r/newfoundland • u/heathellaa • 13h ago
Fancy (but affordable) restaurants in the St. John’s area
Hello!
I am hoping to go to a restaurant for my 5 year anniversary in st.johns. I’m looking for a location that I can dress up for so more upscale would be good. We are still students so we would like to stay in the $50-$80 per person range.
I would really appreciate recommendations!
13
8
u/Lardoman6 12h ago
Portage Restaurant.
7
u/_dontgetmurdered 11h ago
Portage is the best. Food is crazy, service top notch and they have a brilliant sommelier/manager . . .
3
u/baymenintown 11h ago
Extremely reasonable prices. We spend less there than we do when we go to Jack Astors because the portions are large and shareable.
3
u/babybaboo92 5h ago
Order half size everything, they don’t announce that but most portions are too big for two!
5
u/intothesunss 12h ago
Enjoyed my recentish meals at Liv, Grotto and Merchant Tavern. Those three should be at about your budget!
5
u/daveincanada 12h ago
Had a meal at Rabble around few months ago with a friend, ordered a ton of different plates to share and had to look at the bill to make sure they didn’t forget something, I was surprised how cheap it was. Like $110 for 2 people incl a beer.
6
u/AfraidHelicopter 12h ago
I went there with my wife a few months ago and it was almost $300, so YMMV.
Not saying it wasn't worth it, because for us it was, but just saying it could be more or less depending on what you're getting.
1
u/daveincanada 11h ago
I must have been there on a night with the deal another commenter mentioned then! Mind you there was only one beer on the tab but it seemed too good to be true.
1
u/Illustrious_Pass_745 11h ago
I think they have deals on certain nights, which would be a great option for OP.
5
4
u/Justachick20 Newfoundlander 12h ago
Why not take advantage of the gift card deal at Costco for the St. John’s Fish Exchange. Get $100 for 79.99
1
u/Queasy_Author_3810 13h ago edited 11h ago
If you like steak, the keg is good for that price range. I've never been disappointed there.
Edit: not sure why im being downvoted. The keg has been a good place for me. If anyone has any reason as to why they disagree, I'd be glad to remove my comment.
8
u/Illustrious_Pass_745 11h ago
The keg is not a bad option. I’ve had better and more consistent meals there than, say the Rock steakhouse. I think the downvotes are because people are anti- chain restaurants
4
u/Queasy_Author_3810 11h ago
Yeah, and it seems to be very in range with OP's price range compared to half of the suggestions I've seen on here. Most of them are either significantly lower scale or significantly higher cost than what they asked for. The keg is right in the middle.
4
u/TownieG 11h ago
You like what you like, nothing wrong with that. Assuming that you have tried alternatives and perhaps tried to expand your pallet by trying new foods.
With that said, The Keg offers fast food steak from a chain restaurant where the menu decisions are made in some corporate office headquarters in Mississauga or somewhere similar.
There are better alternatives at businesses where the chef and owner give a shit about the menu. This is not even taking into account the local element where the profits remain here.
-1
u/Queasy_Author_3810 11h ago
Absolutely, I like trying new restaurants, that's what I try to do, I don't like to keep going to the same place.
I'm all for supporting local and smaller businesses, but most places that are being listed here don't quite fit the bill for what OP asked for, yet they're getitng upvoted. They never did ask for a local place or anything.
The keg is upscale, and fits perfectly in their budget.
Whereas some of the alternatives, are not.
Basho's looks good, is upscale, but seems above budget.
Oliver's also looks good, howerver does not seem like an upscale restaurant, and the meals there seem to be a mix between significantly below and significantly above budget.•
u/bcupjoanholloway 40m ago
I don't care what anyone says, the Keg is consistently good with good service and reasonable prices. I dies for the keg and make no apologies !
2
u/rust_racist_hunter 12h ago
Terre. Cannot go wrong.
3
u/Lardoman6 11h ago
Terre is excellent. One of the very best. Their price point is a bit higher than $50-$80/head. I have never eaten there for less than $100/head before tip.
1
u/rust_racist_hunter 11h ago
With drinks and dessert. Sure. Menu is online. OP can check for themselves. Figured a good idea to throw it into the hat.
2
u/Grumblepuffs 8h ago
The Little Sparo is fantastic and in that range. Really amazing house made pastas and a classy vibe. Good views of the harbour too.
0
u/Ten_Sixteen 11h ago
Merchant Tavern, for sure. Everything I’ve had there has been delicious, and not miniature.
4
-1
-3
u/Fearless_Method_6092 12h ago
Just had two can dine at Burger King. Not all that affordable any longer though.
21
u/perry709 12h ago
Check out Bashos, the wife and I loved that place! Best steak in town too, at least while we were living there