traditional island cuisine, with the exception of a burger and fries and some pizzas. It's simple, good ol' down-home cookin'. Come in time for the sunset. If you walked down, Darryl and his team will likely give you a ride back to your hotel or home whenever you're ready.

Known for friendly service that perfectly compliments the delicious food, Aquatic is a good choice for a bite to eat. Fresh fish fried, steamed, or grilled and burgers and cracked conch are always on the menu. They also offer daily specials depending on what they were able to pick up from the store. It's one of the few spots to grab a hearty breakfast as well. Try the tuna with grits, a local specialty.

Lillian Clare cooks up some incredible local delicacies in the kitchen of her small coral-colored home. As with most places, there's no sign, so just ask around. The menu changes based on what's available, and when the pot's empty the kitchen is closed, so it's always best to get there early or call ahead to put in your order. She takes advantage of local flora and fauna—sometimes there's pearbush bud and rice with dried conch and sometimes you'll get to try hog bush "cabbage" soup. It's takeout only.

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.

Though it's just a shack on the beach with a view, this is the epitome of what a Caribbean beach bar should be. Your feet are in the sand, and your table is an old wooden cable spool. Although the food is casual—hamburgers and conch—the views are outstanding and the company is even better. Hang out with the owners at sunset for stories of the way North Caicos used to be. You'll be in great company.

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.

Conch & Coconuts is a great little restaurant located in the newly built Grace Bay Market. Everything on the dining menu has something to do with either conch, coconuts, or both! There's also a great island-inspired drinks menu—try out a Middle Caicos Mosquito or a Grand Turk Donkey Juice to let loose.

This brightly painted oceanside café located next to the dock offers your basic North American fare for breakfast: omelets, French toast, eggs, and cereal. For lunch there are grilled burgers and wraps, and frozen cocktails. Be sure to make a dinner reservation in advance. There's happy hour from 5 to 7 every night at the full-service bar to help you loosen up and enjoy the night. 

Located at South Caicos Ocean and Beach Resort, the grill is the only restaurant that operates oceanside. Here you can find a diverse menu that includes burgers, chicken, and freshly caught fish, as well as some exquisite lobster dishes (when in season). At night this turns into a gathering place for visitors and locals alike; it can be quite lively. On the flip side, it's also one of the few spots to get a decent breakfast any day of the week.

The perfect stop on a hot day, El Coco offers refreshing smoothie bowls that'll leave you ready to take on the heat. The bar serves fresh juices mixed with your favorite choice of liquor. Also a store, you can purchase anything from locally made bags and baskets to teas and eco-friendly, sustainable items made from coconut shells.

There's a wooden sign on the roadside, but none on the restaurant—just look for the bright orange house at the top of the steep, rocky driveway. It's the only spot in Bottle Creek for traditional home-cooked island food, including fish fingers, conch prepared every which way, and a few non-seafood dishes, too. They're open Monday through Friday, but you can call ahead to see if they can accommodate you on a Saturday. 

Whether it's a whole fried fish served along with a helping of conch and rice or it's simply chicken and fries, Fresh Catch has options to satisfy. The space is a regularly frequented lunch spot, but like all places in Salt Cay, it's best to call ahead. 

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. 

This is one of the prettiest settings on Provo. Dine under the stars in an English-style garden or at one of the tables placed artfully upon the graceful covered verandah skirting the gingerbread cottage. Tangy and exciting entrées include Caicos bouillabaisse, duck confit cassoulet, and a succulent tomahawk steak for sharing. The portions are small, but the quality is high. A nice touch is the small stool ladies are given to place their purses. On Tuesday night, live music adds to the good vibes.

Located at the Sandy Point Marina, this café offers something for everyone, including cracked conch and fresh fish, as well as burgers and sandwiches. It's a great little place to grab a bite to eat before you head out to explore the islands or before catching the ferry back to Provo. There's no sign. Just head for the umbrella-covered tables and you'll see the takeout window where you place your order.

This is a must-try, as it has delicious home-style island cooking. They have a wide array of local dishes and something for everyone. For around $10, you can order a full meal consisting of peas or okra and rice, a barbecue main, and another side. Located directly next to the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex, this is also the only drive-thru restaurant in the country. So just look for the row of cars lined up on the side of a brown building.

Friday night's barbecue ribs are reason enough to stop by this small restaurant, serving traditional island fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sit inside the air-conditioned dining room for a welcome break from the heat, or grab a picnic table under the trees outside. If you need to check in to see what's happening in the world, they also offer free Wi-Fi.

Dining at Parallel 23 is full of old-world charm. Tall French doors open onto the wide, elevated terrace overlooking a courtyard peppered with uplighted date palms, and a fountain adding a quiet tinkle in the background. The Caribbean fusion menu features a refreshing watermelon salad, as well as the Thai seared tuna. For dessert try the lemon meringue pie drizzled with raspberry sauce and topped with all sorts of goodies. This romantic spot is perfect for that extra-special evening, so dress up and enjoy!

Island native Patricia Ann Simmons can give you a lesson in the medicinal qualities of her garden plants and periwinkle flowers, as well as provide excellent native cuisine for a very reasonable price in her comforting Salt Cay home. Home cooking doesn't get any closer to home than this. Try her conch fritters, cracked conch, or chicken-and-chips for lunch and the steamed grouper or red snapper with peas and rice for dinner. As with most places in Salt Cay, you must place your order by 2 pm and tell them what time you want to eat dinner. Pat cooks only upon request with reservation. Beer and wine are offered with the evening meal, and payment is by cash only. Pat also has the Island Shop on Victoria Street, a small grocery selling staples.

Pat's Place serves your traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you're looking for fresh, home-cooked fish, this is the place to go. Pat's Place has a quaint setup on the back patio of her home, in the midst of a beautiful garden. It's definitely a stop you should make, but like other places on Salt Cay, please be sure to call ahead for dinner reservations.

This beach bar serves basic local fare perfectly cooked and is a great spot to grab a cold one in the middle of the afternoon or as the sun sets. Island favorites include grouper made in a variety of ways, and tangy homemade barbecue ribs cooked on an open charcoal flame. You will have to walk through the Cultural Center to get to the restaurant unless you come off the beach; you can do some light local shopping while you’re there. Here for New Year's? Ricky's hosts an annual party and has an optimal view of Grace Bay Beach, making it one of the most popular spots for watching all the firework displays. Plus, with a live band playing, its a great way to bring in a new year.

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.