Disclosure: this put up about eating places in Saint John New Brunswick is in partnership with Uncover Saint John. They had been incredible about providing their favorite ideas for issues to do in Saint John however allowed me to discover and file again as I might generally do.
My first getaway exploring Saint John eating places was once memorable. Now not only for the meals, however since the town was once hastily incredible.
In spite of rising up in Nova Scotia, I’m embarrassed to mention I’d by no means visited Saint John New Brunswick.
Once I shared that with others the reaction was once “smartly, why would you?” and the solution is as a result of it can be essentially the most scrumptious town in Atlantic Canada.
I am hoping Nova Scotia doesn’t disown me for announcing this!
However visiting Saint John made me understand there’s no explanation why to go to Toronto or Montreal should you’re in search of nice eating places or public artwork.
And its espresso retail outlets rival cafes in Quebec Town.
It’s now not sudden that individuals are actually calling the town Saint Superior.
WHY VISIT SAINT JOHN
Saint John rings a bell in my memory of Halifax in some sides, of Brooklyn with some properties, and of San Francisco with some hills.
You wish to have to stay your eyes peeled in uptown Saint John as a result of there may be such a lot to soak up.
I spent 3 nights in Uptown Saint John and I sought after to kick this put up off with some a laugh information and causes to discuss with Saint John New Brunswick.
- Saint John New Brunswick is the oldest integrated town (1785) in Canada.
- It’s the simplest town at the Bay of Fundy.
- Wikipedia says it’s house to Canada’s third greatest port by way of tonnage.
There are such a large amount of extra scrumptious causes:
- House of Moosehead Breweries, Canada’s oldest impartial family-operated brewery.
- Uptown Saint John is small and pedestrian pleasant. You’ll be able to park your automotive and spend all your time strolling anyplace you want to head.
- There are 85 bars and eating places inside 10 blocks of uptown Saint John.
- It’s house to the rustic’s oldest proceeding farmers’ marketplace – Saint John Town Marketplace.
- You’ll be able to see a continental collision between South The us and Africa on the Reversing Falls Rapids.
- Its dedication to public artwork. The guests centre has a map to take a self guided excursion sharing other artists sharing their expression of salmon swimming upstream, more than a few side road artwork and sculptures.
- Unbelievable structure. The good hearth of 1877 modified the face of Saint John. It was once nowadays’s an identical of 500,000,000 in damages! And so the structure and format feels reasonably other than what you’ll see in different spaces of Atlantic Canada.
- A town of native impartial companies. Lots of the companies on this ancient Victorian structure group are mother and dad or chef owned.
- The ferry! In my existence I’ve been on extra ferries than I will be able to rely, however this one was once essentially the most memorable. Merely force to Digby and the ferry is a scenic 2.5 hour trip. I purchased some tea, a sandwich and parked my pc in entrance of a window having a look out onto the Bay of Fundy.
- The eating places in Saint John. I stored the most efficient for final. I had such an out of this world time right here. It’s the easiest getaway the place you’ll wander from one position to the following, simply sipping and nibbling all day lengthy.
So when other people ask “why would you move to Saint John?” I’ve such a lot of excellent causes.
RESTAURANTS IN SAINT JOHN
I got here to Saint John to consume!
As at all times I had a ways too many suggestions and now not sufficient time. However you’ll’t truly move improper, uptown Saint John has such a lot of nice eating places.
I used to be so inspired and ridiculously complete as I attempted to consume and drink up to I may just.
VEGolution
Even in off-season you’ll want a reservation right here. It’s small and scrumptious.
Opened by way of a husband and spouse staff who’ve been vegetarians for just about 25 years, additionally they have intensive culinary enjoy and it displays.
There are small touches like citrus within the water that make it this type of nice enjoy
If you happen to’re considering it’s only a hippie, granola, wheat grass juice possibility suppose once more!
Saint John VEGolution is a contemporary eating place with nice choices for the ones simply dipping their ft into meatless consuming, and likewise serves native beer.
The Korean sticky soy bites had been crunchy at the outdoor, cushy at the inside of and sticky scrumptious.
The Revolution burger may have common cheese however I sought after to check out the vegan cheese and it was once if truth be told truly excellent.
Does it style like pork? No.
Does it style like an unbelievable burger? 100% sure.
If you happen to haven’t been but. You will have to move.
26 Germain St, Saint John, NB E2L 2E5
Port Town Royal
Is Port Town Royal an unbelievable bar with killer meals or vice versa?
