The Finest In Luxury Anguilla Restaurants

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 (Trattoria, Nat's, 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: Thai fish cake, curried chicken dumplings, lobster bisque and island sweet potato ricotta gnocchi.

Entrées include: Coconut crusted scallops, Tamarind glazed grouper, charboiled tropical lobster, fennel crusted veal chops, garlic crusted lamb loin, charboiled angus beef tenderloin.

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 Thai 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

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

They also have a full tapas menu from 4:00-9:00.

My Mom and Dad have been for tapas. 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.

Going Forward

Da'Vida has a unique blend with their location, service, ambience & food. The da'Vida experience will grow as the rest of the Lloyds' project is completed...

The Beach Bar

These classic beach huts will soon be serving chicken, ribs, lobster and crayfish right on the beach. Da'Vida will also add more beach chairs, to complete every visitor's beach day!

The second floor renovations are nearly finished...

This area will be primarily reserved for receptions, but will also be used for lounging and relaxing, similar to their bar section downstairs.

It is sure to be beautiful, with more expansive views of Crocus Bay, catching more of the warm winds.

Already da'Vida is booked for several weddings and various affairs...

I see da'Vida becoming 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

• Lunch: 11:00 am-3:00 pm
• Tapas: 3:00-6:00 pm, Full Tapas: 4:00-9:00 pm
• Dinner: 6:00-9:30 pm