2024 Best of Bermuda Awards: Food, Drink and Fun - The Bermudian Magazine (2024)

Award of Excellence: Intrepid
It’s been less than two years since Intrepid, the “upscale steak, seafood and raw bar restaurant” at the Hamilton Princess hotel opened it’s doors, and in that short space of time it has cemented itself as the best restaurant in Bermuda.
Managed on a day-to-day basis by Philip Howard, the restaurant has been very much a team effort from the executive chef down, winning a host of awards including best hotel restaurant and best bartender for DeJavon Paynter. The team operates like a family with leaders mentoring the less experienced, and everyone involved in tastings and menu selections so they can share their knowledge with the clientale.
While the food, drink and service are obviously at the heart of this win, they’re not the only reason behind the restaurant’s outstanding success. The atmosphere and design—in particular the spectacular bar, views and magnificent artwork—contribute to the world-class experience of having dinner at Intrepid.
Hamilton Princess, 76 Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke; 295-3000; www.thehamiltonprincess.com

Cup of Java: Rock Island Coffee
Freshly roasted in-house, the beans at Rock Island come from all over the world and, according to our judges, make the “best tasting coffee” in Bermuda. Hidden away up some stone steps on a quiet stretch of Reid Street, close to but away from the hustle and bustle of town, Rock Island is the best place to kick start your day, relax over a mid-morning caffeine fix, or pick up something strong and delicious to get you through your afternoon. Don’t forget to go via a cashpoint though! They don’t take cards.
48 Reid Street, Hamilton; 296-5241; @rockislandcoffee on Instagram
Signe Constable abstained from voting in this category

Coffee Shop: Brew
A regular award winner at this magazine, Brew is celebrated not just for its delicious coffee but for its unique ambience and for everything they serve, hot or cold, soft or alcoholic. You can get a caffeine fix early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as well as quick and tasty bites to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between. The judges love that you can sit inside or out, you can take your time, get your work done, see some friends or watch the world go by on Front Street.
53 Front Street, Hamilton; 542-2739; www.irg.bm/brew
Signe Constable abstained from voting in this category

Breakfast: The Cottage Café & Bistro
The best place to start your day, according to both our voting public and our judges, is the Cottage Café and Bistro in the Washington Mall. It is loved for its “interesting menu” and “consistently good, well-cooked” food. Their menu is best described as cottage-style, with a Portuguese influence. Their Azorean Benedict includes chouriço hash and goat’s cheese alongside poached eggs on Portuguese johnny bread, and their breakfast classics are so generous the food is almost falling off the plate. They also do homemade waffles, cinnamon baked French toast and cottage pancakes.
2nd Floor, Washington Mall, 20 Church Street, Hamilton; 292-0880; @thecottagecafebistro on Instagram

Favourite Pub: The Astwood Arms
A hands-down winner once again, The Astwood Arms is the place to go for a quiet pint, a refreshing wine or a crafty co*cktail in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere whether sitting inside or out. Their traditional “pub grub” includes classics such as fish fingers, scotch eggs, sausage rolls, bangers and mash, giant burgers and piping hot pies, and their live music events are always popular. Like all good pubs, it’s also a great place to catch the big games. Keep reading for more about that particular Best of Bermuda Award win!
85 Front Street, Hamilton; 292-5818; www.astwoodarms.bm

Place for a Power Lunch: Little Venice
For over fifty years, Little Venice has played host to Bermuda’s biggest corporate movers and shakers. Deals have been negotiated, clients have been wowed, business has been won and successes have been celebrated in this Bermudiana Road institution. No matter the day of the week, it’s always packed at lunchtime with people enjoying traditional Italian dishes by head chef Federico Basso, paired with Italian wines recommended by Umberto Lembo. The cacio e pepe is always an impressive choice.
32 Bermudiana Road, Hamilton; 295-3503; www.littlevenice.bm

