What are your favourite new restaurants in PEI and why?

Hey there Nancy!

PEI is one of those spots that always seems to have something new on the go in the food scene and this year is no exception. I’ll start off strong and go with my absolute favourite new spot on the Island right now - North Shore Canteen. Owners Kelly Sheridan (originally from the French River area) and husband Alex Fitzgerald moved back to PEI recently to open this location - Alex spending a good chunk of the last ten years at the renowned Mallard Cottage in NFLD. The food is PEI through and through - simple, clean and incredibly tasty dishes using as much local seafood and farm fare as possible. Highly, highly recommend.

Another spot I’d highly recommend is Haru-K BBQ in Charlottetown - some of the best Korean fried chicken on the east coast and their sides and service are top notch. Can be tough to snag a table here sometimes so recommend calling ahead.

On the waterfront in Charlottetown are two new spots from the same owner - JC’s Tiki Bar and the Shell Shack. Jordan Docherty is an army veteran who traveled extensively and wanted to bring the tiki bar vibe that he found in so many other countries to the Island. Great food using local ingredients and a proper margarita. The Shell Shack is new this year and features everything seafood - mussels, oysters, clams. All of the above being served on a floating dock in the Charlottetown Harbour. Both spots are slightly weather dependent so best to check their social media before heading down.

One more spot to mention - Mysa Nordic Spa in St. Peter’s Bay. One catch here, you must have a spa pass for the day in order to dine in their restaurant - but that experience is highly worth the admission (I believe it’s $65 for the day and you can easily spend 4 hours rejuvenating yourself in their various outdoor pools, saunas, etc). The food at this place is magnificent - Chef Seth and his team curate new menus each week featuring ingredients grown and foraged around their property, local meats and seafood and impeccable service. Highly recommend a day spent here lounging in the spa followed by a lunch or dinner in their space.

There are a ton more that have opened up in the last couple years but those would be my top picks! Hope that helps!

Thanks,

Al