Dining Out Grand Turk Style

Dining on Grand Turk may not be an epicurean delight, but if you are looking for quaint Caribbean rustic atmosphere you will certainly find that here on Grand Turk, as well as some good locally caught fresh fish dishes.

First let me explain the difference between Providenciales (the most popular island in the Turks and Caicos Islands) and Grand Turk.  Providenciales has been recently developed witn in the last 15-20 years as a affluent playground.   5 star hotels line the famous Grace Bay beach and with each hotel comes an upscale restaurant.  The island is about 20 miles long and development has spread out across the island on it's pristine beaches with gorgeous hotels with spas and lovely villas with pools.  So if you are looking for a totally pampered vacation spot this is the place for you.

Grand Turk on the other hand couldn't be any further from that picture.   Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, it still has several antique buildings that line the main street with charming lime washed walls that run along each side of the narrow historical street, Duke Street.  The island is small, only about 7 miles long and 2 miles wide, views of the sea can be seen from almost anywhere.  There are no hotel chains or 5 star hotels, in fact there are only a handful of 2 story hotels,  a few Bed and Breakfasts and a handful of self-catering vacation rentals.    Scuba diving is what Grand Turk is most noted for, however the beauty under the sea is not the only beauty Grand Turk has in store for it's visitors, the beaches are quite beautiful as well.  The restaurants here are mainly out of doors with several of them being decks on the beach or in a outdoor garden, simple, rustic but charming and the menu consists mainly of simple cuts of beef or chicken and freshly caught fish, but a fried grouper sandwich and a rum punch offered under a blanket of stars, in my book, can't be beat.

I will probably miss a dozen local restaurants in this listing but I'm hoping this gives you, the reader, an idea of what we have to offer here on Grand Turk.

On Duke Street, the main historial street in town you will find the following restaurants:

The Bird Cage - Restaurant and Bar - Located with-in the Osprey Beach Hotel compound with wrought iron tables nestled between a tranquil pool and the turquoise sea.  They have a bar situated within a wrought iron cage and so the name.    Their menu usually consists of some kind of steak, chicken dish, sometimes pork and fresh fish, all usually accompanied with a simple salad, rice and peas or potato.    Once a week they offer a cookout with entertainment.  Mitch Rollings and friend musicians play into the evening while guests dine and dance.  Last March my girlfriends and I  enjoyed the cookout while Mitch played guitar and sang while  his two friends accompanied him on a saw (cut the log type) and a white paint bucket with a broom handle and string - as a base.  Great music and a lot of fun.  Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  They are one of the few restaurants that actually take credit cards which is always a plus for any traveler.

The Sand Bar - Bar with light menu - A tiny building with a large deck on the edge of the beach.  The bar is decorated with beach glass, tile and wood.  Their menu is more of a bar menu with grouper sandwiches, shrimp salad, quesadillas, hamburgers etc.  Their music is loud, playing often the likes of Jack Johnson.  Many of the transplanted locals gather here for drinks.

The Secret Garden - Restaurant and Bar - Located inside the gardened courtyard of the Salt Raker Inn, a delightful historical inn.  Tables with white cloths are situated under a pergola in the shade of the trees.  Serves breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

Further from Town you will find the following restaurants:

Bohio - Restaurant and Bar - Located within the Bohio Resort compound north of town on the other side of the salina.  The restaurant has seating both inside and outside with views of the sea.  It is probably the most upscale of the restaurants on the island.  They have an extensive menu and probably one of the few places that can serve you specialty drinks like cosmos or pina coladas.  They also have a cookout one night each week with a local band to entertain you.

Doo Doo's Ribs  - Barbecued Ribs -  Located on the corner of Osborne Road and a side street opposite the old burial grounds.  They serve barbecued ribs on Friday and Saturdays only from about 11:00am to about 9:00pm.

Barbies - Located on Front Street across from the brightly painted gift shops.  She serves a variety of conch, conch fritters, chicken fingers, sandwiches etc.

