Reviews of Mallard Cottage (Restaurant)

Chao Zheng

We had brunch as a large group. We were accommodated well for 11 people. The restaurant serves a buffet, family style option as well as a la carte. A desert buffet sits in the middle taunting you throughout your meal. A steady bar serves cocktails, wine and beer. A fresh menu based on a farm to table type idea. The family style buffet is a great value and presents an option to have 5 courses with minimal cost ($25/person) Two points to remember: make reservations and parking is a gong show. Located in the quaint village of quidi vidi, plan to stay a while to make the most of the visit and the parking spot. Good views and the quidi vidi brewery nearby.

Stephanie Palasti

This place was incredible! Cute, cozy and delicious! I had the cod eggs benny - yum! Mimosas ere delicious and the cake table is a must. Our server Barry was also super friendly! High recommend this place for brunch.

Rory Walker

You cannot come to St-John's without coming here rhis place is incredible, not only is it unique as an almost 200 year old house but it also has great food!

Gervase Gallant

Always delicious and taken care of. Sat at the bar this time so you could see what was happening in the kitchen too. Great fun.

Paul Fogerty

Simply Amazing! You should not miss an opportunity to visit this fine restaurant while in the St. John's area.

Azan

One of the best places I have eaten in a long time . Had the gniocci with chantrells and the niçoise salad with fresh blue fin tuna . Amazing service great vibe !!!

Travis Ickes

Originally from Newfoundland, my now Alberta family and I visited the Mallard Cottage for lunch after a beautiful Signal Hill hike. The food was excellent, service first rate and I can't say enough about the quaint setting, vintage Newfoundland at it's finest. Well done Todd

Cameron Jones

Get the Mallard Family Style Brunch. You'll have the best brunch experience ever.

Jamie-Lee Mulligan

One of my favorite restaurants for atmosphere. The food in incredible.

John Austin

Awesome little place. Great food and service. Reservations highly recommended. Loved it!

Andrea Statton

Absolutely amazing place to eat. Went with a group and got to sample a variety of dishes. All excellent. The only negative are the prices. Don't expect to spend less than $100 for a meal.

Christine Smith

Great menu and location. The old cottage section is very cool. I would recommend a reservation to avoid disappointment.

Steve Robinson

Great halibut I've ever had...service was amazing. Scott gets a 10/10 for sure. Thank you for the great experience tonight.

Rick Wyatt

Dinner

Stephen Hand

Great atmosphere, amazing staff and incredible food. Definitely in my top few restaurants I've been to. The menu gets rotated constantly for what's fresh and local and it was all amazing.

Keith Barry

Great spot. Would gladly give more stars if possible. Beautiful restaurant in a great location with amazing food to match. We liked it so much we made another reservation before we left! Already can't wait to get back in there.

Graydon Snider

Best meal I ever had in the Maritimes. The chef and staff are super friendly and hospitable. Impeccable service.

Sarah Gordon

We enjoyed our supper at Mallard. Service was exemplary and the food exquisite. Thanks to Harry, Simone and the staff for a wonderful evening. Memorable.

Matt Fluegel-Carew

If you are in St. John's you owe it to yourself to eat at Mallard Cottage. The weekend brunch is delightful and they have take home dessert boxes too. Thoughtful caring service in a beautiful location

Cassandra Thomassen

Amazing night at Mallard Cottage. The food was beyond spectacular and the service staff exemplary!! Extra kudos to staff James, sommelier Scotty, smiling Katie, dancin' Brandon G., Sam, Chef David, UK John, Emma and, Clarissa!!

Jacob Prince

Great brunch, great cocktails. Make reservations, it's very busy!

Eun-young Shim

One of our best dining experiences in all of Newfoundland. It was only surpassed by the Fogo Island Inn. Mallard Cottage does everything right as far as ambiance, quality and prices go. This is a gastro experience that arises from a long history of using quality ingredients to make unpretentious yet delicious dishes. Come hungry and you will leave satisfied. Worth any wait you have to endure.

Victor Heng

Wow. You MUST go here. The food, the area, the music the people. Great place to eat, relax and enjoy the day.

Sean Westbrook

THEY ARE THE BEST! You won't find anywhere more special with delicious food than this place! Try brunch (and the cake table!) Or Lobster meal Mondays. Yum...

Neil Ivimey

Nice location! We celebrate our daughter's birthday and meal was OK!

Leah Mun

Unique place with an interesting menu. Call ahead for reservations. Brunch is delicious

Lisa Olie

This spot is everything. The best part other than the amazing house, service and food is this magical dessert table they have. The best!! We had such a great lunch - best service.

Carole Jane Foley

Went for our anniversary. What a treat! The service was fantastic and not just our server Jared. Beautiful atmosphere. The food was soooo good and the portions were just right. Definitely will be returning!

Josee Martin

Loved our dinner at Mallard Cottage. It's definitely a highlighted place to visit for our trip in St. John's.

Pat Marentette

Great restaurant in really cool location in picturesque Quidi Vidi harbor in St. John's. Great menu, good food and excellent service. Highly recommend this restaurant and inn.

Kasey Phillips

Great Sunday brunch. Roaring fire in the room we were in. Cozy Sunday afternoon in an historic building, with great food and local entertainment. Perfect introduction to Newfoundland and St. John's.

Gabriel “Gabe” Hahn

Outstanding dinner, great food, service, and decor. Can't go wrong here.

Maggie Brown-Bury

Absolutely fantastic food, and always great service. One of my favourite spots for sure.

Neil Naik

Food is simple but amazing. All ingredients are top quality. Staff is amazingly friendly.

Tony Wong

We visit Mallard Cottage in Quidi Vidi Village once or twice each year. It has a stellar reputation and always lives up to that standard. Reservations are always necessary and should be made more than a week in advance.

Yashwenee Selvaraju

By far the tastiest restaurant of our entire trip to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. It costs $$, but it's worth every penny. Quidi Vidi village is also a pretty little harbour.

Ted Hillier

This place is absolute perfection. The ambiance and live music are wonderful and both the food and drinks are truly exquisite. During my visit last night, the servers went above and beyond to make my dining experience fantastic. I was celebrating my 30th birthday and was beyond thrilled. I could not recommend this place more to lovers of fine food and will definitely be back!

Stephen Jeans

We went here early for brunch. I tried the cod fish cakes and my husband tried the frittata. My husbands dish was fantastic. I thought the cod fish cakes were okay; this is my first trying it and I was kind of expecting it to be like a crab cake, it wasn't. It had a lot of potato, very little cod and I found it to be bland. It's probably just not my type of dish. I would still totally come back to try out their other dishes. It's a really cute restaurant; it reminds of something you would see in a magazine. The cake table is also lovely; I think its $10 for as many desserts as you want to fill your plate. We were too full to take advantage of this.

Valerie Bizzoni

Was a wonderful experience. We could not get a reservation and we were only in St. John's for the weekend. On a whim we popped in and to my excitement they could seat us at the bar immediately. We were served by a fun lady named Simone. My husband ordered the fish cakes and I had the lobster roll. Wow... so delicious.

Nick Gregory

Delicious food! Thanks for making my kids order right. He has sensory issues so is rather picky. We appreciate your sensitivity to his medical issues and that you wanted to make him happy. He ended up loving it and our sweet server and he keeps asking when we will be coming back to Mallard Restaurant. You folks are the best!

Michelle Kuhn

Great food and live music. Lunch menu with verity and fair prices. Fast and friendly service.

Mary-Anne Stevens

Great brunch, cool atmosphere. Would definitely come back.

Salomi Saiyed

As we were in the area and had no reservation we are only able to enjoy a pint and delicious appetizer bowl of mussels. They also offered a substitute appetizer, a mustard sausage, as we arrived just prior to this supper diners. The food, service and atmosphere were great! Would recommend.

Jenn B

Great atmosphere, and the food is good however the dessert table had a very poor selection and most of the cakes were very dry.

Nic Capps

Go by Quidi Viti village and make sure you stop in here. Sat at the bar, had nice local brews and delish food. Would love to go back and enjoy their Sunday outdoor BBQ in the warm months.

Jared McCullough

Take some of these reviews with a grain of salt. Do your research. The menu changes and is based off a few proteins - they like pork here and do it and fish very well. Don't come expecting a hamburger and french fries - there are a select number of appetizers and entrées so call and find out whats being served or go experience it!. I found the prices more than reasonable. Seated next to a real fireplace. Friendly waitstaff and super cosy.

Eddy St. Coeur

It's my favourite place in St. John's the Brunch is affordable and fantastic and the dinner is incredible. Make sure to stop by before or after at Quidi Vidi Brewery which is just maybe a minute away max.

Joseph Ippolito

Enjoyed an amazing dinner with family & friends. We did a family style dinner ($50 each) & were able to try everything on the menu. Each item was delicious, fresh & unique. Friendly staff & lovely atmosphere.

Barry Delong

Awesome sat in the beer garden had some prawns, pulled pork and cod. I don't like fish but the cod wad amazing.

Christopher Collins

I was blown away by everything at Mallard Cottage. The atmosphere is very cozy, and the food very local, but don't let that fool you, this place is gourmet. The waitstaff were very knowledgeable, down to where everything on the menu was caught, shot or harvested. We actually let our waiter basically order for us and were not at all disappointed with his choices. If you really can't pick they do family-style as well. If you have the time arrive early and have a seat at the bar. The selection of local brews was balanced and well thought out and I found myself constantly trying to get a peek inside the vintage refrigerator behind the bar to see what kinds of concoctions the tender was expertly mixing drinks with. Do not miss this place if you're in the area.

