Where to Eat in Bermuda (From Someone Who Knows What She's Talking About...)

Want a weekend trip to paradise that won't break the bank or take hours to get there? Feel the love in Bermuda!

Just over two hours away by flight, the tropical island paradise in the middle of the Atlantic is the perfect choice for a relaxing break away from your normal life – a cultural, historical hub where the people know how to have a good time. You'll leave here wishing you never had to go back!

Accommodation options are obvious – pick an all-inclusive hotel or a quaint guest house managed by friendly locals who still carry the traditional Bermudian spirit of hospitality.

Spend your days sunning on one of the pink sand beaches, play a few round of golf on a world-class range, shop for luxury goods and souvenirs along Front Street, explore our natural reef habitats on a snorkeling or glass bottom boat tour...maybe even catch a glimpse of a few of the island's most famous locals, Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, or reggae star Collie Buddz.

More importantly, you have to sample the cuisine. Bermudians are as serious about food as they are about partying (they have a  four day national holiday in the middle of summer to celebrate Emancipation and their national sport cricket, complete with an island-wide boat raft up, tons of beach parties, fashion shows, and some of the best local comfort food you'll ever, eat all in one place).

From Cordon Bleu trained chefs to traditional dishes passed down from generation to generation, your palette is in for a real treat.

Our picks?

Blackhorse Restaurant & Tavern

When you want real Bermudian fare, you need to go where the Bermudians go. You'll find this not-so-hidden gem in the east end of the island, right in the heart of St. David's – a small part of the country that hasn't been completely taken over by the technological age.

What do you get here? Focus on the fish – what most St. David's islanders are known for. Ask for a bowl of traditional fish chowder (the original recipe called for three days of work) with a side of black rum and sherry peppers, a deluxe fish sandwich done your way (try it with the coleslaw ON the sandwich) or, when it's in season, lobster caught by Bermudian fishermen (when lobster season is at it's peak, fishermen set up camp and let their “wares” sun on the side of the road).


Cafe Cairo

Famous for it's nightlife, Cafe Cario blends Bermudian sensibility with the flavours of the middle east. Make a reservation for dinner, where belly dancers offer light entertainment throughout the evening rush, then stay for the party! When the lights go down, the locals come out in full force, loving Cario for the view of Hamilton Harbour and the hooka (of course). If you're feeling adventurous, have one of the bartenders (ask for Del) to mix you up something delicious and dangerous.


Swizzle Inn

Only in Bermuda can a restaurant be made famous for a signature drink – often imitated but never duplicated, the Rum Swizzle looks benign but after a few glasses of this fruity concoction you'll understand first hand why their motto is, “Swizzle Inn, Swagger Out!”

In between sips, nibble on some fine fare from their pub style menu. Top choices, conch fritters, Asian style wings or chicken strips with mouthwatering honey mustard dip; spinach salad with warm bacon dressing; or hit up their bbq nights for juicy, tender chicken and ribs.


Muse

New to the line up of internationally renowned restaurants on the island, Muse offers up a variation on fine French cuisine locals have yet to encounter. Intimate and cozy, the bistro/bar – located directly across from the Ferry Terminal in Hamilton – features honest “French-Bermudian” dishes created by Cordon Bleu chef Gerard Beyer (recipient of the Best Chef VIP Excellence award for 2010) who's as down-to-earth as his menu.

Don't expect to fine nouvelle cuisine here – each dish is hearty and satisfying, a breath of fresh air! And for dinners who's needs are a little more specific, Beyer and his staff offer an EFIT option, where they'll convert any dish on the menu to a healthier version.


Dorothy's

If you're the kind of foodie that seeks out the best of the best wherever you go, take a trip down Chancery Lane and stop off at Dorothy's for a burger that's received Best of Bermuda Gold awards on more than 10 occasions for their secret recipe. Expect to stand while you wait though, because the mini fast foodery only has seating for 10 (the best fast food always come from restaurants that are standing room only).

Make sure to smile when you place an order, and get a milk shake on the side!

These five are really the tip of the iceberg on an island that boasts cuisine representing cultures from across the world – Italian, Indian, Jamaican, Japanese, French, German. Why not come back and taste them all?

Images courtesy of M Fox.

Hilary Lauren Fox
		About the author:
		Sometimes she's a redhead, sometimes she's a blonde. Some days it's H&M, and on other days, it's Chanel. What ever the mood, she is a woman who is passionate about the arts, fashion and social media. Born in Toronto, Hilary Lauren Fox is an only child to artist parents - mom was an illustrator and pattern maker, dad was a painter.  Rather then studying the arts as her parents hoped for, Hilary opted for a degree in psychology with dreams of working in a clinical setting. But after graduating she realized that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and that the arts was in her blood, applying her education within the art and fashion world.
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