It seems like every nook and cranny of downtown St. John’s is packed with quaint little cafes and restaurants. I discover a new one almost every month, and my bucket list of local food joints to try is growing steadily.
One of my most recent finds (that quickly became a fave!) is Bernard Stanley Gastropub, located at 223 Duckworth Street, in the same building as our Moksha hot yoga studio. They are open 7 days a week and are one of few places that offer daily brunch. You can always catch great specials with $5 happy hour Monday-Friday, 4-7pm, $5 Caesars and $4 Mimosas on weekends, and $20 beer & burger nights every Wednesday.
The decor is quaint and rustic with an antique feel, which I absolutely love. They have old wooden chairs, a classy looking bar, a gorgeous tin ceiling, a fireplace, and they serve drinks in mason jars. How can you go wrong?
My first visit was a lunch date with a friend. We both had burgers with homemade rosemary potato wedges and spicy ketchup. The veggie burger, although messy, was so good and really hit the spot. I’m not a vegetarian, but I love a good veggie burger when I’m not in the mood for meat and this one hit all the bases. I recommend hitting up Bernard Stanley on a Wednesday night to try their incredible burgers along with a pint of Quidi Vidi beer for only $20.
I didn’t want to wait long after to go back and try their brunch (who can say no to $4 mimosas??), so I grabbed a couple more good friends and went back on a Saturday morning. It was pretty busy, so we did have to wait about 45 minutes, but there was enough shopping on Duckworth Street (hint: Posie Row & Co!) to keep us occupied. I recommend arriving around the time they open to avoid the wait.
There are lots of options for brunch; they cater to the sweet tooth and the savory breakfast lover. I couldn’t resist trying the Brie-Stuffed French Toast topped with rum sauce *insert heart eye emoji here* because this was the best french toast I have ever had. I can’t even find the words to describe this meal, except YUM. The subtle saltiness of the brie compliments the sweetness of the rum sauce perfectly. If you are not a cheese person, you can get it without the brie, which also makes it a lighter meal if you’re not too hungry. Highly recommend.
If you live in or are traveling to the St. John’s area, Bernard Stanley Gastropub is a must-try. You won’t be disappointed. Let us know what you try or what your favorite menu item is by leaving a comment or reaching out on social media, @twowildtides. We love hearing from our readers!
xoxo,
char
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