Harbour Island round up! Where to stay, eat, drink and shop.
"We love it here!" These are the words that come out of our mouths most frequently when we are on Harbour Island. To us, this island is paradise - the perfect balance of natural beauty, effortless sophistication, easy to access activities, a heavenly beach to relax on, exquisite food, and laid back bars that always keep you out later than you think. We know that is a run on sentence, but we could go on. And we will. The local people we've met, some we've known for many years, make this place even more special. We love that Harbour Island is an integrated community that celebrates it's Bahamian culture. Harbour Island has been a place for us to grow, rest, recharge and get inspired.
A few of our favorite places on the island....
STAY
The Dunmore is our favorite hotel on the island as it is right on the beach and feels like a home away from home with rooms being individual cottages spread throughout the property. Mary had her wedding here four years ago! New ownership and a massive renovation completed a few months ago resulted in a sparkling new pool and fabulous yet laid back interiors by design genius Amanda Lindroth.
The Landing is a boutique hotel and restaurant housed in a historic building on the harbour side of the island. Plantation style decor keeps things airy and fresh with hardwood floors and white linens. Only a five minute walk to the beach where the hotel provides beach chairs and umbrellas for guests. They have recently added a pool!
We also love Ocean View. Just down the beach from the Dunmore, Ocean View is a more bohemian experience and is a favorite with magazine editors and starlets. A collection of rooms and chic Robinson Crusoe beach shacks, Napper and Mary loved Mayonnaise, one of the little funky cottages.
EAT
The Landing
Our favorite dinner spot on the island. Sit on the porch in the summer and in the dining room painted a festive yet warm red in the cooler months. The crab capellini, shrimp with goat cheese ravioli, and lobster are our go to dishes here. The house wine, Afro Head is affordable and delightful! Toby Tyler, one of the owners, takes his wine seriously and has Afro Head wines made for him in the Napa area and imported. He also hand bottles some sinfully delicious Afro Head rum! Cheers!
The Dunmore
With a new chef and a facelifted patio and dining room, The Dunmore is the new island favorite for dinner amongst all of the guests we polled. We adored our dinner and our lunches here. The breezy ambiance with the waves crashing as a backdrop is romantic (just what two sisters were after!!). Great spot for lunch as well-- the shrimp & crab salad with a glass of rose-- perfection. And throw in some fried grouper fingers for good measure....
Queen Conch
This harbour side beach shack serves up the most delectable conch salad. As fresh as can be with the conch coming right out of the ocean that serves as their back door.
Run by two Italians, Aquapazza is a slightly more affordable and casual dinner option. On the harbour side of the island, watch the sunset over seafood pastas and a most heavenly fresh grouper.
DRINK
New to the scene, Blu Bungalow is a charming little wine and tapas bar. The perfect spot for a low key drink before or after dinner in a sophisticated, open air bungalow in town.
Part of the marina, Valentine's can attract more tourists due to all of the boats docked here. It's a fun spot to watch the sunset with a cocktail or after dinner if they have a live band.
Gusty's
We adore Gusty's. We used to come here in our formative years and it is fantastic that Gusty's remains virtually unchanged over a decade later. With a sand floor on decks that hang over a hillside looking down to the harbour, Gusty's is a fun spot to come for a lively after dinner drink and maybe some dancing...
Daddy D's is a new venture for friend and famed DJ Devon Sawyer who kept people dancing til 4 AM at Mary's wedding. His bar/club is well done with outdoor seating and an air conditioned dance floor. The spot to be after a drink at Gusty's!
SHOP
We want everything in this shop owned and curated by the fabulous India Hicks. Clothes, accessories and housewares from around the world, this is the shop to find the perfect gift for yourself and others. Literally take that island/vacation vibe home with you!
Ruby
A cute new shop from Tracy Barry, one of the owners of The Landing, Ruby is chock full of the sweetest baby and children's clothes and accessories.
A new and rather expensive boutique with handmade jewelry being the focal point.