Best Restaurants in South Caicos

by Alli

If you read my review of East Bay Resort, you know that South Caicos is a small, secluded island.

It’s the seventh-largest island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago, with a land area of 21.2 square kilometers (8.18 square miles).

South Caicos is known for excellent fishing, both deep-sea and bone fishing, and scuba diving. Today, we’re going to dive into my list of the best restaurants in South Caicos.

There are only five restaurants on this beautiful island. All of them are open-air restaurants and since I’m such a foodie, let’s look at all five restaurants.

Best Restaurants – South Caicos

It’s hard to rate these restaurants from one to five because they all offer different atmospheres, different price ranges, and different food options. So we will start with BLU, the resort restaurant, and go from there.

BLU Bar and Grill

The East Bay Resort restaurant, BLU Bar and Grill, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast is a full buffet, served 7:30-10:30 AM, and is complimentary.

Lunch is served between 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM.

The island-inspired dinner menu is served between 6:30 PM and 10:00 PM. Packed lunches are available for picnics, etc.

Best Restaurants South Caicos - BLU

For me, BLU has the best atmosphere, with amazing views of the ocean. Dinner is a fine dining (island-style) experience in a casual, friendly environment.

The portions are huge and the price is a little higher than the other restaurants (except for Great House Restaurant – it’s the highest.)

For dinner, I have several favorite dishes at BLU, including the Pasta Seafood (pasta with mussels, shrimp, and fish) and the Seafood Saffron Risotto.

My husband loves the ribeye steak and the Big Kahuna Burger (with grilled pineapple). The fries are amazing too!

BLU - Best Restaurants South Caicos

My favorite lunch items include the Greek salad, the Caesar salad, and the nachos because sometimes you’ve got to get your Mexican food fix. The veggie sandwich is also delicious.

Best Restaurants South Caicos

My husband enjoys the fish and chips, and grilled grouper sandwich (not on the menu but he asked and they delivered).

To dine at BLU or any of the restaurants, be sure and make reservations at the front desk before 5:00 PM.

Cons: My husband and I both feel that the seasoning is never quite on point. All of the dishes needed a little something to put them over.

Plus, the foam on every single plate is a tad redundant. I mean, come on, a ribeye steak does not need foam on top. Also, the prices are a tad high for the quality of the food.

When it comes to shrimp, I think I make the best shrimp ever so to me, the shrimp is always a touch overcooked.

Pros: Huge portions! We usually had enough food left over to box it up for lunch the next day. The manager of the resort, Bert, not only comes by your table to say hello and chat, but he also took our order one night. He’s so nice!

Sunset Cafe Bar and Grill

Sunset Cafe Bar and Grill is located in Cockburn Harbour and the owner and his wife are super friendly. The first time we ate there, we had to endure someone screaming over a loudspeaker across the street. Thankfully, the day we had lunch there, it was peaceful and quiet. We’ve eaten here several times and they never disappoint!

Best Restaurants South Caicos - Sunset Bar and Grill

Our food picks: Sunset Cafe Bar and Grill gets our vote for the best-grilled grouper on the island. My husband is crazy about their mac & cheese and my favorite side dish is the rice and peas. The coleslaw is good, too.

Best Restaurants South Caicos

As with all the restaurants on the island, the prices are a little high. Expect to pay around $75+ for a meal for two at Sunset Cafe Bar and Grill.

Here I am with my favorite server at Sunset Cafe Bar and Grill.

Best Restaurants - Sunset Cake Bar and Grill - Server

The Dolphin Grill

The Dolphin is not far from our resort (none of the restaurants are) and it’s pretty good. My coconut shrimp was just OK. The baked potato is good and the mac & cheese, for me, is the best on the island.

Best Restaurants South Caicos - The Dolphin

The views are beautiful, but there was a group of men in one section who were very, very loud and they were cursing every other word. It was a real turn-off but I can’t blame the restaurant for the loud customers. 

View from Dolphin Restaurant - Best Restaurants South Caicos

The owner, Cleo, is super nice, but it was loud in there!

Triple J’s Grill

Triple J’s is our favorite super casual restaurant. It’s an outdoor kitchen behind a house and the grill is manned by the dad. His sweet daughter is the waitress and the son, who is an EMT, was visiting on holiday.

The son took us back to the resort and he was really nice, as was the entire family.

Triple J's - Best Restaurants South Caicos

They serve grilled ribs, chicken, etc. My favorites at Triple J’s are the baked potato halves topped with cheese and the dumplings.

Best Restaurants South Caicos - Triple J's

The daughter took me over to the grill and gave me a tour of the cooking area. The dumplings look like elongated hush puppies but are a tad sweet and taste almost like a doughnut. I’m going to try and get the recipe. Wish me luck!

Triple J’s is ONLY open on Friday and Saturday nights.

Great House Restaurant

This is the only restaurant we didn’t try. Great House Restaurant is located in the luxurious Sailrock Resort.

