When it comes to delicious eats, we’ve got you covered in this guide to the best restaurants in Moncton!
Tucked along the shore of scenic Petitcodiac Bay, Moncton draws heaps of visitors all year round with its riverwalks, arts scene, and vibrant Acadian Festival celebrations. But it’s the incredible restaurant growth over the past decade that has foodies flocking here. From humble food trucks to animated Hibachi spots or more upscale tasting menus, Moncton chefs have no doubt been inspired by the bounty of fresh Atlantic ingredients right at their doorstep.
Neighbourhood bistros housed in restored Victorian mansions, charming gastropubs, and seafood shacks all abound in downtown Moncton. If you’re visiting during those warmer summer months, you’ll often see restaurants spilling out onto sunny patios right on the waterfront!
One of the best things about eating in Moncton is that it’s got one of the most diverse food scenes in New Brunswick. Local chefs are putting a modern spin on traditional Acadian dishes while seamlessly embracing global influences. Whether you crave mouthwatering maritime dishes or wood-fired pizza, this town has an option for all tastebuds. Sushi, French, Indian, Japanese…you name it!
But enough talking. These are the best places to eat in Moncton!
Osaka Hibachi Restaurant & Sake Bar
Address: 599 Main St.
Let’s start with a place that’s bound to hit the spot if you’re in the mood for an Asian-inspired feast!
Known for its good portions and meticulously crafted dishes sourced from super fresh ingredients, Osaka Hibachi Restaurant & Sake Bar is something of a local favourite – so be sure to reserve your table in advance.
In true Hibachi fashion, you can expect dinner and a show, with super friendly chefs who prepare your meals right in front of you. The energetic atmosphere makes it an awesome place for celebrating a special occasion.
This Japanese Restaurant has a pretty diverse menu, with a sushi bar and classic Asian offerings like Kanpoongki Fried Chicken, Bento Boxes, and Osaka Curry served alongside rice or Udon noodles. In addition to various types of Sake, the restaurant also offers an interesting selection of Japanese and Korean beer.
Les Brumes du Coude
Address: 140 Botsford St.
If you’re in the mood for classic French fare, Les Brumes du Coude on Botsford Street is as good as it gets!
And if you’re wondering why this made the list of the best restaurants in Moncton, wait until you try the many delectable dishes curated by Chef Michel Savoie. The restaurant’s cozy ambience, friendly staff and excellent food all come together to provide one heck of a dining experience! Combined with the intimate, French bistro-like setting also makes this a great spot for date nights.
The restaurant’s menu offers French and Acadian specialties like Parisian Gnocchi with Garlic Butter Snails, Blue Pearl Oysters, and Spicy Fundy Scallop Ceviche. What makes it unique though is that the menu often changes without notice, so there’s always something new to try.
Taj Mahal Moncton
Address: 882 Main St.
Fluffy garlic naans, luscious butter chicken, and aromatic beef biryani? Heck, yes!
Well, that’s what you can expect at the Taj Mahal Moncton, one of the best restaurants in Moncton for enjoying Indian cuisine in Moncton. Speaking of Indian cuisine, the Taj Mahal was New Brunswick’s very first Indian restaurant, so you’re in for a treat.
Meat lovers may wish to try the restaurant’s signature Rogan Josh which consists of exquisitely tender lamb that’s been simmered in a captivating blend of spices and ghee. If you’re more of a fish lover, you can always try the fish biryani or the South Indian fish curry. Vegetarian? Rest assured that the restaurant offers many meatless options such as Matter Paneer (cottage cheese with peas in a special creamy sauce).
Cap off your meal with a heaping serving of homemade cardamon-flavoured ice cream.
Tony’s Bistro & Patisserie
137 Chemin McLaughlin Rd.
With a great atmosphere and quality food, Tony’s Bistro & Patisserie is definitely a place worth visiting!
When pastry chef Tony Holden first opened his bistro in 2001, the place only had two tables. The bistro’s popularity quickly grew and before long, it became a local favourite, complete with a beer, wine, and cocktail bar. Now a full-fledged bistro, Tony’s is something of a hotspot in Moncton, so you do need to reserve in advance.
The restaurant menu is pretty diverse, with dishes like the Root Beer Short Rib served with orange carrot puree and their creamy Seafood Chowder. Visiting for brunch? Then be sure to try the Salmon Benedict served on a gloriously fresh baked brioche, something sure to put you in a good mood for the day.