Hamburger: Bermuda Pie Company
Don’t be deceived by the name. Kris Furbert of Bermuda Pie Company also makes burgers. And they’re very good ones. “It’s the best burger I’ve ever had,” says one judge, adding: “It’s his mother’s recipe.” But the praise didn’t stop with the judges. The people love his burgers, too. Customers can choose between a “classic hamburger,” “cheesy cheeseburger,” “crispy bacon burger,”or “bacon cheeseburger,” all of which come with free complimentary toppings. And if you’re just looking for a snack, they come in “little burger” size, too.
54 Wellington Slip Road, St. George’s, 400-5845; www.bermudapiecompany.com

Great Sandwich: Delicious
Delicious say the judges is “an experience” and one that is consistently good. Ideal for picky, busy sandwich lovers, you can choose and customise everything with almost the same speed as grabbing a ready-made sandwich. Whether you’re a vegetarian, meat lover, on a diet or just really hungry, what they don’t have on offer to fill your bread simply isn’t worth having.
Washington Mall Reid Street Entrance, Hamilton; 505-2859

Food Truck: Leslie’s Desserts
A whole food truck dedicated to desserts! Yes, it’s real and it’s in Victoria Park from 1:00 p.m. every day. And if you need to satisfy a late night sugar craving, it’s stays open until 9:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 p.m., Friday to Sunday. With over eighty desserts to choose from, you might need to go more than once a week. There is gelato, waffles, crepes, cones, sundaes and milkshakes in more flavours and combinations than you thought possible, including a “Ferrero Crunch,” “Kinder Milkshake,” and “S’mores Sundae.”
Victoria Park, Hamilton; 737-1999; @lesliesbermuda on Instagrsm

Lunch on the Go: Café 4
When it comes to squeezing lunch into their busy days, our judges and the voting public want options, and lots of them, and they want them quickly. Café 4, therefore, is the place to go. “They even have a taco station,” says one, who loves that you can “build” your own pastas and salads as well as pile up your sandwiches. And the choice of sauces and dressings is unbeatable.
Windsor Place, 18 Queen Street, Hamilton; 295-8444; www.www.cafe4.bm

Diner: Speciality Inn
Bermuda’s “favourite local restaurant” has done it again. In true diner style, you can get literally anything. Pizza, salad, sandwiches, sushi, burgers, seafood, the full English, pancakes, codfish & potatoes, cakes and pies are only a fraction of what the chefs at Speciality Inn whip up freshly, six days a week, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pastries and pizza dough are even made from scratch, on site. This family-owned-and-run business has multiple tasty options to suit every member of your dining party.
4 South Shore Road, Collector’s Hill, Smith’s; 236-3133; www.specialityinn.bm

Salad Bar: Wild Greens
If it’s good salad you want, go to the place that specialises not just in all things green but in the toppings and dressings that make all things green exceptionally tasty. Priding themselves on their more adventurous take on salads, Wild Greens has elevated the healthy eating experience. In addition to all the usual ingredients you could choose to put on your salad, there are toasted seeds, balsamic roasted mushrooms, spiced chickpeas, baked tofu, quinoa bites, smokey BBQ tempeh and citrus poached shrimp.
17 Front Street, Hamilton; 261-8383; @wildgreensbermuda on Instagram

Sushi: Yashi
We may be a long way from Japan, but when it comes to sushi, Bermuda can hold it’s head high. Singled out by the public and our judges for their delicious “sushi flavours,” “best sushi rice” that’s “never over cooked, never dry and always perfectly seasoned,” and because they have “a lot of vegetarian options” is Yashi. And that’s high praise as one of our judges used to live in Japan!
20 Reid Street, Hamilton; 296-6226; www.coconutrockyashi.com

Fusion Restaurant: Déjà View
Déjà View describes their menu as “Asian delicacies with an international flair,” and they mean it. Their delicious sushi selections include the usual rolls, nigiri and sashimi, as well as more adventurous choices such as Rockfish Tiradito, Hamachi Yuzu and Scallops Nikkie. You can also enjoy a Korean BBQ burger, a chipotle fish sandwich and a tori katsu burger, as well as a wide variety of fusion bowls and salads. And the variety doesn’t stop there. Why not finish your meal with a choclate Bundt cake, or Pink Ginger Crème Brulee?
Barr’s Bay Park, 17 Point Pleasant Road, Hamilton; 261-7354; www.dejaviewbermuda.com

