Cleanest oysters we've ever had - super fresh and briny. Focaccia was good but not great. Steak frites - perfect medium rare (x2). Tagliatelle- perfect al dente, light, lemony. Burger and fries - cooked medium rare as ordered with hand cut fries. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. read more

Let me start out with this - the ambiance was nice if not a bit pretentious. The place was very cramped in some areas. The bar area took up a lot of space that could have been better purposed HOWEVER knowing what it used to be, it makes sense. Service was okay. I had some issues with some basic food safety concerns - mostly because I used to be a chef. The server, while very polite, handed out cutlery by grasping the tines of the fork and the blades of the knives. Now, not once, from the time may party arrived to the time we received cutlery did I observe the server or any bartender wash their hands - and I had a clear shot view of the bar and kitchen entrance. Th other issue, I observed, is that I did not see the server use a sanitizer on the table that was cleared next to where I was sitting. It was a damp cloth but with what - I have no idea. The menu was highly pretentious boasting gastronomical words that only chefs and true foodies would use. I understand the reason for this - it is to show class and style; that was obvious as to what they were going for with an overall esthetic. I settled on a burger this evening because it gave me a good understanding of if they knew how to handle simple ingredients. I did consider their Steak Frites (steak and fries) but at a market price of $52 for an 8oz striploin I nearly choked. To anyone out there - divide that number by 4 to get a true approximation of the cost. $13 at the best possible cost would put the steak at about $22/lb (almost $50/kg). That is insane. I understand it is locally sourced but unless it was dry aged (not said how it was aged) and had a lot of moisture loss from aging - well that price makes no sense. Anyways, back to the burger. The server advised that the burger was usually sold at a medium rare temperature. That to me was an alert because laws within Canada stipulate how ground product must be cooked - that is to 165F internal. Now, i will admit that there are allowances for this such as cooking it sous vide or freshly bringing the meat as bacteria only grows where a blade has touched the protein. Luckily I was able to order it well done. One of my dining companions didn't get it well done and it did not seem like sous vide was the cooking method. Taste of the burger was okay - seasoning was not known as I found it was overpowered by the aioli that was slathered on the bun. I am not even sure if the burger was juicy or not because of the aioli - and to some foodies out there, yes; you can have a well done burger and still.have it juicy! The fries that came with it were over seasoned. They have various herbs on them which, 1 hour after eating there, still have my mouth almost burning with the herb and salt taste. The cost of a beverage was wild. $16 for an alcoholic beverage made in a tall glass with one of those pretentious tall cylinder ice cubes that makes you think you are getting more than expected but are getting far less. For 2 burgers and a side of fries plus 1 alcoholic drink and I pop - i did not expect to pay almost $100. While I appreciate what this place is trying to do - it is my opinion that they missed the mark by a lot. read more

We were driving back from the Cabot Trail on our 40th wedding anniversary and we pretty sure our dinner was not going to be a highlight of the day, when we stumbled on this place. Does not look great from the outside, but inside it had a more polished vibe starting with a beautiful bar. The menu was short but well thought out and included vegetarian option(that I did see people ordering). I have the steak frites and my husband had a burger. We were a bit dehydrated from hiking so we didn't try the cocktails but they looked good. The crowd is a mix of regulars and travelers like us. It was pretty busy on a Sunday...also a testament to their food. read more