Shannon Wilton

The family brunch was awesome. At a table of 9, 5 of us ordered the family brunch and we absolutely had the best brunch there!????

Victoria A.

Best brunch in Newfoundland..

Bryan Birn

Live music and great food. Definitely recommended

Michal Cybin

Mallard is unique, delicious and the staff are amazing. I love the tips included policy.

Stephen Chubbs

Great food, service and atmosphere. If going there on a Sunday for some brunch get there early before all the baked beans are sold out!

Paul Boucher

Just phenomenal. Best staff ever. Super accommodating to allergies. You have to go.

Lisa Currie-McKay

What a great place! From outside we thought it was just a house, once you come in you feel the character it thr place and the atmosphere is very cosy. We have been surprised by the chef so much diversity and we had a special challenge for him ( i have dietary restrictions) he blew us away! So much fantasy and creativity in every single course:) the star of the night was amazing- delicious lamb ! and the dessert was simply amazing! Merengue, lemon pie, chocolate with nuts, and brownies.... Definitely coming back ! Oh and during the summer time there is a hike you can do with stunning view on the ocean !

Anh Tran

Fantastic meal and worth a visit! If you're reading this before your trip, reserve a spot for the brunch service now! They fill up quick for good reasons. And once you finish your meal, don't leave without filling up a box of treats!

Kristen English

There are not enough words to convey just how extraordinary our meal was. We had whole roasted duck which was the special of the night. It came with chantrelle mushrooms, green beans and roasted potatoes. And it was exquisite! From the amuse bouche, to the mussels appetizer, cocktails, wine, dessert and amazing service, this was a phenomenal meal and experience. Make a reservation and go!

Kelly Robinson

Absolutely amazing food and experience! We came for brunch, my partner ordered the duck burger with a side of hash, I ordered the Newfoundlanders breakfast. We were both blown away with the food! The one downside is my partners hash was served on the cold side. The ambiance inside is great and the service was awesome. Our biggest regret is not also booking a dinner here during our time in St. John’s. Would highly recommend checking this place out if you’re visiting !

ken Duss

Great decoration and atmosphere. Very unique. Excellent food and beverages. Reasonable prices. Definitely reserve!

Alison Gothard-Huang

Went for the Monday lobster boil. Surprised the lobster was served chilled, but it tasted good. Additional lobster over giant baked potato. Two salads, bread, sparkling bourbon drink, chocolate cake, tea and coffee included. Had to box a bunch for home as it was so much! Friendly bartender, enjoyed watching him mix drinks as we sat at the bar to eat. Could see into the kitchen and watched them work. Cost $65 per person.

James Shewmake

Food was delicious and service was good. Fun cottage atmosphere. I'll be back for sure.

Melanie DR

First and last place we ate on our trip to Newfoundland. Plus a dinner. This is the only place we visited more than once, so..... Enjoy! Great service, food and drinks with relaxed atmosphere.

Timothy Roche

One of my absolute favourite restaurant experiences ever. The food, setting and hospitality make this place something truly special.

Brian Harris (Toronto Clear View)

Meal type

Grant Atwood

Awesome food we enjoyed every single bite. The service was amazing, the server was very friendly and had a great personality. They are very reasonably priced. I highly recommend going and giving this place a try you wont regret it, I guarantee you will return.

Tom Leung

Such a cute restaurant with amazing food! Staff are also so wonderful and helpful! Definitely a must visit! We got the family style brunch and it was such a good deal for the price! So very delicious!

Bryan Vanderkruk

This place lives up to the hype! Gourmet dining inside a 200yr old cottage, we had received the reco from multiple people and are so glad we went with it. The hangar steak and cod on the skin were amazing, yet the sides (breaded cod cheeks, za'atar potatoes, chanterelle mushrooms and snap peas and roasted rainbow chard) nearly stole the show! Cocktails were well made classics and the trifle was a great finish. Combine the amazing food with friendly service and a fantastic atmosphere, and it's a 10/10. Highly recommend.

Jay S

Mallard is incredible every time I visit! Favorite restaurant in the world.

Michael Kennedy

Great food and great ambiance. A little out of the way but the surroundings and experience is worth the visit.

Carol Upstone

Went here last year. My friends and I were served dinner and not a single thing was left uneaten. I’m from the USA and I still boast about the best meal I’ve ever had

Barry Kehoe

Food is great, ambiance and service are amazing! They have a short but nice wine list. One of my favourite place in town! I highly recommend it.

Yuyue Zhang

Tasty brunch in the most pleasant surroundings. The mushroom on toast was excellent.

Jonathan Butt

I do like the friendly comfortable atmosphere here. We always enjoy our time hear and return for family events such as birthdays. The food was light the last time because it was a Sunday evening which I hear is a pub night, they accommodated our hungry crowd with some delicious rolls. It was my daughters birthday so she got a free dessert table plate which my son filled to towering. Thanks for your good local food and care. We do like the brunch too. Come along with friends and family and settle in.

Andrew Blundon

This building has a room dating back to 1804. Located on the harbour in Quidi Vidi, it is a casual, cozy setting with award - winning cuisine.

Scott Dalrymple

Great restaurant with a local touch. Friendly service. Excellent food. Highly recommended.

John Roberts

Can’t wait to return again. Their brunch is one of the best dining experiences you’ll ever have.

Ryan Metheral

The family brunch was the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Definitely coming back soon

John H

We had a great experience. The food and service were excellent. We would definitely visit again!

Shay

Absolutely delicious, seen in the picture is the family style brunch for 2 ($25 ea). Seriously the best meal I've ever had

Kandice Power

Mallard Cottage is truly exceptional. We are visiting from Toronto and this was our first dinner in St John's. The food was outstanding and the staff was friendly, attentive, and went out of their way to accommodate our needs. We will definitely be recommending Mallard Cottage to friends. Be sure to book in advance!

John Parrott

So this is a review on the beer gardens and not the restaurant inside(which is good). Very very unimpressed by what you get for a 15 dollar plate -one small bbq chicken leg and a potato and a small bit of light coleslaw. Extremely weak. The chicken was good -the potato was very bland and the coleslaw was okay. I feel people are very cautious in criticizing this restaurant -but everyone is thinking the same,the garden food needs to improve. The outside space is great though and the beer is nice and fresh.

Saman Muhammad

Amazing food. I have been here twice, once for a dinner and once for a brunch, both were amazing, there was lots of food, a relaxed atmosphere, sometimes live music. It's very busy, so a reservation is required and you'll need to make it well in advance. They use Yelp reservations online, and the link is on their website, so it's very easy to browse for possible times to go. Also, this is a not the type of place for a quick bite, particularly for dinner, so allot a couple of hours for it. Highly recommend this place.

Jacqueline Kalisz

The best brunch in the area. A daily menu that offers up comfort food done well. The staff is always great, and the food is as local as they can make it. Sunday afternoons usually has a couple of locals swinging by to play some jigs and reels

Simon Hill

Amazing food, great atmosphere, friendly and accommodating servers, wonderful live music. The Mallard Cottage has it all, and is a must visit whenever my wife and I go to St. John’s.

Travis Freeman

Always a great experience.

Amy Wilson Small

I felt like I was in a village on the far side of Ireland near the Cliffs of Moher... just the coolest place so authentic so Celtic really incredible food and just amazing staff you're got to go ... deadly good huge homemade dessert spread for afternoon tea you will have sugar overload! Its in a hamlet very close to St John's Newfoundland called Quidi Vidi.

Derian

After many years of living in St. John’s, myself and my partner finally visited Mallard Cottage for brunch and were not let down. The location in the heart of Quidi Vidi its beautiful, and the charming building the restaurant is in adds to the atmosphere. Service was friendly, prompt, and the food was delicious; this place certainly lives up to the hype. Looking forward to trying the dinner menu next.

Amr A. Galil

Heard too much about the spot. Went there at the wrong time. After brunch and before lunch. So didn't have any meal there. Perhaps next time!

Michael Reider

Amazing food and the cake table had a cruelly large range of delicious options.

Emily L

This was the best meal I’ve had in St John’s. Don’t skip eating at this restaurant! It’s located in the cute area of Quidi Vidi. The restaurant looks like a house at the end of the road. We came here for brunch and wanted to try a couple of things. They have an option for $25 called ‘Mallard Family Style Brunch’ which is a plate of a bunch of menu items that are Cher’s choice. But we wanted specific things, so we just ordered the items we wanted. We tried: -Breakfast Sandwich (super tasty and perfect with the wedges side) -Hash Skillet (lots of yummy veggies) -French Toast (really good too)

Olivier Wong Kee You

We went for brunch today and had a great meal. We decided to get the Mallard Family Brunch and were pleasantly surprised; it's chef's choice. We were served a variety of different breakfast foods abs everything was great! A bit on the higher-scale of prices for brunch, but worth experiencing nonetheless!

Matt Sample

Some of the most amazing food I've had! I love the atmosphere of the restaurant, reminds me of eating at Nan's house; however, the food is much better. Sorry Nan!

