Make sure its takeout. I've been ordering here for years I love the boiled fish and grits with johnny cake because I'm Bahamian myself and this place is the closest to the Bahamas you'll get. However, when my coworkers and I sat down for lunch they were extremely slow and the place was empty the server at the last minute said "we ran out of fish" i waited an hour for my food. I'll just stick to takeout.
(3)
Stacy P.
The food is great. I'm not Bahamian, so I don't know if it's authentic or not. I just wish the Mac-n-cheese & potato salad side portion was a little bit more. I do notice other Bahamian Restos, in Miami, serve small portion sides too. I may just be too greedy for my own good :-/ I can live with less rice-n-peas (you get a huge portion of that). This has been my 3rd visit, I'll be back
(4)
Jenny P.
Server was very good friendly n joking. Food took a while to come out but well worth the wait. Conch stew was outstanding my new fav close to home.
(4)
Sharon W.
Just when I was getting depressed about how selfish and rude everyone in Miami is, I had lunch at the Bahamian Connection and my mood was instantly lifted! I have driven past this place a million times but was clearly suffering from some sort of mental deficiency as today was my first visit. Larry S. and I were working in the area and in need of some filling sustenance. It was very lively on a Sunday afternoon with several groups of families having a late lunch. We were greeted and seated right away and decided to split a seafood platter with greens, coleslaw and mac & cheese. We also had a "flop" - a mixture of home-brewed tea mixed with freshly squeezed lemonade. The waitress, Gayle, assured us it wasn't too sweet but also brought us lots of ice, just in case. Shortly after we ordered, the owner, Philip, came over to see how we were doing. We had a fantastic chat with him, talking about the Bahamas (he's from Eluthera), life in the 33127 and food! Gayle (who I think is his sister) also came over and joined the conversation. It was great; I truly felt like I was having lunch with friends in their home. Friendly owners and a warm atmosphere is wonderful, but a restaurant also needs great food and Philip's wife back in the kitchen sure delivered! The seafood (fish, shrimp and conch) was expertly fried (available steamed and grilled as well, but come on!), steaming hot and not greasy at all. The sides were also delicious. The mac & cheese was a large loaf of cheesy, starchy goodness, the greens were simmered with smoked turkey, and the slaw was definitely house made! We feasted for a grand total of something like $26 and got a hug from Philip on the way out. I can't wait to return!
(5)
Earl K.
Waitress was extremely nice and hard working. Food was not tasty. It took me 30 min to get my food bc there is only 1 cook. It took 20 min to get my check bc there is only 1 waitress. Wouldn't come back. Not worth time or money.
(1)
Charity L.
This is one of the best Bahamian restaurants in Miami! For breakfast, I usually order the stewed grouper with grits and their delicious, soft, buttery Johnny cake. The fish is seasoned very well. I've also tried the boiled fish and grits as well as the salmon croquettes. All are sooooooo good! The downside of this restaurant is that they usually only have two waitresses and one cook, which causes the wait to be rather long. Especially since all the meats are cooked fresh to order. Tip? Come early before the restaurant gets crowded. The staff here are very friendly. Every now and then, they walk around with free conch fritter balls for an added treat!
(4)
Naty K.
