The best local restaurants in Turks and Caicos specialise in tasty dishes that are as easy on the wallet as they are on the palate. Dining at these venues is great for saving your travel budget while exploring this tropical island.

Caribbean cuisine is hearty and often served in generous portions. It’s also diverse enough to cater to just about any dietary preference. Vegetarians can try ital cuisine, which is centred around beans and root vegetables. Since Turks and Caicos is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, seafood – especially conch and saltfish – is one of the archipelago’s specialities. Of course, no trip to the Caribbean is complete without sampling jerk chicken, peas and rice. Check out our guide to restaurants that serve Turks and Caicos' best local food.

  • 1

    Hideaway Grill and Chill

    Start the day with a local Caribbean breakfast in Turtle Cove

    Hideaway Grill and Chill
    • Food

    Hideaway Grill and Chill is a Caribbean food truck with alfresco seating in Turtle Cove. This popular breakfast spot opens as early as 7 am – great for early-risers looking for a nice meal before exploring the rest of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

    The menu includes classics like muffins, bagels, croissants, and coffee, with portions big enough to last most people until lunchtime. Speaking of lunch, Hideaway Grill and Chill's classic Jamaican dishes are highly recommended. Locals have high praises for its jerk chicken, which you can pair with coleslaw or rice and peas.  

    Location: Providenciales, TKCA 1ZZ, Turks and Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 7 pm

    Phone: +1 649-244-8046

    Map
  • 2

    Bight Fish Fry

    Celebrate local cuisine at this weekly festival

    Bight Fish Fry
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    The Bight Fish Fry is one of Turks & Caicos' best weekly events. It takes place at Kid's Park near Grace Beach from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Thursdays. Local food stalls are set up around the park, giving you plenty of options to fill you up for a night of art, displays, and entertainment.

    The Bight Fish Fry is one of the biggest events on the island, with a nice line-up of local restaurants making an appearance throughout the year. It’s a great place to enjoy all sorts of local dishes, including callaloo, curry goat, plantains, and rice and peas.

    Location: QQMQ+275, The Bight Settlement TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Thursday from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm

    Map
  • 3

    The Patty Place

    Find Jamaica’s finest patties and ice cream

    The Patty Place
    • Food

    The Patty Place is a Jamaican food joint on Grace Bay Road, very close to the Seven Stars and Ports of Call resorts. It doubles up as an ice cream parlour – excellent for a break from the beach, which is just a 2-minute walk away.

    Don’t miss out on The Patty Place’s namesake speciality – the meat-to-dough ratio is better than its competitors on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The beef and cheese patty is a standout, but you can find vegetarian-friendly options, too. Jamaica's world-famous Devon House provides ice cream in various flavours, including vanilla, pistachio, coconut, and rum.

    Location: QRWF+5RV, Grace Bay TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Monday–Wednesday from 10 am to 8.30 pm, Thursday–Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 649-339-9001

    Map
  • 4

    Sweet T's

    Fried chicken rules the roost at this local joint

    Sweet T's
    • Food

    Sweet T's is a local fried chicken house that’s well-known for its generous portions. It’s less than 2 km east of Providenciales International Airport, right by the roundabout. This local favourite is only open for takeaways, so you can take your order to the beach to eat.

    Sweet T’s only does 1 meal, but they do it well. Its short and simple menu contains fried chicken, fries, Caribbean hot sauce, and drinks. You get to choose your portion size by the dollar, and it’s always a good idea to ask for extra hot sauce.

    Location: TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Daily from 8 am to midnight

    Phone: +1 649-345-5664

    Map
  • 5

    Reef Shark Bar & Grill

    Grab a drink and jerk chicken right off the ferry

    Reef Shark Bar & Grill
    • Food

    Reef Shark Bar & Grill is a beachside restaurant on Grand Turk Island and a popular stop-off for day trips and cruises. Here, you can enjoy tasty Jamaican food against a marvellous Caribbean backdrop throughout the day.

