What Food To Try in Saint John and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Saint John for 2024.
National currency: Canadian Dollar, symbol — C$ (international currency code CAD).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Saint John cafes and restaurants
$15.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $9.81
$75.5
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $52.82
$9.1
Combo Meal
Starting from $7.55
What to Try in Saint John
Must-try Dishes
Fried Egg Sandwich - Breakfast Sandwich (hearty start) - A thick slice of bread piled high with a fried egg, smoked bacon, and local cheese, with a touch of hot sauce for kick. Locals usually grab this on the go at the Sunday market, chatting with vendors while they savor a quick bite.Fried Bay Scallops - Fried Scallops (crispy local delight) - Sweet, tender bay scallops coated in a light, crispy batter, perfect for a quick snack. Often enjoyed by locals at outdoor festivals, they make for a perfect street food option, especially during summer.
Seafood Chowder - Chowder (creamy and rich) - A hearty bowl filled with fresh fish, shrimp, and clams, simmered in a creamy broth thick with potatoes. This is a favorite for lunch among locals, especially in the colder months, often eaten with a slice of crusty bread.
Moose Burger - Moose Burger (wild game twist) - Juicy moose meat grilled and served on a soft bun, topped with local lettuce and tomato. It's a special treat often shared among friends at casual weekend BBQs, where the conversation flows as generously as the condiments.
Apple and Maple Sausage - Sausage (sweet and savory) - A unique combination of apple chunks and maple syrup mixed into savory pork sausage, bursting with flavor. Usually found sizzling at breakfast diners, this dish highlights the local love for combining sweet and savory, and I always find it nostalgic.
Fish Tacos - Tacos de Pescado (fresh and zesty) - Grilled fresh fish wrapped in soft tortillas, topped with a zesty coleslaw and a dash of lime. Served at local beach shacks during summer weekends, these tacos remind me of sunny afternoons along the coast, frequented by both locals and tourists.
Beef Stew - Ragoût de Boeuf (hearty and fulfilling) - A robust blend of tender beef, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs, slow-cooked until the flavors meld together. Best enjoyed in the early evening at cozy family-run restaurants, it's a hearty meal that warms up winter nights.
Seasonal Vegetable Medley - Méli-Mélo de Légumes de Saison (farm-fresh goodness) - A vibrant assortment of local vegetables, lightly sautéed and seasoned, celebrating the region's harvest. Typically enjoyed in the spring at farmers' markets or community potlucks, it’s a delicious way to embrace fresh, seasonal produce, highlighting local agricultural efforts.
Desserts & Drinks
Coffee - Java (local brew) - Strong, rich coffee made from locally sourced beans, often enjoyed black or with a splash of cream. Perfect for a morning boost, it's a staple in local cafés where you’ll find friends catching up over breakfast.Cider - Apfelwein (fermented apple drink) - Crisp and refreshing alcoholic drink made from local apples, fermented to perfection. Often served chilled at gatherings or picnics, it's a favorite during the fall when the apple harvest is at its peak.
Pouding Chômeur - Pouding Chômeur (maple pudding cake) - Sweet cake made with cake batter and topped with a rich maple syrup sauce, served warm and often paired with ice cream. A classic dessert at celebrations and family dinners, it's a comforting reminder of home in every bite.
Ice Cream - Ice Cream (frozen treat) - Handcrafted in small batches with local ingredients, flavors range from wild berries to butterscotch. A go-to treat during the hot summer months, you’ll see locals lined up at local shops, particularly after a long day at the beach.
Maple Taffy - Tire d'érable (maple taffy) - Made by pouring hot maple syrup over packed snow, creating a chewy, sweet candy. A seasonal delight during the maple festival, it's an absolute must if you catch the festivities in late winter—just remember to bring mittens!
