12 Best Restaurants in Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands, Bahamas

Guests who discover The Carriearl Roost are pleasantly stunned that a restaurant of such charm and caliber just happens to be on their tiny island. The staff provide excellent service, and they are responsive and amiable. This is the place to get a great meal after catching bonefish, triggerfish, and mutton snapper all day. You'll be spreading the word about Carriearl's for days, or more likely, years.

A favorite place for boaters and anglers, this popular restaurant has a large, cool (and insect-free) interior and a patio deck with excellent second-story views of the marina, boats passing in the harbor, and shimmering flats beyond. Enjoy beers, cocktails, and island and American fare at reasonable prices. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this venerated bar and grill also has TVs for catching up on sports. The resort recently underwent a $10 million renovation and is in great shape.

In the island food category, expats, locals, and visitors rate Mae's food as true-true excellent. Her bright sign makes the casual 60-seat restaurant, on Bullock's Harbour's central seafront, easy to find. A couple of outside tables give heightened views of a sleepy anchorage, the ocean, and gorgeous sunsets. Midday, try the conch salad, pan-fried grouper, or a tasty burger. Broiled lobster, steaks, pork chops, and fried conch along with peas-and-rice and macaroni and cheese are dinner specialties. The menu changes daily, but the world-famous guava duff is always available for dessert. Place your order in advance or call a day ahead for a reservation. While you're at it, order a loaf of their freshly baked plain, white coconut, sweet coconut, raisin, cinnamon, banana, or wheat bread. 

This tiny shack on the water in Lowe’s Sound is the quintessential Bahamian conch shack experience, where the owner will wade out in the water, select, and hammer out the conch before your eyes. Ask him to eat the extraneous pistile or bibby for a laugh.

On the north side of Fresh Creek, near the bridge, this restaurant and bar juts out into the harbor and is graced with sweeping views. Locals, visitors, and workers from the nearby naval base enjoy Hank's for decent Bahamian dinners (chicken, fish, lobster, and pork) and for the popular dance party on Saturday night. Hank's signature cocktail, aptly named "Hanky Panky," is a dynamite frozen rum and fruit juice concoction.

This small island-style open-air conch stand lies on a tiny beach between Bailey Town and Resorts World. Both locals and visitors swear the salad has more conch and is more tender here than anywhere, and his fritters and lobster salad are favorites. Joe personally extracts conch (with his eyes on you) while serving with a big smile. But there’s often a line waiting as it is made fresh by Joe himself. A couple of picnic tables in the shade let you munch and sip a beer while enjoying harbor views. Joe’s is accessible by boat. It's a truly Bahamian experience that many see as a highlight.

On the water at Conch Sound, this cute shack of a restaurant is a great place for island-fresh fish, conch, and lobster in season. Watch the fishermen come in with their catches. It's a popular local spot, as isThe Big Anchor nightspot next door.

Every table has a nice ocean view at this warm and friendly beachfront restaurant and bar at the Seascape Inn. Owners Mickey and Joan McGowan do the baking and cooking themselves. If you are staying elsewhere, make sure to call at least one day ahead, if not more. Grilled chicken salad, burgers, sandwiches on kaiser rolls, and, at times, quesadillas, are ample lunch temptations, which you can preorder for daily outings. Chicken in white wine–lime sauce, roast pork loin, grilled steaks, and fresh fish of the day are a few dinner sensations. Even if you're full, the chocolate ganache, Grand Marnier–chocolate cloud, and homemade ice creams should not be missed.

Also known as Greene's after its owner Ornald "Shine" Greene, this waterfront spot on Little Harbour is as close to nightlife as you'll get on Mangrove Cay—live music is rare (save for during homecoming and regatta festivals) but if the island's busy or a big group requests it, they'll arrange a live band. Dominoes and backgammon with reggae and calypso tunes add to the upbeat ambience as you view the harbor, sip a beer or Goombay Smash, and tuck into the daily catch of fish, conch, and lobster. The fresh ceviche is excellent. Shine (or Greene) is one of Mangrove Cay's top fishing guides for bonefishing and bottom or deep-sea fishing. He's known for his spontaneous generosity and will instantly arrange a snorkeling, spearfishing, or fishing tour for the next day—assuming he's not already booked. Shine carves little fish out of conch shells, another highlight to treasure along with his extraordinary hospitality. Open for lunch and dinner.

Unless you're a lucky all-inclusive guest at this resort famous for its diving and fishing, the best way to enjoy it is to buy an all-inclusive $199 day pass allowing you breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar drinks (starting at lunchtime). From 7 am to 10 pm, you can enjoy all the facilities and equipment on Small Hope's gorgeous beach: kayaks, windsurfers, sailboats, snorkeling, paddleboards, and a fresh whirlpool. Just dinner and wine is $90 per person, which does not include bar drinks.

Swain's Cay Lodge's beachside Reefside Restaurant & Bar is a local dining and cocktail-sipping hot spot serving delicious authentic Bahamian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, supported by a well-stocked bar. (Nonguests are welcome, but book in advance.) The decor is modern contemporary, and big windows and glass doors give it a bright ambience. Dine inside in air-conditioned comfort or on the beachside deck. With staff exuding friendly, professional hospitality, the owner Cheryl has set a high standard for the dining as well.

This second-story, cozy little diner/café overlooks Bimini Sands Marina, and although they don't serve fancy cuisine, it does have excellent and comforting Bahamian dishes at a reasonable cost. Very convenient for the resort's and marina's guests, The Petite Conch serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with American and local favorites. The service is fast and comes with a smile.