Prince Edward Island is known as Canada’s Food Island for a reason. The small island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is just 140 miles long, yet it produces an abundance of local seafood and produce. Oysters from nearby waters, potatoes from local farms, and beef from the island’s ranches are central to its food identity.
The island’s environment is defined by red-sand beaches, rolling farmland, fishing harbors, and lighthouses.
A Gastropub and a Speakeasy
The first stop was Slaymaker & Nichols, a gastropub in Charlottetown with the feel of an old-fashioned supper club. The writer tried a watermelon mule with hibiscus-infused vodka and a creamy lobster dip. After a mediocre lobster roll nearby, they visited Reddins, a speakeasy on the third floor. The bartender told them the space was once a pharmacy where people got “medicine” during Prohibition. The standout drink was the Pink Canary, served in a small bathtub.
Scallops, Chocolates, and Festival Food
The next day, despite pouring rain, the writer had breakfast at Receiver Coffee, which included a Ham Slam—a cheddar biscuit with a fried egg, ham, and Swiss cheese. They then drove to the tiny town of Victoria-by-the-Sea, population under 200, for lunch at Landmark Oyster House. They started with Raspberry Point oysters and tried the scallop dog, with scallops, bacon jam, and aioli on a toasted bun. A stop at Island Chocolates offered haskap truffles, a local berry.
Later that day, the sun came out, and the writer spent the afternoon at the shellfish festival. The lobster rolls there were simple: lobster meat ladled with melted butter from a giant vat. For dinner, they went to North Shore Canteen, recommended by local chefs. They ordered local beef tartare with potato chips and a hanger steak with chimichurri. Dessert was a parsnip cake with caramel sauce.
On the final day, the writer checked Green Gables off their list. They then went to Blue Mussel Café in Rustico Harbor for mussels piled high in a steel bowl, served with rosemary and lemon. The second lunch was at Richard’s Fresh Seafood in Covehead Wharf, where they found the quintessential lobster roll: packed with sweet lobster meat bound with lemon-chive mayo.
For the final dinner, they went to Rustico Cannery, a modern spot with sunset views. The writer had a crisp romaine salad with a spicy jalapeño dressing, while their husband chose panko-crusted haddock. The trip included multiple visits to Cows Creamery for local ice cream, with flavors like Coffee Cowrunch and Cownadian Maple.
The Island’s Cultural Roots and Festival Fun
The island is situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, just a hop away from Nova Scotia. The abundance of food has helped earn it the nickname Canada’s Food Island. It offers endless trays of freshly shucked oysters and clams, hot buttered lobster rolls, and steaming bowls of mussels.
The Perfect End to a Food Tour
This modern spot opened in the spring. It has an airy space with giant windows and a big deck. The deck offers sunset views. Their husband chose panko-crusted, pan-fried haddock with pickled beet remoulade.
Accessing the Hidden Speakeasy
Visitors need a secret password to enter when buzzing from downstairs. The password can be found online or obtained by asking the hostess next door for assistance.
Here, diners enjoy fish and chips and beer on a deck overlooking fishing boats. This lobster roll is an exercise in abundance.
