9 Best Restaurants in The Exumas, Bahamas

Yacht folks, locals, and visitors alike rub shoulders at Kenneth Bowe's funky open-air beach bar on the point at Stocking Island. All the food is grilled over an open fire; awesome conch burgers with secret spices, freshly made conch salad, burgers, and a variety of drinks attract diners from all over Great Exuma. Dances and bonfires on the beach during the winter season are famous island-wide. Sunday pig roasts, which start around noon, are legendary (call first to make sure it's scheduled). Most guests arrive by sailboat, but you can get here by water taxi (242/464–1558; or call Capt. Elvis Ferguson on VHF radio channel 16) from the Government Dock, which leaves on the hour during the day.

Whether you want a quick breakfast before heading to the beach or dinner under the stars, this open-air beachside bistro at Paradise Bay is a top place to dine. This bistro serves three meals a day, combining Bahamian and French cuisines. The menu is varied, with poke bowls, burgers, seafood dishes, steak, and even duck. There's also a children's menu for lunch and dinner.

Located at the Black Point Marina on Great Guana Cay, this quaint restaurant is popular for its barbecue buffet and happy hour combo on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Lorraine's serves three meals per day, but lunch is the most hectic, with flocks of tourists, typically on excursions, stopping by to eat. The menu is varied, with lobster, ribs, tacos, pizza, and sandwiches. 

Santanna's claim to fame, besides the beautiful ocean view and the delicious food, is that it was a favorite dining and hangout spot for the cast and crew during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean. The menu features a range of Bahamian and American dishes, and Mom's Bakery next door is famous for its fresh bread and mouthwatering rum cakes.

At buzzing The Fish Fry hot spot in Great Exuma, Shirley's is the most popular restaurant of them all, with its chill atmosphere and delicious food. The colorful, quaint little shack is just a stone's throw away from the beach, so there's a great view from the outdoor dining deck. There is also an indoor dining area. The menu is a bit limited but offers the best of Bahamian cuisine, with conch, fish, and other seafood dishes.

Splash, located at Hideaways at Palm Bay, is a fun eatery with a stunning view of the harbor and Stocking Island, which you can see from the wraparound windows. There's also an outdoor dining area if you prefer feeling the ocean breeze and warm weather while you eat. The restaurant's menu features a range of Bahamian specialties and American favorites. Indoors, there's a huge bar with swings as chairs, and pool tables for more fun. Take note of the hilarious signs posted on the walls of the restaurant.

With an outdoor dining area that wraps around the restaurant so you can enjoy the tropical sea breeze and views of the Caribbean Sea, this is one of the most tranquil restaurants in Little Exuma. Chef Khriston, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, prepares the best and most popular Caribbean dishes — be sure to try the Jerk Wings with a cold beer.

In the heart of George Town, this authentic Bahamian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The dining terrace offers a stunning view of Lake Victoria, while the indoor dining room and large bar at the front is a popular hangout spot on Monday, when there's live music, lots of drinking, and dancing. If you're visiting for lunch, try to call ahead with your order as lunch hours mean a packed Eddie's.

Tucked away in quaint Rolle Town by the bay, Haulover Bay Restaurant is a popular lunch spot serving delicious Bahamian meals and drinks. After your meal, you can walk out to the sandbar and hang out by the water, where you're guaranteed to see starfish, sea turtles, and possibly, a lemon shark. You can also rent a kayak to go to nearby Man-O-War Cay.