Island Times - Located north of town in a green building by the water.  Serves Dinner. (I have not tried it yet)

Cool Beans - Located on Light House Road on the right hand side heading toward the lighthouse.  Serving homemade ice cream with sugar cones and sandwiches.

Mookies Pizza - Located on Hospital Road on the right hand side heading north.  Serving pizza as well as sandwiches and sometimes breakfast.

The following restaurants are open only when the ships are in:

Salt House -  Breakfast and Lunch - Located on Osborne Road on the left just past the Windmill Plaza.  They serve breakfast and lunch when the ships are in.  They do accept credit cards.

Local Village - Bar and light menu - Located on Airport Road on the right just before the cruise ship terminal.  The serve local foods and have a juice bar where they serve freshly squeezed juices, from fresh fruit delivered from the Dominican Republic, a nearby island.  They only serve lunch and dinner and only when the ships are in.

Jacks Shack - Bar with light menu - Located on Airport Road on the right just before the cruise ship terminal.  Watch for a small sign that directs you to Jacks.  They are located on the beach side of Oasis Diving.  It's a bit hard to find.  Jacks is a bar that serves, jerk chicken, burgers and hot dogs only when the ships are in.

Margaritaville - Restaurant and Bar - Located within the cruise ship terminal.  They offer a menu of burgers with fries, nachos, quesadillas etc.

There are many local restaurants I have not listed and do not know off but I am sure if you look around and are adventurous you can find a few "off the beaten path" bars and restaurants.

I hope this has been helpful.  There is more information about the island of Grand Turk on our website as well http://www.grandturkvacationrental.com

Crabtree Apartments, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands  "A better way to stay."

April in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

My family and I have been traveling to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands for 24 years.  This year was the first time I have been to the Turks and Caicos in April.  I think it may now be one of my favorite months there.  I am so happy to depart the New England weather in the winter months and truly enjoy the lovely tropical temperatures in February but I have to say I think the air and water temps in April are pretty much perfect.

This April, 14 of us traveled down to the Turks and Caicos from the Boston area, leaving behind 40º temperatures.  We arrived in Providenciales mid-afternoon to temperatures in the mid 80's, ready to peal off the layers of clothing and thankful for the ever present tropical breeze.  We herded our pack of travelers through the customs area,  and collected our bags.  A few of us changed into more weather appropriate attire.  Once we had checked in with Air Turks and Caicos for our flight to Grand Turk and deposited our bags we headed in to Guilly's Restaurant at the airport for a Rum Punch and a Grouper sandwich.  This is how we usually spend the layover between Provo and Grand Turk.  Soon we were in the air again on our way to Grand Turk, a short 25 minute flight.  The plane flew low enough to see the sister islands and water below - no clouds.  I am always amazed at the turquoise color.  Some of the water below looked so shallow that you could wade through.  I'm not sure if it really was as shallow as it looked but I'm sure the water is relatively shallow to account for the turquoise color of the water, the deeper water is more of a royal blue.  Finally with a perfect landing we disembarked and collected our bags.

Dennis of Grace Bay Car Rentals met us at the airport with our 2 cars.  With the crew we had, and all the bags, including the numerous baby items, it took us 2 trips to get us with all of our paraphernalia to Crabtree Apartments.  This was no big deal since the apartments are probably only a 5 minute drive at most.

Everyone shed their cool weather clothes, dawned their bathing suits and headed to the water for a swim. The water was delicious, warm and calm, once in, it was hard to get out even as the sun was going down.  We watched the horizon for the "Green Flash"  a cloud free horizon being the perfect conditions for spying it.  Some of us caught a glimpse, but not all, you have to pay close attention.

