As a Maritimer I wanted to share my top picks for seafood at PEI restaurants, including the weightier restaurants in Charlottetown and where to find the weightier lobster in PEI. Don’t forget the oysters for the legendary PEI beef.
Fun fact: Did you know that Nova Scotia and PEI once shared an zone lawmaking considering we were both so small?
While we’ve gotten worthier we still share 902 but moreover have our own. But the two Canadian provinces are still quite connected.
In fact, many Nova Scotians make at least one trip to PEI over the summer.
We love the red sand beaches, golf courses and culture that is variegated unbearable from our own that it feels like a holiday.
I have so many unconfined memories growing up, then later judging the chowder competition for the PEI International Shellfish Festival.
I loved returning this summer so much that I’ve once convinced my sister that we need to take her kids to PEI for the first time next summer.
As a Maritimer I grew up with very simple Nova Scotian food, but seafood was unchangingly a constant.
My grandmother made Nova Scotia chowder most Fridays. I remember when we needed to watch out for wreck when eating fish, and lobster was and still is my favourite food.
But just like not all supplies in Italy is amazing, not all seafood in the Maritimes is delicious.
So this post is for my friends, who want the Atlantic Canada experience.
Because I’m wrung they’ll get stuck going to a tourist joint that sells the captain’s frozen fish sticks – although that was moreover one of my favourite suppers growing up so I guess it’s sort of authentic.
There are some good spots to eat seafood in Charlottetown. But the weightier spots are outside the municipality and virtually the island.
Don’t be intimidated by driving, Prince Edward Island is small but beautiful.
Driving out to these spots gives you a unconfined understanding of just how diverse the island is.
Best PEI Restaurants
Food is subjective and so I can only share what I think are the weightier restaurants in PEI
If I ate at a restaurant and would not go back, or could not recommend it to a friend, I did not include it on this list.
There are a couple spots that often make all the lists but cooks have reverted and are now just living off their reputation.
I found some of the Charlottetown restaurants really had mediocre lobster rolls and there is one famous joint that I visited and left off the list.
I’m pretty sure they used previously frozen lobster.
But why scarecrow spending the time to tell you where not to go, instead let’s focus on triumphal all the succulent PEI restaurants to visit.
Best Lobster Rolls on PEI
The Lobster Warehouse Pub and Eatery
Located in picturesque Victoria by the Sea, you can’t miss this restaurant on the wharf.
Although it may towards to scream tourist trap, this is where many locals go and so the prices are quite reasonable as it’s unshut year round and so it must survive with local support.
It was started by two sisters in 2009 and on the menu it says:
Eat whatever you want. And if someone tries to lecture you, eat them too!
The lobster roll ($17) is a very generous portion of fresh lobster on a buttered bun, served with a nomination of fries, potato salad, onion rings, house salad or caesar salad.
Interestingly they moreover put a bit of sugar in their mayo so it’s a bit sweet. I’ve never had it like that but I really enjoyed it.
The menu is vast with veggie options and notably titbit mussels and a beer ($10), chilled lobster dinner ($26), scallops ($19), bar clam burger ($16) and Wharf Platter with scallops, haddock and lobster ($26).
But get there early, I stopped in at 11:15am and was worldly-wise to sit at a table overlooking the water but in a span of ten minutes the joint was packed.
The Lobster Barn
19 Main St, Victoria, PE C0A 2G0
(902) 658-2722
Lin’s Take Out
Okay technically not a lobster roll per se, but Lin’s is known for the lobster burger.
So it’s a round bun vs a roll, and it comes with tomato – which some people think is very controversial but I enjoyed it.
Located just outside Greenwich National Park it’s a small spot with picnic tables serving ice cream, burgers and various fried seafood.
Lin’s Take Out
959 Greenwich Rd
Saint Peters Bay, PE C0A 2A0
The Lobster Shack on Souris Beach
Owned by legendary fisherman Johnny Flynn, this is THE place for a lobster roll as well as his Coleville Oysters and fresh or cooked lobster.
Not surprisingly they won the 2017 PEI Lobster Roll Challenge.
