Saint John, New Brunswick's Culinary Delights

Saint John, New Brunswick, is a foodie's dream, with a vibrant food scene that reflects its former French and British colonisation, large Irish immigrant community, and diverse Asian and Middle Eastern populations. The city's restaurants, cafes, and pubs offer a delightful mix of local seafood, Canadian comfort food, and international dishes to satisfy any craving.

For lovers of seafood, must-try dishes include the classic lobster roll, scallops wrapped in crispy bacon, and fish and chips. Those seeking comfort food can indulge in shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and the famous Maritime Chowder. The city's multicultural influence is evident in its delicious curries, including the Butter Chicken at Thandi Restaurant, and unique offerings like poutine râpée (boiled potato dumplings stuffed with seasoned pork) and fiddlehead soup.

Saint John also boasts an impressive craft brewery and distillery scene, with popular spots like Bigtide Brewing Company and Moosehead Breweries. The city's pubs, such as Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub, Britt's Pub & Eatery, and Gahan House Port City, offer a wide range of local beers and ciders to quench your thirst.

Whether you're craving innovative fusion cuisine or traditional fare, Saint John's diverse and thriving food scene has something to tantalise every taste bud.

International dishes: Saint John has a diverse food scene, with international dishes from Italy, Greece, Egypt, Thailand, India, and more

Saint John has a diverse food scene, with international dishes from Italy, Greece, Egypt, Thailand, India, and more widely represented.

For Greek food, The Med Restaurant is a popular choice, with dishes like Greek burgers, souvlaki, and Greek salads on the menu. Another Greek restaurant that comes recommended is Pita Pita, where you can find healthy and fresh food.

If you're craving Thai food, Lemongrass Thai Fare offers authentic and delicious dishes like Thai Brussels sprouts, chicken satays, and various curries. Their menu also includes Thai-inspired cocktails, such as the Full Moon Party, made with Beefeater Gin, fresh lemon, and Thai basil.

For a taste of India, Royal King is the place to go. With Chef Sandeep (Sandy) at the helm, this restaurant offers a rare combination of North Indian and South Indian cuisine, including street food from Bombay. Their menu features dishes like King's Spl. Cream Chicken, various breads/naan/biryani/rice, and salads.

When it comes to Egyptian cuisine, Taste of Egypt is the go-to restaurant in Saint John. They offer halal Mediterranean meals, including authentic dishes like shawarma wraps and baklava.

With its diverse culinary offerings, Saint John invites you to embark on a delicious journey through international flavours and experiences.

Local seafood: The city offers a range of seafood options, including lobster, scallops, and salmon

Saint John, New Brunswick, is known for its vibrant food scene, with a variety of restaurants and cafes offering local seafood, Canadian comfort food, and international dishes. The city's proximity to the Bay of Fundy and other water bodies makes it an ideal location for fresh seafood, including lobster, scallops, and salmon.

Lobster

Lobster is a delicacy in Saint John and can be found on many menus across the city. For an upscale-casual dining experience, Billy's Seafood Company, located in the Saint John City Market, offers a range of lobster dishes, including the Lobster Dinner and Lobster "Mac" & Cheese. The Grannan Group, nestled along the historic waterfront, also serves up delicious lobster options like the Lobster Dinner and Lobster Roll. For a more casual experience, Whitetail Fisheries Lobster Shop, a 15-minute drive from the city, is the place to go for live lobsters, cooked lobsters, and lobster rolls.

Scallops

Scallops are another seafood favourite in Saint John. The Saint John Ale House, a popular spot for seafood and craft beer, serves mouth-watering maple bacon-wrapped scallops. Billy's Seafood Company takes scallops to the next level with their Almond Vinaigrette Scallops, and their Cajun Seafood Stew, which includes Digby scallops. For a unique take on scallops, try the Digby Scallop Medley at Lily's Lakeside Casual Dining, which includes bacon-wrapped, breaded, and seared Digby scallops.

