Day trips from St. John's with good food along the way

St. John's is a wonderful city to eat in, but the coast around it is where many visitors have their most memorable days. Within an hour's drive you can stand on the most easterly point in North America, watch whales and puffins, walk cliff-top trails and eat cod beside the harbour it came from. A little planning makes sure a good meal is part of every trip.

What are the best day trips from St. John's?

A few favourites, all within easy reach by car:

• Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America, with its lighthouses and sweeping sea views
• Petty Harbour, a working fishing village known for fish and chips by the water
• The Witless Bay area, south of the city, for whale and seabird tours to the ecological reserve
• The coast north of the city, with small communities, coves and trails

Most visitors drive or join a tour, since public transit to these places is limited.

How do you plan a day at Cape Spear?

Cape Spear is a short drive from downtown. It is a National Historic Site, with a historic lighthouse, wartime gun batteries and, on clear days, the open Atlantic stretching away. There is little food at the cape itself, so plan to eat before or after. A common plan is breakfast in St. John's, Cape Spear in the morning, and lunch in Petty Harbour, which is nearby.

What is there to eat in Petty Harbour?

Petty Harbour is a small fishing village about half an hour from the city, best known for fish and chips eaten close to the harbour. Chafe's Landing there is well known for its cod. Hours are seasonal in a small village, so check before you go.

What about the Witless Bay area?

South of the city, the communities around Witless Bay are a base for boat tours to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to huge seabird colonies, including puffins, and a good place to see whales in summer. Tours can be long and cold, so eat a good breakfast, bring snacks, and plan a warm meal of chowder or fish and chips afterward, either locally or back in the city.

Can you drive further along the coast for food?

Yes. The road south from St. John's continues along the coast through a string of communities, a route often called the Irish Loop because of the area's settlement history. It makes a long, scenic day trip, with small restaurants, cafés and bakeries along the way. Plan your stops and check hours, since many places are seasonal and the distances between them can be longer than they look.

When is the best time for coastal day trips?

Summer and early fall offer the best weather and the most open restaurants. Late spring and early summer can bring icebergs along the coast, and whales are usually present from late spring into early fall. In winter, many coastal businesses close, and roads can be difficult, so check conditions carefully.

What should you bring on a coastal day trip?

1. Warm, waterproof layers, even in summer
2. Good walking shoes
3. Water and snacks, since food stops can be far apart
4. A charged phone, though coverage can be patchy in places
5. Cash and a card, as payment options vary in small places

Is a picnic a good idea on a coastal day trip?

Often, yes. With food stops far apart and the views so good, a picnic of baking from a St. John's bakery, sandwiches and a thermos of tea can be the best meal of the day. Find a sheltered spot, since the wind on the headlands can be fierce, and take every scrap of rubbish home with you. Then save a hot meal of fish and chips or chowder for the end of the day.

How do you combine hiking and eating?

The East Coast Trail runs along much of the coast near St. John's, with sections that pass through or near communities like Petty Harbour. A popular approach is to hike one section in the morning and end at a village with a good lunch spot, arranging a ride back. Some sections are long and demanding, so plan within your ability.

What should you know about driving outside St. John's?

Driving is the easiest way to reach the coast, but the roads have their own rules:

• Watch for moose, especially at dawn and dusk. Collisions are a real danger on Newfoundland highways.
• Allow extra time, since coastal roads are winding and services are spread out.
• Fill up before you leave the city, as gas stations are fewer along the shore.
• Check restaurant hours, because many places in small communities are seasonal or close early.
• Bring food and water, in case the place you planned to eat is closed.

Fog can roll in quickly on the coast, so drive with your lights on and slow down.

How do you remember the places you found along the way?

The best meals on a road trip are often in places you would never have found by chance. Mosey lets you rate the places you ate at and the dishes you ordered, with photos, and keep a list of coastal spots to return to, so the next trip starts with a plan.

More guides to read next:

• Brunch in St. John's: toutons, fish cakes and weekend lines
• Where to eat in downtown St. John's: Water Street, Duckworth Street and George Street
• The St. John's Farmers' Market: what to eat, buy and know before you go

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