4 Best Restaurants in Saint John, New Brunswick

Take a good look at the surroundings when you arrive—exposed brick walls, artworks, hardwood floors—because once the food appears, it will have your full attention. Artfully plated dishes, like local goat cheese terrine and house-smoked salmon, lead into main courses that might include yogurt-and-coriander-roasted chicken breast or pan-seared sustainable blue trout with chorizo, caramelized onion rösti, and sautéed greens.

This modest restaurant with a colorful atmosphere—ornamental parrots rule in the dining room—is a slice of home for the former Guatemalan refugees, now proud Canadian citizens, who run it as a worker's co-op. On a menu that ranges from vegetarian quesadillas to Tequila Cactus Pork to Paella, Guatemalan, Mexican, and Spanish recipes are authentically seasoned with garlic, mint, coriander, and cilantro; the pepian (beef stew) and the garlic shrimp are standout options.

Cool yet pleasingly unpretentious, this downtown eatery gets rave reviews from an eclectic mix of businesspeople, shoppers, students, and city visitors. The menu features classic deli fare, including sandwiches piled high with interesting combinations of fillings, hearty soups, imaginative salads, and comfort food such as mac and cheese and flavorsome coconut curry chicken.

As the name suggests, this is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans, but it's popular with nonvegetarians, too, particularly for the beautifully presented and tasty salads—many people come specifically for the incredible carrot cake. Beverages include vegan wines and beer from local microbreweries.