Paradise Island, The Bahamas

As both the capital of the Bahamas and a world-famous vacation destination, Nassau boasts a wide variety of dining and entertainment options. Many of the island's restaurants and bars keep to a tropical theme in terms of ambience and cuisine, but a more eclectic dining scene is beginning to flourish, and different kinds of night spots are also beginning to crop up. One can find Chinese takeout, European bistros and Italian trattorias throughout downtown Nassau and Paradise Island. Gourmet rooms and upscale cocktail lounges are also scattered throughout the island, with a few restaurants making the "Top Ten" list in gourmet publications and trade magazines.

However, people don't come to Nassau to eat Chinese food or French food. They come to Nassau to drink rum and eat conch—that deliciously chewy sea creature rumored to have extraordinary libido-boosting properties. Spring Breakers visit the island for the inexpensive liquor and the thumping reggae and calypso music, while entire families can enjoy Junkanoo parades and inexpensive local seafood. The quintessential Nassau dining experience includes chipper Calypso music, fresh fish or lobster, friendly service and a view of the sea. One can find all of these qualities at dozens of restaurants in Nassau and Paradise Island.

Downtown-Bay Street Dining options on Bay Street aren't quite as plentiful as one might expect. The street is primarily a shopping area, and there are just a few restaurants interspersed with the stores. Most restaurants are located on side streets, a short distance from the thoroughfare. At the beginning of Bay Street, the majestic Colonial Hilton offers several dining options, all of them expensive. The Wedgwood Room is a perfect choice for very special occasions, say anniversary dinners or 50th birthdays. Portofino Italian Cafe , located on the ground floor of the Hilton, is less formal than the Wedgwood; it's appropriate for business lunches or dinners.

Fine dining choices don't stop at the Hilton, however. A number of gourmet restaurants are located within a few blocks of the landmark hotel. Graycliff and Chez Willie are known around the world for ambience and cuisine.

Although Nassau boasts a high number of world-class gourmet rooms, especially given its diminutive size—it has plenty of less formal options. Across the street from the Hilton is an extremely popular, extremely touristy restaurant, Conch Fritters . This place blatantly panders to drunken tourist families and bored businessmen, but in spite of its kitschiness, it has a certain appeal. Prices are relatively low and portions are large. It's a great place to try conch for the first time; it's also a perfect spot for daquiri-downing. Two doors down, the dingy Imperial Cafeteria offers authentic Bahamian fare. Only the bravest tourists venture in here, but locals flock to the counter day and night. Skans Cafe is smack dab in the middle of Bay Street. Busy and informal, it does a brisk lunchtime business. On a side street of Bay, the Brussels Brasserie serves delectable brunch and lunch dishes in a casually cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Most of Nassau's nightlife is located downtown. Bahama Boom, the latest hot spot, also claims the distinction of being Nassau's first techno club. Waterloo is a popular dance club, featuring all kinds of music and an outdoor patio. The Drop Off is famous for its intriguingly seedy mixed crowd and its late-night food service.

East Bay While it's not known for much else, the area around the foot of the Paradise Island Bridge has become a sort of restaurant district. Several popular restaurants, including the jazzy Pink Pearl and legendary Poop Deck , are clustered here, near Nassau Harbour. The recent addition of two popular restaurant franchises, the Outback Steakhouse and Hooters, makes this an even more popular dining destination.

Cable Beach This part of Nassau is known for its world-class hotels, but it has plenty of fine independent restaurants as well. BBQ Beach , a newcomer to the Nassau dining scene, features nouveau barbecue. Androsia Steak and Seafood is famous for its pepper steak and its fresh seafood.

Each of the major hotels on Cable Beach boasts a full complement of restaurants, and while the all-inclusives ( Sandals , Breezes ) don't allow outside guests, the other hotels are quite welcoming. The Marriott Crystal Palace has the fabulous Seaside Buffet, a casual restaurant by the name of Goombay Mama and a wonderful coffee shop and pastisserie, Crystal Sweets. Fine dining options—Italian, Chinese and Continental—are located on the second floor of the main building. One of Nassau's most popular local restaurants, Cafe Johnny Canoe , is located next to the Nassau Beach Hotel; eat here if you want to try conch or listen to calypso.

Paradise Island If you're in the mood to splurge, Paradise Island is the place to go. Dozens of restaurants are located on this tiny patch of Paradise— most of them within the gigantic Atlantis Resort. Over half of PI's restaurants are pricey and semi-formal. Highlights of the Paradise Island fine dining scene include Fathoms at the Atlantis and beloved Blue Lagoon at Club Land'or .

Finding mid-range or inexpensive restaurants on Paradise Island can be quite a challenge. However, there are a few options, although none of them are located at the major hotels. Anthony's Caribbean Grill , located in the Paradise Shopping Plaza , offers large, inexpensive tropical drinks and a laid-back atmosphere. The News Cafe is a great place to sip a cappucino in the morning or evening. Each of Paradise Island's shopping centers has its own deli, where tourists can buy sandwiches and chips for a few dollars.

Around the Island Some of Nassau's best and most unique dining options aren't located in any specific area, but manage to flourish by drawing customers away from the main drag. Foremost among these restaurants is the famous Sun and.. . Not only is its name enough to catch the eye over and over again, its cuisine is sufficient to draw rave reviews from the world's toughest critics. Seashells, the only restaurant on tiny Crystal Cay, offers stunning ocean views and a unique atmosphere. For genuine Bahamian cooking at low prices, dine at Traveller's Rest . It's far off the beaten path, but the restaurant often runs specials to make the drive worthwhile.

Nassau is a fun city for dining and drinking. With the exception of a few five-star gourmet rooms, the prices are not prohibitively expensive, and the cuisine is often inventive and flavorful. There are dozens of places to get a mixed drink for a few dollars, and the atmosphere at restaurants and bars is usually pleasant. Whether you're a student on Spring Break or a millionaire on a pleasure cruise, you're sure to find something that suits your palate and wallet.