We all dried and changed for dinner, once again in a big herd we headed for the Sand Bar, about a 10 minute walk down Close Haul Road.  It was a lovely evening with a cloudless sky, you could see a blanket of stars above.  The warm breeze wrapped around us and the 3 friendly dogs tagged along by our sides.  I love the walk to the restaurants in the evening;  it's a charming stroll down Duke St. with the stone and white washed walls that run along the narrow street which is lined with antique buildings and quaint gateways.  It feels to me a bit like I have stepped into the past.  The music from the Sand Bar drawing us in, we stepped in from the street.  We were lucky enough to find a table by the sea that could accommodate us all.  One reason I love the Sand Bar is because you sit on an outside deck literally on the edge of the water, with the sounds of the sea and the brilliant views just a few feet away.

By the time we had finished our meal we were all pretty tuckered out and wearily headed back to our apartment.  We each entered our humble abode and climbed in to our comfortable beds.  We shut the light and let the gentle lapping of the waves outside our windows lull us to sleep.  This was the end to the first day of a perfect family vacation.  I think there may be many more Grand Turk April vacations in store for us.

What our guests are telling us.

      Running a vacation rental business can be rewarding, you meet a lot of really nice people and under wonderful circumstances;  excited people looking forward to a warm winter vacation by heading down to a tropical island oasis.  When our guests return from their vacation they are relaxed and happy, 99.9% of the time.  We feel it is very important for those inquiring about our vacation rental and booking, to understand that Grand Turk is a small, rustic, laid-back, quiet island.  For most people that is exactly what they are looking for.  There are no gourmet restaurants and not a lot of activities.  We strive to explain that basically being a beach bum; relaxing on the beach, walking the beach, exploring the sea and enjoying the views is the main attraction.  There is a bit of sight seeing, just enough shopping and a few outings to keep guest entertained without a grueling agenda.  We tell our guests that the island is an "Old World" island, there are no fast food restaurants or 5 star hotels and only a few small hotels at that.  The island is slow paced, kind of what you would have found 40 years ago in the Caribbean before the Caribbean  became "the winter vacation destination".   We want to be sure our guest know what Grand Turk and Crabtree Apartments are like, to be sure they are getting exactly what they were looking for and therefore we have happy guests and many return customers.

     My husband and I purchased Crabtree Apartments in 1987 but did not rent them as short term rentals until 2004. I ran the bookings from 2004 to 2009.  Since 2009 my daughter, Jessalyn, and I have been running this business together.    For the last 2 years, Jessalyn, for the most part, handles the bookings and e-mail correspondence.

     It has been fun getting to know our guests and we love hearing the comments upon their return.  Many guests have found us by the raving reviews on TripAdvisor.com.  One of the most rewarding aspects of running a vacation rental is getting to know our guests.  Though we rarely meet them face to face, believe it or not we do get to know many of them through the phone and e-mail conversations.  I have been invited to visit, if I ever find myself in England or to a Italian dinner if ever in Italy.  I have been asked where I shop to decorate because they love the bed, quilts or patio furniture.  We have had honeymooners who have returned every year since they got married, and have shared with us the fact that they are now expecting an addition to their family.  Recently a friendly German guest wrote us telling us he loved his stay so much and he thought it would be a place many Germans would like to stay but that translations were difficult therefore he wrote a review for us in German.  Jessalyn and I have received many wonderful pictures from guest while on vacation and have heard many stories about the wonderful trips guests have had.  Last year a guest who revisited us brought along a gift of a lovely glass starfish to hang in the apartment to add to our decor.  We enjoy getting to know our guests and love to hear the news and events of our guests lives and enjoy staying in contact.

Here are a couple quotes from our guest:

Hidden away in the Caribbean is a cluster of islands called Turks & Caicos, Grand Turk is where the capital is, but this laid back island does not feel like a capital. The Crabtree apartments that we stayed at were situated on an amazing beach, with a nice patio you could step off of into soft white sand. Snorkel from your beach, or walk into town for lunch or dinner. The place was clean, came with everything you needed, including 2 bicycles to explore the island. The owners provided a great summary of things to do, see, amenities, and recommendations, and even made sure we had basic groceries in the fridge when we arrived. They were very prompt in responses to questions or needs we had both before we arrived and during our stay. Highly recommend Crabtree apartments, although I am not sure I want everyone to know about our new secret paradise.

