This ruggedly beautiful island on the northernmost tip of Nova Scotia remains somewhat isolated from the rest of the world. Perhaps as a result, its restaurants tend to favor local fare over internationally-inspired cuisine. Dancing Goat The offers a menu of homemade cookies, cakes, soups, sandwiches, and breads, along with hearty breakfasts and what many would describe as the best coffee on the island. The interior is rustic and cozy, featuring a recently-renovated veranda area that allows in plenty of natural light. The menu changes daily, but expect fresh, healthy dishes like almond chicken sandwiches, cold cucumber dill soup with scenic valley beets, and curry orzo lentil salad. The Canadian menu focuses on lighter soups and sandwiches for lunch, along with a selection of pastas, salads, as well as meat and seafood mains for dinner. Expect dishes like ravioli stuffed with fresh lobster; seafood chowder; as well as international dishes like Korean grilled steaks. The food is consistently fresh, and although the restaurant is often busy, the relaxed atmosphere encourages diners to savor their meals leisurely. The selection changes daily, but expect pastries like Greek Baklava and Asparagus Alfredo Swirls to enjoy alongside mugs of organic fair trade. The menu also includes speciality drinks like chai lattes, organic teas, and cappuccinos. The property is home to the Sunset Art Gallery, which showcases the work of more than 15 Cape Breton artists. Owner and chef Bryan Picard draws inspiration from his childhood in rural New Brunswick, where meals were prepared with veggies grown in the backyard, along with meat and fish caught by his father. The restaurant offers a 5-course tasting menu that changes monthly, featuring dishes that incorporate seasonal ingredients sourced from independent farmers or grown locally. Expect dishes like grilled zucchini with farmstead gouda, beef rib bacon; and brook trout with leek cream, cold-water shrimps, beans, and squash. A well-chosen selection of Nova Scotian wine and beer completes the atmosphere. With binoculars available, diners can watch whales swimming in the bay below. The menu focuses on locally-caught seafood and shellfish, including lobster rolls that were ranked among the. The menu also includes a number of gluten-free and vegetarian options. As you might expect, the restaurant is a hotspot for live performances, with its small stage accommodating everything from fiddlers to Scottish comics. The food is classic Nova Scotian comfort food, with signature dishes including fish and chips; roasted stuffed chicken; and seared scallops and bacon. Meals are best washed down with a glass of Red Shoe Ale, a red beer specially brewed by for the restaurant. Based on the tradition of holding secret banquets for the poor, the restaurant is set in a replica 18th-century tavern and diners are invited to wear reproduction period costumes. The two hostesses and their staff tell historic tales, and perform traditional French and English ballads and dances. Owners Scott and Karry traveled extensively through Italy, Greece, and France before fulfilling their long-held dream of opening a restaurant. The diverse menu includes a selection of seafood, pastas, sandwiches, and wraps, along with all-day breakfast dishes. A rarity for Cape Breton, the menu also includes a number of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, as well as a paleo menu. Jacques served with mushrooms in a creamy white sauce and topped with cheese.
