The Finest In Luxury Anguilla Restaurants

Click here for da'Vida's 2011-2012 entertainment schedule.

Since our first Anguilla dining experiences in 2002, we have seen many luxury Anguilla restaurants come and go. We have also developed our list of personal five-star favorites (Cote Mer, Straw Hat...)

What makes a high-end restaurant succeed? A combination of an excellent and unique experience and of course, superb food.

And on those scores, the newest entry to Anguilla's luxury restaurant list, makes it the most important addition to the island in years.

It is the most impressive five-star restaurant we have experienced. As we shall see, it's actually much more than just a restaurant...

Welcome to da'Vida

Da'Vida is an Anguillian Experience

To put da'Vida into context, imagine the most upscale restaurant in St. Barts (ex. Nikki Beach): A lofty, open-air, wooden building, with charm and class, plush cushions and fine fixtures...

Instead of being on a crowded beach in St. Barts, you are on the soothing, secluded Crocus Bay in Anguilla. No beach on St. Barts comes close to competing with this natural beauty...

On The Beach

From Above

Da'Vida is the only structure on the whole stretch of sand. The restaurant is Anguillian owned, built on family land. It was once leased to the English pub, Roy's Place but today, the Lloyds (from Lloyd's Guest House) are realizing their dreams.

The late David and Vida Lloyd started Anguilla's first hotel, the Guest House, in 1959. Fifty years later, their son and daughter, David and Vida opened da'Vida (David-Vida). Their passion and purpose have turned this into one of the most exquisite restaurants Anguilla has to offer, set, picture-perfect on one of the most serene bays.

Construction began in 2008 and moved quickly! I remember docking on the shores of Crocus Bay during a sail, wondering what this building would become. It wasn't built to be a hotel. It seemed too large for a restaurant. Maybe a villa?

Now we know that this 17 000 square foot structure is more than a restaurant. It is a place that allows us to enjoy Crocus Bay from a beach chair in the late morning, float and swim in Crocus' calm waters in the afternoon, and enjoy lunch, tapas or dinner and even host wedding receptions and business conferences (on the second floor).

Dinner Menu

We first tried da'Vida for dinner.

Our very best friends from Montreal were visiting us for the first time in our new home. They were only in town for a few days, but it was a special trip and we wanted it to come to a close on a spectacular note!

Make A Reservation at da'Vida

From the moment our car made its way down the steep, picturesque road to Crocus Bay, we were mightily impressed. We were greeted by a luxurious entrance and valet parking.

Chimes hung from da'Vida's strong, wooden, beams, tingling in the tropical trades, the smell of rich wood faintly lingered and soothing music came from inside. Da'Vida's kind valet driver, Stewart, greeted us warmly and invited us in. He even snapped a photo...

In the picture we are standing in front of an impressive stone water wall (see photo to the right).

Water trickles down each stone, into the pond below.

There was a light murmur of voices under the live music...

Something was roasting, too...

And, there was a magical orange glow, casting shimmers and sparkles on the furniture inside...

We followed our senses, along the stone water fall wall, making our way to the hostess. This was certainly a luxury Anguilla restaurant, so far, without any pretentious undertones, and only the warmest hospitality!

When you enter the restaurant's dining area, you will discover a massive, yet intimate space, open to the outside, Crocus' waves gently lap. There are two areas: on the left is da'Vida's bar and lounge space, on the right is the dining room.

To The Left

Kitchen (On The Right)

Da'Vida had specially arranged our table that night. Our kind and vibrant waiter set up space for six against the water (something they do not normally do!).

We sat cozy in our comfortable chairs, at our large white cloth tables and scanned the menu.

I wish I had room in my stomach that night to try both an appetizer and an entrée, but the lamb served with mashed potato would console me! :-)

Appetizers include: Caribbean potato fish cake, Asian shrimp dumplings, Caribbean red bean soup and tropical seafood chowder.

Entrées include: Coconut crusted scallops, Little Bay pan seared snapper, grouper, Katouche crayfish tails, blackened Fiji shrimp, charbroiled veal chop, garlic infused lamb loin, jerked pork tenderloin, charbroiled angus beef tenderlion.

Order placed, we sipped on our drinks and munched on warm breads straight from the oven and tasty fried crackers. Crocus' calm waters lapped at the shore, a gentle breeze floated through the cool building...

This would be a memorable evening.

In good time, appetizers were served. Our friends loved the fish cake, and my Dad wouldn't even give me a little bite of his grilled vegetable salad that came with tasty goat cheese fritters. Hmmph!

Soon enough our waiter was bringing out the entrées...

Everyone tried something different...

Lamb, Angus Beef Tenderloin, Tropical Lobster

My Mom went for the scallops, my Dad tried to the grouper and Yuki and I stuck together on the lamb!

No one had any complaints, only cries of joy. My Dad's friend Bob has owned high end restaurants. He is not easy to please. Even he fell in love with da'Vida, noting that the food is outstanding, the experience to die for.

The night came to an end over coffee, brownies and warm apple tart.

My Dad looks like Popeye in that picture, but he is thoroughly enjoying his dessert!

The warm apple tart was equally successful!

It was a magnificent meal, and a very special end to a very special trip! We couldn't have wished for a happier ending.

It is expensive, but worth every penny.

Da'Vida serves dinner from 6:00-9:30.

Lunch

Update: Don't miss an idyllic beach day at da'Vida's Bayside Grill, perfect for a relaxing afternoon of lunch, drinks and swimming. Click here to read about the Bayside Grill. da'Vida no longer serves lunch in their main restaurant.

They also serve a tasty lunch in such a relaxing environment. My Mom and I stopped in not too long after our friends returned to Montreal! We just couldn't stay away...

