Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in the Bahamas

With natural wonders, white-sand beaches, and authentic Caribbean food, the Bahamas has something for every kind of traveler. BY MARIETTE WILLIAMS

December 20, 2023. Just a one-hour flight from Miami, the Bahamas is a popular spot for first-time travelers to the Caribbean or seasoned travelers who want to venture to the tranquil, less visited Out Islands. I’ve been visiting the Bahamas for two decades, first with my husband and eventually with our two kids. Over the years, I’ve rushed in the annual Junkanoo parade, eaten the island's specialty conch fritters, and visited nearly deserted beaches—discovering something new with each visit.

Though the Bahamas is made up of over 700 islands, most hotels and restaurants are concentrated on just a few. New Providence is home to 70 percent of the population, and its capital, Nassau, is the epicenter of the country’s tourism and entertainment. But venture beyond Nassau and you’ll find pink sand beaches on Harbour Island, a 600-foot-deep blue hole on Long Island, and swimming pigs on Exumas’ Big Major Cay.

With gorgeous stretches of sand, a mix of charming hotels and sprawling resorts, and a top-notch food scene, here are the best places to go in the Bahamas.

Where to eat

Like its neighboring islands, the Bahamas specializes in fresh seafood, particularly conch. If your stay includes Nassau, head to Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, a cluster of restaurants and beachside shacks serving up conch fritters, fried snapper, and grilled shrimp—go-to's are Twin Brothers and Goldie’s Conch House. Don’t leave without ordering Sky Juice (also known as Gully Wash), a refreshing mix of gin, coconut water, and a splash of sweetened condensed milk.

In downtown Nassau, Graycliff Hotel’s appeal is its historic roots. Built in 1740, the private home is now a boutique hotel and restaurant. But we're here to talk about the food: There’s a show-stopping wine cellar with over 250,000 bottles and white-gloved lunch and dinner service of traditional Bahamian dishes like snapper and conch soup.

Bon Vivants Bar and Cafe is another can't-miss spot. Opened in 2019, this spot has a Caribbean maximalist vibe with wall-to-wall tropical jungle print wallpaper and over 400 bottles of spirits on display. Located in Nassau’s Sandyport neighborhood, the bar has a 30-page cocktail menu and serves mostly finger foods—think empanadas and jerk chicken bao buns—listed alongside wine pairings.

On Harbour Island, Rockhouse Restaurant shares a moniker with its hotel and has a coveted terrace with stunning bay views. Local stone crab claws and spinach pasta with prawns round out the menu, but the waterfront restaurant is known for its sunset-hued Goombay Smash—a mix of spiced and coconut rums, brandy, and pineapple and orange juices.

Best things to do in the Bahamas

The Educulture Junkanoo Museum and Junkanoo World in Nassau are two museums essential for understanding the country’s most exciting cultural celebration. The end-of-year parade commemorates the three days of rest given to enslaved Africans and has evolved into a midnight extravaganza complete with floats, intricate costumes, dance troupes, and 100-member instrumental bands. Both museums have past Junkanoo costumes on display, and the local owners are often on the premises to share their stories.

Along with the pastel Victorian homes, other relics from slavery and British colonial rule still exist in New Providence. Located off Bay Street in Nassau, Pompey Square—named after an enslaved African who led a successful revolt—marks the site where enslaved Africans were unloaded from ships. Today, the square serves as a live music venue and open-air craft market. Adjacent to the market, make sure to stop at The Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation to check out its rotating exhibits that tell the story of slavery in the Bahamas.

Continue the history lesson at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. Established in 1966, its contemporary installations are displayed beside vibrant landscape paintings and sculptures, and the gallery also has guided tours and interactive activities for kids. Once you're ready for some fresh Bahamian air, head to Fort Fincastle. Built in 1793 to protect Nassau from pirates, it's set on Bennet Hill—the highest spot on New Providence—and has sweeping views of Nassau and Paradise Island. Just steps away, the Queen's Staircase is a 66-step stairwell named after Queen Victoria that was hand-chiseled out of limestone by hundreds of enslaved Africans.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Pig’s Beach on Big Major Cay is popular with adventure seekers. The uninhabited island is home to a herd of wild pigs who gather in the shallow waters for fresh fruit and photo ops. Divers and snorkelers also flock to Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island, and at 660 feet deep, it’s the second deepest blue hole in the world.

If you’re visiting Grand Bahama, the 40-acre Lucayan National Park, home to one of the largest underground cave systems in the world, is a must-visit. If this is on your itinerary, it’s recommended to only explore the caves with a tour guide.

Eleuthera Island is another stop on the never-ending list of natural beauty hot spots that dot the islands. Here, travelers can check out a collection of natural pools called the Queen’s Bath that were carved by natural rock formations. The hot tub-like pools are reachable via a steep hike, but because of the surrounding jagged rocks, it’s recommended to only venture to the pools during low tide.

Where to stay

New Providence has plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from. The 1,000-acre Baha Mar includes three different hotels (Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood) all set on a prime strip of Cable Beach. The resort complex amenities include a waterpark, golf course, and over 45 restaurants and lounges. You’ll have to cross a bridge from Providence Island to get to Atlantis, Paradise Island, but you’ll spot the iconic coral towers long before you arrive. The mammoth beachfront resort is a self-contained entertainment ecosystem with five different hotels, a casino, 40 restaurants and lounges (many are celebrity chef restaurants), 14 pools, and an iconic water park. The resort complex can be overstimulating, but booking a stay at The Cove or The Reef properties provides a quieter getaway while still maintaining access to the vast amenities. Read Full Reference Article.