11 Foods in The Bahamas You Must Try

While cruising through The Bahamas, you may find that many of the readily available foods and drinks are specifically catered towards tourists. Bien que ce ne soit pas nécessairement une mauvaise chose, ils peuvent toutefois parfois manquer de couleur locale.

For those looking to enjoy a more authentic food experience, check out these 11 Bahamian foods to try that will feed your Caribbean soul!

11 Must-Try Foods in The Bahamas

While cruising through The Bahamas, you may find that many of the readily available foods and drinks are specifically catered towards tourists. Bien que ce ne soit pas nécessairement une mauvaise chose, ils peuvent toutefois parfois manquer de couleur locale. For those looking to enjoy a more authentic food experience, check out these 11 Bahamian foods to try that will feed your Caribbean soul!

1. Les conques

Pronounced "konk," this mollusk (yeah, it's actually a big sea snail) is the national dish of The Bahamas, and it can be served up in a multitude of ways: ceviche style, frittered, stewed, "cracked," (that is, tenderized and fried)-any way you want to eat it, Bahamian cooks do it right. If you're cruising to Nassau, head to Arawak Cay during their weekly Friday "Fish Fry" to see menus studded with a variety of conch preparations. Why not try them all and see which you like best?

2. Gratin de macaronis au fromage

Don't be fooled by its familiar name. This isn't your stovetop boxed mac n' cheese-it's a unique culinary experience. In The Bahamas, they step it up with the addition of evaporated milk and sometimes eggs, kicking up the richness level to the extreme. The creaminess of this decadent dish works perfectly alongside a helping of fried fish but may not be as compatible with maintaining your beach body. But trust us, it's worth it. (You can always cancel it out with an ocean-view yoga class, anyways!)

Ne soyez pas non plus surpris si vous voyez des locaux rajouter du ketchup... après tout, pourquoi pas?

CROISIÈRES SUR CE THÈME :
4-Day Bahamas Cruise on Norwegian Gem
3-Day Bahamas Cruise on Norwegian Joy
4-Day Bahamas Cruise on Norwegian Dawn

3. Marinade au vinaigre

Chicken souse, essentially the chicken noodle soup of The Bahamas, is the quintessential comfort food of these islands. This positively soul-satisfying dish typically features big chunks of chicken (or any other protein) that are cooked down in a flavorful broth with potatoes, onions, and a blend of spices until they achieve tender perfection. Bones and miscellaneous parts are often included, adding incredible depths of flavor, so just be careful as you scarf up this must-try Bahamian food!

4. Ragoût de poisson

This Bahamian classic relies on whatever fish are the freshest catch of the day. Often grouper, snapper, or another local variety, the fish is flash fried and then simmered in a thick, tomato-based sauce that's wonderfully rich thanks to a whole medley of spices. Soaking up all those flavors, stew fish becomes one of the best ways to experience the delicious bounty of the Bahamian sea.

5. Bahamian Lobster

A prized delicacy caught exclusively in those turquoise waters that surround the islands, the Bahamian lobster is a unique, spiny variety of the crustacean that's typically much smaller than its North American counterparts. Beneath its sharp exterior, the Bahamian lobster (sometimes also referred to as a crawfish or rock lobster) yields tender, sweet meat no matter whether it's grilled, steamed, or broiled. Enjoy this local treat with a spot of melted butter, a squeeze of lime, and the side of your choice and you might never want to leave.

6. Lionfish

Actually an invasive species that's relatively new to the region and poses a threat to The Bahamas' beloved coral reef ecosystems, the lionfish has become increasingly popular as a dish that's both environmentally conscious and delicious. As a means of controlling the lionfish population, more and more Nassau restaurants have begun to feature it on their menus-and it's been much to diners' benefit. Find it grilled, pan-fried, or serviced as part of a ceviche or within some truly tasty tacos.