The lunchtime menu boasts favourites like quiches, various types of sandwiches, and of course, a good ol’ New Brunswick lobster roll (seasonal). With quality food and a great atmosphere, Tony’s is also known for its array of scrumptious cakes – all freshly made in-house!
Red Satay Grill Rouge
Address: 207 St. George St.
Commanding a great location on St. George Street (downtown Moncton), Red Satay Grill Rouge is an absolute dream come true for fans of authentic Vietnamese cuisine!
Featuring reasonable prices and a great staff, the Red Satay Grill Rouge is said to be one of the best restaurants in Moncton for Vietnamese dishes. It’s especially known for its ‘Jenny Special’, a South Vietnamese dish consisting of grilled meat, rice noodles, toasted peanuts, and pickled carrots.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an authentic Vietnamese restaurant without the quintessential bowls of Pho. Rest assured that there’s plenty to choose from, including the signature Red Satay Pho, Noodles Pho, and Wor Wonton. Best of all, you can even upsize your Pho bowl.
Alternatively, the restaurant does offer smaller portions of fried rice or noodles for diners who don’t have much of an appetite. Plant-based eaters will be glad to learn that vegan dishes are also available. This restaurant is a bit small and some spots are left for walk-ins, so it’s always a good idea to head there early to avoid waiting in line.
Gusto Italian Grill & Bar
Address: 130 Westmorland St.
Another great place located in downtown Moncton is Gusto Italian Grill & Bar, which is one o the best restaurants in Moncton for Italian food!
With rustic wood finishes, exposed brick walls, and an open kitchen where you can watch your pizza being made in wood-fired ovens, this restaurant prides itself on handcrafting every single dish. Talk about an authentic Italian experience, right?
Of course, you’ll find classic Italian favourites on the menu, including pizza and pasta galore. Be sure to try their Bruschetta made with vine-ripened tomatoes, Parmigiano, roasted garlic, and whipped ricotta on crusty bread – all drizzled with aged balsamic. As far as their antipasti are concerned, you’ll find beloved items like Arancini (fried risotto balls), fried calamari, and large servings of Fresh Buratta Cheese Caprese that are perfect for sharing.
For mains, you can choose from different types of risottos, roasted sea scallops, Chicken Parmigiana, and Salmon Siciliano, just to name a few. Wash everything down with a glass (or two!) of Italian Prosecco and you’ve got yourself a great night out!
The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
Address: 751 Main St, Moncton.
The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse offers an Irish experience right in the heart of downtown Moncton!
An absolute entertainment magnet, the Old Triangle stayed true to its 17th-century pub rules, a time when people would gather at the public place to share a drink or discuss current events. In true Irish fashion, the pub’s motto is ‘Food for the body, drink for the spirit, and music for the soul’. As such, the restaurant has a 3-room concept: Head to the Tigh an Cheoil room for the music, the Pourhouse for bottled and tap beers, and the Snug to enjoy pub grub and pints.
You can expect a diverse menu with both Irish and fusion dishes. Some of their more popular items include the Maple Chicken Curry Penne Pasta, Cottage Pie, Pan Fried Haddock and Mary Gallagher’s Beef Stew, which is served alongside a thick slab of Irish soda bread.
Visit on a Friday or Saturday night and you might just be treated to a live music event!
Cinta Ria Malaysian Fusion Malaisienne
Address: 161 Robinson St.
Craving Malaysian flavours in Moncton? Then head over to Cinta Ria, one of the best restaurants in Moncton for rice plates, noodle dishes, and aromatic curries. Now, this may be a Malaysian restaurant but the menu is inspired by various other Asian destinations such as China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Don’t miss their iconic Curry Laksa, a spicy, coconut-based curry noodle soup served alongside a hard-boiled egg, fish cakes, tofu, bean sprouts and your choice of protein – a medley that’ll have your taste buds dancing in delight indeed!
You can also sample Malaysian street food like their homemade Roti Canai, which is an exceptionally flaky flatbread that can be dipped in an aromatic curry sauce or enjoyed piping hot with lashings of butter.
Catch 22
Address: 589 Main St.
For a true Down East lobster experience, Catch 22 is hard to beat.
This unpretentious seafood shack reels in locals and tourists alike with its fresh-off-the-boat catches. Does anything beat sipping on an ice-cold beer on a hot summer’s day while you crack into a charred, buttery lobster? We think not!
