A few hours in St. John's from a cruise ship: where and what to eat

Few cruise ports put you as close to the action as St. John's. Ships tie up along the harbour, and downtown, with its colourful houses, cafés and pubs, starts a few minutes' walk away. If you have a few hours ashore, you can climb a hill, see the harbour from above and eat a meal you will remember, as long as you plan a little.

How close is downtown to the cruise ship berths?

Very close. The harbour runs right along the edge of downtown, and Water Street, the main street, is one block up from the waterfront. Most restaurants, cafés and shops are within a short walk, though the streets are steep, so allow extra time if walking is hard for you.

How much time do you need for a meal in St. John's?

It depends on what you want:

• A quick bite, such as a coffee and a pastry or a takeout fish and chips, can take thirty minutes.
• A sit-down lunch downtown usually takes an hour to an hour and a half, more on a busy day.
• A special meal, such as a long seafood lunch, may need two hours.

On busy days, several hundred or several thousand passengers may come ashore at once, and the most visible restaurants near the harbour fill quickly. Eat early or late, or walk a street or two further from the water.

What local food should you try in a few hours?

If you only have time for one or two things, choose:

1. Fish and chips made with cod, perhaps with dressing and gravy
2. A bowl of seafood chowder
3. Toutons, fried bread dough with molasses, if you are ashore for breakfast or brunch
4. Something with partridgeberries, the tart local berry, in a muffin or a slice of pie

How do you avoid missing the ship?

This is the most important part of any port day:

• Know your all-aboard time and set an alarm.
• Be aware of the time zone. Newfoundland keeps its own time, half an hour ahead of Atlantic Time. Your ship may keep a different clock from the one in town, so check which time your all-aboard is in.
• Tell your server you are on a schedule when you sit down, so they can help you finish on time.
• Leave a buffer. Allow time to walk back down to the harbour.

What can you combine with lunch on a port day?

Popular choices near the harbour include:

• Signal Hill and Cabot Tower, a climb or short drive with spectacular views
• The Rooms, the provincial museum and art gallery, up the hill from Water Street
• Quidi Vidi Village, a short taxi ride away
• Walking Water Street and Duckworth Street, with their shops and colourful houses

In summer, part of Water Street becomes a pedestrian mall, with patios in the street, which makes an easy lunch spot.

Should you take a tour or explore on your own?

Both work. Tours to Cape Spear, Petty Harbour or whale watching are a great way to see more of the coast, but leave less time for a leisurely meal. Exploring on foot gives you more time to eat and wander downtown. If you take a tour, check whether lunch is included and what it is.

How do you pay and tip in St. John's?

Canadian dollars are the currency, and cards are widely accepted. Prices on menus do not include the 15 percent HST, which is added to the bill. For table service, a tip of 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is normal. Check whether the card machine suggests tips on the total or the pre-tax amount.

What if it rains or the fog rolls in?

It often does. Bring a waterproof layer, and have an indoor plan: a café, The Rooms or a pub with a warm lunch. Fog can also lift quickly, so do not give up on a view.

What should you try if you only have time for one meal?

With a few hours in port, one well-chosen meal says more about Newfoundland than a rushed tour of several places. Good choices:

• Fish and chips with dressing and gravy, the most iconic and quickest.
• A traditional plate, such as fish and brewis or a Jiggs dinner, where it is offered at lunch.
• Toutons with molasses, if you are ashore in the morning.
• Seafood chowder, especially on a cold or foggy day.
• A partridgeberry or bakeapple dessert, to finish.

Pick a place within walking distance of the ship, and leave plenty of time to get back.

How do you find a good place quickly?

When you are short on time, look at what people actually ordered and how they rated it. Mosey lets you see where people ate, rate the places and dishes you tried, and keep a list for your next visit. Look for Mosey Gold, a mark a place earns when the people who ate there rate it highly, and which nobody can buy.

More guides to read next:

• Brunch in St. John's: toutons, fish cakes and weekend lines
• Day trips from St. John's with good food along the way
• Where to eat in downtown St. John's: Water Street, Duckworth Street and George Street

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.