My wife and I were luckily able to get a spot in Townhouse while in the 'Nish despite our lack of a reservation, thanks to the poor weather and coming in at old people, early bird-esque hours. On the upside, we were there for a good stretch of happy hour! The space is cozy, with a pub-like feel from the bar counter you can sit at, as well as a stunning main bar with lovingly detailed, darkly-stained wood. Dark wainscoting rings the room, but the charm of its previous tenants fades away from there, with a generic tile floor and basic acoustic tile ceiling. We indulged in both the liquid and solid offerings on the happy hour menu, with the salt cod fritters ($9) a couple bucks under the regular menu price. Being in town to try things out and not just go for the cheapest items, we ordered from the whole menu, tacking on the beet salad and burrata toast. We decided we'd re-assess our appetites after those three apps. The beet salad ($10) was a colourful display of Nova Scotia's late harvest season, with beautiful, thin slices of purple, pink and golden beets. The kaleidoscope of root vegetables was topped with dots of whipped ricotta, blue cheese, popcorn and pea shoots. Delicate and lightly tart, with contrasting textures of the salty and smooth whipped ricotta and the airy crunch of the popcorn added dimensionality to the dish. Also, it's impossible to go wrong with pea shoots in my books! As my wife isn't a big seafood fan, I had most of the salt cod fritters to myself, and I wasn't complaining. An herby, crisp exterior encased a pleasantly doughy and lightly fishy interior, which was amped up by the fantastic sun-dried tomato and chili oil. The burrata toast ($14) didn't have a whole, massive blob of Italian cheesy goodness, but I should have guessed that would be the case given the price. A guy can dream, right? Crisp buttery focaccia held up well to its caprese-like toppings - roasted tomatoes, pesto and, of course, a slathering of creamy burrata. Bee pollen was noted on the menu and visible on the toast, but didn't register amongst the other flavours. After three very good starters, we decided that we had room for one main between the two of us, and landed on the ricotta gnocchi ($27). I was pleasantly surprised when the plate was put before us, and I saw that the fluffy bundles of carbs and cheese were pan fried, lending a light crispness and more flavour. Most gnocchi dishes aren't too meaty, but Townhouse had a decent portion of bresaola (dry-cured beef) and guanciale (cured pork cheek), letting the thinly-sliced, but big flavours, of the Italian cured meats punch above their weight. Pesto and pea shoots reappeared to bring some vegetal balance to the dish, and a salty hit of Pecorino-Romano rounded things out nicely. Not to be outdone by the savoury parts of the menu, Townhouse's desserts are far from an afterthought. The sticky toffee ($13) was wildly decadent, with the lightly spiced sponge cake begging to sop up the heavenly caramel cream sauce and French vanilla ice cream. Although they could stand to invest in their interior design, Townhouse's kitchen speaks for itself and the well-deserved accolades it has received. A definite 'must' when in Antigonish! read more

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This is a lovely place that we found unexpectedly. We were looking for a restaurant and some people suggested this place. We thought it'll be an A-pk bar food but we were pleasantly surprised with the quality and the flavors in these dishes! We started with a creative scallops croquettes on a Fuccacia bread, so rich in amazing flavors! The wedge salad was fresh and had a good quality blue cheese on with excellent pieces of bacon. The chicken Karrage with lettuce wraps and couscous salmon were both devine! Had a great chat with the owner and she ensured we ´re enjoying our food and ensured that they do their best to get local products. The Ambiance was great with candles everywhere and service was good too especially the place was completely fully booked. Highly recommend! read more

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Great food with an interesting and varied menu. From burgers to roasted cauliflower, and everything in between, the Townhouse is always a treat. Perhaps because it's located in a college town, but it was well staffed for a Sunday night. Service was friendly and attentive, even the obligatory Covid screening. Our meals were delicious, my braised short rib was spectacular, too bad it's a special. We had some food sensitivities at our table that managed to find a gluten and dairy free entree and dessert. They also carry a wide range of local beers, which is great to see. We visited the area this summer and, aside from having another great meal at the Townhouse, got to sample many of the area's local beers and spirits. Worth the trip. read more

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery - Sunday Dinner Special, Braised short ribs - Brewpubs Near Me - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

We stumbled on this place while traveling through and are so glad we did. It was a rainy, dreary day that put us in the mood for pub food and dark beer. This pub truly exceeded our expectations for such a small town. I would visit this town again just to eat here. Very nice pub-like atmosphere and the local beers we tried were excellent. It also looked like a nice wine menu. The menu was pub food with a foodie emphasis. I think we could have ordered anything on the menu and been thrilled with it. The focaccia bread was excellent and served with a pistachio butter. The wedge salad had an obviously in-house buttermilk dressing and a nice balance of roasted tomatoes and blue cheese. For mains we had the daily pasta (really good) and the mushroom ricotta gnocchi (blew us away). For dessert we had the maple cake, which was also delicious. read more

What can I say.....Great service and exceptional food in a classic pub atmosphere. Very well done. read more

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery - Dozen Oysters - Brewpubs Near Me - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

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Fantastic food, great service, nice ambiance. Lovely, hidden gem in Antigonish! Reservations are recommended.

