You need to come here. The best place we at ate in Nova Scotia on our trip. We got the Shrimp linguini, seafood platter, and seafood chowder. All of them blew us away. Some of the best food we ever had. Looking around us I don't think there was one bad thing to order. If you're driving past you need to stop here. Unfortunately we missed dessert which also looked phenomenal read more

We ordered their dinner takeout lately during a trip in the area. This place offers seafood option and diner food at relatively reasonable price yet their food tasted mediocre. Salad, seafood chowder and fish cakes were flavorless. I couldn't taste much fish flavour for the fish cake. The seafood bake tasted too heavy. read more

Simple place for a meal at an affordable price. The portions are filling and good. The seafood clam chowder was hot and full of seafood such as lobster, scallops, and clams. The place was filled with locals and had a casual atmosphere. Plenty of seating indoors. Service was friendly. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Shepherd's pie - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

Not to sound like a snob or to put this place down in any way at all but, is this a date night destination - no. Is it a place that has a fantastic Seafood Chowder - Yes! The Seafood Basket with (fried) Haddock, Clams, Scallops and Coconut Shrimp with crispy fries was also a hit. Fancy dishes for the coleslaw, tartare sauce, ketchup and cocktail sauce - nope. Did I care - nope ! This unassuming restaurant attached to a garden shop was crowded the entire time we were there. It was around 2:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday when we arrived and almost every table was taken the entire time. We were all full and couldn't eat dessert so we bought 3 different ones to take with us to have later. (This is later - the Bucket of Mud, the Coconut Cream Pie and the Chocolate Cake were all good to very good) If nearby, give it a try. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Seafood Basket - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

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Best seafood chowder ever! chock full of seafood, clams scallops, shrimp, chunks of lobster , the broth was delicious not thick and pasty. Also had the penne pesto with seafood, another hit. So full I had to take most of the pasta dish home with me, was just as good the next day. Service was excellent and everything was served hot, even the tea which was also good. Sorry I was too full for dessert, it looked delicious. The staff very friendly, and welcoming. I can't wait to go back. read more

OMG THE SEAFOOD CHOWDER!!! In looking for spots to eat as we passed through Whycocomaugh, we chanced up Charlene's Bayside Restaurant and it's "award winning seafood chowder". I'm usually skeptical about these claims, chalking it up to marketing. But after I took my first spoonful of that seafood chowder, yup, I don't care who the rest of the competition was, I'd give all the awards to Charlene's chowder. While this was soupy more than thick, the sheer amount of seafood in it made it super filling. And I'm not talking about potato fillers (none of that here!), but a shipload of fish, shrimp, scallops, crab, and clams. The side biscuit was also a great soup-soaker which just made the whole dish amazing. On that alone, I'd come back again and again to this spot (worth the drive if you're staying in the nearby areas like Baddeck). But we also got a few other things which we liked: - Scallop and Shrimp Kebab: We ordered this dish but they had run out, and just gave us the last skewer for free. Each skewer is 3 scallops wrapped in 3 shrimps. Perfectly grilled and juicy. - Fish Cakes: The cakes had almost a mashed potato quality to them (would have preferred a stronger fish taste). That said, 2 for $6 is a great value. We got them with a side caesar salad which was generous on the bacon and garlicy with the dressing. - Pies: Homemade small-town pies are the best. We got blueberry (which was absolutely oozing and jammy) and coconut cream (super delicate cream with the perfect level of coconut flavour). It's a small, family-run restaurant where everyone seems to know each other. Vibe is friendly, service tries their best, and with Charlene in the kitchen running the show, you're in for a great meal. read more

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Surprising this place was not very busy on a Friday morning. Breakfast was great, very good coffee and good service. Home fries were great, crispy bacon, eggs perfectly cooked. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Breakfast menu - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

In summary: very good chowder, average daily special and too long waiting. The seafood chowder is the main attraction. Award winning, etc. It was very good, loaded with seafood and fish but, to be honest, I have had better in other places in Cape Breton. I prefer the chowder that is served at the Celtic music interpretive Centre in Judique. They have some live Celtic music during their lunch hour. Of course it's a matter of taste. However, if you aren't a fish and seafood fan this my not be the place for you. The non-fish menu is very limited. Charlene's special was cheese steak. The meat was good, but too much overly sweet bbq sauce on the bread. The onion rings were overdone. We were the second to arrive and still had to wait half an hour before the food came out and several other tables with guests that had arrived later than us were served before us. read more

