Nassau Paradise Island: Serving Foodies For 50 Years

The islands of The Bahamas are full of flavour: citrusy conch salad, the freshest seafood, subtly sweet guava duff, and rich, refreshing rum cocktails. Bahamian cuisine is a wonderful combination of Spanish, West African, and British influences prepared with a Caribbean twist.

Nassau Paradise Island has been a foodie destination for decades. 2023 marks 50 years since Enrico and Anna Maria Garzaroli purchased a centuries-old private home in Nassau and turned it into the Caribbean’s first five-star restaurant. With Graycliff’s debut, Nassau immediately vaulted into the global consciousness of foodies, who began flocking to the island for what was and remains one of the world’s most legendary dining experiences.

Tell your clients to pack their appetites, because there’s no shortage of restaurants in Nassau to satisfy any palate! They can head to Bay Street and stop at a local hotspot that everyone loves to visit — Arawak Cay (The Fish Fry). Here, visitors will find fresh Bahamian seafood such as shrimp, lobster tails, snapper, and the must-try conch. One of The Bahamas’ most popular

Beneath the soaring overpass connecting Nassau to Paradise Island rests the sleepy fishing docks, lively fruit markets, and brightly coloured conch shacks known as Potters Cay. At the so-called Caribbean Crossroads of Conch, conch artists, each with their own signature recipes, serve up fresh-caught conch salad -- the flagship dish of The Bahamas.

Always a haven for delicious food, the twin-island destination of Nassau and Paradise Island has  seen its culinary movement leap to another level in recent years. Jean-Georges Vongerichten was the celebrity chef pioneer in the destination with Dune at the Ocean Club and Atlantis’ Cafe Martinique. Since then, a wave of top chefs have descended on the island, including José Andrés, who opened his Fish by José Andrés at the Cove, Atlantis; Marcus Samuelsson, with his Marcus Fish + Chop House at Baha Mar; the Michelin-starred Giorgio Locatelli, who created Mogano at the Island House hotel in Lyford Cay; and culinary luminary Daniel Boulud, who debuted his first-ever Caribbean restaurant at the Rosewood Baha Mar.

Nothing says vacation like relaxing with a cold, refreshing beverage. Your clients will want to wash down the delicious local eats with some local spirits, and in the Bahamas, rum is the king of the castle. A tour of the John Watling’s Distillery gives insights into 175 years of rum-making. Visitors can meander through two acres of lush tropical gardens and then enjoy a complimentary tour of the historic estate and distillery while tasting various premium rums.

There are some must-try specialty Bahamian cocktails, like the Goombay Smash, named after the unique Island tradition of music, dance, and storytelling — truly embodying the Bahamian spirit. If something cold, crisp, and sudsy is more your clients’ pace, they can make their way to Pirate Republic Brewing Company, The Bahamas’ only craft brewery. With a location in the heart of downtown Nassau, visitors can stop in and sample brews like the Island Pirate Ale IPA, the first Bahamian IPA.

From fine dining restaurants to ultra-casual eateries, Nassau Paradise Island has something for every taste and budget. The luxurious resorts of the destination also feature dozens of atmospheric bars and lounges, many offering delicious ocean views as well as tasty cocktails. Devoted food and drink lovers can also join a number of fascinating tours, including the Bites of Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour and the Savour Old Nassau Sunday Dining Stroll.

A short flight from major Canadian cities, Nassau Paradise Island offers a great escape from the Canadian winter. The destination’s hotels and resorts are making it easier with attractive rates, special add-ons, and convenient packages. Check out the current offers here.