Lunch in Grace Bay | Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Turks and Caicos is the largest producer of conch, pronounced konk.  When visiting this beautiful island make sure you try this local specialty which tastes similar to shrimp in my opinion.  We found conch on the menu at every restaurant we visited on the island, including a Mexican restaurant.  In addition to conch, grouper, a very mild fish, appears to be another island favorite.  My favorite grouper dish was at Mr. Grouper’s Restaurant which was prepared prepared with coconut.

Since our hotel served a complimentary full buffet breakfast each morning, we planned to dine out for just breakfast and dinner, nonetheless after hanging in the water for nearly 4 hours a day, by 3 pm we were all famished and headed for lunch.  Here to share with you are our lunch meals in Providenciales.  Enjoy!

1. Mr.Grouper’s Restaurant (lunch)
A local favorite off the beaten path with the best conch fritters and grouper.  Definitely a daytime spot, I wouldn’t dine here at night.
Between the 3 of us, we split 1 appetizer & 2 entrees…
Conch Fritters w/Sauce (top) – appetizer.  It was my first time trying conch and it almost tasted like shrimp to me.  Best Conch Fritters on the trip, and I especially enjoyed the sauce that accompanied it. 
Coconut Crusted Grouper (bottom left) – this dish was outstanding and also a signature dish.  The fish was flaky and I was really able to taste the coconut.  A boiled potato with sour cream on the side, along with sweet plantains which I found to be average, something was slightly off.
Jerk Chicken (bottom right) – flavorful chicken although I didn’t care for the chicken on the bone.  Enjoyed the rice and beans and the sweet plantains were average. 
LOCATION: Lower Bright Grace Bay Rd., Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
MENU: n/a
COST: $$
CUISINE: Native Cuisine
VERDICT: 4 / 5 
I had to try local Turks cuisine and it was between Mr. Grouper’s and Smokey’s on the Bay, my decision was based purely on TripAdvisor reviews where Mr. Grouper’s holds the #1 spot for Providenciales Restaurants.  Definitely get the Conch Fritters and Coconut Crusted Grouper – both outstanding!  The service is slow which is expected, very laidback, and extremely friendly.   
Food: Very Good | Drinks: n/a | Décor: Casual/Laidback | Service: Good (friendly) | Value: Good




2. Somewhere Café & Lounge @ Corals Gardens Resort (lunch)
Great spot for a Mexican lunch with gorgeous ocean view seating.  The Banana Rum Cake is to die for!
Between my friend (Jhiane) and I, we split…
Chicken Nachos (top middle) – greasy nachos with lots of chicken and cheese.  I loved this more than the Vegetarian Nachos.  I paid extra for a side of guacamole. 
Chicken Burrito (top right) – the chicken burrito was packed with chicken, rice, and black beans… tasted healthy and so delicious.  We also split the Banana Rum Cake (bottom middle).  Heavenly warm banana bread topped with cold vanilla ice-cream.  I don’t think a better concoction exists.  I ate this dessert twice at Somewhere Café, once for lunch and once for dinner.  Phenomenal. 
I also ordered coffee (bottom right) since this adorable restaurant is known for their coffee… it was good, but it was also extremely hot at 5 pm so I didn’t enjoy it as much.
LOCATION: Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos @ Corals Gardens Resort
MENU: Somewhere Café & Lounge Menu
COST: $$
CUISINE: Mexican
VERDICT: 4 / 5 
I love Mexican food, and I ventured to Somewhere Café twice on my 5 day trip.  Thank heavens this restaurant is close to the Gansevoort, great food at affordable prices.  The food tasted even more yummy after we completed a 4 hour pool/beach workout.  Definitely get the delicious Chicken Burrito and heavenly Banana Rum Cake. 
Food: Very Good | Drinks: Good (coffee) | Décor: Casual/Laidback (ocean facing) | Service: Good | Value: Excellent

3. Stelle Bar + Grill @ The Gansevoort Turks + Caicos (lunch)
The best Watermelon Mint Mojito and amazing curry sauce with the Conch Fritters.

My friend Marian and I enjoyed the Watermelon Mint Mojito.  It was scrumptious, the mint was so fresh, and there were small cubes of fresh watermelon floating around.  I drank my mojito in literally 10 minutes and then passed out on the beach, what I really needed was water, not alcohol.  Fruity, smooth, delicious!  She also got the Rum Punch.
We also tried the Conch Fritters w/Curry Sauce (top left) which were crispy and yummy.  The curry sauce on the side was sensational.  Loved the Indian spices in the sauce. 
My friend, Jhiane, ordered a BB Burger (top right) which came with Garlic Parmesan Fries, the fries were tasty, but not crispy or hot enough.  She thought the burger was just okay. 
And I opted for a Greek Salad (bottom left), now check this out, no leaves in the salad.  Say what?  I was so disappointed, however the folks were nice enough, after I expressed my dissatisfaction, to get me a Caesar Salad (bottom right).  I ate the lettuce and croutons with my Greek Salad which I thought was good. 
LOCATION: Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos @ The Gansevoort 
MENU: Stelle Bar + Grill Menu
COST: $$$  
CUISINE: American/Burgers/Pizza 
VERDICT: 3.5 / 5 
The Gansevoort’s Stelle Bar + Grill offers good American food with outstanding drinks.  I especially loved the Conch Fritters w/curry sauce and the Watermelon Mint Mojito.  The bartender here does a phenomenal job with the drinks, however the service here is pretty average.  Overall, a good option to consider for lunch if staying at the Gansevoort.
Food: Average-Good | Drinks: Excellent | Décor: Pretty (beachside) | Service: Average | Value: Good

Other Lunch Recommendations
Bugaloo’s
Smokey’s on the Bay
Da Conch Shack
Chinson Grill Shack

TELL ME: Have you been to Turks and Caicos?  Where did you lunch?  Also, have you tried grouper or conch?