Cathy van Leuken

Wonderful experience, atmosphere and overall ambiance. The staff were wonderful friendly and cheerful. Not sure if the Sunday Brunch dessert/cake table is always there, but make sure you get a to-go box!! Totally worth it for High Tea Snacking. For first time visitor of St.John's , this place is a must!

David Antle

You won't find anything prepared from frozen here. Everything is prepared fresh and is very well done. If you're looking for a fine dining experience then Mallard Cottage is an excellent option.

Daryl Harris, AMP

Really lovely vibe and great service, but $23 for a breakfast sandwich with no sides is pretty steep!

Mark Hallett

The food was amazing. Loved the local entertainment playing music and the atmosphere as well. It does literally look like you're in an old cottage. One star off because it is near impossible to get in this place and the prices could be a little better. We paid $60 for breakfast for two which was higher than a number of the other local restaurants.

Ray Zong

The staff definitely took care of us while we waited for our food to arrive. They were very helpful and the meal was terrific. Even walked out with souvenir t-shirts to take back home with us. They were so helpful. Definitely on the must-go list!

Tom Franklin

A beautiful historic restaurant with amazing Newfie farm to table cuisine.

Caryn Liberman

Amazing food, service, atmosphere, live music, location. Quite simply, possiby the best brunch I've ever been to, and I travel around the world eating brunches! Can't recommend this one enough.

Mireille Eagan

I have never been even neutral, let alone disappointed, about anything I have been served here, from the food to the service itself. The venue is marvelous, the menu even more so.

Garrett Reynolds

The food was excellent. Everything is made fresh. Even the ketchup and hot sauce was homemade. The beer selection was great and the service was outstanding.

Jim Beretta

What a great experience! We had cod tongue appetizer, skin on cod as an entree, pickled beets. Other guests had gemelli pasta which was the bomb. Wine list is extensive. We also had chocolate cake which three of us split. Service was 10 out of 10. I will be back.

Michael Inman

This place is a beaut. Great atmosphere. The food was amazing and the staff were so friendly. I was lucky enough to come by when there was a live newfie jam session. Lots of fun!

Peter Chalker

The food was ok. But expensive with super small portions. I guess it's ok if you are looking for fine dining, but portion size is really small.

Troy Turple

This was a bucket list dining experience and we were not disappointed. Don't let the prices scare you. Each bite is worth every cent. It is obvious that they take great care with their ingredients as it shows on the plates. You can bet that we will be back the next time we are in NFLD.

Ross Ferguson

Absolutely outstanding. Impeccable service, and amazing food. Get the "family style" menu - truly, it's underpriced for what you get. Seriously, I can't say enough good things about the food...it was unbelievably good. Delicious, local, unique flavours. But definitely make a reservation so you can sit in the smaller cottage side of the restaurant for the best ambiance - the legit oil burning lamps were the cherry on top.

Alex F

Just amazing. Had family style meal and it was exceptional from start to finish. Highly recommend.

Sam Aynsley

This place came highly recommended and held up to its reputation! Fabulous food and I only wish we had time for the delicious dessert table.

Olivia El

wow! it was terrific! we didn't have a reservation...walked in and lucked out as there was a cancellation. we ordered the "family meal" and were at the mercy of the chef who made all choices for us. Wow. it was all sooo delicious. great atmosphere. you have to try it!.

Jeffrey Butt

Lovey meal, cooked to perfection. Service was excellent, delivered by professional and delightful staff. A great dining experience.

David Coletto

Amazing food, delicious treats, wonderful service, very clean and comfortable atmosphere!! Give yourself lots of time to find parking as there is not very much around there. Give yourself sometime to walk before or after it’s beautiful!!

Noviak15KMKW

Always a pleasure when I'm in town. Fantastic meal, personable and professional service. Always nice to get to chat with old friends!

Life Journey

Posting our wedding at the Malik cottage was the best decision we ever made. They were so accommodating and so helpful in the planning stages. Our food menu was absolutely outstanding, everyone of our guest commented on how wonderful the food was. I can’t think of enough for helping in our most special day and helping us to plan the perfect wedding. I would recommend the cottage to anyone else looking for an intimate wedding with a rustic feel and the best food on the island

Tegan

What a great experience overall. Delicious, creative food. Such friendly team. Great atmosphere. Highly recommend a visit to Quidi Vidi

David Gosine

Food amazing and location is beautiful. portions are small and cost is around $28

Christian Candler

You have to go here! Amazing food!!! Great wine list truly a good sign of value!!

Michael Noseworthy

The food was amazing today. We ordered halibut sandwich and moose skillet, perfect!

loujein mouammer

Great place if you are looking for a warm cozy atmosphere, food can be between good-great depending on what you order. I definitely enjoy the open dessert buffet for 5$, that I ordered next to my Irish coffee. Recommend booking before heading there.

Stephen Henley

Mallard Cottage is a one of a kind place in Canada. We visited this historical landmark after spending a week in Newfoundland and the experience was unparalleled compared to any other historic experience we had throughout the trip. Aside from history, the food was AMAZING. Both my partner and I got the 5 course chef's recommendations. The appetizers were delicious with Cod Tongue being the absolute highlight. The drinks were also amazing and the wine selection was well paired with the menu. For anyone visiting St. John's area, making a reservation here will change the entire trip experience.

Catherine Barry

I went to Mallard cottage last September with my family for brunch. They have this amazing gin/earl grey cocktail that I still dream about. The food was delicious as well. I would go back to the east coast to get that drink again.

James White

Unresponsive employer. I worked a trial shift for which I was promised to get paid, but I was never contacted afterwards. The chef did not respond to my calls or text either. Food is nice and all but they’re not where you would want to work.

Jean-Philippe Lazure

I’m from the South in the United States. I know biscuits! I had a breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon, and cheese while at Mallard Cottage. My expectations were exceeded. The biscuit was square, which I’ve never even thought of. And it was crispy! The most delicious biscuit I’ve ever had! I can’t stop talking about that biscuit!

Jessica Gerrits

Amazing brunch! Great service and friendly staff. Can't wait to go back.

Sally Sinclair

Well done all around. The antique cottage provides a very cozy atmosphere for some original dishes. The menu is a little adventurous without the bland safe options some places have. The beef tartare had a lovely balance.

David Hallett

Excellent service, fantastic food and drinks, great atmosphere. Parking is a little tricky, but options are given on their website.

Josh McJannett

Cozy atmosphere, amazing service, and meals that impress. A high end yet unpretentious restaurant that makes you feel like you're at home.

Katherine Neil

Wow! The food and ambience here was next to none. I would highly recommend.

Gia Dhillon

The atmosphere is great. However the food disappointed and that's rare for a place like this I assume. Got the beef cheek and spaghetti. They were so unpleasant. The diakon was better than beef cheek. The beet with parsnips was out of this world. The Brussel sprouts unforgettable. Words can't describe how well made the 2 dishes were. Drinks were unsatisfactory. Pear dessert was OK.

Sheldon Huelin

I've had a lot of great meals here. Menue is different every time I've gone but always delishious

Jalee Crane

Mallard Cottage is a favourite with the local community. Several people we met along our walk through St. John’s suggested that Mallard Cottage was a must to add to our St. John’s adventures. We were not disappointed. After walking up Signal Hill we were ready for the warmth of soup and a cup of tea. We received a genuine welcome. The food was delicious and satisfying. The service exemplary. We highly recommend.

Darryl Hollett

The food and staff were amazing! Highly recommend the cod dishes they were fantastic!

Tien J

Food is excellent. Service is excellent. Setting is warm and cozy.

Catherine Hutchens

Great food and atmosphere. The fish and chips were the best. Hopefully they learned what a real Texas kolache is

Livia Power

Food here is always delicious! Using fresh local ingredients as much as possible makes for the best food. Staff are friendly, courteous, and attentive. I always enjoy dining here!

Aaron Cat

Mallard Cottage is so cozy and nice. If you want a place with chill atmosphere you should see this place. The fish cakes and soup was so good the best soup and the best fish cakes. I also had the Glemorangie D'or scotch and the Hibiki scotch both were excellent. If you just want drinks this place is great too. Friendly staff I wanted to talk their ear off and I spoke with the other patrons too. Every Canadian should visit this place, or anyone for that matter.

mitch davis

Visiting the Mallard Cottage not only lived up to my expectations but far surpassed them, which is saying a lot since there is a lot of hype. The service was top notch and the food was amazing. Most of all, I loved the atmosphere and the open concept kitchen. The casual feel really allows the food to speak for itself. I'd recommend a trip to the Mallard Cottage if your're looking for unique dining experience.

Rudy De Smedt

Oh.. My... Gawd!! The absolute best meal I've had. Everything was spot on. Flavors were just unbelievable. As a Texan and southern boy, the BEST fried green tomatoes ever! And that was just the appetizer! If you want a true experience, sir at the bar all the way on the left and watch the kitchen just flow... Then decide on what to eat. Trust me...

Brandon Robinson

Meals prepared the way you love them ..where the extraordinary is . wheel chair accommodation..

Mandy Kent

Service

John O'Rielly

Great environment! Tried the breakfast sandwich, taste excellent!! Friendly service all around!

Carly Bright

Cosy place with excellent food and service! Went here for brunch on a Saturday morning. Reservations should be made a couple of days in advance if you want a table, I believe.

