| Dining Overview | Top  |
Although Freeport and Lucaya do not really have a long culinary tradition to draw upon, they offer a mix of Bahamian, American and international cuisines. If you want to escape from the obvious choices, there are some high-end restaurants committed to innovation. For traditional fare, you will find lots of great seafood options, such as grouper, conch and lobster, as well as steaks and Bahamian dishes blended with Caribbean flavors. Be sure to try conch in its various forms—salad, fritters, grilled or conch chowder—it is an important part of the local mainstay.
Expect to pay within these guidelines for a meal for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$15; $$ = US$15-$25; $$$ = US$26-$50; and $$$$ = more than US$50.
| Local & Regional | Top |
This place serves Caribbean and Bahamian specialties. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucaya. Phone 242-373-5866.
This colorful and stylish restaurant is spread out over a number of connecting rooms—each representing a different Caribbean country. Its menu displays a variety of flavors from all over the Caribbean. Call ahead for hours, as its schedule can vary. Reservations recommended. $$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. Our Lucaya Resort, Lucaya. Phone 242-350-5352.
This waterfront restaurant and bar overlooking the marina offers a variety of dishes such as crepes, tapas and paella from various countries around the Mediterranean. The American and Bahamian dishes have a distinctive Mediterranean twist. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucaya. Phone 242-374-2804.
This upscale waterfront restaurant serves Cajun, Creole and Caribbean dishes, as well as fresh local seafood, pastas and steaks. Locals go for the stylish Sunday brunch that includes a rich buffet, two glasses of champagne and live piano music. The spacious porch overlooks the marina. Wednesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Port Lucaya Marketplace and Marina, Lucaya. Phone 242-374-4466.
Enjoy Pacific Rim cuisine featuring sushi made from fresh Bahamian seafood, as well as some outstanding lobster dishes. Beachfront setting and an extensive menu. Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. In the Westin Hotel (in Our Lucaya Resort), Lucaya. Phone 242-373-1333.
This place is all Greek: fresh Greek salads, baklava, gyros, souvlaki and moussaka. You won't find another restaurant specializing in Greek treats on the island. A second location in the International Bazaar is for takeout only. Daily 7 am-10 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. Phone 242-373-6137 (Port Lucaya Marketplace), 272-352-4185 (International Bazaar).
This casual restaurant offers both Italian and local dishes. Open Monday-Saturday for dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucaya. Phone 242-373-9107.
This is a trendy and animated restaurant featuring indoor and outdoor dining. The Italian-inspired cuisine features appetizers such as
insalata caprese or carpaccio with arugula. The homemade pasta dishes include tagliatelle with four different kinds of seafood, linguine with shrimp, ravioli with a choice of fillings and
papardelle with sausage. Also pizza and a selection of meat and fish dishes. It is right on the marina and a nice spot to see and be seen. Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucaya. Phone 242-373-8652.
This elegant hideaway is located just steps from the bustling center of Lucaya. Both the indoor and the outdoor dining areas are on the waterside overlooking the Bell Channel Bay and are ideal places to unwind. The selection on the menu is overwhelming: There's a wide range of appetizers, pastas, excellent fish and meat dishes, and an extensive wine list. The famous Ferry House hot chocolate cake with Baileys sauce is worth saving room for. The seven-course, fixed-price menu is also a great deal. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. At Pelican Bay (next to the Pelican Bay Hotel), Lucaya. Phone 242-373-1595.
This place specializes in gourmet Continental and French cuisine that includes seafood and steaks. The Dover sole served meuniere with hazelnut butter is excellent. Although formal in decor, the restaurant's atmosphere is informal. If you get there early, you might get a ringside seat for nightly limbo and line-dancing in the main square. Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Upstairs in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucaya. Phone 242-373-9100.
Go to sample Bahamian items with a European accent. There's also a large seafood menu. This popular eatery offers late-night dining. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. West Sunrise Highway and Atlantic Way (near the Crowne Plaza Resort), Freeport. Phone 242-352-8507.
| Steak Houses | Top |
The Stoned Crab is a steak and seafood restaurant located right on the beach. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. Taino Beach, Freeport. Phone 373-1442. http://www.stonedcrab.com.
| Other Options | Top |
The cruise features a full three-course dinner. Cruises offer unlimited Bahama Mama rum punch and transportation. Departs April-September at 6:30 pm, October-May at 6 pm. Days of departure vary. Reservations required. US$69 adults, US$45 children. Departure from Port Lucaya, Lucaya. Phone 242-373-7863.
For distinctive international cuisine, Magnolia is a must. Open for breakfast and late lunch. $. East Atlantic and Settler's Way, Freeport. Phone 351-7947.
Eat out in the real native way at a Bahamian fish fry at Outriggers. You'll find the typical local dishes such as fried fish, broiled lobster, conch and chicken, accompanied by macaroni and cheese or peas and rice. DJ spins music Wednesday 6-11 pm. Taino Beach, Freeport. Phone 242-373-4811.
The bay views are pleasant, the drinks are smooth and the food will remind you of English pub fare. Great for people-watching, too. It can get a bit noisy, but that's part of the fun. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucaya. Phone 242-373-8450.