When it comes to luxurious getaways in the Caribbean, the Baha Mar resort in Nassau, Bahamas, is extremely popular. The resort complex blends high-end hotels on Cable Beach with a wide array of world-class dining experiences. From the sophisticated dining experience at Fi’lia by Michael Schwartz, where Italian flavors take center stage, to the vibrant and authentic tastes of China at Shuang Ba, these Baha Mar restaurants exemplify the resort’s commitment to culinary excellence.
Our stay at Baha Mar was part of an extended trip to the Bahamas. After sailing the Exumas island chain for five days, I was excited to be back on land. We opted to stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar to recharge before heading home. During our stay, we ate all our meals at the resort.
With over 45 bars and restaurants on the resort grounds, we had numerous food and beverage options. In this guide, I will walk you through some of the best restaurants at Baha Mar!
Baha Mar Overview
Before we jump into the best Baha Mar resort restaurants, I want to give you an overview of Baha Mar. There are three hotels on the complex grounds: the Rosewood, Grand Hyatt, and the SLS. All three Baha Mar hotels are easy to access once on the property, regardless of where you lay your head at night. In my ultimate guide to Baha Mar, I explain the benefits and differences between these hotels. But in a few words, the Rosewood is a luxury hotel that is great for couples, the Grand Hyatt is family-friendly, and the SLS is known for its day party and night club.
During the day, there is a wide variety of things to do at Baha Mar, such as playing a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, exploring the waterpark, relaxing at a spa, or enjoying some of the best restaurants in the Bahamas. Another top attraction, although off-property, is swimming with the pigs.
1. Carna by Dario Cecchini
If you’re a steak enthusiast, Carna at Baha Mar is a dream come true. This upscale steakhouse at the SLS offers a menu crafted by the renowned butcher Dario Cecchini, ensuring a top-notch dining experience. From perfectly aged cuts of beef to an extensive wine list, Carna is your go-to Baha Mar restaurant for a memorable dining experience.
Carna is open every day for dinner starting at 6 p.m.
Children 5 and under eat free at Carna. Rules and regulations apply.
2. Katsuya
My mouth waters every time I think of eating at Katsuya. The Japanese sushi and robata restaurant blends traditional Japanese cooking techniques with California flare. Chef Uechi has mastered dishes such as Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, and Miso-Marinated Black Cod.
Katsuya at the SLS is one of the best Baha Mar restaurants. However, I can be a bit partial since sushi is one of my favorite things to eat. Gary, on the other hand, does not eat raw fish. Thankfully, there are still several items on the menu for non-sushi eaters. He prefers simpler dishes like the yaki udon, robata grill, and vegetable sushi rolls.
Katsuya is open every day.
Children 5 and under eat free at Katsuya. Rules and regulations apply.
3. Cleo Baha Mar
Cleo Baha Mar is a must-visit for those seeking a modern Mediterranean experience. Cleo Baha Mar appeals to a wide variety of diners by offering a delightful array of dishes, including fresh seafood, flavorful mezze platters, and delectable desserts. Cleo even has an extensive selection of vegetarian options.
I didn’t get a chance to eat at Cleo during our visit. But I have eaten at the Cleo in Los Angeles numerous times and have always enjoyed my meals. Cleo, Named OpenTable’s “50 Hottest Restaurants in the U.S.,” never disappoints.
Cleo is in the SLS and is open daily for breakfast and dinner.
Children 5 and under eat free at Cleo. Rules and regulations apply.
4. Costa
Costa is another gem in Baha Mar’s selection of high-end restaurants. The coastal Mexican cuisine menu includes lobster enchiladas, chicken mole, and mahi mahi tacos. The oceanfront location at the Rosewood adds to the dining experience. The fresh, local Bahamian ingredients create bold flavors balanced by fresh herbs and hints of citrus.
Costa is open every day for lunch and dinner except for Tuesday.
5. Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House
At Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson showcases his innovative take on Caribbean and Bahamian cuisine. Using locally sourced ingredients, Marcus offers a unique blend of flavors in the extensive selection of locally caught seafood, premium dry-aged steaks, and vegetables sourced from local farmers.
The innovative menu includes signature dishes such as cornbread with spiced rum butter, conch, and the day’s seafood catch.
Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House is open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner. After dinner, head to Marcus Up Top, an oceanfront rooftop bar.
Children 5 and under eat free at Marcus Baha Mar Fish + Chop House. Rules and regulations apply.
6. Café Madeline
Hands down, my favorite restaurant for breakfast at Baha Mar was Café Madeline. The Parisian café and bakery at the Grand Hyatt is a quiet reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Baha Mar. If the weather is nice, opt to eat outdoors. My favorite dish at Café Madeline was the avocado toast on a croissant. Gary enjoyed the French pastries.
Café Madeline is open daily for breakfast and lunch, but seasonal hours may apply.
7. Fi’lia
Fi’lia is a traditional Italian restaurant at Baha Mar featuring fresh ingredients and comfort food. The wood grill allows diners to enjoy handmade bread, pasta, and pizza. For those who prefer a salad, the Caesar salad is tossed tableside and topped with Parmigiano and toasted garlic croutons.
We enjoyed our meal at Fi’lia, but it is one of the heavier meal options at Baha Mar. We were not the only ones who wanted to eat at Fi’lia. It was harder to get a reservation at Fi’lia than at some of the other restaurants.
Fi’lia is another Baha Mar restaurant that offers a kids under 5 eat free program. Rules and regulations apply.
8. Shuang Bao
Shuang Boa is a fine dining Chinese restaurant that offers signature dishes such as “cherry” foie gras and hand-carved Peking duck. The duck undergoes a rigorous preparation process that takes more than 24 hours.