My wife and I were greeted immediately with smiling faces and a glass of water and then we sat for a while after we ordered a samples of two local beers. We finally got those after a few minutes, and ordered two beers and literally 15 minutes later we still hadn't got our beers so we left and I made the mistake of leaving my phone on the counter. Went back 30 minutes later and they charged me for the undelivered beers! Boo! Canada "not very nice"! When I asked why they charged me for the beers, the bartender said "we were very busy", I said to her there were six tables out of maybe 15 with people in them and at least six different servers around the bar area that asked us what we wanted and none of them were able to take 30 to 60 seconds and pour a couple of pints of beer? very disappointing, don't bother coming here! read more

I'm a chef myself visiting from Vancouver and stopped in with my friend last Friday and had an absolutely delicious time at this local pub. I loved the cheeseburger done so beautifully with sous vide and it was just slightly pink the way I like it and had a gorgeous sauce . The Caesar salad and cauliflower tacos were also exquisite ! Staff are super friendly and well trained . I wish they had this restaurant in Vancouver as I would most definitely be a regular . Congratulations to the owners ( also from BC ) for bringing this gem to Antigonish ! read more

Food was great! Service was friendly! And the atmosphere is just as equally great! It's a busy little spot, but I can see why. I enjoyed going, an will definitely be back. A little on the pricey side, but isn't everything these days. Considering the quality of the food, it's worth it. read more

Based on one visit, this restaurant is only ok. 1. The Cold Seafood Platter (for 2), $30. As background, I usually don't like when something clearly came in a jar or can and was spooned out by kitchen staff. That said, there were 6 (arguably 5) components of this dish. Two were above suspicion, the 4 oysters and 4 shrimp. Three were clearly spooned out, the pickled mussels, the pickled vegetables and the pickled green beans. The Arctic char dip? Things like this can come in a jar, but let's say it was house made, at least in part. Even with benefit of the doubt, a 3-3 ratio of genuine to spooned out ingredients is not good. Would subbing in fresh clams for some of the pickled stuff (which doesn't work that well here anyway) break the bank? 2. The Arctic Char with scallops and gnocchi special, $32. I also don't like when things are cooked in advance, kept warm for a time, then put on my plate. This can be harder to tell with scallops, which keep pretty well, but with the fish there is no place to hide, as was the case here. To make this resto good, it has to show a little more courage in preparing things to order (rather than in advance) and be a little less cheap with the fresh stuff. Yes, spooning out is cheaper, but some people will notice. read more

Great drink menu and a really diverse food menu. Small portions for a pub and the branding is kind of Confusing but in an interesting and eclectic way. Local ingredients used so yummmmm read more

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery - two bottles of beer on a picnic table - Brewpubs Near Me - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

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While passing through we just had to stop by, and all the best reviews still didn't do this place justice...the service, the food, and the place itself were wonderful. I would drive there again (from Ontario) just for that lobster chowder, but I'd order the mac'n'cheese & DT fries again as well! Prepare to leave full and beyond satisfied, with travel tips and having had great conversation to boot! I may have to move here... read more

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery - Flight! - Brewpubs Near Me - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

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If you are to find yourself in Antigonish, you absolutely have to stop by this awesome college pub. We had the oysters and the catch of the day which happened to be an open faced salmon sandwich with their homemade soda bread. The soda bread was absolutely amazing, and I'd say it was the highlight of our east coast road trip. The Granite Stout that was on guest tap was an amazing beer, with a perfectly balanced creamy taste that ended in hints of chocolate and then Stout taste. Apparently it was brewed upstairs? The service was excellent and friendly, and the seafood was noticeably fresh with emphasis on locally obtained sources (highly recommend the salmon). If I ever come to the quaint university town of Antigonish again, I will definitely be stopping here. read more

