An expert in luxury Bermuda accommodation offers his selection of insider picks for the most romantic fine dining on the island.
Even after so many years of visiting Bermuda, I am still finding new and exciting places to enjoy the huge variety of fine dining on offer. In my job as a specialist in luxury Bermuda accommodation I get to experience some of the very best restaurants on the island, and, yes, it's a hard job, but somebody has to do it!
What's great for visiting food lovers is that some of the best establishments are the onsite restaurants of their Bermuda accommodation of choice, so it’s not too far to stagger home after that extra serve of pudding!
For a romantic fine dining experience, I've put together a list of a few of my favourite restaurants – tried, tested and given the definite thumbs-up.
Ocean Club
Among the best Bermuda accommodation on offer, the Fairmont Southampton's hospitality doesn't stop with a luxury suite. The Ocean Club overlooks the hotel's gorgeous private pink sand beach and the effect of the restaurant's whitewashed décor against the aquamarine of the ocean is romance on a plate. With a menu heavily focused on deliciously fresh local seafood (naturally), the emphasis is on delicate cooking techniques that allow the flavour of the produce to shine. The sushi is a standout, but to really up the romantic stakes, order the Oceantini cocktail - which comes in a glass made for two.
Find it: Fairmont Southampton, 101 South Shore Rd, Southampton. Tel: 00 1441 2388000. Open 7 days, 6pm-10pm.
Café Lido
Café Lido is part of the renowned Elbow Beach Hotel. Incredible as it is, the food almost has to take second place to the location of the restaurant and, from the dining room, it's almost like you're suspended over the ocean itself. The sophisticated menu is inspired by the seafood and produce of the Mediterranean, and there's an impeccable wine list to accompany it. Discreet service, breathtaking views and outstanding cuisine combine to create a flawless romantic experience from beginning to end.
Find it: Elbow Beach Hotel, 60 South Road. Tel: 00 1 441 236 9884. Open for breakfast from 7am, then lunch and dinner until 10pm.
Harley's Terrace
Another restaurant set in one of the Fairmont group's properties, Harley's Terrace, in the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, offers wonderful warm weather terrace dining around the pool. Overlooking the beautiful harbour, it's the perfect place to watch the sun set and enjoy the sparkling harbour lights after dark. With an innovative and quite formal international menu, while the emphasis is on seafood, there are plenty of alternatives - like the truffle-crusted filet mignon, for example. For the ultimate romantic meal, though, the melt-in-your-mouth lobster ravioli is like a kiss from a rose.
Find it: 76 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton. Tel: 00 1 441 295 3000. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (brunch on Sundays).
The Point
Renowned as a favourite haunt of visiting dignitaries and celebrities, the Point serves up international cuisine with a unique Bermudian twist and an impressive maritime-inspired décor. Chef Serge Bottelli bestows his magic touch on a swathe of innovative seafood dishes, including his specialities tuna and swordfish. Part of the luxury Tucker's Point Hotel, the Point offers a fine dining experience with the emphasis on fine, and for wine aficionados, the Wine Room (with its several thousand bottles) is the pièce de résistance.
Find it: 60 Tucker's Point Drive, Hamilton. Tel: 00 1 441 298 4000. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Harry's at the Waterfront
For contemporary organic cuisine with a fine dining edge, Harry's huge menu focuses on simple gastronomic techniques and high-quality ingredients. Heavily meat based (the 21-day aged beef is a standout) but offering a modern take on presentation and flavour combinations, there's also a unique 'Raw Bar' to whet your appetite before the main event. Dine inside or out on the lovely terrace overlooking Hamilton Harbour and choose from the 2,000-bottle strong wine cellar to accompany your romantic meal.
Find it: 96 Pitts Bay Rd, Pembroke. Tel: 00 1 441 292 5533. Open Mon-Sat Noon-10pm.
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