You’ll have to drive up to Grosse-Île to get here, but this no-frills fish shack does arguably the best lobster roll on the islands, which also happens to be one of the cheapest at $10. The canteen can also dish out a mean lobster poutine, seafood chowder, and fish and chips. Graciously, no reservations are required for this one.

Mario Cyr might be world-renowned for his Arctic underwater photography seen in National Geographic and BBC, but on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine he’s known just as much for his restaurant by the jetty on Grande-Entrée. The ambiance has a serious fisherman’s vibe and the menu provides little surprises with fresh lobster, oysters, and mussels with their usual accompaniments. Keep an eye out for dinner conferences where Cyr presents his photography while you eat.

First opened in 1992, this deserving Îles-de-la-Madeleine classic does thick-crust pies with inventive flavours such as the “pêcheur” with lobster, shrimp, scallops, veggies and mozzarella over a lobster bechamel sauce and the “canon” with ham, red pepper, basil, goat cheese, mozzarella and pesto. Plenty of veggie options are also available, as well as irresistible desserts and affordable wines.

Strict about its commitment to market-fresh local ingredients, this popular Cap-aux-Meules spot does artistically displayed haute cuisine — think steak frites and lobster risotto — as well as cocktails, beer and wine, meaning it stays lively into the night. This is definitely one you’ll need to book well in advance.

Fresh-faced Chez Renard opened near the ferry port in June 2021 and has likely been full ever since. With just a few tables, it’s a café with homemade bagels sweetened with Miel en Mer’s honey and Pied-de-Vent cream cheese by day, and a gourmet restaurant by night, with non-stuffy natural and organic wines. Open Wednesday to Sunday only.

Adored by Madelinot for staying open year-round, this casse-croûte does hot dog steamés, lobster pitas, subs, smoked meat sandwiches, golden-brown fish & chips, and some seriously loaded poutines. The vibe inside is cool, too, with throwback 50s and 60s diner music.

Another relative newcomer, Eva has terrific views of the L’Etang du Nord coast and its floating drydock wreck, and has terrific food to boot. Dishes like pork and lobster bisque or Oka rabbit ragout are hearty odes to Quebec, but sometimes you just really want a fried chicken burger and Eva does that, too. This is definitely another Îles-de-la-Madeleines restaurant you’ll need to make a reservation for.

Inside an old general store built in 1865, Café de la Grave does island-influenced pub grub like smoked seal poutine, veal burger, and seafood pot pie. Nightly piano and folk music during high season means it isn’t short on ambiance, and true to its name, the café also does takeout coffee and desserts.