Roy's Bayside Grill
Sandy Ground's beachfront British-pub-meets-Caribbean institution
Why Go
For four decades, this Claire-and-Patrick-run beach shack has been the answer to "where do you get proper fish and chips on a Caribbean island?" ΓÇö a sandy-toed, Heineken-on-tap corner of Anguilla where the batter is crisp, the sea is three steps away, and no one is in a hurry to get you out of your gazebo.
The Experience
Roy's sits right on the sand at Sandy Ground, the sheltered horseshoe bay that doubles as Anguilla's fishing harbor and low-key nightlife strip. You can arrive barefoot from the beach, settle into the airy dining room, tuck into a private gazebo, or pull up a stool at the bar where locals watch football on the TV. The vibe is unabashedly English pub ΓÇö dartboard, cold beer, easy banter ΓÇö but the light is pure Caribbean: turquoise water framed by the room's open sides, fishing boats bobbing offshore, and long, unhurried lunches that quietly slide into afternoon swims. It's the kind of place regulars book weeks ahead and first-timers get adopted by after one visit.
What to Try
The fish and chips are the reason to come: fresh-caught snapper in a shatteringly light, hot batter, served with hand-cut chips and tartar sauce ΓÇö arguably the best rendition in the Eastern Caribbean. The Prime Angus burger on a house-baked sesame bun (load it with fried onions, mushrooms and bacon) is the other must-order, and grilled local lobster shows up when the boats bring it in. Save room for the flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce ΓÇö it's a Roy's ritual.
Insider Tip
Book a beachside gazebo table for late Sunday lunch, order the fish and chips with a cold Heineken from the tap, then plan to spend the rest of the afternoon swimming off Sandy Ground and drifting back for the chocolate cake at sunset. Mondays are closed, and weekend breakfast (from 8am, Sat & Sun only) is a quiet local secret. Reservations are strongly encouraged in high season ΓÇö call +1 264-497-2470.
The Practical Stuff
Beachfront on Sandy Ground, The Valley, Anguilla (AI-2640). Open TuesdayΓÇôSunday for lunch and dinner (roughly 11amΓÇô10pm); breakfast served Saturday and Sunday from 8am; closed Mondays. Mid-range pricing for Anguilla ΓÇö expect casual beach-restaurant costs with lobster and steak specials at the higher end. Family-run by Claire and Patrick. Cash and cards accepted; dress code is beach casual (cover-ups fine). Call ahead as hours and operating status can shift seasonally.
Pair It With
- Sandy Ground Beach — Walk straight off your gazebo into the calm, sheltered waters of one of Anguilla's most swimmable bays ΓÇö perfect for a pre- or post-lunch dip.
- Elvis' Beach Bar Guide — Just a few steps down the same stretch of sand for a rum punch nightcap in a boat-shaped bar ΓÇö the natural second act to a long Roy's lunch.
- Pumphouse — Sandy Ground's live-music and late-night spot in an old salt-factory building, an easy stroll from Roy's for evenings that keep going.
- Meads Bay — A 10-minute drive west for a long-beach walk on Anguilla's most photogenic strand once you've eaten your fill.