Captain Kat's Lobster Shack — Restaurant in Barrington Passage

Captain Kat's has a story to tell. It's one about loss, and a love that lasts in spite of grief and doubt and pain. It's about memory, and the battle between how it can make you embittered as it holds you back, or transform you into a better person as you move forward. It's about the choices we make, and how they shape us into the people we become, the people we are remembered as. Captain Kat's story is personal and universal, one that can stay with you forever or leave you the instant you step out of the Lobster Shack.

Captain Kat's also has food, and lots of it. On our trip to Nova Scotia, we heard that Barrington was the lobster capital of Canada, and the place to go to in Barrington was Captain Kat's Lobster Shack. Marketing ploy or not, we love lobster so had to go.

And we loved it. I'll get this out of the way and say the prices are eye-popping expensive (not sure if that was always the case or because of the inflation we're experiencing now). But if you want to treat yourself, this was a really good meal - excellent 5-star quality food amidst an almost-kitschy diner decor. We got: Catch of the Day: A 1.25 pound steamed lobster that had some of the freshest, juiciest, creamiest lobster meat I've ever had. I would have loved it even without all the melted butter it was bathed in. The side mashed potato was properly creamy and the side salad was outstanding (forgot what the dressing was, but it was uniquely tarty and cut well through all the butter). They winkingly refer to this as a "tourist favourite" on their menu to acknowledge how expensive it is. Causeway Creamed Lobster: We passed on their lobster roll (which apparently was awarded winning) to get this. It's basically chunks of lobster on toast, swimming (yes, swimming!) in cream. I thought I'd hate it since I don't like soggy bread, but ended up really enjoying it. Again, amazing lobster meat. But it was the cream that made the dish - so creamy I actually thought it had cheese in it. Worth a try since apparently families in the south have guarded recipes on how they do this traditional dish. Guinness Cake: Capped off the meal with an absolutely decadent chocolate cake. Super moist, lots of chocolate and whipped cream, but would have liked a stronger guinness taste. This is definitely one of those sinfully divine desserts.

When we visited, Captain Kat's had a signboard upfront that said: "Whatever you're doing today, do it with the confidence of a 4-year old in a Batman t-shirt!" Sage advice indeed. Tight lines,...

Only 2 gripes, one I'd say is minor and the other sort of the second most important part of dining out... I gave a good rating despite the major issue as it was pretty tasty regardless.

Minor gripe: My lobster was overcooked just enough so that it was sticking to the inside of the shell and the white parts that are inedible. Made it impossible to eat it efficiently and I left plenty in the hard to reach spots I'd have otherwise been able to suck out or use the tiny fork to retrieve.

Major gripe: $85 for a lobster in the heart of lobster season is quite frankly insulting... I chose to try this place knowing it is the only place in the Canadian lobster capital of Barrington with lobster as it's primary focus and as its namesake... yet this restaurant is literally charging 4 times the price of Rudder's in Yarmouth and most of the other places my fiance and I have tried on this week long lobster season holiday. Despite my high rating I am truly disappointed in the experience I had here due to the pricing... When informing locals at other restaurants of what we paid at captain Kats, everyone has the "jaw dropping" reaction as they believe, and I agree, it was a rip off. However, isn't part of every tourists trip experience supposed to be getting taken advantage of by at least one local establishment? At least captain Kats is a mistake I'll only make once in my life 🤷‍♂️

The food quality, service and atmosphere were great. Devon was very attentive and kept our drinks topped up, she also gave a spot on recommendation for the lobster benedict at starboard inn/portside lounge since captain Kat's doesn't do breakfast.

The lobster chowder was pretty meh and tiny for the $13 price, the blueberry spinach salad was wonderful, the $60 seafood platter was tasty but again way overpriced.

Also just a heads up to other tourist types; the sign saying the souvenir mugs are $5 is clearly outdated, as we got charged $12 each for the 2 we bought on the way out. Also the menus on google are clearly old prices as well, if they were current I'd have passed on this place...

The hot lobster sandwich was overpriced and underwhelming. It was very small pieces of toast with very little lobster in it and even less on top. The creamed lobster sauce was more like milk and butter served with a bowl of mashed potatoes. The milk sauce soaked in the bread and made it a wet mush. These wasn't any vegetables, coleslaw or even garnishes on either bowl. For $42.00 very disappointing ! My wife had the "Award Winning" Lobster roll with fries. It was on a hot dog bun ,she was expecting a nice brioche roll or something a bit fancier then a hotdog bun for the price. She said the lobster roll tasted good ,with lots of lobster in it ,there was also a small serving of fring with hers for around $32.00 which in my opinion was overpriced for what she got.

Being the so called Lobster Capital of Canada ,this meal with 2 peices of cake was $109. It was a huge disappointment to say the least !!! Go to Yarmouth and get your monies worth people ! I don't mind spending the money on any meal if it's worth it. Do better Captain Kat's...