Discover the best places to eat & drink in Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Eat & Drink

Antigonish has long been known for its many wonderful restaurants and eateries and more recently, it has added food trucks, beer and spirits to the mix. Let us introduce you to some of the fantastic places to dine on your next visit to this bustling university town on Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Shore.

Dining with a focus on local

Gabrieau’s Bistro
A mainstay in Nova Scotia’s fine dining scene for over 20 years, Gabrieau’s Bistro continues to offer a deliciously creative gourmet menu featuring locally sourced ingredients including produce and greens grown on their own farm. They also offer meals-to-go and have complemented the dining experience with Gabrieau’s Gourmet Foods, a line of pastas, preserves and more. Try their delicious sushi!

The Townhouse
Discover a new favourite dish on The Townhouse’s seasonally inspired menu every time you visit. Scan their ever-evolving menu which incorporates local seafood, meat, and produce. The Townhouse is also known for their cocktails and extensive wine list. Staff would be pleased to offer pairing recommendations for your meal.

Brownstone Restaurant
Step into this beautifully designed eatery for lunch or dinner and choose from an extensive menu ranging from fine dining offerings with international flavours to tried and true comfort food classics such as gourmet burgers, pastas and even homemade desserts.

Main Street Café
Located within the Maritime Inn Antigonish, visit for breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner to enjoy their menu that offers steaks, pastas, and their popular wood fired pizzas (offered seasonally). If you are visiting during the warmer months – enjoy your meal on their spacious patio.

Justamere Café & Bakery
The name “Just-a-mere” is a play on words emphasizing the laid-back comfort and friendliness of the dining experience. Connected to the Claymore Inn & Suites, get caffeinated at their espresso coffee bar and enjoy a gourmet sandwich, made using freshly baked breads from their full service bakery. Dine in their covered, three-season patio and take some bread or sweets home to enjoy later.

Home cooking and comfort food

Looking for a place to sit down to a bowl of hearty seafood chowder, a hot sandwich or burger, steak, or fish and chips? Be sure to visit Snow Queen Family Restaurant, Mother Webb’s Steakhouse, Piper’s Pub or Myers Tea Room. For a similar menu of burgers, fish and chips and more but with added fun – the Snow Queen Leisure World offers the same famous Snow Queen burgers and soft serve ice cream along with batting cages, mini golf, a go kart track and more!

Two popular spots with locals, university students and visitors alike are The Tall & Small Café and Waffle Bus Stop. Both eateries offer up sandwiches on their fresh bread or waffles, salads, sweets, specialty coffees, teas and more.

Looking for homestyle meals to go? Check out the culinary delights from Fresh Food Matters.

Pizza

In a bustling university town like Antigonish, you can expect to find some tried, tested and true pizza shops. Arguably the most well-known pizza in Antigonish – maybe in Nova Scotia – is The Wheel Pizza & Sub Shop where you can get pizza by the slice or order full pizzas to go. When you visit, take time to browse the walls that are covered in photographs from around the world of folks who have enjoyed this pizza (look for photos of Clint Eastwood and Kirsten Dunst).

Fun fact: Antigonish’s Wheel Pizza has been shipped all over the world to ex-pats and St. FX alumni who long for that taste of home.

Other independent pizzerias in the town include Kenny’s Pizza, La Piazzo El Forno, Little Christos Pizzeria & Eatery, and the newest addition Gabriel Pizza. Little Christos also features other Mediterranean food.

Beer, Spirits and Food Trucks

With three breweries and two distilleries in Antigonish, the selection of locally made brews and spirits has added to Antigonish’s reputation as a foodie destination.

Visit Coldstream Clear Distillery to check out their many vodka, rum, cream liquor, mixed drink and beer products. You can even order food from the Grub Love Co. food truck to eat in the distillery.
Take in live entertainment at Candid Brewing and enjoy a craft beer and a snack from the neighbouring The Boneyard food truck.
Stop in for a cold pint or try a limited release while you can at Oak Manor by Burnside Brewing. You can also pick up a growler or beer to go from the onsite beer store.
Just minutes from downtown Antigonish, pick a spot on the patio or inside the brewery and order a pint or a flight of beer from their assortment of beers, each thoughtfully crafted using local ingredients, when you visit Half Cocked Brewing Company. Bring your appetite as The Crafty Cooks food truck will be serving up local favourites.
Michele’s Grill food truck has become a local favourite for battered fish and burgers that come with their fresh cut fries. Make sure to save room for dessert – they also offer homemade cheesecake to go.
With over 300 years of craft distilling in his family, owner/distiller Thomas Steinhart chose Arisaig in Antigonish County to be the home of Steinhart Distillery. Today you can sample and purchase the many award-winning products produced here, take part in the GINstitute by the Sea experience, stay the night in a distillery cottage and eat at the onsite Steinhart Kitchen.