Vegan in Bermuda

When I first planned my vacation to Bermuda, I thought access to vegetarian and vegan food would be the same as any other tropical destination. To me, one of the best parts of island vacations is the abundance of fresh, ripe, tropical fruits. I didn't think Bermuda would be any different. However, I was in for a rude awakening. As it turns out, Bermuda is completely reliant on food being shipped onto the island. They grow almost nothing. Because of this, prices on everything, but especially on fresh fruits and veggies (vegan staples) are high because of fuel prices, transportation costs, importing duties, and food taxes.

Imagine my surprise when, fresh off the plane, my husband and I walked into The Supermart, the most popular chain grocery store in Bermuda, to see that watermelons were on sale — for $15.99 each. I tried not to panic as I noticed that apples were only $2.39 a pound — pricey, but not beyond reach — but then my husband pointed out that it was actually about $2.39 per apple.

On the plus side, The Supermart had an abundance of vegan food. I was surprised to find a large selection of plant-based milk, including soymilk, cashew milk, and almond milk. One carton of Silk Almond Milk, however, was six dollars. I also found vegan cheese, vegan burgers, vegan frozen pizza, and more. It's possible to eat a varied vegan diet in Bermuda, including convenience foods, but it's about 25% — 75% more expensive than in the United States. Basic pantry staples, such as rice, beans, pasta, and canned fruits and veggies are some of the more reasonably-priced choices.

Eating at restaurants as a vegan in Bermuda also posed unique challenges, as fried fish sandwiches seem to be the main draw everywhere. I found myself in a few places where the only things I could eat were garden salads and French fries from the kids menu. These are the restaurants I visited that had good vegan options:

Juice nBeans Café

55 Court Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda

This little café is a short walk from the main bus terminal in Hamilton (about three blocks) and is one of the only places in Bermuda where I saw the word "vegan" on the menu. If you're planning to stop by for lunch, be aware that there are no tables and it is very tiny. There is a small counter with one or two stools, but it is not a place to sit down, and certainly not conducive to groups. Instead, grab your food and head to a nearby park or beach to enjoy it in the gorgeous Bermuda weather. At first glance, Juice n'Beans is an entirely vegan menu, but be aware that some of their smoothies do contain whey powder. You can easily ask these to be swapped for a plant-based protein powder. I enjoyed a Matcha Green Tea Frappe made with soymilk and my husband had a frozen blended Java Jolt.

Besides smoothies, other vegan breakfast options include a Scrambled "Eggless" Sandwich ($7.00) made with organic tofu, Steel Cut Oats Porridge with fresh fruit ($5.50), and vegan Cinnamon Rolls ($3.75). Lunch options include vegan soups and curries of the day, veggie burgers, "Chick'n" Sandwiches, and Fishless Fillet sandwiches. I couldn't resist grabbing one of their giant cinnamon rolls for our beach picnic.

Wong's Golden Dragon

13 York Street, St. George's, GE 05 Bermuda

Wong's is a small Chinese take-out place with generous portions and reasonable prices. They have three veggie dishes on their menu, but you must specifically ask that they don't use oyster sauce. I had the Golden Fried Tofu with Vegetables and Rice ($11.95) and it was delicious! I found the food less spicy than most American Chinese food I've tasted, so don't be afraid to ask for a little extra kick!

The Wharf

14 Water Street, St. George's GE 05, Bermuda

At first glance, I thought The Wharf would be one of those places I'd end up with a garden salad and fries, or plain pasta if I was lucky. However, my husband noticed a "Chef's Specialties" corner of the menu that included a Vegetable Curry ($22.50). I confirmed that it was cooked in a coconut-milk based sauce with tomatoes and onion, making it vegan, and ordered it, hesitantly. It ended up being my favorite meal of the entire trip (we went back twice!). As it turns out, the chef is Indian and his cooking was incredibly authentic. I highly recommend it.

Bermuda is a gorgeous destination, with pink sand, turquoise water, and a continuous gentle tropical breeze. I can't imagine a more gorgeous setting and would love to return, but next time, I'll be packing some of my own food and doing more research on vegan-friendly options in advance.