Nestled in the heart of the Exuma Cays, just a quick 30 minute flight from Nassau, Staniel Cay will quickly win you over with its beautiful scenery and island charm.
From kayaking in the turquoise blue waters to exploring the sandbars and watching the native marine life, you’ll find plenty of ways to spend your day in Staniel Cay. One thing is for sure: it’s easy to work up an appetite while taking in all that this small island has to offer.
While the dining scene is small and intimate (you’ll probably bump into the same locals a few times over!), you’ll find no shortage of amazing eats on the island and in the surrounding Cays when you stay at Lazy Bay Villas. To help you narrow down the best places to grab a taste of the Caribbean, we’ve created this quick guide to dining on Staniel Cay and the surrounding islands.
Restaurants on Staniel Cay
While there aren’t many restaurants located on Staniel Cay island, the few you’ll find offer all you could ever want in an island eatery.
After a long afternoon channeling your inner James Bond and snorkeling the coral reefs at Thunderball Grotto, you’ll find plenty of places to fill your belly here on the island! Each of the options is just a short golf cart trip from your Staniel Cay Rental.
All of the restaurants listed below.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club Restaurants
- Address: 5HC3+WW Black Point, The Bahamas
- Price point: $$
The sprawling Staniel Cay Yacht Club offers three different dining options, from fine dining to casual fare like sandwiches. In addition to the options below, you’ll also find a full bar on the grounds, perfect for enjoying an after dinner cocktail while soaking up the view.
Sea Level
Favorite menu item: Bahamian Cracked Conch
At Sea Level, you’ll enjoy your meal by candlelight while taking in sweeping views of the Exuma Blues below you. Dinner reservations are required, and only two dinner seating times are available in this picturesque dining room.
Captain’s Lounge
Favorite menu item: Conch Po’ Boy
The Captain’s Lounge, open since 1956, is the original dining room for the SCYC. This airy dining room has a laid-back island vibe perfect for enjoying breakfast or a casual lunch or dinner.
The Deck
Favorite menu item: Tuna and Grits Bahamian Style
The most casual of the SCYC’s dining options is The Deck. This outdoor dining area overlooks the Staniel Cay marina. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal while watching the native marine life in the waters below.
The Flying Pig Cafe
- Address: B&G Highway, Airport Rd, Staniel Cay, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: shrimp ceviche
- Price point: $
The Flying Pig Cafe is the most recent restaurant addition to Staniel Cay. It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a laid-back island atmosphere. Open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, you’ll find plenty of fresh, delicious food to fuel your day of island adventuring.
This casual eatery also boasts the island’s only coffee shop. It is a great place to enjoy freshly roasted coffee while chatting with the locals and learning more about the island. You will also find a full bar available here, complete with specialty tropical cocktails—the perfect complement to their breezy Bahamian vibe.
Where to Find Provisions on the Island
Sometimes, you just feel like cooking. Whether it’s the fresh catch from the day’s fishing excursion or your own favorite comfort food recipe, it’s easy to cook in your Staniel Cay rental. All of our properties are equipped with a fully stocked chef’s kitchen, making it easy to whip up a delicious meal in the comfort of your vacation rental.
You’ll find a few spots around the island where you can grab groceries, including:
- Burke’s ‘Blue’ Convenience Store
- Pink Pearl
- Isles General Store
Or, if you don’t want to cook but feel like dining from the comfort of your island bungalow, you can also order your own private chef. Just speak with your Staniel Rental travel guide when booking, and we can arrange to add a private chef or catering experience to your rental package.
Dining Off Island: Jump on a Boat!
While dining options are somewhat limited on Staniel Cay, you’ll find lots of different options on the neighboring islands. If you’re renting a boat, you can easily access many restaurants in a 15 to 20-minute boat ride from the docks of Staniel Cay.
Many of the local tours also stop by the other cays, allowing you plenty of dining options to choose from.
Lorraine’s Cafe
- Address: 3HWW+FW5, Great Guana Cay, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: Cracked lobster sandwich
- Price point: $$
Just south of Bitter Iguana Cay, nestled on the picturesque coastline of Great Guana Cay you’ll find Lorraine’s Cafe. Lorraine’s is a charming coastal cafe offering decadent Bahamian cuisine. Its quaint seaside setting provides panoramic views of the surrounding turquoise waters, the perfect backdrop for indulging in a savory meal.
