National

The Stoned Crab: A Place Where “People Are The Pictures”

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – Long before the new developments and pronouncements of an economic revival on Grand Bahama, there was The Stoned Crab.

Published

5 months ago

July 22, 2025

Kendeno Knowles

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – Long before the new developments and pronouncements of an economic revival on Grand Bahama, there was The Stoned Crab.

While guests of Carnival’s newly opened Celebration Key may spend their time there, Olivia Pagés’ The Stoned Crab is a local restaurant and hangout, tucked along the water’s edge in the city of Freeport. Its connection to the community and history runs deep.

Olivia Pagés – Owner, The Stoned Crab Restaurant
“Stoned Crab is one of the oldest restaurants in Freeport, built in the late 60s. It was always a hangout spot for Frank Sinatra, Loretta Pag and other musicians. It’s an ocean front restaurant so it gets the best of both worlds, the land and the ocean and we specialize in seafood of course.”

But this story isn’t just about food. It’s about the people who come back over and over again for a taste of home.

Olivia Pagés – Owner, The Stoned Crab Restaurant
“We cater mostly to locals, but lately we see a huge impact in tourism again, which is wonderful to see.”

That shift in tourism, she says, is welcome. With recent major developments, including a promised revival of Grand Lucaya Resort by 2028, bringing Grand Bahamians home from Nassau and beyond.

Olivia Pagés – Owner, The Stoned Crab Restaurant
“Also see Nassau coming, which is great, because I think Nassau is growing out of space… so we’re right here, open for businesses from Nassau to come.”

But for Pagés, her commitment to the island of Grand Bahama has always been clear: serve the people who made the island what it is.

Olivia Pagés – Owner, The Stoned Crab Restaurant
“Our commitment was to cater to the people on the island. That’s our backbone. Our locals are the most wonderful people that come here.”

A blend of tradition and modern flair, she says the design of her restaurant, which marries elements of island life and international appeal, is both canvas and celebration of our people.

Olivia Pagés – Owner, The Stoned Crab Restaurant
“And I think just to give them a little bit of this experience, to say this is our ocean, this is what we look at all day, this is our food.”

Olivia Pagés – Owner, The Stoned Crab Restaurant
“We have probably the most beautiful guests here because Bahamians love to dress up from head to toe. And I wanted to give them a canvas to shine. So that’s why we have no colors in here, no pictures, the people are the pictures.”

And in a city working to redefine itself with major developments through foreign direct investment, she says she hopes to offer something constant: just a place for us Bahamians to enjoy.