There’s something about dining outdoors that makes everything taste better. Is it because our sense of smell, and by extension taste, works better outside? Or is it that fresh air, cool breezes, and sea views relax us, which enables us to digest better? Whatever it is, waterfront terraces are guaranteed to elevate the dining experience, so pick a spot on one of these gorgeous decks and tuck in.

LIFESTYLE | ON THE DECK, OUTDOOR DINING, CAYMAN ISLANDS

Words by Francesca Gardner..

AGUA

In the heart of Camana Bay’s fashionable waterfront, the enduringly popular Agua offers elegant indoor dining, a dedicated wine room, and more informal tables at the water’s edge. But it’s the menu as much as the setting that keeps customers returning. Agua’s innovative chefs offer a different take on Italian cuisine, give fresh seafood a tangy Peruvian twist, and turn local produce into totally tasty salads, all enhanced by the superbly attentive service and award-winning mixology. www.agua.ky

CALYPSO GRILL

Perfectly positioned to catch the breeze that blows across the North Sound, it’s always cool and comfortable at Calypso Grill. With a focus on fresh seafood – that may well have come directly from the fishing boats tied to the dock – the menu features a blend of classic French and vibrant Caribbean cuisines. With its colourful deck and cosy interior, the restaurant has grown into something of an island institution – and its sticky toffee pudding has achieved legendary status. www.calypsogrillcayman.com

KAIBO

Toes in the sand, coconut in hand, palms overhead… life’s good at Kaibo Beach Restaurant. It’s the kind of place you can stay all day, lounging on a daybed sipping frothy cocktails, playing beach games and cooling off in the sea, then recharging on salads, pizzas and burgers delivered to you by the beach team. Linger longer, and you can segue into the beach BBQ on Tuesday evenings or dine in style at the upscale Upstairs restaurant any other night. www.kaibo.ky

LOBSTER POT

If you’ve ever felt the desire to simply sit on the dock of the bay watching the ships roll in and then watch them roll away again, the Lobster Pot’s fabulous deck, with its tables overlooking the water and perfect views of the setting sun, is just the place to do that. Drop in for a working lunch, wait out the rush hour with sundowners and snacks, or indulge in a dinner of fresh-from-the-ocean seafood specials, fine wines, and speciality coffees. www.lobsterpot.ky

AVE

A Seven Mile Beach sunset is a spectacle not to be missed, and as elegant viewing spots go, the terrace at Ave, part of the Kimpton Seafire Resort, tops the list. With comfortable couches, glimpses of ocean between swaying palms, and the hush of the upscale surroundings, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a long, cold G&T before proceeding to the elegant main restaurant, where an adventurous, Mediterranean-inspired menu tantalises the tastebuds with bold and unusual flavours. www.averestaurant.com

Morgan's Seafood Restaurant

Cruise in by boat or take the short drive out to the Yacht Club – either way, you’ll receive the warmest of welcomes from the Morgan’s Seafood Restaurant family. From the shady harbour view veranda to the interior with its lofty, beamed ceilings, the venue captures the essence of the Caribbean of yesteryear, while the ocean-to-table philosophy celebrates seasonal, locally-caught seafood that it blends with Thai, Greek, French, Caribbean, and other influences. www.morganscayman.com

LIFESTYLE | ON THE DECK, OUTDOOR DININGCAYMAN ISLANDS