The Nassau Foodie’s Bucket List: The Best Restaurants in the Bahamian Capital

Thinking of a trip to Nassau? You’re probably planning how to maximize your time on the beach, but while you’re here, you can also indulge in some of the best food in the Caribbean. Nassau, the capital of New Providence (the most populous island in the Bahamas), is also a veritable trove of great restaurants. The capital has a mix of sleek resort hotspots, decades-old local favorites, and new-to-the-scene bars and cafes. You’re also not limited to what you can get here. Japanese wagyu, mussel-stuffed ravioli, and savory conch salad are all within your reach. Read to feast? Here are some of the best restaurants for your next visit to Nassau. 

Bon Vivants is what you get when you marry eclectic style with inventive craft cocktails. Opened in 2019, the bar and cafe is tucked away in Nassau’s Sandyport Plaza. Inside, the bar pays homage to tropical maximalism with bold wallpaper, vintage records, framed art, and a mix of wicker and lush, upholstered seating. Make a point to come here at night, where the most difficult decision you’ll face is which cocktail to try first. The seasonal cocktail list includes icons like the Caribbean-born Painkiller and the French 75, as well as bar specials with tongue-in-cheek names like “The M’Fn OG,” a potent mix of Citadelle Gin, Campari, and Dolin Rouge. Pair your cocktail with delicious jerk chicken bao buns or chicken empanadas.

Address: 401 Seaskye Lane, Nassau, Bahamas

Tucked away in a charming 19th-century colonial home near Parliament Square, Café Matisse is a beloved Nassau gem. This Italian-Bahamian restaurant is famous for its vibrant, art-filled dining rooms adorned with Matisse prints, but the real prize is a table in its lush, tropical courtyard. The menu is extensive and expertly executed, featuring homemade spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli, grilled octopus, and one of the island’s best Veal Milanese. It’s a perfect escape from the bustle of downtown, ideal for a long, leisurely lunch or a romantic dinner under the palms.

Address: Bank Lane, Nassau, Bahamas

Located at the Baha Mar resort complex, Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, is a vibrant celebration of flavor. The menu masterfully blends local Bahamian ingredients with Samuelsson’s globally inspired cooking, like the seafood mac and cheese and fried chicken and biscuits. Don’t miss the cornbread, served hot with rum butter. The restaurant itself is a showstopper, with a high-energy, open-concept design and stunning beach views. The rooftop deck, Marcus Up Top, is a lively, adults-only spot perfect for a nightcap and live music under the stars. 

Address: 1 Baha Mar Blvd, Nassau, Bahamas

Set on a stunning seven-acre private estate, Sapodilla Estate offers a fine-dining experience steeped in Bahamian art, music, and hospitality. This is a destination for a grand, celebratory meal, and guests are encouraged to stroll the lush tropical gardens at the family-owned estate. The menu features mostly Bahamian cuisine, from conch fritters served with caviar to pork belly and coconut curry snapper. With its white-glove service and live piano music, Sapodilla is an elegant and distinctly Bahamian affair.

Address: W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas

The definitive steakhouse experience in the Bahamas, Carna Baha Mar is a concept from legendary Italian butcher Dario Cecchini and pays homage to the art of steak. Located in the SLS Baha Mar, the restaurant offers a decadent dining experience from its dramatic, library-like meat lockers to its impeccable tableside service. The menu focuses on the world’s finest cuts, from snow-aged Japanese Wagyu to Tuscan porterhouse. While steak is the star, the menu is rounded out by exceptional seafood dishes like the Wild Caught Arctic Char and freshly shucked oysters, as well as a world-class wine list.

Address: 1 Baha Mar Blvd, Nassau, Bahamas

A Nassau landmark for over 50 years, The Poop Deck is a beloved casual restaurant that’s all about the seafood. Perched over the Sandyport marina, it’s the perfect place for a relaxed meal with waterfront views. The specialty here is the “catch of the day.” You pick your seafood (usually lobster or snapper) and how you want it prepared: grilled, steamed, or cracked (breaded and fried). Combined with classic sides like peas ‘n rice and plantains, it’s a simple, authentic taste of the island.

Address: W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas

One of the best reservations to get is at Café Boulud The Bahamas inside Rosewood Baha Mar. The restaurant is the creation of French Chef Daniel Boulud, and the tony hotel establishment offers traditional French cuisine with a Caribbean influence. The vibes here are hushed, with gorgeously sculpted chandeliers illuminating the local art adorning the walls. The restaurant is frequently recognized as one of the best restaurants in the Bahamas, and each bite on the restrained menu is bursting with flavor. The foie gras terrine comes with a sweet mango chutney, and the red snapper is served with a delicate mussel ravioli. Save room for the vanilla rum creme brulee.

Address: Rosewood Baha Mar, 1 Baha Mar Blvd, Nassau, Bahamas

No trip to Nassau is complete without a fresh conch salad, and Dino Gourmet Conch Salad is a legendary spot to get it. This vibrant, brightly painted shack on West Bay Street at the western end of the island is a local institution. The spot claims to have pioneered tropical conch salad, and you can look forward to savoring fresh, tender conch tossed with a tropical medley of mango, apple, and pineapple, with each bite delivering a zesty kick. Grab an order to go and a cold Kalik beer, and enjoy it by the water.

Address: W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas

Located in the heart of Downtown Nassau, this family-owned restaurant is a must-visit for authentic, home-style Bahamian food. As one of the oldest Bahamian restaurants in Nassau, Bahamian Cookin’ is a casual, colorful, and welcoming spot run by the same family for generations. This is the place to try all the local classics done right: tender cracked conch, savory conch fritters, steamed chicken, fried snapper, and the best baked macaroni and cheese on the island.

Address: Parliament Street, Downtown, Nassau, Bahamas

Graycliff Restaurant offers visitors a peek into the past with a meal inside a historic 18th-century colonial mansion. For those who want an “old-world” experience, the restaurant has a formal dress code and intimate, antique-filled dining rooms. The menu is classic Bahamian (the conch chowder is a staple), but the restaurant’s crown jewel is its legendary wine cellar. With over 250,000 bottles, it’s one of the largest private collections in the world. A post-dinner tour of the cellar and the on-site cigar factory is an essential part of the grand, theatrical experience.

Address: W Hill St, Nassau, Bahamas