The owner is a kind lady who visits us whenever me and my siblings finish like clock work the food is tasty and they come up with the funniest name fir one if there items dirt in a bucket its chocolate cake with oreo crumbs a couple of gummy worms with a small spoon shaped like a shovel and the owner said " ill put extra firt in yours" like a silly little joke to the name read more

Overpriced and underwhelming. Decided to go with the "award winning chowder" which ended up being a $24.99 warm bowl of milk with zero lobster meat, a few shrimp and a lot of very small scallops. The seafood penne pasta that promises lobster, scallops and shrimp had one very tiny piece of lobster and was mostly shrimp. The garlic bread on the side was a slice of regular bread toasted with garlic bread. To say this place is overpriced is an understatement. read more

What can I say...as usual I'll find the words. GREAT GREAT GREAT!!! The food here is always fantastic! The service is homey and wonderful. And place you go and people call you hun or dear or darlin or sweetie you know you are in a good place. A place like home. Seafood chowder.... The best. Hands down. Lobster roll is tasty and really the hallmark for lobster rolls! Prices are fair. Location is new... just down the road. Lovely setup. Lots of seating. And call me a romantic but the feeling, the ambience, is so much the same that you almost feel like you are still at the original location. Stop here. You must! You will be so happy you did. It's just a place you want to stay, eat, chat and listen to others talk that you know you have found a special place. Thank you again for a lovely time. (5th time in as many years coming from Ontario. Can't wait until next year. read more

LOVED THE SEAFOOD CHOWDER. All the seafood meats were cooked just right & plentiful and the delicious seafood broth was thinner (not thick, so it doesn't feel heavy in the tummy). We also got the Lobster Roll at $20 market price. There was a decent amount of lobster chunks and just about the size of a standard hot dog bun. Here's my unpopular opinion: a lobster roll is what it is, just a bun sandwiching lobster meat that's usually mayo dressed. Nothing mind-blowing. Apparently Charlene's biscuits, buns, and desserts are also homemade. Overall they had a homey diner feel. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - 'Bowl' sized seafood chowder comes with a biscuit (5/5). Lobster roll (2.5/5) - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

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Had lunch here twice on a motorcycle trip. once in the way to cabot trail and once coming back. Just had a salad and chowder. Chowder is amazing. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Pictures are worth a thousand words - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

I am in love with Charlene's seafood chowder. Truly the best I ever tasted. We have been travelling around Nova Scotia tasting different seafood chowder...yes, Charlene deserves the award. This local diner is worth the detour - warm hospitality and delicious home cooked meals and desserts. We tried the bowl of seafood chowder (so full of seafood no extenders at all) which came with a free biscuit. The caesar salad side order was generous ..and in case I wasn't impressed enough ...the homemade coconut cream pie and blueberry pie were just heavenly. No wonder locals frequent this place too. I wish I lived nearby! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Seafood chowder bowl (has fish, clams, scallops and lobster claw) with complimentary homemade biscuit - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

The BEST seafood chowder!! It is loaded with seafood and not a potato in sight. The broth is heavenly and the biscuit on the side is a perfect pairing. I stop for a bowl whenever I visit the island, and crave it while away. They have delicious desserts, and other wonderful meals if you prefer, but the chowder is my favorite:) read more

The BIG reason for the 5 stars is the incredible seafood chowder. It is the best without doubt. Staff is very nice. Facility is small and basic. Regular menu has other good seafood and cafe fare. read more

Our annual visit to Charlene's was a disappointment tonight. I get space is limited, so we were understanding with being seated in the storage room at the back (see picture). However the most disappointing was that not one of the four bowls of chowder ordered had a lobster claw. The menu says it includes one. The picture says it includes one. From pasts visits I know it includes one. When we mentioned it to the waitress, she said "oh". That was it. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Seating in the storage room. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

Not consistent. The specials are usually very good to excellent. the seafood chowder is usually exceptional but I've had it when they are out of lobster and crab and don't say so. Had a mediocre lunch there today. it was very busy and short staffed. I was served fries which I didn't order. The waitress said she would not charge me for them. I ate some and was charged for the order. I didn't argue, they were just too busy and overwhelmed. read more