I had seen this place pop up on Yelp, and once I saw Joy D.'s ROTD, I decided I must try it for myself and decided to bookmark the place. Of course, it took me a while to actually find the occasion and time to actually give it a try. I went with my friend and as we pulled up to the establishment, some Bahamian music started playing, somewhat loudly. I took the opportunity to embarrass my friend, something my depraved self enjoys doing, and started dancing, shaking and giving the parking attendant a show. We walked in and were surprised by how simple the place was, with a diner-like feel to it, yet clean. Suddenly, I did not feel conscious about my choice of attire, which was probably a silly thought, considering Bahamians are so laid-back anyway. We sat down and ordered our drinks, I got the sweet tea and boy, they aren't kidding when they say it's sweet. By the way, there are no refills on the lemonade or sweet tea. Perhaps soft drinks are a different story. The menu had everything from oxtail to snapper to chicken and pork chops. What to choose? I had my mind made, however, that I was going to enjoy some conch. If you think about it, conch is one of those things that you rarely see in a menu, even in a seafood place. You see the usual grouper and snapper, but conch, if you're lucky, perhaps in fritter form only. They had two different versions of the conch salad, a Bahamian staple: the "regular" version (also known as, the traditional), or the tropical form, which had bits of mango in it. As you arrive, you're given a sample of the tropical conch salad, as well as conch fritters. I was open to both versions of the conch salad, but I guess I was feeling somewhat unadventurous and decided to get the traditional type, and perhaps, deep down inside, I was worried my friend would dislike the tropical version. The conch salad was good, but the ratio seemed off: it seemed like an abundance of vegetables and not enough meat to accompany it. I have had conch salad elsewhere, even in Nassau, and they used a lot more conch than vegetables. Honestly, I'd prefer a smaller conch salad if it meant using more meat and cutting down on the portion, and the vegetables. Also, it wasn't spicy enough so I liberally poured some of their lime and Bahamas goat pepper sauce to kick it up. The conch salad had plenty of lime juice but I could not taste orange juice, something that is traditionally used to give the juice a bit of a sweetness to it but overall, I enjoyed it, it just has potential to improve. As a main course, I wanted more conch. I was getting ready to be conched out! There was a steamed conch option or a fried conch option. Since I was going to meet a friend for dinner later on, I did not want a big lunch and opted for the fried option, plus, the waitress said this was the preferred cooking method. In addition to the main course, you get 3 sides, so I opted for the popular mac and cheese, the rice with peas, and the mixed greens. As we waited for our meal, the owner, Philip, came over to introduce himself. He was very friendly, hospitable, and welcoming, and told us they have been around for almost 40 years and fly the conch from the Bahamas weekly. He was hoping we'd come back and told us to try the tropical conch salad next time. Our food arrived and wow, the portions are huge. I was rather happy about this, as I now had my Monday lunch taken care of. The rice with peas was not what I expected, this is basically what Cubans call "congri", whereas I expected peas (as in the traditional green peas) thrown in with white rice. The mixed greens side was also different than what I expected, as it was mostly steamed cabbage. I liked it but my friend wasn't a fan. He's not really a vegetable lover though, so don't take his opinion too strongly and try it for yourself. It was healthy and chockful of vitamins so even if you don't like it, that should make you feel like you owe it to yourself to eat it. I suggest adding the goat pepper sauce, it really makes it delicious. The conch came with a conch sauce on the side, and I squeezed some in. It was good, but not spicy enough for me, so again, I doused my entire plate with the Bahamas goat pepper sauce. The mac and cheese was delicious, with a thick layer of cheddar on top, and I thought the meal's pricing, for what you get, was more than reasonable. As I stated, I had half my meal left for Monday lunch and my co-workers commented on how delicious it smelled. As we ate, they played the blues. I really enjoyed that, the blues makes me feel relaxed, yet melancholic. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal. I wish I had gotten a chance to try dessert, but we were way too full. I definitely want to come back, and perhaps give the oxtail a try, and certainly, the stewed conch. To top it off, Philip's hospitality makes this an experience to look forward to in anticipation.
(4)
Tianika F.
Nice authentic Bahamian cuisine. Conch salad is 5 star however, it takes too long for meal to arrive even when they aren't that busy. Servers are inviting and pleasant. The place has an unpleasant smell in the building. Would have earned a 4 if the in room dining experience was improved. Good for take out.
(3)
Joy D.
I went here for lunch Friday 10/11/13, around noon. When I stepped out of the car, speakers in the parking lot had me dancing to my own private Junkanoo. The restaurant is quaint and immaculately clean. Surprisingly, the dining area was empty of customers. A slow trickle did come as the noon hour progressed. There was a video playing of a Bahamian band. This added to the ambience, but the real story here is the authentic Bahamian food! For my meal, I chose the steamed conch. OMG! The dish arrived at the table loaded with sweet conch in a rich tomato stew, accompanied with a side of Peas & rice, macaroni & cheese and a salad. The conch was tenderized just right. I could cut it with a fork. The macaroni & cheese was made with REAL sharp cheddar....yummy! The serving size was great. So great in fact, that I boxed what was left and had it for dinner. The waitresses were very pleasant and helpful. The only down side to this visit was the wait time for the meal, a good 30 minutes. I joked that they were waiting for the conch to be flown in from the Bahamas. I'll be back........just not during the work day.
