Restaurants and Hidden Gems in Nassau Paradise Island
The food scene in Nassau Paradise Island is booming, with famous chefs from around the world flocking to our beautiful shores to open Bahamian outposts of impeccable dining experiences from across the globe. These headline-making restaurants are
worth a trip to Nassau Paradise Island alone, and a meal at one of the fine dining establishments is a definite must-do on any foodie’s travel itinerary. But it’s not all about white table cloths. The destination is also home to amazing local spots, like Arawak
Cay aka “The Fish Fry” and smaller restaurants that pepper the island with bold flavors and delicious dishes. The destination is also growing its adult beverage industry and is home to a craft brewery, distillery and winery.
Food
Graycliff Hotel
With nearly 300 years’ worth of history, the beautiful Graycliff Hotel in downtown Nassau is steeped in glamour, romance, and thrilling tales. From its early days as a pirate hangout to its heyday as a sophisticated playground for the rich and famous, Graycliff is truly an “if those walls could talk” institution in The Bahamas. Today, the colonial mansion is a beloved attraction and home to the Caribbean’s first five-star restaurant, a chocolatier, a cigar company, and one of the world’s largest wine cellars. The cellar holds over $20 million worth of wine and the collection features wine from more than 5,000 vintners across 20 countries.
Food Trucks at Baha Mar
Steps from stunning Cable Beach are colorful, vintage-inspired airstreams serving up creative, casual fare that’s full of flavor! Two of our go-tos are Sandy Dog and El Jefe at Baha Mar. Step up to Sandy Dog for gourmet hot dogs that remind you of your childhood and delight your taste buds or head to El Jefe for tacos, margaritas, and other classic Mexican staples.
Athena Bar and Cafe
This family-owned Greek restaurant in downtown Nassau has been in business since 1995 and is one of the popular stops on Tru Bahamian Food Tour’s Bites of Nassau Food Tour. Not only do they serve up classic Greek dishes like calamari, spanakopita, and gyro, they also have some Bahamian staples like conch fritters and grouper.
Louis & Steens
This waterfront café on West Bay Street is an Instagrammer’s dream come true and the first specialty coffee shop in Nassau Paradise Island. For a taste of New Orleans—and a great cup of coffee—in The Bahamas, this colorful, tropical spot is a must!
Humidor Churrascaria
Graycliff Hotel’s culinary name may be built upon its namesake five-star restaurant, but for a more casual, family-friendly dining experience, head to their Churrascaria! Churrascaria is a centuries-old Brazilian cooking technique of cutting and grilling meat. At Humidor Churrascaria you’ll have the authentic experience of tableside carving and
a mouthwatering array of choices.
Arawak Cay
For a truly local dining experience, head to the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay. Here, you’ll find colorful restaurants and cafes serving up the freshest seafood and Bahamian dishes like cracked conch, conch salad, peas n’ rice, and much more.
Café Madeline and The Palms at Baha Mar
Discover a chic Parisian café in the heart of the Caribbean at Café Madeline at Baha Mar. Perfect for a breakfast, light lunch, or snack, the pastries, quiche, and crafted coffees at Café Madeline are as decadent as the décor of this indoor/outdoor café is delightful. Guests of Baha Mar will also want to check out The Palms for a poolside patio dining experience that serves up healthy, approachable breakfast and lunch menus.
Sun & Ice at The Coral
The newly renovated The Coral at Atlantis is chic, colorful, and full of Caribbean charm. At the center of this impressive space is Sun & Ice, a gelateria inspired by the colors and flavors of The Bahamas. Helmed by local chef Wayne Moncur, the iced desserts at Sun & Ice come in flavors like Auntie Mar (a guava-duff flavored ice cream), Mango Skin (a mangola and avocado gelato), Junkanoo (a red velvet gelato), and more.
Viola’s Bar and Grill
For a truly laid back atmosphere where you’ll feel like one of the family, head to Viola’s Bar and Grill at Sunrise Beach Club and Villas. This casual spot serves up simple breakfast, lunch, and dinner options daily with the beautiful backdrop of Cabbage Beach just outside.
Frankie Gone Bananas
The original Frankie Gone Bananas location at Arawak Cay in Nassau has been popular for years, so it’s no surprise that the local seafood eatery has opened a second location at Marina Village in Paradise Island. This casual restaurant stays true to its Bahamian roots serving dishes like coconut and Kalik chowder, Bahamian rock lobster, and classic Bahamas cocktails like Sky Juice and GoombaySmash.
Costa
Savor the tastes of Mexico steps from Cable Beach at Costa. This beautiful restaurant and bar at Rosewood Baha Mar serves lunch, light bites, and dinners, all within Costa’s unique setting with waterside cabanas and memorable atmosphere.
Drinks
Pirate Republic Brewing Company
The Bahamas’ only craft brewery is located in the heart of downtown Nassau, minutes from Festival Place and Parliament Square. Stop by to sample their flagship brews: Island Pirate Ale IPA, the first Bahamian IPA, Gold & Haze of Piracy, a citrus twist on a classic Belgian White Ale, Black Beer’d Stout, and Captain Kidd’s Kolsch, a medium-bodied, easy-drinking ale. Depending on when you visit, you’ll also have a variety of seasonal specialties and unique beers on offer.
Bahama Barrels
The Caribbean’s first winery, Bahama Barrels, is housed in a charming 1937 church built by the Sisters of Charity and located at Graycliff. At Bahama Barrels, guests can taste wines from across the globe, learn the entire grape- growing season and wine-making process. Bahama Barrels is open is open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas Day). The winery also offers wine blending classes, where guests can learn to blend their own wine at one of the most unique experiences in the Bahamas. Guided by a California winemaker with nearly 20 years of experience, learn the nuances of wine tannins, acidity, balance and finish. Continue your experience by blending your very own bottle of wine to memorialize your visit to Bahama Barrels at Graycliff.
John Watling’s Distillery
Like most Caribbean island nations, rum is deeply embedded in the history and culture of The Bahamas. It’s been distilled from sugar cane since the 17th century and, thanks to Nassau Paradise Island’s proximity to Florida, rum-runners made a handsome profit ferrying Bahamian rum to the United States during prohibition. John Watling’s, known as “the spirit of The Bahamas”, produces four different kinds of rum at its distillery: pale rum, amber rum, Buena Vista rum, and single barrel rum.
In addition to the local spots and international flair, the destination is home to a number of celebrity chef-driven restaurants, culminating for the ultimate dining getaway.
www.nassauparadiseisland.com
