PEI Foodie Adventure | Charlottetown’s Best Bites

🦞 PEI Foodie Adventure | Charlottetown’s Best Bites 📍 The Vibe Charlottetown’s harbor-front dining scene mixes tourist traps with hidden gems. Skip the overhyped spots – follow local seniors to these authentic eats! Pro Tip: Avoid Water Street restaurants with flashy signs – real deals are on sidestreets. 🍽️ Restaurant Breakdown 1. Olde Dublin Pub 📍 Location: Downtown 🦪 $1 Oyster Happy Hour: • Reality Check: Tiny, bland Malpeques (go for $2.50/ea at Merchantman instead) • Better Order: Guinness beef stew ($14) – slow-cooked for 8hrs 2. Cow’s Ice Cream 📍 Location: Multiple spots 🍦 Flavor Wins: • Goat Cheese & Raspberry (PEI-exclusive) • Sea Salt Toffee (made with local butter) • Skip: Waffle cones (soggy compared to Jeni’s) 3. Merchantman Fresh Seafood 📍 Location: Delta Hotel 🦐 Must-Try: • Seafood Tower ($95 for 2): Scallops + lobster + house-smoked salmon • Lobster Roll ($28): Brown butter mayo makes it special • Downside: Over-salted dishes (ask for light seasoning) 4. Water Prince Corner Shop 📍 Location: Waterfront ⚠️ Honest Review: • Lobster Roll: Good but flies + cramped tables • Hack: Get takeout to eat at nearby Victoria Park 5. Sea Rocket Oyster House 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 📍 Location: Historic district 🔥 Why It’s #1: • Pork & Scallop Plate ($32): • Chinese-inspired crispy pork belly • Seared scallops with brown butter • Oyster Flight ($24/dozen): Compare Sandy Dunes (creamy) vs. Raspberry Point (briny) • Service: Attentive staff who explain each oyster’s origin 📊 Price Comparison Restaurant Best Dish Price Worth It? Olde Dublin Beef stew $14 ✅ Merchantman Seafood tower $95 ✅ (split 3 ways) Sea Rocket Oysters $24 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Water Prince Lobster roll $28 ❌ (takeout only) Budget Tip: Split entrees – PEI portions are huge! 💡 Local Intel 1. Lobster Roll Truth: • Most taste similar – focus on sides (Merchantman’s dill potato salad wins) 2. Oyster Strategy: • Before 5pm: Happy hour deals • After 7pm: Fresher batches arrive 3. Parking: • Free after 6pm near Province House 🚫 Tourist Traps to Skip 1. Peake’s Wharf Restaurants: Overpriced + frozen seafood 2. Cedar’s Eatery: Bland "fusion" dishes 3. Fisherman’s Wharf: $40 lobster dinners (tiny portions) 🌅 Sunset Dinner Hack Book Sea Rocket’s patio at 7:45pm for: • Oysters + PEI wine as the harbor lights glow • Photogenic seafood platters PEIEats #CharlottetownFood #MaritimeSeafood #CanadaTravel