Bermuda Food Prices: Guide to Dining Costs and Daily Budgets

 

 

Updated: August 2026 

Bermuda is famously expensive. As a BTA Certified Bermuda Specialist, I hear the exact same question from nearly all travelers: "Is Bermuda expensive to eat out?" The short answer is yes. Because Bermuda is a remote island, almost everything you eat is imported and subject to heavy local duties. 

 

But with the right planning, you can eat incredibly well without ruining your vacation budget. I wrote this guide to give you realistic, up-to-date prices so you know exactly what to expect before you step off the plane. 

 

At a Glance

 

 

Practical Details: Currency and Payments

 

Before we look at restaurant menus, you need to know how money works here. Handling payments in Bermuda is very straightforward for North American visitors. 

The Bermudian Dollar (BMD) is pegged exactly 1:1 to the US Dollar. 

US cash is accepted everywhere. You will often pay in US dollars and receive Bermudian dollars as change. 

Credit cards are widely used. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express is frequently declined due to higher merchant fees, so always carry a backup card. 

 

Who This Guide is For (And Who Should Skip It)

 

This guide is designed for independent travelers, families renting vacation homes, and cruise visitors trying to plan their daily spending. If you are trying to figure out how much cash to bring for lunches and dinners, you are in the right place. 

 

You should skip this guide if you are staying at a fully all-inclusive resort where meals are prepaid. It is also less relevant if you are traveling on an unlimited luxury budget and do not care what a steak costs. 

 

What Surprised Me the Most About Bermuda's Food Scene

 

The first time I walked into a Bermuda grocery store, the sticker shock was very real. A basic box of imported brand-name cereal or a single avocado often costs more than a massive, freshly made local fish sandwich. It forces you to rethink how you eat. 

 

Bermuda fish chowder 

 

Photo: kansasphoto, flickr, cc by 2.0 

 

I quickly learned to eat like a local. The smell of fried fish and black rum at a neighborhood joint is far more inviting than an overpriced hotel burger. I was also surprised by how heavily locals rely on grocery store hot bars for lunch. It is a brilliant way to get a heavy, authentic meal for a fraction of restaurant prices. 

 

Learning these local habits is the first step to understanding how Bermuda's pricing actually works on the ground. 

 

Pro-Tip: If you rent a scooter or micro-car to explore, map out the local grocery stores in Pembroke Parish or Paget Parish. They are perfect pit stops to grab cheap sandwiches before heading to the beaches. 

 

Restaurant Price Tiers: What Does a Meal Cost?

 

Forget the outdated forum posts from ten years ago. Here is exactly what you can expect to pay at Bermuda restaurants right now. These prices are for a single main course, before drinks and tips. 

Street Food and Local Delis ($15 - $25): Massive local fish sandwiches on raisin bread, traditional meat pies, or hearty bowls of fish chowder. 

Casual Dining and Pubs ($30 - $50): Standard prices for burgers, chicken salads, or pub fare. Swizzle Inn in Bailey's Bay fits this tier perfectly. 

Fine Dining ($80 - $150+): The baseline for steakhouses and waterfront resorts. Prepare your wallet for prime cuts or fresh lobster at Fourways or Blu Bar and Grill. 

 

The Average Daily Food Budget (Per Person)

 

To directly answer your budgeting questions, I have broken down the daily costs into three realistic traveler profiles. 

The Frugal Traveler ($60 - $80 per day): You buy groceries for breakfast, grab a bakery item or grocery hot bar meal for lunch, and stick to local cheap eats for dinner. You drink tap water or buy your own beer at the store. 

The Standard Vacationer ($120 - $150 per day): You eat a light breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a sit-down casual lunch, and have a nice pub dinner. You might order one or two Dark 'n Stormy cocktails throughout the day. 

The Luxury Diner ($250+ per day): You eat at resort restaurants, order appetizers and desserts, and enjoy multiple expensive cocktails or bottles of wine. 

 

Common Mistakes When Paying the Bill

 

The biggest micro-friction for visitors is the "Automatic Gratuity Trap." The vast majority of restaurants, bars, and even some cafes in Bermuda automatically add a 15 to 17 percent service charge to your final bill. 

 

This rule also applies to simple drink orders at the bar, so do not double-tip on a quick beer run. Visitors often look at the total, assume tip is not included, and add another 20 percent.  

 

Always check your receipt carefully before signing. If the service charge is there, you do not need to leave extra unless the service was truly exceptional. 

 

Grocery Store Prices and The Affordable Bermuda Basket

 

If you want to save money, you will end up at a local supermarket like Lindo's or The MarketPlace. You should still expect your final grocery bill to be 50 to 100 percent higher than it is in the US. 

 

The real value is at the hot deli counters. For about $15 - $25, you can fill a heavy takeout container with macaroni and cheese, peas and rice, and baked chicken. 

 

Check out my Guide to Grocery Stores in Bermuda for full information. 

 

Alternatives: How to Eat Well if Restaurants Are Too Expensive

 

If you look at these numbers and feel a bit of sticker shock, do not worry. You have plenty of workarounds. 

 

First, consider booking an Airbnb/Vrbo or a hotel room with a kitchenette. Cooking just your breakfasts and a few dinners will save you hundreds of dollars over a week-long trip. 

 

Second, if you travel during the winter months, time your trip for Bermuda Restaurant Weeks (usually January and February). You can get excellent multi-course meals at top-tier restaurants for a fixed, discounted price. 

 

Finally, ditch the sit-down tourist spots entirely. There is a whole world of affordable local food if you know where to look. For my personal favorites, check out my complete guide to Bermuda Cheap Eats: The Top Budget Spots. 

 

Related Articles

 

Check out Local Bermuda Food to know about local food and eateries in the island. 

 

 

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