Leon's at Meads Bay
Barefoot Asian-Caribbean sushi bar under Malliouhana's yellow umbrellas.
Why Go
Half sushi counter, half beach shack — 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 — the acclaimed Anguillian talent behind the concept — 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 jalapeño — 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' — 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 (Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat 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: Mon–Wed & Fri–Sat 11am–6pm; Thu & Sun 11am–9pm (closed one day — call to confirm seasonally). Price: mid-to-upper — expect roughly US$25–45 per plate, sushi/lobster items trending higher. Reservations recommended for peak lunch (12:30–2:30pm) and Sunday Funday; walk-ins fine at the bar. Beach-casual dress — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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.