Alexandria Fudge

Breakfast of bacon, sausage and 2x poached eggs with a side of beans and toast was delicious and very filling. Washed down with a tea and a Bloody Mary. Great setting and decor too

Xin Chen

Absolutely amazing food. Menu changes almost daily. Highly recommend the Family Dinner, you get a bit of everything!

Brandon Kemp

Marvelous meal complimented by excellent service. From the appetizer, thru the entree to dessert, top shelf!

Mark Richmond

Love the aesthetics of this place and the food was amazing! Highly recommend and hope to go back another time.

Chris Stapleton

Absolutely delicious food in a fantastic setting and the service was relaxed but very attentive. Would go back again and again if I lived out here!

Randy Chartrand

Had the most incredible meal at Mallard Cottage. Chef Travis and the rest of the team made us a meal to remember. The flavor of the sides and our halibut main course was done to perfection. I can now understand why this restaurant is so well known across the province. Get your reservations early. You are in for a treat!

Cynthia Whelan

One of my fav places to eat in town. They have an amazing brunch!

Tyler Rowsell

Amazing food and atmosphere! And great servers! Thumbs up all around!

Eric Price

Nice little spot, reservations are a must. Food is good but pretty pricey.

Audrey Corners

Family style chef's tasting menu was excellent. Great use of local ingredients. Only complaint was that the dishes came out in quick succession, and I would have enjoyed a slower paced meal.

Jacob Tucker

Exceptional food and great ambience. Could spend the entire night in their cozy restaurant. The tasting menu is a must!

Amanda Nadine

can't comment on the restaurant inside -- we happened to stumble upon the backyard hipster spot in the outdoor section. there were people tossing beanbags, and hanging out on the sunny patio. really cute setup where we buy these tokens for $5 each. for example, a beer is like one token. a cod sandwich is like 2 tokens. and it was an extremely tasty cod salad sandwich at that! extremely great place to have snack and enjoy a backyard bbq type atmosphere. awesome experience, highly recommended!

Jennifer Barron

Had the Meat & Eggs from the weekday brunch menu. My kind of meal. Everything was prepared to perfection, cozy atmosphere on a rainy day, great service. Highly recommended.

Patrick Edwards

Unbelievable dinner! Meal was fantastic!

The AutoDidact

if not the best brunch I've ever had, darn close. good atmosphere, good service. even the *BEANS* were a work of art. if you visit St. John's and you dont check out Quidi Vidi, you're a fool. If you visit Quidi Vidi without visiting Mallard Cottage you're ten times that. check their hours first: bit spotty.

Becky Feilders

Nice brunch. Fish sandwich had great texture but was a little bland.

Caitlin Powelson

Nice cozy spot. Great foot and friendly staff. Good local beer on tap.

Nitish Nandennavar

It is one of the heritage restaurants in St. John's. An old Newfoundland house remodelled as a beautiful restaurant. It has this rustic feel to it. I have tried the 5 course family styled meal option pre covid which was an ideal way to try out chef's specials. Don't be fooled by the size of pre-appetizers, cuz the main options are very filling. Same goes for the family style brunch. Very appealing dishes. Unfortunately these have been discontinued because of the covid regulations. They offered a complimentary wine sampling as well. The menu keeps changing every day. Booking a table in advance is must, and suggested to book a few days in advance. Have visited here time and again for it's ambience and feel. And lastly, the already expensive prices have increased recently post covid.

Ashley House

Awesome food and fun atmosphere. Unique dishes and cutlery. In an old cottage from 1800s. Service is surprisingly casual yet food is more upscale. Very tasty and interesting if you're a foodie.

Shawn Langille

Such a nice place. Had a carrot ginger soup, was fantastic! Make a reservation, it can fill up quickly.

Julie Huntington

Great steak, great staff. Go for a scoff, well worth it

Ryan Granberg

Our best meal in town so far. What a lovely spot.

Shawn Cooze

Great service. Great food. One of the top 10 restaurants to visit in canada. Such a homey feeling.

Helen Anderson

Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in around the St. John's area. Tucked away in quaint Quidi Vidi, the food and service are absolutely top notch, and the atmosphere in Mallard Cottage is relaxed and really makes you feel at home. The menu changes every night, and you can always expect everything on it to be absolutely delicious.

Joey a

Awesome. Loved it. Food exceptional and waiters great.

Francesca Patten

We had a great dinner and drinks at the Mallard Cottage. The menu additions were awesome and we were very happy with what we got.

Cole Hofstra

Amazing brunch and great service! The lobster grilled cheese with a ceasar was perfect! Amazing chowder as well :) Beautiful village, lots of nice shops around the area. Go to the brewery if you get a chance. Limited parking in the area so be prepared. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!

Franz Litds

Brunch was very good! We were too stuffed to try the famous cake table.

Kira T

Took my daughter today for her birthday lunch. This is where she wanted to go as she had never been there. The meal was excellent and the staff though very busy were friendly and courteous. Thank you for a very enjoyable meal. Mother and daughter.

Caitlin MF

Brunch is fantastic!! For 3 or more people, order the "family deal" - you'll get a bit of everything on the menu for $25 per person! Enough food for 4-5 people; you'll be bringing some home!!

Donna Pike

I seldom care about food, you eat it - end of story. But my breakfast of meat and eggs was remarkable. Nothing prepared me for just how good breakfast could be. Seriously, I was shocked at how much flavour they jammed into such a basic dish. Wow.

Michael Gushue

Mallard's Cottage was amazing. The food was delicious, the service was friendly and the entire place was comfy and low-key. I loved it.

Rick Girthquake

This place gets busy, so I'd definitely recommend a reservation. Brunch had great selections and staff was quick and friendly. Only complaint was the music selection; best of the 80's didn't fit the look and feel of the place.

Tom King

I wasn’t made to feel welcomed as I was on my own and asked to see the menu first. The sample menu sounded interesting but the greeter keep putting up roadblocks that it is normally for two people. Sorry Mallard Cottage I’d heard good things but didn’t carry through with the service so I Di don’t dine with you.

Nat M

Excellent and enthusiastic service. The food was very tasty coming from a menu that was well thought out. A lot of creativity went into it. The rustic decor and atmosphere was beautiful. We left feeling very satisfied. The next time we are in St. John's, we will definitely visit the Mallard cottage again. Overall, top marks to the staff and their professionalism.

Bob Drov

The preappetizers- great. Mackerel cream on crackers, deadly. Bread and mystery garlic spread- delicious. 5 minutes in, already impressed. Flatbread, braised lamb, carrot and other stuff on top- looks great. The taste- the braised lamb is the protein oomph, the crispy flatbread is the CRISP, and that carrot is somehow a delicate sweetness laying nicely on top. Once again, amazing. Double rum and cokes are a bit weak though. Cutlery? On point. Good weight, beautiful engravings and patina. Steak with hp sauce and confit potatos- not great to be honest. No noticeable flavor, might as well buy a proper steak, montreal steak spice and bag of russet potatties and make your own supper. Bit dissapointed there. Overall, nice feed. Pro tip, order things you never eaten before.

Devon Van Niekerk

I had a wonderful experience at Mallard Cottage. You can sense the care and detail used in every decision made in this restaurant. All of the food was stunning and surpassed all my expectations. Nearly everything on the menu is sourced locally. Like placing a modern restaurant in a 200 year old cottage, the style manages to combine classic, homey, contemporary, and fresh. It really is a special place and its significance helps define contemporary dining in Canada. Mallard deserves its spot among the best restaurants in the country.

Jake Wagner

The food was great and the service was fine. We were on vacation in St John's and initially had a reservation for 6pm. We were driving around the bay that night and didn't want to risk the TransCanada at night so we moved our reservation to mid afternoon for a late lunch/early supper. Anyway, the person on the phone neglected to notify us that we would only have access to the brunch menu! We were to excited to try the food at Mallard Cottage but we're very disappointed that we were not notified that it would be brunch only. We would have kept our original reservation. A party of 5 was VERY disappointed

Julia Mayo

They somehow achieve the perfect balance of cozy but classy. I've come back here over the years with my family, and we always feel so special. The food and service and live music (if you go on the right night) makes for a memorable night. Highly recommend for some Newfoundland goodness.

Matthew Foulkes

Walked down the trail from Signal hill to Quidi Vidi village which was breathtaking. Followed by a hearty and delightful meal at Mallard cottage. Beautiful historic setting, home cooked meal with five star presentation. The server was attentive and engaging. An absolute must see!

Steve Hubbard

Always amazing. The service is friendly and casual but on the ball. The food is creative and high quality; even the ketchup is homemade. The menu changes with the seasons and is beautifully presented. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint.

Robert Mayhew

Not recommended. Food was not worth the price. The pork chop was too dry and lean, and the duck leg was extremely salty. The waitress was also arrogant. Terriable experience.

Courtney Babott

An incredible experience. The family style tasting menu allows you to try all the best that the menu has to offer. You will leave with a full belly and a smile on your face.

Paul M

Highly recommend! We came here for brunch and decided to come back for dinner later. Everything was delicious. Definitely call ahead though to make reservations. The menu changes every day as well.

Deb Oldfield

Probably the best restaurant I've been to in years. The staff are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. Wonderful ambiance and the food was incredible. The duck was fabulous. The sommelier recommended a great wine that really pushed the meal and the overall experience over the top!

Jean Heguy

Good food. I went there for lunch which was quite good. They change their supper menu daily so it's best to look and see before you go.

