Where to eat in Antigonish

September 22, 2011 10:02 PM

BEST LUNCH

For a healthy, light meal that’s packed with flavour, try the Tall and Small Café on Main Street. The line-up is often long, but it’s worth the wait. They have a wide selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches, including many vegetarian options. The cosy interior makes it a fun place to curl up with a book or to have a good discussion. Recommended at The Tall and Small: The Greek Veggie Sandwich – Focaccia bread crammed with fresh vegetables.

BEST DESSERTS

While lots of restaurants in town serve dessert, none of them compares with the succulence of the selection at Gabrieau’s. The richest cheesecakes, truffles, tortes, mousses, pastries, and more are created like little edible sculptures. Desserts can be ordered at the restaurant or taken away. Pizza Delight, just next door, serves more “down home” options at a lower price. Recommended at Gabrieau’s: White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake – Just as it sounds.

BEST DINNER DATE

Whether eating out with a significant other or just a group of friends, many students head to The Alcove Bistro & Lounge on College Street. The menu, which changes with the seasons, has an interesting mix of local and international dishes. Students also choose it for the relaxed atmosphere and the convenient opening hours (seven days a week). For a slightly more formal dining option, go to Gabrieau’s Bistro on Main Street. Recommended at The Alcove: Three Sisters’ Risotto – An Italian dish flavoured with sweet corn, summer squash, and green beans.

BEST MIDNIGHT SNACK

University students are not known for early bedtimes. While the town is not riddled with 24-hour establishments, there are a few places to fill a hungry belly in the middle of the night. For a full meal, Subway is always a consistent bet. For a cup of coffee to keep the brain working into the night, go to Timmy’s. For sugary drinks and snack food, Needs Convenience on James Street has a large supply. Recommended at Subway: Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Sub – Veggies and chicken strips dressed in a low-fat sauce.

BEST PIZZA

Antigonish is full of pizza joints and restaurants that serve it. From whole wheat thin-crust to carbalicious fast food, there are many different versions to try. One of the town’s most popular choices, however, is Kenny’s Pizza on College Street across from Piper’s Pub. On any given evening, but especially on a Pub night, Kenny’s is packed with happy students. According to David Swain, fourth year student, “Kenny’s is Antigonish’s afterhours afterparty. You walk out of the pub and right across the street. We call it Club K.” Other local hotspots are The Wheel (an Antigonish classic) and Pizza Delight on Main Street, The Snappy Tomato (which also serves Lebanese food) and Greco’s Pizza on James Street, Boston Pizza on Church Street, and The Alcove. Recommended at Kenny’s Pizza: Spicy Chicken Pizza – Covered in mozzarella cheese, chicken, and medium-heat wing sauce.

BEST BREAKFAST

There is nothing like a great breakfast to start off the day. For the students who tend to wake up several hours after most people’s breakfast time, brunch is a good way to go. The Justamere Café and Bistro on Church Street offers delicious breakfast all-day on the weekends and until 11am throughout the week. “Nobody knows about this place. It’s a hidden gem,” says fourth year student Hillary Reid. The Prissy Pig Café and Deli on St. Andrews Street has a comfortable setting that is perfect for a get-together with friends. As an alternative to the grocery store, students can also find great deli meats and cheeses here. Recommended at The Justamere Café: Eggs Benedict – Two poached eggs served with ham and Hollandaise sauce on an English muffin.

BEST FAST FOOD

Antigonish has its fair share of restaurants whose food contains more fat than nutrients, but, on occasion, those can make for a special treat. If it’s just one of those days, why not go to that most classic of fast food joints, McDonald’s on James Street. Eaten in small quantities and very infrequently, sometimes it just hits the spot. If McD’s isn’t your thing, James Street also hosts A&W, Subway, and KFC, and a Dairy Queen and Boston Pizza can be found on Church Street. For some patriotic provisions, Antigonish is also home to three Tim Hortons locations. Recommended at McDonald’s: Cheeseburger and fries – No explanation necessary.

BEST FOREIGN CUISINE

It takes most people a while to think of any international food choices in town, but there are a few. For Chinese food, the Moonlight Restaurant and Wong’s on Main Street offer typical fare for a reasonable price. Chuggles Restaurant also provides a tasty Chinese buffet. Ruchi (which used to be The Sunshine Café) on Main Street has a flavourful Indian menu. Recommended at Chuggles: Fried Chicken – Served with a variety of sauces and sticky rice.

BEST CAFE

Again, the Tall and Small Café must be given credit. They carry a wide range of fair-trade coffee products, as well as a great menu of teas and hot chocolates. For a cooling drink, try their fruit smoothies and juices or Propeller Ginger Beer, which is brewed in Halifax. Recommended at The Tall and Small: Spicy Hot Chocolate – A typical winter drink with an added kick.

BEST DRINK SPECIALS

Having a beer or a glass of wine is nice, but it can be fun to try out more adventurous drinks. From their giant blue “fish bowls” to interesting shots, Boston Pizza is a great place to go for a 19th birthday or just a bit of carousing. The sports bar section is also a local favourite for going to watch the game. Recommended at Boston Pizza: Blue Martini Fishbowl – Big, blue, sweet, and slushy.

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