There aren’t too many reasons to venture beyond your cozy Rothesay kitchen on a chilly Maritime evening (home chefs, we applaud you). A truly memorable meal is one of them—our updated list features our top picks, from fresh faces on the local scene to enduring favorites we’ve savored lobster rolls at for decades. Even if you’re the type who scoffs at paying restaurant prices for fish you could grill yourself in minutes, there’s a spot here calling your name.
Deluxe French Fries
$ | (506) 849-2707 | WEBSITE
Deluxe French Fries has the kind of energy where you might strike up a conversation with someone debating the merits of crispy versus soggy fries, and suddenly you’re swapping secret sauce recipes. Not to mention that the counter is bursting with good comfort food, including cheeseburger platters paired with those perfectly cooked fries. And if the sit-down meal you had planned turns into a quick burger and fries, that works, too.
Join the regulars who had the same idea, and grab a platter or some of those crispy fries.
Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub
$$ | (506) 216-0311 | WEBSITE
This Irish gastropub serves great food all day, but their lunch stands out. Dark wood tables and Guinness memorabilia warm the space, while Irish coffee livens up the workday crowd. Order the burnt end brisket burger—a hefty sandwich of smoky brisket, melted cheddar, and caramelized onions, topped with house-made pickles that crunch with each bite. Add a side of Irish poutine to appease the comfort food gods, and wash it all down with a local ale.
While the friendly banter and warm atmosphere may make you feel like the only guest in the entire pub, know that they do get busy, especially on weekends when the lively chatter echoes through the room.
Pizza Shack
$ | (506) 849-1199 | WEBSITE
This Rothesay pizza joint’s donair pizza is probably the most difficult pie to get your hands on in the Quispam/Rothesay/French Village area. You’ll need to call ahead during peak hours, but the wait is worth it. There’s the cozy, no-frills dining room, consistently good generously topped pizzas, excellent garlic fingers (though some suggest adding donair sauce), and friendly staff that knows regulars by name.
Oh yeah, and the locals: many consider it the best pizza place around, with the donair pizza being the standout that keeps them coming back.
Vito’s
$$ | (506) 847-4400 | WEBSITE
This bustling little spot in Rothesay serves a hearty menu that includes pizza and garlic fingers—a classic combo we’ve craved again and again like a favorite comfort-food anthem. The chicken parmesan is wonderfully tender, layered with melted cheese, and topped with a rich marinara sauce. That’d be enough for a satisfying dinner, but then they go and add perfectly al dente spaghetti with a robust meat sauce and a fresh Mediterranean Salad with tangy dressing.
Pair it all with smooth-and-strong cocktails, and we can’t think of a better lively weekend meal.
Garden Grove Café
$ | (506) 847-0800 | WEBSITE
Garden Grove Café is the most charming spot in Rothesay. It has a beautiful, classy atmosphere with warm lighting and tasteful botanical prints on the walls. Most importantly, their lunch food—particularly the terrific grilled cheese and chicken brie sandwich—is excellent. Pair your gluten-free items or delicious coffee with a view of the corner of Grove Avenue and Old Hampton Road, and when the weather permits, trade the cozy interior for fresh air at one of their sidewalk tables.
Boaz Restaurant
$$ | (506) 847-4488 | WEBSITE
By day, this Rothesay spot serves Japanese-Korean cuisine with a unique twist. By night, you’ll find the same standout dishes, only perhaps with a bit more atmosphere in the warmly lit, minimalist space. That, plus consistently friendly service and comfortable seating makes Boaz a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.
Their bulgogi is only enhanced by its perfect seasoning, and if you’re more of a sushi lover, you can do no wrong with the buy-one-get-one-half-off rolls and the fresh veggie combo.
Rothesay Route 1 Big Stop Restaurant
$ | (506) 847-1603 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a reliable spot before hitting the Trans-Canada Highway, Rothesay Route 1 Big Stop Restaurant’s a solid choice. It’s a classic roadside diner that still delivers, and works well for a family breakfast or solo lunch at the counter—both situations that could benefit from a clubhouse wrap and coffee. To be clear, don’t leave here without trying their seafood dishes.
And sure, you’re in Rothesay and not a fine dining destination, but Rothesay Route 1—with its welcoming atmosphere and abundance of friendly staff—feels pretty close to a dependable local favorite.
Pomodori Pizza Rothesay
$$ | (506) 847-9663 | WEBSITE
We all have personal quests. Like finding the perfect weekend movie, remembering to water the plants, or where to get truly great pizza. If thin-crust Neapolitan style is yours, dinner can be easy, so keep Pomodori Pizza Rothesay on your shortlist. It’s a friendly family spot in Rothesay that serves excellent traditional Napoli pizza with not-too-sweet sauce and a delightful thin crust, especially when fresh.
Order the standout pepperoni pizza or the ‘Al Fresco’ pizza if half-and-half flavors and that perfect crust are your friends.
Foghorn Brewing Company
Even though this beloved Rothesay brewery offers a wide selection of beers from IPAs to sours alongside various events like trivia and live music, we’re here for their recently released Blanche tart Cherry sour. That includes a deliciously puckery brew with bright cherry notes, a crisp finish, and a tartness more refreshing than a sea breeze on the Bay of Fundy.
But the real draw is their Constable Winchester ESB, with beautifully balanced malt character that unfolds in the glass while giving way to a smooth, hoppy backbone. Do it if only for said ESB, as well as a friendly staff that actually makes you feel welcome. (Finally.)
Papa John’s Pizza
$ | (506) 847-7272 | WEBSITE
When there’s a small parking lot involved at a pizza place, convenience levels drop—it’s a practical reality, we’re pretty sure. And the limited spaces at this reliable pizza spot in Rothesay are a minor inconvenience to the solid pies you’ll eat here, like decent crust and sauce. Part of a larger lot and wheelchair accessible, the whole parking situation provides enough hassle as is appropriate for a quick meal.
And when the order’s placed, there’s the issue with online ordering since moving to the valley, leading customers to call instead.
Thai Pho
$ | (506) 847-2252 | WEBSITE
This vibrant Rothesay gem fits many dining needs—gather a group for customizable spice levels and meal sizes, sit solo with a steaming bowl of pho all to yourself, or enjoy the bustling atmosphere with friends over crab Rangoons. The exceptional dishes feature rich, flavorful broths, and the Pad Thai is wonderfully balanced (order extra wontons so you don’t have to share). A warning that during peak hours, wait times can stretch out.
Even on quieter evenings, the place stays busy, but you’ll have a better shot at a table where the friendly staff makes you feel right at home.
Java Moose
$ | (506) 848-2908 | WEBSITE
Coffee can be a way to enjoy something you might not have every morning, like a perfectly roasted single-origin pour-over paired with a freshly baked blueberry scone. That’s why we love Java Moose in Rothesay. There’s something about the way that their rich espresso blends with the buttery crumb of a warm pastry and a cozy atmosphere that just improves a work session or casual chat. Reserve the sad office pot of stale brew for Monday through Friday.
