| Dining Overview | Top  |
In St. John's, as throughout the province, you'll have plenty of opportunities to try a scoff, a large meal of local cooking, often centered on seafood such as cod, salmon, trout or halibut. Specialties include seafood chowder, cod au gratin, cod tongues and cheeks, and a variety of desserts with local partridgeberries and blueberries. If you're looking for some down-to-earth fare, try one of the local fish-and-chips shops (some say St. John's serves the best in the world).
Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than Can$15; $$ = Can$15-$25; $$$ = Can$26-$40; and $$$$ = more than Can$40.
| Local & Regional | Top |
This restaurant takes familiar Newfoundland fare—seafood and game—and playfully reinterprets the dishes. Airy dining room with an excellent view. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. $$$. 190 Duckworth St., St. John's. Phone 709-738-4115.
Go there for delicious meals in intimate surroundings in a heritage downtown building. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 250 Duckworth St., St. John's. Phone 709-753-0400.
This spot has unpretentious pub food in a comfortable, wood-and-brass environment. Open Monday-Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 389 Elizabeth Ave., St. John's. Phone 709-726-3053. http://www.guvnor-inn.com/pub.html.
An eclectic mix of fine dining, ethnic fare and traditional Newfoundland offerings tucked into a cozy cafe in the downtown area. The building alone is worth the visit as it's where the women's suffrage movement began in Newfoundland. Go for brunch, lunch, dinner or a midafternoon respite from shopping. Daily noon-11 pm. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 160 Water St., St. John's. Phone 709-754-6444. http://www.olivers-cafe.com.
Crowds flock to this place at lunchtime. Its delicious sandwiches are named after newspapers of the world. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Murray Premises, St. John's. Phone 709-753-2457. http://www.pressandbean.com.
Velma's has attracted a following from tourists for its honest, no-nonsense fare, quick service and extended hours. It specializes in "home-cooked" dishes. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 264 Water St., St. John's. Phone 709-576-2264.
Inexpensive Japanese cuisine is served in a dinerlike setting. Daily for lunch and dinner. $. Most major credit cards. 186 Duckworth St., St. John's. Phone 709-726-8688.
This may seem like an unassuming spot, but Giovanni Cabot's makes wonderful pizza—some say the best in St. John's. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. $. Most major credit cards. 10 King's Road, St. John's. Phone 709-739-7999.
| Middle Eastern | Top  |
The menu offers a blend of cuisines, including Middle Eastern and European. Delicious lunches, at very affordable prices. Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. Takeout only 3-4 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 4 Quidi Vidi Road (at the base of Signal Hill), St. John's. Phone 709-738-4636.
Vegans will enjoy the low-cost, high-flavor meals. Brunch is popular on weekends. Open Tuesday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch. $. Accepts Visa only. 364 Duckworth St., St. John's. Phone 709-579-5485.
Bianca's has earned its status as the premier fine-dining location in St. John's. An excellent dining room (and expansive, full-service cocktail lounge next door) features handsomely presented meals with Mediterranean style and exotic overtones. Seafood, beef and lamb are specialties. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for dinner only. $$$$. 171 Water St., St. John's. Phone 709-726-9016. http://www.biancas.net.
Located within the St. John's Fairmont, this restaurant offers casual dining, traditional Newfoundland foods and everything you'd expect from a Fairmont. The Sunday brunch is especially good. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, Sunday for brunch. Reservations are recommended for brunch. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 115 Cavendish Square, St. John's. Phone 709-726-4980. http://www.fairmont.com.
Have some tapas downstairs while you wait for a table upstairs. The eclectic menu varies from seafood favorites to bison. Ask for a table near the window for a remarkable view of Duckworth Street. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 284 Duckworth St., St. John's. Phone 709-576-6500.
Located in the renovated rooms of a former office building, Thyme Stone Bistro serves magnificent meals on slate platters. Seasonings dominate the menu. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. 281 Duckworth St., St. John's. Phone 709-722-5769.
A great place for a late-night meal or an early-bird breakfast. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 155 New Gower St., St. John's. Phone 709-754-2266.
This trendsetting restaurant has raised the bar on seafood seasoning. Asian themes are popular, but the menu is truly internationally inspired. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. $$$. Most major credit cards. 310 Water St., St. John's. Phone 709-576-2782. http://www.aquarestaurant.ca.
This place offers one of the best nighttime views of the city: The wall facing Water Street is made of glass. On the inside, the menu is slanted heavily toward seafood, with lively approaches to flavor. Servings are ample and delicious. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$$. 319 Water St., St. John's. Phone 709-754-2583. http://www.blueonwater.com.
You'll feel as if you've just entered the neighborhood pub—and you'll be right. This place is a favorite of the locals. Great drinks, fresh seafood and a friendly atmosphere. Daily noon-midnight. $. Most major credit cards. 201 Water St., St. John's. Phone 709-738-1120.
The setting is an 1834 farmhouse with walls 3 ft/1 m thick, and the atmosphere is unique. You'll find some of the best wild game, fresh seafood and traditional Newfoundland food there. Caribou, grilled salmon and Camembert croutons are just a few of the specialties. In keeping with Newfoundland hospitality, portions are generous. Go for a stroll to Quidi Vidi Lake afterward and enjoy the landscape. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for lunch only. $$$. Most major credit cards. 8 Kenna's Hill, St. John's. Phone 709-753-2425.
| Other Options | Top |
If food equals fun for you (or you're toting a few picky eaters) make time to visit Jungle Jim's—you won't be disappointed. Typical roadhouse food with a flair for wild and whacky thrown in. The kids will love the chicken rappers, monkey fingers and bambino tacos. You'll love the prices and the fact that there's so much to look at that no one is arguing. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. 657 Topsail Road, Waterford Valley Mall, St. John's. Phone 709-739-5467. http://www.junglejims.ca.
The two-story restaurant serves elegant cocktails and tapas downstairs, and spicy meals and other creative dishes upstairs. Dinner menu items are listed by size to appeal to any appetite (or budget). Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 2 Cathedral St., St. John's. Phone 709-738-5293. http://www.thecasbah.ca.
