When in Provo, Eat Conch (at da Conch Shack, of course)
Living up to its name, Da Conch Shack is unquestionably da place to go to sample conch in Turks and Caicos. A staple on international “Best Beach Bar” lists and plugged in the NYT best-selling travel guide 1000 Places to See Before You Die, this place is the real deal. Arguably the best restaurant in Provo, you’d be remiss to skip it.
GET AWAY FROM GRACE BAY
There are many reasons to venture away from the comfort of your resort, and Da Conch Shack is one of them. This iconic neighborhood restaurant is nestled in the heart of the Blue Hills Settlement, the oldest residential area on Providenciales. Indeed, it’s worth traveling the length of Blue Hills Road just to check out the brightly-hued homes and churches, coconut palm groves, and sloops (small, handmade sailboats).
AMBIENCE (CONCH, CONCH, AND MORE CONCH)
You’ll feel Da Conch Shack’s captivating, positive vibes the moment you cross the threshold from the sandy drive onto the aqua-washed boardwalk. Sun-bleached conch shells form retaining walls at the entry and line the walkways, portraying a sense of the restaurant’s longevity. Conch-shell pink details, from the welcome sign to the picnic tables, reinforce the mollusk-loving theme.
Perched beachside, every seat in the house offers panoramic views of Blue Hills Beach. We chose a table set in the sand and enjoyed the spectacle of a great egret navigating the manmade islet of discarded conch shells and a brown pelican diving fishing in the shallow water. For even more entertainment, show up on a Wednesday night, and the combination of energetic live reggae and heavy-handed bartending just might have you rocking out with your conch out!
MENU HIGHLIGHTS
Worry not, Da Conch Shack is exceptional for more than its ambiance. The island-style food is uniformly delectable and prepared fresh with a type of passion that you can only experience through taste.
Rum Punch
To-die-for, Da Conch Shack’s signature drink should be considered a must-order. The bartenders’ generous hand melds vanilla-scented Bambarra Reserve rum with fruit juices to create an infamous, dangerously delicious, perfectly balanced concoction. One glass will get you satisfyingly tipsy and two will render you unfit to operate a motor vehicle.
Conch Fritters
Holy shit. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d be so smitten with a conch fritter. Flawlessly prepared, these little balls of tastiness are crispy on the outside with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and well-spiced center featuring small, inoffensive pieces of tender conch meat. Dip them in the accompanying spicy aioli, take a bite, and fall into an unexpected love affair with the islands’ quintessential comfort food.
Mac & Cheese
Traveling with a child or a spouse that’s not a huge seafood fan? Try the unexpectedly excellent macaroni and cheese. The noodles are admittedly a bit overcooked, but the dish is otherwise elevated by the mild spice of seeded jalapeños and the use of sharp cheddar.
Plantains
Instead of dessert, we opted to sample Da Conch Shacks’ fried plantain wedges, and we weren’t disappointed. Well caramelized and quietly sweet, this authentic Caribbean side dish was a welcome complement to our savory meal.
More
In the interest of dodging complete gluttony, we didn’t get to try everything that we would have liked. We’ve heard that the jerk is the best on the island (try the chicken wings or the ribs), that the key lime pie is phenomenally tart, and that the rum cake is dense and decadent. And if you’re not too conched out (we were), the conch salad prepared ceviche style is supposed to be the best on the island. You won’t be going out on a limb if you order any of these highly recommended dishes.
BOTTOM LINE
Da Conch Shack, timeless in substance, is Provo’s ode to conch. Do not miss the sumptuous bites, strong drinks, friendly and attentive service, and cheerful ambience. You’ll be salivating over the memory of their rum punch and conch fritters for years to come.