Café Johnny Canoe

Cafe Johnny Canoe was originally opened in February 1992 at the Nassau Beach Hotel. Unfortunately, it was forced to close in 2008 after the hotel was sold and demolished.

At the time of its original opening, very few restaurants in Nassau focused on locally themed dining experiences. The owners decided this was a market with huge possibilities. They spent many days at the Dept. of Archives, researching material and viewing old photographs, etc., which provided the inspiration for Cafe Johnny Canoe.

Legend has it that John Canoe was the founder of “Junkanoo”, the Bahamian equivalent of Mardi Gras. As is the usual case for the sing song type dialect in The Bahamas, Bahamians combined his first and last name, hence the yearly festival on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day being called Junkanoo!

So now, after being closed for 13 years, Cafe Johnny Canoe is excited to re-open on Baha Mar Blvd! They will feature many of their original signature dishes, with many of the original kitchen and wait staff, as well!