Fine Dining: Huckleberry
For those special occasions when you want to celebrate or impress or when you simply want something more sophisticated and unique, Huckleberry at the Rosedon Hotel is the place to go. The ambience is elevated, the food exquisite and the presentation is more like a work of art than something you are about to eat. Many of their fruits and vegetables come from their own gardens and they even have their own bee hives for honey. Whether you’re enjoying your meal in the restaurant or in one of their private dining rooms, Huckleberry takes the fine dining experience to the next level.
61 Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke; 295-1640; www.huckleberrybda.com

Pizza: Il Pomodoro
They only opened their doors in December 2021, but Il Pomodoro in Somerset has taken Bermuda’s pizza scene to the next level. “Best sauce and best dough in Bermuda,” raves one judge, who adds, “They have a vegan cheese option. They have a gluten-free crust option. They go above and beyond if you have allergies.” Their sizes are also generous: 12-inch or a 16-inch party size that’s “huge.” And thin crusts are available on request. Their garlic knots are also legendary.
19 Somerset Road, Sandys; 621-3663; www.ilpomodorobermuda.com

Place for Veggie Lovers: Devil’s Isle
If seafood and meat are not for you, then Devil’s Isle is the place to go. Where many places include token vegan or vegetarian dishes, Devil’s Isle celebrates them with every variety you can think of. Their Classic Harvest, Burrito and Nourish bowls are generous and filling. Their salads are varied and original, and once you’ve tried their sweet potato wedges with Thai dip, you may never be tempted by the traditional greasy French fry again. Their fruit and veggie smoothies and juices are very tasty, too.
19 Burnaby Street, Hamilton; 292-3284; www.devilsislecoffee.bm

Ethnic Cuisine: House of India
After nearly 30 years of serving up delicious Indian food to their happy customers, House of India’s popularity remains as rock solid as ever. Virtually every dish can be adjusted to an acceptable spice level and they are a vegetarian and dairy-intolerant’s dream. The menu has everything you could hope for from an authentic Indian restaurant—dishes fresh from the tandoor, baltis, khorma, onion bhajiya, samosa, dal, naans and chapatis, all of which can be washed down with a Punjabi tingler or kachumber cooler if you want something more exciting than beer or wine.
58a North Street, Hamilton; 295-6450; www.houseofindia.biz

Hotel Restaurant: Intrepid
“Everything we had was amazing!” says one happy judge who recently enjoyed a meal at the Hamilton Princess’s Intrepid restaurant. “The food was just really good.” It isn’t just the food that gets high praise from our judges, though, the service is also exceptional. They single out Lloyd , in particular, who is “amazing with his flare.” They also love Intrepid’s central bar, which offers additional seating and if you’re not sure what to order from the co*cktail menu, the bar staff are happy to make something off-menu. “It’s a great addition to our hotel offerings,” they agree.
Hamilton Princess, 76 Pitt’s Bay Road, 298-2028; www.thehamiltonprincess.com

Ambience: 1609
“It’s their vibe”, say our judges, when agreeing on which restaurant in Bermuda has the best atmosphere. “You can see the harbour, it’s where you want to go for drinks, it has that island vibe,” they add. No matter where you sit in 1609, you have a spectacular view across the water and the shoreline, and even when it’s dark, the island vibe is ever present. The bar, the music, the indoor/outdoor layout, the friendly staff and the décor all add up to a fun restaurant experience.
Hamilton Princess, 76 Pitt’s Bay Road, 298-2028; www.thehamiltonprincess.com

