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10 Best Restaurants in St. John’s That Hit the Culinary Jackpot!
When you’re in St. John’s, you just have to go on a culinary adventure. It’s not just famous for its traditional Jiggs dinner but is also home to some of the most delicious cuisines and local craft beers!
Just imagine global flavours while on holiday in Newfoundland’s capital city, then a stroll in its charming villages with gorgeous sceneries. It’s the perfect trip, and this time, you can actually taste scrumptious local classics and authentic regional specialities!
Ready to dig in? Here are our favourite restaurants in St. John’s that cook unforgettable dishes!
Bannerman Brewing Co.
Media credit: bannermanbrewingco
Address: 90 Duckworth St
Contact: (709) 747-2337, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 7:30 am – 11 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am – 3 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am – 12 am
- Saturday: 8:30 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 8:30 am – 11 pm
Beer and coffee in one place? Yes, Bannerman Brewing Co. offers exactly that, including classics and fusions that are sure to wake you up—or make you sleepy, depending on your alcohol tolerance!
The menu is inspired by Thai cuisine—imagine a well-balanced dish full of rich flavours that will make your tastebuds dance all night!
Since you’re in St. John’s, order seafood and beer! The shrimp pad Thai is deliciously spicy and the pad krapow, a popular Thai stir fry with ground pork, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fried egg, goes really well with a cold glass of light beer.
Pro Tip:
If you want to try their coffee, don’t arrive late because it’s only available until 3 pm daily.
Terre Restaurant
Media credit: terre_restaurant
Address: Alt Hotel – 125 Water St
Contact: (709) 383-2136, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Friday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 9 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 9 am – 2 pm
Taste the best of St John’s seafood at Terre Restaurant, a relaxing destination with a hint of an upscale vibe for that world-class dining experience. The wide variety of drinks on the menu was definitely one of the reasons we went back!
The food here is divine, which is inspired by Newfoundland’s local cuisine and coastal landscape. The plates are vibrant, with the right amount of colours that make them look super appetizing—and the flavours don’t disappoint.
The dishes are made from fresh ingredients, so you really get a taste of St John’s speciality—seafood! Try the smoked mussels and potato bread or seafood platter to get the best of everything!
Pro Tip:
If you aren’t sure what to get, try the tasting menu for a variety of dishes—it’s called Let the Kitchen Cook For You.
The Merchant Tavern
Media credit: themerchanttavernnl
Address: 291 Water St
Contact: (709) 722-5050, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Monday Closed
- Tuesday- Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm
The upscale Merchant Tavern is the place to be for a taste of Newfoundland’s seasonal ingredients. The ambience is elegant yet relaxing, with an upscale industrial vibe.
Food-wise, everything looks and tastes delicious. We haven’t tried ‘em all, but we’ve eaten a lot—the seafood is not to be missed, of course.
We recommend the oysters and scallop crudo—better yet, order the seafood platter for the best Newfoundland delicacies (think oysters, mussels, crab, scallops, shrimp, and lobster!). Pair your fresh meals with your favourite glass of white wine!
Pro Tip:
Expect some changes on the menu based on ingredients availability. If you want to avoid bar seating, book a reservation.
Duke Of Duckworth
Media credit: karaokeefe
Address: Skin City Fine Custom Tattooing – 325 Duckworth St
Contact: (709) 739-6344, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Wednesday: 12 pm – 1 am
- Thursday – Saturday: 12 pm – 2 am
One of our favourite hidden gems in St. John’s is the Duke of Duckworth, a bustling pub that has an abundant selection of draught beers! It’s always full of locals, which makes it a great place to have an authentic St. John’s experience.
This is ideal for anyone who wants to have a good time, whether that’s having a delicious local pint or watching a game. You get the classic pub food—a cold beer with creamy cod chowder and delicious fish and chips (one of the best we’ve ever had!).
It’s easy to miss this pub if you don’t know where to look. It’s right next to Skin City, a tattoo studio. Just head to the alley next to it, walk down the steps, and you’ll find the entrance with a red awning.
Pro Tip:
The kitchen closes at 8 pm, so get there early if you want to eat dinner. And don’t arrive close to the kitchen’s closing time because finding a spot for dinner can be tough.
The Adelaide Oyster House
Media credit: theadelaideoysterhouse
Address: 334 Water St
Contact: (709) 722-7222
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 5 pm – 12 am
- Friday: 5 pm – 1 am
- Saturday: 10:30 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 10:30 am – 12 am
The Adelaide Oyster House is the place to visit for globally inspired-dishes made with fresh seafood from St. John’s. The oyster culture here is tough to match—they offer these briny delights sourced from Newfoundland and Atlantic provinces.
Another worth trying is the fish tacos, made from beer-battered codfish, tomato salsa, avocado, and smoky adobo sauce. If you want something other than seafood, check out the smash burger for a juicy and cheesy option.
