The specialty here is peppersteak au Paris, a New York sirloin served with Dijon mustard, cracked peppercorns, cream, and brandy. But you'll find a wide selection of seafood as well at this comfortably upscale restaurant, where rich striped curtains create an elegant ambience, and starfish and lanterns on the wall add a nautical flavor. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Anthony's Caribbean Grill
Paradise Village Shopping Centre, Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-3152
Over $15
Paradise Island
Caribbean

The first thing you'll notice at Anthony's are the colors: bright red, yellow, and blue tablecloths spiked with multihued squiggles; yellow-and-green walls with jaunty cloths hanging from the ceilings; booths printed with bright sea-themes; and buoyant striped curtains. The lively spirit is reflected in the bouncy music and cheery service. The food is standard Caribbean fare: jerk chicken, rib eye seasoned with "Rasta" spices, or ribs served a multitude of ways - jerk, barbecue, or coconut-mango style. There's also a good selection of burgers and salads. AE, D, MC, V.

Athena Restaurant
Bay St. at Charlotte St., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/322-1936
$25 to $35
Nassau
Greek

A pleasant Greek restaurant in a central Bay Street locale, Athena offers diners the choice of the second-floor interior, filled with Grecian statuary, or a balcony overlooking the main drag (most people's choice). Enjoy souvlakia, moussaka, spanakopita, and other Greek specialties in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere - a nice break in the Nassau culinary routine. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Bahamian Club
Atlantis, Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-3000
Over $35
Paradise Island
Continental

A clubby British atmosphere prevails in this handsome restaurant, where walls are lined with dark oak and overstuffed chairs and banquettes are upholstered in leather. Meat is the specialty of the house - grilled T-bone steak, veal chop, roast prime rib, and chateaubriand for two - but that is no reason to avoid the rest of the menu. Grilled swordfish steak, Bahamian lobster, salmon fillet, and other fresh seafood dishes are all prepared with finesse. Dinner is accompanied by soft piano music; between courses, couples can share a waltz on the small dance floor. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Blue Lagoon Seafood Restaurant
Club Land'Or, Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-2400
Over $25
Paradise Island
Seafood

This eatery at Club Land'Or specializes, as the name implies, in fish dishes. The decor tends to the nautical, with hurricane lamps, brass rails, hanging nets, and other seafaring touches. Choose from such simply prepared possibilities as broiled Bahamian lobster tail or grouper, or such fancy selections as almond-fried shrimp and stuffed grouper au gratin. Even landlubbers will find some pleasing menu choices. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Blue Marlin Restaurant
Hurricane Hole Plaza, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-2660
Over $15
Paradise Island
Seafood

A longtime favorite in the Hurricane Hole Plaza, Blue Marlin is (no surprise) known for seafood - try seafood linguine, lobster thermidor, or the ever-popular cracked conch - although such dishes as Eleuthera coconut chicken and guava ribs will also please. Limbo and steel-pan band shows, as well as reasonably priced lunch and dinner specials, keep the place hopping. The mango, papaya, and coconut daiquiris don't hurt either. AE, MC, V.

Buena Vista
W. Hill and Delancy Sts., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/322-2811
Over $35
Nassau
Continental

High on a hill above Nassau Harbour, this serene restaurant has a reputation as one of the city's dining institutions; it draws a loyal local clientele. Open for nearly 30 years, it occupies what was once a rambling private home built in the early 1800s. Tuxedoed waiters whisk about the dining room, where tables are set with china, crystal, and silver, and the light reflected in the windows off the chandeliers appears to emanate from the greenery outside. Jackets aren't absolutely required, but most gentlemen wear them. The menu has both Continental dishes and Bahamian seafood specialties. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Café Johnny Canoe
W. Bay St., next to the Nassau Beach Hotel, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/327-3373
Over $15
Cable Beach
Bahamian

Johnny Canoe is said to have been a wild-living African chieftain from whose name, most believe, the word "Junkanoo" is derived. A mini-Junkanoo show winds among the tables of this crowded restaurant on Friday night. With a spacious outdoor seating area and a menu of traditional Bahamian fare - cracked conch and grouper fillet - as well as burgers, chicken, ribs, and tropical drinks, this has become a favorite casual tourist hangout. Desserts include such specialties as guava duff and Bacardi rum cake. AE, MC, V.