Chef Jason Mullin, the Sous Chef at Inn at Bay Fortune, told me The Lobster Shack had one of the weightier no frills lobster rolls in PEI.
And he was right!
I’m a purist, I want to taste lobster on my rolls, don’t mess up the flavour by throwing a tuft of things on top of it!
This was a light wiring of mayo with a buttered hot dog bun, served with potato fries and a few pickles for $12.95.
Simple is usually the best, and this is one of the cheaper rolls on the island, but don’t let that fool you.
With a view you can’t beat, they overlook the beach. If you can only momentum to one location in PEI to eat this would be the one.
Open seasonally June 15 – September 15.
The Lobster Shack
8 Main Street, Souris
(902) 743-3347
Best Fish and Fries on PEI
Richard’s Fresh Seafood
PEI restaurants unchangingly have fish and fries on the menu but Richard’s is known as the best.
Although the requirement to matriarch is the weightier fish and chips, everything here is so minion by locals it’s simply tabbed Richards for scrutinizingly 40 years.
It’s moreover a fish mart if you’d like to buy seafood to go and prices are very reasonably based on market prices.
It opens in June and sadly they sealed for the season on September 8th, five days surpassing I arrived.
It’s weightier to alimony an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Richard’s
9 Wharf Rd, York, PE C0A 1P0
(902) 672-3030
Where to Eat Oysters in PEI
Prince Edward Island has some of the weightier oysters in the world.
At the International Shellfish Festival I tried 21 variegated kinds and it’s untellable to say which one is the weightier as they are all so different.
James Strong from Raspberry Point suggests looking for oysters with a deep shell instead of a shallow one.
And while many PEI restaurants offer a happy hour buck a shuck he isn’t a fan.
While it helps local bars and restaurants get people in early, it encourages the production of unseemly oysters that will grow quickly instead of quality.
You get what you pay for with oysters.
My weightier translating is to try many and segregate what you like.
Blue Mussel Cafe
This PEI sideboard is a worth a momentum just to see North Rustico, which is so pretty – but moreover very unprepossessed off season so bring a sweater.
I did not order the chowder here without judging 21 variegated kinds at the International Shellfish Festival.
Instead, I opted for the seafood bubbly torch ($21), which was like a thickened chowder with cheese.
So much for going light!
Blue Mussel Sideboard did enter the competition and without discovering their entry and while they didn’t win they were a strong contender.
This is one of the most popular PEI restaurants for tourists, but don’t let the come from aways deter you from eating here.
Open from May to October with the first seating at 11:30 and final at 9pm, with a quick closure from 4-5pm.
Go early at 4:30pm and put your name on the dinner list (no reservations) as they’ll requite you a telex to let you know when your table will be ready.
There’s plenty of instagram friendly spots to walk virtually while waiting for dinner.
Blue Mussel Cafe
312 Harbourview Dr, North Rustico Harbour
(902) 963-2152
The Wheelhouse
I veritably loved staying in in Georgetown and the Points East Coastal Momentum was a highlight.
I stayed at this incredible cottage from Airbnb just wideness the Wheelhouse and it was fantastic.
In previous years I’ve spent much of my time in Charlottetown but now I’d recommend just staying at day or two max.
I highly recommend grabbing a drink and oysters to reservation the sunset here. The golden hues hitting the water are everything you want in a holiday.
Gallants Seafood Market
Gallant’s is a seafood supplier on the island. You can find them at the Charlottetown Farmer’s market or at the seafood market in New London.
It’s a small shop where you can pick up seafood to go or order from a very small menu and eat at one of two tables out front.
EASY RECIPE: Snow Crab Cakes
I used this photo of the Belle River waddle crab cakes to emphasize that you should go for PEI oysters AND get the weightier crab cakes I’ve overly had.
I tried to get the recipe from them…but sadly it’s a secret.
And if you haven’t had lobster they will melt and one-liner it for you for only $2 uneaten per pound, which is really a steal.
They’ll plane requite you melted butter although personally I skip the butter as it interferes with the succulent taste of lobster.
