When you embark on your travel journey to the Bahamas, having a local show you the way will really make your trip amazing! Food is one of the greatest experiences you have when traveling, let us guide you to the best Bahamian food in Nassau! There are many great establishments in Nassau, however, you will notice a lot of them are very American and very touristy, we are a resort town after all! Amongst the riff-raff of all the touristy spots, you will find some really amazing, hole-in-the-wall, local joints, that will give you a taste of how the island life really is! From bars to fast food, to restaurants, I have listed below my favorite local Bahamian food spots, and why you should go there in the first place! There are tons of amazing restaurants and cuisines of all kinds in Nassau, for my favorite restaurants in general, check out my other Restaurant Guides!
The One & Only Travelers Rest: Best all-around Bahamian Restaurant in Nassau
This spot is new, and probably one of the best restaurants to visit in Nassau. They have live music on most nights, they are situated right on the water, the service is great and the food is amazing! The menu at Travelers Rest consists of breakfast, lunch & dinner, serving up a mix of Bar food + Bahamian food with a little twist of Jamaican/Trinidadian. I highly suggest ordering some Bahamian food to really enjoy your cultural experience! We really enjoyed their whole snapper as well as their jerk chicken. Overall, you are sure to leave satisfied with your experience!
Bahamian Bistro: Fun & Unique Concept
This is such a fun concept and the people over at Bahamian Bistro have really done an amazing job with creating a unique dining experience in Nassau. No matter what your tastebuds are itching for, Bahamian Bistro is sure to do the trick! They call themselves the “Food Archipelago” they have 8 different restaurants all in one kitchen. While all of them are good, given the subject of this post, we highly recommend the Bahamian Menu! Serving up breakfast, lunch & dinner, this spot is cute, fun and the food is delicious!
Nesbitt’s: A True Bahamian Dining Experience
This is one of those spots that if you ask any of the locals “where can I get some good local food” they will point you to Nesbitts. Although the décor and vibes might throw you off at first, the food will give your taste buds a run for their money! My favorite dish here is the Sautéed Shrimp Entrée, which is served with onions and peppers, peas and rice & 2 sides (I always choose mac n cheese & potato salad) **Mouth waters**. Locals love the breakfast here as well, but don’t go here for an omelet, make sure you get the Chicken Souse or Stew Fish with some Johnny Cake!
Dino’s: Conch Salad, a Local Favorite!
If you visit the Bahamas and miss out on conch salad, you’ve done it all wrong! There are tons of places around the island for a good conch salad, one of my favorites being Dino’s. I choose Dino’s because of the music, the view and it is one of the best conch salads on the island! What is a conch salad you might be asking… picture a ceviche, but with conch instead of fish, conch is a little chewier, and they pull it out of a shell! My favorite is the tropical salad, they throw some pineapple and apple into it, giving it a light sweetness to break up the heat from the pepper! This is a must-try when visiting the Bahamas!
Bamboo Shack: Every Bahamians Go-To Spot
Good old Bamboo Shack! There are a few locations on the island, this is your standard take-out spot, serving up delicious Bahamian food! This is a great opportunity to give a little lesson on Bahamian lingo, as you’ll need to know it when ordering your meal at Bamboo Shack!
“Cracked”- Means battered and fried
“Snack” - is your meal served with fries & a roll
*They’ll ask you if you want ketchup & hot sauce, I would always say YES on both!**
My go-to is the Breast Snack with ketchup & hot sauce or the Cracked Conch snack…no it’s not healthy but yes it is delicious, for sure one of the best Bahamian food spots in Nassau!
Original Patties: Snacks on the Go!
Original Patties has probably seen very few tourists in its life, and it’s a shame, as it is so fricken good and so affordable! Located off the highway, Original Patties is the creator and distributor of almost all the patties you see in local shops, gas stations, and restaurants. What’s a patty? Picture a large empanada, filled with chicken, veggies, or beef deliciousness. These are perfect to buy on the go and eat, or to buy in bulk and have as snacks over your stay. In addition to their patties, the jerk chicken and fresh sweet bread are a MUST try! My go-to order is a chicken patty, ½ pound of jerk chicken, and a coconut roll (all for $10). If that doesn’t hit the spot, I don’t know what will!
Plantation: Bar, Music & Food
Plantation is my go-to spot in the evenings when I have visitors in town. The vibes are always good, music is always bumpin’ and there is usually a good-sized crowd. Plantation is tucked away in a bunch of trees, surrounded by wild chickens running around, and very islandy décor. This is a perfect spot to grab a drink before or after dinner, or just to have dinner! The menu offers mainly bar food, and the cocktails are always STRONG! Plantation has a local vibe and you are sure to have a good time!
The Pink Shack
The Pink Shack is one of my favorite bars in the Bahamas, this little spot is so fun and the people that run it are absolutely lovely! The pink shack is located right off Bay Street, they are always serving you with a smile and have the best Sky Juice on the island! Sky juice is a Bahamian staple, consisting of coconut water, condensed milk, and gin, with a twist of cinnamon & nutmeg to spice it up, absolutely delicious! Stop by for a quick drink and some laughs with Bernie, the owner!
