Gabrieau's Bistro

Gabrieau's Bistro — Antigonish, NS

Gabrieau's Bistro has anchored fine dining on Antigonish's Main Street for more than two decades, earning repeated recognition in Where to Eat in Canada and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The kitchen draws on locally sourced pork, lamb, lobster, and seasonal seafood, rounding out the menu with creative sushi and greens grown in-house — an uncommon combination that sets the restaurant apart from typical Maritime fare.

The setting leans upscale without being stiff, and a patio extends the dining options when the weather cooperates. For golfers making their way along Nova Scotia's highland courses — Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links are a drive up the Cabot Trail — Antigonish sits at a logical overnight stop, and Gabrieau's is the most substantial dinner option the town offers. The wine list, recognized by Wine Spectator, gives it credibility as a destination meal rather than a convenient one.

Reservations are advisable, particularly during peak summer travel season when the Trans-Canada corridor sees steady golf traffic passing through the region.