Everyone knows about the deliciousness of PEI mussels but Prince Edward Island has so much more to offer when it comes to the tastebuds. This small Eastern Canadian island (it’s about the size of Delaware) reminds me of a mix between Ireland and the Eastern Shores of Maryland. The red clay cliffs, green rolling hills and delicious foods make this island royal.
The red cliffs of Prince Edward Island go on for days.
Here’s my top 6 must have foods when visiting Prince Edward Island.
The knowledge, history and the freshest lobster dinner you may ever have make this boat tour truly Top Notch. Owners and operators Captain Mark Jenkins and his brother Cody, give visitors a peek inside the Prince Edward Island fishing industry while aboard their actual lobster fishing boat, the 45-foot Top Notch. When it’s not lobster season, it’s tourism season for these brothers. The two tell funny fishing tales, explain PEI history and the life cycle of a lobster, all while coasting down the Prince Edward Island shoreline. The two-hour tour tops off with a PEI lobster feast you enjoy right there on the boat. The lobster is uber fresh and served cold, which surprisingly tasted even better than warm lobster. With a side of melted butter, potato salad and cole slaw, this lobster dinner with a waterfront view is a must when visiting PEI.
This lobster boat tour is Top Notch.
Cow’s Ice Cream was started on PEI in 1983 and today has 11 stores across Canada. The creamy ice cream is made from real eggs and fresh cream and the calories disappear as soon as you eat them (just kidding about that last part). The names of the ice cream flavors are just as fantastic as the taste. Fluff N’ Udder, Moo York Cheesecake, Wowie Cowie, Udder Finger and my favorite Gooey Mooey. Stop by Cows Creamery for a tour and a cold cone.
3. Apple Fries
Located in Charlottetown near the waterfront, if you blink you might miss The Chip Shack. So keep your eyes pealed for the tiny red shack because along with the poutine and regular old fries, they offer Apple Fries! That’s right, a whole apple, cut into fries, then deep fried and sprinkled with awesomeness. Dip your fries in some warm caramel sauce and the apple fry experience is complete! But, not really, because you will immediately want to go back for more once they are gone!
The apple fries at The Chip Shack in Charlottetown, PEI will have you craving more immediately.
4. Cow’s Chocolate Covered Chips
Salty and sweet have never been more of a treat with Cow’s Chips. Cow’s Creamery makes more than ice cream and the chocolate covered chips may be even more enticing than the ice cream. A salty PEI potato chip covered in milk chocolate…I mean, need we say more? Try to eat just one, I dare you!
5. Clam Digging
If you want to work for your dinner and be exposed to a true PEI experience, then check out Happy Clammers. Grab a shovel and a bucket and learn how to dig for clams in the red sands of Prince Edward Island’s eastern shore. John and Jackie Gillis bring visitors to their property on the Pinette River and at low tide, it’s ideal clam digging time. Watch for any spitting clams and be careful not to break the shells with your shovel. After you’ve collected a few buckets full of clams, it’s back to the house to eat your catch!
These deliciously steamed clams are ready to eat.
6. Potatoes
The potato is one of Prince Edward Island’s biggest crops. PEI grows a quarter of all the potatoes in Canada. So when we stumbled onto the Red Island Baked Potato in Cavendish, we figured it was time for a starchy snack. For those who are familiar with the ice cream shop Cold Stone Creamery and how they mush and mash your cold treat into perfection, this gourmet baked potato shop had a similar feel. They bake each potato as you order, then slice it open and fills it with whatever you may desire. Chicken, chili, cheese, onions, sour cream, bacon (lots of bacon), curry, veggies, steak, pork or anything you can possibly want on a potato and then things that you could never imagine on a potato, are available at Red Island Baked Potato. It’s an odd and delicious combination that is truly unique to Prince Edward Island.