Mark P

I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love mallard cottage. The opportunity to take home a box of treats for $15 can’t be beat and is the highlight of every visit. I’ve been once for a tasting brunch menu and found it an uncomfortable amount of food. The extra food makes me sad because I don’t like to see it go to waste but you won’t be hungry after your visit for sure!

George Ayoub

If there’s one restaurant that you want to go, this is the one! Everything is local, and the food is authentic. Price is $$$$, but you get what you pay for. Tips is included in the price.

Matt Fudge - Bucket This Travel

Very Nice place. Not the typical menu but original touch of the cook. We had no reservation and had to wait to sit at the bar. This seemed to be the best view at the open kitchen.

Eden Zhang

Not much on the menu between lunch and dinner. Over priced for a small bowl of soup and frozen potato wedges. Will not return.

Ivan Zendel

Little choice on the menu. Prices were high for tiny portions. Food was mediocre to ok

Tony C

Amazing down home authentic food. I absolutely LOVE this place and would go back in a heart beat. Their employees give you the best service. ya

Curren Li

Lovely brunch, reservation needed.

Pete Wheeler

Recently went to the Mallard for brunch and dinner. Highly recommend the family style brunch, incredibly tasty and well worth the price. The fresh skin on cod I had for dinner was delicious and was coupled with fantastic service throughout. Very kind, friendly and knowledgeable staff. You can tell everyone from the Kitchen to FOH really takes pride in what they deliver.

Mark Bailey

Probably one of the top restaurants in the country. Just a great experience. Only criticism would be lack of options for side veg with whole fish dishes. Other than that, amazing.

Amir Alavi

The fresh caught wild bolognea was marvelous. Never tasted bolognea so fresh. Had a nice bowl of popcorn that was salted to perfection. My bowl of peanuts was a tad underseasoned but not too bad.

Paul Smale

This is everything a restaurant should be. A solid mix of creative dishes and traditional Newfoundland food. There is only so much I can put in to words, just go here and enjoy.

vikram prodduturi

Very nice place to eat or grab a drink. Staff are excellent and food is great.

Loni Barlow

Daily changed menu. Creative dishes. Highly recommend. (Though it’s hard to find parking spot)

Andy T

Absolutely amazing. Definitely do the family style brunch. Worth the money! My mom said the sausages were the best she's had and can't stop talking about them

Dan Brake

Menu was great, loved the atmosphere, and the bartender was really great to talk to!

Lori Larson

Excellent food, excellent service in a casual rustic atmosphere. Fresh scallops, tuna tartare (from a tuna cut in back with a chain saw) and toro.... milkshake IPA, complete with milk and cookies... perfect meal and evening.

Anna Ogbemi-Ifediora

Mallard Cottage is a fantastic place. This was our second visit, our first visit was just after they opened 5 years ago. Service is excellent. Menu changes often but is very good. We tried the set menu for $60 per person. I recommend that, but make sure you're hungry because it's a lot food. Parking is a problem. I would recommend a taxi or walking.

Felix Schwartz (RABBITPUNCH)

Amazing staff, great local ingredients and a diverse menu. We went for brunch without a reservation and waited less than 10 minutes for a table, which was awesome. The meal was delicious and we took home a box of sweets from the dessert table that were all very good too. Highly recommended.

Bree Procter

Service beyond compare. Wine pairings and the "family style" dinner are a cleverly disguised haute cuisine brought to your price point by the mere act of sharing plates. This is now the best bang regardless of buck in town, and yes, you will love it.

Deborah Kuo

This place was recommended by several people during our trip and by a family member who had been. Everyone insisted that when stopping in Quidi Vidi, it would be a shame not to make reservations at Mallards. Thing is, there are very few places to eat here… we didn’t stay in Quidi Vidi so didn’t try any other eatery but were a bit stressed when we were there at mealtime and found only (I think it was) only 2-3 places that served food! Mallards is a place you NEED reservations or you’re highly unlikely to get in. They did have a skipped reservation so we got lucky but we were ready to leave until that option was made available to us. It isn’t something I’d bank on. The menu was good without being overwhelming with lots of interesting dishes created, with a Newfoundland flare. There is also a tasting menu with a full meal or the appetizer only tasters. We went with the appetizer tasting menu and added another one we wanted to try, on there. The food was lovingly executed and everything tasted divine! Portions were suitable and we weren’t hungry afterwards. We also ordered cocktails because they do them quite well here! If you’re looking for a smaller meal with no dessert, the appetizer tasting menu is a good portion. The atmosphere is quaint and cozy. It is a bit on the dark side for us but felt warm and cozy enough that that was easily overlooked. The décor is eclectic but fitting and felt intentional. Their seating areas are large and I believe that there are different rooms so things change depending on where you sit. Service was informal but polite and friendly. Our server could talk about any dishes we had questions about, in detail as it is always reassuring when the staff have tried a bunch of stuff on the menu too!

Wynnry Kinden

Quality of food is very good but I found it expensive. The setting is quaint but parking is difficult.

Ruthie Luff

A sommelier helped us select a wine for lunch. Enough said

Ryan Jackson

Amazing food and great old atmosphere. Amazing brunch menu.

Cainy Mok

Delicious lunch special. Fresh whole turbot. Insanely fresh, tender and juicy fire roasted fish. Even though it says it’s for 2 people, I would say it’s a four people dish ????

John Macdonald

Fennel stole the show:> Scallops decent. Wine list at community college level but Fennel? But Fennel, who would of thought?

Mick Huerta

Came here with my family and was very disappointed when we got there and they did not have a children menu!

Sara Chicconi

Mallard Cottage’s brunch is the best in the St. John’s! There’s a variety of items on the brunch menu and lots of desserts on the cake table. We had the breakfast sandwich and the Benny, both of which were some of the best we’ve ever had. The atmosphere is very lively yet relaxed with cool vintage furniture and silverware.

Anka G

Delicious food, I had the pork loin+belly, it had some other stuff with it. We also had the spiced bread pudding which was also tasty, and they gave us a free slice of cheesecake too! Very good, though a little out of the way which was made more difficult by the snow because of the time of year.

Jacquie Fuentes (Jax)

An amazing place in Quidi Vidi Village. Staff is really friendly. It's a place where people and food warm up your heart and soul. You can cocktails are really tasty. A little bit pricey but everything is made with love!

Sahar Salimi

Lovely birthday dinner for my friend. Though, we called in beforehand to check if we can bring a cake and cut it there. When we wanted to bring it out, they said we couldn't. In my experience when a restaurant does not allow outside desserts, they serve desserts, but Mallard Cottage did not have any that night. Dissapointing.

Shane Kelly

Amazing atmosphere and delicious food! Portions are a little small though.

Ann Puddister

Best food in St. Johns area. Food is amazing. Excellent service. Great dessert option when you can feel a plate with as much sweets as one wants. Set in the old house the atmosphere of the restaurant and surrounding village was quaint and rustic.

W Gobert

Wow, lovely. Cozy atmosphere, excellent local faire. A delight. Don't be shy asking your server for suggestions, they are quite knowledgeable.

Meghan S

We had a really nice experience here for dinner. The menu is thoughtful, seasonal and local. The service was attentive and helpful. A must-visit while in St. John’s.

Sid Williams

Fantastic service and amazing food in beautiful building. Definitely a fun way to spend a Friday night in Quidi Vidi

Joni McLachlan

Excellent food in a beautiful location in St. John’s, unique menus and highly recommend brunch

Discovering Destinations

We spend out last night in St John’s Newfoundland in a hotel near the airport and we decided to have a special dinner at Mallard Cottage, which we had heard its one of the best restaurant’s in St John’s. The restaurant is located a little outside of St John’s downtown, in a cute Village and it’s a renovated historic house where you can read the history about it in the entrance. The ambience it’s really cozy and brings you back to the past with a modern and really tasty culinary and friendly service. We choose the menu that serves small portions of many dishes they choose for us and it was all delicious, looked like we were eating a master chef meal. We had an amazing time. It's not a cheap restaurant, but it's an unique experience, with really tasty food, great service and ambience. We recommend you reserve before, because it’s really busy restaurant.

Billy Shea

Oh how I love this place. The service is great, the atmosphere is fantastic and the food is always amazing and creative. One of my favorites for sure and the fist place I book when visiting St. John's.

Terry Hudson

Great atmosphere. Be warned they only serve brunch for until 5:30. Food was good but we were hoping for regular menu at 2pm and were not advised it was brunch only until 5:30.

Tiffany Kwok

We were there on a Monday in June for the lobster boil set menu, an amazing experiance, food and service are top notch and leave nothing to be desired.

Drake

Great food served up with history and nostalgia, get there before the summer sunset for one of the most spectacular walkabouts. Highly recommended...

Marianne Côté

Great for brunch. This place was the highlight of our trip to the east coast!

Sean Everingham

The #1 place I recommend to visitors to St John's. The brunch is next level. Do not sleep on the cake table. Such an amazing vibe and the service is top shelf.

Dan Greene

Great food and servers are very personable. Would highly recommend even if just for the atmosphere.

Kyla Smith

My favourite resturant - not just in the city, but of all time. Always wonderful food, top notch service and atmosphere. Can't recommend enough!

Majmala Mala

Great place with a crazy selection of food and right in the quidi vidi. Would recommend getting a reservation before going.

