Greg's top picks for the downtown St. John's area
LIBATIONS
Coffee:
Bannerman Brewing – try the locally roasted “Cape Coffee” (Greg’s favourite) – get there before 3pm!
Battery Cafe – right at the base of Signal Hill – walk into the back room for a view of the harbour
Toslow – cat themed café
Parlour – gelato and espresso on the edge of Bannerman Park
Terre Café
Craft beer:
Bannerman Brewing – close to the conference venue, and a great venue to have a beer after your coffee
Quidi Vidi Brewing – we will be having a party here on Thursday, and it was also Greg’s wedding venue… enough said
Greg’s favourite local watering holes:
The Underbelly – basement speak-easy bar under the Yellowbelly Brewery
O’Reilly’s – live Newfoundland music and drinks
Shamrock City – live Newfoundland music and drinks
Christian’s – best for “screech-ins”!
Greensleeves – local music and beer – good pub food too
Newfoundland Embassy
You can also try pub hopping anywhere on George Street! A White Russian from Lottie’s is never a bad idea…
EATS
Breakfast:
Battery Café – closest to the conference venue
Exile – music themed venue with great food
Terre – great café
Toslow – the best BLT ever (!!!) and highly accommodating of dietary restrictions
Lunch:
Bannerman Brewing – close to the conference venue and great pub food
Duke of Duckworth – best fish and chips in the downtown area
Quidi Vidi Brewing – some fish and chips with your beer?
Manna Bakery – best sandwich in town
Dinner (reservations recommended):
Terre – incredible local foods
Merchant Tavern – an upscale pub with great local food in an old bank
Adelaide Oyster House – loud but tasty
Basho – best sushi (and cocktails) in town
Portage – great local food
LIV – tapas and cocktails
Other options:
St. John’s fish exchange – the name speaks for itself
Blue on Water
Gypsy Tea Room
WALKS
Signal Hill Hike (North Head Trail) – A nice 3.4km loop that offers views of St. John’s Harbour and the rugged Newfoundland coastline. Be prepared for lots of stairs!
East Coast Trail – several options but the most accessible is sugarloaf, leaving from Quidi Vidi Village (see www.eastcoasttrail.com)
Walk around downtown and check out the local shop
THINGS TO SEE
Signal Hill National Historic Site – a great view of the ocean and St. John’s
Cape Spear – the most easterly point in North America
The Rooms – a great place for a coffee, lunch, and view of the city on a rainy day
Quidi Vidi Artisan Village – local artists working their craft