Kid-friendly: La Trattoria
Enjoying a meal out with your children can sometimes be more stressful than relaxing. Not at La Trattoria! Nothing is too much trouble for the staff and there is lots to keep children occupied while waiting for their lunch or supper, from the huge pizza oven where they can watch how their pizzas are made to the kid-friendly “colouring” menus. Hidden healthy items like vegetables in the Trattoria sauces mean parents can relax and enjoy not having to cook. Trattoria even hosts pizza-making parties!
28 Washington Lane, Hamilton; 295-1877; www.latrattoria.bm

Private Dining Room: The Rum Room at Island Brasserie
A regular winner in this category, the Rum Room at Island Brasserie remains the best place in Bermuda to host an exceptional private dining experience. With it’s nautical décor, huge fireplace, floor-to-ceiling bottles and vaulted brick ceiling, guests are immediately impressed. “The attentiveness you experience in that dining room is quite different,” says a judge, who adds that the staff are equally attentive in the planning stages, in particular with the menus. The size of the room is also ideal, with “enough space to engage, but it still feels intimate.”
60 Tucker’s Point Drive, Hamilton Parish; 298-4000; www.rosewoodhotels.com

Sunday Brunch: Aqua Terra at The Reefs
If you want proof of how popular the Sunday brunch is at Aqua Terra at the Reefs, just try and park along South Shore in Southampton anytime after 11:30 a.m. The queue goes almost as far back as Warwick. Long loved for their “amazing” and “super fresh” food options, as well as value for money, Aqua Terra has sensational sea views and a fabulous co*cktail menu—just the icing on the cake. There are additions to the usual menu, as well, and there’s plenty to go around.
The Reefs Resort & Club, 56 South Shore Road, Southampton; 238-0222; www.thereefs.com

Out of Town West: Trini Spice
If you are craving authentic roti, there is nowhere better than Trini Spice, a slice of Trinidadian take-out heaven in Somerset. Beef, chicken, fish, lamb and even goat or chicken tikka masala roti are made up fresh to order and to your own sweet or spice specifications. If you’re not in the mood for roti, their burgers, sandwiches and wraps are also delicious. And if you don’t want to drive all the way out west, visit their Trini Spice Express truck on Laffan Street.
29 Mangrove Bay Road, Sandys; 261-2868; @trinispice_bda on Instagram

Out of Town East: Wahoo’s Bistro and Patio
A regular Best of Bermuda winner, Wahoo’s has done it again. It’s not just how fresh and delicious their seafood is, but what they do with it that Bermuda’s diners love. Whether it’s the rockfish “Picasso,” lobster ravioli, conch fritters, octopus stew, baha style wahoo tacos, or simply the fresh catch of the day, the portions are not only generous but “lick your plate clean” tasty. If seafood isn’t your thing, there are plenty of meat and vegetarian options, too.
36 Water Street, St. George’s; 297-1307; www.wahoos.bm

Al Fresco Dining: Breezes
The place where beach hut meets chic restaurant, you can’t beat Breezes for al fresco dining. Seated on the edge of the beach with exceptional views of the open Atlantic, once you’ve made yourself comfortable, you won’t want to leave. And if you can time your co*cktail for the setting sun, you certainly won’t be disappointed! Popular for its location, Breezes also has a great bar and delicious international menu, which includes a cajun salmon & kale salad, roasted beet & coconut salad, plantain gnocchi rasta pasta and blackened fish taco.
30 King’s Point Road, Sandys; 234-0331; www.cambridgebeaches.com

Cake Maker: Angel Treats
“They’re really good!” rave the judges about this “small batch home bakery” and “confectionary boutique” owned by Tiffany and Tavoris Douglas. What they can do with eggs, flour, butter, icing and their imagination is spectacular. Whether for kids, adults, corporate or just an occasion worth celebrating, they can produce cakes of most sizes that will be both a work of art to admire and jaw-droppingly delicious to eat. They can even do vegan cakes.
38 Harlem Heights Road, Hamilton Parish; 734-2082; @loveangeltreats on Instagram

