Dining Guide: TCI
With more than 100 restaurants, world-class chefs adeptly applying international influences to the local seafood bounty, and a successful annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, the culinary scene in Providenciales couldn’t be hotter.
Where When How, a Turks and Caicos Islands magazine, produces a super helpful annual Providenciales Dining Guide (peruse the online version at www.wherewhenhow.com or snag a print copy at the airport) featuring over 70 restaurants. As visitors wishing to maximize your island experience, it is prudent to study the included sample menus before committing to reservations at a particular establishment.
And to help you make your decisions, we’ve compiled a list of those eateries that we loved and highly recommend and those that were a bit of a miss. Click on individual restaurant names to read more thorough reviews.
RECOMMENDED
LUPO | $$$
Ah, LUPO…such a winner. Downright affordable per Provo’s standard, this sweet and unassuming Regent Village restaurant serves the island’s finest Italian fare. Authentic homemade pastas, a carefully curated wine list, a casual atmosphere, and a central location have made this our go-to first-night-on-the-island dinner destination. Your must order: the intricately layered lasagna featuring house-crafted ricotta and a thick Bolognese bursting with the flavor of comfort (and, fret not, if meat’s not your thing, you can opt for a straight tomato sauce).
LUPO | $$$
Ah, LUPO…such a winner. Downright affordable per Provo’s standard, this sweet and unassuming Regent Village restaurant serves the island’s finest Italian fare. Authentic homemade pastas, a carefully curated wine list, a casual atmosphere, and a central location have made this our go-to first-night-on-the-island dinner destination. Your must order: the intricately layered lasagna featuring house-crafted ricotta and a thick Bolognese bursting with the flavor of comfort (and, fret not, if meat’s not your thing, you can opt for a straight tomato sauce).
Seven Stars Resort’s Sunset Beach Barbeque | $$$$
If you’re on the island on a Sunday evening, this lavish barbeque buffet on Grace Bay Beach is an absolute must-experience. The food is delicious and plentiful and tables are positioned on the beach, just steps from the water’s edge and in view of the sunset obstructed only by a giant, glowing bonfire. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a memory totally worth USD 59/pp.
Seven Stars Resort’s Sunset Beach Barbeque | $$$$
If you’re on the island on a Sunday evening, this lavish barbeque buffet on Grace Bay Beach is an absolute must-experience. The food is delicious and plentiful and tables are positioned on the beach, just steps from the water’s edge and in view of the sunset obstructed only by a giant, glowing bonfire. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a memory totally worth USD 59/pp.
Infinity Bar & The Lounge | $$$$
Named for its sleek, 90-foot, black quartz infinity-edged bar, this place is so sexy it almost hurts. Arrive at Grace Bay Club a little before sunset to secure your spot at the bar or on the comfy, fire-side couches and sip on an imaginative, fruit-forward cocktail as you watch the sun set over the ocean and the sky erupt into flames.
Infinity Bar & The Lounge | $$$$
Named for its sleek, 90-foot, black quartz infinity-edged bar, this place is so sexy it almost hurts. Arrive at Grace Bay Club a little before sunset to secure your spot at the bar or on the comfy, fire-side couches and sip on an imaginative, fruit-forward cocktail as you watch the sun set over the ocean and the sky erupt into flames.
Iconic for good reason, a meal at Da Conch Shack is a Turks and Caicos vacation must. Resting beachside in the historic Blue Hills Settlement and painted in conch-shell pink and beachy cyan, this gem is arguably the best restaurant in Provo. Here you’ll find fresh conch in an astounding variety of preparations. Try the mouthwatering conch fritters and wash them down with the legendary rum punch, strong in alcohol yet balanced and refreshing in flavor.
Iconic for good reason, a meal at Da Conch Shack is a Turks and Caicos vacation must. Resting beachside in the historic Blue Hills Settlement and painted in conch-shell pink and beachy cyan, this gem is arguably the best restaurant in Provo. Here you’ll find fresh conch in an astounding variety of preparations. Try the mouthwatering conch fritters and wash them down with the legendary rum punch, strong in alcohol yet balanced and refreshing in flavor.
