Dinogo’s Guide to Prince Edward Island

Few places in the world rival the natural beauty and charm of Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Nestled between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this 2,185-square-mile island is a favored vacation spot for both Canadians and Americans, especially those enjoying the stunning coastal drive through Maine. In the warmer months, visitors flock to the island to discover its red-sand beaches, picturesque lighthouses, and engage in outdoor activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and hiking in its rugged interior.

All that outdoor adventure builds up quite an appetite, contributing to PEI’s reputation as “Canada’s Food Island.” The island is renowned for its mussels, producing a staggering 80 percent of Canada’s supply, totaling about 50 million pounds annually—chances are you’ve enjoyed them without even visiting. However, mussels aren’t the only stars; locally sourced beef, fresh summer produce, and an array of seafood also grace the menus. The Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown draws talent from far and wide, infusing local restaurants with skilled chefs and innovative ideas. Despite this, the island’s rural charm gives the dining scene a laid-back atmosphere, where it’s common to see diners enjoying a fine meal in their camping attire.

While many Canadians maintain second homes on PEI, the permanent population remains modest, much like other seasonal coastal locales. As of 2019, just over 150,000 residents call the island home, engaging in diverse industries such as agriculture, fisheries, aerospace, biotech, and renewable energy. Though small in number, the warm-hearted locals often engage visitors in spontaneous conversations about their cherished home.

With charming inns offering multicourse feasts, craft beer bars with decks perfect for sunset sipping, and an abundance of seafood at every corner, it’s nearly impossible not to be enthusiastic about this destination.

What are the must-try dishes on Prince Edward Island?

Prince Edward Island is renowned for its mussels, and you’ll find fresh bowls of them wherever you go. While these mussels are native to the island, production was significantly increased in the late 1970s, and now they are cultivated in 19 shallow bays and inlets throughout the region.

The Mi’kmaq, a First Nations group with deep roots along the northeastern coastline, have been enjoying mussels for millennia. As the original inhabitants of Prince Edward Island, these nomadic people would spend summers along the coast fishing and harvesting shellfish (like lobster, snow crabs, oysters, and clams), catching eels, and hunting seals; in winter, they pursued rabbits and small game. Their diet also included abundant seaweed and berries. Discover more about their culture at the Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Culture Centre, or experience their cuisine firsthand at the Bannock and Clams in the Sand event (detailed below).

The island’s culinary offerings reflect a dual diet rooted in both inland and coastal traditions. The fertile soil is ideal for potato cultivation, while the mineral-rich land hosts around 450 beef farms, most of which are small, family-run operations. Locals believe the salt air enhances the flavor of the beef (who wouldn’t agree?). In summer, salads burst with fresh local greens, and chefs get creative with dishes that highlight vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and a variety of berries.

Simultaneously, PEI boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline famous for its lobster, clams, and oysters. Seasonal catches include herring, mackerel, and bluefin tuna. The island is renowned for its lobster suppers, a tradition that began in 1957 as a fundraising initiative by the New Glasgow and District Junior Farmers Organization. This effort eventually evolved into a restaurant known as New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, one of the longest-running family dining establishments in PEI.

Essential Information Before Your Visit

The Culinary Institute of Canada: Situated in Prince Edward Island, this renowned culinary school nurtures aspiring chefs along with students specializing in pastry arts and hotel and restaurant management.

The Island Walk: Drawing inspiration from Spain’s Camino de Santiago, this 700-kilometer (approximately 435 miles) path encircles the island and is segmented into 32 sections, covering both inland and coastal landscapes. As you walk the trail, you'll pass through red dirt roads, scenic beaches, and vibrant cities like Charlottetown and Summerside. If you can't manage the entire loop — which takes around 32 days at a pace of 12 to 15 miles daily — you can easily select a smaller section and treat yourself along the way. A delightful option is the walk from Souris to Howe Bay, where you can admire blueberry fields and enjoy wine and charcuterie at the Inn at Spry Point. Alternatively, you could trek from Wellington to McNeil Mills, stopping for a hearty lunch at Backwoods Burger or savoring ice cream at Richmond Dairy Bar.

Confederation Trail: This alternative trail spans from one end of the island to the other, guiding hikers and cyclists through wetlands, forests, and charming villages.

Anne of Green Gables: Anne of Green Gables holds the title of the best-selling Canadian novel in history, drawing visitors from around the globe to the Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. Even if you haven't read the book, it's worthwhile to visit the stunning scenery that inspired L.M. Montgomery’s cherished tale. There, you can wander through the original home, historic gardens from the 19th century, and scenic walking trails. After exploring, treat yourself to a meal at Blue Mussel Cafe, one of the area's most beloved dining spots.