Taylor Broda

The menu changes frequently, so go often. Food and service are excellent. Reservations recommended, especially on Sundays

Derry Dance

Exceptional. Love the authenticity of it. Dollar for dollar one of St. John's most enjoyable dining experiences.

Tim Mcgrath

Beautiful cottage restaurant with great staff..enjoyed the family style brunch ????

Irtaza Tahir

Visiting from Toronto, i'd heard good things about Mallard Cottage. But i have to say, i wasn't at all expecting the friendliness of the staff, the gorgeous, picturesque, amazing ambiance and surroundings in quidi vidi, and the great service. The food was OK, i had a cod cheek sandwhich which was rather dry and bland with too many pickle slices, and the potatoes were OK. But the servers were happy to bring unlimited Aoili and Hollandaise to dip it in at no extra cost. They were also great conversationalists and genuinly seemed like they were having fun. The dessert table, oh the dessert table.... ԅ(♡﹃♡ԅ) Me and a friend were lucky enough to get seats at the bar without having a reservation (although we did have to wait for ~30 mins), so if i went again, i would definetly have a reservation well in advance.

Steven Wypych

I adore this restaurant. It has wonderful food in a casual, beautiful setting in Quidi Vidi. I got married here in 2017, and it was perfect. I recently visited again. Staff are amazing- friendly and efficient.

Ron Parisien

Yum yum yum. Such a nice place down in the gut of St. John's. Very tempting desert table.

A Green

I made a reservation months in advance, highly anticipating a great dining experience and walked away quite perplexed. I agree with the other comments about the wait staff professionalism and service. I definitely see a trend in the reviews, it's as though we aren't reviewing the same restaurant! Some days they're on it, other days not. I was rushed right from the moment I sat down - from ordering a cocktail to ordering food, it was rushed and I wanted to enjoy my time. I asked for a glass of wine which came out already poured, I wasn't able to taste it first or view the bottle. I ordered the turbot which was not filleted, no fish knife nor warning of the bones and bland. The turbot was served with chickpeas and dukkah which isn't keeping with the local theme and seemed out of place. I had the zucchini, lemon and almond salad which was exactly as described, nothing above and beyond what I could have done at home. The waiter recommended a chef's choice dessert and he shouldn't have since I was dining alone and it's portioned for 2-3 people. I was in and out within 1 hour. Todd Perrin, please check in with the consistency of your restaurant. I've been to the top rated restaurants in the world and all over Canada, something was amiss tonight...

Nicolay Hristozov

Restaurant was half empty but without a reservation you’re relegated to the cheap seats in the bar. An hour and a half later after we finished our meal, the dinning room was still half empty. It just takes away from the experience. The halibut appetizer portion was so small, I ate it in one bite and missed the taste. (Where’s the fish?) The cod cheeks were good and lobster was okay. The portions were a bit small and barely worth the price. Left wanting after spending over $150.00 for two. Seems overrated in my humble opinion.

Michelle Bell

The food is delicious. The service is great. If you have never been you need to go. If you've been there before you need to go again.

Katie Kelland

Tucked away from downtown St Johns. From the street the Mallard cottage doesn’t seem like a restaurant. When I walked inside on a Monday night I found a packed vibrate restaurant with amazing food. Book a table.

Fred

Amazing! We had our 2 year old there with us for brunch and the staff were great with him. We had the family style brunch and then the took a box of sweets to go. Amazing experience incredible food. I hope we're back one day for dinner!

Patrick Broders

There's so much to love about this dining experience. For starters, it's a historic structure in a great area. The menu changes daily, so you don't always know what to expect and that's okay. They take food seriously here, but without all the stiff rigors of fine dining. The Mallard should definitely be on your checklist if you're in the area.

Quinton Smith

Personal favorite restaurant in the city. Great food, service, and very affordable.

Roger Bell

Food was and is always amazing. The best brunch anywhere!

Wolflord Fefnir

I've come back here over the years with my family, and we always feel so special. The food and service and live music (if you go on the right night) make for a memorable night. Highly recommend for some Newfoundland goodness. The atmosphere is very cozy, and the food very local, but don't let that fool you, this place is gourmet. The waitstaff were very knowledgeable, down to where everything on the menu was caught, shot or harvested. We actually let our waiter basically order for us and were not at all disappointed with his choices. If you really can't pick they do family-style as well. If you have the time arrive early and have a seat at the bar. The selection of local brews was balanced and well thought out and I found myself constantly trying to get a peek inside the vintage refrigerator behind the bar to see what kinds of concoctions the tender was expertly mixing drinks with.

Jasmine D.

One of the best restaurants I have visited in Canada. We tried ordering a few items from the menu, as well as the family style meal sharing. Both times the food was delicious. Cocktails were splendid. Ambiance was unique.

Braden Engel

When we arrived a power line nearby had been knocked down, leaving the cottage with no power. Completely out of their control but regardless the hostess was extremely kind and a lot more apologetic that she needed to be. They hooked us up with free coffees to go and boxes of dessert. Best restaurant I've never eaten at!

Dinah Helpert

Brilliant restaurant in a lovely old building. Their food is wonderful and the prices are remarkably good. I especially love their dessert buffet. The ambiance, decor and service are also great. My favourite place in town for a nice meal.

Todd Decker

Food and service were both great! I had smoked chicken on flatbread and halibut. Both were very good. The halibut had a bit of a (maybe) broiled char, giving it a great outside. Inside was perfectly done - not over cooked from the char.

Flavien Goron

Very rustic environment with the building being a heritage site. The food was amazing, with the duck flatbread I will always remember. However, a little disappointed that for the price you have to pay for sides with your main dish. Overall great experience and strongly recommended.

pei miriam

Loved our server, loved the food and special cocktails. Always worth a visit. Support local! They pay their servers a living wage. Food is locally sourced. We ate family style meal served in different dishes to pass around. Great accommodation of gluten-free guests.

Todd Simmons

Cute little town - Flawless experience from the moment we stepped through the doors - GREAT ambiance, Great Service and Great Food (we had the Pasta Alla chittara and the Halibut).

Trevor Arbuckle

Excellent food, totally worth spending the money on the dessert table. Perfect spot for brunch or a first/ninth date

Gabriel Tanguay

Make sure you make a reservation. It's often busy. The meals are delicious. Be sure to go there for brunch.

Anne Grant

A great experience in a beautiful historic setting. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The server suggested the Halibut Collar which we had never had let alone heard of. It was fantastic. Some of the best fish I have ever eaten. Great meal. Great dining experience. Would definitely go again.

Dawson Smith

They say they can do take out online, this is not true. Walk-in customer are treated poorly because they book all tables in advance. Even when you arrive at opening there are no walk in tables.

Sarah K

Stuffed but not satisfied. That was how we felt after our dinner. Pros: nice ambiance, friendly server, creative cocktails. Cons: we order the shared family style menu and felt really rushed. The first 3 appetizer courses all arrived within 5 minutes. We barely made a dent into our mussels and the tartare came out. We asked our server to pause in the food and within 2 mins the crude came out. Perhaps there was a miscommunication in the kitchen but this made us feel too rushed. The mains were tasty (cod and pork) but dessert was disappointing. Unfortunately they tasted amateurish and store bought. Next time, we would have ordered 1 appetizer to share, order our own main and skip dessert.

GG

Very cozy ambiance, the wood fireplace and low ceilings in the front room are a whole mood. I feel sheepish giving 3 stars here, because if you're wanting to treat yourself to a fancy meal, this is hands down the place to do it in St John's. I appreciate all the effort that goes into sourcing the food locally, etc. Cocktails were great. I went for lamb croquette, the carrot side dish, and pistachio beets for a starter, and honestly the thought and presentation was there, but the flavours were off. The carrots were obnoxiously smokey (almost inedible) and the lamb was underseasoned and overall quite bland and didn't meld well with the kimchi. I felt the whole dish was tone deaf, although I appreciate the experimental side of it. But when it comes right down to it, the quality did not match the price point in this instance. That being said, maybe some of the other dishes are more appetizing and I was just unlucky with my choice. Would go again and try something else, as the overall experience is wonderful.

James

I had one of the specials for the day - Churro French Toast. It was absolutely delicious and a large serving too. The service at Mallard is always great as usual.

nelly oday

Amazing food, talented chef, local ingredients, fantastic upbeat atmosphere, great room, cake table ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Chard Ares

We have been there 4 times. Each time being a very different experience and we loved them all. I would not hesitate to recommend this great authentic spot to anyone !

Jolene

We stays in St john 4 days. 3 out of 4 we went to Mallard Cottage. Excellent in everything. Food. Service. Atmosphere.

ab 78

Went there for brunch, and it was one of the best meals we had on the east coast. They have the BEST coffee, and their toutons are insanely good (definitely recommend)! The prices are also very reasonable for the service, fresh ingredients, and portions. Our waiter was kind and helpful, and the atmosphere was really cozy and inviting.

Kate and Bartelt van Essen

Friendly staff and wonderful location. Need to keep coming back to experience the ever changing menu.

Zach Kruger

Fantastic service, food, and atmosphere. The only negative thing is the lack of change tables in the washrooms, I had to change my 18 month old son on the floor.

Megan Morey

Delicious food. Fabulous service. Kinda sucks you have to pay for bread. But in the moment you don't really care because it's so yummy.

