Hi Everyone
I live in Ontario and have always wanted to travel to the east coast as I'm a huge fan of seafood. Problem is, I have no idea where I should go. It seems like you can't go wrong anywhere you go on the East Coast for seafood.
Looking to travel in 2021 sometime in August. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.fivefishermen.com/ is nice. For something very causal, real east cost, https://www.esquirerestaurant.ca/

Cabot trail of course

As you said anywhere in the east coast is good and Aug is the beginning of lobster season

Digby, Nova Scotia had wonderful sea scallops. I think they are pretty famous for them. Near there is Brier Island which was a gorgeous small island that had a fabolous whale watching tour that leaves from there. I think it only had one hotel and few vrbo type rentals on the island. We loved it. One of our favorite whale watching tours of all time!

You can't go wrong, just pick a route. I have done it three times, the first going all the way to NFLD and back but that was a lot of driving. All 3 times included Cabot trail - lots to do if you want (have golfed and whale watched there) or you can drive it in one day just for the scenery. I did through NB to Digby NS and then drove along southern coast of NS up to Cabot trail over to PEI and home, and another time went via Bay of Fundy, Cabot trail, PEI and home. Like I said you cannot go wrong, once you are down there, nothing is really that far away
good luck with your planning

St. Andrews, NB

I don't like seafood beyond fish so I can't provide much on that but I've done two roadtrips around the east coast now and Nova Scotia(Cape Breton)/PEI is a beautiful drive. I was fogged in for a bit of the Cabot Trail but I loved the interior drive as well through Baddeck.

Are they opening up, or is this for next year?

Unless your idea of the seafood is heavily breaded deepfried junk, your best bet is to stay away from the Anglophonic part of the Maritimes. Toronto has much better seafood scene. Eastern Quebec (Gaspe Peninsula, Tadoussac or La Madeleine Islands) is a much better place food-wise, is closer to Ontario, opened for Ontarians and, above all, has just as good scenery as NS.

Ian guess you frequent fish and chip places. we have had lovely fish and seafood meals throughout the Maritimes. Like everywhere, it depends on what restaurant one chooses.

Florence Mostly local community restaurants. They didn't position themselves as fish-n-ships. Maybe, there are nicer places in larger cities but we didn't come across them. In Quebec, even randomly picked places had better options.

Went to Halifax, fantastic seafood and everyone there is so nice!

Did the drive all around East coast and Gaspe peninsula. We so enjoyed community supper in Cavendish, PEI. we had someone in our party who didn't like seafood and for those they offered ham. We so thoroughly enjoyed talking to the people that were all local. East Coasters are the nicest people you want to meet.

My east coast highlights:
Halifax waterfront
Sorry Ian you have it wrong, the people and scenery out east are amazing
St Andrew's in new Brunswick whale watching
North rustico PEI Blue mussel café for amazing seafood chowder and of course oysters
Cabot trail is gorgeous
Everybody east is so friendly
Want to see Nfld next
Enjoy!!

Patty have done 3 trips by motorcycle to Newfoundland and back in the last 6 years....truly God's country!

Did a round trip to PEI summer of 2019 with my boyfriend and it was one of my favourite trips! We drove from Ontario too - got to enjoy fresh seafoods, lots of hikes, beaches, exploring cute towns. I definitely would go back and all the people there were so nice and friendly! We stayed in cavendish beach area and Charlottetown (both good bases to explore the island).

Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia, Hopewell Cape, Grand Manan Island and St. Andrew's in New Brunswick, check out the covered bridge and town Shediac in New Brunswick too, drive to PEI from New Brunswick through the Frederick Bridge is cool.Try lobster roll there, it won't go wrong.

You HAVE to eat lobster dinner at "The Shoreclub" in Hubbards. It's a true 'down home' experience.

Did this! Stayed for the dance afterward! So fun!

Ma I agree 100%! The food, staff and atmosphere were perfect. Swing by the ocean in the area too! It’s clear like Cuba, but a little cooler

I have travelled throughout the Maritimes too many times to count and love seafood, which has always been part of the attraction. Really hard to peg one as best, but Digby and the Gaspe were both maybe fantasticker. (it's a new word, your welcome!)

Thanks everyone!!!

I’ve been to the east coast many times, but I have to say, I really enjoyed the New Glasgow Lobster Supper in PEI, Salty's, and Murphy's on the Water in Halifax! If you are driving, check out the Halls Harbour Lobster Pound where you can choose your own lobster! There are so many options for seafood, and likely you can’t go too wrong! I can’t wait to go back again once it’s safe

Can I come join you in your journey?

Tuan lol can I join you guys too?

Marian and I will pay for gas

No ocean in Toronto, overpriced seafood (that likely came from here anyway) and not as many friendly people! Come to N.S when you can... beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, fresh air, grest wine country, tons of micro breweries and friendly people. If you're ever near Saulnierville, N.S. you must go to "La Cuisine Robichaud"...nothing deep fried, small menu but all delish...especially the Digby scallops or the creamed lobster on a haddock fillet...mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Just make sure they’ve lifted the maritime bubble before you book!

I did a camping road trip. Go to New Brunswick and see the flower pots - watch the tide come in. I stayed at a motel right beside it and they have a restaurant attached to it and had tons of seafood - reasonable prices too! I went to Cavendish Beach in PEI. Gorgeous oceanside. I also went into town and had fresh oysters at a local restaurant and had some blueberry ale. I took the ferry over to Nova Scotia, went all around the Cabot Trail. There is a GOAT farm that's so much fun to visit. There is a Chowder House you cant miss with a lighthouse on the way up from the East side of the trail. There's a waterfall you can swim near too and you can dive off the high cliffs. Go to Meat Cove. The view is INCREDIBLE!! Anywhere you go is an adventure.

Recommending digby as well for scallops and lobster, some great local spots for fried clams too. I believe August is around the Wharf Rat rally and Natal day celebrations held in the area and end of July is Cherry Carnival in Bear River. Lots of history in the area so make sure to stop in Annapolis Royal too

Don’t miss the New Brunswick coast too !
Check out lobster in Shediac

Audrey I was waiting for someone to call out the Lobster Capital of

Heather raised in NB. Such a pretty place, so many nice towns & villages, great seafood ... but NS gets all the love
(Fredericton is worth a day; lovely capital city; my university “up the hill”, oldest in Canada - & certainly one of the prettiest campuses in North America)

Audrey preach! I also went through my high school yrs in NB and have to keep reminding people its not just a province to drive through to get to NS
. Show NB some love!!

Heather exactly!!

If you are driving I suggest you cross the St. Lawrence at Trois Rivières, and stay away from the other side as the scenery is much better on the Trois Rivières side. Also, maybe break up the stretch between Toronto and Montreal with a stop in Prince Edward County.

PEI .... had to laugh at this image. Look close

I used to live in PEI and the seafood there is just INCREDIBLE!

Raymond's in St. John's. Ranked 12th best restaurant in Canada. Amazing food!

Alma, New Brunswick

Following for same reason as OP

You might way too pay attention to seasons. I am from nfld and you any just always get seafood when you want to. Sometimes there is more availability here on the mainland. I can get you in tough with someone from aquaculture in nfld if you wish. She may have more info. I also know someone in the industry in PEI if interested

Train Station Inn in Tatamagouche Nova Scotia

I go for..ocean, music, seafood. It can be a challenge to find the ceilidhs, they are mainly in amazing cape breton..drive the Cabot trail..and some in pei.