Those staying in Sandy Bay will likely be eating in their resort restaurant, but a couple of other places serve good meals at midrange prices.

Even if you’re not staying at the Blue Bahia Resort, its restaurant is well worth a visit. The Beach Grill (open for lunch and dinner every day but Tuesday) smokes its own meats and is renowned for its Louisiana-style barbecue, including brisket, chicken and ribs, as well as pulled-pork sandwiches, the latter served on house-baked bread (US$8–13).

The Blue Parrot Bar and Restaurant (tel. 504/992-2807, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) is a nice little street-front joint with a colorful parrot mural on the wall. The owner has recently changed, but locals say it’s as good as ever, with sandwiches for around US$5 and entrées like lobster, shrimp kebabs, and surf ’n’ turf for US$7–12 a meal.

The Sunshine Café at the Roatan Beachcomber is open noon–9 p.m. daily; its specialty is a Friday night all-you-can-eat fish fry with shrimp, conch, and fish for US$15.

The Bay Island Beach Resort hosts crab races at Deep Ted’s Grille on Thursday evenings, complete with a pig roast and plenty of tequila. It’s a popular event with the local expat community, and proceeds are donated to the Sandy Bay public schools.

The multi-service Oasis Lounge (just off the southern side of the highway) has American-friendly snacks such as wings and burgers, as well as more upscale tapas and salads, all served in a lounge tented by billowy fabrics. There are nightly activities popular with Roatán expats, such as a pub quiz (Tuesdays) and movies (Thursdays), as well as a swimming pool (with a kids’ swim Fridays noon–5 p.m.). There are also efficiency suites and a house for rent (www.roatan-guavagrove.com). The lounge/restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.