What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$50.00 – $100.00
CUISINES
Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this restaurant appropriate for Kids?
Details
PRICE RANGE
$50.00 – $100.00
CUISINES
Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
217 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
43
Average
22
Poor
11
Terrible
3
islandgurl2
Vancouver Island885 contributions
Sep 2022 • solo
We were unable to get a reservation online, but when we appeared at the door they were quick to accommodate us. We were served water and complimentary bread immediately with a lovely sweet/savoury butter. They have a limited menu, but everything we tried was truly delicious! Menu selections are creative and fresh - a truly pleasing culinary adventure for this foodie! Do yourself a favour and try the Chantelle tart! It is Amazing! We opted for the three-course dinner special, choosing an appy, an entrée, and a dessert for a set price. The appies we chose were both incredible - the chanterelle tart previously mentioned, and the scallops which were fresh, beautifully presented, and delicious. My husband and I both ordered the duck, which was cooked to perfection with interesting sides, and a delicious sauce to compliment it perfectly. Dessert was likewise beautifully presented and delicious!
Wait staff was friendly and efficient and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit! We Whole heartedly recommend Boreal Diner to anyone visiting Bonavista!
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
307juanitak
St. John's27 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Great Food, a quaint environment and very good service.
Given the ingredients, the operational cost and rising prices for everything, I believe the prices are fair for a quality dining experience.
A wonderful addition to the dining options in Bonavista.
I would have given 5 stars except the server omitted to ask if we wanted drinks before the meal or a beverage with dessert.
Bon Appetit
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony Z
Montreal36 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
I booked this lovely restaurant for our family (including a 20 and 17-year-old) during our multi day stay in Bonavista, and WOW! We travel a lot and live in a city (Montreal) that offers a wide array of excellent and top end restaurants and for all of us, this was an outstanding meal, and likely a top 3 anywhere. Among our highlights was the small mushroom gnocchi featuring locally picked wild mushrooms in a light cream sauce with finely chopped kale; the result was amazingly delicious. The duck (with roasted fennel) and tuna tartare (with seared koji, coriander, wasabi and a delightful seed cracker) were also a hit but the most astounding dish was their freshly caught crab served with pickled cabbage, burnt cream and horseradish; the combined flavours came together in such a fresh and simply devine fashion. We all slowed down to savour the final bites.
Hands down one of the best meals we have ever had and, given the top, locally sourced ingredients, very reasonably priced. Service was also terrific and playful (great anecdote about the locally picked mushrooms) and the setting itself very nice and inviting. Highly, highly recommended!
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin C
Bay Roberts94 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
This was my third experience at this establishment and disappointed in consideration of past experiences, which is unfortunate. Portions were very small, menu was very limited with food lacking flavor and a wow factor. Service unfortunately also left much to be desired with limited enthusiasm and follow up service. For the price you pay for this establishment, unfortunately I may not return.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JillianBlanche
Burlington24 contributions
Aug 2022 • friends
This was our second visit to the Boreal Diner.
We had previously visited a few years ago and loved it, at that time we felt the food was great and reasonably priced.
The second time we visited in August 2022 and felt the portions were very small for the amount of money you spent. The flavours and quality of the food I will say was quite good, however I think they are a bit out of touch with pricing. We ordered the Kale pasta with duck, the celeriac “steak” and the beef kimchi bowl. I will say we were hungry afterwards and actually went elsewhere for more food to Little Dairy King - which we recommend.
Service was also hugely lacking and I would say it was not overly busy. We never got a water top up and were never visited after our mains were delivered. The one plus is that the Wine prices are reasonable.
I would not go back based off this last visit nor would I recommend this restaurant to others.
Written August 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyinYYT
St. John's9 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
On Saturday night we had scallops with fennel, Italian sausage tagliatelle pasta and fresh warm bread to soak up the sauces. Fantastic meal….5 *
On Monday night my wife and I returned and ordered the same dishes. The scallops were still good but a little light on fennel and sauce. The bread was stale. The sausage tagliatelle lacked zip and flavour. Disappointing meal…..1*
I can’t explain the difference except to suggest that there was a different chef in the kitchen. If booking I would suggest you check which chef is on duty!!!
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrahamH
Vancouver98 contributions
May 2022 • none
We adored the Boreal Diner, ate there three times during our stay in Trinity East. Top quality food in unfussy surroundings with an emphasis on personal service, this restaurant for us was a definite reason to return to the area. Lobster Pasta a stand out dish, so was the Key Lime pie. To be honest, everything was amazing!
