St. John's, Newfoundland – Dining & Restaurants
St. John's Offers Wonderful Local Flavour and Regional Delicacies
Sep 13, 2008
When visiting Newfoundland, many people often get the impression that all they will be eating is cod, cod, and more cod - and that certainly may be the case if you take a liking to it - however there are a great deal of quality restaurants in the city that all turn out a wonderful meal.
Local Favourites, Fresh Seafood
Of course, a trip to Newfoundland would never be complete without a mess of fish n' chips served up in the traditional fashion. The best place to sample fresh battered codfish in St. John's is at Ches' Fish and Chips, a long-time Newfoundland icon that still remains the most popular choice for both tourists and local alike. Most often the cod that is prepared for you is fresh off the boat itself, and if not the staff will always have a sign up informing you that sadly, today they will be using frozen. At the downtown location which has been recently renovated, the decor is simple and evocative of a country kitchen - and the staff is always friendly and courteous, not unusual given the general personality of the people of Newfoundland.
The cod is succulent, very crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and if you'd like to try a delicious side be sure to ask for fries, dressing, and gravy. The dressing is typically very simple. comprised of breadcrumbs, spices, and savoury - and compliments the fries very nicely. Ches' is a very inexpensive place to eat, and for tourists, always be sure to ask for a nice certificate signed by the cook declaring that you have sampled the finest fish in Newfoundland. A perfect thing to frame for a memento of your experience!
Other local flavours to try for the adventurous are scrunchions (bits of fried pork fat), toutons (fried bread dough), and cod tongues (very self explanatory, often lightly breaded and seared). Though they may sound a bit daunting, they are well worth a try!
Upscale Dining
If steak is more of a hobby for you than a meal, Peter Belbin's Steakhouse might be just what the chef ordered! Well known throughout the city as a premiere steakhouse, Peter Belbin's offers everything up-to-and-including hand cut portions to your liking and preference served to your table. The beef is regarded as excellent quality and it is a rare day indeed when the restaurant is not extremely busy. The atmosphere is still very down to earth however, and is not daunting or too modern. Service is always quite good and the salad bar must be sampled to be appreciated.
For the more intimate setting, Oliver's Restaurant offers a very vibrant menu with standouts such as a cajun blackened chicken breast and the greatest array of wines possible - in fact the walls are lined with extremely tasteful wooden wine racks displaying the awesome selection. Oliver's is a very small restaurant with tasteful, dark ambience during the evening, in fact a perfect place to take a date for a dinner for two.
Casual Dining
Papa's Pier 17 is without a doubt one of the finest restaurants in town, blending a very unique yet upscale interior with excellent portions and affordable pricing. The restaurant is very versatile in that it bears the dignity and decor of an upscale restaurant, yet is not afraid to have fun with seasonal displays and a less expensive menu offering. The specialty of the restaurant is Greek cuisine, however almost all of the selections offer either a regional or european flair - the baclava is a must-try. It must be noted that during the Christmas season, Papa's Pier always puts a lot of effort into decoration, complete with tonnes of cotton snow and two working train sets along the walls. Combined with the hanging string lights and the full-length mirrors on either side of the room, the visual aesthetic of this particular restaurant is very inventive and memorable.
The Bagel Cafe also bears mentioning as one of the hidden gems that locals love to keep to themselves. Located on Duckworth Street, the cafe offers a hearty all-day breakfast as well as several sandwiches offered up on - you guessed it - bagel buns. A very fresh and inventive menu features ingredients that will appeal to all, even the most fussy, and most of the food is fairly healthy and well-prepared. There is often a steak available, though it is not mentioned on the menu, so be sure to ask in case it is currently on special - it is well worth the price and spiced perfectly.
All in all, St. John's offers a plethora of dining choices that cannot be contained here. The streets are filled with great choices and the face of the downtown area is always shifting, so be sure to explore and experiment!
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