In the wake of the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s Bermuda’s Best Fish Sandwich Competition, The Royal Gazette hit the streets of Hamilton to find out which restaurant people believe has the best fish sandwiches and why.

There was a mixed bag of responses, with people saying they’ve eaten sandwiches from at least two or three participating restaurants. We also found that most locals will remain loyal customers of the unofficial king of fish sandwiches, Art Mel’s.

Mikaela Pearman, said: “I like food a lot. So I’ve been to Blackbeards, Tempest Bistro, Devils Isle, and Café Olé at Crystal Caves. I think It’s difficult to say which sandwich is the best because they were all so different. I think if you’re looking for a traditional Bermuda fish sandwich Café Olé is the place to go because it was well seasoned, full of flavour but very simple in that it’s exactly what I think of when I think Bermuda fish sandwich. But if you want something totally out of the box and completely different than anything else I would say go to Tempest.”

Carol Edness, said: “I think Woody’s has the best fish sandwich thus far from the ones that I’ve tasted. The presentation is good, the texture of the fish is really nice and seasoned. Woody’s is my spot.”

Chelsea Warren, said: “I’m actually trying to call Art Mel’s right now. Art Mel’s has the best fish sandwich. Of course, hands down. It’s something about their batter, what they fry their fish in that makes them the best fish sandwich. It’s good, very good.”

Nhuri Bashir, said: “The best fish sandwich on the island that I’ve had is Art Mel’s. I mean, it’s kind of a miss that they weren’t in this competition, I was hoping that they were in it because they are my favourite. But for some reason I like those beer-battered fish sandwiches also. I know people might disagree with me but Swizzle Inn is pretty awesome also. So I like a little Swizzle Inn backatown fish sandwich and the Bailey’s Bay fish sandwich. But between Swizzle Inn and Art Mel’s, Art Mel’s has the best, hands down.”

Traddie Simpson, said: “The only place I’ve ever had a fish sandwich from is Art Mel’s. With their sandwiches you know what you’re going to get. It’s consistently good. There’s no question whether or not it’s going to be good, if it’s going to be cooked properly. You always know what you’re going to get.”

Stephan Johnstone: “I haven’t tasted all of them but I just had Muse’s and it was good, I liked it. I’m not a foodie, but it tasted well going down.”

Caitlin Spence, said: “I think my favourite fish sandwich would be from Devils Isle because it has tons of avocado and it’s the best one I’ve had so far.”

Shalini Johnstone, said: “I really like the fish sandwiches at my coffee shop Dangelini’s, but I just had the fish sandwich at Muse and it was really, really good too. There were onions and tomatoes and it was like a pickled vinaigrette on top and the price wasn’t bad either.”

Michael Clemens, said: “Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy has the best fish sandwich. The fact that he uses a homemade bread and then he has the fresh coleslaw that he puts with it and whatever else you want with it, tartar sauce, whatever. And the size is enormous, one fish sandwich could fill two people and it’s delicious. Right now I am vegan, I don’t eat fish, chicken or anything but if I go past Art Mel’s now I may be tempted to break my rules. That’s how good it is. Art Mel’s, number one.