Bonavista

Bonavista is a city in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located at the northern tip of the eponymous Bonavista Peninsula.

See: 5
Do: 17
Eat: 10
Drink: 4
Buy: 11

47 places

Eat

Baie Vista

A classic rural Canadian breakfast diner, which also serves lunch and dinner. Popular with seniors. Coffee is cheap and weak. Hearty food, big portions, efficient service. Shares a building with Greco's Pizza.

$6-14 for mains

Bayview Hill

The site of a weather station and the second highest point in Bonavista, Bayview Hill has a 360-degree view of the town, the mountains, the sea in three directions, and the lighthouse. A few metres scramble from the gravel road to the top.

24 hours dailyFree

Eat

Boreal

The closest thing to "fine dining" in Bonavista, and what foodies would declare its best restaurant, Boreal opened in 2016 with a rotating small weekly menu of locally-inspired international dishes.

Mon-Sat noon-10PM, Sun 10AM–3PM$12-20 for mains

See

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

One of Bonavista's top draws and Newfoundland's most photographed sites, the historic lighthouse includes an interpretive museum and is one of very few historic lighthouses in the world that permit entry. Your entry ticket also includes entry to the Mockbeggar Plantation. Access to the site is free, and includes a network of trails, excellent views, free binocular podiums, parking, and (in season) a puffin colony that is visible at dawn and dusk.

9:30AM–5PMAdults $6, seniors $4, children age 5-15 $3, children under 5 free

Cape Shore Trail

This pleasant trail starts from a wooden hut just outside of town and runs for 3½ km (one-way) to the lighthouse, following the beautiful shoreline and featuring occasional benches to stop for a break.

Donations appreciated

Elliston Puffin Viewing Point

former Maberly Provincial Park

Perched high on a cliff a few hundred metres from the nearby roadway, Elliston's puffin viewing site is supposedly the closest shore-based viewing of a puffin nesting site anywhere in the world. But it's still worth bringing your binoculars or optical zoom camera! Unlike most puffin viewing sites, these puffins are generally still visible even in the middle of the day.

Sunrise to SunsetFree

Buy

Foodland Supermarket

This mid-sized Sobey's-owned supermarket has the largest selection in town, though is still very clearly a small town grocery. There is a pharmacy in the same plaza. Buy wine and spirits at the adjoining liquor store.

Mon–Sat 8AM–9PM, Sun noon–5PM

See

Home from the Sea

John Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre

A modern multimedia museum about the realities of the early seal hunt, plus commemoration of local men who died in the hunt, and a large gallery of 20th century seal-hunt paintings.

May-Oct 9AM–5:30PMAdults $7, seniors $5, students $5

Klondike Trail

Elliston to Spillar's Cove Trail

This 3½ km (one-way) trail leads from populated Elliston to spartan Spillar's Cove, running through low hills with drawfen trees before spilling out into a golden view high on the cliffs about the sea. Consider carrying on along the cliffs beyond the trail, but watch where you step, both for your own safety, and to protect the sensitive ecosystem.

Donations appreciated

Eat

Little Dairy King

Beautifully located on the cape, it serves a wide variety of good freshly prepared food, plus take-away ice cream.

Mains $6-15

See

Matthew Legacy

This building houses a small and text-heavy narrative museum about the era of Cabot's voyage, and a replica of his original ship (named Matthew) built in 1997 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Cabot's landing. While you can board the ship, due to maintenance issues, it is permanently in dry dock.

9:30AM–5PMAdults $7.25, concessions available

Drink

Mifflin's Tea Room

Cozy tea room with a big patio, ideal for warm drinks on cold days or cold drinks on warm days. Good tea, quality coffee, food served too. Jiggs Dinner available from lunchtime Sundays until sold out.

Mon-Sat 8AM-9PM, Sun noon-9PM

See

Mockbegger Plantation

Knowledgeable staff give tours of the family home of Newfoundland's first Canadian Senator, restored to the 1940s period. Features a stunning library/chapel. Often hosts events in summer.

9:30AM–5PM mid-May to Mid-OctEntry includes/included with Lighthouse

Eat

Moreish Cupcake Bakery

The locals have a sweet tooth, so much so that Moreish might be the only place they're willing to queue.

Tue–Sat 11AM–7PM, Sun noon–6PM

Eat

Nanny's Root Cellar Kitchen

Set inside Elliston's 19th-century Loyal Orange Lodge, Nanny's serves up classic Newfoundland dishes in big portions. A good place to try fried cod's tongue.

Mains $10-16

Old Days Pond Boardwalk

Short boardwalk around a shallow inlet. Catches the sea breeze and has a nice view of the historic town centre.

24 hours dailyFree

Eat

PK's Dining Room and Take-Out

A classic Newfoundland diner with a tasteful adjoining dining room. PK's has a broad menu but specializes in seafood.

$8-15 for mains

Drink

Robin's Donuts

Chain shop with a drive-through. This is where you need to go if you're a Tim Horton's addict, since the nearest Timmies is a long, long ways away.

very early to very late

See

Ryan Premises

A National Historic Site managed by Parks Canada, the premises are a series of 19th-century buildings that once lodged the Ryan family and their cod businesses facilities. Now features a series of well presented museums and art displays.

10AM–6PM seasonallyFree in 2017 in celebration of Canada 150

Drink

Shannon's Pub and Grill

A real Irish pub owned by a real guy from Ireland. Good craic. Opened summer 2017.

11AM-late

Eat

Skipper's

An inoffensive hotel restaurant with a good view of the inner harbour. Serves standard Canadian offerings (sandwiches, pasta, etc.) and a few Newfoundland dishes as well. Has a full bar.

7AM–9PM daily during peak season, less in shoulder seasons, closed Jan–May$10-18 for mains

Eat

Sweet Rock Ice Cream

An Ontario couple have settled in Newfoundland and opened this fresh and delicious ice cream parlour, specializing in local flavours. They also sell chocolates from their shop in nearby Trinity.

Buy

Swyer's

Bonavista's last remaining general store, the business relocated from its original location (whose structure, now housing a hotel and restaurant, confusingly still prominently bears its name), but continues to offer fresh produce, grocery, hardware, and retail goods.

The Dungeon Provincial Park

One of Newfoundland's smallest provincial parks, the highlight is an oceanside sinkhole penetrated by waves that pass through two openings in a gigantic archway. A frequent stop for tour buses, but otherwise you generally have the place to yourself.

24 hours dailyFree

Drink

Walkham's Gate Pub and Cafe

A dark watering hole with video lottery terminals along one wall, Walkham's long stood as Bonavista's only true pub. It occasionally gets lively for weekends and events. The adjacent cafe serves decent food, good desserts, and cheap coffee, and is generally open later than most other restaurants in town.

White Rock Lookout

Visible from basically everywhere, the highest point in town is punctuated by a large silo that was painted with a blue mural in preparation for Queen Elizabeth II's arrival in 1997 in honour of the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage. A good place to get your bearings and to watch for big icebergs.

24 hours dailyFree