So you’ve planned a trip to Cape Breton Island and you’re going to explore the famous Cabot Trail. You’ve probably got a long list of things to do and places to see while in Cape Breton, and I bet you can’t wait!
Now the only thing you need to figure out is where will you eat when you’re there? My absolute favourite thing to do when I travel is try the best of the local flavours and restaurants.
I decided to put together this guide of the best restaurants in Cape Breton along the Cabot Trail to help you plan your visit!
This guide to the best places to eat in Cape Breton is organized in order of location for you based on order of location along the Cabot Trail.
We’ll be starting in Baddeck (the southern point of the Cabot Trail) and continuing along up the northwest side of Cape Breton Island before looping back down the eastern side till you get back to Baddeck.
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Oh! and you might also want to check out this post if you’re planning on visiting Nova Scotia soon:
- 32 Best things to do in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
- 34 Incredible Things to do in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
Now onto the list of the best restaurants on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton!
Best Places to Eat in Baddeck
The Cabot Trail loops in either direction starting at Baddeck, so this is where you will start your journey.
Although some people may get started along the Cabot Trail right away, there are lots of things to do and great restaurants to check out in Baddeck.
Here are some of my favourite restaurants and places to eat in Baddeck, Cape Breton.
1. The Freight Shed: Waterside Bistro & Market
The Freight Shed is a very highly rated restaurant located just off the marina in Baddeck.
If there’s one restaurant you definitely do not want to miss during your time on Cape Breton Island this has to be it!
The Freight Shed serves arguably one of the best lobster rolls in all of Cape Breton Island.
Whether for dinner or lunch, make sure book yourself in for a meal here to try it out!
You definitely won’t regret it.
2. The Lakeside Restaurant
The Lakeside Restaurant is the on-site restaurant at The Inverary Resort and there’s no surprise (thanks to the name) that it has a beautiful lakeside view.
Here at the Lakeside Restaurant you can expect incredible seafood and Nova Scotian specialties like oatcakes and lobster.
You absolutely have to try the seafood mac & brie while you’re here. It was to DIE for! I split that and the lobster dinner with a friend of mine and they were both so good.
They also have an extensive wine list and have daily live music from 3-6pm.
If you’re looking for a super unique dining experience while in Cape Breton, you can also book this floating picnic table at the Lakeside Restaurant.
Imagine having a dinner out on the water on this!
3. Baddeck Lobster Suppers
How can you visit Cape Breton Island without indulging in a lobster dinner? And better yet if it comes in the all you can eat variety right?
At Baddeck Lobster Suppers you can enjoy a classic Nova Scotian all you can eat lobster dinner that’s absolutely drool worthy.
There really is no better way to toast to an amazing time in the East Coast!
Each all you can eat meal comes with unlimited bread, mussels, and chowder followed by your main of choice and dessert.
If lobster isn’t your think don’t worry! They also have snow crab, steak, and salmon in the all you can eat menus!
Best Places to Eat in Ingonish
About an hour and fifteen minute drive up the Cabot Trail from Baddeck is Ingonish.
This is where we spent our second night at the Keltic Lodge because there’s lots to see and do in the area.
Here were my favourite restaurants and places to eat in Ingonish, Cape Breton.
4. Salty Rose’s & the Periwinkle Cafe
Salty Rose’s & The Periwinkle Cafe is a cute little cafe and shop located along the Cabot Trail in Ingonish.
The building itself is one of the oldest and most charming buildings in all of Ingonish.
The Periwinkle Cafe features fair trade coffee and delicious local fare.
You’ll find all sorts of home baked goods, delicious sandwiches, and of course amazing seafood additions.
The shop itself features lots of carefully curated arts, crafts, jewelry and the likes made by all sorts of local artisans and creatives.
This is a great place to pick up a small souvenir for you someone you love back home!
5. The Purple Thistle Dining Room
The Purple Thistle Dining Room is located in the Keltic Lodge and is an upscale restaurant with amazingly delicious food offerings.
While you dine here you’ll get to enjoy the surrounding views of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Highlands which really can’t be beat!
