Imagine this: you churn some rich butter with savory herbs from your garden, snap a photo, and post it on Instagram. Within an hour, there’s a line of cars outside your door. That’s exactly what happened in Bermuda when firefighter Gavin Carter started experimenting with garlic, rum, and garden herbs infused into butter. His “Gavin’s Butter” went from a small kitchen project to grocery store shelves across the island, and now Carter is preparing to retire from firefighting to expand his growing food empire.
Stories like his aren’t rare in Bermuda. On this tiny Atlantic island of 60,000 people, social media has become the de facto farmers’ market. Forget Uber Eats—locals follow Instagram accounts to score homemade butters, juices, ginger beers, cupcakes, and vegan meal boxes. Menus are posted in the morning, and by noon, they’re often sold out. It’s a food movement that blends tradition with modern hustle, and one you won’t find anywhere else.
Here are the best places to eat local food in Bermuda—from Instagram-born businesses to iconic restaurants that define the island’s flavor.
Instagram Entrepreneurs and Homemade Food Stars
Gavin’s Butter
The viral sensation that started it all. Look for Carter’s flavored butters in Bermuda grocery stores, but if you’re lucky, you may still catch a fresh batch announced on Instagram before it sells out.
OM Juicery
Owner Preston Ephraim “blesses” every juice he makes, believing in nourishing body and spirit. His creative blends—often made with local fruits—are perfect for starting your day the Bermudian way.
Plant Based Fuel BDA
Chef Trevor Johnstone went from running a vegetarian café in Barcelona to posting vegan tapas recipes on Instagram during lockdown. By the time he returned home to Bermuda, he had a waiting list of clients. Today, his catering company runs out of a church kitchen, serving everyone from locals to celebrities at tourism events. Expect bold flavors and inventive takes on vegan cuisine.
Local Eats and Family Favorites in Bermuda
Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy
No trip to Bermuda is complete without a Bermudan-style fish sandwich, and Art Mel’s is where locals swear by the original. The daughters of the founder still run the place with a passion for good cooking and genuine hospitality. Their wahoo sandwich, stacked on thick raisin bread with tartar, slaw, and cheese, is messy, massive, and downright iconic. This was my BEST fish sandwich in Bermuda!
Woody’s Sports Bar & Grill
A Somerset Island staple, Woody’s pairs laid-back island vibes with hearty comfort food. Their crispy wahoo fish sandwich rivals Art Mel’s, best enjoyed with a rum swizzle and ocean views alongside locals unwinding after work. Definitely one of my top picks in Bermuda!
Mama Mia’s
This family-run eatery in Hamilton Parish serves a signature fish sandwich with toasted raisin bread, wahoo, tartar sauce, and all the fixings. Known for warm service and generous portions, Mama Mia’s adds a sweet-savory twist that has won a loyal following. Order at the window and walk across to the beach to find a picnic spot.
Tuck Shop + Island Cuisine Restaurant
This mother-daughter duo, Alicia and Audrey Tucker, serve hearty Bermudian classics in Southampton. Island Cuisine is celebrating 20 years in business, making it a true staple of the community. Order the Codfish Breakfast (Codfish and Potatoes): The national breakfast of Bermuda — with salted cod served with boiled potatoes, banana, avocado (called “pear” locally), boiled egg, and Johnny bread or toast. It can be eaten plain or “scrambled” together with butter and tomato/onion sauce.
Devil’s Isle Café, Hamilton
More than just a restaurant, Devil’s Isle roasts its own beans and trains Bermudians for careers in hospitality. The menu features wholesome, locally sourced ingredients—think wild mussels, harvest bowls, and house-ground burgers—best enjoyed on the buzzing outdoor terrace. They have a great cocktail and wine list too.
Jamaican Grill
Proof of Bermuda’s Caribbean connections, this casual spot dishes out jerk chicken, curries, and patties packed with spice and flavor. There are no frills at this hole-in-the-wall establishment, so make it to-go.
Foraging, Herbs, and Hidden Gems
Wild Herbs N Plants of Bermuda
At Clearwater Beach, chef and author, Dr. Doreen Williams-James, a funeral director turned herbalist, leads tours teaching visitors how the island’s natural bounty is used for food, drink, and wellness. Doreen, a resident of the island who grew up learning about the native plants and flowers from her grandmother. She told us that they had practically everything they needed to survive, and thrive, growing around, and if you looked hard enough, you could find plenty of nourishment in nature. During the pandemic, when Doreen had more time and craved to be outdoors, she reinstated her passion for foraging and started leading tours and taking kids to learn more about natural foods. We went to Cooper Island Nature Reserve where we found Nurstusiam, Wild mustard greens, allspice (used in jerk chicken), castor plant (to extract oil), Bermuda hickory trees (with edible hearts of palm), prickly pear, Aloe Vera, and much more.
Gas Station Bodegas
Even Bermuda’s gas stations and corner bodegas double as food stops, offering quick bites and locally made treats you won’t find anywhere else. Homemade yeast and chicken flavored popcorn, served in clear plastic bags, is a cult favorite at gas stations like RUBiS and Esso stops across the island. Wash it down with a chilled bottle of Swizzle, Bermuda’s national cocktail of rum, citrus, and fruit juice, now conveniently sold as a ready-to-drink soda-style beverage or a Goslings Dark n Stormy rum and ginger beer in a can.
For something sweet, try a scoop of house-made sherbet—a frosty, fruity dessert often sold in take-out cups from roadside shops like Ice Queen in Paget. And of course, no trip is complete without a taste of Bermuda’s ginger beer, a fiery-sweet soft drink made by the island’s iconic brand Barritt’s, which has been quenching locals’ thirst since 1874. These grab-and-go staples may not look like much from the outside, but they’re a window into everyday Bermudian food culture.
Travel Tips for Visiting Bermuda
- It’s Not the Caribbean: Bermuda sits in the Atlantic Ocean, 650 miles east of North Carolina. Flights from New York take under two hours—perfect for a quick getaway.
- Pack for All Seasons: While the island enjoys a subtropical climate, evenings can be cool, and weather shifts quickly. Layers are key.
- No Fast Food Chains (Almost): The only fast-food restaurant on the island is KFC. Everything else? Delicious local eats worth seeking out.
- Stay in Style: Bermuda leans toward resort accommodations. Rosewood Bermuda at Tucker’s Point offers refined luxury, while Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa combines historic charm with oceanfront relaxation.
- Friendly Locals: Bermudians are famously warm and community-oriented. Many even host “hurricane parties” when storms roll through—turning resilience into celebration.
Fun Facts About Bermuda
- Bermuda shorts (yes, the ones with knee-high socks) are still part of the official national dress.
- The island has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world.
- With just 60,000 residents, everyone seems to know everyone—making word-of-mouth (and now Instagram) the most powerful marketing tool.
Final Bite
From Instagram-famous butters to heritage fish sandwiches, Bermuda’s food scene is a blend of old and new, homemade and high-end. For travelers, eating here isn’t just about sustenance—it’s about tasting the island’s spirit of innovation, resilience, and community.
