Cafés and Pubs

It doesn’t get more Bermudian than Traditions (2 Middle Rd., tel. 441/234-3770, 6 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri. and Sat.), a roadside restaurant that draws local farmers, retirees, neighborhood residents, and passing motorists. Some sit at the diner-like bar to chat with kitchen staff; tables are set out in three other rooms. The menu, as its name suggests, offers island staples like homemade red bean soup ($4.75), as well as delicious burgers ($4.75) and sandwiches ($5.75). If you come here more than once, the friendly staff will remember you.

Tucked behind the legendary Somerset Cricket Club (home of Cup Match every other year), Shabazz Bakery & Deli (15 Cricket Ln., tel. 441/234-1601, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri. and Sat.) is famous for its sweet yellow pound cake, for which islanders come from all over. Baked goods, including gigantic birthday cakes and cherry nut loaf cakes, are the main line of business, but the shop also serves up delicious trays of hot dishes, including fish dinners, broasted chicken, fish boats (fish in wheat rolls), soups, and curries. Locals line up out the door at lunchtime. The bakery is run by Bermudian Muslims who follow the Farrakhan ministry. Copies of Final Call newspaper are available inside.

Chill out on the beach at the Dark ’n’ Stormy Beach Bar & Grill at 9 Beaches Resort (tel. 441/232-6655 or 441/239-2998, www.9beaches.com [1], noon–3 p.m. weekdays, noon–4 p.m. weekends, May–Oct.), where the tasty lunch menu—tomato bruschetta ($8), chicken wings ($9–24), fish sandwich ($12), charbroiled beef burger ($12)—draws the locals, too.

Gloria’s Kitchen at West End Sailboat Club (Watford Island, tel. 441/234-1252 or 441/234-2523, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) serves up loads of fresh fish, plus chicken salads and peas ’n’ rice, among other daily dishes.

Standing on the edge of a harborside inlet where convict laborers were once held in jails, popular local watering hole Woody’s Drive-In Two Bar & Restaurant (1 Boaz Island, tel. 441/234-2082, restaurant 441/234-6526, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. daily) offers typical Bermudian comfort food. Most popular are its fish cakes and burgers.

Coffee house Café de Quai (Watford Bridge, tel. 441/234-4411, 6 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri, 6–10 p.m. Sat., closed Sun.) opened in 2008 to serve commuters. Located next to the Watford Bridge ferry stop, owner Cherry-Lynne Thompson serves up coffees, pastries, sandwiches, ice cream, smoothies, and pies. You can also buy a newspaper.