'What's for Dinner?' - Grocery Shopping in Spanish Wells

You just arrive at Boo's Bungalow, luggage in hand, you climb the stairs to the front porch, calling out to your friends or family asking if they could unlock the door. As you enter, you are pushed to the side, for those with less weight in their hands eagerly run up and down the stairs seeking to claim the best room. Exhaustion from the day's travel is finally kicking in. As much as you imagined this vacation to be stress free, the first moments of entering a new place are always confusing, but bittersweet. Naturally you lay your bags down, in whatever room is left, and sit. The calmness of being in the Bahamas, under a virgin sun, with the water only steps away, and with the ones you love is a wonderful feeling, but that thought, the most unpredictable, unimaginable thought comes to the forefront of your mind, WHAT IS FOR DINNER?

We all have been there, and as much as you can prepare, the “What is for dinner?” question always prevails. In our other blogs, you may find that we have given a general overview of what the food scene is like around the island. The purpose of this post is to tell you how it is to grocery shop on Spanish Wells.

Let’s get started:

Spanish Wells Food Fair

Hours:

8am-5pm Monday-Saturday CLOSED Sundays

Card & Cash accepted - $$$

Check out their Facebook - CLICK HERE

Just about a 10 minute golf cart ride from Boo's Bungalow lies the largest grocery store on the island. The Spanish Wells Food Fair is similar to most grocery stores back home. The store provides a large selection of produce, fruit, meats, baked goods, frozen meals, cosmetics, etc. Easy to navigate and with a friendly staff, you can be in and out of the store, and back on the beach in no time. There just are a few things we want to address:

Pricing

For those that are unaware, prices for goods and services on islands tend to be more costly, and Spanish Wells is no exception. For example, a carton of eggs that would cost you $3 dollars back home, may run you $4-5 dollars. Meat and dairy products are some of the more expensive items, but traditionally buying fresh packaged meat is more affordable than buying frozen. We try to be as transparent as possible when it comes to informing our guests on what to expect when vacationing on Spanish Wells, and groceries are costly.

Convenience

Even though the Food Fair is a 10 minute ride from Boo’s Bungalow, it still can be a challenge when factoring in the time of day and amount of groceries you need. Like any grocery store, the busiest time to go is right before dinner. The wait to check out never exceeds more than 5 minutes, so don’t worry too much, but it is always good to keep in mind. The other factor that is at play is transportation. If you decide to rent a golf cart (HIGHlY RECOMMENDED) you have minimal space to transport your goods. It is best if two members from your party opt to do the grocery run, therefore you can stack all your groceries on the back side of the buggy (Spanish Wells slang for golf cart). We recommend grabbing some empty boxes from the front of the store near the check out lane to "bag" your groceries. It makes it easier for all of your groceries to stay on the cart (we have lost some groceries on the way home before and had to double back!), and it is easier to load into the house. If you go for multiple runs, just bring the boxes with you and use them again. You can also find reusable bags in the laundry room of Boo's Bungalow if you prefer.

We have found that going first thing in the morning is the best time as the grocery store is fully restocked every morning. Because of deliveries of groceries to the island only occuring on Wednesdays, they ration the items so there is a variety every day rather than running out of most things the first couple of days after delivery. So, if you want the most options of fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, try to hit the store as soon as it opens, between 8am-9am.

Closes Early and on Sundays

One thing that we will continue to emphasize to our guests is try to make as little trips as possible to the grocery store. We all forget one ingredient and have to run out in a moment's notice, but for practical reasons definitely try to minimize your trips. It will save you on gas and time, and most importantly MONEY. Like most places on the island, the Food Fair closes early. 5pm is like the island's 10 pm, so late night runs are out of the question. Stock up. AND ALWAYS, we mean always have plans for your meals on Sundays, the stores are closed, some restaurants even, so plan ahead of time.

Pinder's Supermarket

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Saturday 8am-6pm

Sunday CLOSED

Cash & Card accepted - $$

Check our their Facebook -

Nothing says welcome to Spanish Wells, quite like the name "Pinder". Pinder's Supermarket is one of the first things you will see as you step off the water ferry. Inside you will find an array of snacks and local goods. Keep in mind, Pinder's Supermarket is the place that you will need to book your water ferry back to Eleuthera (if you did not already book one through our Property Manager).

The Island Mart Spanish Wells

Open Daily 8am-8pm

Cash Only - $$

Check out their Facebook - CLICK HERE

Off the main road, under the facade of a general store, lies this hidden gem. On multiple occasions The Island Mart has saved our dinners. Forgot pineapple juice at 7pm for your nightly pina colada? No worries, The Island Mart has got you covered. Closing at 8pm, The Island Mart is one of the only stores that sells goods past 5pm. Their stock contains fresh fruits, dairy, meats, cereal, dried goods, and so much more. Be mindful that since The Island Mart is a smaller business goods tend to be a little more expensive. They as well do not have the largest selection of produce & meats, but they do have the basics (bacon, eggs, milk).

Local Stands

Open - Whenever they please.

If you are lucky enough to catch a local vendor selling their goods then you are golden. Every now and then you may pass a makeshift wooden stand, selling fresh produce and homemade goods. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you take a gander. One of our favorite stands is located just over the Roderick Newton Higgs bridge, to the right while you’re heading towards Boo’s Bungalow. At this stand they sell fresh squeezed juices, johnny cakes, and other baked goods. An added plus is, their stand is right on the beach, so while you’re sipping down some fresh juice, you can take a stroll.

---

We understand that travelling to a new place is not always easy, especially an island that seems to be cut off from the rest of the world. But no worries, the people of Spanish Wells will always be there for you...if you have any questions about local life, shops, and goods just ask! There is so much to see and do in Spanish Wells, so the last thing we want you to be worrying about is what is for dinner. Sit back, relax and enjoy your time. You’re in the Carribean after all!