Lindsay Newton

A. Maz.ing family style is the way to go, if you want to try different items and be surprised by the chef. We love this place. It's a privilege to have had the chance to go a couple of times... All the way from the Arizona. Thank you Mallard Cottage chefs and servers for an amazing experience.

Alan Mason

Public night on Sunday is GREAT! A fine sampling offered and some delicious $5.00 pints! Plus, the Old Contemporaries played - who could go wrong with that?!

Murray Varnes

Love this restaurant. Food was great, our server was awesome and just a fun place to visit. Little loud and some staff are like it is a fashion/texting show but overall we enjoyed it.

Don Russell

Quality service and fantastic food. Books up fast so i recommend reserving a spot if you're able.

Christine Kennedy

Yum! Very cute place. Made reservations well in advance. Had the fish cakes and eggs benny. Both were delicious. Table beside us was having the family style brunch and it looked great as well.

Dan Rogers

Had a great brunch. Recommend making reservations in advance. Cozy atmosphere and delicious food!

Julie Vogt

Nice spot! Went for lunch and good menu. Even vegetarian.

Michael Rees

Beautiful new deck! Brunch was delicious.

Rick W

A disappointing dinner last night, the 9th of August. While our reservation was for 8:30 we noticed there were empty tables in front and were were put the back room devoid of the kitchen and scene in the main area. The menu was not as interesting as it was last year when we dined there several times. Uninspiring menu. Three of us had the halibut and that was unexpectedly over cooked thus dryer then it should be. The desert selection was nil and for 12 dollars we got 4 smaller then bite sized “cookies”.

Bill Peddle

Mallard Cottage brunch is the best in St. John's. Lots of delicious options available and the service is second to none. Reservations are required to ensure you get a seat. Make sure you get a book of dessert to take home with you!

Susan Fisher

A splendid building with an interior to match. Our experience at the restaurant was pleasant. The service was quick. The food tasted great and was very healthy. The dessert table was the highlight, lots of freshly baked options!

Rick C

Absolutely amazing food and drinks. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the portions were surprisingly large so bring your appetite! Lots of local beer and food. Historic and beautiful building. A must visit in St John's, it lives up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Canada!

Derek Ng

WOW what an AMAZING place! Not only do you get to eat fresh local food created on a daily farm/sea to table menu, you are eating by the ocean in an historic cottage in a beautiful village. You must make a reservation and enjoy this WONDERFUL experience. Go on an empty stomach because you are going to want to eat your dessert! Cheers!

Philip V

I've been hearing about their brunch for a long time and only just had the opportunity to go. We got the "Family Brunch" for $25 each. There were two of us. How it works: you get two eggs, any style and then they bring out multiple menu items or special items that they have that day. We were worried it wouldn't be enough food for the price and we were so wrong. The only disappointment was that we didn't have room to finish everything. Here's what we got with our eggs: peameal bacon, bacon, sausage, quiche, root vegetable hash, potato salad, slaw, quinoa salad, beans, French toast, and hummus with raw veggies. We didn't have room to eat from the cake table, but I did snap a picture.

Jennifer Quipp

Friendly people, wonderful food.

Dave Pynn

DELICIOUS!! Great authentic NL cuisine. Great food and phenominal service. DESSERT IS A MUST! Incredible.

ariel m winter

Excellent food, very nice environment, good service. Would definitely go back.

Will Maloley

Complex and flavourful meal. Exceptional service. Adorable cottage in an even more adorable fishing village. Highly recommend!

Janet or Darrell Newediuk

Honestly, it’s a great homey spot with some creative (sometimes too much so) sounding dishes. I have been a few times and some of what I had was honestly a little disappointing. Otherwise good drinks and coffee!

Greg Harte

Always excellent. One of my favourite spots in St. John's. Such a variety of dishes... All excellent.

Tina Johncox

Delicious food and such a cozy place to have brunch, dinner or supper. Great staff as well.

Joanna Niarchos

Everything was perfect! The service, ambiance and food. It was a pleasure meeting the chef who came out to greet us. Our waiter Scott was friendly knowledgeable and professional. It's rare to find such a high level of satisfaction in all aspects of a dining experience but this place truly nails it! Well done!! A must try if in Saint John's!!!

Sebastien Girard

Great breakfast special. The Servers get paid better, there no tipping is required or expected. Good choices on the menu.

EJ P

Love this place a lot. Food is great and it's beautiful inside. Recommend this place for brunch????

Robert Gravelle

Cozy restaurant - I recommend asking for a table in the smaller room. Menu features perfectly prepared dishes with a local twist. Great cocktails.

Selena Wang

Very cozy and well decorated. Clean. Had the eggs Benedict with tuna gravlox, very tasty and eggs cooked perfectly. Fries were cooked perfectly, nice and crisp without being over done. Good beer selection.

Sahani Ratnayake

Simply a delightfully wonderful evening . The food is outstanding and the staff excels at hospitality . Our waiter Brandon was exceptional .

Zachary

If you’re visiting Newfoundland make sure you make a reservation a few days in advance. The food is really nice, service is also very nice. I think the hype makes the place slightly underwhelming though. The portions aren’t the largest, but most fine-dining restaurants have small portions and it’s to be expected. For a fine dining experience the prices are actually very good. The kitchen is also very accommodating to dietary restrictions. I thought it was a little odd to charge $1.50 for a single piece of bread as an appetizer. Maybe just raise the price to $4-5 and give a few pieces in a basket instead? That was my one major criticism but only because I had such high expectations for this place based on reviews and recommendations and was expecting a little bit more. Overall, the restaurant is worth a visit.

Lee Anne Carr

Amazing meal and service. Scallop Cevice and Cod Cheeks were perfect and desert tray was over the top.

Saige M

Amazing service and great food. The heritage building it is inside is rustic and so cozy! The menu uses local ingredients and truly highlights Newfoundland cuisine. There is also a great wine selection and the staff is knowledgeable about what would pair best with each dish. Both brunch and dinner are to die for here! If you are with a few people, family style is a great way to try a bit of everything.

Rick Hawco

brought visiting family members (11 in total) to the restaurant recently in the hopes of enjoying good food and the quaint local setting. the local setting next the restaurant was indeed nice. the attending waitress was rude and condescending. she behaved as if children ages 7-13 (who were well behaved and ordered adult meals) were not persons at the tavle. The menu choice was the most limited menu I have seen. Of the 7 mains (including one special), 4 were tuna. the main codfish dish was undercooked and tasteless. I will never recommend this as a place enjoy a nice meal. there are many much better dining options throughout the city.

Sue Tang

Good food and drinks. We didn't like the mandatory tipping for 2 people on an almost empty restaurant. We never did find out what rate it was.

Paul Blackwood

Excellent experience. Food was flavorful, service was top notch and great atmosphere. One thing I would note is gratuity is included in the bill, we were not notified of this and paid an extra on top, I feel the server should have informed us. We found out the next day after chatting with some friends.

Eliot Cantwell

We enjoyed this place. Very old fashioned. Desert table is amazing. Food is great. Service is great.

Joanna Gillen Mahoney

Terrible food. The worst meal I had in Newfoundland. Ate the "porkloin" but it was really an overcooked porkchop on a bed of overcooked pasta that tasted like it came out of a can. Nice setting and the service was decent. Terrible and overpriced food when there are so many other options. Heard good things about brunch but couldn't change our reservation so was stuck with dinner. Won't be going back.

John Dolny

Great quality food, interesting menu and very cozy atmosphere. Never been disappointed here.

Alex Carr

Even packed; timing, service and plates were fantastic for all four of us. Back again? Without a doubt!!!

Jacki Duff

We have been to Mallard many times and have always enjoyed it. The service is charming, the food home and price not unsurmountable. Great location. The beer garden opens July 1, 2017 that will be an event.

Matthew Macdonald

This is a great, cozy place. It has great food, though a little pricy. It is in a very nice community with great views. All in all, it is definitely worth a visit here.

Mark Healey

Awesome Meals and apps are just awesome. Let you charm by the staff and enjoy the real fireplace in those cold winter nights. :)

Cristian Ardelean

So im not too sure why do people give this place a 5 star. Been to many brunch places and this one was by far the most disappointing. First you need to book waaaay in advance to actually get a table (like 2weeks or more). My friends and I couldnt book anything since everyday was fully booked for a week interval. We still showed up before opening and we were seated at the bar. Be aware ! there are only max 6 seats at the bar so make sure you are there early enough to actually get a spot. Now the food part was what bothered me the most. All of their brunch dishes are over 15$. You read the menu and everything sounds so fancy and good but then when the food comes its very disappointing. The portions are INCREDIBLY small for the price you pay. I got the Hash Skillet which had ZERO broccoli in there, half of baked potato and a bunch of chickpeas to compensate for the empty space in the bowl and of course the egg on top.... Now the WORSE PART the damn CHICKEN which is why I took this plate and why its advertised as 17$. There was literately a tiny string of it (max 2 bites if you have a tiny mouth) Taste wise is nothing special, I had to ask for a sauce just to have some flavor in there. People here who say the food is delicious had never had good food in their life apparently cause i dont see what can be so incredibly tasty about a potato egg and chickpeas.... I tasted from my friends plate which again nothing special. Their Breakfast Sandwich is even more of a joke than the Skillet, not even a sandwich just an egg on a biscuit which is even smaller than sandwich bread you buy at a grocery store ... Now to top it all after being disappointed by the food we were like "hey at least there is the cake table to save the day" ha good joke Mallard Cottage. You get a plate of either 10$ or 15$ to fill with anything from the cake table. The 10$ honestly looked so small that you wont even break even for what you can fit in there if you buy everything separately. We took the 15$ take out option to share between the 3 of us. Looking at older pics it seems that they change their cake table often but just to say they are very very basic cakes. You know those Dollorama Betty Croker cake boxes for 1.5$. Im 100% sure thats what they use to make all their cakes. They didnt even bother to have real brownies batter, they used the same "chocolate cake" batter for them. No fillings no special flavors , just dry cakes with some icing on top. It looks very appealing but like I said its just dry cake. My advice is to fill your plate or take out box with cookies the're the only ones who taste decently or have REAL CHOCOLATE in them. If you are in St. John, dont bother going there I GUARANTEE YOU ARE NOT MISSING ANYTHING. Save your money and time. If you do end up going there just eat before cause you will definitely still be hungry afterwards. DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE LOOKS.