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This place by far has the best seafood chowder I have ever had - worldwide. The chefs know exactly how to let flavours speak, and how to combine textures. Local ingredients. If that wasn't enough, top it off with wickedly fantastic service, and a great ambiance. read more

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery - The Seafood chowder is outta bounds! Rich, flavourful, and decadent. They do not skimp on the lobster or the scallops. Service ~ impeccable! - Brewpubs Near Me - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

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Loved this place best find in all of our Nova Scotian road trip. Just happened to be passing through during grad weekend. Pub was bumping clearly the place to be. The host/server met us with a smile. Managed to find a random table took our drink order the said I'll find you something to sit on. A few minutes later drinks and chairs arrived with another smile. Order some lobster chowder (menu stated 25min leed time.) in all this we meet the dean of the university, local bank manager and the mayor. Half way through our first round, the lobster arrived. wife had a tasty local tidal bay, I had the house made cask bitter, the only hand pumped beer in northern NS I was promptly told by the mayor Was great. This is the only real pub I've found in a long time in North America. It reminded me of living in the Cotswolds in the uk. It was a low ceiling dark and loud with happy friendly folks. A BIT SHOUT OUT TO THE SERVERS FOR BEING COOL AS ICE AND HANDLING THE CHAOS. Burger was amazing and mussels were to die for. But the lobster chowder was worth the wait. Amazing. read more

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OMG... We shared 3 different entree's; the very best meals we had during our visit in Nova Scotia; it put the overpriced mediocre seafood available in San Francisco to absolute shame at a fraction of the cost! First the Cabot Trail, then happy happy tastebuds... we wanna move to Nova Scotia... read more

Lots of great reviews for this authentic Scottish pub, so not much to add but my agreement. HOWEVER: only order the Habanero Caesar (that's Canadian for a Bloody Mary) if you really really like spicy melt-your-face-off hot stuff. I like a little horseradish, but this makes lava seem like sweet cream. Habanero vodka, Tabasco, horseradish, Worcestershire, and a pickled garlic spire. I'm expecting to regain communication with my tastebuds in a day or two. Great pub, but read the drink descriptions carefully before ordering! read more

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery - Brewpubs Near Me - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

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Came for the selection of local craft brews on tap but was thrilled with the menu. I had a variety of three beers and was satisfied with them all. (Granite Peculiar, Granite Irish Stout and Big Spruce Kitchen Party Pale Ale). Started with the Philippine Caveche and that was the best part of the meal. Spicy Caveche paired with a pickled watermelon that went great together. I got the curry special, which was a chicken tonight. The taste and heat were good, but the sauce was a little thick for me. I enjoyed it, but will select something else in the future. The staff was very friendly and tried to keep up with the activity in the restaurant. There was a big party just ahead of me tonight, so I waited a while for my entree, but the bartender and second waitress made sure I did not wait too long for drink refills. I plan to go back tomorrow to sample the red chowder and another entree. read more

Good food, great staff. Cozy atmosphere. Brownie dessert was amazing. Definitely recommended.

Stopped in for a couple beers on the way back from Cape Breton. They have a great selection of Maritime craft beers, including Big Spruce from Cape Breton and Jncle Leo's from Pictou. They also brew a house beer, Terry's Best Bitter, which was on cask. There are precious few places in the Maritimes where cask ale is served, so this place is definitely something special. Terry's beer is fantastic, an easy drinking ale that disappears in no time. The Townhouse has a great vibe, and we chatted with owners Terry & Rose for almost the whole time we were there. They are great people with a passion for what they do. We didn't get anything to eat as we had just eaten, but everything looked and smelled fantastic. Next time we are through Antigonish, we will be spending some quality time at the Townhouse. read more

We waited a long time for a table (1 hour) and then decided to order the Lobster Chowder which does say to give at least 25 mins for the prep. But it was above and beyond worth it. We've been traveling the coast eating nothing but seafood along the way and this has been truly the best. The Chowder will not disappoint! read more

We had the grilled oysters, the scallop appetizer, an amazing halibut in a tomato broth and the lobster chowder. Really first class all the way and the local beers are worth a visit by themselves. Prices are a real value given the quality of the food. Service was friendly and professional. read more

Great Sheppard's Pie and muscles. The Garrison bear is unbelievable. Go for the food and stay for the fun!

