Eating in Quidi Vidi Village: a food guide to St. John's fishing village

Quidi Vidi (most people say "kiddy viddy") is one of the strangest and loveliest corners of St. John's. A few minutes from downtown, past the lake where the Regatta is rowed, the road drops into a narrow harbour ringed by cliffs, fishing stages and wooden houses. It feels like a village a long way from any city, and it is part of one.

It is also a place to eat and drink well, which makes it an easy half day out from downtown.

How do you get to Quidi Vidi Village?

It is close. You can drive in a few minutes, take a taxi, or walk from downtown, which takes longer but is worth it on a fine day. A popular route goes along Quidi Vidi Lake, then down into the village. Parking in the village is limited, especially on summer weekends, so walking or a taxi often makes more sense.

From the village you can also join the trail that climbs toward Signal Hill, which is a beautiful, if steep, way to work up an appetite.

What is there to eat and drink in Quidi Vidi?

The village is small, and its best-known places are few:

• A brewery sits in a former fish processing plant right on the harbour. It is known for its beers, including one made with iceberg water, and its taproom has views across the little harbour. Check its hours and events before you go.
• A restaurant in one of the oldest wooden buildings in the area has become known for cooking with local game, seafood and produce. It has a strong reputation for brunch. Book ahead if you can, especially in summer.
• Small cafés and seasonal spots come and go, along with craft studios in the village.

Hours here are more seasonal than downtown, so check before you make the trip in winter.

When is the best time to visit Quidi Vidi?

Summer and early fall are the easiest, with long days, open patios and the village at its liveliest. A fine evening in August, with the light on the cliffs, is hard to beat.

Regatta Day, traditionally the first Wednesday of August, is a special case. Crowds gather around Quidi Vidi Lake for the rowing races and the fair, and the area is very busy. If you want a quiet meal in the village, choose another day. If you want the atmosphere, go early.

Winter visits can be lovely too, with snow on the cliffs and a warm room inside, but some places close or shorten hours.

What should you order in Quidi Vidi?

It depends on where you are, but a few things suit the setting:

• A beer flight at the brewery, if that is your thing, with the harbour view
• Brunch with local touches, such as toutons, house-cured fish or berry jams
• Seafood in season
• Wild game and local produce where restaurants feature them

How do you combine Quidi Vidi with a walk?

The village is a natural stop on a walking day. Some people walk from downtown along the lake, eat in the village, then climb the trail toward Signal Hill and walk back down into town. Others do the reverse, starting with the climb. Either way, bring layers: the wind off the ocean can change a sunny day into a cold one quickly.

What else is there to see in Quidi Vidi?

The harbour itself is the main attraction: a gap in the cliffs barely wide enough for a boat, with fishing stages and sheds on the rocks. Walk to the end of the road and look out through the narrows to the open Atlantic. There are small craft studios in the village, and the battery on the hill above has views back over the lake. It is a place to wander slowly before or after a meal, not one to rush.

Is Quidi Vidi good for families?

Yes, with a little planning. The village is small and walkable, the harbour is fascinating for children, and the lake nearby has open space. The trail toward Signal Hill has steep, exposed sections, so think twice with small children.

Why is Quidi Vidi's harbour so distinctive?

Quidi Vidi is a working fishing village tucked inside the city limits, built around a tiny harbour, called a gut, that opens to the Atlantic through a narrow channel between rocky cliffs. Old fishing stages and sheds sit right on the water, and small boats still use it.

That setting is why the village feels so different from downtown, only a few minutes away. It is also why space is tight: the road in is narrow, parking is limited, and the village gets crowded on summer weekends and on Regatta Day at nearby Quidi Vidi Lake. Walking in along the trails, or going early on a weekday, makes for a calmer visit.

How do you remember the places you liked?

Quidi Vidi is the kind of place people tell their friends about. Mosey lets you rate the places you actually ate at and the dishes you ordered, with photos, and keep a list of places you still want to try on your next visit. You can also follow friends to see where they went when they visited.

More guides to read next:

• Brunch in St. John's: toutons, fish cakes and weekend lines
• Regatta Day in St. John's: what to eat and how to enjoy the day
• What is a screech-in? Newfoundland's famous welcome explained

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