About Us

A Grand Legacy Since 1908

Grand Old House, Former Petra Plantation

Established in 1908, Grand Old House is a timeless icon of Caymanian heritage. Once the majestic Petra Plantation, this storied seaside estate has been gracefully transformed into one of Grand Cayman’s most celebrated waterfront restaurants — preserving its colonial charm while embracing the future of fine dining.

Set against sweeping ocean views, our venue features an expansive coastal terrace, elegant indoor dining, and eight private rooms perfect for any occasion. Guests enjoy locally inspired and globally influenced cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and a curated Cuban cigar selection.

Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a refined corporate event, or an unforgettable wedding celebration, Grand Old House offers a dining experience steeped in history and crafted with excellence.

Located in South Sound, Grand Old House offers an exceptional waterfront dining experience, combining innovative cuisine with a deep respect for the region’s culture, heritage, and history. It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch, especially if you’re looking to avoid traffic or simply want to savor your meal with an unbeatable view.

Today, Grand Old House stands as one of Grand Cayman's premier dining destinations, celebrated for its award-winning wine list, impeccable service, and sophisticated island charm. The seaside veranda provides a perfect setting for a relaxed lunch or a romantic dinner, and the venue has hosted over a thousand weddings and countless community events. As a symbol of both perseverance and refined taste, it is a true Caymanian treasure, with ample space to accommodate up to 500 guests for any occasion.

Guests can indulge in a variety of delectable international dishes with a Caribbean twist, all made with the freshest ingredients in line with the island’s farm-to-table trend. You can enjoy à la carte dining either by the water's edge or in the comfort of air-conditioned elegance. The menu offers a diverse selection, from succulent seafood to tender steaks.

For those with dietary preferences or restrictions, gluten-free and vegetarian options are also available.

Grand Old House is an ideal venue for corporate functions, special events, and weddings. Their in-house wedding and event coordinator will guide you through every detail, from the ceremony and floral arrangements to photography, entertainment, and transportation. Whether your celebration is grand or intimate, they will ensure your event is flawless. The venue’s charm blends the timeless elegance of Caribbean plantation life with modern sophistication, making it the premier wedding destination in the Cayman Islands. Imagine exchanging vows with the serene Caribbean Sea as your backdrop.

Guests can stay connected throughout the property with complimentary Wi-Fi. Whether you prefer outdoor seating or the comfort of air-conditioned indoor areas, the restaurant offers eight private rooms to choose from. The Wine Room, housing an extensive collection of award-winning wines, is perfect for a private lunch or board meeting. Additionally, the Colonial Room, with its own bar, is ideal for larger gatherings, accommodating up to 60 guests. For smaller events, the English Room offers a cozy setting for up to 20 guests with ocean views.

Out of the 230 restaurants in the Cayman Islands, Grand Old House is one of just four to earn the prestigious “Best of Award of Excellence” with two glasses from Wine Spectator. It’s also the first restaurant on the island to offer a members-only Wine Club, catering to wine aficionados and novices alike. With more than 20 years of accolades from Wine Spectator, Grand Old House guarantees a wine selection that perfectly complements your meal.

A Grand History

Originally designed as a stately Caribbean great house on the coconut tree speckled Petra Plantation, the Grand Old House was built by Boston businessman William Henry Law in 1908. The foundations are constructed with locally grown ironwood, an exceptionally tough or hardest wood in the world, which helped the house survive the strongest of storms, including a multitude of nor’westers, the no name hurricane back in 1932 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

When Mr. Law left the Cayman Islands, the Lambert family came to oversee his business and to live in the house. The Lamberts entertained frequently, hosting elegant parties. When the Lambert family left Cayman for Jamaica in 1925, the house remained in the care of Olive Hinds, the family housekeeper, for many years.

During its long history, the Grand Old House has been used as a Sunday school for local children, a hospital for soldiers wounded in World War II, a beauty parlor and a shelter for island residents during storms and hurricanes. Old-time residents even tell the story that a doctor once performed an operation on a dining room table.

In the 1950s, the house passed into the hands of retired U.S. Army Colonel Pirnie. It was in his time of ownership that Cayman’s first Rotary Club was chartered at the house in 1966. Grand Old House was then purchased by Bob and Jeanne Brenton and other partners, who turned it into a restaurant in 1969. At that time, South Sound Road was no more than a dirt track and the restaurant was lit by oil lamps.

Although there were not many tourists in those days, the restaurant became a favorite with residents. For several years in the late 1980’s and early 90’s, Grand Old House was managed by the late Friedman Paul Erhardt, a German who was better known on American television as “Chef Tell”. Currently, the Grand Old House is owned by a group of Caymanian entrepreneurs who have supported and maintained it in its original form with new additions such as the 5000 square foot, ocean front deck.

Grand Old House is a unique Caymanian treasure.

We Hope to welcome you at sunset and bid you farewell at midnight

Where tradition lives and life is Celebrated.