Seafood Restaurant: Aurora
A very tough category to win in Bermuda, Aurora at Newstead stands out for having “seafood that’s different,” as well as a lot of seafood options on both the lunch and dinner menus. Their seafood cobb salad, maine lobster linguine, and the caviar are our judges’ favourite dishes, but Chef Shiva’s monkfish curry, spaghetti vongole with Manila clams, and mahi frutti di mare (mahi mahi with seafood saffron risotto) are pretty spectacular, too!
Newstead Belmont Hills, 27 Harbour Road, Paget; 232-8686

Local Fish/Fishermen: Rum Pirate Fishing
The people’s favourite, Alex MacKenzie of Rum Pirate Fishing provides the best fishing experience in Bermuda. “Caught a ton of fish! Great crew,” said one happy customer. “Great fishermen and tour guides,” added another. The crew will keep the catch, but a fish of choice will be cleaned and bagged for guests to enjoy. And if the fish are biting, you can stay out longer for no extra charge. Both offshore and inshore fishing are offered, and children are also welcome on this father-of-two’s boat.
Rum Pirate Fishing can be booked via fishingbooker.com or Thinking of Bermuda at +1-786-250-6841 and info@thinkingofbermuda.com.

Local Produce: Hideaway Farm
Martha Olander of Hideaway Farm may be “hidden away” in St David’s, but she also delivers and sends out a weekly e-mail listing her produce for that week. She proudly uses “zero synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, zero toxic or hurtful farming methods,” and not only are her fruits and vegetables fresh and in season, but you get serious bang for your buck, with very generous-size bags full to the brim. Her weekly stall can be found at Kindley Field on Friday and Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. hideawayfarmbermuda@gmail.com; 704-0772; @hideawayfarmbda on Instagram

Butcher: Russell Sedgwick at Miles Market
While the days of local, neighbourhood butcher shops might be gone, luckily for us, the friendly local butcher ethos is still here, and no one personifies this better than Russell Sedgwick, butchery supervisor at Miles Market. Not only does he greet every customer with a smile, but he selects the best meats, knows the best cuts and, most importantly, knows how much you will need so nothing goes to waste. “I asked eight people and all eight said Russell at Miles,” laughs one judge.
96 Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke; 295-1234; www.miles.bm

Chef: Damien Griffith at Huckleberry
As Huckleberry continues to go from strength to strength, regularly winning awards for their outstanding food, dining experience and ambience, behind the scenes making it all happen is executive chef Damien Griffith and his team. “He has been a chef for a very long time. He has a great team. He’s very forward thinking and he knows what he wants,” explains one of our judges. He fully embraces the farm-to-table experience, creating all manner of delicious menu items using fresh, seasonal and local produce. “The food was beautifully prepared from an innovative menu,” said one happy reviewer recently.
61 Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke; 295-1640; www.huckleberrybda.com
@rasdaman19 on Instagram

Bartender: DeJavon Paynter
The title “bartender” does not do justice to DeJavon Paynter at Intrepid. Mixologist, maybe, or even chef, because says one judge, “he does not stay in the lane of a bartender.” He will think carefully about what profile of gin will go with which chaser. He will throw an ingredient in at random because he thinks it will work, and it usually does. “He’ll make an orange sugar-coated topping for your drink fresh. He’s not afraid to take risks. He wants to create an experience”. The judges also love that he puts as much effort into creating delicious mocktails.
Hamilton Princess, 76 Pitt’s Bay Road, 298-2028; www.thehamiltonprincess.com

Friendliest Waitstaff: La Trattoria
For a welcoming vibe from the minute you arrive to the moment you leave, look no further than La Trattoria. Already a winner for being the most family-friendly restaurant in Bermuda, nothing is too much trouble for the kind, attentive and exceptionally hard-working waitstaff at this popular Italian restaurant. Special requests are no problem, all allergies are catered for, drink orders arrive quickly, and the food is fresh and tasty. And everything is served with a smile!
28 Washington Lane, Hamilton; 295-1877; www.latrattoria.bm

