When in Bahamas: Eat Like a Local with Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau

One thing I love about traveling is being able to experience different cultures.  If you ask me, the best way to discover the culture of a new destination is through its local cuisine.  So, when we got the opportunity to visit Bahamas and found that there is a Bahamian food tour, we thought that it is only fitting that we join the Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau.  Great Bahamian food, drinks, and an amazing local tour guide made this food tasting and cultural walking tour one that we truly enjoyed!

Why join?

It will introduce you to Bahamian food, culture and history which you wouldn’t probably discover by yourself.  Eat like a local for a day and explore the city by foot! 🙂

Getting There From Atlantis

From Atlantis, you can ride the ferry to Downtown Nassau.  Ferry ticket is $4 one-way.  You can walk to the meeting point once you reach Downtown.

Tip:  Go earlier and drop by the Straw Market before heading to the meeting point.  The Straw Market is close to the Ferry Terminal.

With 6 tasting locations, we had a full-course food tour with Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau.

1 – Bahamian Cookin’ Bar & Restaurant

Previously and famously known to the locals as the Bahamian Kitchen, Bahamian Cookin’ served us appetizers, meals and drinks.  The first stop had the heaviest serving in our food tour which was actually good.  We needed the energy to walk for more than 2 hours.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Bahamian Cookin'

Appetizer: Conch Fritters

Our tour guide, Captain Ron, explained to us everything we need to know about conch, the famous seafood favorite in Bahamas.  Conch has a firm texture like the calamari.  It has a mild scallop-/octopus-like taste.

The conch fritters were savory, deep-fried balls made from conch-mixed batter with onion, pepper, and tomato.  It was served with the Calypso sauce which was similar to a spicy thousand-island dressing.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Bahamian Cookin' Conch Fritter

Main Course: Steamed Chicken

The typical Bahamian meal has meat or fish paired with peas and rice and sides of plantain, mac and cheese, and coleslaw.  It’s a delicious comfort food!

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Bahamian Cookin' Steamed Chicken, Peas and Rice, Plantain, Bahamian Mac and Cheese

The steamed chicken was light and delectable.  It blended well with the heavy, spiced rice.  The fried plantain was a good addition to the flavorful meal, although I prefer if it could have been softer.  For the majority of the group, the Bahamian mac and cheese was the highlight of the meal.  It is different from the regular mac and cheese.  I prefer the Bahamian version better.  The Bahamian mac and cheese is topped with a crispy cheese crust.  Unlike the non-bake mac and cheese, it is denser and have less sauce.

Drink: Switcha

After the scrumptious meal, they served us ice, cold Switcha.  It’s the Bahamas version of a lemonade.  Instead of lemons, they use key lime.  It’s refreshing and tangy!  This tropical drink makes a great thirst-quencher for any hot day in Bahamas.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Bahamian Cookin' Switcha Limeade

City Stops: Gregory’s Arch, Balcony House, Christ Church Cathedral

Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Balcony House
Balcony House – Nassau’s oldest standing wooden residence

2 – Talking Stick

Our second stop was at Talking Stick Restaurant & Bar located at the Towne Hotel.

Here, they served us a local cocktail – Bahamas rum punch.  It’s a mixture of coconut rum, orange juice and pineapple juice.

Tip: You can save the cherry for Max the parrot!  He likes it.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Talking Stick Rum Punch

Before we left, we were given a quick tour of the hotel.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Towne Hotel

City Stops: Government House and Statue of Christopher Columbus

Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Governor General's House
Statue of Christopher Columbus

3 – Graycliff Chocolatier

Graycliff has an interesting history.  A pirate, Captain Graysmith, built the mansion when he was left by a Bahamian governor with 2 choices – retire from piracy and settle down in Nassau or continue to be a pirate but if caught, he will be hanged!  It was later renovated by a Canadian couple.  Here, we learned a great deal of Bahamian history, past tradings, and businesses.

Graycliff is the first five-star restaurant in the Carribean.  Adorned with woodwork and plants, the large establishment has a rustic design.  If you want a quiet, date night in Bahamas, consider this place.

The grounds are very spacious.  Graycliff has several dining areas and a beautiful, mosaic pool.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Graycliff Chocolatier Hotel and Restaurant Pool

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant has many stores including the Beer Garden, Chocolate Factory, Giotto Pizzeria, Brazilian steakhouse, and a cigar factory.  It also houses one of the largest wine collection in the world.

The Chocolate Factory is the island’s only chocolate factory!

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Graycliff Chocolatier

We were given two beautifully, hand-painted artisan bon bons.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Graycliff Chocolatier White Chocolate Keylime Bon Bon Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Bon Bon

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau White Chocolate Keylime Bon Bon
White Chocolate Keylime Bon Bon
Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Bon Bon
Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Bon Bon

They were absolutely creamy!  The dark chocolate salted caramel is sweeter and heavier to taste.  The white chocolate keylime is lighter and has a hint of refreshing flavor.  Mr. C and I loved the white chocolate keylime more but our group was split in half on which flavor we liked better.

