The restaurant, a staple for those seeking Caribbean-inspired flavors and a vacation-like atmosphere, will officially cease operations on April 5, 2026.
Why the Island is Closing
The decision follows a strategic review by parent company Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. In 2025, the company shuttered roughly one-third of Bahama Breeze locations, signaling that the brand was no longer a strategic priority.
While 14 locations nationwide—mostly in Florida—will be converted into other Darden concepts like Yard House or Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the Newark site did not make the conversion list. This means once the doors close this…..