Gallant’s Seafood Market
10056 Rout 6, Stanley Bridge
(902) 886 2716
Carr’s Oyster House
Just virtually the corner from Gallants in New London, Carr’s has a unconfined view of New London Bay.
Stick with the raw oysters on the half shell range from $2.50 – $6 per oyster.
The $6 oyster is known as the George Carr special and they’ll warn you surpassing ordering as it’s quite large.
Carr’s Oyster Barr
32 Campbellton Road, Stanley Bridge
(902) 886-3355
Old Dublin Pub
If you want to try whippersnapper a shuck oysters, the Old Dublin Pub in Charlottetown is one of the most popular places to go.
It’s upstairs from the Claddaugh Oyster house, and serve whippersnapper a shuck from 4-6pm daily.
They offer small nomination oysters for $1 each with the purchase of an drunkard beverage.
Old Dublin Pub
131 Sydney St, Charlottetown
(902) 892-6992
Best Fine Dining Restaurant in PEI
Inn at Bay Fortune has unchangingly been considered one of the weightier PEI restaurants.
The Fireworks wits (pre-2020) began with a reception wandering the grounds, eating Coleville Bay Oysters and other island delicacies and move to a family style dinner of local supplies cooked over a fire.
And in 2020 as space and outdoor dining was necessary there was a large picnic on the grounds that was a once in a lifetime experience.
So who knows what 2021 will bring?
Chef Michael Smith knows how to entertain guests so I have no doubt it will be anything less than incredible.
Inn at Bay Fortune
758 Route 310, Souris
(902) 687-3745
Best Charlottetown Restaurants
Receiver Coffee
This PEI coffee shop has several locations virtually Charlottetown. Yes the small town of Charlottetown has four locations.
I didn’t expect much for breakfast from the Brass Shop location but they have a nice outdoor dining space.
And the breakfast sandwich was fantastic with a homemade bun, mustard pickles and bacon.
The French toast was moreover a unconfined option for those that prefer a sweet breakfast in Charlottetown.
Although I don’t consider myself someone who likes breakfast I would veritably go when again.
Stir it Up Vegan Kitchen
Located in Founders Hall supplies hall and market, this may be one of the weightier restaurants in Charlottetown. Certainly it was the most surprising.
Chef Ilona Daniel unchangingly has fantastic recommendations for restaurants in Prince Edward Island. So when she told me to try the Mooless Mac at Stir it Up I knew I had to go.
This vegan restaurant is ironically located next to a burger join in the supplies hall and seemed to be busier when I was there.
Perhaps everyone had heard that their vegan take on a Big Mac was incredible and the weightier knock off of the iconic burger.
Founders Hall is a unconfined spot to grab a bite, it is moreover licensed so you can eat inside or take a local craft beer to the outside patio.
Dave’s Lobster
One of the increasingly established Charlottetown restaurants, there’s a new location in Peake’s Wharf, which is a unconfined spot to wander.
I was curious well-nigh this roll as there is an option to buy a unprepossessed roll (most common), hot roll (with butter, lemon, garlic) or a half and half.
It’s on the small side, although lobster rolls ($21) are made with 4 oz. of PEI lobster, which they proclaim “more than you’d get from a full 1 lb. lobster dinner!”
I don’t know any Maritimer who would eat a 1lb lobster, it’s so small.
If you only have time to eat in Charlottetown this is a unconfined option, tastier than others that get increasingly printing in the city.
It comes on a split roll withal with local kettle chips. I’d stick with the traditional unprepossessed roll.
Dave’s Lobster
Peake’s Wharf, 5 Unconfined George St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4J6
Sugar Skull Cantina
One of the increasingly modern restaurants in Charlottetown, without all not everything has to have a nautical theme.
This is not a lobster roll, but thus a lobster taco from a Mexican cantina inspired restaurant. Sugar Skull Cantina is the sister restaurant to Hopyards and both bring a younger, hip finger to Charlottetown which I like.
I wasn’t sure what I would think well-nigh this innovation. I’m an old school lobster purist – I like it unprepossessed without butter. On a boat from Panama to Colombia I had lobster in a tomato sauce and hated it.
