12 Best Restaurants in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

This hip new eatery serves up outstanding sandwiches and baked goods—but only from until 3 pm on weekdays.

The sumptuous big top--styled decor at this upscale eatery lends itself perfectly to a romantic splurge meal or fun night with friends. Start with their tasty lobster dip, house-made fish cakes, or seared scallops, before moving on to a perfectly cooked steak or charcoal ribs—there are some delicious vegetarian options, too. Upstairs are three beautifully appointed guest rooms that have the same vintage vibe.

This upscale modern Italian eatery uses the freshest local ingredients to create hearty dishes like fettuccine with wild mushrooms; sweet onion, pancetta and Italian sausage; and perfect pizzas. The luxe, open-plan dining room with its peacock-blue velvet-lined booths and high-end finishes is a treat to dine in, and the place is buzzy and fun, especially on weekends. 

Urban style meets rural delicacies at this upscale restaurant, which occupies a handsome brick building downtown. Not surprisingly, given the name and location, seafood is a specialty here—the local oysters, mussels, and lobsters are all memorable. But there are alternatives for vegetarian and meat-loving locavores (think risotto made with market veggies or grilled PEI strip loin, aged in-house for 50 days served with roasted PEI potatoes). It's a popular spot for tourists and residents alike, and the service is friendly. 

Specializing in fresh, locally caught seafood, this restaurant is a fun spot to have a few drinks and linger over excellent food. They serve elevated comfort foods—haddock dinner, burgers with bacon jam and cheddar, nachos—and more sophisticated mains, and offer an exciting cocktail menu, and plenty of local craft beers.

Chefs at this restaurant, part of the acclaimed Culinary Institute of Canada at Holland College, are second-year students working under the supervision of master-chef instructors; service is provided by hospitality students. It's an opportunity to enjoy ambitious dishes that combine local ingredients with international influences, like grilled leg of lamb with Israeli couscous. Don't let the college location deter you—inside the Dining Room you'll discover a sophisticated dining experience in a spacious, beautifully renovated space, with a choice between watching the action in the open kitchen or gazing at the lovely harbor views through the large windows.

Housed in an 1880 brick building downtown, this pub clearly takes pride in its 10 handcrafted ales and craft cider, prominently displayed on the menu. Beer reappears in several dishes as well, including the signature brown-bag fish-and-chips with honey wheat ale--battered haddock, and a specific brew is recommended to accompany each dish. But even teetotalers will appreciate that the food here is always tasty, affordable, and well-presented. Tours of the brewing operation, the Prince Edward Island Brewing Company, occur at a separate location at 96 Kensington Road; they cost C$22–C$33, samples included, and are available during normal working hours.

Alexandra and Axel Leonhard have gone from humble beginnings selling homemade bread at a local farmers' market to running a full-fledged café where food is made from scratch without additives, preservatives, or artificial flavorings. The room is bright and cheerful, and the devoted clientele keeps coming back for breakfast, casseroles, hearty gluten-free soups, sandwiches, and delicious desserts. Organic teas and freshly roasted coffee are served as well. Wait times for a seat are not usually an issue—but you can always grab something to go. 

In the 19th-century Roger's Hardware building, this restaurant has both fine dining and casual fare. A pub menu features upscale sandwiches, fish-and-chips, and more, while quality PEI-raised beef and fresh seafood dominate the dinner menu. Old wooden beams, brick columns, and a unique bar top made of black granite inlaid with bird's-eye maple make the place cozy.

This bright and fun dining room with a huge deck atop the Charlottetown Yacht Club is perfect for sipping on cocktails and enjoying a sharing plate or two as you watch the boats go by, but their mains are excellent as well—PEI standards like seafood chowder, fish-and-chips, and lobster rolls are all there, but there's also kale Caesar salad and coconut curry salmon noodle bowls. 

Housed in a gorgeous heritage building, with plush velvet booths, exposed brick, and chandeliers, Sims Corner serves decadent meals and prides itself on its connections with local farmers and custom-cut, Island-raised beef (it's aged 45 days for richer taste). Seafood selections start with a wide range of oysters at the raw bar, and divine desserts are made in-house. All can be washed down with an award-winning selection of old- and new-world wines. 

Sharing a pretty house with a Buddhist prayer hall, this little eatery serves vegetarian and vegan fare with Asian flair. Aside from the expected noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries, Splendid Essence has a fine selection of hot and cold teas, which you can enjoy outdoors on the porch in fine weather.