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Don't let the outdoor dining on rustic wood tables fool you—Harbour Island and Eleuthera offer sophisticated cuisine that rivals that of any restaurants in Nassau. Although the place is usually casual and you never have to wear a tie, food is taken seriously. Of course, island specialties such as cracked conch, barbecued pork or chicken, and the succulent Bahamian lobster most locals call crawfish still abound, but you'll also find cappuccinos, steak, and lobster ravioli. Stop by Harbour Island's conch shacks on Bay Street north of Government Dock, where you can eat fresh conch salad on decks next to the water.
Most eateries are closed Sunday. Many restaurants have entertainment on regular nights so plan your dining schedule accordingly.
Take in the sunset view as you enjoy a glass of wine and an island-inspired pizza or seafood meal. Located at French Leave Resort, 1648 boasts a sweeping view of the Bight of Eleuthera and its stunning turquoise water. The chic atmosphere is just as stunning at night, when the pool becomes a deep, vivid blue as part of the resort's "Dark Sky Paradise," which aims to reduce light pollution, increasing star visibility.
Briland's only Italian restaurant offers a change of pace from the island's standard fare–and a change of scenery, too. It's located at the top of the hill at Romora Bay Resort, with a dockside terrace where you can take in the sunset while sipping one of its exclusively imported Italian wines. Chef and owner Manfredi Mancini's hearty portions of fried calamari and penne vodka don't disappoint, and the seafood entrées are always a good choice.
For lunch with a view, try the oceanfront bar and restaurant at Coral Sands, where executive chef Ken Gomes creates delicious lunch options that go perfectly with a tropical cocktail or a glass of white wine. In addition to seafood options like conch fritters, lobster salad sandwiches, and grilled mahimahi, the restaurant also serves gourmet pizzas and popular local cocktails.
Blue Bar & Kitchen at Pink Sands is a famed, open-air restaurant and bar featuring blue and white decor that complements the pristine pink sand and clear, blue ocean that the restaurant overlooks. You'll have an unbeatable view while sipping one of their signature cocktails and enjoying conch tacos, a tuna poke bowl, or any of the other island-inspired menu options. Blue Bar also serves breakfast and has brunch on weekends.
Located on the western end of the island with a view of the harbor, this charming coffee shop has lots of space to sit and relax while you enjoy a latte and a sandwich. They also serve nondairy drinks like smoothies and organic juices, plus a variety of breakfast sandwiches, salads, pastries, and acai bowls.
This tidy restaurant offers free Wi-Fi and is an excellent place to catch up on e-mails over dessert and coffee. The café is located in the middle of town, making it a convenient spot for a quick bite at breakfast or lunch. With menu items like tuna salad and deli sandwiches and myriad bottled drink options, Da Perk is also a great place to pack your cooler for a fishing excursion.
This recently renovated, window-lined restaurant serves three meals a day, combining classic Asian dishes with fresh Bahamian fare. An extensive cocktail list from the Freedom Bar— which features a stunning view of the hilltop pool— includes the Glass Window Bridge, with the exquisite landmark of the same name just a short drive away. It's one of the nicest restaurants on the island. Be sure to order from the sushi bar—you won't be disappointed.
This charming restaurant embodies everything that people love about Eleuthera. The menu offers a range of local favorites, the property is right on the beach (with chairs for lounging after a meal), and the restaurant has an amazing outside deck with a stunning view of Rock Sound's harbor. At dinnertime, candles are placed on the tables, the string lights above the outdoor dining area twinkle, and the beautiful Eleuthera sun lowers over the waters, making Frigate's one of the most beautiful places in town to dine.
You never know which actor or rock star you'll rub elbows with—Richard Gere and Dave Matthews like to dine here—at the Hemingway-esque bar, but none of it matters once you've moved on to the dining room and are under the spell of chef Madelene Pedican, whose dishes soar with a Southeast Asian flair. Standouts include the goat cheese ravioli with shrimp and spicy crab capellini. One of the Caribbean's top dining destinations, The Landing also offers an impressive wine selection. If the weather is nice, request a romantic table on the porch.
