Cape Breton Island Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Cape Breton Island - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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17 Recommendations
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1. Dancing Goat Cafe & Bakery
$ | |This fabulous bakery opens at 7:30 am for breakfast, great coffee, and tasty treats. Their sandwiches and soups are excellent, and stocking up on cookies and oatcakes to take with you is highly advised. At peak times there can be long lines, but it is worth the wait.
6289 Cabot Trail Rd., Margaree Harbour, Nova Scotia, B0E 2C0, Canada902-248–2727Known For
- Sandwiches made with fresh baked bread
- Delicious selection of cheesecakes
- Warm and friendly staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closes at 4 pm every day -
2. Kiju's
$$$ | |Located in a conference center on the Membertou First Nation's urban reserve, this spacious dining room serves up inspired global cuisine using fresh, local ingredients with many dishes having an Indigenous twist—and you can order a prix fixe three-course First Nation menu (CA$45) that changes with the seasons. Regular menu items range from lamb chops perfectly cooked with a pistachio pesto to a delicately spiced curry paella. The food is excellent, portions generous, and the space both inside the restaurant and in corridors outside features Indigenous art and artifacts.
50 Maillard St., Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1S 3W3, Canada902-562–6220Known For
- Award-winning coconut cream pie
- Huge, heated patio
- Traditional luskinikn bread served with molasses
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
3. L'Abri
$$$ | |Classic French cuisine with Acadian heart, this beautiful restaurant is filled with antiques and raw wood, with views out over the crashing ocean. Every carefully prepared dish is spectacular, from Acadian fricot to salt cod gratin to their upscale burger. L'Abri has a well-stocked selection of Nova Scotia wines and beers, as well as great cocktails. Be sure to save room for dessert. Bookings highly recommended.
15559 Cabot Trail Rd., Chéticamp, Nova Scotia, B0E 1H0, Canada902-224–3888Known For
- Sophisticated atmosphere in an unexpected location
- Impressive selection of whiskeys
- Their Basque cheesecake with berry preserves
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Dinner only Mon. to Weds. -
4. Red Shoe
$$$ | |More than a mere pub, this Cape Breton institution has evolved into an attraction, in part because it is owned by four of the Rankins, Canada's most celebrated singing siblings. Expect the usual pub favorites: fish-and-chips, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled salmon, and mussels steamed in ale, garlic, and bacon. There's music here most nights, and sometimes during the day (occasionally with a cover charge of C$10).
11533 Hwy. 19, Mabou, Nova Scotia, B0X 1X0, Canada902-945–2996Known For
- Great music featuring the finest local fiddlers and step dancers
- Very busy, often with a line to get in
- Above-average pub food and good selection of beers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Oct.–late May -
5. Salty Rose's & the Periwinkle Café
$$$ | |This beautiful café filled with art and vintage furniture serves tasty breakfasts, sandwiches, and delectable baked goods, as well as perfect espresso drinks. With a focus on fresh and local, you'll find snowcrab and lobster rolls on the menu, as well as produce from the gardens out back. The attached gallery next door sells lovely crafts, art, and jewelry from local artisans.
36056 Cabot Trail Rd., Ingonish, Nova Scotia, B0C 1K0, Canada902-202–2431Known For
- The Brekkie sandwich with lobster
- Warm, friendly atmosphere
- Ocean views from their patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Weds. Closed Nov.–May -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Baddeck Lobster Suppers
$$$$ | |For superfresh seafood and views overlooking Bras d'Or Lake, head for this former legion hall. There are just four options on the main-course menu—lobster, planked salmon, snow crab, and grilled steak—each of which can also come as a fixed-price feast with unlimited mussels, seafood chowder, homemade rolls and biscuits, desserts, and nonalcoholic beverages (yes, all of these items are unlimited). The space can seat 100 diners inside, and more on the deck, but it gets busy, particularly when a tour bus unloads (though these are by reservation only so you can call to check whether one is expected). Unlike some similar spots, this one is fully licensed so you can wash all that down with a cold brew. Dinner service starts at 4 pm.
17 Ross St., Baddeck, Nova Scotia, B0E 1B0, Canada902-295–3307Known For
- Jovial atmosphere
- All-you-can-eat starters and sides deals
- No reservations, so there may be a line outside
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Sept.–May. No lunch -
7. Bean Barn Cafe
$$ | |Perhaps the best place on the island to grab a slice of pie, this bakery always has a huge selection of sweet treats as well as excellent sandwiches and decent coffee too. The café is pretty tiny, but there's a patio and picnic tables outside.
36743 Cabot Trail Rd., Ingonish, Nova Scotia, B0C 1L0, CanadaKnown For
- Sky-high cream pies
- Delicious cinnamon rolls
- Great spot to grab takeout as you're leaving Ingonish
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Weds. -
8. Doktor Luke's
$ | |This fun and funky coffee house is the perfect spot for an expertly prepared latte, fresh-baked goods, and a little conversation with the locals.
