Nassau Restaurants To Try In 2016: The 8 Newest Dining Spots On The Island
Nassau’s dining scene is ever-evolving and 2016 has ushered in several new and exciting dining options broad enough to please adventurous foodies, families, and romantics alike! For 2016- resolve to discover the menus on this interesting new list of Nassau restaurants over the remaining months of this year: we’ll keep eating and exploring the island’s dining scene while you’re at it.
*Updated June 28th, 2016
GRK Gyros & Grill
Credit: GRK Gyros & Grill
Over the years, we Bahamians have developed a great affinity for the classic lamb gyro, which at one time was only available at food festivals and specialty Greek restaurants (such as downtown’s famous Athena Cafe, a mainstay in the neighbourhood and on our Bites of Nassau Food Tour). Now, with the recent opening of GRK Gyros & Grill, the crave-worthy hand-held pita wrap has become even more accessible! Succulent lamb, pork, and chicken are cooked on a vertical spit daily, before being incorporated into a warm pita, slathered in tzatziki sauce, topped with fresh red onion and tomato along with the yeero’s two distinctive ingredients: yellow mustard and fries (we’re not kidding!). We’re told this is the authentic way yeeros (aka gyros) are served in Greece, adding a new dimension of flavour and texture to the wrap!
Menu Highlights: Lamb & Beef Yeero; Pork Souvlaki; Kale Caesar Salad; Hummus & Pita
Off-Menu Appeal: Modern, clean design makes waiting at the bar top for take-out a pleasure
Vibe: Casual. Best suited for: take-out, a quick lunch or great option for no-fuss dinner
Cost: Inexpensive, $9-$12 per plate
Location: Mackey Street (over the hill), Nassau
Serves: Lunch, Early Dinner (before 7PM) (menu)
Contact: Facebook, Phone: (242) 394-4976
The Drawbridge Patisserie & Gelateria
Credit: National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
Graycliff’s latest expansion project along the charming and historically prestigious West Hill Street includes The Drawbridge: a cafe for choice coffees and teas, assorted pastries, cakes, meringues, and (our favourite) gelato prepared daily on-site! With only four ingredients, the creamy Italian-Bahamian infused gelato flavours are all natural and delightfully delicious- just ask our guests who cool down with native fruit flavours like mango, guava and banana on each food tour in the neighbourhood! Carefully preserved in a quaint setting of stone mason doorways and vintage hand-painted tile, The Drawbridge also is a merchant of local products, including: seasonal fruit jams, sea salts and hot sauces, John Watling’s rum, and vitamin packed Bahamian juices– perfect for gifts and souvenirs.
Menu Highlights: Banana, Mango, and Guava Gelato; Lime Sorbeto; Coffee; Assorted Pastries
Off-Menu Appeal: Enter the quaint cafe over a real drawbridge with actual moat beneath!
Vibe: Colourful and quaint. Best suited for: families, couples in search of a pick-me up
Cost: Inexpensive, $4-$6 per serving of Gelato
Location: West Hill Street, Downtown Nassau
Serves: Breakfast, Lunch
Contact: Phone: (242) 676-9748
Sunnyside Restaurant & Bar
Credit: Ronni Monroy
Set on a nationally registered heritage site and in an Old Bahamian home once named Sunnyside, the namesake restaurant and bar underwent a renovation to repurpose the estate in 2015. The result: a charming and comfortable venue with plentiful outdoor seating, indoor dining, an expansive bar, and private dining room options. The menu at Sunnyside Restaurant & Bar is infused with Mediterranean and Caribbean flavour profiles, and makes use of many local seafoods, which are seasoned to perfection! A unique take on Greek gyros is the inclusion of a version filled with Bahamian cracked conch– the tenderized, battered, and fried mussel native to our waters- this is a must-try dish of the restaurant!
Menu Highlights: Steamed Snapper, Cracked Conch Gyro, Bahamian Crawfish, Pan-seared Duck
Off-Menu Appeal: A renovated colonial estate with lots of island charm and dining al fresco options
Vibe: Cozy. Best suited for: couples, groups, business dinners
Cost: Expensive, $25-$35 per main course
Location: East Bay Street, Nassau
Serves: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner (menu)
Contact: Facebook, Phone: (242) 393-4107
Studio Cafe
Credit: Studio Cafe
Located adjacent to the Compass Point Beach Resort and above Nassau’s famed Dino’s Conch Salad Stand on the Western end of New Providence, this cafe joined the neighbourhood in early 2015 but has more recently expanded its balcony seating to street-level just months ago. The attentive and friendly staff is lead by Chef Horatio (known to make appearances to the table and ring off the day’s specials with vigor) whose menu concentrates on farm/sea to table offerings, seasonal fruits and herbs infused in every course and cocktail.
