Your Complete Local Resource Guide for Newfoundland & Labrador
Everything you need to know about living, working, and exploring Canada's easternmost province. From St. John's to Corner Brook, Gander to Labrador City.
Welcome to Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's easternmost province, known for its rich history, stunning coastal landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. This comprehensive directory serves as your essential resource for everything you need to know about living in this unique and beautiful province.
From the colorful row houses of St. John's to the dramatic fjords of Gros Morne, the fishing villages of the Avalon Peninsula to the rugged beauty of Labrador, this guide provides valuable information about local businesses, services, attractions, and amenities that make Newfoundland and Labrador a special place to call home.
๐ฝ๏ธ Restaurants & Dining
St. John's Fine Dining & Popular Restaurants
| Restaurant | Location | Cuisine | Specialty | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond's Restaurant | St. John's | Contemporary Canadian | Fine dining, local ingredients | Visit โ |
| Mallard Cottage | Quidi Vidi Village | Newfoundland Cuisine | Farm-to-table, historic setting | Visit โ |
| Chinched Bistro | St. John's | Contemporary | Charcuterie, local fare | Visit โ |
| The Merchant Tavern | St. John's | Modern Canadian | Craft cocktails, fresh seafood | Visit โ |
| Basho Restaurant & Lounge | St. John's | Japanese/Sushi | Fresh sushi, sake selection | Visit โ |
| The Club | St. John's | Steakhouse | Premium cuts, wine list | Visit โ |
Casual Dining & Traditional Newfoundland Fare
| Restaurant | Location | Specialty | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ches's Fish and Chips | Multiple Locations | Traditional fish & chips | Visit โ |
| The Duke of Duckworth | St. John's | Pub food, live music | Visit โ |
| Get Stuffed | St. John's | Turkey dinners, traditional meals | Visit โ |
| Rocket Bakery & Fresh Food | St. John's | Bakery, sandwiches, coffee | Visit โ |
| YellowBelly Brewery | St. John's (George Street) | Craft beer, pub fare | Visit โ |
Regional Restaurants
| Restaurant | Location | Region | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java Jack's Restaurant & Gallery | Corner Brook | Western NL | Local art, fresh cuisine |
| Norseman Restaurant | L'Anse aux Meadows | Northern Peninsula | Seafood, Viking history |
| Lighthouse Picnics | Ferryland | Avalon Peninsula | Picnic baskets, lighthouse views |
| Gander International Airport Lounge | Gander | Central NL | Aviation history, comfort food |
๐๏ธ Attractions & Points of Interest
Must-See Attractions
| Attraction | Location | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal Hill National Historic Site | St. John's | Historic fortifications, Cabot Tower, stunning views | Visit โ |
| Gros Morne National Park | Western Newfoundland | UNESCO World Heritage Site, fjords, hiking | Visit โ |
| L'Anse aux Meadows | Northern Peninsula | UNESCO site, Viking settlement | Visit โ |
| Cape Spear Lighthouse | Near St. John's | Easternmost point in North America | Visit โ |
| The Rooms | St. John's | Provincial museum, art gallery, archives | Visit โ |
| Iceberg Alley | Various coastal locations | Iceberg viewing (seasonal: May-June) | Visit โ |
| Fogo Island | Off Northeast Coast | Unique culture, Fogo Island Inn, art studios | Visit โ |
Cultural & Historic Sites
- Quidi Vidi Village โ Historic fishing village in St. John's
- George Street โ Famous entertainment district, most bars per capita
- Johnson Geo Centre โ Geology museum built into Signal Hill
- Newman Wine Vaults โ Historic wine cellars in St. John's
- Railway Coastal Museum โ Railway history in Corner Brook
- Mary March Provincial Museum โ Beothuk history in Grand Falls-Windsor
๐ Shopping & Retail
Major Shopping Centers
| Center | Location | Features | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Mall | St. John's | Largest mall in NL, 140+ stores | Visit โ |
| Village Shopping Centre | St. John's | Major retailers, groceries | Visit โ |
| Corner Brook Plaza | Corner Brook | Western NL's main shopping center | Visit โ |
| Fraser Mall | Gander | Central NL shopping destination | Visit โ |
Grocery Stores
- Dominion โ Major grocery chain across NL
- Colemans โ Local grocery stores
- Costco โ St. John's location
- Walmart โ Multiple locations
- Sobeys โ Select locations
Unique Local Shops & Boutiques
- NONIA โ Traditional Newfoundland crafts and knitwear
- The Outfitters โ Outdoor gear and local apparel
- Fred's Records โ Iconic music store on Duckworth Street
- Living Planet โ Local gifts and home dรฉcor
- Downtown St. John's โ Water Street and Duckworth Street shopping
๐ฅ Healthcare Services
Hospitals & Medical Centers
| Facility | Location | Services | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Sciences Centre | St. John's | Tertiary care, emergency, specialized services | Visit โ |
| St. Clare's Mercy Hospital | St. John's | Acute care, mental health, rehabilitation | Visit โ |
| Western Memorial Regional Hospital | Corner Brook | Regional hospital, full services | Visit โ |
| James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre | Gander | Regional care, emergency services | Visit โ |
| Labrador Health Centre | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Regional hospital for Labrador | Visit โ |
Health Authorities
- Eastern Health โ Avalon Peninsula region (easternhealth.ca)
- Central Health โ Central NL region (centralhealth.nl.ca)
