Paranza

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Love Letter to Italy, Written in the Bahamas

Paranza arrives on Paradise Island with a clear sense of purpose: to deliver Italian cuisine at its most authentic and most refined, in one of the Caribbean's most storied resort settings. The name itself — a traditional Italian fishing vessel — hints at the philosophy driving the kitchen: an honest connection to the sea, to regional tradition, and to the kind of cooking that has made Italy's table one of the world's most enduring obsessions.

The Chef Behind the Vision

The creative force here is Michelin-starred Chef Michael White, a figure widely credited with reinventing Italian cuisine for the American fine dining scene. His previous restaurants earned three stars from The New York Times, a Michelin star, recognition from Esquire and GQ as among the best new restaurants in America, and multiple James Beard Foundation nominations. His coastal Italian flagship Marea became a benchmark for what Italian cooking could achieve outside of Italy itself. At Paranza, Chef White brings that same exacting standard to Nassau, channeling Italy's regional diversity into a menu that is, in his own words, familiar but refined.

The Food and the Setting

The kitchen's guiding principle is flavor and simplicity — classic dishes and ingredients taken to new and exciting places without losing their essential character. The ocean plays a central role: the sea informs both the sourcing and the spirit of the menu, with the freshest catch shaping what reaches the table. The signature dish Cernia — grouper — speaks directly to that commitment to local waters meeting Italian technique.

The room calls for resort chic, and the atmosphere matches: this is a place for a proper evening, unhurried and considered. Outdoor seating and the capacity for private parties make Paranza equally suited to an intimate dinner or a larger celebration.

Recognition Worth Noting

Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for 2025 affirms what the Italian menu already suggests — that the cellar here has been chosen with the same care as the kitchen. For lovers of Italian food and wine seeking a serious dining experience in the Bahamas, Paranza makes a compelling case.