In addition to ocean-view seating from its dining room, Pascal's also features a swim-up bar, perfect for a leisurely lunch. Relax in the infinity-edge pool while you savor a mango daiquiri and cheeseburger and take in the magnificent view of the Atlantic. Dinner is decidedly more sophisticated, with French-Caribbean options inspired by fresh, locally caught seafood. Don't miss the pool party on Sunday with live music. Pascal's is located on the Sky Beach Club property, and while you are invited to enjoy the pool and beach without being a hotel guest, an afternoon at Pascal's may have you booking your next stay there.
Four blocks from the ferry dock on Bay Street, with a deck overlooking the water, this small, colorful shack—presided over by Lavaughn Percentie—is renowned for its freshly caught conch salad. They also serve local dishes like conch fritters, conch sandwiches, and stone crab. Take your meal to go or relax with a drink on the deck. On weekends, get there early to put in your order, as visitors from the world over place large orders to go.
With a classy but no-fuss aura and exhibition windows that face gorgeous sunsets, this restaurant is well known for its steaks, which are flown in daily, and fresh seafood. Guests have 180-degree views of the ocean from the screened patio or dining room. The restaurant has live music on Monday and weekends (in high season). They also serve the best wood-fired pizza in Eleuthera.
Splendid harbor views and a transporting Mediterranean-loggia vibe create the perfect backdrop for the continental menu, infused with tropical accents, at the restaurant at the Rock House hotel. Rock House also takes its drinks seriously, with an extensive list showcasing California boutique wines. There's also an al fresco martini bar every evening, starting at 6:30. Dining here is refined and serene, thanks to the flawless service, so linger over coffee and one of the decadent desserts.
Located on the eastern tip of Spanish Wells, just where the ocean separates the town from North Eleuthera, the waterfront views from here are stunning. The dinner menu includes classic Bahamian meals as well as international dishes like English pub fish-and-chips and cubano pork. There's also a full-service bar with a pool table upstairs if you want to stop by and have a drink, and on Friday, there's live music.
Sweet Spot is the only 100% vegan and vegetarian café on Harbour Island. Their menu includes a variety of healthy favorites like acai bowls, whole-wheat pancakes, and various wraps and salads. Try one of the delicious fruit smoothies or the health-boosting power spots. You can also get vegan pantry stockers, like bread and other baked goods, dips and spreads, and dessert here.
Despite its barefoot-casual environment (old window shutters used as tabletops, sand in the floor's crevices), the menu at this open-air beach bistro is a sophisticated mix of Bahamian and European cuisine, with items that change daily based on the availability of fresh local products. Expect things like lobster tails, specialty pizza, and fresh fish prepared with some sort of delectable twist. This place may look like a beach shack, but everything has been well planned—the owners even imported a French chef to satisfy discriminating palates.
With a menu of delicious Bahamian and American dishes along with stunning views of the ocean, Wild Orchids Waterfront Restaurant provides one of the best dining experiences in Rock Sound. The restaurant is a restored beach house that's more than a century old, and its interior has a traditional Bahamian design that's comforting and familiar.
The scenic views over the harbor, great service, and variety of flavorful Bahamian meals make Wreckers a culinary delight. Choose from the menu of local Bahamian dishes or the specialty flatbread pizzas. The lower level features an open-air dining area that sits on the dock, while the upper level has a huge bar and flat-screen TVs for entertainment. Wreckers is also the only place on the island where you can get Starbucks coffee.
The friendly café has a quiet garden nook where you can savor your morning brew with an apple turnover, banana pancakes, or any of the daily breakfast offerings. The most popular item to take back is the jalapeño-and-cheese bread.
