Dining here runs from sandy-footed lunch counters to candlelit dinners. A few things worth knowing first:
- Reserve ahead for dinner in high season, especially at the island's best-known restaurants.
- Check hours. Many local spots are lunch only, and some close one day a week.
- Bring cash for casual and takeaway places.
- Taxes and service: Many restaurants add VAT and a service charge to the bill. Check the menu. [Verify current rates.]
Groups on this page: Sunset & fine dining · Casual & waterfront · Local Bahamian · Breakfast & lunch · Coffee & bakeries · Takeaway · Nightlife
Coffee note: Captain's Coffee & Champagne opens in November at Valentines on Bay Street, serving craft coffee, cocktails, champagne, sandwiches, salads and charcuterie from 8am to 10pm. [Add exact opening date; switch to normal listing once open.]
Dinner cheat sheet (lead magnet): "How to book a table on Harbour Island": when to call, what to ask, what a typical dinner costs, and the best sunset-view tables. [Create as a one-page PDF.]
Eat & Drink
Where to eat and drink on Harbour Island
From conch salad at the dock to candlelit dinners on the bluff. A few things worth knowing first.
Reserve ahead
Dinner in high season books up, especially at the best-known restaurants.
Check hours
Many local spots are lunch only, and some close one day a week.
Bring cash
Casual and takeaway places often prefer it. Many restaurants add VAT and a service charge.
Dressing for dinner
Evenings on the island are relaxed but polished. The higher-end restaurants expect you to dress up a little.
Women
Think resort-chic: sundresses, dressy separates or a nice linen set, with a light wrap for the evening breeze. Flat sandals or wedges are easier than stilettos on sandy paths and uneven streets.
Men
Pack a pair of long pants and a nice long-sleeve linen shirt for dinner. Shorts and T-shirts are fine for casual spots, but not for the higher-end dining rooms.
Casual spots
Waterfront bars, beach lunches and local favourites are come-as-you-are. Just cover up when you leave the beach.
Casual & waterfront
Cocktails, seafood and sunset seats with your feet near the water.
Rooster Tail Bar & Grill
$$Open-air waterfront bar and grill at Valentines for lunch, dinner, seafood and cocktails.
Queen Conch
$$Conch salad made to order on Bay Street north of the Government Dock. Lunch and dinner; expect a wait at peak times.
Bar 480
Waterfront bar and grill at the Briland Club marina.
Upstairs at Romora
Open-air dining overlooking the bay and marina.
Sip Sip
A beloved island lunch spot with casual salads, boiled fish, curry chicken salad and tropical cocktails. Lunch only.
Coffee & bakeries
Morning fuel, pastries and something cold in the afternoon.
Captain's Coffee & Champagne
Opening in NovemberOpening in November at Valentines. Craft coffee, cocktails and champagne, plus sandwiches, salads and charcuterie, open 8am to 10pm.
Arthur's Bakery
Island bakery on Dunmore Street.
Cocoa Coffee House
Moving; new location to be announced.
Sweet Spot Cafe
Healthy cafe with smoothies and vegan options, Bay Street near the Fishermen's Dock.
Sunset & fine dining
Dinner worth dressing up a little for. Reserve ahead in high season.
Acquapazza
$$Italian and seafood with harbour sunset views; the lobster pizza gets mentioned a lot.
Da Vine
Wine bar with sushi, on Bay Street near the Government Dock.
The Dunmore
$$$Contemporary Mediterranean and island seafood on the bluff, with outdoor sunset seating.
The Landing
$$$Caribbean-fusion cooking using local produce and seafood in a boutique-hotel setting.
Malcolm 51
Fine dining with island flavours at Pink Sands Resort.
Ocean View Restaurant
Caribbean dishes with continental touches at The Ocean View.
The Pink Mermaid
Seaside Italian bistro with Bahamian touches, overlooking the lagoon pool at Coral Sands.
Rock House Restaurant
$$$Seafood and cocktails with indoor, poolside and sunset seating plus a night-time martini bar. Reserve ahead.
Breakfast & lunch
Beachside and dockside spots for the middle of the day.
The Landing
$$$Famous for its breakfast on the porch of a historic harbour-view inn.
Rooster Tail Bar & Grill
$$Open-air waterfront bar and grill at Valentines, serving breakfast as well as lunch and dinner.
Blue Bar
Breakfast and lunch on a deck above the beach at Pink Sands.
Coral Sands Beach Bar
Oceanfront terrace for lunch right on the pink sand.
Bars & nightlife
Where the evening goes after dinner.
Captain's Coffee & Champagne
Opening in NovemberYour first stop for a cocktail. Craft cocktails and champagne, plus sandwiches, salads and charcuterie, open until 10 p.m.
Daddy D's
Upstairs nightspot on Dunmore Street, across from Arthur's Bakery.
Gusty's
Local nightlife on Coconut Grove Street.
Casual & takeaway
Home-style Bahamian cooking, island classics, burgers, pizza and food to go.
Ma Ruby's
$Sit-down local spot on Colebrook Street, long known for its cheeseburger.
Angela's Starfish
$Sit-down local Bahamian cooking in north Dunmore.
Brian's BBQ
$Casual local barbecue, easy to take with you.
The Shack
$The island's burger shack, just off the Government Dock.
Tropic Hut
$Pizza, casual bites and ice cream. A hit with kids.
Back Road Gal
Known for lobster quiche, Marina Road.
Marc's Cuisine
Native dishes to go, Colebrooke Street.
Marty's King Conch
Conch takeaway on Bay Street near the Government Boat Dock.
Wade's Take-Away
Native dishes on North Bay Street near the Fishermen's Dock.
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