Charlottetown, PEI

Eating out in Charlottetown, PEI

Prominent among people's favorite things about Prince Edward Island is the unbelievable seafood--especially the sweet lobster. In fact, lobster suppers are served everywhere, and often include rolls, salad, and plenty of sweet home-baked treats. Whether or not you go for the lobster, wholesome, home-cooked meals prevail. Service is always friendly, often laid-back, and the setting is typically informal.

Gourmet

The Selkirk is the Island's most stylish restaurant, and offers its most sophisticated dining experience. It is located in the lobby of the Prince Edward Hotel, complete with wing chairs and live piano entertainment. The creative menu comprises mostly regional Canadian fare, with locally grown potatoes, smoked Atlantic salmon, mussels, lobster, oysters, and Canadian beef. The signature appetizer is lobster and prawns with a three-melon salsa. Main courses include sashimi of salmon and Maritime jambalaya with lobster, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and salmon. 18 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

Highly Recommended

Windows on the Water is the where the locals go when they want the best mussels on the Island. Here, the blue mussels are steamed in a root mirepoix, with sesame, ginger, and garlic. Diners can sit in the attractive open dining room with its pressback chairs, or they can opt for a seat on the deck under a canopy. The menu's main courses include sole stuffed with crab and scallops and topped with hollandaise sauce. Light lunches are also served, with choices such as homemade fish cakes and grilled chicken and mandarin salad. 106 Sackville Street, Montague.

Local Flair

New Glasgow Lobster Supper has been around since 1958, and is hosted in a large, modern building on the edge of a river. The fresh lobster comes directly from a pond on the premises. Also available are haddock, breaded scallops, hot roast beef, and ham. To top it off, all diners receive unlimited freshly baked rolls, steamed mussels, seafood chowder, salad, and homemade desserts. Bar service and a children's menu are also available. The dining area can seat up to 500 guests at a time, and often fills up. Rte. 258 at New Glasgow.

Romantic

Griffen Dining Room is located in the Queen Anne-style Dundee Arms Inn. This cozy eatery is filled with charming antiques, and old-time brass and copper pieces. The French Continental menu offers selections such as sea scallops, beef tenderloin, and fresh Atlantic salmon. 200 Pownal Street, Charlottetown.

Going party in Charlottetown, PEI

There are many places to see a concert or theatrical production on Prince Edward Island. Also, many visitors enjoy Ceilidhs, a form of live traditional entertainment that combines dancing, fiddling, and comedy.

Benevolent Irish Society Hall

At this Charlottetown hall, concerts, amateur, professional theater productions, and dinner theater take place every Friday from May through October.

Homefree Productions

Held at the Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown, the summer-long program includes musicals, dramas, children's presentations, story telling, and concerts.

St. Mary's Church

This Indian River church hosts performances by visiting artists during the summer as part of the Indian River Festival of Music.

Victoria Playhouse

During the summer, this Victoria venue hosts a renowned theater program that celebrates Maritime comedy. The Playhouse seats 150 people and has excellent acoustics. Dinner packages are available with the Actor's Retreat Café next door.

College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada Located in Summerside, this campus puts on a summer-long Celtic Festival complete with bagpipes, Highland dancing, step dancing, and fiddling.

Feast Dinner Theater

Established in 1978, this Summerside theater hosts the original dinner-theater production company in the Maritime provinces. Musical comedy comes with heaping portions of Atlantic salmon, barbecue ribs, and mouthwatering desserts.

Common events in Charlottetown, PEI

The Charlottetown Festival

This 5-month long festival brings a variety of theater productions--including Canada's longest running stage production of Anne of Green Gables, The Musical--to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, along with art exhibits and outdoor concerts. June through October.

Summerside's Lobster Carnival

This tasty celebration brings a week-long lobster feast to the island. August.

Festival of the Fathers

Enjoy historic walking tours, 1864 vignettes, and the Waterfront Ship Light Up and Parade as locals commemorate the Charlottetown Conference. September.

PEI International Shellfish Festival

This delicious affair is held on the Charlottetown waterfront, and features oyster shucking, chowder competitions, entertainment, and plenty of tasty samples. September.

Festival Acadien de la Region Evangeline

Acadian music, a parade, and lobster suppers are just part of this agricultural fair. September.

Annual Christmas Crafts Fair

Craftspeople flock to Charlottetown for this fair held by the Prince Edward Island Crafts Council. November.