Good food, great views—what more could you ask for?
It’s not hard to find a restaurant deck or patio in Atlantic Canada where you can relax and enjoy a good meal. Many spots even throw in a view of birds, bergs, or whales.
Newfoundland and Labrador
That’s the case at the Norseman Restaurant (incredible sunsets too) in L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Great views abound in Newfoundland. The Friendly Fisherman Café , in the little town of Rose Blanche on the Southwest Coast, has fishing village charm.
Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia, on the province’s eastern shore, Guysborough wows with the Rare Bird Pub , a waterfront pub and eatery overlooking a marina on the head of Chedabucto Bay.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more urban, Halifax’s Argyle Street is packed with patios, and one would do well to stake out a spot at the Economy Shoe Shop , which, in combination with the Backstage and the Diamond , occupy a good chunk of the patio space on this particular part of the strip. This deck is best for people-watching, given that the view faces the street, with nary an ocean wave in sight. On the waterfront, a great option is the Bicycle Thief , whose Lower Water Street location has a view of Halifax Harbour that can’t be beat. For rooftop patios, Your* Father’s Moustache* offers one of Halifax’s most popular patios with a bird’s-eye view of bustling Spring Garden Road.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick has numerous options. The Gables Restaurant in the pretty resort town of St. Andrews , NB, offers a beautiful view toward Passamaquoddy Bay. And they have great pie. Captain Dan’s , on Pointe-du-Chêne wharf in Shediac , NB, is set on a busy working wharf where fisherman and tourist operations are based. Further north, La Terrasse à Steve , near the Miscou Island Lighthouse on New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula, brings to mind a Key West classic clam shack.
Happinez Wine Bar in the Trinity Royal Preservation District in uptown Saint John , NB, has a “pocket-sized” patio, called “Hapito,” which has been recognized in the architecture world for its unique design given its limited space. Elsewhere in the city, restaurants and pubs line Market Square Boardwalk , making this area great for drinks or dinner. It’s on the Bay of Fundy waterfront and offers free nightly entertainment in summer. Lily’s Bistro at the Hatheway Pavilion in Rockwood Park offers a patio overlooking Lily Lake, where diners can watch swimmers, paddle boats and kayakers.
In Moncton , remember to bring your binoculars to Magnetic Hill Winery where you can sit in the gazebo sipping a glass of wine as you look out over the panoramic view of the city to Chocolate River and the entrance to the Bay of Fundy.
Prince Edward Island
Over on the Island, Charlottetown’s Victoria Row is a gem for outdoor dining. The popular pedestrian street in the city’s downtown is close to all main attractions and features outdoor cafés, restaurants, live music, shops and art galleries. Castello’s Ristorante & Pizzeria have really good thin crust pizza.
Down on the waterfront, Peake’s Quay Restaurant has a large outdoor patio—one they claim is the largest on Prince Edward Island—with more than 200 outdoor seats; it overlooks the Quartermaster Marina and Confederation Landing Park. Another enviable view is found at Lobster on the Wharf , which operates from “the old ferry wharf” on the edge of Charlottetown’s harbour. The seafood restaurant is right on the wharf overlooking the scenic Hillsborough River. Outside Charlottetown, another great water can be found at Clam Diggers in Georgetown , where diners can watch clam diggers, lobster fishermen and fly fishermen “ply their trades” within viewing distance of the spacious deck.
