Scott Conant Just Opened a New Italian Restaurant at Baha Mar in The Bahamas
Baha Mar has added another name to its growing list of top-tier dining experiences with the debut of Leola, the newest restaurant from acclaimed chef and restaurateur Scott Conant. The Italian concept, now open at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, marks Conant’s latest collaboration with the resort and brings his signature mix of soulful Italian cooking and polished hospitality to The Bahamas.
Set across 8,800 square feet, Leola features a 106-seat main dining room, a 130-seat outdoor terrace, two bars, and a private dining space. Designed by RH, the restaurant channels the ambiance of a 1920s Italian speakeasy, combining velvet textures, gold accents, and warm lighting to create a setting that blends elegance with approachability.
“For many years, Chef Scott Conant has been a passionate champion and valued friend of Baha Mar,” said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. “Leola is a stunning addition that beautifully captures his creativity and hospitality.”
Conant, a two-time James Beard Award winner and longtime television personality, said the opening represents a personal milestone.
“The beauty and spirit of The Bahamas have always inspired me, making it the perfect setting for a restaurant that feels both personal and inviting,” he said. “With Leola, we’re bringing together the kind of food and hospitality I love — warm, soulful, and rooted in connection.”
The restaurant’s name is a playful nod to leone — Italian for “lion” — and also a tribute to Conant’s grandfather, who affectionately used the word throughout his childhood.
Leola’s menu highlights classic Italian flavors interpreted through Conant’s refined, ingredient-driven style. Dishes include the Leola Antipasto with imported charcuterie and cheeses, 100-Layer Eggplant Parmigiana, Farro and Vegetable Risotto with short rib ragu, and Rigatoni with Jumbo Lump Crab and Calabrian chili.
Larger-format plates like the Veal Parmigiano serve up to six guests. The restaurant also offers a curated beverage program emphasizing Old World wines, particularly Italian Barolos, alongside a cocktail list that reflects the restaurant’s nostalgic design.
Leola joins an impressive culinary lineup at Baha Mar that includes Marcus Samuelsson’s Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud, Dario Cecchini’s Carna, and the recently opened Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club. Together, they cement Baha Mar’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic dining destinations.
It’s helping to cement Nassau’s growing position as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.
Caitlin Sullivan began her career with Caribbean Journal as Arts and Culture editor before shifting to travel full time. She writes frequently on the Caribbean cruise industry, flight networks and broader travel news. Her most frequent Caribbean destination? Nassau.
