Comprising over 700 islands – with just 30 of those inhabited – of pristine powder-white sands and crystal clear waters, the Bahamas is sometimes affectionately known as The Islands Of Song.
But today, rather than wax lyrical about the Bahamas’ world famous beaches, we’re here to sing the praises of the Caribbean country’s glorious cuisine.
Like so many of the world’s great cuisines, the food of the Bahamas takes influence from both its landscape and the various cultures who have passed through the island. Given its position in the Caribbean, fresh seafood is arguably the defining aspect of Bahamian cuisine, and you can’t talk about Bahamian food without mentioning the Fish Fry.
Every island (at least, those that are inhabited!) in the Bahamas has a Fish Fry, and for many it’s the social event of the week. Usually a weekend phenomenon, it’s the quintessential Bahamian culinary experience which sees a collection of food vendors selling local dishes and delicacies .
That said, it’s not only seafood that’s popular here; the Bahamas is a rich and inclusive culture that has allowed other dishes, even drinks, to find a place at the Bahamian table.
At that generous and welcoming table, you’ll find plenty of flourishes from the US’ southern states, with cornbread, grits, peas and rice all present and correct. But you’ll also find a deep, almost religious love of spice here, with the Caribbean love of boisterous, chilli-heavy dishes working harmoniously with spice blends influenced by the West African population here. Expect plenty of all-spice, cinnamon, dried ginger and cloves, alongside ever-present seasonings such as coconut milk and lime.
We’re getting hungry just thinking about it. If you’re feeling the same and are wondering what to eat on your holiday to The Bahamas, then you’ve come to the right place. No, not the Bahamas, silly, but rather, here; our guide to some of the wonderful national dishes to try in The Bahamas.
Conch Dishes
If we’re going to talk about a favourite ingredient here in the Bahamas, then conch is, quite simply, number one on the list. From salads to sandwiches, and an ever-present place at the Fish Fry, you’ll see conch dishes everywhere.
Pronounced ‘conk’, the term incorporates a variety of fairly large sea snails which are native to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Whilst the shells make for a popular wind instrument in the Bahamas, it’s the meat inside that’s so prized, and is deployed in a whole host of delicious dishes. Some of the most popular include:
- Conch Salad – Rather than being a ‘salad’ in the familiar sense, conch salad is actually more of a ‘ceviche’ style preparation that sees the sea snail meat lightly cured in citrus juice (usually sour orange, lime, or a combination of both). When mixed with diced tomatoes, green peppers and onions, it pairs beautifully with a glass of Bahamian beer like Sands or Kalik. Alternatively, have a glass of Sky Juice; a creamy concoction of coconut water and sweetened condensed milk mixed with gin and often paired with conch salad.
- Cracked Conch – ‘Cracked’ actually refers to frying, and the popular dish of cracked conch sees tenderised, flattened sea snails (in a similar preparation to schnitzel) coated in a seasoned batter and fried until golden brown. It is often served with a ubiquitous, delicious chilli dipping sauce for an extra kick, with rice or fries alongside, though you’ll also see cracked conch appearing in a rich curry sauce on the islands.
- Conch Sandwiches – That cracked conch also finds its way into some truly ambrosial sandwiches served in the Bahamas. Usually served in a floury bap, this is simplicity at its best, with the fillings refined to just the breaded or battered fried sea snail, an obligatory pickled cucumber, some lettuce, and perhaps a sliced tomato. Heaven.
- Conch Chowder – Conch chowder sees strips of conch meat, which have first been pounded with a mallet to tenderise them, simmered in chicken stock and tomato paste, with potatoes, carrots and green pepper bringing the body. Though lighter than a New England clam chowder (no flour is used to thicken a conch chowder), it’s a dish that can be enjoyed as a hearty lunch or dinner when accompanied by grits or rice.
Crab & Lobster Dishes
Conch isn’t the only shellfish beloved of the Bahamas. You’ll also find plenty of crab and lobster here. Though it’s of course prudent to research how much your Bahamas trip costs before setting your food budget for the holiday, you’ll be pleased to hear that even the most luxurious of ingredients won’t break the bank on The Islands Of Song. That is music to our ears, we can’t deny…
And though you might spend a fortune on crabs and lobsters in the UK, both are hugely popular and eminently affordable here…
- Baked Crab – The beloved Bahamian dish of baked crab sees crab shells filled with a mixture of crab meat, chopped onion and bell peppers, eggs, butter, and bread crumbs before being baked until golden brown. This one is often enjoyed with a spritz of lemon juice to bring it to life, and a few steamed vegetables on the side to keep things feeling healthy and light.
- Rock Lobster. A simple but popular Bahamian seafood is rock lobster. With a season running from August until March, during this time rock lobster is abundant, and enjoyed all over the islands. Most commonly prepared by simply boiling or steaming the lobster before being picked over around the table, you’ll find rock lobster meat in curries and stews, too.
Fish Dishes
White fish is also a defining element of Bahamian cuisine, with grouper, mahi-mahi, kingfish and snapper most commonly eaten. Find it in…
- Bahamian Fish Stew – A beloved breakfast staple, Bahamian fish stew starts with a tomato-paste flecked roux, before the obligatory onions, peppers, and celery are added. Loosened simply with water or fish stock, and seasoned with sour orange or lime juice and allspice, the stew is then poured over lightly marinated, sliced fish, or sometimes deep fried whole fish. Similar to a New Orleans gumbo, the stew was brought to the Bahamas by Creole migrants from Haiti. It’s a wonderful way to start the day.
- Barbecued fish – Of course, in a country with abundant access to fresh seafood and a love for grilling and chilling, barbecued fish is popular, too. Usually grilled whole, you’ll find fish prepared in this way served with a range of side dishes…
Side Dishes
Sides often make the meal, and some even steal the show here in the Bamas. Some of the most notable Bahamian side dishes that complement just about every meal here include:
- Macaroni – It’s nearly impossible to step into a Bahamian restaurant and not see macaroni and cheese on the menu. Bahamian mac and cheese is made with the usual elbow macaroni and cheese, but onions, bell peppers, butter, eggs, evaporated milk and seasonings like paprika and habanero pepper are also added, resulting in something distinct, darn tasty and different to its American cousin. Simply called macaroni by locals, it’s traditionally cooled and cut into squares so it holds together nicely, ready to be served with just about everything. You can enjoy it on its own as a full meal with just a dollop of ketchup, or as just one part of a larger spread.
Interestingly, this one is also popular in Barbados and across the Caribbean.
- Pigeon peas and rice – Pigeon peas and rice, another side dish that can also be considered a meal in and of itself, is cooked with bell peppers, onions, tomato paste, and salted pork chunks. Coconut milk gives the rice body and a luxurious sweetness. And in case you’re wondering, no pigeon is harmed in the making of this dish; it’s simply the name of the particular type of legume used.
- Johnny cake – Have you actually been to the Bahamas if you haven’t had a Johnny Cake? We don’t think so. This dense and delicious scone-like bread (or ‘biscuit’ if you’re in the States) is sliced in thick wedges and works especially well to soak up that fish stew we mentioned earlier… An all-time ‘breakfast of champions’, indeed.
- Grits – Served as a side or eaten on their own, grits in the Bahamas are appropriate anytime of day, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Bahamians often enjoy a bowl of buttered grits for breakfast, topped with a tuna salad that’s been tossed with lime juice, mayonnaise and finely diced onion. A must try.
- Plantain – Nearly always on offer as a side dish, plantains here are simply fried until golden and caramelised. Delicious.
And whilst we’d love to stay and talk about dessert, we think that might be one for another article. Do keep your eye out for that one!