The best places in Nassau cruise port to savor local cuisine, have a quick bite or lunch in gourmet restaurants, cafes, grills, and bars when cruising the Caribbean.
Nassau used to be one of the best ports for cruise passengers who enjoy exploring local flavors and delicacies. And for those that like to have a quick bite in between excursions - or while on a shopping spree.
Although restaurants are temporarily closed, others have closed permanently due to the Covid-19 crisis. In this article, we review the best restaurants still open. But also the ones expected to re-open once cruise ships return regularly to Nassau.
For a gourmet lunch, the Graycliff Restaurant is a must and the Café Matisse is a surprising delight. For typical Bahamian dishes, Conch N'Kalik and the restaurants in the Fish Fry are the places to go.
For fun places serving food and drinks, Hooters, Pirate Republic, Señor Frog's, or the Hard Rock Cafe are cruise visitor's favorites. If looking for a coffee, Starbucks, and Via Caffe are the closest to the cruise terminal.
Be Aware: Most restaurants include a 15% service charge. Since January 2015, a 7.5% VAT (Value Added Tax) is mandatory.
Best Restaurants in Nassau
Three of the best restaurants in Nassau, which used to be very popular with cruise passengers, are still open. All are within walking distance of the cruise port terminal in Nassau.
Graycliff Restaurant - $$$$
Gourmet and Wine Splurge
Renowned for its wine cellar with over 250,000 bottles from over 400 vintners in 15 countries, the Restaurant of the Graycliff Hotel is a Bahamian institution. A few cruise lines offer excursions with a wine luncheon or a day at the pool with a 3-course meal but, naturally, you can book your own. Both the Cigar and Chocolate Factories next door should be included in your gourmet experience.
Graycliff - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown - two blocks south of Bay Street - very close to the Government House. |
|---|---|
| Address: | 8 - 12 West Hill Street |
| Open: | 12:30pm - 3:00pm 7:30pm - 10:00pm |
| Prices: | Mains between $45 and $80 |
| Website: | www.graycliff.com |
| Phone: | Reservation: 1 (800) 476-0446 |
| Must-know: | Reservations are mandatory as space is limited. |
Athena Café - $$
Greek Flavors
Very centrally located for a lunch break after, before or in between all the shopping downtown, savvy cruisers know well this restaurant at the corner of Bay and Charlotte Street, above the shops (on the second floor - upstairs) with a very nice verandah for some people watching. It serves genuine Greek food with a tropical flare but it also has Bahamian flavors on the menu like conch, snapper, grouper, and lobster. The salads, sandwiches, burgers, and snacks are ideal for a light lunch.
Athena Cafe - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown |
|---|---|
| Address: | At the corner of Bay Street and Charlotte Street. |
| Open: | Monday to Saturday: 9:30am to 6:00pm - Sunday: 9:30pm to 4:00pm |
| Prices: | Between $12.00 to $30 |
| Phone: | 1 242 326 1296 |
| Website: | www.athenacafebar.com |
| Good to know: | Online bookings are available on the Restaurants website. |
Café Matisse - $$$
Italian
One of the best restaurants in Nassau, the Cafe Matisse is just a couple of blocks from the cruise ship terminal, in a corner right behind the Parliament Buildings. The exclusive Italian menu has a couple of Caribbean variations and it changes every 6 months. On a very hot day, the air-conditioned dining room is ideal but the editor has a preference for the courtyard shaded by palms.
Cafe Matisse - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown, off Bay Street, behind Parliament Square |
|---|---|
| Address: | Bank Lane |
| Open: | Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00pm to 3:00pm - Dinner: 6:00pm to 11:00pm |
| Closed: | Sunday and Monday |
| Prices: | Main course between $20 and $50 |
| Website: | cafematissenassau.com |
| Phone: | (242) 356-7012 |
| Good to know: | It is advisable to book online. |
Temporarily Closed Restaurants in Nassau
Very famous bars and cafe franchises, ubiquitous all over the Caribbean, are temporarily closed as we publish this article. Namely, the Hard Rock Cafe, Señor Frog's, and Fat Tuesday. We keep the reviews of these and other places because locals inform us these will re-open sooner or later.
