7 Best Restaurants in Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos Islands

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.

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. 

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.

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.