Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province, but it boasts what is perhaps the country’s most delicious tradition. Lobster suppers celebrate the strong fishing history of the island and honour the more than 1,200 licensed lobster fishermen that make their home on the island. So grab a plastic bib and tuck into an amazing meal and see why people return time and time again to the island for more fresh lobster served hot and buttery.
Saint Ann’s
Creativecommons.org/ Stefan Krasowski
Lobster suppers began in a church basement, and Saint Ann’s was one of the original churches to offer the meal. The atmosphere evokes the origins of the tradition, serving about 100 guests in the wood-decorated basement of the 70-year-old church.
The four-course meal starts with a bowl of homemade soup or seafood chowder, followed by a plate of Steamed Island Blue Mussels. The third course is what you came for – a pound of fresh lobster served with warm, melted butter. You can choose from other seafood options, or add a tasty piece of grilled strip loin for just a bit more. Dinner is served with fresh rolls and potatoes, so you may end up taking your dessert home with you.
Saint Ann’s Parish is in Hope River between Stanley Bridge and New Glasgow, not far from Cavendish National Park. Dinner runs from 4pm to 8pm, Monday through Saturday. The season runs from June 16 to September 20.
New Glasgow
Creativecommons.org/ Stefan Krasowski
New Glasgow serves lobster from their own lobster pound and supports the island’s fishing tradition, employing up to 100 people a year to farm the lobster. If the staff has time, you can even get a quick tour of the lobster pound.
Your dinner starts with all-you-can-eat fresh, hot rolls, seafood chowder, tomato basil soup, steamed Island Blue mussels, coleslaw, green salad and potato salad. The main course is up to four pounds of fresh-caught lobster boiled in salt water and served with clarified butter. Other seafood options are available and they even offer a vegetarian stir-fry. Dessert is also buffet style and it will be hard to bypass any of those mouth-watering pies, however much you’ve eaten.
Located in New Glasgow near Cavendish Beach National Park, dinner is served from June 1 through to October 11 each day from 4pm to 8pm. Hours may be slightly longer during the summer.
Fisherman’s Wharf
This is a restaurant dedicated to serving lobster suppers, and what it may lose in tradition, it more than makes up for in flavour. The 500-seat dining facility is hugely popular, and even non-seafood-lovers will have a filling meal from the 60-foot salad bar. The fabulous view of the bay is just a happy bonus to a great meal.
Dinner starts at the salad bar with Steamed Island Blue mussels, seafood chowder and a large selection of rice, vegetable and pasta salads. They focus on using fresh, local produce, and the rolls and biscuits are made in their bakery. Lobster comes from their own pound and is served hot or cold - up to two pounds at a time. Additional entrees are available including steak and rotisserie chicken. For dessert you can munch your way through pies, pastries, ice cream and more.
Fisherman’s Wharf is in the fishing Village of North Rustico, right on Rustico Bay. It’s only 30 minutes from Charlottetown and near Cavendish Beach. Lobster suppers are served from July 1 through to August 31 from 12 noon until 9pm.
Cardigan
Creativecommons.org/ Stefan Krasowski
The 110-year-old heritage building is home to one of the first Lobster Supper venues on the eastern part of Prince Edward Island. The family-run business has been around for more than 100 years and strives to serve locally sourced produce.
Get ready for five courses of delicious, starting with all-you-can eat seafood chowder and a big bowl of Cardigan Bay mussels. Everything there is made in house, even the salad dressing, and the rolls come fresh from the oven. Lobsters are up to 1 ½ pounds in weight and come from the restaurant’s lobster pounds. Round off your meal with PEI potatoes and a big helping of local vegetables. If you can manage it, the desserts are also fresh and made in-house.
Dinner can be found on Wharf Road in Cardigan near Brudenell Resort on the eastern part of the island. Supper is served from 5pm to 9pm daily, from June through to October.
Lobster on the Wharf
In 1981, the Larkin family bought the MacKinnon Lobster Pound and five years later opened a seafood restaurant. A hurricane in 2005 destroyed the building and they decided to rebuild a larger facility, adding a second storey dining area and outdoor seating. Today it’s the largest seafood restaurant in the capital and a favourite place for locals and visitors alike.
Order a traditional supper with potato salad and coleslaw and enjoy the steamed lobsters with lemon and butter. For a more intense seafood experience, order the lobster feed for two and you and a friend can tuck in to three pounds of mussels followed by four pounds of lobster along with two sides.
Find Lobster on the Wharf at the old ferry wharf in Charlottetown, within walking distance of many downtown accommodations. The restaurant is open year round, but lobster is best eaten when in season and fresh.
Community Suppers
The tradition of holding lobster suppers as a fundraiser continues all over the island, and frequently the only way to find one is to ask a local in town. Many serve a menu similar to those offered at restaurants, but in a much cozier atmosphere, and with some variation from the skill of the cooks. Suppers are often held in churches, on church lawns, or sometimes as takeout if the venue is small. When visiting the island between June and October, keep an eye on local announcements and you may find yourself mingling happily with the rest of the community enjoying one of the great traditions of Prince Edward Island the way it was meant to be experienced – with friends.
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