Visit Caraquet and have the time of your life!
Last summer on our vacation we decided to escape the heat and visited our neighbor to the north, New Brunswick, Canada. And what a great decision that turned out to be!
After driving from the Moncton Airport we made our way to the coast and Caraquet. I have to admit I didn’t know a lot about the Province of New Brunswick before our trip but couldn’t have picked a better location for the relaxed atmosphere, natural beauty of the area and the ah-mazing selection of fresh seafood that was served in their restaurants.
Everywhere we turned we found plump juicy oysters, sweet succulent lobster and mussels by bushel full.
In fact, I had the best lobster roll I’ve ever tasted from La Homard Mobile ( a lobster food truck). You just can’t get fresher or sweeter than the Canadian lobster found in the waters off Caraquet.
But food isn’t the only reason to come to Caraquet. The friendliness of the locals and the natural beauty would make this the perfect spot for a vacation without the culinary delights.
We were lucky enough to meet up with a local Oyster Farmer, Gaétan Dugas. The Dugas family has been harvesting oysters on the Bay of Chaleur in the northeastern reaches of New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula for generations, and their oysters are shipped all over the world.
While speaking with M. Dugas, it was evident that he had a deep respect for nature. The Dugas’ farming methods allow the oysters to feed with the best natural nutrients from the sea by giving the right amount of time and care which is important to the quality and health of the shell. And that’s why their oysters are so flavorful and in such high demand.
But it isn’t just about the food. If you enjoy being one with nature, there’s no better place than Caraquet.
The calm clear waters of the bay of Caraquet can provide you with hours of kayaking. Lisa and I kayaked to a sandbar where we dug for clams that we cooked up on the beach afterward.
One of the highlights of our trip was spending the morning cooking with Madame Savoie at the Acadian Village.
Mme. Savoie is a master in 19th-century cooking and taught this old chef a thing or two about cooking over an open fire and baking with hot coals.
It really was a lot of fun and the best of the day was getting eat what we made. The soup was so flavorful and the molasses pie was delicious and warm right out of the dutch oven.
Sébastien Roy, owner of the award-winning Fils du Roy Distillery in Petit-Paquetville, is the only northern producer of spirits. As is the case with any serious Whiskey producer, you have to make gin and vodka to keep the cash flow positive while your whiskey ages.
Sebastian also produces some of the areas best beers and each beer has its own story that’s deeply connected to New Brunswick’s people and history. Here are pictured two star-crossed lovers Evangeline and Gabriel. Click on the link to Learn more about Fil du Roy, the spirits, and beers they produce from my friend Sherry at Otts World. She wrote a great post about the distillery and Sebastian Roy.
And if you’re missing Paris and all those delicious French Pastries you can find them at Grains de Folie which loosely translates into Beans of Madness (Crazy Grains). And Madness, I don’t think so? Anyone that serves me a bowl of coffee is okay by me! The pastries were amazing and I could’ve stayed there all day eating myself into oblivion……sigh.
So when you’re planning your next vacation, think about New Brunswick, Canada and make sure to stop in Caraquet and experience the Acadian way of life .
Suzette
just ran across this article while looking through for a recipe. Glad I did. Just what I was looking for and didn’t know it! thanks!
Elizabeth McConnell
I am happy that you enjoyed your stay in Caraquet but Caraquet is only part of our great Acadienne Peninsule(Péninsule Acadienne). If you ever have a chance to come back here are just a few amazing places to check out…..Miscou island, yes we have an island 🙂 and as soon as you cross over the bridge you will find ‘La terrease a Steve’ not only is the service amazing but the seafood will have coming back for more.Now the beaches, miles and miles of beaches with the warmest water in the Bay des Chaleurs and don’t forget to visit the Miscou light house with breath taking views of the Atlantic ocean and while you’re on the island ask about our legends.