- Western Health โ Western NL region (westernhealth.nl.ca)
- Labrador-Grenfell Health โ Labrador region (lghealth.ca)
๐ Education
Universities & Colleges
| Institution | Location | Programs | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | St. John's (+ Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook) | Comprehensive university, all disciplines | Visit โ |
| College of the North Atlantic | Multiple campuses province-wide | Technical, vocational, career programs | Visit โ |
| Marine Institute (MUN) | St. John's | Marine and ocean studies | Visit โ |
School Districts
- Newfoundland and Labrador English School District โ Province-wide English schools
- Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador โ French language schools
โก Utilities & Essential Services
Electricity & Power
- Newfoundland Power โ Electric utility for much of the island (newfoundlandpower.com) | 1-800-563-3999
- Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro โ Crown corporation, serves rural areas and Labrador (nlhydro.com) | 1-888-737-1296
Internet, Cable & Phone
Water & Municipal Services
- City of St. John's โ Water, sewer, waste collection (stjohns.ca) | 709-754-2489
- City of Corner Brook โ Municipal services (cornerbrook.com) | 709-637-1500
- Town of Gander โ Municipal services (gandercanada.com) | 709-651-5900
- Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) โ Recycling programs province-wide
Banking & Financial Institutions
- RBC Royal Bank โ Multiple branches across NL
- TD Canada Trust โ Major urban centers
- Scotiabank โ Multiple locations
- BMO Bank of Montreal โ Select locations
- CIBC โ Major centers
- Atlantic Credit Unions โ Community-focused banking
- Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union โ Local credit union services
๐๏ธ Recreation & Outdoor Activities
Popular Outdoor Activities
- Hiking Trails โ East Coast Trail, Skerwink Trail, Tablelands, Long Range Traverse
- Whale Watching โ Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Bay Bulls, Twillingate
- Iceberg Viewing โ Twillingate, St. Anthony, Bonavista (May-June)
- Puffin & Seabird Colonies โ Witless Bay, Cape St. Mary's, Elliston
- Kayaking & Paddling โ Gros Morne fjords, Terra Nova, coastal areas
- Fishing โ Salmon rivers, trout fishing, sea fishing charters
- Winter Sports โ Marble Mountain ski resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing
Provincial Parks & Protected Areas
- Terra Nova National Park โ Boreal forest, camping, coastal trails
- Torngat Mountains National Park โ Remote wilderness in Labrador
- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve โ Puffin and seabird sanctuary
- Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve โ UNESCO site, ancient fossils
- Blow Me Down Provincial Park โ Hiking near Corner Brook
Recreation Centers & Facilities
- St. John's Sports & Entertainment Centre โ Mile One Centre, events venue
- RE/MAX Centre โ Corner Brook events and sports
- Aquarena โ St. John's swimming and recreation
- Multiple municipal arenas and pools โ Across the province
๐ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time zone in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland operates on Newfoundland Time (NT), which is 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time. Labrador uses Atlantic Time. Newfoundland Time is UTC-3:30 (UTC-2:30 during Daylight Saving Time).
What is the weather like?
Newfoundland has a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters compared to mainland Canada. Expect frequent fog, wind, and changeable weather. Labrador has more continental weather with colder winters. Always dress in layers!
How do I get around without a car?
Metrobus serves St. John's and surrounding areas. Corner Brook has a local transit system. However, a vehicle is highly recommended for exploring the province and accessing many communities.
What is the cost of living?
The cost of living is moderate to high, with housing costs lower than major Canadian cities but higher grocery and fuel costs due to transportation. St. John's tends to be more expensive than rural areas.
When is the best time to visit for icebergs and whales?
Late May through early July is peak season for both icebergs and whales. Iceberg season typically runs May-June, while whales (especially humpbacks) are visible May through September.
What should I know about Newfoundland culture?
Newfoundlanders are known for their warm hospitality, unique dialect, rich musical traditions, and strong sense of community. Don't be surprised by friendly conversations with strangers and a slower pace of life. Traditional music, kitchen parties, and storytelling are integral to the culture.
๐ Quick Reference Contacts
| Service | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) | 911 | - |
| Non-Emergency Police (RNC) | 709-729-8000 | rnc.gov.nl.ca |
| HealthLine 811 | 811 | 811healthline.ca |
| Newfoundland Power | 1-800-563-3999 | newfoundlandpower.com |
| NL Hydro | 1-888-737-1296 | nlhydro.com |
| Government of NL (Service NL) | 709-729-2943 | gov.nl.ca |
| Tourism NL | 1-800-563-6353 | newfoundlandlabrador.com |
Welcome to Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador offers an unparalleled quality of life with stunning natural beauty, rich history, vibrant culture, and the warmest people you'll ever meet. From the colorful streets of St. John's to the majestic fjords of Gros Morne, from iceberg-dotted coasts to the northern lights of Labrador, this province truly has something special for everyone. Come stay awhileโyou might never want to leave!