Hard Rock Cafe ($$ | $$$) Music and Food
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
The worldwide franchise has its presence in Nassau on a street connecting the Bay Street and Woodes Rodgers Walk right by the cruise ship terminal. It isn't as large as most venues in the U.S. but it has the signature music memorabilia and a shop with the typical t-shirts, pins, and glassware. The menu includes the Legendary Burgers, Ribs, Cobb Salad, Combo Platter and besides the signature drinks you can enjoy the locally brewed Kalik beer.
Hard Rock Cafe - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown - one block from the cruise terminal |
|---|---|
| Address: | Charlotte Street - connects Woodes Roger Walk and Bay Street |
| Open: | Sunday to Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 10:00am - 12:00pm |
| Website: | www.hardrock.com |
| Phone: | 1 242-325-7625 |
Señor Frog's ($$) Waterfront Fun
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Well known and frequented by the young (at heart) and fun cruisers, Señor Frog's in Nassau (like its siblings in the Caribbean) is the right spot for those looking for drinks and finger bites with party ambiance. All sorts of tropical cocktails, tequila shots, fresh conch salad, fritters and guacamole are on the menu.
Senor Frogs - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown - at the west end of the Woodes Rodgers Walk |
|---|---|
| Address: | Popey Square |
| Open: | Everyday: 11:00am to 1:00am |
| Website: | senorfrogs.com |
| Phone: | (242) 323-1777 |
NOTES: Service is far from fast but always fun.
Fat Tuesday ($$) Waterfront Nibbles
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Fat Tuesday has a wonderful location on the waterfront, just before Junkanoo Beach. It is a great place to enjoy a good time by the water, dipping in the ocean and enjoying light fares like Conch Salad, Burgers or Paninis.
Fat Tuesday - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Right after the British Colonial Hotel - 10 minute walk from Terminal |
|---|---|
| Address: | West Bay Street |
| Open: | Everyday: 11:00am - 2:00am |
| Prices: | Conch Salad $12.00, Club Panini $12.00 |
| Website: | fattuesdaybahamas.com |
| Phone: | (242) 323-7483 |
Sharkeez ($$) Lunch with a View
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
It is impossible to miss the shop on the ground floor and the bar upstairs with the emblematic thatched roof of the Sharkeez when on a stroll through the Woodes Rodgers Walk. It isn't the best place if you looking for gourmet, cuisine food, but it has a great location for a drink and finger food with a nice view.
Sharkeez - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown - just around the corner from the cruise ship terminal. |
|---|---|
| Address: | Woodes Rodgers Walk |
| Open: | Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 9PM | Sunday: 11AM – 8PM |
| Prices: | Chicken Parmesan Sandwich: $14.95 |
| Website: | Facebook Page |
| Phone: | (242) 601 5325 |
NOTES: Expect to pay for the location and view.
Via Caffe ($$) Italian Delights
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
When exiting the cruise terminal through the eastern gate, Via Cafe is right across the street in the corner of the Woodes Rodgers Walk and the Rawson Square. This is a quiet spot for a genuine Italian coffee or gelato, but also for a quick bite - the Panini and Salads are delicious.
Via Caffe - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | Downtown - just outside the Cruise Ship Terminal (eastern gate). |
|---|---|
| Address: | Rawson Square |
| Open: | Everyday between 7:00 and midnight |
| Website: | Facebook Page |
| Phone: | 242 322-7209 |
Permanently Closed Restaurants in Nassau
Van Breugel's
Permanently CLOSED
If you read great reviews about this Restaurant in Nassau, which the Editor so much praised, be aware that Van Breugel's has been closed since 2016. Obviously, other reviewers don't visit Nassau for some time.
Luciano's of Chicago
Permanently CLOSED
Luciano's used to be the Editor's Favorite restaurant in Nassau with a view. Unfortunately, it is permanently closed.