(4)
Arthur R.
The Bahamian Connection is a small neighborhood spot located just a few blocks northwest of Midtown. Although the locale is unremarkable on the outside, it hides within an authentic Caribbean kitchen that will gladly provide you with flavors that can only otherwise be found in the islands. My wife and I visited on a Sunday afternoon. She ordered a stew fish which was prepared in the traditional style with the entire fish head to tail served in a bowl of rich sauce-like broth. For those who know how to approach such a dish you can't do much better. The fish was tender meat with crispy skin which flaked off the bone. When combined with the broth and an accompanying bowl of grits it made the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The service was polite, attentive but slow. This is not a place to visit if you are in a hurry. That being said, the owner came and chatted with us and made us feel very much at home. Travel off the beaten path to this hidden gem. Your taste buds will thank you.
(4)
John C.
Another great Miami find, real authentic Bahamian food, we had the boiled fish and grits, with Johnny cake and it was as good as we last had it in Nassau. Service was good. The only thing that drove us nuts were the videos of a church service playing while eating, but it made it that more authentic. There were two containers on the table, one was a thin hot sauce called "goat pepper" which has a great flavor and took the boiled fish up another notch. They've been in business since 1989 so they're obviously doing something right.
(4)
Shannon P.
I am so surprised by all of the good reviews about this place. Typically, I don't write reviews, but I feel compelled to because the experience was not great and I want to inform others. I visited the restaurant on March 26 for my birthday. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean the inside. The waitress came over to help us, but the owner came over and interrupted her, so she went to another table. He encouraged us to try the sample conch fritters and conch salad because he "wanted to sale us something". The salad was good, but there was so much vegetable and so litlle conch. I love conch fritters, did not like their conch fritters. Finally we ordered our meal. I ordered the Bahamian Gumbay Punch and Grouper fish. The owner returned with 2 cans of the punch, while I only wanted one. When they brought out our food the messed up all of our orders. The meat was correct, but the sides were incorrect for all 4 of our orders. They kept having to fix the sides, which didn't help the experience. Then the owner stated that he ran out of mixed greens. How could he already have run out? It was 12pm, lunch time. The food was luke warm, but the macaroni and cheese was good. When the owner found out that it was my birthday, he brought out a slice of pound cake with a candle, which was nice. Two of my friends tried my cake, and liked it, so they decided to order a slice, but only one was able to buy a slice because they ran out of cake. I comprimised and gave her mine and she ordered a slice of coconut for me. We were wondering how could they already have ran out of sides and cakes and it's only noon time? I can tell that the owner was trying to help make a good experience, but it really was not a good experience. By the way, my friend paid for my meal. She asked me how much tip should be left since we were all unhappy. I looked at the bill to help decide a percentage and I noticed that they charged for 2 of the punched, although I only drank one! Of course my friend told me to make sure I take the other one home since she was charged for it. I am from the caribbean and enjoy trying various types of foods, but this was not a great experience. I don't think that my friends and I would return. Not the birthday lunch experience I was hoping for. By the way, typically I try to work with restaurants because I know it's difficult to please everyone, but this was a bad experience.
(2)
Rashida C.
I visited this restaurant today and Tisa was my server. She was so nice, accommodating, professional and hospitable! The restaurant was extremely clean, the food was fresh and there was even a live jazz singer. On previous occasions I can't say the service was so great but after being helped by Tisa I can truly say I will return and look for her!
(5)
victoria a.
A group of native Miamians went here recently after our reunion in June. It was breakfast and while some enjoyed a great traditional breakfast, some of us enjoyed a fabulous meal including fresh grouper soup, peas 'n grits, Johnny cakes. Of course ice cold Red Stripe beer was also part of our brunch, while we listened to a live sax musician rockin' the house. The spirit of the place was warm and friendly. We were a small culturally/ethnically diverse group & we all felt welcome.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
J. D.
Make sure its takeout. I've been ordering here for years I love the boiled fish and grits with johnny cake because I'm Bahamian myself and this place is the closest to the Bahamas you'll get. However, when my coworkers and I sat down for lunch they were extremely slow and the place was empty the server at the last minute said "we ran out of fish" i waited an hour for my food. I'll just stick to takeout.
