Top Restaurants in the Bahamas for Eating Out Bahamas

Dining Out in the Bahamas

Getty Images/iStockphoto For a small country, the Bahamas has a lively culinary scene — from humble traditional dishes like “steam fish with peas 'n' rice” sold at casual beach shacks to sophisticated international fare at five-star resorts. It’s anchored by ocean-fresh seafood, which is always on the menu, typically snapper, grouper, lobster and the reigning star, conch (pronounced “konk”). Synonymous with Bahamian comfort food, this marine mollusk is eaten steamed, grilled, “scorched” (chopped into bite-size pieces), “cracked” or frittered (battered and deep-fried), raw in a ceviche salad, swimming in a tomato-based chowder and even as a burger. Playing second fiddle is the Caribbean, or spiny, lobster, not to be confused with the Maine lobster. Unlike that cold-water cousin, it doesn’t have large edible claws or meat as soft and sweet. Still, at the start of lobster season, Aug. 1, many restaurants create special menus, most notably the three-course crustacean-based Lobster Fest at .

Bahamas Travel Guide

National specialties, as ubiquitous as beach sand, also include pan-cooked Johnnycake, a beloved Bahamian shortbread; souse, a meat-based stew; Bahamian stew fish, partially pan-fried catch of the day smothered in spicy red sauce; and for dessert, guava duff, spongy guava jam-spiraled pastry drizzled with butter rum sauce. Speaking of rum, the national drink shows up in such classic cocktails as Goombay Smash (with pineapple juice and coconut water) and the fruity Bahama Mama, while classic Sky Juice is made with gin, coconut water andcondensed milk, of all things. Apart from the Out Islands, where Bahamian soul food is a mainstay, you can try it at such non-touristy Nassau eateries as or . Saturday brunch is a treat at , especially if you have the guava cream cheese-stuffed French toast, or at the . Transforming traditional ingredients with an international twist, new chefs and restaurants may be turning Nassau/Paradise Island into the Caribbean’s next culinary hotspot. At Baha Mar, for example, conch shows up in master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi’s first Caribbean . At the SLS’s , Bahamian ingredients make their way into one of Nassau’s first Mediterranean-inspired restaurants (think Israeli flavors and Syrian spices). James Beard Award-winner Michael Schwartz’s latest venture is the rustic Italian eatery . One of the most popular restaurants in town is the Italian , with a charming garden patio. Overlooking the harbor in downtown, serves creative Bahamian dishes tapas style, such as cracked conch sliders and lobster mac and cheese. offers Bahamian fine dining in a recently renovated, historic Bahamian home. Ways to save: Dine at the neighborhood take-outs where locals eat. Alternatively, cook what you catch, especially in the Out Islands. When you go fishing, ask one of the dock hands to clean and filet the fish for you. Just pay them a tip. Then ask your restaurant to cook it up. It doesn’t get fresher than that!

Reservations

For in-demand restaurants, make a reservation on holiday weekends and during the peak season. Otherwise, booking a table is unnecessary.

Fish Fry

Want to go really local? Every island in the Bahamas has a traditional fish fry — a laid-back social event where you can eat authentic Bahamian food, drink rum, listen to Caribbean music and meet locals. Carrying on a pre-Columbian tradition of grilling fresh seafood over an open fire, seaside stalls and pop-up restaurants have traded in fire pits for gas stoves and outdoor coal grills. The food is seasoned with the hot peppers and spices of the African Diaspora, with lime essential for fish. It’s always accompanied with starchy sides such as pigeon peas and rice, Bahamian baked macaroni, fried plantain, potato salad and coleslaw. Between the portion sizes and carb overload, this is stick-to-your-bones filling. Bring cash. Nassau’s largest fish fry is at . Its 30-plus food stalls and eateries are active every night, including classics like and , Bahamian-Haitian fusion Oh Andros, and the modern standout, . A few Out Islands notables include the Friday-night in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, and the weekend Regatta Beach Fish Fry in New Bight, Cat Island — perfect for sunset watching and mingling with locals. AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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