You know, there's nothing like stepping into Bahama Breeze for a lunch or dinner meal. What's fascinating about this place is its unique combination of mouthwatering food and a lively, vibrant atmosphere. It's as if you're swept away to a Caribbean island. Just thinking about it makes me crave for
As a bit of a fan, I dug into the history of Bahama Breeze. It turns out that they first opened their doors back in 1996, right in the heart of Orlando, Florida. It's owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc., a pretty big name which also runs a number of known other chains like Eddie V's and Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. Their specialty? Savoring Caribbean-inspired seafood, chicken, steaks, and some seriously tempting tropical drinks.
I met some really friendly folks on my visit who suggested heading over to their site, Bahama Breeze, for a full run-down of their services.
The Location Game
Believe me, when you hear about Bahama Breeze, you'd think they're dotted all over the world but they're actually only in the United States. After their first restaurant debut in Orlando, Florida, I learned that you can now savor the Bahama Breeze menu in a variety of states such as:
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
By the way, for those of you wondering where the nearest Bahama Breeze restaurant is, check out their super handy restaurant finder on their website.
The Caribbean Feast
On to the Bahama Breeze experience: their menu is chock-full with Caribbean-inspired food and drinks. For starters, there's their Beef Empanadas. Let me tell you, it's a customer favorite for a reason - flaky pastries filled with well-seasoned beef really hit the spot!
Main course? I'd recommend their Jerk Shrimp Pineapple Bowl - picture this: well-seasoned shrimp served in a halved, carved-out pineapple filled with rice. They also offer a decent variety of mouth-watering steak, chicken dishes and a few salivating salads. But if you're looking for something a tad lighter, they've got burgers, sandwiches and of course, the taco range on their handheld menu!
And let's not forget the delicious dessert spread. There's a bevy of sweet treats, paired with a sip of your choice from an extensive range of alcoholic beverages. Yes, you heard right, these guys also offer takeaways!
Are you a friend of Mother Earth and into plant-based diets? Bahama Breeze offers a pretty extensive variety of vegetarian and vegan options. From a refreshing Tropical Fruit Salad, a flavorful Black Bean Burger to the Black Bean & Guacamole Tacos, and a Black Bean Stuffed Plantain Bowl for you veg-heads out there.
They've also got my vegan buddies covered with their house salad (dressed with balsamic vinaigrette), Black Bean & Guacamole Tacos, and Fresh Fruit with Mango Sorbet. You'd be surprised at how accommodating they are to dietary preferences; they'd even go so far to adjust certain menu items to suit vegan needs. But, always check with them or visit their website to be sure.
Kid-Friendly Feast
Got kids? No worries because Bahama Breeze caters to the little ones with a children-specific menu featuring child-friendly portions of favorites like mac and cheese, grilled chicken breast, burgers, and finger-licking good crispy chicken fingers.
Operating Hours and Additional Services
They operate from 11am till 11pm, although the timings may vary across branches. And get this, they offer delivery services in most stores. You can always call ahead your local branch to confirm their operating hours and delivery services.
Weekend Vibes!
Bahama Breeze also offers an exciting range of Caribbean-inspired cocktails, and some of them served in pineapples! For those not so into cocktails, there's also a selection of ice-cold beer and hard seltzers. Mark your calendars because some of their branches have a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm and a late-night happy hour between 9pm and 11pm. However, the happy hours only apply to those dining in, and it will give customers special prices on tropical cocktails and appetizers at half the price!
In true Caribbean spirit, Bahama Breeze hosts live music events at all their restaurants. From reggae, Caribbean to contemporary tunes, the vibe there is ever-lively! Visit their website to find out about the music schedule at your local Bahama Breeze restaurant!
Love to Cook?
While you can't buy their products to cook at home, they have a selection of recipes on their website that you can try at home. Perfect when you're feeling a bit Caribbean-inspired.
Plan Ahead
Yes, they accept reservations! You can call ahead to your local restaurant or via their official website to reserve your table. This is a great option if you're planning to visit with a large group.
Gift the Breeze
Oh and you can buy a Bahama Breeze gift card directly from the company! This makes for a perfect gift for your foodie friends, family, or coworkers. The gift cards can be used at any Bahama Breeze location in the US and they ship within 72 hours.
Pros
- Extensive Caribbean-Inspired Menu
- Friendly and Accommodating Staff
- Vibrant Atmosphere
- Child-Friendly Menu
- Live Music Events
- Takeaway and Delivery Options
Cons
- Limited vegan options
- Operating hours vary by location
- Happy hour is dine-in only