During our visit, we saw others eating Peking duck, but it’s not our cup of tea. We opted instead for more traditional dishes like stir-fried vegetable noodles and several dim sum options.
The name Shuang Boa in Chinese represents a pair of double 8s and means fortune and prosperity.
As a side note, the upscale Chinese restaurant is more expensive than expected.
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar also hosts a variety of low-key dining options.
9. Da’ Poke Bowl Shack
The Da’ Poke Bowl Shack is a casual spot for a quick meal. Your rice bowl can be topped with raw fish or cooked chicken. To cool down, opt for Hawaiian shaved ice.
10. Baha Mar Food Trucks
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar restaurant scene also includes several airstream food trucks on the walkway between Cable Beach and the Grand Hyatt pools. For me, this was a genius idea. Guests can choose from a variety of food and beverage options that are not on the regular Grand Hyatt restaurant menus.
Instead of relying on limited poolside service, hotel guests have several additional food and beverage options, like guacamole and nachos at El Jefe, Kosher vegetarian and pescatarian choices at Knosh, and Afro-Caribbean inspired dishes at Streetbird.
The food prices are a little high for the equivalent of a taco truck but less than the traditional restaurants at the hotel. As I recall, these food truck restaurants only allow you to charge your meal to your room. This system ensures that only hotel guests are eating at these restaurants to keep the wait time for your food to a minimum.
While staying at Baha Mar, make sure to get out and enjoy your surroundings. There are several activities in and around Nassau to fill your day, like swimming with the pigs, snorkeling, and fishing charters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do kids eat for free at Baha Mar restaurants?
At select Baha Mar restaurants, kids 5 and under can eat for free, when accompanied by an adult, with a full-priced entrée or meal. Some participating restaurants include Cleo, Carna, Katsuya & Fi’lia, 3 Tides, Drift, Marcus, and Stix.
The program only applies to one dish off the kid’s menu and a non-alcoholic beverage for hotel guests.
Does the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offer a free breakfast?
The Grand Hyatt is not an all-inclusive hotel. You might be able to book a hotel room with a free breakfast, but otherwise, breakfast is not included in your reservation.
Should I tip at Baha Mar restaurants?
Yes, you should always tip your waitstaff. They work hard so you can enjoy yourself on vacation.
Is there a dress code at the Baha Mar restaurants?
Generally, resort wear is appropriate for dinner at Baha Mar restaurants.
The Rosewood dress code is smart casual, which means no exercise or beach attire at the Rosewood restaurants. Covered shoes and sleeved shirts are required for gentlemen, in addition to long trousers in the evening.
Where should I eat breakfast at Baha Mar?
Café Madeline is a terrific breakfast option. If you want a quick-service breakfast option, there is also a Starbucks on the Baha Mar resort grounds.
Do you need to make reservations at the Baha Mar restaurants?
You should make dinner reservations at your favorite Baha Mar restaurant at least a month in advance. If you are heading to Baha Mar during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I suggest making your dinner reservations as soon as you make your hotel reservation. We initially had trouble getting dinner reservations during the popular winter holiday season. However, our hotel concierge eventually found us our preferred dinner reservations.
How should I make a dining reservation at a Baha Mar restaurant?
The easiest way to make a reservation at a Baha Mar restaurant is to use opentable.com. Alternatively, visit the Baha Mar dining homepage, select your restaurant, and follow the prompts to make an online reservation. Guests can also call the restaurants or email your Baha Mar hotel concierge.
Baha Mar has it all, whether you’re craving a taste of the Caribbean, freshly caught seafood, or a perfectly grilled steak. So, the next time you head to the Bahamas, consider staying at Baha Mar, where you can relax and indulge.
Thanks for sharing all these! I love all things sushi and poke-related, so I’d be all over Katsuya and the poke shack!
I’ve never been to the Bahamas, which is surprising given all of the cruises I’ve done. I will get to visit one day – hopefully sooner rather than later
A lot of fantastic restaurants at the Baha Mar in Nassau. Would love to check out the rice bowl restaurant and so cool that they have their own foodtrucks!
Baha Mar resort looks like such a great option for a family vacation in the Bahamas! The choice of restaurants is huge: Café Madeline for breakfast and Katsuya for dinner – definitely wouldn’t miss either! Thanks for sharing your list of favorite restaurants in Baha Mar!
What a beautiful place, and more importantly, what fabulous food! I’m there!
LOVED reading this as I’ll be in Nassau as part of a cruise next month! Thanks so much for sharing such a detailed post.
Have fun!
The perfect read before my trip to Nassau in a few weeks. We have reservations at Cleo and Fi’lia so glad to see them on your list.
Have so much fun!
All of these restaurants sound incredible! Love trying new foods when we travel.
Your post makes my mouth water! It amuses me that in all these lovely local dining options there’s also a Starbucks. And I bet they do a good business!
Ha, you are right. Lines out the door in the morning.
If I ever travel to Baha Mar, I will be sure to check out some of these recommended restaurants. They look fabulous.
Oooh nice! So many fab options! I always love Japanese food so Katsuya sounds like my cup of tea and a bite of med flavours from Cleo Baha Mar would match the sunshine of the resort 🙂
p.s. I should not have looked at this while hungry! Doh!
Wow, this hotel looks amazing and has so many good restaurant options. We’re going to eat well!
I’ve been wanting to go to the Bahamas for a while; I’ll save this in case I go one of these years. Thanks for sharing!
Love this resort! Their food is fantastic!
Costa sounds like a nice place to eat. I almost spit my food out when reading the name because “Costa” is a coffee shop chain here in England…and the coffee is bad (haha)
Ha, that’s too funny!
Going to the Bahamas at the end of the year, will surely check out some of these places. Love all the information!