I feel it can be each. Whilst everybody raves in regards to the cocktails, there have been such a lot of issues I sought after to check out at the menu.
The seared yellowfin tuna loin appeared incredible they usually remedy all in their meat in space.
I settled at the Korean Fried Rooster, which was once scrumptious and big enough for 3 other people!
And whilst I don’t like cakes, the boozy dessert menu appears like an journey of its personal.
45 Grannan St, Saint John, NB E2L 0E9
Italian by way of Evening
An improbable tale of a cafe that began as a middle of the night pop-up at City Deli and now has its personal house.
I might completely counsel reservations as we arrived past due on a Tuesday night and had been fortunate to be seated.
I will be able to simplest consider what it’s like on a weekend.
I beloved the nice and cozy setting and open kitchen idea. We began with signature cocktails – the Italian Process, with rum, vodka and grenadine at the side of a refreshing IBN Collins with elderflower syrup and lemon.
Even if the bruschetta, fried calamari and polpetti (meatballs) are the preferred appetizers we made up our minds to head with an Italian American vintage – shrimp scampi.
And as everybody advisable the ravioli of the day we shared the spinach and ricotta in an arrabiata sauce.
We did save slightly of room for dessert – the torta di fromaggio aka Nonna’s vintage cheesecake, blueberries, lavender easy syrup and whipped cream.
97 Germain St, Saint John, NB E2L 2E5
Cask & Kettle
This can be a very talked-about spot for brunch with $5 caesars, mimosasa and boozy espresso.
However this Irish pub additionally has locals popping in all week lengthy and performs sports activities at the giant display screen televisions.
It has standard pub meals choices with satisfied hour particular maximum nights.
I finished in for “Flights and Bites” on a Wednesday, the place you’ll select 4 native beers from Atlantic Canada and order 3 bites of pub meals.
112 Prince William St
Ethel and Mary’s
Recently serving take out simplest, the menu is strangely huge taking into account the scale of the kitchen.
There are each savoury dishes and numerous baked items to be had, together with the tart of the day.
Subsequent time I’d like to check out the smoked mackerel plate, as a Maritimer I believe like I want to include smoked fish up to I will be able to.
The menu adjustments with native availability and is dedicated to the use of humane New Brunswick meat merchandise so if it’s now not to be had they gained’t have it at the menu.
It’s additionally a nut-free kitchen so conventional pieces like frangipane, that are made with almonds are tailored and made with oats.
107 Princess St, Saint John, NB E2L 1K5
Saint John Town Marketplace Eating places
Saint John Town Marketplace is the oldest proceeding marketplace in Canada.
Not like different markets all over the world, the Saint John Town Marketplace is for locals.
A conventional farmers marketplace, with native artisans, it’s additionally an excellent spot to have lunch!
- North Marketplace Seafood, previously Lord’s Lobster, is regarded as an establishment in Saint John. I like that they saved the entire previous signage when it modified fingers. The menu has vintage dishes, lighter fare and new pieces like Crab-O-Cado toast with sriracha mayo drizzle. Day-to-day specials come with treats like bacon wrapped scallops, however the fish and chips with Moosehead beer batter are the preferred and it was once incredible.
- Kim’s Korean is an area favorite and the one eating place in Saint John serving unique Korean delicacies, the lunch particular is a good way to check out many dishes. Whilst we loved the japchae, highly spiced red meat and candy pork, we couldn’t forestall raving about how a lot we beloved this simple having a look potato soup that was once bursting with flavour. And should you like ramen, it persistently will get rave evaluations
- Jeremiah’s Deli, beware there’s a lengthy line of locals at lunch. However it sort of feels to transport temporarily and provides you with the chance to make a decision what you need to check out.
- Slocum & Ferris, I used to be so unhappy it wasn’t open in town marketplace whilst I used to be there. Even if dulse is a commonplace Nova Scotian meals, I’ve by no means truly eaten it past tasting it for interest however right here they put it on bagels and sandwiches.
47 Charlotte St, Saint John, NB E2L 2H8
Common Saint John Eating places I Neglected
Up to I’d love to consume EVERYWHERE, you’ll simplest duvet such a lot in 3 days.
However in many ways it doesn’t hassle me to omit common spots as it’s only a explanation why to return again!
- Saint John Ale Space: with meals from Saint John Chef Extraordinaire Jesse Vergen, this pub is situated in scenic Marketplace Sq..
