New Brunswick,
culinary gem of Canada’s East Coast

Isabelle Cheng, @allons.y

New Brunswick is one of the three provinces in Canada’s Maritimes region, and after spending a weekend there, I can confidently say it is the jewel of the Canadian East Coast.

Do you like breathtaking landscapes and scenery? Pretty sure the answer is yes. Do you like food so good it causes you to lose control of your motor functions and drool uncontrollably? Heck, yes!

Well, let me tell you about the delicious discoveries I made – from Saint John to Saint Andrews and everywhere inbetween - so you’ll know where you must visit on your next trip there. These places will make every single person you know – specifically, their stomachs – green with envy. And let’s be honest. There’s nothing better than being that person – you know, the one who knows what’s damn hot on the food and travel scene (or anything else in life) before everyone else does. You’re welcome.

Head over to Billy’s Seafood Company restaurant at Saint John City Market for a seafood platter, caesar salad and fresh local oysters.

Saint John City Market + Billy’s Seafood Company restaurant

Canada’s oldest operating farmers’ market, Saint John City Market dates back to 1785 and houses local vendors selling fresh local produce, cheeses, seafood and meats. Some of the vendors have been operating here for more than 100 years, so it’s pretty safe to say that what they’ve got is good. Pick up some goodies and enjoy a picnic at King’s Square just across the street. Or have a lovely lunch at Billy’s Seafood Company restaurant, located right at the entrance at the market. Order the fresh local oysters and the seafood platter for the perfect meal before a day of shopping at the market.

Saint John Coast Guard Base Lighthouse and The York Bistro & Pub

The Saint John Coast Guard Base Lighthouse is located right by the water, and the views are jaw-dropping. Take a walk along the river at sunset or, better yet, enjoy a meal at The York Bistro & Pub, located at the Hilton Saint John, which serves up the most delicious eats as well as unobstructed views of the water.

From The York Bistro & Pub, take in the view of the river and Saint John Coast Guard Base Lighthouse.

The perfect ending to a day exploring New River Beach Provincial Park is a stopover at Ossie’s Lunch – fried clams with chips, lobster roll, chocolate pie and sugar doughnuts for the road!

New River Beach Provincial Park and Ossie’s Lunch

Visit New River Beach Provincial Park on the coast of Bay of Fundy. If possible, plan your trip during low tide, so you can explore the bottom of the bay and see all that lies beneath. Stop by Ossie’s Lunch restaurant, where I had the best lobster roll and fried clams that life has to offer! I finished it all off with a slice of chocolate pie and some sugar doughnuts to snack on during the rest of my road trip.

Rossmount Inn, Hotel, Restaurant & Bar

Located in Saint Andrews, Rossmount Inn, Hotel, Restaurant & Bar oozes with charm. The only thing better than this charming lodging is its restaurant, where I had one of the tastiest, most inventive meals I’ve ever had.

At Rossmount Inn, Hotel, Restaurant & Bar, dining well is a given – lobster, salmon 3 ways, prime rib.

At Rogue Coffee, try a cortado with one (or two) of the freshly baked local pastries on-site.

Rogue Coffee

Offering caffeine at its finest, Rogue Coffee, located in Saint John, is an independently owned local coffee shop that serves espresso-based beverages using Canadian roasted coffee beans ground daily, alongside fresh pastries from local bakeries. You’ll find Rogue’s coffee one of the best cuppas you’ll ever encounter. Every sip is smooth and customized exactly to the specifications of any discerning coffee connoisseur.

East Coast Bistro

This classy local bistro, located in Saint John, serves French-style maritime delicacies. Everything is perfectly cooked, and the atmosphere is upscale minus the pretentious attitude. The maritime bouillabaisse has all the best of the sea and comes with the most satisfying saffron broth. Let’s just say you’ll want extra baguettes to make sure you soak up every single last drop. If turf is more your style, then, the steak frites slathered with tarragon butter and served with a side of hand-cut fries will leave you wondering how meat can melt so delightfully in your mouth.

At East Coast Bistro, go for the maritime bouillabaisse and steak frites.

Port City Royal’s white bean burger + fries

Port City Royal

Voted as one of enRoute magazine’s top new restaurants in Canada, Saint John’s Port City Royal lives up to its ranking – and then some. The atmosphere is rustic chic with a casual vibe, but with food that could easily hold its own – and will win – versus any white-tablecloth high-roller establishment.

To learn more about the food & drink scene in New Brunswick click here

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