Here is a select list of dining experiences we thought were worthy of mention.
The checkmarks (√ – √√√√√) are our ranking of the food only. However, all the places listed offer something special, whether it’s the setting, the people or the atmosphere.
| Location | Restaurant | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton, NY | Seaway Grill | √√ This is the restaurant attached to the Harbor Hotel. The food is OK, but the outdoor seating has a great view of the river, the islands and the passing freighters. | |
| Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC | La Nouvelle Orléans | √√√√√ This was the best so far. Great Cajun cooking, quaint atmosphere and friendly staff. | |
| Dorval, QC | Royal Saint Lawrence Yacht Club | √ The food was pretty good, but it’s a nice, relaxed and casual atmosphere. The staff is friendly. | |
| Montréal, QC | Pincette | √√√ Want to try something truly Québecois, enjoy Vieux Montréal, and love lobster? Well this place is for you. Order the Poutine de Homard et Crabe des Neiges. | |
| Montréal, QC | Dunn’s | √√√√ Dunn’s is a Montréal tradition since 1927. Just off of St. Catherine Street downtown, it serves the best smoked meat and poutine in Montréal. Not exactly health food, but when in Rome… | |
| Montréal, QC | Barranco | √√√√√ Barranco is a Peruvian nouvelle cuisine restaurant in Plateau Mont-Royal, a very cool neighborhood Northwest of the Old Port. The food is tapas style and was incredible. Try the Ceviche, the Causa and the Salchipapa. | |
| Montréal, QC | Bonaparte | √√√√√ (and Sensey-approved). To celebrate a special event, we chose the Bonaparte, a very classy French restaurant in Old Montréal. The tasting menu was our choice with various delicacies served in series. It was flawless. The staff was very professional. Sailors, it’s nice casual so you have to leave your shorts and t-shirts onboard. Pricy but worth every Loony! | |
| Québec City, QC | Château Frontenac | √√√√√ Named after the year Samuel de Champlain founded New France, this classy bar, overlooking the river is worth a stop. Mixed cocktails or mocktails are the specialty. | |
| Percé, QC | Buvette Thérèse | √√√√ For a great brunch or lunch when visiting Roche Percé, this is the place. Go a little before noon as it (and every restaurant in Percé) gets very busy at peak times. The various Eggs Benedict dishes or lobster rolls (guédille homard) were exquisite. | |
| Grande Rivière, QC | Port Restaurant | √ This is a fast food take-out with a few tables and chairs. Not exactly fine dining BUT, if you want to mingle with local fishermen (and women), this is the place. It’s like one big family. And dockmaster, Jean-Pierre, is always holding court here. He’s worth meeting! | |
| Summerside, PE | Arigato Sushi | √√√ Very nice, casual sushi restaurant a few minutes’ walk from the Sunnyside Yacht Club | |
| Halifax, NS | Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron | √√ A classic clubhouse, full of trophies and historical artifacts in this community of sailing lovers. The food was pretty good, but it seemed even better after “roughing it” on the hook for almost a week. | |
| Halifax, NS | Armdale Yacht Club | √√√√ This restaurant is much better than the “Royal” place. And Kim, the head waitress, will take excellent care of you despite her slightly gruff style. | |
| Halifax, NS | Stillwell Beer Garden | √√√ A German style beer garden where you sit at long outdoor tables and share the moment with all kinds of people. Wide selection of draft beers. If you like healthy food, DON’T order the fried pepperoni! | |
| Halifax, NS | Dahrma Sushi | √√√ A whole in he wall sushi restaurant inconspicuously tucked into otherwise boisterous Arglye Street, it is run by a Japanese family and the sushi is outstanding. | |
| Halifax, NS | Bicycle Thief | √√√√√ One of the most highly rated restaurants in Halifax, it definitely deserves its reputation. Delicious, creative dishes served by friendly but professional staff. Everything on the menu our group tried was amazing. It’s hard to get reservations, but if you put your name in for patio seating and wander around the waterfront, they will text you when a table is available. Don’t miss this one. | |
