Prince Edward Island — Food and Dining
Cuisine
The island offers plenty of plain, wholesome, home-cooked food in restaurants. Service is informal and friendly. There are also many seafood outlets where you can buy fresh fish and shellfish in season and take it away to cook on barbecues or camp fires.
Things to know: Waiters expect a 10 to 15% tip. Most dining rooms are licensed to sell alcohol. Licensed premises can stay open until 0200, although many close earlier. The provincial government runs liquor stores across the province. Hours vary but are usually longer in summer. Some are closed on Sundays.
Regional specialties:
• Shellfish - lobster, in particular - is a mainstay of the dinner table. Lobsters are steamed or boiled and included in casseroles or chowder and salads.
• Oysters are popular; they may be served with tangy sauce, deep-fried, in pies, scalloped, or in soufflés, soups and stews.
• Prince Edward Island is famous for its new potatoes (small, round potatoes), and a favorite with locals are new potatoes boiled in their skins, then mashed and served with lots of butter, salt and pepper.
• Fish cakes made with salt cod and potatoes.
Legal drinking age: 19.
Tipping: It is customary to tip 15% in bars and restaurants.
Nightlife
Lounges on the Island usually have some live entertainment for all or part of the week. Theaters, located mainly in Charlottetown, Victoria, Georgetown, Mont Carmel and Summerside, offer cultural, musical or light entertainment.
