At Turquoise, we believe that to really get under the skin of a destination, you have to try the local food. It’s a delicious and invaluable link to a place’s culture, where your palate can be transported to a traditional kitchen or a classic landscape just by what’s on your plate. This week, we share our three favourite eateries in Anguilla, a Caribbean island that has firmly got its foot on the foodie map…
Blanchards Beach Shack
With its colourful wooden boards, railings and corrugated metal roof, Blanchards is a classic Caribbean beach shack! It caught my eye as soon as I saw it, run by friendly locals and full of fun. Anguilla is known for its fine-dining scene but Blanchards is somewhere where the locals go, so it’s a rustic spot to both grab a bite to eat and really get under the skin of the island’s culture. The menu, written in colourful pastels on blackboards, is plentiful but I tried the fish and shrimp tacos, which were very tasty. If you’re exploring Meads Bay for the day, then this is a brilliant place for lunch, a quick drink on the beach or an ice cream!
Straw Hat
A great local restaurant on the beach where you can sit either outside or inside, Straw Hat is very charming. It’s very authentic in design, with straw hats decorating the lampshades and fairy lights strung between palms. Locals were eating there when I went which is always a good sign for a restaurant and the food was really tasty. I had a lovely meal of curried goat, while the cocktails were also great! It’s the perfect place for an evening meal, where you can watch the sunset with a drink in hand and listen to local musicians playing in the background.
Ocean Echo
Another fantastic restaurant lying on the beach (this is the Caribbean after all!), Ocean Echo mixes fine-dining food with a local feel. When I visited I went for the parmesan-crusted scallops, which were just delicious. All of the fish on the menu is sourced locally and super fresh, making for such tasty food. Even if you’re not hungry, Ocean Echo is ideal for a sunset cocktail soundtracked by live Caribbean music. Resident mixologist Dillon is on hand to make any drink you want – even if it’s not on the menu!