The menu at Lorraine’s boasts a variety of Bahamian-inspired dishes that can be ordered off the menu or selected from a hot buffet. This coastal eatery also offers signature cocktails, many infused with tropical fruity flavors providing a perfect island pairing for a relaxing meal by the ocean.
Emerald Sunset View Restaurant & Bar
- Address: Stella’s Drive. Black Point Exumas, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: fried grouper fingers
- Price point: $$
Also tucked along the coastline of Great Guana Cay in Black Point you’ll find Emerald Sunset View. This small seaside spot offers great views of the bay. From their outdoor deck, you can watch locals fly-fish from the dock and feed the nurse sharks and stingrays who frequent the area.
The menu here is packed full of delicious Bahamian fare inspired by the flavors of the island. They offer freshly caught seafood served with your choice of tasty side side including traditional Bahamian peas and rice.
If your taste buds are craving something tried and true you’ll also find traditional American food items on the menu like cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. No matter what you’re craving, you’re sure to find something on this menu to satisfy your stomach!
Black Point Yacht Club Restaurant
- Address: 3HWW+FM Black Point, Stella Drive, Black Point Exumas, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: Seafood Platter
- Price point: $$
Black Point Yacht Club is also located in Black Point. This Yacht Club houses a small restaurant with a dock where visitors can park their boats and eat while enjoying the ocean views from the breezy outdoor dining areas. In addition to seeing the local sea life glide around in the waters below, don’t be surprised if a friendly feline stops by for a visit. This area is known for being home to lots of cats!
The menu here is small but mighty, offering everything from fresh salads to fresh caught seafood battered and fried to perfection. If you’re looking for Mexican fare, you can also grab some hearty tacos or quesadillas served with your choice of fish, shrimp, chicken or beef.
Ty’s Sunset Bar and Grill
- Address: 3HWW+FM Black Point, Stella Drive, Black Point Exumas, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: Lobster Burger
- Price point: $$
Slightly further down the very center of the Exuma’s you’ll find Ty’s Sunset Bar & Grill. This local grill offers everything from traditional burgers and fries to delicious seafood options like lobster, grouper and conch. They even offer free wifi so you can catch up on email while dining with them.
The veranda of this restaurant backs right up to the ocean offering a scenic backdrop for your meal. This spot certainly lives up to its slogan, “Where peace and tranquility are always on the menu.” You’re sure to leave here with a full belly and a calm mind.
MacDuff’s Restaurant
- Address: N 24° 35.72’ W 76° 49.22’, Normans Cay, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: Conch Fritters
- Price point: $$
MacDuff’s Restaurant provides the ultimate tropical setting with an assortment of delicious Bahamian and international cuisines. Entering this small oasis you’ll walk along a scenic boarded plank to dine on a quaint wood-beamed terrace.
From the Smothered Norman’s Cay Grouper to the crunchy Conch Fritters, your tastebuds will delight in every bite at this breezy ocean eatery. You can also enjoy a tropical cocktail with your meal including their signature MacDuff’s punch.
Hill House Restaurant
- Address: Fowl Cay, Exumas, Bahamas
- Favorite menu item: Caribbean Snapper Filet
- Price point: $$$
Just North of Big Major Cay, and Pig Beach, home to the infamous swimming pigs, you’ll find Hill House Restaurant. Hill House is an upscale restaurant housed in the center of Fowl Cay Resort. This charming eatery serves extravagant four course meals infused with Bahamian flair.
From decadent starters like Ahi Tuna Tartar to delicious main entrees of Braised Beef, each dish is carefully curated to be a treat for your taste buds. The menu here changes daily, but rest assured every day brings new and delicious island fare.
Set atop one of the highest points in Fowl Cay, Hill House is flanked by sweeping views of the surrounding Exumas and beautiful turquoise blue waters. Lunch is available to guests of the villas only but all visitors are welcome for dinner. Reservations are required.
Sample the Flavors and Stay in Staniel Cay
If you weren’t hungry before, chances are you’re starving now! Satisfy that hunger by booking your next island getaway with us today. Between the good food, great views and island vibe you’ll leave Staniel Cay both full and fully refreshed!