(3)Stacy P.
The food is great. I'm not Bahamian, so I don't know if it's authentic or not. I just wish the Mac-n-cheese & potato salad side portion was a little bit more. I do notice other Bahamian Restos, in Miami, serve small portion sides too. I may just be too greedy for my own good :-/ I can live with less rice-n-peas (you get a huge portion of that). This has been my 3rd visit, I'll be back
(4)Jenny P.
Server was very good friendly n joking. Food took a while to come out but well worth the wait. Conch stew was outstanding my new fav close to home.
(4)Sharon W.
Just when I was getting depressed about how selfish and rude everyone in Miami is, I had lunch at the Bahamian Connection and my mood was instantly lifted! I have driven past this place a million times but was clearly suffering from some sort of mental deficiency as today was my first visit. Larry S. and I were working in the area and in need of some filling sustenance. It was very lively on a Sunday afternoon with several groups of families having a late lunch. We were greeted and seated right away and decided to split a seafood platter with greens, coleslaw and mac & cheese. We also had a "flop" - a mixture of home-brewed tea mixed with freshly squeezed lemonade. The waitress, Gayle, assured us it wasn't too sweet but also brought us lots of ice, just in case. Shortly after we ordered, the owner, Philip, came over to see how we were doing. We had a fantastic chat with him, talking about the Bahamas (he's from Eluthera), life in the 33127 and food! Gayle (who I think is his sister) also came over and joined the conversation. It was great; I truly felt like I was having lunch with friends in their home. Friendly owners and a warm atmosphere is wonderful, but a restaurant also needs great food and Philip's wife back in the kitchen sure delivered! The seafood (fish, shrimp and conch) was expertly fried (available steamed and grilled as well, but come on!), steaming hot and not greasy at all. The sides were also delicious. The mac & cheese was a large loaf of cheesy, starchy goodness, the greens were simmered with smoked turkey, and the slaw was definitely house made! We feasted for a grand total of something like $26 and got a hug from Philip on the way out. I can't wait to return!
(5)Earl K.
Waitress was extremely nice and hard working. Food was not tasty. It took me 30 min to get my food bc there is only 1 cook. It took 20 min to get my check bc there is only 1 waitress. Wouldn't come back. Not worth time or money.
(1)Charity L.
This is one of the best Bahamian restaurants in Miami! For breakfast, I usually order the stewed grouper with grits and their delicious, soft, buttery Johnny cake. The fish is seasoned very well. I've also tried the boiled fish and grits as well as the salmon croquettes. All are sooooooo good! The downside of this restaurant is that they usually only have two waitresses and one cook, which causes the wait to be rather long. Especially since all the meats are cooked fresh to order. Tip? Come early before the restaurant gets crowded. The staff here are very friendly. Every now and then, they walk around with free conch fritter balls for an added treat!
(4)Naty K.