If you're looking for good beer and a good atmosphere, then look no further. The staff are friendly and the place is a great hangout. As for the food, the portions are small and not very good, especially when you consider the price point. Their dishes tend to lack in inspiration and flavourful ingredients. I do like the fact that they try to use locally sourced ingredients. read more

Antigonish is a small town, yet it has a rather vibrant Main Street. Ducking around a corner across from the Town Hall gets you to the Townhouse, a snug little pub festooned with green paint on the exterior and plenty of dark wood inside. The décor is fittingly Celtic. I've eaten at the Townhouse several times, and I've always managed to snag one of the last available tables- now and then after a short wait. The clientele is one of the most mixed in Antigonish; there are university professors, (Quiet) students, young families, and professionals. People come alone, in pairs, and in larger groups. For a guest without dining companions, there always seems to be interesting discussions from which to overhear snippets in the conversational din. The food is high-quality, sourced as much as possible from local suppliers. The menu changes throughout the year to reflect what produce is in season; I'm always eager for the Ploughman's Lunch to become available in the Spring. In addition to the usual Irish and English-inspired pub fare, there are a few Eastern European options, like the unique Polish Cheesecake. On my most recent visit I had a roasted squash salad. I found its arugula a bit stemmy, but it was nothing a few knife-slices couldn't fix, and was more than outweighed by the tasty goat cheese and mix of walnuts and quinoa. The portion is filling without being too large. If you're looking for a place in Antigonish with a slight hipster vibe and excellent food, certainly give the Townhouse a try. The friendly staff will charm you, no matter how busy the evening, and the food will leave you happy. I, myself look forward to my next visit. read more

Visited on two consecutive nights while visiting Antigonish, then came back again after a jaunt to Cape Breton Island. First night was for beer only, and I was impressed with their selection of quality Canadian craft brews on tap. Word is that their own scrumptious cask ale is almost ready for public consumption as well! The next night I came for dinner and beers. Love their locally sourced ingredients policy, and found their menu highly creative and diverse. I opted for the steak and ale pie, and must admit that I've had significantly better in jolly olde England - go figure! The side of wilted greens was awesome, however, and my neighbors seated at the bar seemed very impressed with their meals. My final night there I had their version of a "Mexican pizza," which was just the right size for one hungry person, and topped with a pile of arugula. It was absolutely delicious, and even had a fair enough spice kick without having to add hot sauce. What elevates Townhouse to 5 stars in my book is the top notch, friendly staff, in particular owners-operators Rose and Terry. They made a solo visitor feel very welcome, and their enthusiasm for their business really seemed to be mirrored by the smiling, hustling, friendly staff. The strong turnout of both locals and repeat visit tourists are testament to why this is such a great place. Makes me want to move to Nova Scotia!!! read more

Lovely wee pub/resto! The beers on tap cover a good selection of micro- and medi-breweries and their own brews will be on tap soon. We had the appy of the day, blue cheese ravioli with a crown of kale salad. Daring and interesting, but the pasta was a bit underdone. Filling was sharp and creamy and complimented nicely with the just-cooked kale (sprinkled with flower petals...marigolds?). He has the steak and ale pie: fall-apart beef, carrots, luscious gravy topped with a generous square of puff pastry with a side of pickled green & yellow beans. I had the lamb burger topped with perfect tzatziki. Slightly more than medium rare, but still juicy and lamby. The side potatoes were forgettable but the side salad was fresh, with not too much dressing. The house seafood chowder smelled fantastic--it's tomato-based for a change, with some smoked fish for yet another twist. Subtle live Celtic music on a Sunday night--really quiet enough that your could still have a conversation. Staff are lovely and attentive, the locals tolerant. Will definitely come back. read more

Excellent service and the food was delicious. Even on a Wednesday night, the place was packed.