Plan a summer trip to St. John's. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
St. John's — TL;DR
Top restaurants in St. John's include St. John's Fish Exchange, Rabble, One Eared Goat, Portage, The Merchant Tavern, No.4 Restaurant & Bar, Adelaide Oyster House, Oliver's, Blue On Water, and Mallard Cottage, with Stella's also offering excellent service, high quality, huge port
St. John's at a glance
What are the best things to do in St. John\? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a St.
How many days do you need in St. John\? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to St.
When is the best time to visit St. John\? June to September offers the mildest weather for exploring the colorful Jellybean Row houses and coastal trails.
Where should I stay in St. John\ for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around St. John\? St.
St. John's overview
June to September offers the mildest weather for exploring the colorful Jellybean Row houses and coastal trails.
Downtown St. John's is compact and walkable, with the harbourfront and George Street clustering most of the city's dining and nightlife.
Canadian Dollar (C$)
English. French is an official language nationwide.
NST (UTC-3:30, UTC-2:30 in summer)
St. John's dining scene continues to draw on its North Atlantic setting, with Mallard Cottage and The Merchant Tavern leading a wave of contemporary Newfoundland cuisine, while The Jag Boutique Hotel's rock and roll theming and onsite Exile Bar reflect the city's growing boutique hospitality identity.
Where to eat, drink & do in St. John's
St. John's neighborhoods
Downtown St. John's Home to The Jag Boutique Hotel, Stella's, and most of the city's top restaurants.
Harbourfront district Home to St. John's Fish Exchange and Blue On Water, overlooking the historic harbour.
Quidi Vidi and outer neighbourhoods Home to Mallard Cottage, a celebrated restaurant in a historic setting.
Practical info for St. John's
Getting around in St. John's? Downtown St. John's is compact and walkable, with the harbourfront and George Street clustering most of the city's dining and nightlife.
When to go in St. John's? June to September offers the mildest weather for exploring the colorful Jellybean Row houses and coastal trails.
What's changing now in St. John's? St. John's dining scene continues to draw on its North Atlantic setting, with Mallard Cottage and The Merchant Tavern leading a wave of contemporary Newfoundland cuisine, while The Jag Boutique Hotel's rock and roll theming and onsite Exile
Seek out One Eared Goat in St. John's? A top restaurant among St. John's dining picks, less internationally known than Mallard Cottage.
Base yourself in Downtown St. John's in St. John's? Home to The Jag Boutique Hotel, Stella's, and most of the city's top restaurants. Known for colorful row houses, walkable core.
Frequently asked questions about St. John's
What are the best things to do in St. John\? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a St. John\ trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries St. John\ tends to reward.
How many days do you need in St. John\? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to St. John\ — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit St. John\? June to September offers the mildest weather for exploring the colorful Jellybean Row houses and coastal trails.
Where should I stay in St. John\ for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around St. John\? St. John\ rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.