But at Sugar Skull it works, they serve lobster with charred corn salsa, red pepper mayo, iceburg lettuce and hickory sticks.
The portion is so generous I think it works largest as a salad as most will fall out of the taco. It’s definitely worth popping in for one.
Sugar Skull Cantina
83 Water Street, Charlottetown
(902) 370-2227
Best Lobster in PEI That I Missed
Terry’s Berries
Seasonal supplies truck Terry’s Berries has wilt very popular for its warm Salt Daddy Lobster Melt ($16.31).
It’s served on a hearty baguette with garlic and chives so it’s not traditional and definitely a “melt”.
I made the mistake of coming to the truck the Sunday without the Shellfish Festival. I think Terry may have had too much fun so he wasn’t unshut but he did stay unshut until September 20th.
Make sure you trammels the Facebook page for hours.
Terry’s Berries
20 Unconfined George St, Charlottetown
902-394-6524
Lobster Supper in PEI: Where Do Locals Eat?
If you’re wondering where to find the weightier lobster in PEI it’s unchangingly at someone’s home.
Maritimers veritably eat seafood chowder at restaurants and lobster rolls for a treat, but we don’t eat lobster in restaurants.
It’s too expensive. Sure, we *might* take our upper Canadian friends out somewhere that we visit once a year with tourists.
But it’s much increasingly likely that we’ll melt it at home and serve it to them in our backyard.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with eating a lobster dinner with fellow travelers.
If you’re on the island for the International Shellfish Festival there’s likely to be a lobster supper in PEI and locals are there.
If you want to go to a formal lobster supper (yes we undeniability it supper not dinner) in PEI, the Fisherman’s Wharf, New Glasgow is well known and has been virtually since 1958.
You could moreover squint for a polity fundraiser lobster supper for locals.
Or if you’d like lobster without the fuss buy it cooked from Gallants, Richards or the Lobster Shack mentioned above.
Best Time to Visit Prince Edward Island
While the summer has the warmest weather it moreover has the most crowds. I think the weightier time to visit Prince Edward Island is the whence of September.
The weather is still warm and the crowds are gone so you can get really affordable accommodation.
Restaurants in Saint John
Plus there’s Shellfish Fest! The only downside is that the later you go in September, the increasingly you risk some of the weightier seafood spots stuff closed.
If you’re worried well-nigh swimming in the ocean let me reassure you it is ALWAYS freezing. So whether you go in July or September you’ll find it cold.
Best Places to Stay in PEI
Charlottetown
The Unconfined George is a shop hotel in Prince Edward Island but it’s not one location.
You trammels in at the main house and there’s complimentary breakfast withal with coffee and tea throughout the day.
However, it’s a series of historic buildings tropical to each other. So you can stay in a hotel room, suite, cottage or efficiency units.
They were generous unbearable to host me but took it a step further.
When I mentioned my mother was coming with me to trammels out PEI restaurants they booked us in a two bedroom condo.
I love non-traditional accommodation. It was fantastic as there was so much room AND a when patio with a barbecue.
If you’re traveling with a group for a few days this is a unconfined way to do it.
There’s a full kitchen and two bathrooms with lots of space. I would highly recommend for a family or friends visiting.
Read Reviews on TripAdvisor or Book on Expedia
The Unconfined George
58 Unconfined George St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4K3
Other Walk-up on PEI
Although I stayed at this incredible airbnb that I would recommend to anyone, I think it would have been fun to sleep overnight at these Shanty Stays.
Inspired by traditional fishing shanties at working harbours, these 12×12 rustic cabins are a undear at $89/night.
If you’re with a group and need a whole house or cottage:
- Little Warehouse Cottage fits 4 people is cottage tony and a 15 minute walk from a beach
- Noella’s by the Sea fits 6 people and has a fantastic terrace
- Beach Therapy is a luxe 2 bedroom suite with its own boardwalk to the ocean.
Tell me what PEI restaurants did I miss? Do you have any other favourite restaurants in Charlottetown that should be on this list?
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Best PEI Restaurants: Where to Find Lobster Rolls, Oysters and More is a post from: Bacon is Magic