54 Prince St., Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 5J7, Canada902-270–5800Known For
- Really good decaf
- Sweet, friendly staff
- Fun vibe
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9. Flavor Downtown
$$ | |In a city where deep fryers reign supreme, this small eatery is a welcome find. The haddock is poached, the scallops seared, the prawns tossed in pesto sauce—and Flavor's flavors shine through. The menu is broad: house-made pastas are popular, as are the inventive sandwiches and all-day breakfasts. Brunch is served on Saturday, and there's a small patio in summer.
16 Pitt St., Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 5X3, Canada902-562–6611Known For
- Wide range of gluten-free and vegan dishes
- Interesting sandwich fillings
- Healthy meals to go
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner. -
10. Governor's Pub and Eatery
$$$ | |Sydney's first mayor, Walter Crowe, once lived in this Victorian home, built in the late 1800s. The restaurant, with hardwood floors, a fireplace, and high ceilings, is known for fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks, though there are lighter options such as salads, wraps, and burgers. Desserts are all house-made. Both the restaurant and the pub upstairs have large patios that overlook Sydney Harbour. There's regular live entertainment.
233 Esplanade, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 1A6, Canada902-562–7646Known For
- Bustling and welcoming atmosphere
- Decks on both levels overlooking the harbor
- Pub offers plenty of local color
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11. Grubstake Restaurant
$$$ | |The owner-chef is fixing up this old clapboard building, but it's the treats that await within that really matter. A well-constructed menu features specialties like shrimp and scallop flambé, pork tenderloin in a red onion wine sauce, and maple-glazed salmon, and there's a less fancy but equally enticing comfort food list and kids' menu. Local wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails fill out the beverage list.
7499 Main St., Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, B1C IH8, Canada902-733–2308Known For
- <PRO>excellent soup and sandwich lunches</PRO>
- <PRO>house-made bread</PRO>
- <PRO>Grubstake Grog cocktail: warmed apple juice, rum, and honey, sprinkled with spices</PRO>
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Dec.–mid-June -
12. JJ's Plant Based Eats
$ | |This cozy café is Cape Breton's first vegan eatery and serves up inventive and tasty dishes.
54 Prince St., Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 5J7, CanadaKnown For
- The seitan donair with coconut donair sauce
- Amazing roast potatoes as a side
- Friendly, warm service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
13. Mr. Chicken
$$ | |This fun locals' favorite serves tasty and well-seasoned fried and roasted chicken, burgers, and fried foods. There's also an attached ice-cream parlor.
15546 Cabot Trail Rd., Chéticamp, Nova Scotia, B0E 1H0, Canada902-224–2975Known For
- Delicious roast chicken poutine
- Huge portions and fast service
- Oceanfront location with picnic tables
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14. Mull Café & Deli
$$ | |There's usually a parking lot full of cars outside this popular hangout for Cape Bretoners, which also draws "come from away" diners with its long lunchtime menu of hearty salads, creamy chowders, deep-fried seafood plates, and homemade desserts. After 5 pm (and all day on Sunday), the dinner menu goes more upscale with dishes like scallops in white-wine and cream sauce and lemon-chicken supreme. At peak times, reservations are recommended.
11630 Rte. 19, Mabou, Nova Scotia, B0E 1X0, Canada902-945–2244Known For
- <PRO>thin crispy batter for fried food</PRO>
- <PRO>local art</PRO>
- <PRO>take-out counter</PRO>
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15. Route 19 Brewing
$$$ | |Besides an excellent selection of beers brewed on the premises, this eatery serves up a seafood-heavy menu that truly hits the spot whether you're going for perfectly battered fish-and-chips, chicken burger, or poutine. The dining room is bright, modern, and airy, and the vibe is fun. There's a small store attached where you can grab cool branded Route 19 merchandise as well as craft beers to go.
16030 Central Ave., Inverness, Nova Scotia, B0E 1N0, Canada902-550–2739Known For
- Fat, juicy, perfectly prepared lobster rolls
- Huge patio with ocean views
- Excellent selection of local craft ciders and wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch. -
16. Spoondrift Café & Gift Shop
$$ | |This bright and airy diner specializes in seafood dishes, steaks, and casual dining favorites with a cozy, down-home style. There aren't many options for dining in Louisbourg, but this place makes up for that.
7541 Main St., Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, B1C 1J5, CanadaKnown For
- Truly excellent seafood chowder
- Warm, friendly service
- Can get busy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
17. The Freight Shed
$$$ | |Fresh local seafood is what this waterfront eatery is known for, but they also do a great breakfast, hearty burgers and various other entrées. Prices are a little high, but that's common for Baddeck and the food is well prepared and tasty.
2 Jones St., Baddeck, Nova Scotia, B0E 1B0, Canada902-295–1389Known For
- Great selection of local craft beers
- Juicy lobster rolls
- Huge waterfront patio
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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