There is a strong Jamaican influence. There are various standards of restaurants with good service, most of which accept credit cards. Bars and restaurants are well stocked with all beverages normally consumed in America and Europe. Draught beer is available in a few bars.
National specialities:
• Jerk curry, rice and peas and plantain.
• Turtle steaks.
• Conch chowder.
• Red snapper.
• Sea bass.
• Lobster.
National drinks:
• Beer.
• Cocktails.
Tipping: For most services, five to 10 per cent is normal. Hotels and apartments state the specific amount. Restaurant bills usually include a 10 to 15 per cent charge in lieu of tipping.

Grand Cayman has a lively nightlife with comedy clubs, bars and nightclubs. Music is varied and clubs offer everything from live DJs to salsa, reggae, calypso and disco. Concerts are held at the Lions Centre in Red Bay and theatre productions are shown at either the Harquail Theatre on West Bay Road or the Prospect Playhouse in Red Bay. Dinner cruises onboard a replica pirate ship and 19th-century tall ship can be booked through local watersports operators. For further information about entertainment on the Islands, visitors should consult the free local What’s Hot magazine or the What’s Happenin column in the Friday issue of the Caymanian Compass newspaper.

As a shopping centre, George Town, with its fascinating boutiques and duty free shops, is now one of the leading centres in the Caribbean region. Delicious local foods can be bought or sampled at the Farmers Market Cooperative on Thomas Russell way or Frankie’s Fresh Fruits and Juices on Red Bay Road. Half a dozen modern and sophisticated shopping centres have recently been established, offering a choice of North American and European fashion brands, furnishings and household goods. Local products include the Tortuga Rum company speciality rum and rum cake, shell jewellery, Caymanite (the island’s semi-precious stone), tropical fruit and woodcarvings. Special purchases include china, crystal, silver, French perfume and local crafts of black coral, sculptures, tortoise and turtle shell jewellery (turtles are bred at Cayman Turtle Farm, which also undertakes conservation measures). Travellers should note that turtle products cannot be imported, even by persons in transit, into any country which has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – this includes the USA, Canada and the UK. Many luxury goods and essential foodstuffs are duty free but duty of up to 20 per cent is charged on other items. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700 (on weekends some shops will stay open untill midnight).