Café Matisse
Bank La. and Bay St., behind Parliament Sq., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/356-7012
Over $25
Nassau
Eclectic

Low-slung settees, stucco arches, and, of course, the eponymous artist's works set a casually refined tone at this restaurant owned by a husband-and-wife team - he's Bahamian, she's northern Italian. In a century-old house, it's a favorite with local business lunchers and tourists wanting an unforgettable dining experience. Consider starting with salmon carpaccio or crispy fried calamari, then dive into perennially popular curried shrimp on jasmine rice, freshly made pasta such as duck-filled ravioli and lobster cannelloni, or such delights as pizza frutti di mare (topped with fresh local seafood). You can dine at candlelit tables inside or alfresco in the ground-floor garden under large white canvas umbrellas. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Cellar Restaurant
11 Charlotte St., at Bay St., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/322-8877
$15 to $25
Nassau
Eclectic

You'll find two very different atmospheres at this lunch-only restaurant. The subdued, more traditional indoor dining room has a varnished wood bar and tables. The alfresco locale - a covered patio encircled with greenery - features lazily rotating ceiling fans suspended from beams of white latticework. Seafood is the specialty of both areas: conch chowder, grouper, lobster tail, grilled snapper, and cracked conch. Other items, which appeal to the local business crowd, include the Cellar's specialty, homemade quiche, as well as English-inspired shepherd's and pot pies. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun. No dinner.

Chippie's Wall Street Café
Bay St. at George St., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/356-2087
$25 to $35
Nassau
Eclectic

. Part restaurant, part cyber-cafe, part art gallery, this appealing spot, in a second-story locale right at the entrance to Bay Street, offers a pleasing lunch or leisurely dinner. Live music sets the tone, along with contemporary art strewn across the slanting walls, and the outdoor seating offers prime Bay Street views. The restaurant offers an interestingly eclectic cuisine that might include such nightly specials as grilled banana/corn soup, a "junkanoo" concoction of lobster, lamb, chicken, and vegetables, or a white-chocolate-and-guava terrine with hibiscus-sea grape sauce. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Compass Point
Compass Point Resort, W. Bay St., Gambier, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/327-4500
Over $25
Western New Providence and South Coast
Contemporary

Like the hotel in which it's housed, the Compass Point restaurant is the hippest spot on New Providence. The indoor section is a fantasia of cracked tile and colorful wall decor, a look that's carried outside to the oceanview terrace and the small but comfy bar. As if the setting weren't glorious enough, the food keeps loyal fans coming back. Bahamian, European, and Asian cuisines collide in a dynamic menu, changed every few months, but always featuring standbys such as Bahamian conch sushi rolls with bits of cucumber and mango, and local lobster offered in varying presentations. AE, MC, V.

Courtyard Terrace at Ocean Club
Ocean Club Dr., Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-2501
Over $35
Paradise Island
Continental

An elite clientele congregates here to indulge in refined dining under the stars, accompanied by the music of a calypso combo. With its Wedgwood china, Irish-linen napery, lighted fountains, and towering palms, this garden setting is one of the most romantic in the Bahamas. The carefully orchestrated menu emphasizes the lighter side of Continental cuisine, with a distinct island touch. Sample the duck breast with brandied cherry sauce, lobster tail with crab fried rice, or sweet and tart grouper. Alfresco dining begins at twilight, and if the weather doesn't cooperate, dinner is served indoors. Service is superb. Reservations essential. Jacket required. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Crocodiles Waterfront Bar & Grill
E. Bay St., east of bridge to Paradise Island, Nassau
Phone: 242/323-3341
$15 to $35
Nassau
Eclectic

This informal outdoor grill, with deck tables shaded by palms and adorned with signs from a plethora of Nassau establishments, is a good spot to linger and take in harbor views. You can opt for a light bite - conch salad, burgers (standard and conch varieties), calamari, nachos, and sandwiches - or try one of the heartier choices such as the mammoth T-bone steak. MC, V.

East Villa Restaurant and Lounge
E. Bay St. near Nassau Yacht Club, Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/393-3377
$15 to $35
Nassau
Chinese

Nassau residents declare that this dimly lighted restaurant, set back from the busy street, serves the best Chinese food in town. The Chinese-Continental menu includes such entrées as conch with black bean sauce, hung shew (walnut chicken), and steak kew (cubed prime fillet served with baby corn, snow peas, water chestnuts, and other vegetables). The New York strip steak is nirvana. A short taxi ride from Paradise Island or downtown Nassau, this is the perfect spot if you're seeking something a little different from the typical area restaurants. AE, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Five Twins
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-3000
Over $35
Paradise Island
Eclectic

The only one of Atlantis's fine dining restaurants located right in the casino dining complex, Five Twins, offers a menu with Asian flair: sushi, sashimi, and Indonesian sates (marinated pieces of chicken or beef on skewers) complement dishes such as Indian-spiced squab and Szechuan duck breast. Imbibers may want to visit the Rum Bar at the restaurant's entrance. Jacket required.AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Gaylord's
Dowdeswell St. near Victoria Ave., Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/356-3004
Over $25
Nassau
Indian