Sean Davidson

Amazing meal, staff, and experience! You HAVE to have a meal here if you’re visiting St. John’s.

Sandra Moores

Went here for brunch. I love all things potatoes and these were without a doubt the best home fries I have ever had!

Suzanne Pigeon

This place was absolutely stunning. Really cool old cottage and the food was perfection. Everything we got was so delicious and our waiter James was lovely. Highly recommend!

D Gingras

One of the best gluten free lunch meals I've ever had. Hell, one of the finest places I've eaten (coast to coast in Canada). Even bought their super cute puffin t-shirt!

Ed Moores

I went on two occasions during my travels in NL, the first was for the happy hour before dinner and had excellent tapas style food. The second was for a sunday breakfast, and I regretted ordering off of the menu. My plate was very basic, could have been done anywhere, and lacked any significant distinguishing features to make the meal special. I ordered the meat and eggs and it was exactly as described. Oveely salty, and otherwise underwhelming.

Jean-Michel Pranno

Very nice spot. Came between lunch and dinner service. Had a limited menu, but the food was great. You can feel the care and attention paid to the food they serve. Other than that, the venue is cool and country style... really nice overall.

Khai O.

I was there yesterday evening for an anniversary dinner and we also stayed at the Inn by Mallard, which I highly recommend. The staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We decided to do the family style meal and every dish that was delivered to our table was amazing! The bartender made sure that we always had drink in our hands and made some fantastic recommendations. It is my favorite restaurant in St. John's, and I will continue to come back whenever I get the chance. Mallard Cottage is the best!

Shala Smith

The potatoes here are so crispy that I almost* think it's too crispy (it's not). Fish cakes were good too, but honestly I still dream of the crispy potatoes.

Michael Moakler

This restaurant is a must when you're in the city of St John's. The place was warm and inviting the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. But the food was awesome the butter milk fried chicken sandwich in particular was my favorite I would definitely recommend Mallard Cottage!

Nick Groeneweg

For the price I paid for their evening meal, left hungry. Nice service and atmosphere, but easy to find equal quality for less elsewhere.

Aynsley Anderson

Dine in

Bernadette Edmond

Although there is a limited menu you can always count on good service, good food & good environment Enjoyable dessert table Can even take a box home if you're a sweet tooth Gluten free options are available as well

Phillip Giles

A very enjoyable dinner. Great service and good atmosphere.

李明轩

Mallard Cottage has very quickly become my favorite place to have brunch. There's always a great variety of options, including some delicious Newfoundland twists on classic breakfast options. One of my favourites has been the salt moose eggs benedict. The staff are always very friendly and quick on coffee refills, and the food arrives promptly after you order. Recently tried the family style brunch with a group of 6, it was a huge hit for the whole family. Perfect option if a few people at your table can't decide and you want to try it all! And don't skip the cake table! One takeout box is big enough for two people to share, as long as you're good at Tetris.

Ashley Callaghan

Delicious food with excellent service in a great, warm atmosphere! Menu changes every day, and best to make a reservation.

Jonathan Hobin

Our dinner was amazing. I recommend doing the family style dinner that way you can sample multiple meals from their menu. Each course was plentiful and we were stuffed afterwards. Make sure you make a reservation!

M.J. Hansford

My only regret is that I couldn't eat here more than once during my stay here. Saw this on Vice with Matty Matheson and decided I had to try this restauraunt when I came to Newfoundland. This is the only restauraunt in my lifetime that has made my eyes open wide when I tasted the food. The location is so calm and serene. The staff is so friendly and kind. This can also be said about most Newfoundlanders but the staff at this restauraunt really went above and beyond. The washrooms are well maintained and clean. The bread is delicious and I recommend anyone who goes here to try the appetizer special.

Michelle Saunders

Great food and atmosphere. Their cod was crispy outside and so tender inside and lobster was sweet and chewy. One of the best seafood dishes I’ve ever had.

Samantha C

Phenomenal experience. My girlfriend and I went for the brunch service and both ordered the family style service. The food was varied, well presented, and above all else, absolutely delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant and surrounding village was quaint and rustic, and the service impeccable. Will definitely be dining there again.

Donna Vavra

My friend and I came the day before and sat at the bar for a snack (brunch menu). We were impressed by Jared (the bartender) and he offered us some advice on where we should go to experience Newfoundland the way we wanted. We returned the next night for an early dinner and we were served by the sommelier. He was great as he suggested a wine that we will forever love- excellent choice (Tete-a-tete from California). The disappointment came with our meal. We opted for the "family option" for $60 a head and it gave us a taster of what was on the menu. The portions were extremely disappointing and the sauces for two of the dishes were almost identical. For the hype, the price, the reservation process and the difficulty getting a seat (we asked if we could sit near the window and it was 'already requested', but remained empty for our entire meal), we felt this was not worth the $200+ bill.

Mark Harvey

Great place, great service, great food. Went for brunch, everyone was happy with their meals. Well worth the walk from DT St. John.

Jeff Packer

Had such an amazing time at Mallard for brunch today!! The staff were incredibly friendly, the food superb as always and the head bartender Harry has some beautifully inventive cocktails that are worth the trip down alone!

Alison Choi

Dropped in for a drink on a late Sunday afternoon walk. Hit the spot. Music was perfect combo of background and upbeat. Place is a feast for the soul...

Bobby Gheorghiu

We went for brunch on our last morning in town, and it may have been the highlight of the trip. Make reservations, you will not regret it. Also, make sure to do the cake table!

J NG

This place is the bomb dot com. Best French Toast I’ve ever had!! EVER. I couldn’t decide on savoury or sweet so I chose too plates for brunch and I was not disappointed! Eggs cooke perfectly, bacon is crispy, sausage was savoury. Their hot sauce and ketchup options are delicious. The staff is super friendly, the drink options seem unlimited! No sour notes.

MHD

Extremely expensive. Were not told that the gratuity was included in the cost up front. Cost for wine was far too expensive to buy. The fish cakes were cool and were more potato than fish. The atmosphere is very nice and the waitresses are also very nice. Fortunately I had a $100 gift card and being close to Christmas I used the lot which also included a very nice tip.*

Rod Scruggs

Amazing! They did an incredible job renovating the inside so that you felt like you were in a restaurant from the 1800s. Food was superb. Loved the cake and coffee!

Brent H

Lovely rustic interior, great music. Very warm and comfortable despite freezing temperatures and high winds outside. Family tasting menu was amazing, more than enough, got really full. Very accommodating servers. Would be back to try other dishes. update after a few years - sent my relative to this restaurant. He said it was one of the best restaurants he's ever been to. He's been to a lot around the world.

Ross Fraser

The food is excellent and the ambience of an 1812 cottage is impossible to replicate. The highlight for us came asking the sommelier about wine pairings. They were adventuresome, well matched to the food and well priced in the grand scheme of wine pairings ($50 per person). All in all, one of the best (if not the best) dining experience in St. John's today.

Sharon Legrow

Such an amazing experience. Every course we had (3 appetizers, 2 entrees and dessert between two of us) was so different and delicious, the service was incredible and the building itself was so interesting and cool.

B H

The food was spectacular and the staff were friendly and mad the meal that much better with their recommendations.

Rob Coombs

This is a popular high quality dining spot for many years. Stopped in for my first visit for brunch,.....thoroughly enjoyed the food, service, location and atmosphere...will certainly be back again.

Nick Duncan

Did not like the food at all. I was with a group of friends and we all tasted each other's food. Nobody loved anything. They don't even have ketchup for your fries, it's like a bland tomato paste. Will not return.

Jill Harris

Amazing for Sunday brunch complete with cocktails and a kick ass desert buffet table. Eating to the sounds of Newfie trad music... I'll come back to St. Johns just for Mallard Cottage alone.

Darby Mallory

Fantastic experience and world class dishes

Doug Arnold

Probably one of the best restaurant in Newfoundland and in Canada. The mood of the place is really relaxing. Drinks, starters, meals and desserts are all great. The staff takes the time to explain each meal. We can feel their passion! It looks like nothing from the outside but it is totally worth a try. Can be expensive or not depending of your appetite. Strongly recommending the discovery menu.

Sean Yates

This was one of the best dinners I've ever had in Canada! Creative, delicious flavours and a very cozy atmosphere. The chefs choice tasting menu was outstanding. A must-try if you're in St. John's!

Reggie Hynes

The best brunch I have ever had. The waitstaff were also extremely helpful and friendly.