On the top of Buccaneer Hill overlooking the town and harbor, this mid-19th-century farmhouse is now a must-try restaurant that serves three meals a day. The outdoor dining area is located under a huge tree, with candlelit tables and soft jazz music playing in the background. To enhance the romantic ambience is a garden of bougainvillea, hibiscus, and coconut palms.
Housed in an old school bus, Budda’s Snack Shack is one of the most unique restaurants in all of Eleuthera. The quirky restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists for its delicious food and laid-back atmosphere. The multicolored outside dining area is open-air with a full roof, and there is also a liquor store and bar on the property. Budda’s Snack Shack has signature karaoke on Friday night and live music occasionally. They sometimes close seasonally, so be sure to call before visiting from September to November.
Located just south of the Glass Window Bridge, this restaurant serves up what it describes as "Bahamian Soul Food" along with hosting local bands every Sunday. Order conch bites as a starter to complement the long list of tropical concoctions, including the aptly named "Da Glass Window." In addition to wings and burgers, Daddy Joe's also offers grilled options like fresh seafood and chicken. Call ahead to confirm live music.
Start with a signature cocktail at the handsome mahogany bar before enjoying dinner under the stars on the ocean-view porch. The executive chef creates island-inspired dishes that change seasonally—lobster and grouper meals are always on the menu. If it's too chilly for dinner by the beach, you can also sit in the restaurant's charming, '60s retro-glam indoor dining room.
The Dunmore Deli satisfies the epicurean demands of Briland's more finicky residents and visitors, while its shaded wooden porch, filled with hanging plants and bougainvillea, makes this the perfect spot for a lazy breakfast or lunch. Treat yourself to the Briland Bread Toast, the amazingly fluffy take on French toast, or pick up one of the inventive deli sandwiches for a picnic on the beach. While here, you can also stock up on a variety of international coffees, imported cheeses, produce, and other gourmet items.
This little roadside restaurant features a beautiful view of the bay, particularly at sunset when the orange horizon is freckled with the silhouettes of moored sailboats. The menu is island-inspired European cuisine and always includes fresh seafood. In addition to serving lunch and dinner, The Front Porch can also arrange captains and tour guides.
Just a stone's throw away from one of Eleuthera's most popular natural treasures is this casual, open-air restaurant offering classic Bahamian dishes and stunning views of the sea. Stop here for a cold beer or enjoy one of the special featured dishes, like grilled pineapple or the El Karaka Salad—a signature dish named in honor of the owner's father.
A Governor's Harbour staple since 1989, this bakery serves delicious pastries and breads, baked fresh daily. Stop in to pick up some of the popular Danish coffee cake or sample johnny cakes and hot patties—Bahamian favorites. The bakery also makes fresh doughnuts, éclairs, and other homemade treats. Be sure to buy extra: once you get them home, these pastries tend to disappear quickly. The bakery opens at 7 am and closes at 5 weekdays, at 2 pm on Saturdays.
Located at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina, with a breathtaking sunset view, Harbour Pointe offers Caribbean cuisine in a casual setting. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating with panoramic views of the pool, marina, and ocean. There’s even a “you catch it, we cook it” menu option for guests who reeled in something special at the marina. Dinner favorites include the famous Cape Eleuthera burger, cracked conch, and shipwrecked scampi.
Enjoy an electric fusion of classic Italian dishes and Bahamian cuisine served at the stunning oceanfront La Bougainvillea property. The resort has a luxurious ambience, but the restaurant is calm and inviting while simultaneously maintaining a fine-dining experience. Guests can choose to dine in the elegantly decorated indoor dining area or outside, by the ocean. The restaurant also has a full bar that serves cocktails and premium imported wine.
Although you can sample local Bahamian fare at this famous eatery, the star of the menu is the cheeseburger, purportedly the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise" song. Maybe it's the rustic charm of the breezy patio or the secret seasonings on the melt-in-your-mouth patty, but this burger served between thick slices of homemade Bahamian bread is definitely otherworldly.
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