Brownstone Restaurant — Restaurant in Antigonish

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Brownstone Restaurant in the charming town of Antigonish, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. This hidden gem exudes an Italian renaissance vibe, creating an ambiance that instantly transported me to another time.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the fish and chips I ordered. The moment I took a bite, I knew I was in for a treat. The chips were perfectly crispy, providing a delightful crunch with every bite. The fish was expertly fried, maintaining its juicy tenderness while boasting a flavorful coating. It was clear that the chef's skill and attention to detail were reflected in every mouthwatering morsel.

Beyond the delectable cuisine, the staff at Brownstone Restaurant truly stood out. They were warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive to every need. Their friendliness added an extra touch of comfort and made me feel like a valued guest throughout my entire dining experience.

To complement the excellent service and delectable food, I had the pleasure of sitting on the patio, which offered a breathtaking view of the town's main road. It was the perfect setting to soak in the atmosphere, savoring my meal while enjoying the sights and sounds of Antigonish.

I highly recommend Brownstone Restaurant to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor passing through, this establishment deserves recognition for its commitment to culinary excellence, warm hospitality, and stunning ambiance. Do yourself a favor and indulge in their Italian renaissance charm—it's a dining adventure you won't soon forget.

Overall, my time at Brownstone Restaurant was nothing short of extraordinary. From the first bite to the last, I was captivated by the flavors, impressed by the attentive staff, and enchanted by the charming atmosphere. My sincere thanks to the entire team for creating such a remarkable...

Disappointing experience.

We came in around 1:50 PM and still had to wait for a table, so we were expecting something good — unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype.

Service was surprisingly cold. No one checked in on us during the meal, not even a simple “how’s everything?” which is basic courtesy. Water was only refilled once, after our food arrived, and one of us had already had an empty glass for a long time.

The food took ages to come — long enough for one of us to literally fall asleep at the table. Most of the dishes were under-seasoned and quite bland. We had to reach for the salt shaker ourselves. The lobster roll was the only decent item we ordered — which makes the overall experience feel like playing Russian roulette with the menu.

What’s more frustrating is that when we wanted to pay, no server came by. After waiting for a long time, we had to walk up to the counter ourselves. Then we were met with a preset tipping screen with a minimum suggested tip of 18%, which felt undeserved for the quality of service we received. I gave 12-13% out of courtesy, but the cashier’s attitude suggested she noticed — and didn’t care to hide her displeasure.

This might be a popular spot with locals, but honestly, it was one of our least favorite meals...

This is one of only a handful of options in Antigonish and, while it gets packed, is fully in the mediocre to “just ok” category. It’s not awful. It’s not great. Service was friendly, but painfully slow. Tried the “Greek chicken bites,” and there is nothing remotely “Greek” about them other than they come with a side of tzatziki sauce. Tasty though, but just a weird mish-mash of flavors that offer nothing truly “Greek.” The soup of the day (some pumpkin-lentil combo) received praise. The “thin crust pizza” was an abomination. Not only did it take forever to come out (something for which our server apologize repeatedly), when it finally did come out, it was undercooked, soggy, not at all crispy, and was clearly some pre-fabricated, previously frozen (at least the crust - which tasted of cardboard) disaster. It’s no better, and, actually, worse, than the cheapest frozen pizza you can find at your local grocer or petrol station. All in all, probably deserving of two stars, if not 1.5, but our server was friendly, apologetic for the abysmal performance of the kitchen, so that alone raises the overall rating to three. Not recommended, particularly given there are other...