Island Eats
15 PEI Dining Experiences You Can’t Miss
Backwoods Burger
Backwoods Burger is a true hidden gem! This charming and quirky restaurant is a food lover’s haven, that focuses on crafting mouthwatering burgers and delectable dishes using the finest local ingredients. With a passion for fun and flavours, Backwoods Burger promises a dining experience worth savoring and sharing with friends and family.
The Dunes Cafe
Wandering through the gardens and art galleries at The Dunes Studio Gallery & Café is an adventure in itself, but stopping for lunch or dinner in their dining room is next level. With a curated menu of inspired cuisines, overlooking their lush green gardens, you’ll be dreaming of your next visit before you leave!
FiN Folk Food
How does enjoying fresh seafood while being surrounded by panoramic views of Grand Tracadie Harbour sound to you? FiN Folk Food is the place to be. This hidden gem boasts a mouthwatering menu of seafood comforts and classics, made with fresh local ingredients! Stop in to try their delicious seafood chowder, grab a classic lobster roll, or try their sampler for a taste of everything. Head upstairs to their bright and airy dining room to enjoy your meal, and admire the truly incredible waterfront view.
The FireWorks Feast
Forget just a meal, Chef Michael Smith’s Fireworks Feast at the Inn at Bay Fortune is an unforgettable culinary adventure. This world-renowned, four hour experience takes farm-to-table to a whole new level. Begin with the guided Culinary Farm Tour, that leads into Oyster Hour featuring live-fire hor d’oeuvres and an ice cold oyster bar. Then on the the main event. The Feast serves multiple courses using ingredients from the Inn’s own gardens and Island producers, enjoyed in front of a massive, 25-foot long, wood-fired oven that adds fire and flavor to every dish! Finish the evening with hand-made marshmallow over a campfire. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience that foodies will love.
Fisherman’s Wharf Lobster Supper & Pier 15 Restaurant
For a taste of classic PEI, look no further than Fisherman’s Wharf Lobster Suppers in North Rustico. This iconic spot offers a quintessential lobster supper experience – think fresh-caught lobster, all-you-can-eat mussels and chowder, and a legendary 60-foot salad bar. If for some reason you’re not in a Lobster Supper mood, swing by their other on-site resto, Pier 15 for a lunch from their à la carte menu! With stunning views of Rustico Bay and a reputation for friendly service, Fisherman’s Wharf is a must-visit for seafood lovers.
The Gahan House
Known to locals and visitors alike as the go-to destination for a night out with your friends and family, The Gahan’s historic setting sets the scene for a truly delicious meal. From handcrafted ales made in-house (there’s 15 on tap!), to their Brown Bag Fish & Chips or Baked Crab dip… you simply can’t go wrong! The Gahan House is nothing if not fun, with cozy corners and brick walls filled with paper notes left from previous guests. Have fun reading through the funny and heartfelt notes and then make a memory by leaving one of your own! This modern pub with historic flair is always the perfect spot for a meal.
Lobster on the Wharf
Could anything be better than feasting on fresh lobster, mussels, oysters, and clams all while enjoying the the incredible view of the Charlottetown Harbour? We don’t think so! Lobster on the Wharf is Charlottetown’s premier seafood restaurant for good reason – it’s here that freshness lives up to its name and all your ocean cravings can be satisfied. The Seafood Chowder is unbeatable and the Seafood Pot Pie is full of creamy goodness. Or live it up with the classic Lobster on the Wharf – freshly steamed and served with PEI lobster drawn with butter and lemon. There’s truly nothing like it! And when you’re finished, stop by the on-site seafood market for more goodies to take home.
Lone Oak Brewpub
Great food and great beer go hand and hand, and thankfully you can get both at Lone Oak Brewpub in Charlottetown! Their menu features classic pub foods made with high quality ingredients, and their extensive drink menu is full of their own brews that are crafted in Borden-Carleton. Check out their cozy and modern indoor dining room, or their large outdoor patio that overlooks the beautiful North River where you can dine in style around one of their large table top fire-pits, or grab a regular table to watch some seriously magnificent sunsets.
The Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar
This year-round foodie destination brings the best of the island to your plate and is a fan favourite because of it! And not only is The Merchantman’s rustic indoor seating cozy and inviting, but their Next Door outdoor seating may just be the coolest patio in Charlottetown! This is definitely the place to sit, grab a drink, and relax, whether it’s for lunch, a dinner date, or late-night cocktails. Their menu ranges from fantastic seafood dishes, to Island-raised strip loin, to an absolutely delicious curry. There’s a winning dish for everyone at The Merchantman.
New Glasgow Lobster Suppers
We know PEI is full of seafood and Lobster suppers, but believe us when we say heading to New Glasgow Lobster Suppers is a unique Island tradition! Your entree comes with appetizers and desserts (don’t worry, seconds are included!) plus a large bowl of fresh buttery buns for good measure. Their mile high lemon meringue pie is PEI-famous, but you’ll love every single one of their homemade desserts it will be hard to choose. Don’t forget to tie on your bib!
Redwater Rustic Grille
Step into The Holman Grand Hotel and prepare to be impressed. The Redwater Rustic Grille is the hotel’s upscale restaurant with a laid back atmosphere. Luxurious surroundings, signature dishes, and passion for food make this place great. Their focus is on high quality, market-driven dishes. Try their Roasted Red Pepper Dip, Chicken Pappardelle, or a hand-cut AAA Angus Beef Steak as you sip a glass from more than 120 wine labels in their cellar… this meal is worth savouring every bite.
Sea Rocket Oyster House
Choosing a restaurant on the historic Victoria Row is hard, but the stylish and unique charm of Sea Rocket Oyster House, paired with a promise of fresh Raspberry Point Oysters is a pretty convincing pull! Charlottetown’s newest oyster house has a proud commitment to locally sourced ingredients, and presents a delectable array of fresh dishes that celebrates both land and sea. Come as you are, and enjoy this truly one-of-a-kind oyster house.
Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar
A dining tour of our Island favourites could never be complete without highlighting the outstanding meals at the historic Sims Corner. As Atlantic Canada’s premier steakhouse experience, ordering at Sims is nothing if not a treat. Their menu focuses on the best the Island has to offer, prepared by the extraordinary talent of Chef Kyle Panton and a culinary team that follows suit. Impeccably shucked PEI oysters, premium Island-raised beef, and farm fresh ingredients make for a truly exquisite meal, whether you choose Sims for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks. Their next-level hospitality and tantalizing menu will leave you dreaming about returning from the moment your meal is through.
The Table Culinary Studio
While heading home after a day spent at The Table Culinary Studio in New London, you’ll quickly realize you’re not just satisfied, you’re buzzing with inspiration! This award-winning culinary studio is known for its focus on experiential cuisine using hyper-local ingredients. Their menu features 7 courses, each created with the freshest ingredients found on PEI. With only 27 seats available each night, reservations are a must to snag a spot at this intimate culinary experience. The ever-evolving menu ensures no two visits are ever the same, keeping guests coming back for another surprise from PEI’s bounty.
Vicinato Ristorante
In the heart of all the sizzling hustle & bustle of downtown Charlottetown sits Vicinato Ristorante, where you experience authentic Italian dining without leaving PEI. The menu is filled with pizzas and pastas all handmade from scratch, and their wine selection is carefully curated so your meal will always have the perfect pairing. Enjoy your meal inside their cozy dining room, their charming streetside patio, or dine in style on their rooftop patio. Whatever your visit to Vicinato looks like, you’ll feel right at home!
Consider this your invitation to dinner. Experience the chef-inspired dishes, warm island hospitality, and passion for great food that PEI is known for. You’ll soon understand why this is Canada’s Food Island!