Leon's at Meads Bay
Barefoot Asian-Caribbean sushi bar under Malliouhana's yellow umbrellas.
Why Go
Half sushi counter, half beach shack ΓÇö Leon's is where you order a lobster taco with sand between your toes and end the afternoon on a hammock with rum punch in hand.
The Experience
Tucked into the sand between Malliouhana Hotel and Carimar on Meads Bay, Leon's ditches the resort-restaurant script. Picture crisp white walls with sunny blue and yellow accents, hammocks strung between coconut palms, a covered deck with pool tables and a big-screen TV, and classic yellow Malliouhana umbrellas marching down one of Anguilla's prettiest beaches. Chef Kerth Gumbs ΓÇö the acclaimed Anguillian talent behind the concept ΓÇö spins Caribbean flavors through an Asian lens, so you'll bounce between crispy-nori sushi tacos, poke bowls and margherita pizza without missing a beat. Days start slow and breezy (arrive by noon, claim a lounger, keep the rum punches coming); by late afternoon live music drifts in, a small dance area fills up, and the whole place tips into golden-hour party mode. It's polished enough for a honeymoon lunch, loose enough for a family Sunday, and the sea is literally two steps away.
What to Try
Start with two orders of the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna (topped with avocado and jalape├▒o ΓÇö one plate is never enough and they sell out fast). The Sushi Tacos in crispy nori shells are the signature move: get the lobster version with wasabi-ginger aioli and tobiko. For a shareable centerpiece, Leon's Signature Roll layers lobster, salmon, tuna and avocado with dueling curry sauces. Non-sushi eaters: the Margherita pizza is a genuine sleeper hit. Wash it all down with a Leon's Blue cocktail, or the non-alcoholic Raspassion if you're pacing yourself for a beach day.
Insider Tip
Show up Sunday for 'Sunday Funday' ΓÇö the crew rolls out live entertainment, specialty cocktails and island-inspired plates timed to sunset, and it's easily the best beach party on Meads Bay. Weekday afternoons (MonΓÇôWed, FriΓÇôSat close at 6pm), the vibe is quieter and you'll actually get a hammock. If you want the full evening scene with music, aim for Thursday or Sunday when the kitchen stays open until 9pm.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Meads Bay beachfront, between Malliouhana Hotel and Carimar Beach Club, West End, Anguilla. Hours: MonΓÇôWed & FriΓÇôSat 11amΓÇô6pm; Thu & Sun 11amΓÇô9pm (closed one day ΓÇö call to confirm seasonally). Price: mid-to-upper ΓÇö expect roughly US$25ΓÇô45 per plate, sushi/lobster items trending higher. Reservations recommended for peak lunch (12:30ΓÇô2:30pm) and Sunday Funday; walk-ins fine at the bar. Beach-casual dress ΓÇö swimsuit and coverup are perfectly welcome at lunch. Phone: +1 264-497-6111. Cash and major cards accepted; 15% service is often added.
Pair It With
- Meads Bay beach day — Leon's sits directly on it ΓÇö plan a full day of swimming and lounging with lunch and sunset cocktails bookending your time on the sand.
- Straw Hat Restaurant — Also on Meads Bay, just steps away ΓÇö a great dinner counterpart if you've done lunch at Leon's and want to stay in the neighborhood for a more refined evening meal.
- Malliouhana Spa Guide — The resort hosting Leon's has a hilltop spa ΓÇö perfect for a morning treatment before drifting down to the beach for a long lunch.
- Shoal Bay East — On a longer stay, balance Leon's polished beach-club energy with a day at Shoal Bay's wilder, whiter stretch of sand across the island.