11 Best Restaurants in Eastern Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador

The name implies more than just a restaurant and it is: a view, a respite, a community. From a table inside, you can watch pizzas cook in a wood-fired oven while sitting on handcrafted wooden furniture. On the deck, the views of the sea and gardens and farms surrounding the restaurant are unimpeded. This has fast become a locals' and travelers' favorite, and you are likely to bump into a friend here, even on your first visit. Located in Upper Amherst Cove just off Route 235, it is a short drive out from Bonavista.

Every evening, the set menu at the Twine Loft proves to be one of the region's best meals. Relax into a true fine dining experience complete with an on-site sommelier. The deck overlooking the water is also available without reservation for happy hour drinks every day from 3 pm to 5 pm. Dietary restrictions are accommodated, but require advanced notice and discussion.

This stone cottage offers a bright interior with both sofa and table seating and a view of Random Island in Trinity Bay. In finer weather, you can enjoy your coffee from an Adirondack chair on the patio overlooking the water. Enjoy coffee from small batch roasters in the province, as well as a light meal or baked treats that include gluten-friendly options.

This diner serves a variety of dishes, all with fresh ingredients (some grown right on the front patio) along with a small but balanced selection of wine and craft beers. Salads are excellent, and they serve some of the best pies and baked goods in the area. Boreal not only sources from local farms but from local individuals to support backyard farming.

This is a little pizza shop that's made a big splash, with stone-baked pizzas with interesting toppings and locally grown or foraged ingredients. This destination eatery is a throwback to the old general store that once occupied the space with retro touches like a tiny black-and-white TV playing cartoons and industrial artifacts on the walls, alongside photos by a local photographer known as "Old Bones." Best not to try calling ahead; this two-person operation is doing a booming business.

A family-friendly spot, Les P'tits Graviers is known for a wide variety of fresh French cuisine. Using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, they adapt their menu frequently. It can be quite busy so be sure to make reservations.

A historic building, traditional food, and an entrepreneurial spirit make this quaint yet bustling restaurant a classic spot. The owners have turned their multigenerational family home into a business that welcomes other families with hearty standard meals and drinks served in tiny teapots and china cups. It can get crowded quickly so be prepared to wait.

This hidden gem may be Newfoundland's best-kept secret. The four-course fine dining experience takes reservations months ahead, with meal pre-order placed a week in advance. Meals are prepared in the French style and incorporate elements of traditional Newfoundland cooking, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. For guests making a long drive for the evening, rooms are available for overnight stays. 

The first opening in the microbrewery resurgence on the island is arguably the best. Oh My Cheeses, a food truck, provides the grub, like eclectic grilled cheese and other hip takes on old standards. Port Rexton beer is served in the best restaurants in St. John's and folks rush to the taps when a new keg comes to town.

This place is more than a restaurant, it's a whole pioneer town experience. The pub and grill deliver meals of outstanding quality in a roadhouse-style setting. But the grounds are designed as a fantasy pioneer town that celebrates Old West outlaws and the pirates and gangsters that fill the tall tales of the Burin Peninsula. A fun place visit for kids of any age.