I had seen this place pop up on Yelp, and once I saw Joy D.'s ROTD, I decided I must try it for myself and decided to bookmark the place. Of course, it took me a while to actually find the occasion and time to actually give it a try. I went with my friend and as we pulled up to the establishment, some Bahamian music started playing, somewhat loudly. I took the opportunity to embarrass my friend, something my depraved self enjoys doing, and started dancing, shaking and giving the parking attendant a show. We walked in and were surprised by how simple the place was, with a diner-like feel to it, yet clean. Suddenly, I did not feel conscious about my choice of attire, which was probably a silly thought, considering Bahamians are so laid-back anyway. We sat down and ordered our drinks, I got the sweet tea and boy, they aren't kidding when they say it's sweet. By the way, there are no refills on the lemonade or sweet tea. Perhaps soft drinks are a different story. The menu had everything from oxtail to snapper to chicken and pork chops. What to choose? I had my mind made, however, that I was going to enjoy some conch. If you think about it, conch is one of those things that you rarely see in a menu, even in a seafood place. You see the usual grouper and snapper, but conch, if you're lucky, perhaps in fritter form only. They had two different versions of the conch salad, a Bahamian staple: the "regular" version (also known as, the traditional), or the tropical form, which had bits of mango in it. As you arrive, you're given a sample of the tropical conch salad, as well as conch fritters. I was open to both versions of the conch salad, but I guess I was feeling somewhat unadventurous and decided to get the traditional type, and perhaps, deep down inside, I was worried my friend would dislike the tropical version. The conch salad was good, but the ratio seemed off: it seemed like an abundance of vegetables and not enough meat to accompany it. I have had conch salad elsewhere, even in Nassau, and they used a lot more conch than vegetables. Honestly, I'd prefer a smaller conch salad if it meant using more meat and cutting down on the portion, and the vegetables. Also, it wasn't spicy enough so I liberally poured some of their lime and Bahamas goat pepper sauce to kick it up. The conch salad had plenty of lime juice but I could not taste orange juice, something that is traditionally used to give the juice a bit of a sweetness to it but overall, I enjoyed it, it just has potential to improve. As a main course, I wanted more conch. I was getting ready to be conched out! There was a steamed conch option or a fried conch option. Since I was going to meet a friend for dinner later on, I did not want a big lunch and opted for the fried option, plus, the waitress said this was the preferred cooking method. In addition to the main course, you get 3 sides, so I opted for the popular mac and cheese, the rice with peas, and the mixed greens. As we waited for our meal, the owner, Philip, came over to introduce himself. He was very friendly, hospitable, and welcoming, and told us they have been around for almost 40 years and fly the conch from the Bahamas weekly. He was hoping we'd come back and told us to try the tropical conch salad next time. Our food arrived and wow, the portions are huge. I was rather happy about this, as I now had my Monday lunch taken care of. The rice with peas was not what I expected, this is basically what Cubans call "congri", whereas I expected peas (as in the traditional green peas) thrown in with white rice. The mixed greens side was also different than what I expected, as it was mostly steamed cabbage. I liked it but my friend wasn't a fan. He's not really a vegetable lover though, so don't take his opinion too strongly and try it for yourself. It was healthy and chockful of vitamins so even if you don't like it, that should make you feel like you owe it to yourself to eat it. I suggest adding the goat pepper sauce, it really makes it delicious. The conch came with a conch sauce on the side, and I squeezed some in. It was good, but not spicy enough for me, so again, I doused my entire plate with the Bahamas goat pepper sauce. The mac and cheese was delicious, with a thick layer of cheddar on top, and I thought the meal's pricing, for what you get, was more than reasonable. As I stated, I had half my meal left for Monday lunch and my co-workers commented on how delicious it smelled. As we ate, they played the blues. I really enjoyed that, the blues makes me feel relaxed, yet melancholic. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal. I wish I had gotten a chance to try dessert, but we were way too full. I definitely want to come back, and perhaps give the oxtail a try, and certainly, the stewed conch. To top it off, Philip's hospitality makes this an experience to look forward to in anticipation.
(4)Tianika F.
Nice authentic Bahamian cuisine. Conch salad is 5 star however, it takes too long for meal to arrive even when they aren't that busy. Servers are inviting and pleasant. The place has an unpleasant smell in the building. Would have earned a 4 if the in room dining experience was improved. Good for take out.
(3)Joy D.
I went here for lunch Friday 10/11/13, around noon. When I stepped out of the car, speakers in the parking lot had me dancing to my own private Junkanoo. The restaurant is quaint and immaculately clean. Surprisingly, the dining area was empty of customers. A slow trickle did come as the noon hour progressed. There was a video playing of a Bahamian band. This added to the ambience, but the real story here is the authentic Bahamian food! For my meal, I chose the steamed conch. OMG! The dish arrived at the table loaded with sweet conch in a rich tomato stew, accompanied with a side of Peas & rice, macaroni & cheese and a salad. The conch was tenderized just right. I could cut it with a fork. The macaroni & cheese was made with REAL sharp cheddar....yummy! The serving size was great. So great in fact, that I boxed what was left and had it for dinner. The waitresses were very pleasant and helpful. The only down side to this visit was the wait time for the meal, a good 30 minutes. I joked that they were waiting for the conch to be flown in from the Bahamas. I'll be back........just not during the work day.