Coco Bistro | $$$$
Set on the grounds of the island’s largest palm grove, and within walking distance of most of Grace Bay’s resorts, Coco Bistro is popular for good reason. Under a canopy of swaying coconut palms, you’ll enjoy expertly prepared Caribbean cuisine absent the stuffiness that makes a bummer out of many fine dining establishments. The atmosphere was breezy, the service was impeccable, and everything we ordered was delicious.
Coco Bistro | $$$$
Set on the grounds of the island’s largest palm grove, and within walking distance of most of Grace Bay’s resorts, Coco Bistro is popular for good reason. Under a canopy of swaying coconut palms, you’ll enjoy expertly prepared Caribbean cuisine absent the stuffiness that makes a bummer out of many fine dining establishments. The atmosphere was breezy, the service was impeccable, and everything we ordered was delicious.
Less hyped than other high-end resort restaurants in Grace Bay, The Palms’ Parallel 23 is ideal for a romantic evening or special occasion. Request a table on the raised terrace and savor Caribbean fusion cuisine al fresco, overlooking a manicured courtyard featuring a central fountain and date palms dressed in lights. Please order the Sticky Toffee Pudding; masterfully simple, it is unquestionably the most delectable dessert we’ve ever consumed.
Less hyped than other high-end resort restaurants in Grace Bay, The Palms’ Parallel 23 is ideal for a romantic evening or special occasion. Request a table on the raised terrace and savor Caribbean fusion cuisine al fresco, overlooking a manicured courtyard featuring a central fountain and date palms dressed in lights. Please order the Sticky Toffee Pudding; masterfully simple, it is unquestionably the most delectable dessert we’ve ever consumed.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Stelle | $$$$
Oh man…what a frustrating evening at Stelle. Given that it is at the Gansevoort, an uber-modern, indulgent, New York-chic resort, we expected impeccable service and a luxurious dining experience. Nope. To summarize: the setting was lovely, the food was mediocre, and the service was miserable.
Stelle | $$$$
Oh man…what a frustrating evening at Stelle. Given that it is at the Gansevoort, an uber-modern, indulgent, New York-chic resort, we expected impeccable service and a luxurious dining experience. Nope. To summarize: the setting was lovely, the food was mediocre, and the service was miserable.
Coyaba Restaurant | $$$$
At the Caribbean Paradise Inn, oft-recommended Coyaba is a pricy, garden-set restaurant that underwhelmed us. To be fair, there were aspects of our meal that we quite nice but, overall, there are significantly better venues for your precious vacation evening and values for your well-earned cash.
Coyaba Restaurant | $$$$
At the Caribbean Paradise Inn, oft-recommended Coyaba is a pricy, garden-set restaurant that underwhelmed us. To be fair, there were aspects of our meal that we quite nice but, overall, there are significantly better venues for your precious vacation evening and values for your well-earned cash.
Le Bouchon du Village | $$$$
A French bistro with patio dining in convenient Regent Village, we were drawn to Le Bouchon for its charming ambiance, unpretentious menu, and the Steak au Poivre, which an ex-pat friend called the “best steak on the island.” Disappointingly, the steak was bland, the frites generic, and our starter salad categorically, even comically, abominable. On the bright side, the profiteroles (pastry, vanilla ice cream, and warm chocolate sauce) were tasty.
Le Bouchon du Village | $$$$
A French bistro with patio dining in convenient Regent Village, we were drawn to Le Bouchon for its charming ambiance, unpretentious menu, and the Steak au Poivre, which an ex-pat friend called the “best steak on the island.” Disappointingly, the steak was bland, the frites generic, and our starter salad categorically, even comically, abominable. On the bright side, the profiteroles (pastry, vanilla ice cream, and warm chocolate sauce) were tasty.
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