Creative co*cktails: Sunken Harbor Club
It’s ironic that the Sunken Harbor Club at Cambridge Beaches is actually an “outpost” of the Sunken Harbor Club in Brooklyn, New York. It almost seems as if this waterside club, a stones throw from so many sunken shipwrecks, has come home. And what an impact it’s made! Our judges love the bar for its “really interesting” co*cktails brought to life by a “young Bermudian staff.” In addition to the popular “usuals,” you can try a Star Cycle with milk-washed gin, jasmine, grapefruit and Campari or perhaps an El Diablo with tequila, raspberry, blackcurrant and ginger.
30 King’s Point Road, Sandys; 234-0331; www.cambridgebeaches.com

Place for a Glass of Wine: The Tasting Room
Wine lovers love a glass (or more) of wine at The Tasting Room, the hands-down winner with our voting public, because there is so much to choose from and you don’t have to go all out with a whole glass straight away. If you want to try a few but not drink too much, just pick the smallest pour option. When you find your favourite, you can be more generous. For a unique wine experience, The Tasting Room is the place to go.
8a South Road, Smith’s; 292-7666; www.thetastingroom.bm

Place to Watch Televised Sports: The Astwood Arms
There is no better place to watch a big game than in a Best of Bermuda Award-winning pub. Not only does The Astwood Arms serve up everything you need for the full live televised sport experience—masses of different beers on tap, as well as fries, pies, wings and sausage rolls—but they even have a separate cellar room to watch it in, so you can shout and cheer all you want without any noise complaints.
85 Front Street, Hamilton; 292-5818; www.astwoodarms.bm

After-work Hot Spot: Starrz
When you want to get out of town and switch off from the everyday stresses of keeping your boss, your clients, your employees or your colleagues happy, head to Starrz on North Shore. The music, the DJs, the crowd, the drinks, the food, the events and the vibe will do the trick. Whether you want a small table with friends in the corner or to party the night away, Starrz will help you leave your day, or week, behind you.
81 North Shore Road, Smith’s; @starrz_lounge on Instagram

Wine & Liquor Sales: Goslings Ltd
While they may be more famous for their rum, the wine and liquor available at Gosling’s rivals any in the world. Their wines comes from all the best regions; their sparklings come in the form of Champagne, Prosecco or cava. Alongside their wide variety of rums, you can pick up whiskies, tequilas, mezcals, gins, vodkas and even a pomegranate liqueur. Don’t know what goes best with what? What their staff don’t know about booze isn’t worth knowing.
9 Dundonald Street & 33 Front Street, Hamilton; 295-1123; www.goslingslimited.com
Mikaela Denbrook abstained from voting in this category

Pickup Bar: Crown & Anchor
For the more classy kind of pickup bar, the judges suggest Crown & Anchor at the Hamilton Princess. Not that they profess to be experts themselves, but it is a hotel lobby bar and, as far as hotel lobby bars go, it’s pretty spectacular. There are Bermudian DJs on Friday nights, the “right type of music playing” on other nights, dimmer lights in the evening, and just all-round “pickup vibes.”
Hamilton Princess, 76 Pitt’s Bay Road, 298-2028; www.thehamiltonprincess.com

Musician: Mike Hind
When you’re watching Mike Hind play his ukulele, you feel part of the show. A consummate performer, Mike feeds off the audience: “Music, fun & laughter” sums up the experience. “He has such a rapport. I’ve seen him a bunch of times and never get bored,” says one of our judges, who adds, “He’s amazing with tourists.” At the time of writing, he was playing the Swizzle Inn on Mondays, Docksiders on Wednesdays and the Conservatory at Tucker’s Point on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
www.mikehind.com; @mikehind on Instagram

Musical Group: Tino Martinez Quartet
Soul fusion group Tino Martinez, Raymond George, Troy Washington Sr and Torrey Tacklyn have taken Bermuda’s music scene by storm. While jazz is at the heart of all their music, the Tino Martinez Quartet also play hip-hop and pop music. They are regulars at The Deep inside the Lido, are often found livening up community events and other venues islandwide, and can be booked for private events. And 2024 saw their star rise even further when they played at South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. tinosaxmartinez@gmail.com; 705-0410; @tmq.bda on Instagram