For dinner I had the Halibut Florentine which was a fresh local halibut seared to golden brown. It was topped with a creamy Florentine sauce of mushrooms, spinach, and fresh crab and served on top of a pile of mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
My friends had the Pescatore pasta, Keltic Salmon, and the New York Striploin. We all loved our dishes!
For dessert we decided to share the Lemon & Lavender cheesecake which was so good we wish we had each ordered our own!
Best Places to Eat in Northern Cape Breton Island
Once you depart Ingonish you’ll head further north along the Cabot Trail.
Here are my favourite restaurants and places to eat along the Northern tip of Cape Breton!
6. Neil’s Harbour Lighthouse Ice Cream Shop
Neil’s Harbour is such an adorable little place to stop, not only to see the quaint little seaside houses and fishing boats dotting the water, but because they have a pretty lighthouse too!
The Neil’s Harbour lighthouse is now an ice cream shop and the perfect place to stop for a sweet treat before continuing to explore Cape Breton.
While you’re here you need to try Moon Mist Ice Cream.
Moon Mist Ice Cream is a Nova Scotia classic and an absolute favourite amongst kids there.
Although the flavours to me as an adult were a pretty wacky combination, you can’t go to Cape Breton without at least TRYING a small sample of Moon Mist ice cream.
Moon Mist ice cream is a mix of banana, grape, and blue bubblegum ice cream.
It’s loaded with flavour as you can imagine, and they say it’s truly out of this world.
I’ll let you be the judge on that!
7. Danena’s Bakery & Bistro
Danena’s Bakery & Bistro, originally established in 1982 by Danena & Larry Cook, has become a must visit spot for eats and treats along the Cabot Trail.
Here you’ll find the best in sweet & buttery Scottish baked goods, as well as tons of home cooked and wholesome food recipes.
Although Danena herself is no longer here, her daughters run the bakery and have done a great job keeping it the same place the local’s have grown to love.
At Danena’s you can expect excellent service & hospitality, authentic Scottish baked goods, along with a fine selection of fresh wholesome food. Enjoy!
Best Places to Eat in Cape Breton – East Coast (Chéticamp & Mabou)
Finally you’re going to loop down the east coast of the Cabot Trail until you reach Baddeck again.
You’ll first reach Chéticamp which is on the north eastern side of the island. This is a great place to spend the night as there is lots to do in the area.
Your last stop before reaching Baddeck and the end of your journey will be Mabou.
I hope you’re hungry because the fish and chips there are *chef’s kiss*
8. L’Abri Cafe, Restaurant et Bar
Looking for another incredible meal in a great setting to have while in Cape Breton? Look no further than L’Abri Cafe, Restaurant et Bar.
Located in the traditional Acadian fishing village of Chéticamp, which is along the Cabot Trail, L’Abri features all sorts of delicious dishes.
Here you can expect everything from the tastiest seafood to traditional Acadian dishes like Fricot Acadien (chicken and potatoes in a classic and hearty Acadian broth) served with house made multigrain sourdough bread.
If it’s a nice day out be sure to ask for the patio, it’s lovely out there!
9. The Red Shoe Pub
The last stop in our culinary journey of the best restaurants in Cape Breton Island is the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou.
The Red Shoe Pub is another local favourite on Cape Breton Island so if you’re hoping to get a true authentic taste of what the local’s love you’ll want to have a meal here!
We stopped for lunch at the Red Shoe Pub which was the perfect time to enjoy their casual dining.
I had a local wine and the fish and chips which was delicious!
The Red Shoe Pub also features local entertainment every evening and you can check the schedule for that on their website!
Final Thoughts
I’m sure you’ve come to realize by now that Cape Breton Island has some pretty great restaurants.
If you love fresh seafood especially, you’ll definitely want to visit Cape Breton Island because they have some of the freshest seafood around.
One of my favourite parts of visiting Cape Breton was getting to try some of the many amazing local restaurants.
We didn’t have a single bad meal and I would go back to every single restaurant we went to.
If you’re planning a trip to Nova Scotia soon don’t forget to check out this posts:
- 32 Best Things to do in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
- 34 Incredible Things to do in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
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