Salmon

Salmon is often featured on the menus of Saint John's seafood restaurants. The Grannan Group offers a Chili-Rubbed Cedar Plank Salmon dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. For a more casual dining experience, Britt's Pub & Uptown Eatery serves a Maritime Chowder that includes salmon, haddock, shrimp, and scallops in a cream broth.

In addition to these seafood delights, Saint John also offers a variety of other culinary experiences, including craft breweries, international cuisines, and unique desserts. Whether you're a seafood lover or not, the city has something to offer everyone.

British and Irish staples: Due to its historical ties, Saint John has pubs serving dishes like shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips

Saint John's historical ties to Britain and Ireland are reflected in its culinary offerings, with several pubs serving classic dishes from these countries. Among these pubs are Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub, Britt's Pub & Eatery, and Gahan House Port City.

At these establishments, you can indulge in traditional British and Irish staples like shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips. Shepherd's pie is a hearty dish consisting of meat topped with mashed potatoes. Bangers and mash, as the name suggests, pairs sausages with mashed potatoes. Fish and chips, a classic British favourite, offers a delightful combination of fried fish and chipped potatoes.

In addition to these pubs, Saint John also boasts a diverse food scene influenced by its French colonisation and large Irish immigrant community. You can find Acadian dishes such as poutine râpée (boiled potato dumplings with seasoned pork), coques frites (fried clams), and fiddlehead soup. The city's Asian and Middle Eastern populations also contribute to the culinary landscape, with well-reviewed restaurants specialising in Thai, Indian, and Egyptian cuisines.

Whether you're craving classic British and Irish fare or exploring the diverse international options, Saint John has something to satisfy every palate.

Acadian cuisine: Try dishes like poutine râpée (potato dumplings stuffed with pork) and fiddlehead soup

Saint John's historical colonisation by the French and British, as well as its large Irish immigrant community, means that Acadian, British, and Irish cuisines are all well represented in the city's restaurants and pubs.

For those looking to sample Acadian cuisine, poutine râpée and fiddlehead soup are two must-try dishes.

Poutine râpée is a traditional Acadian dish of potato dumplings stuffed with pork. The dumplings are made from a mixture of grated and mashed potatoes, which are formed into a ball and stuffed with seasoned salted pork. The dish is then boiled for several hours and served hot with butter, salt, and pepper, or as a dessert with sugar or molasses. It is considered a special occasion meal due to the time it takes to prepare.

Fiddlehead soup is another popular Acadian dish, particularly in New Brunswick. Fiddleheads are the curled, edible shoots of the ostrich fern, which grow along marshy riverbanks in the spring. They have a taste similar to asparagus or artichokes and are a local delicacy. The soup is typically made with fiddleheads, chicken bouillon, onion, garlic, celery, cream, and spices.

These dishes offer a delicious insight into the unique blend of cultural influences that characterise Saint John's culinary scene.

Craft breweries: Saint John has a thriving craft brewery scene, with popular spots like Bigtide Brewing Company and Moosehead Breweries

Saint John has a thriving craft brewery scene, with several local breweries offering tours and tastings. Two of the most popular spots are Bigtide Brewing Company and Moosehead Breweries.

Bigtide Brewing Company is located at 47 Princess Street in Saint John. They offer a wide range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and ales. Bigtide also has a taproom and a gastro brewpub, which was recommended by a travel blogger as a place to enjoy a beer flight.

Moosehead Breweries is Canada's oldest independent brewery, and it is located in Saint John. They are well-known for their ales, lagers, and pilsners, crafted with just a few raw ingredients, often locally sourced, such as wild blueberries or maple syrup. Their beers can be found in many local restaurants across the city.

In addition to these two popular spots, Saint John is home to other notable breweries, including Picaroons General Store, Gahan House Port City, and First City Brewpub. The city also hosts the annual Saint John Beerfest in mid-April, providing even more opportunities to explore the local craft beer scene.

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