This Indian restaurant is in a handsome historic building that dates from the 1870s. Decorative plates, plaques, and other Indian works of art decorate the walls of the two dining areas. Draped silk adorns the ceilings. Begin with a samosa (a savory vegetable or meat filling enveloped in pastry and then deep fried). Next try one of the tandoori dishes cooked in a special clay oven. Or select one of the nan breads (stuffed with chicken, cheese, garlic, or lamb) and sample offerings from mild korma (lamb or chicken in a rich cream sauce) to fiery vindaloo. Vegetarians will enjoy a wide selection here. AE, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Graycliff
W. Hill St. at Cumberland Rd., across from Government House, Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/322-2796
Over $35
Nassau
Continental

A meal at Graycliff begins in the elegant parlor, where drinks are served and orders taken; when your appetizer is ready, you're escorted into one of several dining rooms. Cuisine is Continental with a distinctly Bahamian touch: Graycliff's signature dishes range from pepper fillet and roast rack of lamb to grouper in cream and Dijon mustard. The clientele includes presidents and celebrities, but the prices are, surprisingly, no higher than other top-notch Nassau restaurants. Except for the wine: The cellar contains more than 175,000 bottles, some running into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Humidor Restaurant
W. Hill St. off Cumberland Rd., west of Graycliff
Phone: 242/328-7050
Over $25
Nassau
Continental

Carved-wood statues of pipe smokers, imported from Cuba, set the tone at this relaxed restaurant in Graycliff's new Graycliff Cigar Company wing. This spot is a stogie-lover's delight. Here you can get a set meal including a selection of cigars. The tasty bistro fare includes tuna tartare, lobster cakes, and risotto with porcini and lamb. For postprandial indulgence, retire to the lounge for a seat on the leather sofa and a selection from the wall-length display of cigars. Look closely at that car on the central counter: it's actually a humidor. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.

Mama Loo's
Atlantis, Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-3000
Over $35
Paradise Island
Chinese

Chinese delights are the order of the evening at this dinner-only restaurant at the Atlantis resaort. The tropical-Chinese atmosphere is enhanced with huge porcelain urns, carved wood ceilings, lush floral arrangements, and black-lacquer chairs. Pick grouper stir-fry, braised duck, cashew chicken, or beef with oyster sauce. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch.

Mama Lyddy's Place
Market St. at Cockburn St., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/328-6849
Under $25
Nassau
Bahamian

This old house just off the beaten tourist track is the place for true Bahamian cooking. Start with a local-style breakfast of souse or "boil fish," and watch Nassau residents stream in for take-out or sit-down meals. For lunch and dinner you can try fried snapper, cracked conch, minced or broiled crawfish, pork chops, and chicken. All are served, of course, with peas 'n' rice or peas 'n' grits and other typical Bahamian side dishes. No credit cards. No dinner Sun.

Montagu Gardens
E. Bay St., Nassau
Phone: 242/394-6347
Over $25
Nassau
Continental

Angus beef and fresh native seafood - flame-grilled and seasoned with home-mixed spices - are the specialties at this romantic restaurant in an old Bahamian mansion on Lake Waterloo. The dining room is surrounded by a walled courtyard and lovely gardens. Besides seafood and steak (carnivores love the filet mignon smothered in mushrooms), menu selections include chicken, lamb, pasta, ribs, and several Bahamian-inspired dishes such as conch fritters and minced crawfish with taco chips. A favorite dessert is Fort Montagu Mud Pie. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Native's
E. Bay St. at Maud St., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/394-8280
$15 to $35
Nassau
Bahamian

You can traverse the Bahamas without leaving New Providence at this brightly painted house (the proprietor lived here as a child), where tables are named after Bahamian Islands, and food is strictly local, featuring standards such as cracked conch, minced lobster, and fried snapper, served with mounds of peas 'n' rice, cole slaw, and other sides. Choose a table in the jaunty interior or in the large front yard among poinciana, crotons, and silver buttonwood. The back section of yard, in addition to holding displays on Bahamian history and culture, hosts local bands on weekends. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon.

The Pink Pearl Café
E. Bay St., just east of original Paradise Island Bridge, Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/394-6413
Over $25
Nassau
Contemporary

As the menu says, "Welcome. Relax. Taste the Rhythm." You can't do better anywhere in Nassau. Choose seating amid a selection of vibrant contemporary art, or on the breezy porch (weekend diners on the side porch have front-row seats for live jazz). From the moment you arrive, you know you're in for a treat - aromatic bread arrives in a large calabash shell. Entrées might include an elaborate roasted grouper with a ragout of onion, tomato, thyme, mushrooms, and potatoes, or a simple grilled conch drizzled with tamarind barbecue sauce. Leave room for tropically flavored desserts such as tempura-style banana fritters with nutmeg ice cream and butterscotch sauce. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

The Poop Deck at Sandyport
W. Bay St.
Phone: 242/327-3325
Over $25
Cable Beach
Seafood

A more upscale version of the other Poop Deck (a favorite local haunt in Nassau), this waterside restaurant features soaring ceilings, a cool pink and aqua color scheme, and a dazzling view of Cable Beach's twinkling lights. You might start with sweet-potato fish cakes or grilled shrimp and Brie before proceeding to a variety of seafood, accompanied by a selection from the extensive wine list. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.

