A Guide to Dining in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a beautiful city to visit, with colorful homes, picturesque harbors and friendly people. Being the capital city of one of the busiest fishing Provinces in North America, with cod, mackerel, tuna and lobster being the most sought-after of the commercial fishing ventures. Clams, oysters, scallops and other seafood are all common in most St. John's restaurants, as are some of the more decadent foods known in Newfoundland, like Codfish chowder. The daily specials in most restaurants will acknowledge what seafood is in season.

Dining out in St. John's, Newfoundland can be an extremely rememberable experience. With the people more friendly and humorous than most professional comics, the dining experience can be filled with laughter, great company and good tasting food. It is amazing how many meals that can be made from one fish, as the Cod fish is the most presented dish at most St. John's area restaurants. When dining in St. John's for the first time, you should stick with the "mom and pop" restaurants, as you will get portions larger than you are accustomed to, and at prices that will make you a regular in no time.

Most of the restaurants along St. John's harbor will have patios open in the warmer weather, from May through to October, and with a view that can not be beat, diners can relax with their meals, soaking in the sun and the clean, salt air, and watch iceburgs flow past in the early Spring, porpoises ( a dolphin family member), and whales can also be seen from the harbor most of the year.

Of course there are the major restaurant chains in St. John's, Newfoundland, like Boston Pizza and Swiss Chalet. The Red Lobster and McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King chains, along with other fast-food and pizza chains also have places near the waterfront. With the way St. John's was fashioned, most of the restaurants do have a view of either the waterfront or the majestic hills behind the city.

But beware, when you eat at a restaurant in St. John's, Newfoundland, you may have to kiss a codfish or red snapper, or even be pushed into eating a codfish's eye. Newfoundland Screech, a very popular and extremely strong alcoholic drink similar in style to Jimmy Bean's or Jack Daniel's, is a drink to be taken seriously the first time you try it. You may not remember your first St. John's restaurant experience if not.

Enjoy St. John's, the jewel of Newfoundland, and the fun and good food at it's many restaurants. It is a culinary experience that you will remember for the rest of your life, if not just for the camaraderie, and the sights that the locations offer.