Dining in Bermuda is diverse, with many cuisines available, from local Caribbean seafood dishes to ubiquitous American goodies and British pub grub. Cafés are popular and most hotels have at least one, along with restaurants, and there are also bistros. Food is expensive, especially near the water or within reach of the cruise ship terminals, but everywhere is accessible. If partying is your thing, consider heading to the Bahamas as Bermuda, despite having pubs and clubs, is more a discerning, family destination. Enjoy the arts at the National Dance Theater of Bermuda.
Bars and Pubbing in Bermuda
There are probably around a dozen or so worthy bars, pubs, and clubs island-wide, most of which are in Hamilton and St George’s. Drinks and cover charges are expensive, but be sure to give the local rum swizzle cocktail a try.
For a slice of old England, St George’s is your best bet. It has many old-style pubs, some of which are by the water in enviable settings. They include the White Horse Tavern (8 King’s Sq., St George’s), which is the oldest bar on Bermuda. It is right at the harbor-front, within walking distance of everything, and gets busy nightly from locals and visitors alike. The White Horse also hosts Light, a hip-hop and rhythm and blues (R&B) nightclub, which is open Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.. The adjacent island of St David’s (home to the airport) is also good for pub, with the Black Horse Tavern (St David’s Rd, St David’s Island) a big hit.
Hamilton is the best choice for more modern bars and nightclubs in Bermuda. The Pickled Onion (93 Front Stree, Hamilton)—formerly the Ye Old Cock & Feather—is a major draw, while The Spinning Wheel (33 Court Street, Hamilton) has an outdoor pool and upstairs disco that has been going since the 1970s. Café Cairo is a Hamilton bar-slash-club that doesn’t get going until after 10:00 p.m..
You can enjoy calypso bands all over Bermuda and many pubs lay on live music all summer. Music events are shared between the bars so check out Bermuda Weekly (which is available for free from hotels and visitor centers) for listings of what’s on when.
Dining and Cuisine in Bermuda
St George’s and Hamilton also have the pick of the restaurants, particularly the latter. Seafood is good and abundant, though many items are brought in, and true to Bermudan tradition, prices are on the steep side. St George’s and Hamilton are both expensive for dining out, as are the eateries in all the top hotels, with tips expected on top of service charges. For better value, head for Somerset Bay.
For choice and high-end dining, stick with Hamilton. It has all types of food and grade of eatery, from those serving tasty, local fish chowders to venues dishing up the best of France. Popular options here include: Barracuda Grill (Burnaby Street, Hamilton) for seafood, Komodaru Sushi Lounge (40 Crow Lane, Hamilton) for sushi, and the Bolero Brasserie (Front Street, Hamilton) for continental. St George’s is best for British pub food at the likes of the White Horse Tavern (8 King’s Square, St George’s), while Somerset Country Squire Pub (10 Mangrove Bay Rd., Somerset Village) is also a good bet.
The Southampton area is also good for food and has an abundance of Italian and French restaurants. The Newport Room (Fairmont Southampton) has fantastic French cuisine. One of the best known hotel-based cafés is Café Lido (Elbow Beach Hotel, 60 S. Shore Rd.). It overlooks the highly rated Elbow Beach, which is just to the south of Hamilton.
Food ranges from local Caribbean and seafood to some pretty good American, Indian, and Chinese. For a taste of Bermuda, try a lobster dish, shark hash, or the fish chowder with pepper sauce.