Traditional Bahamian meals may include seafood like grouper, conch and snapper (usually broiled or baked in a tomato sauce), along with tropical fruits like guava and papaya. As former members of a British colony, Bahamians have adopted many traditional English dishes , or adapted them to suit local tastes. These include macaroni and cheese, peas and rice, boiled potatoes and other vegetable dishes. A Bahamian breakfast may consist of anything from fried eggs, bacon, toast, tomato and coffee to more Caribbean-influenced dishes like johnny cakes with coconut. Lunch tends toward seafood stews and soups or large conch salads.

With tourism expanding to the Bahamas, many different types of imported culinary styles have flourished here as well. On New Providence and Grand Bahama, you can find restaurants serving Continental, Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, and even Mexican and pan-Asian dishes, in elegant surroundings with excellent service and fine wines. Many of these restaurants are located at major hotels and resorts and require reservations, while other eateries in Nassau, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama operate independently and cater to a more eclectic crowd.

Every town or settlement in the Bahamas has its share of take-away restaurants, featuring traditional offerings like fried chicken, french fries and deep-fried seafood . Most Out Island restaurants serve fairly simple and uniform fare, usually fish, conch or fried chicken, with fresh Bahamian lobster a rare treat. Island desserts are often delightful, especially the coconut concoctions, rice pudding, gingerbread and fruit cocktail.

Bahamians are not much for drinking wine or liquor, though the national beer , Kalik, is a fine elixir enjoyed throughout the islands. Fruit juice and soft drinks are popular, and major brands like Coke and Pepsi are predictably ubiquitous. Fast-foo chains have also invaded the Bahamas, and the major islands all feature at least one pizza or hamburger joint from each chain.