Drinks/small bites at the bar - Gypsea, La Guerite or Nao Beach?

[lvbookworm]

I’m starting to put together some dining plans and, as usual, there just aren’t enough days to go everywhere we want. We’re really interested in getting a “taste” - so to speak - of some of the new (at least to us) beach restaurants. Do these places allow/encourage having a glass of wine and a starter or two at their bar? We like to keep our day time/beach schedule flexible and are hoping this might be a way to experience the atmosphere and dining offerings without having to plan ahead (or spend a lot of time away from our beach chairs). Nao and Gypsea seem to get some great reviews, but those for La Guerite seem a bit mixed. If you had to pick one or two of these places (knowing that we'd be sitting in/at the bar area) which would it be?

 

[NorCalCpl]

We have the same question and will be there about the same time. Anyone have thoughts?

 

[marybeth]

We’ve never been to Nao but have had drinks at both GypSea and La Guerite. At the time (a few years ago) GypSea had an actual bar area including bar and high top table seats. I’m sure you could get food there if they still are set up this way.

The bar at La Guerite is small, just a few seats. It’s very busy with servers. I don’t think I’d want to eat there.

The bars at both are away from the sea and without a view.

You didn’t mention Le Toiny but the beach restaurant has a small bar area. Randy finished his drink there while I shopped. However, I’m not sure if you can get there without a reservation since you ride down from the hotel.

 

[dadto6]

We enjoy NAO

 

[amyb]

Sunset nibbles at Baz Bar and beefbar work.

 

[davesmom]

Le Guanahani has a lovely bar right on the water, a couple of steps up from the beach. It is outside/opposite the front of the Beach House restaurant entrance by the pool. It has nice barstools. (There is a small bar inside the restaurant also.) I am guessing you might be able to order some food at the bar. Also, next to that bar on the Anse Maréchal side of the beach, just steps from the Beach Bar are some very nice tables in the sand with a view of the water with a nice informal lunch menu. Not sure if that is what you are looking for, but you can also order drinks from the outdoor bar while having lunch on the Anse Maréchal side beach restaurant.

 

[Amery]

Having been to all three, the one we return to is NAO. I was there last week and had a very pleasant lunch—the beef carpaccio quite good. I have found the menu consistently interesting and well executed. Loved and miss Lil’Rock so like to revisit that beautiful view and watch the planes. The NAO atmosphere can vary depending upon day of week and time of seating. We prefer the early seating and it is generally mellow. I believe the later seating (esp on weekends and likely other days in high season?) is more of a “party” a la Nikki. There is a small pretty bar area, have only sat on the sofa there for drinks but one can likely order a dish or two. GypSea on the other hand we have been to many times, mostly in its first couple of years. While I don’t love the overall vibe there to dine, it is very conducive to stopping in for drinks and small plates. They have sofas and cocktail tables up front for such. La Guerite beach we tried last June. The food was very good but overall it didn’t make us want to return. The restaurant is set very far back from the beach, the view is more limited and it was very hot so didn’t connect for us. Friends were there 2 sundays ago and it was “napkins twirling” to the beat which (like others) tends to be a Sunday happening. It might be on other days as well? It is very pretty and we did enjoy the food, it’s just not on our list. I can’t recall the bar there. Hope this helps.

 

[dadto6]

I find NAO to consistently provide good food and service. Never disappoints. We always sit at a table closest to waterfront. Great views.

 

[cec1]

I find NAO to consistently provide good food and service. Never disappoints. We always sit at a table closest to waterfront. Great views.

Your recommendation, Bob, is encouraging me to try NAO another time! My two experiences there in 2023 were pretty bad . . . largely because of horribly loud DJ music, which he refused to turn down even though there were only two tables in the restaurant on both occasions.

 

[Amery]

As mentioned above the NAO atmosphere seems to change depending upon day of week and time of seating. Perhaps also time of year/season? Have been there half a dozen times, generally early and during the week. Only once on a sunday which I have posted about. The second seating that day was fully booked by an ER wedding party so the locals celebrating a birthday were at the early seating bc it was the only option. There was some singing, dancing and costumes all in good fun. Every other visit has been early seating on a weekday and has been very nice.

 

[lvbookworm]

I find NAO to consistently provide good food and service. Never disappoints. We always sit at a table closest to waterfront. Great views.

We finally decided on NAO with an early, weekday reservation. Those beach front tables look divine so put in a request for that location. The entire menu looks great - we realized it would be too hard to choose only one or two things if limited to bar-area seating. Can’t wait to try it out!

 

[Cwater]

We finally decided on NAO with an early, weekday reservation. Those beach front tables look divine so put in a request for that location. The entire menu looks great - we realized it would be too hard to choose only one or two things if limited to bar-area seating. Can’t wait to try it out!

Looking forward to your report. Once L‘I’ll Rock went out of business we were so upset. Looked at their menu last year and was not impressed. The location, however, is amazing! Willing to be flexible.

 

[JEK]

CU@TB

 

[cassidain]

CU@TB

 

[NorCalCpl]

We finally decided on NAO with an early, weekday reservation. Those beach front tables look divine so put in a request for that location. The entire menu looks great - we realized it would be too hard to choose only one or two things if limited to bar-area seating. Can’t wait to try it out!

I submitted a reservation request form about a week ago via their web site and never heard back. Did you do that, or did you just email or call?

 

[dadto6]

Have been there 6-times since Lil Rock closed. Try the wahoo carpaccio it is scrumptious as is all their sushi items. A varied menu to match any palette desire. Cocktails are very good as well. Looking forward to the future reports. I will be there next month.

 

[lvbookworm]

I submitted a reservation request form about a week ago via their web site and never heard back. Did you do that, or did you just email or call?

I sent an email request to contact@naobeachclub.com. In the request I included my cell number, and I received a confirmation text message to my cell phone within 24 hours.

 

[lvbookworm]

Have been there 6-times since Lil Rock closed. Try the wahoo carpaccio it is scrumptious as is all their sushi items. A varied menu to match any palette desire. Cocktails are very good as well. Looking forward to the future reports. I will be there next month.

Their sushi menu as well as photos from various social media is what put us over the edge. We'll be sure to document and report!

 

[Scotik]

Their sushi menu as well as photos from various social media is what put us over the edge. We'll be sure to document and report!

Hi lvlbookworm, we are visiting last week of October and trying decided between NOA and Gypsea. How was you visit to NOA? What day of the week did you go? We are thinking about Sunday.

 

[Jim A]

I find NAO to consistently provide good food and service. Never disappoints. We always sit at a table closest to waterfront. Great views.

ditto

I was hesitant to try it for the first time thinking it would be overpriced and more glitz than quality but was very surprised at how much we liked the food and service and with the great bottle of wine that we found for a very reasonable price. I will say that "these types" of places can also change from year to year from a service perspective as there seems to be much turnover but we are looking forward to trying it again in November