Due to its proximity to the ocean, Atlantic Canada is home to the most delicious seafood, wild fruits and fresh vegetables in the country. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t other things to eat. Game meat, such as moose and deer, are also commonly consumed. Cities like Halifax, St. John’s, and Moncton see a wide variety of international cuisines including Thai, Indian and Middle Eastern. I was able to get a taste of the delicious cuisine during my road trip in June 2019. Here is my list of my Top 5 Eats in Atlantic Canada.
1. Mussels on the Corner
As their name suggests, their main specialty is Mussels. This restaurant in St. John’s, Newfoundland offers great assortment of mussel flavors.
We tried the Oh la la Mussels which are steamed and topped with white wine, roast garlic, dijon and heavy cream. This combination makes the mussels one of the best I ever had. The price is also quite reasonable, with one pound coming to $15 CAD.
Also get the shoestring fries, they are BOMB!
2. Lobster Poutine at Rusty Anchor
Rusty Anchor Restaurant in Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton Island serves Lobster Poutine. For those that do not know what poutine is, it is french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. Well-beloved all over the country, this is the national dish of Canada. This variation combines a touch of the Atlantic Coast to a Canadian classic. It was such a large portion of fries with good chunks of lobster, topped with hollandaise sauce instead of gravy. The dish is not cheap (you know, it’s lobster) at $24.99 CAD.
The restaurant also offers a great view of the ocean. It is especially beautiful with the sunset.
3. Brunch at The Coastal Cafe
This popular brunch spot in Halifax gets busy, and since it is a pretty small restaurant, so don’t be surprised when you see a line.
I got The Dirty Burd, which was two fried eggs, buffalo chicken, bacon ranch, guacamole, and havarti in a bun with a side of potatoes and salad. The chicken was well seasoned and the addition of the cheese, bacon and guac makes for an awesome sandwich.
The other choices on the menu were also spectacular. Their Huevos Rancheros was probably the best version of this dish I have tried in a non- Mexican restaurant. Their take on french toast with spiced orange yogurt, warm honey dates, toasted nuts makes for a great choice for those looking for a sweet start to their day. All the dishes start around $12 CAD, a bit pricey but worth the quality that you are getting.
4. Oysters at Hideaway Campground
This hidden gem is probably not on the radar of most tourists. Hideaway Campground and Oyster Market is tucked away on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Island. Primarily a RV park and campground, they also serve farmed oysters that are plump and delicious. This place is a simple mom and pop shop and has no extra flair when it comes to their food. Therefore their fresh oysters were the cheapest I encountered on my trip at $22 CAD for a dozen or $1.83 for each oyster!
5. Rick’s Fish & Chips
We had our fair share of fish and chips, and in my opinion the best one I had was at Rick’s Fish & Chips. I like my fish to be on the batter-heavy side and this place did a great job meeting that expectation. The fish was flaky and tender. The golden brown chips were also pretty good. Rick’s is a bit on the expensive end of fish and chips, with a one piece platter starting at $11.95 CAD.
