With its limestone cottages painted in sherbet-color hues, golf courses as green as shamrocks, powdery pink sand beaches, and iridescent turquoise waters, Bermuda is a tropical Arcadia set among the coral reefs of the Atlantic. It’s an otherworldly time warp of English gentility—and, just like its quirky British traditions and distinctive pastel architecture, the isle is about as old-school as it gets when it comes to having some of the world’s most charming centuries-old shops and traditional family-run emporiums. Along Front Street, the main drag in the capital harborside city of Hamilton, you’ll find a coterie of quaint shops and must-see sights tucked along the rows of scalloped stucco buildings and picturesque storefronts with breezy verandas—and they’re all within a radius of just a few colorful blocks. From rainbow-bright Bermuda shorts and Black Seal Rum to royal china, stationery, and museum-worthy modern art, here’s our insider island guide to where to stop along Front Street, the most stylish street in Bermuda. So skip the tourist traps and souvenir stores, and hit a handful of Hamilton’s iconic and locals-approved gems instead.
The English Sports Shop
This old-school sporting outfitter has been around since 1918—and its Front Street outpost is stocked with linen-blend Bermuda shorts in bright pastels and tropical madras plaids. (The spectrum spans from “Coral Beach pink” to lilac and parakeet green.) You’ll also find a kaleidoscopic array of Bermuda-crested sweaters, polos, and rugby jerseys; bright knee socks and blazers; needlepoint belts; and—of course—Royall Lyme Bermuda perfumes like Bay Rhum and Royall Spyce.
Gosling Brothers Ltd.
For 200 years, Gosling’s has been distilling Bermuda’s best-selling spirit: Black Seal Rum, which is famously used to mix the island’s national cocktail, the dark ’n’ stormy. Today, seventh-generation family members still run its landmark emporium, a powder blue two-story building with classic white Bermudian shutters. Head to the secret bar upstairs and ask to try their Princess Rum, a single barrel reserve that’s aged in wooden oak barrels down in the distillery below.
The Irish Linen Shop
This quaint canary yellow shutters shop has one of the best collections of linen on the globe—you’ll find intricate damask tablecloths from Ireland, French Provençal bedding, hand-embroidered handkerchiefs from Madeira, and shelves of cheerful stationery and decor.
Bermuda Bookstore
At the corner of Front and Queen Streets sits this nearly 100-year-old cedar-floored bookstore, which is stocked with vintage Bermuda histories, old shipwreck stories, and spooky Triangle tales. But the one single best book to buy? B_ermewjan Vurds_—a hilarious magenta pink pocket dictionary of the island’s local dialect and slang.
Bluck’s
Established in 1844, the robin’s-egg blue boutique is known for carrying a well-edited selection of the finest names in china, like Royal Worcester, Spode, Royal Doulton, and Herend porcelain from Hungary. They also carry crystal from Lalique.
The Hamilton Princess
Just past Front Street and affectionately known as the Pink Palace, the rosy-hued grande dame of a hotel opened its doors in 1885, and it quickly drew a roster of illustrious literati: Mark Twain was a fixture at the Princess (he liked to smoke cigars on its shady verandas), while Ian Fleming, a wartime guest, used its fish tank–lined Gazebo Bar as inspiration for Dr. No. Nowadays, the sprawling hotel has a museum-worthy collection of modern art: Works by Banksy, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann, David Hockney, and Piet Mondrian are scattered alongside giant sculptures by Tom Sachs, Ai Weiwei, and Kaws.
A.S. Cooper & Sons, Ltd.
Step through the doors accented with Wedgwood handles of this family-owned department store and you’ll find an endless selection of fine bone china, glassware, silver, and crystal. It’s chock-full of European pottery and porcelain (think Royal Doulton, Belleek, and Royal Copenhagen), while their crystal room has tons of Orrefors, Royal Brierley, and Waterford—making it a must-stop if you’re looking for wedding gifts.
Marcus’
Chef Marcus Samuelsson, the force behind Harlem’s Red Rooster, opened Marcus’ in 2015. Perched alongside Hamilton’s idyllic harbor, the boîte’s eclectic menu celebrates the island’s vibrant flavors, with freshly caught fish and locally sourced ingredients. Go for the food—as well as the vibe: Midcentury banquettes and drawings by Nelson Mandela vie with distinctively Bermudian touches like nautical canvas sailcloths, brass captain’s bells, and retro island travel posters from the 1950s.