Coastal Drives: While hiking the Island Walk or Confederation Trail offers a great way to experience PEI, the island's three coastal drives provide a fantastic opportunity to absorb its breathtaking natural beauty. Colorful signs guide you along the North Cape Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive (split into Green Gables Shore in the north and Red Sands Shore in the south), and Points East Coastal Drive. These routes also conveniently help you sample the local cuisine as you travel.

Fall Flavors Festival: While Prince Edward Island offers delightful dining experiences year-round, September brings a special celebration of the island's culinary prowess during the Fall Flavours Festival, which includes the PEI International Shellfish Festival. Expect lively oyster-shucking events, potato peeling competitions, and a bounty of seafood.

The top dining spots around PEI

Charlottetown: As the capital of Prince Edward Island, this vibrant city is not only picturesque and pedestrian-friendly but also brimming with youthful energy from its many colleges and universities. Swing by Sea Rocket Oyster House for a front-row seat to the staff expertly shucking oysters while you enjoy a martini or their delicious smashburger. Renowned for its lobster offerings, Water Prince Corner Shop also delights with a variety of seafood dishes. You can savor creations like seared sea scallops with miso glaze at the Culinary Institute of Canada’s Dining Room, where second-year students prepare your meal against a backdrop of water views. For breakfast, lunch, and tasty coffee cocktails, Receiver Coffee has three convenient locations in town. If you're in the area from July to September, don't miss the Sunday Downtown Farmers’ Market for fresh local fare.

Red Sands Shore: While exploring the southern stretch of the Central Coastal Drive, make sure to stop in the delightful village of Victoria-by-the-Sea for a meal. Reserve a spot at Landmark Oyster House and grab a seat at the bar to enjoy fresh PEI oysters, followed by their famous nachos and a local lobster roll. Lobster also reigns supreme at Lobster Barn Pub & Dinogoy, which boasts an extensive menu of burgers and sandwiches.

North Cape Coastal Drive: Before you set off for the North Cape, which boasts North America's longest natural rock reef, grab breakfast and coffee at Samuel’s Coffee House in Summerside, the second-largest city in PEI. Don’t miss the Summerside Farmers’ Market, open year-round on Saturdays. As you travel north, enjoy a beer flight at Moth Lane Brewing and savor their daily-changing chalkboard lunch menu, primarily featuring smoked dishes. If you stay overnight in West Point, head to Sally’s Galley Pub and Grill for dinner; it’s the only Mytoury in town, known for fresh fish, generous wine pours, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Green Gables Shore: The northern stretch of the Central Coast Drive, aptly named Green Gables Shore, is home to the Green Gables Heritage Place. Stop for lunch at the Blue Mussel Cafe in North Rustico, a bustling harbor-front spot favored by locals and tourists alike; don’t miss the seafood chowder poutine or the beer and lime mussels, steamed with garlic and blueberry ale. Nearby, Glasgow Glen Farm is famous for its gouda but also offers pizza, charcuterie, and baked treats. While you're there, treat yourself to some delicious confections from Jane & Sue Chocolate, featuring house-made delights like mango-passionfruit bonbons and single-origin bars.

Points East Coastal Drive: Enjoy breathtaking views of PEI from the oceanfront picnic tables at Point Prim Chowder House & Beach Bar, where you can indulge in casual dishes like lobster rolls, peel-and-eat shrimp, and various seafood chowders. After your meal, take a stroll along the beach to Point Prim Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the island. Further along, 21 Breakwater sits in a lovely home overlooking Colville Bay, offering a well-curated menu with items like citrus butter steamed mussels and fish and chips with hand-cut fries. If you're in the mood for lighter fare, the restaurant’s Second Side Bar has a range of appetizers and drinks.

The top bars on Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown and Central Coastal Drive: The Dali Café offers great drinks alongside live music and events like dueling pianos and drag bingo. At the Italian Mytoury Abbiocco, you can enjoy Amaro Old Fashioneds, espresso martinis, and Negronis. For craft beer lovers, Hopyard features one of the island’s largest craft beer selections and lets you spin your favorite vinyl from their extensive collection. Over at the vibrant Pony Boat Social Club, enjoy bocce, billiards, and arcade games while sipping a drink.

