An insightful guide to St. John's, Newfoundland- where to stay and what to eat

Colorful row houses in St. John's, Newfoundland

St. John's is the capital of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Located on the Atlantic coast of Canada, it's the best place for hikes, iceberg viewing, whale watching, puffin spotting, and festivals.

Here are some suggestions to help you plan your trip. The first and most important tip is to plan and book everything early, preferably a year in advance. The best time to visit is from July to September.

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Where to stay

Downtown St. John's is the perfect place to stay. From hotels to Airbnb, you have many choices.

If you like to party, George Street is the place to be. It's famous for clubs and St. Patrick's Day celebrations. It does get loud, so bring earplugs if you wish to sleep early.

One of my favorite hotels downtown is the DoubleTree by Hilton St. John's Harbourview. It is in a quiet place but still within walking distance of restaurants and shops. The Little Sparo Italian restaurant downstairs has a nice menu and a comfortable vibe. On a rainy day, you can enjoy dinner with a great view of the harbor, the Narrows, and Signal Hill. There are cafes a few minutes away, and across the street, you can enjoy local Bannerman Brewing Co beer. As a cat aficionado, I cannot forget the Mad Catter Cafe-sample local toutons and gently pet cats.

On the other side of downtown, Jag Hotel is unique and hip, also close to all the action. St. John's Fish Exchange Kitchen and Wet Bar offers fresh seafood and fun cocktails. From there, you're just a few steps away from George Street. O'Reilly's and Broderick's Irish Pub are great for listening to live music. You'd be close to The Rooms, where you can take in local history and lunch with a view.

The accommodations downtown may be on the pricier side, but then you won't be spending money and time on taxis. I do recommend having several transportation plans if you fly on a Sunday morning in the summer. Our relatives had to call a friend at 7 am on a Sunday, because no taxis were available. They must have been recovering from driving around the party people all night. Uber is now finally allowed to operate, so you might want to schedule your trip with them.

Another favorite area to stay in is the Quidi Vidi village. Its scenic walks along old houses complement the view of the fishing harbor. Stop for a snack and beer sampling at the Quidi Vidi Brewery. Or check out the Outdoor Food Market. It's a quiet area and popular for hikers.

If you're traveling with children, Holiday Inn St. John's Conference Centre is a good choice. It's affordable, it has a pool with slides, and it is located by a lovely pond. East Side Mario's restaurant is on-site for convenience. There's also a mini-golf course next door. You can stroll along the pond and watch the ducks. A short 12-minute walk away is the Torbay Road Mall. There's a pizza restaurant, the famous Newfoundland Chocolate Company, and Shopper's Drug Mart for toiletries and snacks.

You will need a car to get around, so make sure you book that well in advance. You can also book excursions to visit parts of the island.

For a fancy, special stay I recommend a B&B like the Ryan Mansion. They famously hosted King Charles lll and Queen Camilla. The rooms are elegant and the breakfast is cooked to order. The bathrooms are spacious, with a separate shower and bath. The grand staircase of this house was designed and constructed by the builders of the Titanic staircase, and around the same time. You are close to Bannerman Park and The Postmaster's Bakery, my favorite. This makes for a very romantic stay, so it's a perfect choice for a birthday or anniversary.

Airbnb is available throughout St. John's. Usually, you can book a giant house or a basement. The prices are on par with big cities in Western Europe. You do get the comfort of a washing machine and making your own meals and snacks. Finding a parking spot may be a challenge, so try finding something with allocated parking if you rent a car. We had nice stays downtown and in Quidi Vidi.

If you have a short stay, I would definitely recommend booking a hotel and enjoying all the local food.

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What to eat

Being on the coast, St. John's can produce delicious and fresh fish and seafood dishes. It is heavily influenced by its British and Irish heritage, so there's no shortage of fried food. Be aware that some restaurants don't allow minors (under 19) after 6 pm.

Without repeating the venues I mentioned before, here are some of my favorite restaurants.

Brewdock has a beer garden feel, you can pair bar food and beer while taking in the fresh air.

Oliver's is a good place for steak, pasta, and wine. The setting is cozy, with a casual fine-dining vibe.

YellowBelly Brewery is popular for fish and chips and beer. I also like their red curry mussels.

The Merchant Tavern offers great meals, made with local ingredients and creativity. You might have the chance to eat in The Vault, a private 8-seat room where you can play your own music. The menu changes yearly, and it's a good spot to sample Newfoundland oysters.

The Gypsy Tea Room is a large venue with an ample menu. Everyone will find something they like here. They offer salads, seafood, pasta, steak, and more. I really enjoyed the chowder here.

Jack Astors also has an extensive menu that will please many. I love the lobster and crab dip. You can try a unique dish made of the traditional Jiggs dinner, served on poutine fries.

For international cuisines, try Sushi Island for sushi served with the help of a robot cat. Cojones is great for tacos and guacamole. India Gate Restaurant serves delicious and spicy Indian food.

The local favorite fast-food places are Tim Horton and Mary Browns. Tim Horton's is a must-try for coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and donuts. If you have a road trip or just a thing for sweets, get a box of TimBits- no old fashions. You're welcome. You should also try Mary Brown's famous fried chicken sandwiches and locals only order the wedges. I almost got kicked out of the country for ordering french fries.

While I cannot go through each menu as they change often, here are the local things you should try while in Newfoundland:

• fishcakes

• toutons- basically pan-fried dough

• seafood- PEI mussels, oysters, lobster, scallops

• fish and chips, it's usually the local cod

• cod tongue and cheeks. Yes, the fish has a tongue and cheeks. Not everyone likes the mostly soft texture, but it's fun to try them at least once.

For desserts, go to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Sweet Rock Ice Cream & Aunt Sarah's Chocolate Shop, and the Newfoundland Chocolate Company. They serve tasty treats made with local ingredients.

If you walk on Water Street, you will find shops with souvenirs and locally made products- jams, teas, and more.

I hope my guide for St. John's, Newfoundland helps plan your next vacation. Feel free to ask questions and share your experience in Newfoundland!