4 Best Restaurants in Saint John, New Brunswick

In this innovative little restaurant where everything is cooked to order (so be prepared to wait—it's worth it), the talented chef's commitment to locally sourced ingredients might extend to delicacies foraged from the wild by dedicated staffers. Hand-crafted snacks, available throughout the day, offer an irresistible temptation to return after 5:30 to dine on dishes such as pan-seared tenderloin and molasses-butter-poached mushrooms.

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.