Bring your friends! The vibe is chill yet lively, with brick walls, a bed of oysters, an incredible cocktail menu, and good music. It’s the kind of hangout spot for a fun and delicious night out!
Pro Tip:
If you plan on ordering for takeout instead of dining in, don’t do it late because, even if they close late, pickups are only from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Bagel Cafe
Media credit: bagel.cafe.nl
Address: 246 Duckworth St
Contact: (709) 739-4470
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
All-day breakfasts can make a frown turn upside down, and Bagel Cafe brings that to the table. Located in downtown St. John’s, this cosy spot has everything your tummy will need, including brekkies, seafood, and bagels.
This isn’t your typical bagel place since there’s a huge selection of dishes for every palate. There are classic breakfast meals with a Newfoundland twist—the all-day menu includes crab cakes, fish cakes, and bagel sandwiches with fish patties.
The all-day breakfast menu will take a couple of minutes from your visit because there are all sorts of choices. Check out the bagel Benedict section for Newfoundland classics and your regular favourites—the Touton Benedict is worth trying!
Pro Tip:
Avoid breakfast and brunch weekend hours if you don’t like crowds. It can feel cramped inside when it’s packed.
YellowBelly Brewery
Media credit: yellowbellybrew
Address: 288 Water St
Contact: (709) 757-3780, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: 11:30 am – 10 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 12:30 am
This corner gastropub sits in a brick historical building in downtown St. John’s. YellowBelly Brewery is a five-story local hotspot, the place you go to for good conversations, great food, and incredible beer—they brew on-site!
The locally brewed beers are the highlights. Try the beer samplers to figure out which one will be your next favourite, available in 3, 4, and 5-glass options.
And since this is St. John’s, you cannot miss the seafood! The salt and vinegar fish and chips are the perfect combination of tangy and salty, and the plate of Newfoundland mussels with red curry and coconut milk is a unique seafood option.
Beneath the grounds of this historic building is The UnderBelly, a speakeasy that’s home to a curated selection of whiskey, rum, and port. And yes, you can still order from the YellowBelly menu.
Pro Tip:
Book a reservation online, especially on weekends during peak season, to secure a table because the place fills up fast.
Rj Pinoy Yum
Address: 43 Cashin Ave
Contact: (709) 747-1953
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
One of the city’s best-kept secrets is Rj Pinoy Yum, a Filipino spot that serves seafood and vegetarian dishes. You don’t normally see this kind of restaurant in St. John’s, so this is a unique place to check out.
The sizzling sisig is the perfect beer partner, which is made with crispy minced pork, chicharon (small bits of crunchy pork), onion, and chilli. Another popular food is the dinakdakan, a traditional Filipino dish with either pork or chicken—this one’s spicy!
Vegetarians can dine here, too! Lots of dishes have veggie options, like the dinakdakan, which will be made with tofu instead. Plus, there are gluten-free options here—the menu is actually extensive!
Pro Tip:
This is more of a neighbourhood restaurant, so it’s not the spot you’ll easily see. Hail a cab or rent a car to go here, but no worries since it’s a short drive from the downtown core.
Portage
Media credit: portagerestaurant
Address: 128 Water St
Contact: (709) 552-1100, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday to Monday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Portage is a chic restaurant with a casual touch in St. John’s downtown area. The menu is creative, healthy, and fresh—think about small bites, vegetable dishes, and artistic plates.
A small plate of smoked olives is a good starter, as well as the focaccia with burrata and hot honey. Another incredible dish is the Parisian gnocchi, which is composed of roasted Jerusalem artichokes and cream and topped with shaved black truffles.
The seafood options are also worth checking out (this is St. John’s, after all), and there are vegetarian options that are not just rabbit’s food! The oysters and mussels are delicious (you can go for just 6 pieces of oysters to try) and the flavourful rutabaga!
Pro Tip:
If you aren’t sure what to drink, ask the sommelier for the best wine to pair with your meals.
3 Sisters Vietnamese Subs
Media credit: 3sistersvietnamesesubs
Address: 204 Water St
Contact: (709) 576-8888, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 am -10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
Pricing: $
Website
You’ll find one of the best sandwiches in the world, if not the best, right in the heart of St. John’s. 3 Sisters Vietnamese Subs is the destination for yummy banh mi—the menu is small, but the variety is good enough.
The sandwiches actually taste authentic, like a true Vietnamese banh mi—the bread is soft (they bake it in-house) and the ingredients are fresh! We really like the grilled lemongrass chicken breast banh mi, which is full of flavours.
No Vietnamese restaurant is complete without bubble tea. There are decent choices here of fruit and milk tea, but we most enjoyed the Vietnamese iced coffee for those sunny holidays in St. John’s.
Pro Tip:
The place is small, so try to avoid peak hours if you want to sit down (like lunch and dinner times). Since the food doesn’t have to be served on a plate, you can order takeout instead of dining in and enjoy a quick picnic at the nearest park.