    Reef Shark Bar & Grill is close to the ferry port, so many come here for a meal when visiting the island. There are sharing platters if you just want to pick at a few snacks. A must-try is the jerk chicken and rice, paired with a tropical cocktail.

    Location: Lyndon Gardiner Boulevard, South Base, TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 649-332-0840

    Map
  • 6

    Delicious Dishes

    Affordable local dishes near the airport

    Delicious Dishes
    • Food

    Delicious Dishes is a small takeout restaurant close to Providenciales International Airport. Travellers often come here for affordable local food before or after their flight. Seating is available both inside and in front of this casual joint.

    You'll find all the authentic Jamaican dishes at Delicious Dishes, including jerk chicken, curry goat, plantain porridge and oxtail. Come early in the day to enjoy the ackee and saltfish, a classic Jamaican breakfast. It’s so popular that it often sells out within a few hours of the restaurant opening.

    Location: TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 649-344-2420

    Map
  • 7

    Jack's Shack Beach Bar & Grill

    Enjoy conch fritters on Grand Turk’s beaches

    Jack's Shack Beach Bar & Grill
    • Food

    Jack's Shack Beach Bar & Grill is a great little beachfront restaurant right off the Grand Turk ferry port. It has become a regular spot for many day-trippers to the Caribbean island. They can even enjoy a bit of sunbathing, thanks to sun loungers and parasols on the sand.

    Jack's Shack Beach Bar & Grill has all the standard Caribbean dishes, such as jerk chicken and conch fritters. You can also find classic cheeseburgers and hot dogs if you’re missing food from back home. Complete your meal with a nice cocktail like Jack's Shack rum punch or pina colada.

    Location: Cockburn Town TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Monday–Tuesday from 8 am to 3 pm, Wednesday–Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm, Friday from 11 am to 5 pm (closed on weekends)

    Phone: +1 649-232-0099

    Map
  • 8

    Barbie's Bar and Restaurant

    A popular spot for local conch delicacies

    Barbie's Bar and Restaurant
    • Food

    Barbie's Bar and Restaurant serves local Caribbean cuisine at surprisingly affordable prices. You can find it on Grand Turk Island’s Front Street, just 1 block up from the Turks and Caicos National Museum.

    Barbie’s Bar and Restaurant is one of the cheapest restaurants on Grand Turk, and you’ll always find locals frequenting it for lunch and dinner. Most people come here for the cracked conch or conch fritters, both of which are classic Caribbean dishes.

    Location: Front St, Cockburn Town TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 561-819-9069

    Map
  • 9

    The Snack Spot

    Treat yourself to some low-cost island lobster

    The Snack Spot
    • Food

    The Snack Spot is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on Airport Road, just 2 km east of Providenciales International Airport. Its extensive yet affordable menu makes it very popular with locals and travellers looking to enjoy a pre- or post-flight meal in Turks and Caicos.

    A must-try at The Snack Spot is the lobster. You can get minced lobster alongside fried fish and conch, with your choice of sides. If you aren’t a fan of seafood, the jerk chicken with rice is a nice option.

    Location: Old Airport Road, TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Monday–Saturday 8 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm

    Phone: +1 649-946-4351

    Map
  • 10

    Omar's Beach Hut

    A great place to try conch ceviche

    Omar's Beach Hut
    • Food

    Omar's Beach Hut is a small beach restaurant in Five Cays, around 5.5 km south of Providenciales International Airport. It’s a great place to pick up a variety of local and Mexican fusion dishes. Best of all, the views come for free.

    Omar's Beach Hut prides itself on using fresh ingredients – you won't find any frozen conch here. The Mexican fusion is great too, especially the fish tacos and conch ceviche. If you're heading there for lunch, try arriving before noon if you want a table near the sea.

    Location: Five Cays TKCA 1ZZ, Turks & Caicos Islands

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 649-231-6691

    Map
John Frodsham | Contributing Writer