Taste the Bahamas From No-Frill Fish Fries to Fine Dining

An archipelago of more than 700 islands, the Bahamas may collectively be best known for its clear turquoise water, idyllic beaches (with dozens on the island of Nassau alone), and world-class diving. But the sun-soaked Caribbean country’s fresh and flavorful food scene — often experienced alongside a pristine beachfront backdrop — is worth a visit alone. From fine dining destinations to laid-back local fish fries, these are the essential ways to get a taste of the Bahamas.

For an insider-led dive into the country’s cuisine, join Tru Bahamian Food Tours for a private Bahamian cooking class and lunch experience. Local chefs guide participants through preparing traditional dishes like conch fritters, fresh seasonal fish served with Bahamian macaroni and cheese, and a coconut or pineapple tart, paired with plenty of island storytelling. Or opt for the Savor Old Nassau tour, where you’ll wind through historic neighborhoods to sample authentic specialties like curry chicken, peas and rice, and a Bahama Mama cocktail. Finish the tour with a chocolate and wine pairing from the island’s only winery.

For another true Bahamian experience, visit the famous Fish Fry at Arawak Cay. The collection of colorful waterfront shacks serves the island's freshest seafood. Try Twin Brothers or Oh Andros for crispy conch fritters, conch salad, and seafood stews. Share a heap of fried snapper and peas and rice while listening to live music and sipping frozen daiquiris or a cold Kalik beer.

When lunchtime hits, head to Solemar, snag a table on the open-air terrace, and order a dramatic seafood tower piled with stone crab, oysters, and poached lobster tails. Or stop into Oasis, a casual bar and bistro, for fish tacos, crab cakes, and plenty of stellar vegetarian options.

Downtown Nassau is home to its own treasures, including Cafe Matisse, one of the island’s oldest restaurants, tucked away in a historic building. Reproductions of the namesake French artist's work adorn the dining room walls, but request a table in the intimate garden courtyard for lunch or dinner and order plates of seafood-centric pasta from the Italian-inspired menu.

Seek out some of the best cocktails on the island with a special trip to Yellowbell, inside the Island House boutique hotel. The craft cocktail bar, run by the same team behind Bon Vivants and The Dilly Club, is open to the public for perfectly mixed tropical cocktails amid an island-chic space. Try a classic Jungle Bird made with Caribbean rum, or share a passion fruit and hibiscus-infused Bimini Punch.

For a splashy dinner, book a table at Graycliff, a 280-year-old mansion that once hosted British nobility and now houses one of the Western Hemisphere's largest wine cellars, with over 5 million bottles. In candlelit dining rooms adorned with antique furnishings, couples can share refined Bahamian-Continental cuisine before finishing their evenings with housemade chocolates crafted by on-site chocolatiers.

Or opt for serene oceanfront views at Dune at the iconic Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, where iconic chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten blends French, Asian, and Bahamian cuisines. Reserve a table at sunset, when floor-to-ceiling windows frame the white sand beach, and order from the menu of JG classics, like black truffle pizzas, and island stars like conch salad, red snapper, and local lobster.

For a perfect nightcap, The Dilly Club has established itself as one of Nassau's premier craft cocktail destinations. Drinks are made with local ingredients like soursop, coconut, and citrus. Order a frozen cocktail, or ask the bartender for a recommendation from the extensive rum list.

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