(4)Arthur R.
The Bahamian Connection is a small neighborhood spot located just a few blocks northwest of Midtown. Although the locale is unremarkable on the outside, it hides within an authentic Caribbean kitchen that will gladly provide you with flavors that can only otherwise be found in the islands. My wife and I visited on a Sunday afternoon. She ordered a stew fish which was prepared in the traditional style with the entire fish head to tail served in a bowl of rich sauce-like broth. For those who know how to approach such a dish you can't do much better. The fish was tender meat with crispy skin which flaked off the bone. When combined with the broth and an accompanying bowl of grits it made the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The service was polite, attentive but slow. This is not a place to visit if you are in a hurry. That being said, the owner came and chatted with us and made us feel very much at home. Travel off the beaten path to this hidden gem. Your taste buds will thank you.
(4)John C.
Another great Miami find, real authentic Bahamian food, we had the boiled fish and grits, with Johnny cake and it was as good as we last had it in Nassau. Service was good. The only thing that drove us nuts were the videos of a church service playing while eating, but it made it that more authentic. There were two containers on the table, one was a thin hot sauce called "goat pepper" which has a great flavor and took the boiled fish up another notch. They've been in business since 1989 so they're obviously doing something right.
(4)Shannon P.
I am so surprised by all of the good reviews about this place. Typically, I don't write reviews, but I feel compelled to because the experience was not great and I want to inform others. I visited the restaurant on March 26 for my birthday. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean the inside. The waitress came over to help us, but the owner came over and interrupted her, so she went to another table. He encouraged us to try the sample conch fritters and conch salad because he "wanted to sale us something". The salad was good, but there was so much vegetable and so litlle conch. I love conch fritters, did not like their conch fritters. Finally we ordered our meal. I ordered the Bahamian Gumbay Punch and Grouper fish. The owner returned with 2 cans of the punch, while I only wanted one. When they brought out our food the messed up all of our orders. The meat was correct, but the sides were incorrect for all 4 of our orders. They kept having to fix the sides, which didn't help the experience. Then the owner stated that he ran out of mixed greens. How could he already have run out? It was 12pm, lunch time. The food was luke warm, but the macaroni and cheese was good. When the owner found out that it was my birthday, he brought out a slice of pound cake with a candle, which was nice. Two of my friends tried my cake, and liked it, so they decided to order a slice, but only one was able to buy a slice because they ran out of cake. I comprimised and gave her mine and she ordered a slice of coconut for me. We were wondering how could they already have ran out of sides and cakes and it's only noon time? I can tell that the owner was trying to help make a good experience, but it really was not a good experience. By the way, my friend paid for my meal. She asked me how much tip should be left since we were all unhappy. I looked at the bill to help decide a percentage and I noticed that they charged for 2 of the punched, although I only drank one! Of course my friend told me to make sure I take the other one home since she was charged for it. I am from the caribbean and enjoy trying various types of foods, but this was not a great experience. I don't think that my friends and I would return. Not the birthday lunch experience I was hoping for. By the way, typically I try to work with restaurants because I know it's difficult to please everyone, but this was a bad experience.
(2)Rashida C.
I visited this restaurant today and Tisa was my server. She was so nice, accommodating, professional and hospitable! The restaurant was extremely clean, the food was fresh and there was even a live jazz singer. On previous occasions I can't say the service was so great but after being helped by Tisa I can truly say I will return and look for her!
(5)victoria a.
A group of native Miamians went here recently after our reunion in June. It was breakfast and while some enjoyed a great traditional breakfast, some of us enjoyed a fabulous meal including fresh grouper soup, peas 'n grits, Johnny cakes. Of course ice cold Red Stripe beer was also part of our brunch, while we listened to a live sax musician rockin' the house. The spirit of the place was warm and friendly. We were a small culturally/ethnically diverse group & we all felt welcome.
(5)