Tasty's Restaurant
Chef Dale Carty's teal-blue Creole cottage where French technique meets true Anguillian soul.
Why Go
Tucked into a bright turquoise Creole cottage in South Hill, Tasty's has been Anguilla's beloved local-favorite for the better part of two decades. Chef-owner Dale Carty trained under Michelin-starred Rostang brothers at Malliouhana before returning home to cook the food he grew up with ΓÇö refined enough to feel special, honest enough to feel like Sunday lunch at your auntie's.
The Experience
You'll know you've arrived when you see the teal-blue and coral cottage with its wraparound veranda strung with fairy lights. Inside is warm, unpretentious, and lively ΓÇö walls the color of a Caribbean sunset, ceiling fans lazily turning, and the sound of laughter drifting from the bar. Most nights the crowd is a happy mix of Anguillians catching up over rum punches and repeat-visitor honeymooners who booked a table before their flight was even confirmed. Service is genuine island-warm: staff remember faces, Dale himself often stops by tables, and nobody rushes you. Come for lunch and it's sun-drenched and casual; come for dinner and the veranda glows in candlelight while the trade winds do the air-conditioning.
What to Try
Start with the crispy conch fritters or Dale's famous cornmeal-crusted salt-fish cakes with pepper jelly ΓÇö they're a lesson in what Anguillian cuisine can be at its best. For mains, the lobster Creole is the signature: fresh-off-the-boat Anguillian spiny lobster in a rich, gently spiced tomato-and-herb sauce. Landlubbers should not miss the slow-cooked oxtail or the coconut chicken curry, both served with rice-and-peas and Dale's legendary Johnny cakes (order extra). Save room for the coconut cheesecake or the warm bread pudding with rum sauce. Cocktails lean tropical ΓÇö the passion-fruit rum punch is dangerously drinkable.
Insider Tip
Reservations are essential in high season, and the two prime tables are on the front porch overlooking the road ΓÇö ask specifically when you book. If you're a rum person, ask Dale or the bar to steer you toward the aged Anguillian and Antiguan rums that don't always make the printed list. And go for lunch at least once: the menu is lighter, the vibe is quieter, and you'll actually see the cottage in its full Crayola-blue glory.
The Practical Stuff
Location: South Hill, on the main road above Sandy Ground ΓÇö about a 10-minute drive from The Valley and easy to reach from most West End resorts. Reservations strongly recommended, especially DecemberΓÇôApril; call ahead or book via their website. Cash and major cards accepted. Casual-resort dress; no need to dress up but most guests do smart-casual for dinner. Closed Thursdays (confirm current schedule when booking). Note that Anguilla adds service charge and government tax to the bill.
Pair It With
- Sandy Ground Beach sunset drinks — South Hill sits right above Sandy Ground ΓÇö swing down for a rum punch at Elvis' or Roy's on the sand before your Tasty's reservation.
- Shoal Bay East beach day — Spend the day on Anguilla's most iconic stretch of powder-white sand, then reward yourself with Dale's lobster Creole that evening.
- Sandy Island boat trip — A short skiff ride from Sandy Ground to the tiny sandbar restaurant ΓÇö pair a lazy lunch there with a proper dinner at Tasty's for the full Anguilla food arc.
- 20 Knots (nearby stay) — If you're staying at 20 Knots or another South Hill rental, Tasty's is your walkable neighborhood spot ΓÇö perfect for a no-driving, rum-punch kind of evening.