- Let’s Hummus: I truly remorseful about now not getting take out for the street house as this common spot has unique Lebanese meals.
- Bella’s Conventional Ice Cream: I truly truly truly sought after to have ice cream. However it was once 3 days of very chilly, windy climate and I simply couldn’t do it.
- Lemongrass Thai Fare: some other great place in Marketplace Sq., order the curry nachos. Some say they’ve the most efficient pad thai within the town
- East Coast Bistro: should you’re in Uptown Saint John on Friday forestall in for his or her fish and chips.
- Marci’s Salads: To be fair I truly did want a excellent salad at the commute and I simply ran out of time. This new spot is subsequent to Rogue Espresso and appears so excellent. Subsequent time, it’s going to be the primary position I am going.
- Style of Egypt: Even if it additionally has Mediterranean meals, I would really like to check out Egyptian meals.
As you’ll see I ignored sufficient Saint John eating places to plot my subsequent commute.
UPTOWN SAINT JOHN BARS
There are many nice native beer, wine and incredible cocktails in Saint John eating places. In truth, such a lot of other people discuss first of Port Town Royal’s cocktails after which of the meals.
On most sensible of that there are such a large amount of bars to only pop in and grasp a drink.
Uncorked
Uncorked New Brunswick is an excellent spot to be informed about native food and drinks.
Now not simplest does it be offering, native strolling excursions across the town but it surely additionally has its personal tasting room proper in Saint John Town Marketplace.
Whilst the marketplace has a seating house, you’ll additionally carry marketplace meals into the tasting room to have with native wine, beer, cider or a cocktail.
I’ve by no means had New Brunswick wine, so with some lend a hand I selected the Magnetic Hill Vineyard Lodestone White to head with my Korean lunch particular and fish and chips.
It was once incredible! If I’d had extra time I might have stayed to do a proper tasting. Uncorked provides tastings of 6 wines, beer, or a mixture for teams of 2-8 other people.
It’s a good way to get to find the native flavour.
47 Charlotte St, Saint John, NB E2L 2H8
Happinez Wine Bar
A comfortable spot with very relatively priced wine, it’s too simple to spend an excessive amount of time right here.
42 Princess St, Saint John, NB E2L 1K2
Hopscotch Whisky Bar
THE spot for whisky in Saint John with an overly intensive whisky menu.
The bar is ready over 3 flooring however the principle stage is so vivid and comfy. I finished in for satisfied hour, and with such a lot of cocktail choices you’ll by no means need to depart.
The bourbon and basil was once incredible, and the bartender made a rum punch at the fly for my mom.
Non whisky drinkers don’t have any concern additionally they produce other spirits and beer.
45 Canterbury St, Saint John, NB E2L 2C6
Craft Beer in Saint John
Even if craft beer is deservedly common at the moment, Saint John embraces its roots with Moosehead beer.
Canada’s oldest impartial family-operated brewery, locals really feel the similar delight for Moosehead as Nova Scotians do for Keith’s.
You’ll in finding vintage Moosehead beer in every single place the town.
And should you’re fascinated by inventions, the Moosehead Small Batch Brewery is a 6 minute force from uptown and includes a Faucet Room with 10 rotating beers.
89 Primary St W
Picaroon’s Common Retailer
Some of the greatest, brightest spots with a lot of seating, it options British taste ales however has cider and inventions like blueberry bitter.
Picaroon’s Common Retailer doesn’t do flights in step with se, however they do have small glasses that they’ll promote for $2-$3:50.
Even if they don’t have meals on website online, you’ll carry meals from Pomodori subsequent door, a wood-fired pizza spot.
32 Canterbury St, Saint John, NB E2L 2C5
SAINT JOHN COFFEE SHOPS + CAFES
Locals truly love their espresso in Uptown Saint John.
There are such a large amount of excellent espresso retail outlets I spent my time strolling the sophisticated tightrope of meals, drink and low to stay my power ranges up.
Rogue Espresso
Rogue Espresso truly symbolizes what Saint John embodies – impartial marketers doing trendy, leading edge issues in a ancient town.
This position simply has buena onda.
I visited Rogue Espresso when it was once one of the photogenic spots in Saint John. It was once Atlantic Canada’s first Mod Bar with coffee carrier and various brew strategies, a rotating number of unmarried foundation choices.
Even if Rogue Espresso closed the cafe in 2021 they now promote espresso beans/grounds/merchandise from their web page so you’ll have that groovy style at house!