We grabbed a corner table, sitting right on the edge!

Their lunch menu includes various soups, salads, spring rolls, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, steaks, ribs, curry chicken, stuffed dumplings and so on.

We ordered a rum punch, a glass of white wine, and a plate of spring rolls to share.

As we lounged, we watched other guests taking their post-meal naps on da'Vida's luxurious beach chairs on Crocus Bay's sandy shores.

How relaxing!

The Spring Rolls Were Delicious
Tasty Plum Sauce, Too!

Lunch is served from 11:00-3:00.

Update: Click here to read about an Anguilla luxury da'Vida beach day!

Tapas

In between lunch and dinner?

da'Vida serves a full tapas menu from 4:00-9:00.

My Mom and Dad were the first to try da'Vida tapas menu. They sampled the spring rolls, cod fritters and chicken satay. They both said this is a wonderful way to eat reasonably inexpensively, enjoying the sunset and the surroundings if you're not in the mood for a full dinner.

We have returned for da'Vida's tasty tapas several times.

da'Vida Tapas

They have expanded their menu, and now offer several excellent Caribbean-Asian fusion mini-dishes.

A few of our favorites include the shrimp dumplings in a coconut chili sauce, lobster spring rolls with a ginger chili sauce, seared tuna with sweet soy and sesame, and the jerked pork served with a cucumber gazpacho...

Yuki's personal favorite are the Caribbean corn & vegetable fritters served with a spicy black bean sauce. We usually order 2 dishes per person and share, so we can get a little taste of everything.

But, when it comes to the fritters, Yuki always orders her own. She won't give you the smallest of bites! ;-)

Yuki Biting Into Her Caribbean Corn & Vegetable Fritters
And, Me With the Jerked Pork

From the delightfully delicious tapas, to the cool drinks, to the luxurious-relaxing atmosphere... the da'Vida tapas experience is not to be missed!

Update: Click here to read more about da'Vida's tasty tapas.

da'Vida's Bayside Grill & Shops

Da'Vida has a unique blend with their location, service, ambience & food.

The da'Vida experience has continued to grow as the rest of the Lloyds' project has been completed...

One of our favorite of their additions?

Just next-door to their luxurious and lofty main restaurant lies da'Vida's Bayside Grill.

The Bayside Grill's specialty?

Delivering a five-star, luxurious beach day at a very reasonable cost.

da'Vida's Bayside Grill has perfected the recipe to provide the ultimate beach day.

First, you just can't beat their sandy beach front location.

You can even eat on picnic tables, right on the beach, toes in the sand!

da'Vida Bayside Grill

Second, their lunch menu is the tastiest, prepared with the freshest ingredients.

They offer a variety of beach classics, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and large entrees including BBQ chicken, ribs, grilled fish, steak and crayfish or lobster.

Yuki's favorite?

The Grilled Chicken Wrap

Finishing off the last sips of your rum punch is best enjoyed sea-side, from one of da'Vida's comfy beach chairs, their wide umbrellas shielding you from the strong, warm Caribbean sun.

da'Vida Crocus Bay

Yuki Going Shopping

If a lazy beach day isn't for you, if you prefer a more active day at the beach, da'Vida has you covered.

Renting a sea kayak, and paddling to quiet and protected nearby Little Bay is a fun voyage.

Don't forget to bring a water bottle! We forgot to bring one, and Dad was parched by the time we arrived back at da'Vida.

If you prefer to stay on the sand, there are two cute shops to poke around in.

The first, da'Vida's Gift Shop...

View From Inside da'Vida's Gift Shop

With Fabiana Liburd at Why Knot

da'Vida's gift shop has many sweet da'Vida souvenirs, from beach bags to t-shirts.

Located next door is Why Knot, one of our favorite Anguilla shops.

Why Knot is owned by Fabiana Liburd, a creative lady who is a pleasure to chat with.

She designs all of the original pieces featured in her shops, breezy linen wraps and beach cover-ups that come in an array of fun colors.

Don't miss Why Knot on your da'Vida Bayside Grill beach day.

Why Knot is now closed. Please stay tuned for updates on what will be replacing Why Knot!

After the shopping, the kayaking, the napping, the sunning, the dining and drinking, Dad will usually initiate a relaxing beach walk down to the far Western end of the beach.

You just may find a special souvenir for free. Many pretty shells wash up on that end of the beach, especially after a big rain storm.

da'Vida's Bayside Grill is a special spot, our favorite place for a luxurious beach day. It really can't be beat.

Click here for our family's experience at da'Vida Bayside Grill.

da'Vida's Loft

The final addition to the expansion of da'Vida's main restaurant is their upstairs loft...

da'Vida's Upstairs Loft

This area is primarily reserved for receptions, weddings, baby showers, or any event you may wish to host.

Enjoying the Atmosphere

It is beautiful and airy, with the most expansive views of Crocus Bay, catching more of the warm winds.

da'Vida has been booked for several weddings and various affairs.

An Anguilla wedding here, in da'Vida's tranquil luxury setting, must be pure magic.

Da'Vida is an Anguilla favorite, so be sure to make reservations.

Da'Vida is truly the finest luxury Anguilla restaurant. We have never returned to a five-star restaurant three times in the space of a couple of weeks, but excellence is the exception!

In this case, that is da'Vida.

Do not miss this luxury Anguilla restaurant on your next visit.

da'Vida's Hours: Tuesday-Friday

• Tapas: 4:00-9:00 pm
• Dinner: 6:00-9:30 pm

da'Vida Bayside Grill Hours:

• Monday: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
• Tuesday-Sunday: 10:30 am - 10:00 pm

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