Bermuda-made Food: Sooo Nut Sharing
The judges and voting public can’t get enough of Tyka Edness’s Sooo Nut Sharing candied nuts. “It’s unique,” says one. “Each nut [including Cozy Almond, Cozy Cashew and Kiss Peanut] has a different flavour aligned with it.” They also love that she isn’t actually a trained chef. She cooks and creates because she has a natural talent and that’s what she loves doing. You can order her nuts online or find them at her pop-up shops or in various stores around Bermuda.
Theyateat8@gmail.com; @ate.at8 on Instagram

Bermuda-made Booze: 9 Parishes
Because you don’t get more Bermudian than the name, the rum swizzle contents, the Bermuda beach-inspired label and the fact that it is hand-mixed here on our island home, 9 Parishes is Best of Bermuda. And it comes in all shapes and sizes! There’s the 350 ml Little Swizzle, the 750 ml Paget Swizzle and the 1.5 litre Smith’s. When you’re really “thirsty,” look out for the one-half gallon size.
www.9parishesbda.com

Codfish Breakfast: Temptations
“Their sauce is like your granny made it,” says one of our judges, who won’t go anywhere except Temptations for their codfish breakfast. “Their butter onion sauce has more herbs in it. They have the best cornbread on the island. And they give you honey butter.” And it’s not just how delicious the codfish breakfast tastes but the whole experience at Temptations, including a little something to say goodbye. This could be an orange and grape skewer or it could be “You’re beautiful” written on your coffee cup.
31 York Street, St. George’s; 297-1368; @temptationscafebda on Instagram

Fish Chowder: Wahoos
Another very difficult category to win because Bermudians are picky about their fish chowder and none more so than our judges. But they did have to agree that the award-winning Wahoos does it best. “That’s the place I go for chowder,” says one, adding that they “trust” the very experienced chefs there. As I said, they take it very seriously.
36 Water Street, St. George’s; 297-1307; www.wahoos.bm

Fish Sandwich: Mamma Mia
When your fish sandwiches are so popular that they cause lunchtime traffic jams forcing you to move locations, you’re on to something. Stefano Barioni, formerly of Café Olé at Crystal Caves, has reopened as Mamma Mia at Hamilton Parish Workmen’s Club on Crawl Hill and his fish sandwiches remain as popular as ever. “I’ve had a red hind fish sandwich and it was the best I’ve had in my life!” says one of the judges.
6 Workmen’s Lane, Hamilton Parish; 261-6005; @mammamiabda on Instagram

Food/Drink Social Media Presence: Discovery Wines
As a testament to how good Discovery Wines are on social media, one judge admits that “it’s the only place I’ve bought something because of what they do on social media.” They love that what they do is “genuine and fun,” as well as being both educational and interesting. “They’ve done videos and I really think I would enjoy that [the product], and I have,” adds another, who also enjoys the fact that it’s Discovery Wines’s staff in all the videos. All our judges agree, “It’s fun, it’s engaging, it’s what you want to see on social media.”
5 Bakery Lane, Pembroke; 296-9463; www.discoverywines.bm and @discoverywinesbda on Instagram

Food/Dining Delivery App: Sargasso Sea
It’s been five years since the Sargasso Sea delivery app burst onto the Bermuda take-out scene and it’s almost impossible to imagine how life was before. When you arrived home to an empty fridge, you had to leave home again or go hungry. When you were too exhausted to cook, you still had to somehow put a meal together, or go hungry. Now five years and around 30,000 subscribers later, it isn’t just food that Sargasso Sea delivers. You can order beauty products, accessories and even pet supplies.
Sargassosea.app; 542-4350

Bang for Your Buck: Mad Hatters
For really good food at a really good price, the best place in Bermuda is Mad Hatters. Describing themselves as a “humble haven” serving up “classic European with a Thai/North American fusion,” Mad Hatters is never dull because who doesn’t love adding a crazy hat to their outfit? “Very impressed,” says one judge who recently enjoyed a starter, main course and a couple of drinks and got more change than they were expecting. “A really great experience that doesn’t break the bank.”
22 Richmond Road, Hamilton; 297-6231; www.madhatters.bm