| Lunenburg, NS | Fish Shack | √√√ There are many great seafood restaurants in Lunenburg. We struggled to find a table so we settled for the Fish Shack, which consists of a takeout counter and picnic tables. We had one of the best lobster rolls yet, which earns its place on this list. That said, it is very pricey for this style of restaurant. Its patio has a nice view of Lunenburg Harbour. | |
| Lunenburg, NS | J3 Pizza | √√√ With all the great lobster and other cuisine inNova Scotia has to offer, we were surprised to learn that Donair is a local specialty. European’s are accustomed to Gyros or Doner Kebabs. It’s essentially a variation of that. A Greek immigrant began selling Gyros but wasn’t successful until he adapted the recipe to local tastes. Now it is the official food of Halifax and popular throughout the province. J3 Pizza makes delicious Donairs. And their pizza isn’t bad either! It’s a takeout counter with picnic tables, with a great view of Lunenburg Harbour from the patio. | |
| Yarmouth, NS | Rudder’s | √√ Although the food was decent with typical seafood choices such as lobster poutine, lobster roll, fish ‘n chips, etc, it wasn’t exceptional. However, the atmosphere is very pleasant, the view of the harbor is nice and the waitstaff are very friendly and efficient. Nice place to chill after a long sail and many nights at anchor. | |
| Bar Harbor, ME | McKay’s Public House | √√ √√ Recommended by locals, among many restaurants, McKay’s was delicious, with a nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Try the truffle infused seafood risotto. | |
| Camden, ME | Waterfront | √√√√ The Waterfront is a relaxed restaurant, looking out on Camden Harbor. The waitstaff is efficient and friendly. The lobster rolls are top notch. And they serve Dan’s favorite wedge salad with lobster on the side. Doesn’t get any better than that! | |
| Tenants Harbor, ME | East Wind | √√√√√ This inn offered a small but excellent menu of creative dishes. The lobster fricassée was excellent. And although not usually fans of mussels, we couldn’t resist trying them. They came buried under a bouquet of fresh rosemary, adding a unique flavor. The staff is excellent. If you sit on the deck overlooking the harbor, make sure to bring bug repellent. | |
| Boothbay Harbor, ME | McSeagulls | √√√ Overlooking the Boothbay Harbor Marina, the deck has a fun atmosphere and a great view. The food is pretty good too. Not gourmet, but good “bar” food. Try the fried clams. Not exactly health food, but a local specialty. | |
| Boothbay Harbor, ME | Robinsons Wharf | √√√√ Although a short drive or dinghy ride from downtown Boothbay Harbor, it’s worth the trip. The food is traditional Maine seafood such as lobster rolls or lobster mac n’ cheese. The setting is what makes it so special. It’s in a beautiful rocky cove and sits on a working fishing wharf. We guess the seafood is pretty fresh. | |
| Boothbay Harbor, ME | Ports of Italy | √√√√√ Considered one of the best restaurants in Boothbay Harbor, this modern Italian restaurant lived up to its reputation. The pistachio encrusted halibut with s tapenade topping, and the spaghetti al vongole were our favorites. | |
| Portland, ME | Luke’s Lobster | √√√√ Best lobster roll we experienced in Maine. | |
| Freeport, ME | Jameson Tavern | √√√ Nice atmosphere in a pub that draws locals and visitors. Great clam chowder. We also enjoyed the Cobb salad. | |
| S. Freeport, ME | Haraseeket Lunch & Lobster | √√√√√ Lobster shacks aren’t for everybody. They are rustic. You stand in line and order from a window. When your meal is ready, you’re called and you sit at communal picnic tables. But if you are into lobster shacks, this is five stars. Fried clams, lobster rolls, etc. at one window. Lobsters and steamers (steamed clams) at another. Delicious, and the setting is pleasant, overlooking the harbor. |