When you think of the Caribbean, you think of the spicy, smoky chicken and succulent stewed beef. The stereotypes aren't wrong. The Caribbean is brimming with juicy, tender meat dishes that will blow your mind. But, if you're not into sucking on a chicken's foot or tucking into some curried goat, don't fret, the Caribbean, and Cayman particularly, is in fact a veggie-lovers paradise.
With access to fresh and organic fruits and vegetables grown in a perfect tropical climate, Caymanian cuisine features a myriad of foods that compliment vegetarians. Foods such as sweet potato, breadfruit, plantains, bananas and pumpkins were the basis of the traditional Caymanian diet and make great substitutes for meat.
Specific Vegetarian and Vegan eateries
Most of the restaurants in Cayman adequately cater to non meat-eaters, but there are some specific options for vegetarians on island.
1. Island Naturals Cafe
All natural breakfasts, lunch and dinner items including gluten-free and superfood choices, this veggie hot spot is a popular choice for many. Located behind Eduardo's on West Bay Road in the Coconut Plaza, Island Naturals cafe is open:
Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm
Saturdays: 8am-5pm
Sundays: 8am-4pm
2. Jessie's Juice Bar
This charming and rustic juice bar offers high-quality refreshing drinks & nourishing vegetarian, vegan and raw options. Situated on Market Street in Camana Bay, it's open:
Mon - Fri: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
3. Bread & Chocolate
This endearing vegan cafe in the heart of George Town offers delicious alternatives for the eco-conscious diner. Located at the corner of Dr. Roys Drive and Edward Street the cafe is open:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
4. Saucha - Conscious Living
Vegan and raw meal delivery based in West Bay, this health-conscious establishment offers handcrafted Kombucha and daily meal deliveries specifically for vegans and vegetarians.
www.sauchaconsciousliving.com
5. The Greenhouse Cafe
The Greenhouse cafe is a great little restaurant on the waterfront in West Bay, offering gluten-free, paleo and other allergy-friendly options. Although it's not specifically for vegetarians, it only uses products from local farms and organic foods.
www.greenhousecayman.com
Top places to buy fresh fruit and vegetables
Cayman does a good job of making natural foods available across the different supermarkets but if you want a more personalised experience, head to one of the many markets or farms on island.
1. The Farmer's Market at Camana Bay
Find a broad assortment of freshly grown produce & farm goods on Wednesdays from 12pm-7pm.
2. The Market at the Grounds, Lower Valley, Bodden Town
A mixture of organic Caymanian fruits and vegetables Saturdays from 7am -12pm.
3. Jessies' Juice, Market Street, Camana Bay
Browse through some locally grown produce sold outside of vegetarian & vegan joint, Jessie's Juice, on Saturday mornings.
4. Cayman Farm & Garden, 347 Austin Conolly Drive
The source for fresh ingredients for many of the stores and restaurants in Cayman, take advantage of this innovative farming operation in Bodden Town. Find flowers, fruits, vegetables and even take a tour around the seedling house.
5. Joel Walton's Plantation House, 35 Doubloon Drive, South Cayman Palms, Bodden Town
This agritourism setting has working gardens, a small waterfall, stream and pond combination, gazebos and terraces, a plant nursery and a garden shop that specialises in the limited-scale growing of tropical and subtropical plants and organic produce. Open Sundays 2pm-5pm
Caribbean Vegetarian Recipes:
1. Slow Cooker Black Bean & Mango Caribbean Chili
2. Caribbean rice and beans
Recipe here
3. Caribbean empanadas with mango salsa
4. Breadfruit curry
5. Jamaican vegetable medley
Recipe here