Java Moose
If you happen to’re partial to flavoured lattes or need to take espresso flavours to the intense THIS is the spot.
I had a chocolate peanut butter latte and it was once scrumptious!
84 Prince William St, Saint John, NB E2L 2B3
ChocoZein
There’s one thing truly particular about beginners making it in a ancient town.
This Syrian family-owned industry presented Syrian meals to the town at native town markets.
They have got lately opened ChocoZein cafe serving each Canadian and Arabic espresso at the side of chocolates and snacks.
I attempted the Arabic espresso at the side of a pumpkin baklava – a great way to begin the day!
1 Princess St, Saint John, NB E2L 1J9
Pivot Cafe
Some other great place for espresso in Saint John, Pivot began in a boutique hostel in 2018 and temporarily changed into a sizzling spot for native tune and group occasions.
This isn’t your standard cafe.
They serve various espresso, tea lattes and beer on faucet and fascinating cocktails.
Additionally they serve Montreal bagels, and there are day-to-day soup and sandwich specials comprised of scratch. Its menu comprises vegan, and gluten-free choices.
They usually lately introduced a pole dancing studio. In the real spirit of Saint John entrepreneurship I like that this proprietor embraces the facility to pivot.
36 Water St, Saint John, NB E2L 2A5
Catapult Espresso
Sadly there was once building at the entrance window when I used to be visiting so it was once briefly closed. However I’ve heard such good things and love the idea.
Catapult is a social undertaking industry run by way of a company that works to reinforce the lives of the individuals who reside in poverty.
It’s a win-win concept the group goals to scale back unemployment, starvation, homelessness, and scientific prices.
And as a customer I need to really feel like I’m now not simplest taking part in a town, but in addition contributing to its larger excellent.
The cafe makes use of a New Brunswick espresso roaster and tea corporate, and the decor options fibre arts and hand made furnishings made by way of Catapult Ingenious.
116 Princess St, Saint John, NB E2L 1K4
UPTOWN SAINT JOHN ART + ARCHITECTURE
I’ve by no means observed a town so dedicated to sharing its artwork and heritage in such a very simple manner.
I don’t steadily search out architectural main points in a town. However it’s arduous to omit structure in Saint John while you’re status on a nook and the main points are proper at your ft.
It truly made me recognize strolling round and I discovered myself having a look up a lot more, now not simply strolling by way of constructions however taking them in.
I want extra towns did this.
Saint John Artwork You Don’t Wish to Pass over
- There are 23 salmon run sculptures during Uptown Saint John you’ll in finding them at the Salmon Run Excursion map.
- See Tales by way of Uber5000
- Clementine by way of Dodo Ose
- The Fiddlehead sculpture, as a result of I’m a meals geek
Extra to be had to Uncover Saint John’s map of Artwork in Public Puts
SAINT JOHN HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION
The wonderful thing about exploring Uptown Saint John is that you’ll ditch your automotive.
There are sufficient nice bars and eating places in Saint John that you’ll stroll to, or grasp an reasonably priced taxi.
The farthest we ventured was once Mimimi eating place, which was once simplest 9 mins by way of automotive.
The place I Stayed: Chipman Hill Suites
A selection of 9 ancient houses, this truly is the most efficient of each worlds as you get the peace of mind of a lodge however the house of an condominium.
I stayed at 1 Chipman Hill, which was once one in all 5 constructions nonetheless status that survived the Nice Hearth.
With two bedrooms, a kitchen and lounge there was once quite a lot of house to loosen up on the finish of the day…and consume the entire issues I ordered to head!
However what I truly preferred was once check-in was once really easy. It’s contactless so that you don’t have to fulfill someone at a selected time.
And once I locked myself out 5 mins after coming into it was once a snappy name to find there was once a lock field by way of the laundry room so I may just simply get again in.
HOW TO GET TO SAINT JOHN
Saint John Ferry
I truly LOVED arriving by way of ferry. As an alternative of feeling drained from using a protracted distance it was once a snappy commute to the Digby ferry.
Two and a part hours flew by way of at the ferry and after we docked I used to be 5 mins away.
Using
At the manner house we drove house, even if I used to be unhappy to not take the ferry once more as it was once so nice.
However as we needed to go to Tatamagouche for the day it was once a snappy 3 hour force. This stretch of the freeway was once divided and an easy force.
PIN IT: BEST SAINT JOHN RESTAURANTS