Not to forget the rest of our beautifull place, during fishing season you can get fresh seafood allmost anywhere, visit our beautifull beaches in Le Goulet and Val-Comeau, go kite surfing, boating and any water sport you like, you can even go whale wathing.During the summer the are festivals everywhere with amazing food,activities for everyone and even famous singers and music. Our Acadienne Peninsula is a must so came back and enjoy 🙂
Chef Dennis Littley
Thank you Elizabeth! I can’t wait to come back to enjoy more of the beauty of Caraquet and New Brunswick!
Aline
Thank you so much for this great post Chef Dennis
We will be waiting for you guys here in Caraquet
Lot of good food and lot of fun too
Caraquet welcomes you to great festivals all summer long
Bienvenue
Chef Dennis Littley
Thank you Aline, I can’t wait to Visit New Brunswick again and spend more time enjoying Caraquet!
Susan
Chef
Thank you for making our next destination choice for us! We are checking flight information today for possibly September or should we hold til next Spring? Does the weather play into the seafood availability up there? Can not wait to experience this lovely place.
Thank you again,
Susan
Sylvette
Hi Susan!
The different fishing seasons rotate throughout the summer, but there are always many species available at all times.
You should be aware that we have very late springs. There is still quite a bit of snow, at this moment. Real spring doesn’t start until May, sometimes mid-May. Also, in September, many tourist attractions close for the (very long) winter. Early September should be fine, though, but July and August are definitely the time where things are happening.
The Chef didn’t mention de Acadian Festival which is held in Caraquet August 1-16. It is listed as one of North America’s top festival. Look up « Tintamarre de Caraquet ». 🙂
I’m hoping we can welcome you soon.
Jazmin Williams
Wow, this looks like a beautiful place! I think my parents would love the Acadian Village in particular. As for me, I love French Pastries,so I think I’d need to visit Grains de Folie!
KAPILA RATTAN BHOWMIK
My husband is a big foodie and for him travel means enjoying local delicacies. I am sure your post will be a great guide for him. Thanks for sharing
Ray Ruzzo
The coast line is stunning. Absolutely beautiful!
Holly
Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Angela Tolsma
I have always wanted to visit New Brunswick but I did not know about the Fils du Roy Distillery. I think my husband would love go there.
Stephanie
This place looks amazing indeed! The seafood itself is something I definitely want to go there for and not to mention that pie looks so good! Looking forward to exploring more of Canada soon
chelf
what an awesome destination! let’s pack our bags, I’m in a desperate need for a vacay and a glass of that aged whiskey please!
jillian
Oh my goodness, first off I love all the photos but mostly that lobster roll. haha. it looks SOOOOOO good!!!! Like I want one right now!!!!
Marjie Mare
My husband loves oysters and I can never get enough of lobster roll. Everything seems so appealing, I would definitely go for some vacation in this place
laura @ Mommy Dearest
I have sadly yet to make it to the East Coast and Visit New Brunswick. It looks like you had the most wonderful time. The seafood alone would be enough to keep me there, turns out I have family out there I have never met. This might have to be our next family vacation spot. Thanks so much for sharing.
Stephanie
This sounds like such an amazing trip! I haven’t been to Canada yet, but I want to go one day. We talked about going this summer but our plans changed. I also haven’t heard of this area before, so I’ll have to write it down for the future!
Anshika Juneja
I design my travels mostly around food. This place looks so amazing and the food look delicious to me. I could see gin and vodka.. would love to try them!!! I love how you shared every detail about this place. thank you for sharing all the information.
Chef Dennis Littley
you’re very welcome Anshika, thanks for stopping by!
Annik
The translation for Grains de folie is
Crazy grains
Not beans of madness
Chef Dennis Littley
thank you Annik, I rely on Google translator and unfortunately, that’s what it told me.
France Gionet
I have to butt in. ‘Grains de folie’ does not translate to ‘crazy grains’. ‘Crazy grains’ would be ‘Grains fous’.
‘Grains de folie’ really does translate into ‘Beans of madness’ or ‘Grains of madness’.
It’s also a play on word as it sounds like ‘brin de folie’ which means ‘a bit of madness’ or ‘a bit of fantasy’.
France (from Caraquet)
Chef Dennis Littley
thanks for letting me know I got it right!