Menu Highlights: Local Veggie Coconut Curry w/ Cous Cous, Bahamian Boiled Fish, Watermelon Mint Lemonade (w/ Vodka), Assorted Seasonal Fruit and Herb Sorbets
Off-Menu Appeal: Gentle ocean breezes, view overlooking the water amongst comfortable, rustic-chic decor
Vibe: Low key, chill but sophisticated. Best suited for: adults, couples, small groups
Cost: Reasonable, $15-$25 per plate
Location: West Bay Street, New Providence
Serves: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner (menu)
Contact: Facebook, Phone: (242) 677-3991
77° West
Credit: Lodging Magazine
Located at its approximate namesake, 77° West is the latest fine dining restaurant to be added to the Atlantis Resort’s prolific and diverse list of 21 restaurants and 19 bars, including celebrity-chef culinary offerings such as: Nobu, Todd English’s Olives, and Jean-Georges’ Café Martinique. The restaurant opened in late November 2015 with a distinctly South American menu that features regional spice infusions and methods of preparation designed to titillate the senses.
Menu Highlights: Crunchy Soft Shell Crab w/ Tamarind Vinaigrette, Ceviche Yellowtail Snapper, Lamb Chops w/ Mango and Jalapeno Slaw, Guava Tart
Off-Menu Appeal: Reservations and babysitter suggested- this one is date night material with an adult-friendly, upscale and sexy dining atmosphere
Vibe: Romantic. Best suited for: adults, couples, business dinners
Cost: Expensive, $30-$40 per plate
Location: The Cove at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island
Serves: Dinner (menu)
Contact: Website, Facebook, Phone: (242) 363-3000
The Coffee Bar
Credit: The Island House
The Island House is hailed as Nassau’s newest boutique hotel with lots of island charm, featuring world-class fine dining at their restaurants Mahogany House and Shima. However, The Coffee Bar has a cool, island-chic vibe, serving wholesome breakfast fare, speciality coffees and teas, and gourmet pastries in a laidback atmosphere. This Bahamian plantation oozes wellness and a relaxed paced of living, making breakfast or lunch at The Coffee Bar a treat from your first soothing sip to your last decadent bite.
Menu Highlights: Coconut French Toast w/ Caramelized Pineapple, Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata, Thai Chicken Sandwich w/ Mango and Sriracha, Cava Mimosas
Off-Menu Appeal: Explore the grounds of this beautiful boutique hotel and take advantage of on-site amenities: movie theatre, anti-gravity yoga studio, and wellness spa
Vibe: Refreshing, casual. Best suited for: individuals, couples, small groups, meetings
Cost: Inexpensive, $5-15 per plate
Location: The Island House, Western New Providence
Serves: Breakfast, Lunch (menu)
Contact: Website, Facebook, Phone: (242) 698-6300
O’grille
Credit: Melia Nassau Beach
Newly renovated and rebranded, O’grille at Melia Nassau Beach unveiled its new menu and restaurant design in December 2015. As the latest dining option on the resort’s all-inclusive property- already well known for its varied cuisines such as Mexican street food, Japanese-Peruvian fusions, and Spanish tapas- O’grille offers Brazilian Churrascaria rotisseries and meats cooked À la Minute to guests of the hotel or those with reservations.
Menu Highlights: Octopus Ceviche, Roasted Pork w/ Crackling and Pineapple Remoulade, Tamarind Glazed Ribs, Coconut Flan
Off-Menu Appeal: Located right on the beach, just a few sandy steps away from the sea and the comforts of your lounge chair
Vibe: Outdoor, Casual. Best suited for: families, larger groups
Cost: Buffet $25-$35 per head, All-inclusive for Melia guests
Location: Melia Nassau Beach Hotel, Cable Beach
Serves: Lunch, Dinner
Contact: Website, Facebook, Phone (242) 327-6000
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Credit: Margaritaville
Whether you’re spending your day on a fishing charter, visiting Dolphin Encounters, with iguanas in Exuma on Powerboat Adventures, or snorkeling, sailing and beaching at Sandy Toes Rose Island– you’ll find that Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is ideally located for lunch, dinner, a snack or cold drink before or after an island excursion through the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal. This playful restaurant chain made its debut to Nassau in December and provides another dining option for visitors staying on Paradise Island. At night, this fun spot is a colourfully light beacon at the foot of the Paradise Island bridge, buzzing with live entertainment and bar-top dancing.
Menu Highlights: Asiago Artichoke Crab Dip, Bimini Fresh Catch Fish Sandwich, Banana Bread Pudding, Cointreau and Mango Tequila Margarita
Off-Menu Appeal: Ample outdoor seating, large bar, live music, and dipping pool are sure to keep you around for an all-day dining experience
Vibe: Casual, outdoor with harbour views. Best suited for: large groups, families w/ kids
Cost: Reasonable, $15-25 per person
Location: Marina Drive Ferry Terminal, Paradise Island
Serves: Lunch, Dinner (menu)