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pierre T
Angus1 contribution
Jun 2024 • couples
This particular restaurant in Bonavista, NL was simply not worth it. From beginning to end, the worst experience in NL not just in Bonavista. From table sitting to pay for our bills and everything in between was simply a nightmare. Starting with the food (not worth the cost, it was warm/cold) we found a hair in one of our plates. Staff were awful (lack of respect) including the owner (except for our server, she was fantastic) no appoligies for the incident, blamed us for it, wanted us to pay for that specific meal still. Staff suggest we take the door and leave while we were trying to understand their non-sense explanations, none of the staff including the owner took any responsibilities for the incident. The owner let her staff talked to us like they and again with no appologies. This is a tourist trap, the owner and her staff couldn't care less about the customer's experience, it's all about money. Not recommended at all.
Written June 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greta
Hofheim am Taunus16 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
The food was excellent; we both ordered a menu and were amazed by the quality of our food, as well as the time in which our attentive waitress brought it in. My dad wished the servings would have been a bit larger but overall we had a fabulous dinner! The boreal diner is worth a visit for sure if you’re in Bonavista and looking for something of high quality to eat!
Written June 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Momo
131 contributions
Jul 2021 • family
I don’t quite understand the bad reviews. This restaurant is a gem. The plates are in the smaller side but all are homemade and super tasty!!!!!! I would prefer paying for quality vs quantity.
Ps the pork stir fry with homemade yudon noodles was probably one of the best I ever tasted!
Love the atmosphere, decor and everything!!!
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John
Ottawa3 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
My wife and I had a beautiful meal at The Boreal Diner during our visit to Bonavista in August. The scallops and tomato ricotta salad were to die for. It was a breath of fresh air to have a well cooked and interesting meal after several days of deep fried food. Service was also excellent.
Written November 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AbbyEmptyNesters
Abbotsford244 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
There is a restaurant in the small West Coast village of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island called Pluvio. They create distinguished food from a locally-sourced menu that is, in that area of the country, unrivalled. After dining last night at The Boreal Diner, I believe I have found the Newfoundland - East Coast equvalent.
This establishment delivers on service and content. When we were sat at our table and having our first conversation with our young server, my wife mentioned she had a Dairy allergy. The server said she was already aware of it, from a phone call we made 2 months ago to make our reservation. That alone was different - in almost every case when the allergy is mentioned it is new information for the server, but not here.
Onto the food. We each had a different appetizer, my wife the Torched Scallops and for me the Crab. Both were beautifully prepared and presented, and both were very good. For the mains, my wife chose the Cod and the Pork was my choice. As we ejoyed these truly outstanding meals, the comparison to Pluvio came up and was inescapable.
Remarkable presentation, outstanding flavour profiles on perfectly prepared food made the dinner an Experience, not just a meal. Hands down the best meal we have hed since our visit here started, and easily the best Restaurant meal I have had in many a month.
This is not an inexpensive outing but truly worth every dollar. It's probably a good thing we don't live here as I think we'd be visiting far too often.
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDSuzieQ
Boston210 contributions
Jun 2022 • couples
Physical location is awesome. Building restored beautifully inside. Love that all tables are eclectic mix of actual dining room tables and don’t match. DOH and I shared the asparagus appetizer. I don’t even like asparagus and it was delicious. For dinner we had to he vegan Thai curry and the duck breast with mushrooms and puree (I think artichoke). We cleaned our plates of both but ran out of room for dessert. Menu changes frequently, but I suspect most everything is good.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giulia L
Plymouth3 contributions
Jul 2022 • friends
The meal was utterly delicious! My friend and I were impressed by the high quality foods and the creative outcome of our chosen dishes. They offered a small and great selection of dishes, including super yummy vegeterian options. The staff was so kind and very helpful all round. They accommodate our desires with ease. Highly recommended!
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ErikaFunnell
Oakville11 contributions
Jul 2022 • couples
The food is good. I felt it was overpriced for what you get. I had a rice noodle dish with beef. The amount of beef in it would fit on a piece of Melba toast. My husband had a mushroom gratin which he loved. The atmosphere is very charming. An old house with wooden floors and exposed beams. Mismatched tables and chairs. It was lovely.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-15 of 204
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing