Bermuda's Famous Fried Fish Sandwich Recipe

Last Updated on July 31, 2025 by Carne Diem

Ask any local Bermudian, any taxi driver, any server at a seaside grill - they'll all tell you the same thing: the Bermudian fish sandwich is an island institution. Forget fancy Michelin-starred plates, this handheld masterpiece is where Bermuda's true culinary magic lies.

During a vacation to Bermuda we knew we had to try this iconic fish sandwich and were fortunate enough to try a couple of the best fish sandwiches on the island.  Fresh local fish was flash fried and then served on a homemade raisin bread with hot sauce, lettuce, and tomato.  Trips to Art Mel's Spicy Dicy in the City of Hamilton and local favorite Mama Angie's in historic St. George lived up to the hype.  

Making a Bermuda Fish Sandwich at Home

While a trip to Bermuda is the ideal way to experience this culinary delight, you can create your own version at home. Thankfully after a lot of trial and error, we have learned how to make this classic fish sandwich at home. The basic recipe is simple: fresh fish, a light batter, homemade tartar sauce, and raisin bread.  Experiment with different types of fish, play around with spice levels, and find your own perfect flavor combination.

Making this delicious fried fish sandwich at home is easy and easily customizable. Here is what you will need and step by step instructions.

Ingredients for a Bermuda Style Fried Fish Sandwich

The beauty of this Bermudian staple is its endless variations. Each restaurant, from the Swizzle Inn in Hamilton to the Tribe Road Kitchen, puts its own spin on the classic. Some, like Café Olé near the Royal Naval Dockyard, use a lighter batter for a less greasy experience.  Others, like Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant in the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, offer a more upscale take with gourmet toppings. This simple variation is our favorite.

The Bread- While you will most commonly find the island's great fish sandwiches served with raisin bread or raisin toast, feel free to substitute slices of your favorite homemade bread or whole-wheat toast. Sourdough bread also works well with the sandwich, but we highly recommend trying it with the raisin bread the first time you make it.

The Fish: Traditionally, the fried fish sandwich is made with snapper fillets or the local catch of the day like wahoo or grouper. Snapper is our favorite, but you can use your favorite mild fish to the sandwich. Pollock, haddock, and basa are other nice options for making the fried fish sandwich.

The Slaw: To make the slaw for the fried fish sandwich you will need classic green cabbage coleslaw or shredded lettuce, some tartar sauce, and a little of your favorite hot sauce.

We typically use a Caribbean style hot sauce, but feel free to use your favorite.

The Breading: We preferred the sandwiches with a lighter, crispy breading. To make this simple seasoning you will need some corn meal or cracker meal, cornstarch, cumin, cayenne pepper, flour, and salt and pepper. You can also use your favorite fish fry breading if you are wanting to keep things simple.

Tomato: Tomato slices or diced tomato are an optional but common topping on the Bermuda fish sandwiches.

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare the slaw: To make the slaw for the fried fish sandwich simply combine the tartar sauce with shredded cabbage or lettuce. Mix in a little hot sauce to taste, we typically use about 1 tablespoon per cup of lettuce. Mix well to combine and keep chilled until needed.

Season and Bread the Fish: Combine the corn meal, flour, corn starch, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper and mix to combine. Evenly coat the fish filets with the fish fry mixture, then shake off the excess.

After breading the fish, allow the fish to sit for about 5-10 minutes prior to cooking.

Cooking the Fried Fish: Heat about ¼ inch of cooking oil in a skillet or pan, over medium heat (about 350 degrees F). Fry the fish fillets for about 2-3 minutes per side, or to your desired doneness. Remove the fried fish to a paper towel lined plate. Fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F.

Once cooked, remove the fish to a paper towel lined plate and rest for about 3-5 minutes.

Assemble the Sandwich: Top a slice of the raisin bread with the slaw and then the fried fish. In Bermuda, you will often find the fish pieces stacked 2-3 pieces high, making for a messy but delicious meal. If desired, finish with a little more hot sauce and slices of tomato.

The crispy, stacked fish filet sandwich provided the perfect fuel for a day of exploring the island's stunning beaches and fantasy caves.  And let's be honest, it's the ultimate drunken indulgence after a night of rum swizzles at Harbour Nights.  

While you are here, be sure to check out more of our favorite seafood recipes:

• Caramelized Vietnamese Salmon
• Smoked Hot Shrimp and Crab Dip Appetizer
• The Ultimate Seafood Portofino Linguine Pasta
• Grilled Red Snapper Escovitch
• New Orleans Style Chargrilled Oysters
• Classic New England Style Crab Norfolk
• Irish Guinness Beer Battered Cod
• Spicy Trinidad Style Pepper Shrimp Recipe
• Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi with Coconut Sauce

What to serve with a Bermudian Fish Sandwich

While the deep-fried fish is the star of the show, the supporting cast plays a crucial role.  The Bermudian fish sandwich is often served with sides like creamy coleslaw, tangy fish chowder, or crisp fries (or "chippies" as the locals call them).  Rice and peas are also common. And of course, no Bermudian meal is complete without a refreshing ginger beer.

So, next time you're craving a taste of paradise, ditch the fancy recipes and whip up a Bermudian fish sandwich.  It may not be the most glamorous dish, but it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and delicious reminder of this beautiful island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. If you tried and enjoyed our recipe, please share with others and please leave us a comment and review. We also love to see your pics so don't forget to tag us @Carne_Diem_Culinary or #CarneDiemBlog. To be notified of future recipes please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, or sign up for our e-mail notifications. Until next time, Carne Diem!

📖 Recipe