Drunk Food: Jamaican Grill (Hamilton)
When you’ve had a few too many, you want quantity, you want taste, you want bang for your buck and you want it fast. There’s nowhere better, therefore, say our voting public, than Jamaican Grill, and our judges agree: “When I’m drunk, I want something flavourful and Jamaican Grill is life!” The food is also authentic, with their curried goat, jerk chicken and oxtail, rice and peas being particularly highly rated.
32 Court Street, Hamilton; 296-6577; The Jamaican Grill on Facebook

Baked Goods: Bryce Petty at Rock Island Coffee
There’s one major problem with Bryce Petty’s baked goods. They sell out fast! Baking is his passion; it’s what he does full-time and he is very good at it. Everything is made fresh from scratch daily, and his muffins have been known to be off the shelves within ten minutes. His chocolate chip cookies don’t last long either and he makes around 150 of those everyday. But his baked goods don’t stop at cookies and muffins. He does scones, pastries, cakes, breads, jam bars, macaroons and vegan treats, too.
48 Reid Street, Hamilton; 296-5241; @rockislandcoffee on Instagram
Signe Constable abstained from voting in this category

Ice Cream: Alex & Pete’s
Nothing says summertime like a rum swizzle ice cream freshly made in Bermuda with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. If you prefer, there’s chocolate sorbet, sea salt caramel, pineapple sherbert or oreo cream, and that’s just a fraction of the phenomenal flavours that this talented father-son duo have created. But, of course, ice cream isn’t just for summer. Look out for seasonal flavours such as eggnog at Christmastime and Cadbury’s Creme Egg come Easter.
9 Dockyard Terrace, Sandys; 337-6101; @alexandpetesbda on Instagram

Unique Dining Experience: Sense 441
Based on the premise that if you take away one sense (sight), another sense (taste) will be enhanced, Sense 441 provides a blindfolded culinary experience “designed to open your mind and your senses.” “It’s well organised, well put together and the food is good,” says one judge, who has enjoyed the experience. “They did such a good job.” Guides will help you to your seat, an emcee talks about what you are eating and at the end, you get to take your blindfold off. You can make a reservation for one of their “signature series” or book them for private events.
www.sensebda.com; sensebda@gmail.com

Afternoon Tea: Conservatory Bar & Lounge
A light, bright room with views overlooking Castle Harbour, the Conservatory Bar & Lounge at Tucker’s Point is the ideal spot for a relaxing cup of afternoon tea and all the delicious things that go with it. If you’re hungry and craving something savoury, sandwiches include smoked salmon with cream cheese or egg mayonnaise. Sweeter teeth might prefer the freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, lemon meringue pie or mini strawberry tarts. There’s even a flourless chocolate cake to enjoy.
60 Tucker’s Point Drive, Hamilton Parish; 238-4013; www.rosewoodhotels.com

Musical Theatre/Dramatic Production: Flood Inc
Organised by acclaimed theatre producer Nicola Flood, Flood Inc creates murder mystery events with a difference. Involving intrigue, suspects, actors, costumes and scripts as well as a grisly “murder,” this is the ultimate whodunit. “It was all very real,” says one of our judges, who added that it was “a fun thing to do for an evening,” and “definitely a unique dramatic production.” The evening ends with participants revealing who they believe the murderer to be, and the most successful “inspector” wins a prize. Longtail2002@hotmail.com; 705-4664

Ticketed Party/Concert: Bacchanal Run
The ultimate “non-marathon,” 2023’s Bacchanal Run, organised by Party People Entertainment, took place on Saturday, August 5. Not so much a run as a massive, moving street party involving bright pink t-shirts, powder paint, a lot of neon, water, awesome DJs, soca music and definitely more dancing than running.
www.partypeopleent.com; @partypeopleentbda on Instagram