After looking at the menu online and talking to some people from our resort that had tried it, we decided not to go.

After checking out the menu online, it was very similar to the menu at our resort restaurant, BLU, plus the shuttle is not free.

Someone told us it was $50 round trip. Also, it is the most expensive restaurant on the island. I’m sure the food is amazing. We just never made it over. Maybe next time.

Desserts

For some reason, I never like the desserts on any of the islands we visit. I can’t put my finger on it, but they are just not up to my standards. Of course, we all think our crow is the blackest! 🙂 

This can be a good thing! Maybe I won’t gain weight on this trip! My husband ordered dessert a couple of times (BLU and The Dolphin) and they were not very good.

Lemon Pie - Best Restaurants South Caicos

Shuttle Service to Other Restaurants

East Bay Resort offers a FREE shuttle service to all of the restaurants. Then, the restaurant offers a free shuttle back to the resort. It’s a pretty good deal!

Note: There is a fee for a shuttle to Great House Restaurant and back. I think it’s because it’s the only other luxury resort on the island and competition is the name of the game.

Final Thoughts

I do wish we could come back during the lobster season. All of the restaurants serve fresh lobster when it’s in season. Maybe I can come back in August when the lobster season returns. Wink.

My husband and I have learned to be patient (5 minutes is never just 5 minutes) when we’re visiting the islands. Island time is a thing and remember, you’re on vacation. There’s no hurry, right?

Plus, there are always hits and misses when you eat at different restaurants. We all have opinions and these just happen to be mine when it comes to the best restaurants in South Caicos.

Bottom line: For me, the best restaurant in South Caicos is Sunset Cafe Bar and Grill. BLU is the runner-up and Triple J’s is my Friday night favorite. When you’re visiting South Caicos, visit all the restaurants. Your opinions may be entirely different from mine.

 

 

18 comments

Tasheena July 19, 2018 - 6:22 am

I would love to visit some of these restaurants. The scenery is stunning and the food looks amazing.

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Heather July 19, 2018 - 7:59 am

The food looks heavenly as do the views! This is my kind of restaurant – my family would enjoy it too.

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NYC Single Mom July 19, 2018 - 8:03 am

I am impressed with your selection of restaurants. All look amazing.

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Glenda Cates July 19, 2018 - 8:23 am

Lots of restaurants my husband would enjoy and mabey my son as well as for me I am not so sure I would as I am very picky and don’t care for Seafood.

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Jeanette July 19, 2018 - 10:10 am

I think the Pasta Seafood from BLU would be one of my favorite dishes as well. This looks like a beautiful restaurant with such amazing food. I would love to try this one day.

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Amber Myers July 19, 2018 - 10:49 am

These sound like tasty places to eat! My kids would be all about the sea food. I’m weird and don’t like it, so I always have to hope they have good chicken or steak dishes. Or pasta!

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Melissa Chapman July 19, 2018 - 1:33 pm

This looks like a place that I would love to experience with all those great restaurants. Having that view and some great seafood is a dream come true.

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1stopmom July 19, 2018 - 4:40 pm

Sounds like you really found some gems. Triple J’s seems like somewhere I would love to eat. I love to bbq whenever I can.

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Roch July 19, 2018 - 7:52 pm

These food not only look amazing but the restaurants’ interior design as well. I love eating in places where ambiance and service are well thought out of.

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Shell Feis July 20, 2018 - 2:08 am

I’ve never left the country but we’re planning on changing that soon, and Turks & Caicos is high on our list of places to go! I am totally saving this list for when we finally make it there.

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Chubskulit Rose July 20, 2018 - 6:19 am

Caicos is in our bucket list of places to visit someday. I will keep this place in mind when we go.

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Alyssa from The Sparkly Life July 20, 2018 - 8:27 am

We love Turks & Caicos! I’ve been there three times and have always been blown away with how yummy the food is. Will have to save this post for my next trip! 🙂

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Heather July 20, 2018 - 5:23 pm

This post and your photos made me super hungry. Everything looks really delicious!

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Jenn Mitchell July 21, 2018 - 9:24 am

That grouper sandwich sounds like it would be so good. I would love to give that a try.

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Bianca D July 21, 2018 - 9:28 am

I love buffet style restaurants because I am so indecisive. I am glad that you featured one of those types!

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ricci July 23, 2018 - 1:10 am

Oh man all of this food looks amazing! I don’t think I’m going to make it to the beach this year so instead I shall live vicariously through you!! I love all of your photos!!

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brianne July 23, 2018 - 3:46 pm

Wow your trip looked so amazing. And that food looks so delicious! Definitely taking notes!

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Amelia Letcher July 25, 2018 - 10:34 am

Look like a amazing restaurants! These kinds of sound like tasty locations to eat! My kids would be all regarding the ocean food. I am weird and don’t such as it, and so i have usually to wish they have got great poultry or steak meals.

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