Best Eleuthera Island Eats: Governor's Harbour Spotlight
Hours spent exploring Eleuthera Island’s pink sand beaches, incredible caves, and stunning sea life is enough to work up any appetite. Good news for those who book accommodations with Eleuthera Vacation Rentals: You have the benefit of insider insight to the best Eleuthera island restaurants, cocktail bars, bakeries, and coffee shops.
Eleuthera may be better known for its abundance of sunshine and solitude than sustenance options, but our team has the scoop on all the first-rate spots to slake your thirst, satiate your hunger, or satisfy your sweet tooth.
Of course, if we were to list every eatery on Eleuthera’s 176-square miles, we’d be writing a book. So here, we’ll focus exclusively on Governor’s Harbour - centrally-located and brimming with Bahamian charm and brilliant cuisine.
1648
1648 is an elegant indoor/outdoor restaurant that offers premier waterfront dining. The executive chef and professional team at 1648 prepares always-fresh fare - Caribbean, Bahamian, and American. Seafood is freshly-caught, produce is locally-grown, and cocktails are infused with bright tropical flavors. The 1648 serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner - often with a side of live music and special events like rum tasting. Try the shrimp & conch ceviche, creamy lobster pasta, braised lamb shank, or gourmet pizza made from scratch with hand-tossed dough. It’s considered a must-visit destination on Governor’s Harbour.
La Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea flowers are stunning tropical symbols of passion and beauty - and the fare at La Bougainvillea restaurant embodies this same spirit. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices are authentic Caribbean farm-to-table and ocean-to-table fare, with beautifully-plated dishes served in a cozy dining room or posh poolside setup with dazzling ocean views. Try the seafood pasta, sushi, or fresh fish of the day served with truffle fries.
Pascal's Ocean Front Seafood Restaurant Bar & Grill
Pascal’s Ocean Front Seafood Restaurant Bar & Grill is the definition of chill - and charming. Pascal’s is located at Sky Beach Club, and features indoor/outdoor dining, ocean views, and a pool with a swim-up bar.
Pascal’s is known for its Bahamian-style fare - and seafood in particular. Bartender Sammy is a renowned and much-loved local presence on the island. Ask about daily drink specials - Sammy recommends sipping on the Sky Blue or a Boom Boom!
Signature dishes at Pascal's include spicy garlic tiger shrimp, oven-baked savory grouper, grilled spice-rubbed New York strip steak, thyme-garlic roasted rack of lamb, the seafood skillet (served with potatoes & grilled vegetables), and crispy thin pizzas. Fresh fruit smoothies, house cocktail mixes, and a selection of wines and beers are available as well.
The Buccaneer Club
The Buccaneer Club is an island favorite, famous for is authentic Bahamian cuisine and lovely outdoor patio, shaded by large flowering trees and surrounded by a garden of bougainvillea, hibiscus, and coconut palms. This mid-19th-century farmhouse-turned-restaurant offers friendly, speedy service, spicy Caribbean music, vibrant artwork, incredible food, and an on-site boutique full of island-inspired clothing, jewelry, and more!
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Buccaneer Club has a plate for every palate.For breakfast, try the French toast or Spanish omelet. For later meals try the curried shrimp, blackened grouper, conch fritters, fried chicken with a side of mac & cheese, Tony Mahlal chicken and perfectly-stacked, juicy burgers. Wash it all down with some ice-cold rum punch.
Bacchus Fine Foods
Bacchus Fine Foods is an organic and gourmet market and cafe open weekdays on Banks Road. They serve up carefully-selected, premium quality groceries from Europe and the Americas, including meats & seafood, pastas, oils, spreads, peppers, cheeses, rice, chocolates, fresh fruits, and more. At the cafe, breakfast and lunch menus change seasonally. If available, try the charcuterie, seafood linguini, curried chicken salad, teriyaki salmon steak, or any of the delectable made-to-order sandwiches with your choice of roast beef, turkey, pastrami, salami, or smoked ham.
Tippy's Restaurant
Featured in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and The New York Times, Tippy's is an eclectic, open-air, oceanfront dining experience, with tables made from old shutters and antique piano keyboards hanging from the ceiling. Chalkboard menu changes daily (depending on deliveries of local produce and seafood). Try the seafood pasta, fish tacos, conch fritters, arugula salad, cracked lobster with fries, fresh stone crab, cocnut shrimp, BBQ ribs, pizzas, and house burger. Reservations recommended, especially for larger parties.
Mate & Jenny's Restaurant & Bar
Mate & Jenny’s Restaurant & Bar is a cozy little casual dining spot on Seaview Drive serving up savory pizza pies at a good price. While you wait for them to be hand-tossed, sip on a cold beer or rum punch and nibble on a crispy side salad tossed with homemade house vinaigrette.
Sunset Inn
Sunset Inn on Queen's Highway in Governor's Harbour features no-fuss, down-home, family-friendly American and Bahamian food - breakfast, lunch, and dinner (closed Thursdays) with indoor/outdoor seating and breezy ocean views overlooking the Exuma Sound.
Try the grouper sandwich, fried plantains, authentic Caribbean red rice & beans, or seafood platter - washed down with an ice cold sweet tea, pale ale, or chardonnay.
Da Perk
Da Perk is a cute coffee shop & cafe offering breakfast, lunch, and dinners-by-reservation. Da Perk prides itself on being more than just quality culinary - it’s a culture! For breakfast and brunch, try the sticky cinnamon rolls, corned beef & tuna with avocado mash and spiced tomatoes, or loaded omelets with a side of yellow grits. For lunch and dinner, sample daily specials like jerk chicken salad with garlic roasted beets, spicy tuna poke bowl, or gourmet shrimp & grits. Da Perk also offers catering and takes off-the-menu requests if you call ahead. Catch the occasional special event, like cooking classes, wine down Wednesday, and Sunset & Cocktails with tapas and live music.