8 Best Restaurants in The Southern Out Islands, Bahamas

Although Lighthouse Restaurant is casual and intimate like Inagua's overall character, it is considered the best high-end restaurant on the island. Known for its stunning sunsets, the octagon-shape restaurant overlooks the ocean and the historic lighthouse. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving primarily Bahamian food, the restaurant can seat large and small groups, including up to 60 people inside, 50 on the outside covered deck, and 20 on the uncovered deck.

This island treasure—and possibly the area's most-recommended dining spot—is praised up and down by locals and visitors alike. Quintessentially Bahamian, it's where you can sit all day on a stool at the colorful roadside hexagonal gazebo or at a table in the garden patio amid chickens and a goat, enjoying beers and nibbling on excellent conch salad prepared right in front of you. Become a veritable expert on Long Island and its people with gregarious Max and the sweet, chatty Liz. Such is the charm of this laid-back watering hole, visitors come back again and again. Their recipes are old-time Bahamian, hard to find elsewhere. Be sure to try the conch fritters, steamed snapper, and breadfruit chips, or any of the daily specials such as pot roast and crawfish-stuffed potatoes. Max also offers complimentary Wi-Fi for those needing to stay connected.

The views surrounding Stella Maris Resort Club's new poolside bar are as beautiful as the frozen fresh-fruit daiquiris they serve. Once a week Rake 'n' Scrape musicians pluck your heartstrings with Bahamian and calypso songs. On the bar's west side is the sunbaked pool with lounges; to the south, a kids' playground and beachy cove; and to the north, a long boardwalk to a carved-out ocean pool and spectacular views of the coastal bluffs with the waves breaking over the coral reefs. Go for a snorkel when it's calm or enjoy the bar decks when the breeze is up. The menu offers Bahamian and American fare. The Moonshine panini—salami, pickles, and Swiss on marble rye is a favorite.

A typical Bahamian enclosed restaurant, Paradis has a daily changing menu written on a chalkboard. Home-cooked Bahamian and American food such as burgers, conch, ribs, and the fresh catch of the day are tastily prepared. The restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors and offers complimentary Wi-Fi.

Located at the end of Jerry Wells Road, this charming, authentic conch shack stuck out on a dock in the water is truly local, offering friendly service, fun music, and good food. Sling back in the hammock, catch some tunes and breeze as you (if you're lucky) watch the almost-tame osprey, "Iron," snack on fish morsels. House favorites include fresh conch salad (watch Kenny pull the conch straight from the water), grilled lobster, and grouper made any way you want it—all go best with a cold Kalik. Some visitors rate the fresh conch salad as the best, noticing the great care Kenny takes to make it. Seaside Village is open on Sunday.

This family-owned and -operated takeout restaurant is a favorite with locals for tasty island food and value. It offers barbecued ribs, cracked conch, conch burgers, fish fingers, chicken snacks and dinners, and the ever-popular Forest Burger, a hamburger with boneless ribs and sautéed onions. Call ahead for your order or sit and wait with a cold beer. There's a shady shack with picnic tables adjoining.

Yardie's owners, Odette and Derrick Rolle, serve up large-size genuine Jamaican and Bahamian dishes such as jerk chicken, steamed pork chops, curried mutton, barbecue ribs, and their famous fresh conch salad. If you really want an island meal, try the breakfast grits with tuna or corned beef. They are one of the few spots open all day long and the only stop in northern Cat Island for ice cream. This place is no-frills, but a great shady spot to stop for lunch, a snack, or just a cold drink and a game of dominoes. You can even rent a car for $70 a day.