If you are looking for a peaceful, relaxing holiday on an idyllic island with lovely uncrowded beaches, clear turquoise water, great snorkelling (and diving) and friendly people than head for Grand Turk. If you are debating where to stay, put the Crabtree apartments at the top of your list. My husband and I just returned from our 3rd visit to Grand Turk and our first stay at the Crabtree and couldn't have been more pleased. Our unit was very clean, well equipped, private and steps from a lovely little beach. We have no doubt we will return for a 4th visit and another relaxing stay at the Crabtree. Highly recommended!

Val & Doug, Ottawa, Canada

     You can find reviews and read for yourself what our guests have to say about Crabtree Apartments, Grand Turk all over the web but here are links to a few of them:   Crabtree Apartments own website guestbook page , HomeAway.com , VRBO.com , TripAdvisor.com , FlipKey.com



     A great way for our guest to stay in contact is by friending us on Facebook and Twitter, and as you have now discovered by following us on our Blog.

Grand Turk - Birds, Dogs and Relaxation

     My husband and I returned to our vacation rental Crabtree Apartments on Grand Turk last November, 2010.  We didn't have time to enjoy the beauty of the island when we arrived but we were able to enjoy the golden sunset over the water.  It felt good to be back.  Exhausted we went to the Sandbar for a margarita and grilled grouper plate.  Yum to both.  One thing I truly enjoy here is the fresh fish, fried grouper  sandwiches, grilled grouper, cracked conch, conch fritters as well as the other fresh catch of the day.

     I was exhausted after a long day of travel and couldn't wait to climb into bed.  As alway Ilsa, our maid, had the apartment clean and ready.  After a good night's sleep we woke early the next morning, opened the doors to the beach and the front door to let the wonderful breeze flow through the apartment.  I looked out the front door across the street to the salinas, I enjoy watching the birds picking around in the water.  There were 3 huge herons roosting on the little island in the middle, I didn't get a look up close but my guess is they were Great Blue Herons,  as well as a number of other herons, egrets and tiny pipers picking around in the waters.

     Later in the afternoon we took a stroll down the beach, being the winter months the rain clouds rolled in and soon we were drenched, but who cares the air was warm.  We turned around to head back to our apartment and discovered the sun shining through the clouds producing a beautiful arcing double rainbow reaching from over the salinas right into the sea, absolutely beautiful.  I have seen so many rainbows on Grand Turk.   I'm sure it's because the rain never lasts long before the sun is back out.

     The next morning we saw several pink flamingos in the Salina down town.  They are so elegant and certainly one of my favorite birds in the Turks and Caicos.    Many people go to Grand Turk for the superb diving, me I love the beach, the warm sun and the water birds.

     I am a big animal lover.  Our guests had been returning this year saying they had fallen in love with these 3 dogs on the beach and were sad to leave them.  There are always friendly dogs that come by and say hello and usually our guests are referring to a black lab mix dog that lives up the beach named Sandy, I assumed this was her and a few of her four legged friends.  Several of the guests had worried, when they departed, for this trio.  I have to say I didn't expect to find that this gentle crew would steal my heart too.  One of the dogs had a very large tumor on her jowl, I heard rumors the veterinarians, who own a house a couple doors down, were going to do something about the dogs tumor this February while they were on the island.  I am hoping this is true.

     Relaxation is a big deal to us, it's hard to find a place where you can relax and let your worries slip away.  If you don't return from your vacation on Grand Turk relaxed then I suggest you don't bring your computer and cell phone next time or take a good look at what is going on in your life.  The island is quiet with just enough to do to keep the boredom away but still return home relaxed and rested.

     I'm getting tired of the snow and cold here in New England and I would be happy to not see another snow shovel until next winter, if possible.  Therefore I'm looking forward to my trip back to Grand Turk with my girlfriends this March.  A little something to get me through these dreary winter days:)

                                                  Written by, Leslie Janes