20 Best Restaurants in Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas

Take in the sunset view as you enjoy a glass of wine and an island-inspired pizza or seafood meal. Located at French Leave Resort, 1648 boasts a sweeping view of the Bight of Eleuthera and its stunning turquoise water. The chic atmosphere is just as stunning at night, when the pool becomes a deep, vivid blue as part of the resort's "Dark Sky Paradise," which aims to reduce light pollution, increasing star visibility.

Blue Bar & Kitchen at Pink Sands is a famed, open-air restaurant and bar featuring blue and white decor that complements the pristine pink sand and clear, blue ocean that the restaurant overlooks. You'll have an unbeatable view while sipping one of their signature cocktails and enjoying conch tacos, a tuna poke bowl, or any of the other island-inspired menu options. Blue Bar also serves breakfast and has brunch on weekends.

Located on the western end of the island with a view of the harbor, this charming coffee shop has lots of space to sit and relax while you enjoy a latte and a sandwich. They also serve nondairy drinks like smoothies and organic juices, plus a variety of breakfast sandwiches, salads, pastries, and acai bowls.

This tidy restaurant offers free Wi-Fi and is an excellent place to catch up on e-mails over dessert and coffee. The café is located in the middle of town, making it a convenient spot for a quick bite at breakfast or lunch. With menu items like tuna salad and deli sandwiches and myriad bottled drink options, Da Perk is also a great place to pack your cooler for a fishing excursion. 

This recently renovated, window-lined restaurant serves three meals a day, combining classic Asian dishes with fresh Bahamian fare. An extensive cocktail list from the Freedom Bar— which features a stunning view of the hilltop pool— includes the Glass Window Bridge, with the exquisite landmark of the same name just a short drive away. It's one of the nicest restaurants on the island. Be sure to order from the sushi bar—you won't be disappointed.

Splendid harbor views and a transporting Mediterranean-loggia vibe create the perfect backdrop for the continental menu, infused with tropical accents, at the restaurant at the Rock House hotel. Rock House also takes its drinks seriously, with an extensive list showcasing California boutique wines. There's also an al fresco martini bar every evening, starting at 6:30. Dining here is refined and serene, thanks to the flawless service, so linger over coffee and one of the decadent desserts.

Sweet Spot is the only 100% vegan and vegetarian café on Harbour Island. Their menu includes a variety of healthy favorites like acai bowls, whole-wheat pancakes, and various wraps and salads. Try one of the delicious fruit smoothies or the health-boosting power spots. You can also get vegan pantry stockers, like bread and other baked goods, dips and spreads, and dessert here.

You never know which actor or rock star you'll rub elbows with—Richard Gere and Dave Matthews like to dine here—at the Hemingway-esque bar, but none of it matters once you've moved on to the dining room and are under the spell of chef Madelene Pedican, whose dishes soar with a Southeast Asian flair. Standouts include the goat cheese ravioli with shrimp and spicy crab capellini. One of the Caribbean's top dining destinations, The Landing also offers an impressive wine selection. If the weather is nice, request a romantic table on the porch.

With a classy but no-fuss aura and exhibition windows that face gorgeous sunsets, this restaurant is well known for its steaks, which are flown in daily, and fresh seafood. Guests have 180-degree views of the ocean from the screened patio or dining room. The restaurant has live music on Monday and weekends (in high season). They also serve the best wood-fired pizza in Eleuthera.

The friendly café has a quiet garden nook where you can savor your morning brew with an apple turnover, banana pancakes, or any of the daily breakfast offerings. The most popular item to take back is the jalapeño-and-cheese bread.

The Dunmore Deli satisfies the epicurean demands of Briland's more finicky residents and visitors, while its shaded wooden porch, filled with hanging plants and bougainvillea, makes this the perfect spot for a lazy breakfast or lunch. Treat yourself to the Briland Bread Toast, the amazingly fluffy take on French toast, or pick up one of the inventive deli sandwiches for a picnic on the beach. While here, you can also stock up on a variety of international coffees, imported cheeses, produce, and other gourmet items.

Just a stone's throw away from one of Eleuthera's most popular natural treasures is this casual, open-air restaurant offering classic Bahamian dishes and stunning views of the sea. Stop here for a cold beer or enjoy one of the special featured dishes, like grilled pineapple or the El Karaka Salad—a signature dish named in honor of the owner's father. 

A Governor's Harbour staple since 1989, this bakery serves delicious pastries and breads, baked fresh daily. Stop in to pick up some of the popular Danish coffee cake or sample johnny cakes and hot patties—Bahamian favorites. The bakery also makes fresh doughnuts, éclairs, and other homemade treats. Be sure to buy extra: once you get them home, these pastries tend to disappear quickly. The bakery opens at 7 am and closes at 5 weekdays, at 2 pm on Saturdays.

Located at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina, with a breathtaking sunset view, Harbour Pointe offers Caribbean cuisine in a casual setting. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating with panoramic views of the pool, marina, and ocean. There’s even a “you catch it, we cook it” menu option for guests who reeled in something special at the marina. Dinner favorites include the famous Cape Eleuthera burger, cracked conch, and shipwrecked scampi.

Enjoy an electric fusion of classic Italian dishes and Bahamian cuisine served at the stunning oceanfront La Bougainvillea property. The resort has a luxurious ambience, but the restaurant is calm and inviting while simultaneously maintaining a fine-dining experience. Guests can choose to dine in the elegantly decorated indoor dining area or outside, by the ocean. The restaurant also has a full bar that serves cocktails and premium imported wine.

Although you can sample local Bahamian fare at this famous eatery, the star of the menu is the cheeseburger, purportedly the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise" song. Maybe it's the rustic charm of the breezy patio or the secret seasonings on the melt-in-your-mouth patty, but this burger served between thick slices of homemade Bahamian bread is definitely otherworldly. 

This easily overlooked restaurant is a favorite among Eleuthera natives. While it may not look like it from the outside, New Sunset Inn serves some of the most delicious Bahamian dishes on the island. There's an indoor dining area along with a dining deck that features stunning views of the harbor. It's a great place to have a quiet dinner, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.

Enjoy a moonlit dinner on Runaway Hill's beachfront veranda, with views of the pink-sand beach and turquoise waters along with sounds of the ocean waves. Chef Krishna Higgs specializes in Bahamian cuisine, combining local ingredients with global flavors. The atmosphere feels like a private club, with a handsome 1920s interior. The menu always features a fresh catch of the day, and often includes Bahamian lobster and grouper.

Owned by Sammy Culmer and managed by his friendly daughter Margarita, Sammy's is a casual restaurant where you can enjoy great service and authentic Eleutheran food. Sammy's serves conch and fish burgers, a baked chicken dinner, and a variety of club sandwiches and salads. 

On the top of Buccaneer Hill overlooking the town and harbor, this mid-19th-century farmhouse is now a must-try restaurant that serves three meals a day. The outdoor dining area is located under a huge tree, with candlelit tables and soft jazz music playing in the background. To enhance the romantic ambience is a garden of bougainvillea, hibiscus, and coconut palms.