7. Peas and Rice

One of the primary culinary symbols of the island, this staple side dish consists of pigeon peas (also known as black-eyed peas) with rice, onions, tomatoes, and spices. Don't let its seeming simplicity deceive you: peas and rice offers a comforting richness and depths of flavor, making it the ideal complement to virtually any main course, from grilled fish and stewed meats to curries and salads. However, as the locals know best, it does not need to be limited to dinnertime-it can even be enjoyed at the breakfast table or alongside lunch.

8. Bahamian Boiled Fish

Another food to try in The Bahamas that the locals also eat at any time of day is "Boil," or a steaming bowl of boiled fish. A traditional comfort food often touted as a source of nourishment, boiled fish brings together tender, flaky white fish with potatoes and a rich spice broth-plus a hint of lime for just the right amount of zing.

9. Johnny Cake

One more essential food to eat in The Bahamas that features a deceptive name: this "cake" is actually more of a dense bread or biscuit. Requiring just a few staple ingredients to make, Johnny Cakes are a crumbly standby at both restaurants and bakeries and often enjoyed with breakfast, as a standalone snack, or alongside soups and stews.

10. Roulé de goyave

After all the deliciously different meals you've indulged in, you have to end it with the perfect dessert-or desserts. Fresh guava is certainly hard to come by in the continental US, but they are incredibly plentiful in the Caribbean-and a duff is the perfect food to enjoy them in. It seems simple-a duff is a rolled, soft cake with fruit filling, topped with a rum sauce. But the care and fresh ingredients required to make it just right, mean that it's very hard to recreate outside of The Bahamas. So, yes, this is one more food in The Bahamas that you must try.

11. Rum Cake

After all the deliciously different meals you've indulged in, you have to end it with the perfect dessert-or desserts. Fresh guava is certainly hard to come by in the continental US, but they are incredibly plentiful in the Caribbean-and a duff is the perfect food to enjoy them in. It seems simple-a duff is a rolled, soft cake with fruit filling, topped with a rum sauce. But the care and fresh ingredients required to make it just right, mean that it's very hard to recreate outside of The Bahamas. So, yes, this is one more food in The Bahamas that you must try.

Best Food in The Bahamas if You’re Allergic to Shellfish

Peas and Rice

This versatile dish certainly bears repeating as a safe bet for those avoiding shellfish. Enjoy a healthy serving on its own-or use it to supplement a serving of shellfish-free chicken souse.

Best Food in The Bahamas if You’re Allergic to Dairy

Conch Salad

There is no shortage of foods to try in The Bahamas for the lactose-intolerant traveler, and it's the country's national food, the conch, that takes the cake. (So to speak.) We recommend trying a refreshing conch salad for a light, healthy, and dairy-free dish that's perfect to enjoy on a hot day.

Best Food in The Bahamas if You’re Vegan

Fresh Local Fruit

We very well could have listed peas and rice (when it's made without butter or lard) yet again, but we also wanted to call attention to The Bahamas' incredible abundance of fresh tropical fruits. From juicy mangoes and pineapples to bountiful bananas and beyond, it's quite easy to fill up on fruit when you're in The Bahamas.

Best Food in The Bahamas if Gluten-Free

Grilled Catch of the Day

As is clear from our list of the best of foods to try in The Bahamas, this is a virtually unbeatable destination for lovers of fresh seafood. If you're looking to avoid gluten while dining in The Bahamas, look no further than whatever is the day's freshest catch, spiced to perfection and grilled over an open flame.

Savor the Flavors of The Bahamas

After all of these delicious delicacies, you'll have plenty of fuel for your Bahamas cruise. After all, you'll need all the energy you can get when you're swimming with dolphins, snorkeling through the crystal-clear waters, and everything else that awaits you on your vacation!

Of course, all of these experiences don’t have to wait long — Norwegian Cruise Line is always offering opportunities to explore the culture, climate, and cuisine of The Bahamas with the voyage of your choice. Explore our cruises to The Bahamas and discover the perfect itinerary to satisfy your wanderlust and your taste buds.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on December 30, 2015. It has been updated to show updated information and related itineraries.