The Poop Deck
E. Bay St. at Nassau Yacht Haven Marina, east of bridge from Paradise Island, Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/393-8175
$15 to $35
Nassau
Bahamian

This favorite haunt of locals, just east of the bridge from Paradise Island, is a quick cab ride from the center of town. Tables on the large waterfront deck have a beautiful view of the harbor and bridges. The restaurant's popularity has resulted in a second Poop Deck on the west end of Cable Beach, but for residents, this is still the place. Savor spicy dishes with such names as Mama Mary's steamed fish and Rosie's chicken; there's also an extensive wine list. Save room for guava duff and a calypso coffee spiked with secret ingredients. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Shoal Restaurant and Lounge
Nassau St. between Meadow St. and Poinciana Dr., Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/323-4400
Under $25
Nassau
Bahamian

Saturday morning at 9 you'll find hordes of hungry Bahamians digging into boil fish and johnnycake, the specialty of the house. A bowl of this peppery local dish, filled with chunks of boiled potatoes, onions, and grouper, may keep you coming back to this dimly lighted, basic, out-of-the-way "Ma's kitchen," where Bahamian dishes, including peas 'n' rice and cracked conch, are staples. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Wed.

Sole Mare
Nassau Marriott Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, Cable Beach, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/327-6200 ext. 6861
Over $25
Cable Beach
Italian

The elegant oceanview setting, excellent service, and expertly prepared entrées make this one of the best Italian restaurants on the island. Start off with imported meats and cheeses from the antipasto cart before plunging into any of a range of pastas or entrées, including chicken with white wine and artichokes, lobster fra diavolo, and several other delicious possibilities. The best way to end? A marsala-strawberry or chocolate-ricotta soufflé. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch.

The Sun and…
Lakeview Rd. and E. Shirley St., Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/393-1205
Over $35
Nassau
Continental

If you're hoping to catch sight of international superstars, this is a good place to look (assuming, that is, that they - or you - make it past the hostess). The restaurant has a policy of "jackets strongly preferred," so proper attire will certainly help. Feast on such creations as salmon mousseline and crayfish tails rolled in grouper fillets, topped with chardonnay-lobster sauce, or veal with porcini mushrooms and white truffle oil. You'll be denying yourself heaven if you don't end your meal with one of Belgian owner-chef Ronny Deryckere's six incomparable soufflés, which range from almond amaretto to guava. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon. and Aug.-Sept. No lunch.

Traveller's Rest
W. Bay St., Gambier, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/327-7633
$15 to $35
Western New Providence and South Coast
Bahamian

Traveller's Rest, across the street from Compass Point, has the reputation of serving some of the best seafood on the island. This relaxed family restaurant with a great ocean view opened in the early 1970s and is a favorite among Bahamians. A fresh seafood dinner served just steps from the beach is a real treat - conch, grouper, and crawfish are the big hitters. Try the "smudder fish" and you'll immediately see where the dish got its name: it's tasty local fish smothered in onions, peppers, and other vegetables. Dine outside or in, and toast the sunset with a fresh-fruit banana daiquiri - a specialty of the house. AE, MC, V.

Villa d'Este
Atlantis, Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242/363-3000
Over $35
Paradise Island
Italian

Upscale Northern Italian cuisine is served in an Italianate room with dark wood, upholstered chairs, statuary, and an impressive fresco on the ceiling. The antipasti display is effective in whetting the appetite for such dishes as veal in Madeira and asparagus sauce or spaghetti alla carbonara. The dessert pastries are delectable. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Wedgwood Restaurant and Lounge
1 Bay St., British Colonial Hilton Nassau, Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242/322-3301
Over $35
Nassau
Continental

A major addition to the downtown dining scene, this comfortably elegant spot at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau lives up to its name: pale blue walls lined with intricate molding make you feel like you're inside a piece of the signature porcelain (which is used, of course, for table settings). Start with a drink in the cozy English-style lounge; rich wood floors and etched-glass booths with blue leather love seats set a sumptuous tone. In the dining room, feast on the sea view and elegant setting as well as such British-Continental standards as cock-a-leekie soup, Dover sole, an extensive grill selection, and the house specialty, a seafood pepper pot. Jacket required. AE, D, DC, MC, V.