A Food Lover’s Guide To New Brunswick
New Brunswick is full of natural beauty and East Coast charm. From walking on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks near Moncton, to enjoying Fredericton’s festivals and kayaking the Saint John River, there’s lots to do and even more to taste. Stop for a meal and a drink (or two!) at these bistros, pubs, coffee shops and bakeries – there’s no shortage of delicious options on your Maritime adventure.
Saint John
East Coast Bistro
60 Prince William St.; eastcoastbistro.com
At East Coast Bistro, the focus is on using fresh, local ingredients, including seafood right from the Bay of Fundy. Everything on the menu is made in-house, from their signature salad, to the Maritime Bouillabaisse and their decadent desserts, like the Cookies and Cream.
Photo cred: Nienke Izurieta
Port City Royal
45 Grannan St.; portcityroyal.com
Visit Port City Royal for a modern take on classic Maritime dishes in a hip, welcoming atmosphere. With a small but mighty menu and an innovative cocktail list, try fresh oysters, the Pork Loin Roast, and end your meal with Maple Pie.
Photo cred: Scott Munn
Saint John Ale House
1 Market Square; saintjohnalehouse.com
At Saint John Ale House, Chef Jesse Vargen and crew use local ingredients from both land and sea. Try the organic cheeseburger, the fish and chips, or the charcuterie with bread and pickled vegetables made in-house, and beef dry-aged on site.
Photo cred: Port City Delicious
Rogue Coffee
36 Grannan Street; facebook.com/roguecoffeesj
Start your morning at cute and cozy Rogue Coffee with a beautifully-poured latte (made from Pilot Coffee beans) and a tasty snack. With espresso service and expertise in a variety of brewing methods, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious cup of joe.
Photo cred: Nienke Izurieta
Fredericton
11th Mile
79 York St.; 11thmile.ca
Visit 11th Mile for the craft cocktails and modern Canadian cuisine, but stay for the hospitality. After heading up top Toronto kitchens, husband-and-wife team Chef Peter Tompkins and Jennie Wilson moved back home to New Brunswick and opened 11th Mile in 2017 as a place for friends to gather and savour great food.
Photo cred: Mary Coady
540 Kitchen & Bar
540 Queen St.; 540kitchenandbar.com
Craft beer lovers should stop by 540 Kitchen & Bar to sample some of the best craft brews in the Maritimes, paired with plates that range from pub favourites like burgers and mac & cheese, to more upscale dishes like beef tartare and risotto.
Chess Piece Patisserie & Café
61 Queen St; chesspiece.ca
From colourful macarons to Millefeuille (layers of caramelized puff pastry, creme mousseline, and a royal icing glaze), Chess Piece Patisserie has plenty of mouth-watering treats. The Parisian-style café also offers soups, sandwiches, and coffee, so you can stop by for lunch and stay for dessert.
The Donut Bar
346 Queen St.; thedonutbarfreddy.com
With flavours like Cookies + Cream, Honey Glazed, and S’mores, you’ll find your sugar fix at The Donut Bar. Tip: the donuts are made fresh each morning, so visit early to have your pick – once they’re gone, they’re gone for the day.
Photo cred: Lauren Hildebrand
Moncton
Tide & Boar
700 Main St.; tideandboar.com
Gastropub Tide & Boar serves up elevated pub fare paired with craft beer, plus a menu of both classic and seasonal cocktails. Bonus: there’s a concert venue onsite, so check listings before visiting to try to catch local and international talent.
Photo cred: Chad Steeves
Tony’s Bistro & Patisserie
137 McLaughlin Drive.; tonysbistro.ca
Breakfast, lunch and dinner – Tony’s Bistro does it all. From burgers, pasta, and seafood, to charcuterie (the boards are made from exotic reclaimed wood by local woodworkers and feature house-smoked and cured meats), it’s all made from scratch, including their beautiful pastries.
Photo cred: Chris Holden
Little Louis’
245 Collishaw St.; littlelouis.ca
If you’re a wine lover, plan a visit to Little Louis’ for fine dining and expertly-paired grapes and vintages. Though the menu changes, expect modern French cuisine, including a variety of fresh, artfully-presented seafood dishes.