Visit Deep Roots Distillery just outside Charlottetown for an orchard tour and tastings of spirits like apple brandy and blueberry liqueur. Enjoy live music at the Lone Oak Brewing taproom in Borden-Carleton while sipping a maritime pilsner or oatmeal stout. A little inland from Green Gables Shore, Island Honey Wine Company is worth a stop for tasting exquisite meads, with farm tours available by appointment.

North Cape Coastal Drive: Evermore Brewing Co. in Summerside offers craft beers, including tangy coconut pineapple sours, along with snacks like cod cakes and pizza. At the Sunset Room, you can enjoy delightful cocktails, wine, and beer while taking in some of the island’s most stunning sunsets from the spacious patio.

Points East Coastal Drive: There’s always something happening at Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague, from comedy shows to musical performances and trivia nights, all paired with an American pale ale or blueberry sour. Nearby, Bogside Brewing features a lovely outdoor patio where you can sip cider alongside a wide range of beers.

Oyster Shucking, Bread Workshops, and Other Culinary Adventures

Fireworks Feast at the Inn at Bay Fortune

Chef Michael Smith and his wife Chastity have crafted an unforgettable dining experience at their interactive, farm-to-table event. The Fireworks Feast takes place at their Inn at Bay Fortune, a luxurious seaside retreat set on 75 acres of gardens, forest trails, an apple orchard, and a mushroom patch. The evening begins at 4 p.m. with a farm tour, showcasing the property’s herb gardens, greenhouses, and vegetable beds. Guests enjoy cocktails from the front lawn bar while exploring the grounds, followed by oyster hour where they can roam between live-fire cooking stations for roasted oysters and vegetable tacos made with fresh farm produce. Finally, guests gather indoors for a multi-course dinner featuring heritage grain bread, seafood chowder, vibrant salads, various meat and fish dishes, and dessert, capped off with s’mores roasted by the fire.

Valley Pearl Oysters

If you've ever wanted to tong and shuck your own oysters, don’t miss the Get Shucked experience at Valley Pearl Oysters. You'll tour the facility, take a boat out to tong for oysters, learn the art of shucking, and savor a meal at the company’s oyster bar. The $129 fee includes a keepsake oyster knife to take home.

Bannock and Clams in the Sand

This unique experience on the Lennox Island Reserve immerses guests in Indigenous baking traditions. You'll gather on the beach to learn how to bake bannock, a traditional quick bread, over a wood-fueled fire pit in the sand. While the bread cooks, guides share stories of life on Lennox Island and teach a few words of the Mi’kmaq language.

The Finest Hotels and Inns in PEI

The Inn at Fortune Bridge

Just two minutes from the Inn at Bay Fortune, where the Fireworks Feast is held, the Inn at Fortune Bridge is a boutique inn inspired by Paris, featuring distinctive French decor, chandeliers, and spacious marble bathrooms with heated floors. Guests attending the Fireworks Feast arrive in style in a vintage 1957 Bentley. The rate includes a gourmet breakfast served at the Inn at Bay Fortune. Rates begin at $500 per night.391 Route 310, Fortune, PE C0A 2B0, Canada

Treetop Haven

Treetop Haven provides forest accommodations with modern conveniences, including full kitchens and indoor plumbing, perfect for those wanting to experience nature without camping. Opt for one of the five tree pods: geodesic domes perched on elevated decks that make you feel like you’re living among the trees. Each pod comes with a private hot tub, grill, and either one or two bedrooms. Rates start at $190 per night.1210 Mt Tryon Road, Albany, PE C0B 1A0, Canada

West Point Lighthouse Inn

For a unique stay, consider the West Point Lighthouse Inn, offering stunning views of the Northumberland Strait and its striking red sand beach. You can book a room in the lighthouse itself, such as the Keeper’s Quarters or Tower Room, or choose from 11 guest rooms in the adjacent building, all featuring private decks with water views. Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast and baked treats, plus 24-hour access to the lighthouse museum, which closes at 8:30 p.m. Rates start at $184 per night.364 Cedar Dunes Park Road, O’Leary, PE C0B 1V0, Canada

The Holman Grand Hotel

Nestled in the vibrant heart of downtown Charlottetown, The Holman Grand Hotel offers guests easy access to local bars and restaurants. Many historic rooms come with terraces or fireplaces, and the on-site spa offers reasonably priced treatments. The lobby's Redwater Rustic Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, emphasizing local ingredients. Room rates start at $149 per night.123 Grafton Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1K9, Canada

Amanda Gabriele is a passionate Dinogo, cook, martini enthusiast, and vintage glassware collector. She shares her culinary adventures and travel experiences, which you can follow on Instagram @amandameatballs.