Eat Like a Local in Turks and Caicos

"Conch My favorite experience in Turks and Caicos was going out in the ocean with a guide to catch conch. Once the spot was chosen, we jumped overboard and dove into the blue water. My friends and I were not able to dive down deep enough, but the guide did it with ease. He stayed down for more than a couple minutes, and happily surfaced with armfuls of conch. Back on the beach, he showed us how they crack open the shell to retrieve the meat (in the photo), and then prepared us raw-conch salad. It was delicious! By Dani Vernon"

"Conch is as ubiquitous on Turks and Caicos restaurant menus as palm trees on the beaches, and at Da Conch Shack, you’ll find it prepared any way you can imagine. Of course, there are the classic dishes ofconch fritters, conch chowder, and conch salad, but you’ll also find entrées such ascurried conch and conch creole. The breezy beachfront restaurant on Provo also serves fresh catch, local lobster, and nonseafood items like steaks and burgers."

"After you’ve explored the stunning sea cliffs along Mudjin Bay, get a table on the patio of the Mudjin Bar andGrill to savor the scenery a little longer and enjoy a well-earned meal. The restaurant is part of the Dragon Cay Resort and open every day for lunch and dinner. The menu shows off local flavors such asfried local lobster and conch fritters, along with burgers and chicken wings, but it’s the view overlooking the stunning Middle Caicos coastline that steals the show. (Dinner service requires reservations.)"

"Honor the memory of Papa Hemingway's love of island living with a meal at this popular beachfront restaurant, located at the Sands, along Grace Bay Road, inProvidenciales. From the open-air deck, you can enjoy a great view of the ocean and a laid-back island atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Dishes range from filet mignon to local lobster toaward-winning conch chowder. Finish things off with a slice of key lime pie or a scoop of deep-fried ice cream dusted with cinnamon and sugar."

"To satisfy your conch craving, stop at Bugaloo's Conch Crawl on the south side of Providenciales, just a few minutes from Chalk Sound. The beachfront restaurant in Five Cays has indoor and outdoor seating, withsome of the tables setright along the waterline, lapped by the rising tide. You’ll find a great selection of seafood, including plenty of conch dishes, along with fried chicken and burgers. In the evenings, Bugaloo’s hosts local bands, fire dancers, and other entertainment."