While their lobster is no doubt the star of the show, Catch 22 also serves various types of fish, oysters, scallops, and shrimp. Non-seafood lovers can enjoy an assortment of stir-fries, pasta, T-bone steaks and Filet Mignons.
The nautical-themed dining room is on the smaller side, so things can get a bit crowded during mealtimes. Remember to reserve your table in advance.
Tide & Boar Gastropub
Address: 700 Main St.
Affectionately known as the Boar Gastropub by the locals, the Tide & Boar has been featured on the Food Network and was named among Canada’s top 50 restaurants by Maclean’s Magazine. Yep – it’s that’s good!
Located between the Northumberland Straight and the Bay of Fundy, this gastropub has shabby-chic vibes, complete with a sprawling outdoor patio during those warmer summer months. Because the restaurant is committed to only using fresh ingredients, the menu is constantly evolving. However, you can usually choose from traditional pub fare like burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, poutine, and fish & chips. Vegan options include a Vegan Smashburger with plan-based cheddar and a secret umami sauce.
They’ve got 14 beers on tap, although their drinks selection rotates seasonally as well. Portions are generous, drinks flow freely, and there’s always some kind of concert or live entertainment going on. Everything you need for a fun night out on town with your friends!
Pump House Brewpub
Address: 5 Orange Ln.
Dating all the way back to 1999, Pump House was one of the pioneers of the craft beer movement in New Brunswick. Today, their beer is still brewed right on the premises, and you’ve got quite a unique selection to choose from. Their Blueberry Ale, Canadian Cream Ale, Muddy River, and Fire Chief’s Red Ale are always in high demand.
If there’s one thing the Pump House Brewpub mastered through the years (other than their craft beers, of course), it’s comfort food! Their Tap’etizers menu is laden with alluring offerings like House Wings, Beer-Battered Onion Rings, Fried Pickles, Classic Poutine, and the ‘Mess’d Up Poutine’, which is a mound of BBQ pork and cheese curds heaped upon crispy fries and generously drizzled with their house gravy.
For mains, you’ve got Moorish dishes like Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese, Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Smoked Brisket, Pastas…the works!
Because of its convivial atmosphere and affordable prices, the Pump House Brewpub is a popular after-work hangout place among locals. Friday nights are quite animated.
Little Louis’ Oyster Bar
Address: 245 Collishaw St.
One of the best restaurants in Moncton for a romantic date, Little Louis’ Oyster Bar never fails to impress with its intimate, French-style décor.
One of the rare restaurants in Moncton to have been awarded a 4-Diamond Status by the AAA/CAA, Little Louis also received the Wine Spectator Award – no surprise given its extensive, sommelier-selected wine cellar.
Specializing in refined French dishes made from seasonal ingredients, the restaurant offers pairings with exclusive vintages and grapes. It’s not uncommon to see Chef Pierre A Richard foraging forests, fields, and marshes in search of unique natural additions to include in his creative dishes. It really doesn’t get any fresher than that!
The menu changes often but you can usually order scallops, Oysters Rockefeller, Porcini Crusted Tuna, Venison smothered in cocoa butter, Slow Braised Lamb Shank, and the like. Prices are on the higher side, but if you don’t mind splurging for special events, it’s worth the experience.
Calactus Restaurant
Address: 125 Church St.
Vegans, this one’s for you!
Heavily influenced by global cuisine, Calactus Restaurant is a cozy eatery that exclusively serves vegetarian and vegan dishes. With a funky décor, earthy colours, and soft lighting, the restaurant is popular for its weekend brunch. You’ll find plenty of goodies on offer, including Vegan Tofu and Veggie Omelette served with bans, salad, toast and roasted potatoes as well as Vegan Rancheros with a side of fluffy Chapati bread.
During the week, you can order from their extensive selection of salads, pizzas, pastas, and burgers. Because it focuses on world cuisine, you’ll also find items like Pakoras, Moustafa Melts, Nachos, Enchiladas, and Cannelloni. If you’re more of a burger person, you can always try their version of a Big Mac. You won’t even miss the meat!
Don’t forget to save some room for a slice of vegan pumpkin pie after your meal, best paired with a cup of blossoming herbal tea.
Looking for things to do?
After checking out all these fabulous eateries, you’ll probably be on the lookout for some activities to help burn off your meal! Well, the good news is that you’ll find heaps of things to do in and around New Brunswick, so make sure you check out our travel guides below:
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