Find and Feast: Bermuda’s Best Hidden Food Spots

Here’s where to eat in Bermuda… and what to order while you’re there

When I was invited for a visit to Bermuda, I confess, I didn’t really know where it was.

I had heard the island’s shoutout in the hit 1980s Beach Boys hit Kokomo many times. I remembered movies and books that explored the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Pictures of the island’s pristine pink sand beaches often popped up on my Instagram feed, tempting me to take off for a stroll along rose-shaded shores. Beyond that trifecta of touristy tidbits, I didn’t know there would be so many hidden gems to discover once I was there. Most surprising was the island’s thriving culinary scene.

Often mistaken as a Caribbean island, the whereabouts of Bermuda is as much of a mystery to some as figuring out where to eat once you’re there, however both the British island itself, and the menu offerings available, are equally as exciting.

Here’s where to find some of the best hidden food spots on the island that sits in the centre of the sea…

1. The best Bermudian fish sandwich

According to locals, it’s not a true Bermudian fish sandwich unless it’s made with raisin bread. Stuff that with heaps of fried fish (usually snapper), gooey coleslaw, hot sauce, lettuce and tomatoes, and you’re in for a real treat. Locals love to pick up a lunch plate and ginger beer from Art Mel’s, a take out spot hidden in the outskirts of the city of Hamilton. Or, try the newer location, Spicy Dicy, found in the Olde Towne area of St. George’s. Be prepared to eat more than one during your visit, and don’t forget to hoard all the napkins because this is a messy treat!

2. Enjoy a healthy brunch

Craving avocado toast? The Village Pantry offers an avocado-forward brunch menu, including the Avocado Crush, a thickly-sliced piece of fresh bread, topped with a mountain of crushed avocado, and crowned with olive oil, cherry tomatoes and sprouts. For a more filling version, try the Avocado Bake, which includes melted cheese, eggs and smoked ham. Make it a healthy start by adding a refreshing smoothie, made using fresh fruits and veggies.

3. Find a laid-back patio lunch

If you’re looking for a lazy lunch patio spot with panoramic views of the harbour, Wahoo’s Waterside Bistro & Patio, located in St. George’s, is the perfect pick. From award-winning Bermudian fish chowder, to Wiener Schnitzel, to imported Italian Bindi Gelato, the diverse range of food offerings will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. This is also a great place to try the Bermudian fish sandwich—or to have it again (because you’ll want to make this dish a daily routine while you’re there).

4. Take in a quiet garden tea

Sneak off to an elegant backyard garden in historic Stewart Hall, found in St. George’s, for a high tea at Lili Perfumery, hosted by local catering company Sweet P. There, you can indulge in a selection of fine teas, and nosh on finger sandwiches and petit fours, in a setting that feels like the courtyard of a private Mediterranean home. You won’t want to leave without sniffing, sampling and shopping your way through the perfumery in search of the perfect scent, where French-Canadian owner Isabelle carefully creates fragrances that capture the stories behind the island of Bermuda.

5. Order up a delectable dinner

Head to a historical mansion for a dinner fit for royalty. Huckleberry Restaurant, located in the boutique-style Rosedon Hotel, offers fine dining in an intimate, old-world setting with nods to Mark Twain and his island influence, a tribute made apparent through both the restaurant’s name itself, and the ambiance at the charming site. The rack of lamb, served with butternut squash ravioli in a sage brown sugar butter, with cranberries, goat cheese, and rocket greens with fennel, red onion and asparagus is a drool-worthy must-try.