We ended up buying two more chocolates – white chocolate pistachio and dark chocolate nutella.  🙂

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Graycliff Chocolatier

4 – The Drawbridge

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau The Drawbridge Mango Gelato

By this time, we were all feeling exhausted from the hot weather.  Our stop at The Drawbridge was right on time.  We each had a scoop of mango gelato.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau The Drawbridge Mango Gelato

City Stop: Governor General’s House

5 – Athena Café & Bar

Despite its signs outside, our fifth stop is hard to find because the first floor is a jewelry store.  You would have to climb the stairs to reach the Greek restaurant and bar.  Athena Cafe & Bar is the islands’s oldest Greek-Bahamian fusion restaurant.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Athena Cafe & Bar

They served each one of us a bowl of conch chowder and a Greek salad.  The conch chowder has a thick consistency.  Even though it was already hot outside, we still liked the taste of the conch chowder.  The Greek salad was light, refreshing and slightly sweet.  It came as a surprise that we were served with Greek salad but it was explained during our tour that the Greeks made a great influence to the Bahamian culture.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Athena Cafe & Bar Conch Chowder Greek Salad

As much as we loved these additional flavors to our palate, it would have been a better experience if the appetizers were placed at the earlier part of the tour.  We already had several desserts (chocolates and gelato) so going back to soup and salad was a little confusing.

6 – Tortuga Rum Cake Company

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Tortuga Rum Cake

We made our final stop at the Tortuga Rum Cake factory.  Rum cake is a famous dessert in Bahamas.  Tortuga makes this pound cake in 6 different flavors: original with walnut, coconut, keylime, chocolate, banana, and pineapple.  It is very rich, decadent and moist.  If you would like to try all of the flavors, you could buy a 6-pack of assorted rum cakes!  It’s cheaper than buying it separately.  The rum cakes have a shelf-life of 9 months.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Tortuga Rum Cake

They also sell rum tea which tasted really good!  I didn’t think that rum and tea would blend well together but they actually do.  It’s refreshing because of the tea but you’ll also taste a hint of rum.

This food tour was a success!  The tour was very organized.  There was always a designated area for our group so the seating was never a problem.  Food was well-prepared and served to us individually.  Our group had a great time and we ended the afternoon with happy and full stomachs!

Flipboard Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau

I love writing about our tour guides whenever we receive excellent service from them.  Captain Ron is no exception.  He was very lively and entertaining all throughout the tour!  He had many stories about Bahamas, its rich culture and history.

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Tour Guide Captain Ron
With our tour guide Captain Ron

Ticket Price of Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau: $69 (plus tax and online service fee)

Total Tour Length: 3-3.5 hrs

Reminders:

1.  Wear comfortable shoes, clothes, hat/cap, and sunscreen
Remember, you’ll be walking for 3 hours under the sun!  Expect to sweat a lot too.

2.  Tours are held rain or shine

3.  Tour stops, tastings & numbers of tastings may change due to seasonal produce, vendor opening hours and availability

4.  If you want to buy from one of the tasting locations, don’t forget to use the coupons from the Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ brochure
At the start of the tour, you will receive their brochure.  You will find the exclusive coupons at the back!

Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau Exclusive Coupons

5.  Tell your tour guide if you have any food allergies or if you don’t drink alcohol

Thanks to Tru Bahamian Food Tours for accommodating us on our visit to Bahamas!  As always, all opinions are my own.

For more info on this food tasting and cultural walking tour with Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau, click here.

Here are more great ideas on where to go and what to do in Bahamas.

Looking for a place to stay in Nassau, Bahamas?



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Eat Like a Local in Bahamas Tru Bahamian Food Tours' Bites of Nassau

Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau | Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau | Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau

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Grand Hyatt Baha Mar - A Grand Vacation in Nassau Bahamas
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12 Replies to “When in Bahamas: Eat Like a Local with Tru Bahamian Food Tours’ Bites of Nassau”

  1. I totally agree that one of my favorite ways to get to know a culture is through its food! This tour looks like it was a very well put together collection of different styles of food, drink and treats. I can’t believe you got all that, plus a walking tour for just $69 – that’s amazing! I’m definitely going to pin this should I ever make it down to the Bahamas!

  2. Food tours are such a good way to try the local food, which can be difficult to do by yourself. The Tru Bahamian Food Tour looks perfect for checking out the local food of Nassau, Bahamas. As a sugar addict I like the look of the bon bons and the Rum punch!

  3. I have always wanted to go to the Bahamas. I would certainly love to come and try the food you suggested. The drink looks delicious

  4. I agree too! Trying out the local cuisines completes any trip to a new land! This looks like a cool tour!
    I can understand that in Bahamas seafood is big, but being a veggie, that’s not for me!
    The drinks look really refreshing though! The rum cake and the chocolates look way too yummmm…

  5. This looks so good! That Bahamas Rum Punch has my name all over it. I also love the detail in the swimming pool you took a picture of, beautiful!

  6. What a fun looking tour! I like that you got to try drinks and sweets too, as sometimes food tours can be too much food. This looked like just the right amount though!

  7. My goodness! All of these foods look amazing! Talk about a pretty piece of chocolate, i have never seen anything like this!

    prettyfitfoodie.com

  8. Wow I feel hungry after reading this post. Really Bahamas local food looks interesting and even the construction and interiors of restaurants looks totally different and very cultural. Being a vegetarian I have less option but go for chocolates at Graycliff Chocolate factory and Mango Gelato at Drawbridge.

  9. Oh this looks like a delicious adventure. I love going on foodie tours. That pool looks amazing. Almost as good as the chocolates from Graycliff.

  10. I absolutely agree that one of the best ways of experiencing a local culture is through their food. We always try to eat local whenever possible and have gone on guided food tours ourselves. Who knows better than a local? We have been to Freeport and I remember very vividly my meal of a conch burger washed down with the local and ultrasweet Goombay Punch. By the way, next time I make it to the Bahamas I must try the white chocolate keylime bon bons.

  11. There are so many great food options in Nassau! The bon bons look so beautifully designed! I’d love to try the rum cake and taste rum tea!

  12. Wow…this looks like sooo much fun! I can’t wait to try some of these places when I go for Spring break!

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