Food and Groceries in Saint John
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $3.05 |
| Bananas | $1.92 |
| Oranges | $5.72 |
| Potatoes | $2.17 |
| Apples | $5.3 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $2.28 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $3.66 |
| Imported Beer | $4.5 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $13.58 |
| Milk 1L | $2.34 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $8.81 |
| Chicken | $9.97 |
| Cigarettes | $12.79 |
| Rice | $4.83 |
| Local Cheese | $8.77 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Walking through the streets during lunchtime, you can feel the pulse of Saint John’s food culture. Around noon, office workers flood the cafes and food trucks scattered around Market Square, with most establishments bustling until 2 PM. Lunch is definitely the busiest time of day, with many locals grabbing quick bites from the myriad of street vendors offering everything from fresh seafood to hearty sandwiches.
In Saint John, typical meal times are a bit earlier than in larger cities; breakfast can start as early as 6 AM, while dinner usually begins around 5 PM. This means if you’re looking for a meal outside those hours, you might find many restaurants closed or empty. For instance, a solid lunch will set you back around $15 to $25 (2,000 to 3,300 CAD), depending on whether you're opting for something casual or a little more upscale.
The dining scene has its popular spots too. Areas like Uptown and the bustling waterfront are prime locations for a variety of dining options. You can find anything from cozy diners to chic bistros within easy walking distance, making it convenient for locals to hop between places easily. Having a meal at a local seafood joint will likely cost you about $25 for a plate of pan-seared salmon, while the same dish at a popular spot on the waterfront might run you upwards of $35.
As for payment customs, cash is accepted everywhere, but credit and debit cards are widely used too—just be prepared to spend a bit more if you’re dining at places that add a service charge on top. Tipping is generally around 15% unless the service was exceptional—you won’t want to skimp on that at a localized restaurant where the staff takes pride in their work.
One notable eating habit is the love for sharing plates. It’s common for groups to order a variety of dishes to sample, which is a fantastic way to experience the local flavors. A common mistake tourists make is assuming that dinner begins in the late evening, leading to awkward moments when they find their favorite restaurant closed by 9 PM.
If you're planning to dine at the city's more popular spots, making a reservation is wise, especially on weekends. Through the years, I’ve observed a growing trend of late-night dining options emerging, likely inspired by younger locals looking for social gatherings later in the evening.
The rise in diverse food themes is encouraging, and it's fascinating to see how fashionable dining habits shift with the seasons. As colder months approach, hearty comfort foods become the norm, while summer brings a fresh influx of lighter, seafood offerings that take advantage of the nearby Bay of Fundy.
In Saint John, typical meal times are a bit earlier than in larger cities; breakfast can start as early as 6 AM, while dinner usually begins around 5 PM. This means if you’re looking for a meal outside those hours, you might find many restaurants closed or empty. For instance, a solid lunch will set you back around $15 to $25 (2,000 to 3,300 CAD), depending on whether you're opting for something casual or a little more upscale.
The dining scene has its popular spots too. Areas like Uptown and the bustling waterfront are prime locations for a variety of dining options. You can find anything from cozy diners to chic bistros within easy walking distance, making it convenient for locals to hop between places easily. Having a meal at a local seafood joint will likely cost you about $25 for a plate of pan-seared salmon, while the same dish at a popular spot on the waterfront might run you upwards of $35.
As for payment customs, cash is accepted everywhere, but credit and debit cards are widely used too—just be prepared to spend a bit more if you’re dining at places that add a service charge on top. Tipping is generally around 15% unless the service was exceptional—you won’t want to skimp on that at a localized restaurant where the staff takes pride in their work.
One notable eating habit is the love for sharing plates. It’s common for groups to order a variety of dishes to sample, which is a fantastic way to experience the local flavors. A common mistake tourists make is assuming that dinner begins in the late evening, leading to awkward moments when they find their favorite restaurant closed by 9 PM.
If you're planning to dine at the city's more popular spots, making a reservation is wise, especially on weekends. Through the years, I’ve observed a growing trend of late-night dining options emerging, likely inspired by younger locals looking for social gatherings later in the evening.
The rise in diverse food themes is encouraging, and it's fascinating to see how fashionable dining habits shift with the seasons. As colder months approach, hearty comfort foods become the norm, while summer brings a fresh influx of lighter, seafood offerings that take advantage of the nearby Bay of Fundy.