Dining
St. John's has over 250 restaurants to choose from; here are recommended ones:
Blue on Water
319 Water St.
1-877-431-2583
www.blueonwater.com
Blue on Water is a boutique hotel and restaurant located in the heart of downtown St. John's on the oldest street in North America. The restaurant features the extraordinary seafood that inhabits the ocean enhanced by gourmet preparation, presentation and international influences.
Magnum & Stein's
284 Duckworth St.
709-576-6500
Romantic setting featuring first class seafood and creative dining. Reservations recommended.
Bianca's Cuisine de Soleil
171 Water St.
709-726-9016
Regarded as one of the 100 best restaurants in Canada, Bianca’s has food that's simple, fresh, daring and sophisticated. They also have a superb wine selection from around the world. In fact, Wine Spectator gave them a “Best of Award of Excellence" in 2005, making them the only restaurant in Newfoundland and Labrador to receive this honor. Reservations are recommended.
The Cellar
152 Water St., 4th Fl
709-579-8900
The Cellar specializes in seafood, pasta, steak and lamb. This fine dining establishment is also equipped with private rooms and banquet facilities. Luncheon menu is available Monday to Friday only and the dinner menu is available daily. Reservations are recommended.
Oliver's Restaurant Cafe
160 Water St.
709-754-6444
Oliver's delivers gourmet cuisine in a warm, cozy setting. Their menu offers a variety of traditional and non-traditional delicacies that feature: pasta, seafood, and fresh striploin steaks. Oliver’s also offer gourmet desserts, specialty coffee & tea. |
Django Restaurant
190 Duckworth St.
709-738-4115
Located in the heart of old St. John's, Django has an outstanding view of the harbour. After an appetizer of peppercorn chicken tenders in citrus cream sauce, try the mouthwatering scallops in cilantro pesto on spaghetti recommended by the New York Times. Private dining rooms are also available. |
Pasta Plus
223 Duckworth St.
709-739-6676
If you’re in the mood for Italian, Pasta Plus offers a large menu featuring fresh made pastas, crepes and gourmet pizzas.
BonaVista
Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel
709-726-4980
The BonaVista is a colorful Mediterranean-themed family restaurant. The layout offers comfortable semi-private seating with an open kitchen concept. Feast on traditional Newfoundland fare along with a selection of Mediterranean specialties. Enjoy the daily breakfast buffet, luncheon buffet (Monday to Friday only), dinner menu and the ever-popular Sunday brunch buffet.
The Cabot Club (The only 4 Diamond Restaurant in St. John's)
Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel
709-726-4944
The Fairmont Newfoundland's fine dining room, features upscale local cuisine and fresh seafood.
Take in the breathtaking view of the Narrows and St. John's Harbour while enjoying your scrumptious meal. The Cabot Club is a CAA/AAA 4-Diamond Award winner and has been voted one of Canada's 100 best restaurants. The Cabot Club offers an extensive wine list including a selection of VQA wines and other fine international selections.
Crooked Crab Café and Savage Lobster Restaurant
98 Duckworth St.
709-738-8900
For a cozy atmosphere, this two-story restaurant sits about 20 people. If you don't mind the feeling of eating in your mom's dining room, then you will absolutely love this place.
Ches's Famous Fish & Chips
9 Freshwater Rd. (St. John's location)
709-726-3434
For very casual eat-in or take out, you must try Ches's famous cod and handmade chips. Ches Barbour began cooking as a young man on the family schooner, 'Seabird'. It was aboard that vessel that he honed his skills and developed a passion for taking pride in quality food. He fulfilled his dream in 1951 and opened his first fish and chips take out in St. John's. Today, Ches's is a family business with five stores across Newfoundland and more in the works.
Nightlife
St John's is said to have more drinking places per square kilometre than any other city in North America. Along George Street you'll find around 20 pubs and bars featuring Irish, country, dance, rock & roll and traditional music with the parties going until 3 a.m. on Friday nights. Old world pubs also lie tucked away on side streets and lanes.
Sundance
George St.
709-753-7822
www.thesundance.ca
Nightclub and restaurant. Seafood & steak house on the premises. (One of the main bars for the Royal LePage Rally in the Alley evening event.)
Club One
George St. - Attached to Sundance
709-753-7822
www.clubone.ca
Nightclub (Will also host Royal LePage's Rally in the Alley George Street Party event.)
YellowBelly Brewery
George St.
This three-storey bar and micro brewery will open in September of 2007. (Will also host Royal LePage's Rally in the Alley George Street Party event.)
O'Reilley's
15-17 George St.
709-722-3735
If you’re looking for a fun energetic atmosphere, O’Reilley’s is the place to go as live music can be heard every night of the week. O’Reilley’s, famous for their Newfoundland hospitality, also has a large selection of local and imported beers.
Greensleeves Pub & Lounge
14 George St.
709-579-1070
Two clubs inside, lunch service, DJ on the weekend, Sunday afternoon/evening live folk music, and sports clientele.
Westminster Pub and Eatery
210 Water St.
709-738-3018
An English-style pub, offers 12 draught beers on tap. If you get hungry, the eatery offers daily lunch and dinner specials as well as a selection of classic British pub fare.
Jungle Jim's Bar and Eatery
George and Holdsworth Streets
709-753-5467
This lively bar always features some of the best folk acts around Newfoundland. There is a cover charge on Friday and Saturday.