Book ahead if you want a table at Blanchard’s, one of Anguilla’s mainstay restaurants. Opened in 1994 by Bob and Melinda Blanchard, this charming spot serves excellent food in a romantic setting. Set back from Meads Bay and built in a traditional West Indian style, the dining room opens onto a beautiful garden with a babbling fountain and soft lights. White tablecloths, candles and the soft crashing of the waves complete the sophisticated island vibe. The owners, who previously produced a line of gourmet salad dressings, relocated from Vermont to pursue their fantasy of life in the Caribbean. Melinda mans the kitchen and Bob, a wine enthusiast, acts as sommelier and maitre’d. Blanchard’s menu features fresh seafood with Caribbean and Asian influences such as crispy mahi mahi with coconut, lime and ginger, roasted Anguilla lobster and spicy jerk chicken with grilled cinnamon-rum bananas.

For a laid back dining experience, head next door to Blanchard’s to the beachside eatery that serves casual lunch fare (like fish tacos and pulled pork sandwiches). There is open picnic seating directly on Meads Bay Beach.

Malliouhana has always had a food and wine focus, and after its extensive renovation in 2014, the hotel hired chef Cupertino Ortiz to continue the culinary tradition at its main restaurant. The seasonal menu highlights Anguilla’s sea-to-table culinary past while giving classic dishes a contemporary twist, and there is an extensive wine selection with a focus on Napa varietals. The menu is simple and fresh with such options as homemade pappardelle with braised short ribs, burrata with local greens and whole grilled snapper.

The food is the main attraction, but the view is a close second. Malliouhana’s al fresco restaurant is perched out over a cliff like the prow of a boat, affording diners sweeping views over Meads Bay and the ocean beyond. The space and décor of the restaurant is ship-like as well, with simple, whitewashed columns, ropes strung along the ceiling and blue-and-white-striped pillows throughout. Start with a cocktail in the bar while watching the sun set, then find a table in the restaurant where you can hear the waves crash into the rocks below.

This Asian-inspired restaurant on the far eastern end of the island also has a wonderful art gallery.

Opened in January 2010 by Jacques Borderon and Alain Laurent (former food and beverage directors of the Malliouhana), Jacala has become one of Anguilla’s hottest tables. Located on the eastern end of Meads Bay (near Blanchard’s) the restaurant is set in an open-air pavilion with Moroccan-inspired decor and is just steps from the sand. The cuisine has been dubbed “intuitive” by the owners, a lofty term for French with a slight island influence (the conch ceviche and steak tartar are a must). The scene is casual, a mix of savvy tourists and locals, and with only a few tables the restaurant books nearly a month in advance during high season so reservations are necessary.

Al fresco dining emphasizing fresh fish is offered at this casual beachside spot. Although the food is expensive given the quality (decent, but nothing special), it's tough to top the views or the location.

For a break from classics like Blanchard’s, Straw Hat and the Restaurant at Malliouhana, head to Picante, a laid-back Caribbean taqueria offering simple Mexican cuisine. The owners, Theron and Chloe Loizos, opened the spot after visiting Anguilla in the early 2000s, when there were no Mexican restaurants on the island. Picante is fun, casual, and rowdy if desired, so it’s a great option for a quick bite (the scene picks up around 8pm). Try the grilled chili-queso corn on the cob and the generously portioned jerk chicken. Indagare Tip: The restaurant is located in an open-air shack and can get quite hot, so dress appropriately.

The more formal of Cap Juluca’s restaurants is Pimms, but even here the resort preserves its relaxed island vibe with unpretentious food and a friendly, knowledgeable service. The dining room sits on a coral outcropping from which diners can watch fish swim by (toss a few breadcrumbs in to gather a school), and the views of the bay and beach are beautiful. If having dinner here after dark, show up early watch the sun set behind the resort as the villa lights twinkle to life. On the menu, the best dishes come from the sea, with excellent choices like cumin-crusted swordfish and spiced crab and lobster spring rolls. To prevent a long wait for dessert, order one of the delicious soufflés at the beginning of the meal – the orange-Grand Marnier comes highly recommended. Although the best tables are the ones closest to the water, the most private is the wine room, where diners sit amongst the restaurant’s extensive wine collection. Keep in mind that although this room has glass windows to preserve the sea view, you will be looking at it over the heads of the other guests.

To reach Scilly Cay, guests go down to Island Harbor, stand on the dock and wave; soon enough, a small boat from the tiny island of the same name arrives to transfer them to the ultimate Anguillan lobster shack. Since Scilly Cay has no electricity, food can’t be stored, so each day lunch goes straight from the fishermen’s boats to the restaurant’s grill. Choices include lobster, crayfish, marinated chicken and snapper (this last must be ordered two days in advance). Each dish comes with fresh sides and is served on a bed of grape leaves picked on the island. Scilly Cay is run by the charming Eudoxie Wallace and his wife Sandra, an Atlanta gal-turned-island entrepreneur who also designed the beautiful Desert Rose villa. Be sure to come with a swimsuit and sunscreen to enjoy the private beach after lunch. Call ahead for large groups or private functions.

The casual Straw Hat serves simply grilled fish in a casual setting right on Meads Bay. The eatery is great for lunch or dinner and provides a very Caribbean experience.

The Four Seasons' open-air hotel bar is open throughout the day and evening and serves delicious tropical cocktails as well as snacks.

This Italian spot serves simple Italian fare on the beach. The barefoot luxury is best suited for lunchtime but it is also open for dinner.

With an Asian-meets-West-Indian vibe and menu, Veya is an excellent casual option on Anguilla.