10 Must‑Try Locals Foods in The Bahamas
Famous Food Locals Love to Eat in The Bahamas
When traveling in The Bahamas, you’ll be on the lookout for the best local foods to try. Fresh seafood is served across the country, and it’s certainly a great choice, but that isn’t the end of Bahamian cuisine. The islands love good, filling food packed with flavor, as well as a sweet treat, combining regional produce with global ingredients to create a unique local flavor.
Bahamians like their spice, and you’ll find hot and spicy versions of classics you know and love, as well as tropical fruit served in ways you’ve never seen before. Be sure to visit local markets and eateries to sample all the mouthwatering dishes available. Read on to find our suggestions for must-try Bahamian dishes.
1. Conch
Succulent seafood served in so many ways
适合： 餐饮, 与众不同
Conch, pronounced “conk,” is one of the most popular ingredients in Bahamian cuisine. There are so many different local dishes, including this shellfish, that they could have made up half the list. Salty, but subtly sweet in flavor, it’s cooked in many different ways, and you’ll find it in restaurants, food trucks, and markets across the islands.
For a light bite, you can’t beat a conch salad, while conch fritters are a favorite filling lunch among locals and tourists alike. There’s also conch stew, conch curry, and the simple joys of steamed conch. Be sure to try some while you’re in the Bahamas and work out what your favorite conch dish is.
2. Macaroni Cheese
Spicy take on a creamy favorite
适合： 餐饮, 家庭
If you’ve never been to the Caribbean before, you might be surprised to learn of their love of the humble mac and cheese. The Bahamas has its own spin on this classic dish, so be prepared for some spice.
Cheesy, creamy, and with a hot pepper kick, macaroni and cheese is generally served as a side dish in the Bahamas. Restaurants will slice you off a cube and serve it alongside seafood or meat in true Bahamian style. It offers a great accompaniment and fills you up, while also being a warming comfort food for kids and adults alike. Sink your teeth into this mouthwatering dish.
3. Peas ‘n’ Rice
Classic Caribbean comfort food
适合： 餐饮, 历史
It sounds simple, but there’s more to peas ’n’ rice than you might think. Firstly, the peas are technically beans as they’re traditionally black-eyed peas, and second, there are far more than 2 ingredients. It’s one of those dishes where everyone has their own recipe, but the general vibe is the same: a filling bowl of spiced rice and fried vegetables.
Some recipes include bacon, so be aware that it’s not always a vegetarian option. Whatever the recipe, it’s sure to be delicious. Order a plateful to get a real taste of the Bahamas.
4. Fire Engine
Corned beef cooked the Bahamian way
适合： 餐饮, 夜生活
A traditional breakfast food in the Bahamas, fire engine is an unusual name for steamed corned-beef hash. There are numerous suggestions for where the name came from, with one of the most popular being that Bahamians add so much goat pepper or hot pepper to the dish that you’ll need a fire engine to calm your mouth down.
Fire engine is made by frying up vegetables, corned beef, and tomato paste with spices until cooked through and smooth. The hot spice is optional, so you’ll find different levels of heat in different places. Mostly served with grits or rice, try a plate with goat pepper if you think you can handle the heat.
5. Johnny Cake
Simple but tasty side
适合： 餐饮, 家庭
Somewhere between a cake and cornbread, Johnny Cake is usually served as a side to savory dishes in the Bahamas. Unlike versions in other parts of the world, Bahamian Johnny Cake is baked, rather than cooked on a griddle, leading to its unique texture.
Dip it into some soup or soak up some conch stew with a slice and appreciate how it complements the rich, spicy sauce. Alternatively, eat Johnny Cake as a dish in itself, spread with butter or covered in jam.
6. Crab and Rice
Crab-infused rice dish
适合： 餐饮, 情侣/夫妇
An island country certainly has a host of delicious seafood available, but one of the highlights of Bahamian cuisine is the mouth-watering crab and rice. A simple one-pot meal, the succulent crab meat is poached in spices and crab stock, then the rice is added, taking on all the flavors of the dish. This creates a tasty meal that will have you coming back for more.
Most restaurants and other eateries across the islands have crab and rice on their menu, along with plenty of other crab options. Try this incredible seafood dish as you sit beside the shore and look out at the gorgeous turquoise waters.
7. Chicken Souse
Refreshingly zingy chicken stew
适合： 餐饮, 冒险
The delicious citrusy flavors of chicken souse come from the lime marinade in which the chicken is prepared before it is cooked. This brings a Bahamian feel to the local version of chicken stew. The zesty tang complements the savory flavor of the meat, and adding a dash or 2 of hot sauce, as the locals do, adds an extra dimension.
You’ll find Chicken Souse served alongside a variety of items on menus in the Bahamas, including Johnny Cake and steamed vegetables. When you’re hungry from a day of scuba diving or island hopping, order some chicken souse for a delicious pick-me-up.
8. Guava Duff
A tasty swirl of tropical fruit and sweet dough
适合： 餐饮, 与众不同
Fresh tropical fruit is great, but while you’re in the Bahamas, why not try something different: guava duff. “Duff” here refers to “dough,” which is wrapped around pieces of guava, creating a spiraling dessert. Often served with rum sauce, it’s a truly tropical taste.
The fluffy sponge and the sweet, fresh flavor of the guava combine to make a dessert that’s very moreish, so hopefully you won’t be too full from your main course to fit some in. You’ll also find this dish at many local cafes, so be sure to stop in on your travels and try this delicious treat.
9. Benny Cake
Sweet and snappy sesame treats
适合： 餐饮, 购物者
The basic recipe for benny cakes is very simple, just 3 or 4 ingredients, but they come together to create an extraordinary treat. Benny seeds, also widely known as sesame seeds, are toasted and mixed into a hot sugar mixture, then shaped and cooled into crunchy little cakes.
There are variations on the basic recipe, with orange zest, peanuts, cocoa, and other things being added to the mix to add flavor. Benny cakes make for an excellent sweet snack and can be easily carried around for beachside picnics. Buy some from a local market stall or eatery and enjoy them later, if you can wait that long.
10. Coconut Tart
A cake tart with dense coconut filling
适合： 餐饮, 家庭
It’s no surprise that coconut tart has emerged as a popular Bahamian dessert. After all, you’re bound to see a host of coconut palms while you’re in The Bahamas, as they line many of the beaches and provide shelter from the brilliance of the tropical sun.
The local take on coconut pie doesn’t have a pastry shell, but rather a cake-like outside with a sticky and sweet coconut filling. Some recipes include more tropical fruit or a splash of rum for a unique twist. However it’s made, it goes deliciously with a scoop of ice cream or with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
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