NOTE: Charlene's has a NEW location, only a few yards down the road towards Baddeck, same side. So don't use these outside pics for reference. This place is famous for its Seafood Chowder, and BOY does it deserve the accolades! Holeeeeeee camoly it is fabulous! NOT gloopy and heavy, and NO potato filler-like items! ALLLLLL seafood, topped with pieces of a whole (small but tasty) lobster claw.Order the bowl, it's not THAT big, but it's very rich and savory. You can take some home, cuz if you have any left, like we each did, you'll not want it to go to waste! It was 100% hopping on a Friday night... but they still close at 8:30 (lots of restaurants on the island seem to close lots earlier than US places) so don't wait too long to go. Maybe because it's still new, the ambiance is a tad spare. And don't expect a glass of wine or anything "adult" with dinner. Go home and pop the cork. BUT: they feature stunning art pieces by local indigenous artist Loretta Gould that will captivate you. We went specifically for the chowder, so can't speak to the other menu offerings. We also ordered the large garden salad. Hubby was in heaven, cuz it was all iceberg lettuce plus fresh local veggies -- tomatoes and red, yellow, and green peppers. For me it was meh; I prefer a mixed greens / mesclun style salad. But again, hubby was "mmm"ing and "yummmm"ing! The homemade lemon vinaigrette was, in fact, delicious. Service was very good; staff seemed to be local teens. Our waitress seemed a little cranky at first, but she warmed up to us and we had a great time. Then went home and popped the cork. ;) read more

While driving from Halifax to Cape Breton, I kept looking for places to stop for a bite to eat and after looking at pictures online of the food, this is where we decided to stop. We got some clam chowder and fish and chips and we were definitely not disappointed. This has to be the best clam chowder I have had in years- it is not as thick as others which may be better for some (me!). The fish is also excellent. It is a small place but they provide good service. They also seem to have good dessert though we didn't try any. read more

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Charlene's Bayside Cafe was featured in You Gotta Eat Here season one and rightly so. This tiny diner is the home of the legen...wait for it....dary 7 fish seafood chowder. After a scenic hike on the trails of Cape Breton Island, Charlene's chowder is both delicious and satisfying. Each bowl of seafood heaven comes with a flaky freshly baked biscuit. There is a richness of seafood in each bowl of chowder: salmon, cod, lobster, shrimp and scallops (with no signs of filler such as flour or potatoes *props for Charlene*). The chowder was so gratifying that we went back in the morning to devour another bowl of goodness. In fact,even if I am allergic to seafood, I would have an Epi pen ready in one hand and a spoon for the chowder in another! Another notable mention is the lobster roll. The freshly boiled lobster mixed with mayo was simple yet unbelievably delicious! Charlene's shows you that all you need is fresh ingredients and a tenacious owner who refuses to compromise on quality! read more

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The Seafood Chowder at Charlene's is spectacular. Huge chunks of lobster and fish, clams, shrimp and scallops in a light, creamy broth can warm your soul on the coldest of days. The biscuits are light and fluffy and the coconut cream pie is not to be missed. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

I'm sure it's wonderful and the people were very polite but it closes at seven!!! Slightly disappointed.

Had the chowder and it was phenomenal! The homemade biscuits were perfect! Great stop for a bite to eat!

This is such a cute spot. The service was prompt and very friendly. The bisquits were amazing. The seafood chowder was loaded with seafood (like 70% of it). The liquid part was not thick as a new england chowder, which I personally liked very much because it's not as heavy. Sadly the seafood inside was very overcooked, especially the scallops and shrimp. I think some folk wont be bothered by that though. The fish cakes were very potatoey, with mashed bits of haddock(?) inside. It was quite good. I enjoyed the cherry cheesecake, which was super airy, like whipped cream cheese with whipped cream, very different from a NY style cheesecake. read more

While traveling home to Halifax from Cheticamp this summer, my car companions and I wanted to stop for one great seafood meal before leaving Cape Breton. When the place we planned to stop at in Baddeck was closed we thought we were out of luck, until one lovely person recommended Charlene's. So we drove on to Whycocomagh with rumbling stomachs and, omigodyouguys, it was so worth the extra half hour. The place does not look like much. It's a tiny diner attached to a garden center on the side of the highway. But don't be fooled - the place was recently featured on the Food Network Canada's "You Gotta Eat Here". The chowder is basically famous, and that's what all three of my friends ordered. It has seven kinds of fish/seafood and no potato filler. Since lobster was in season, there were big pieces in the chowder. They all loved it and said it met the high expectations that had been set. I'm not usually a chowder fan, but even I had to admit it was tasty. I also tried a few bites from a basket of deep fried seafood - the clams were delicious. I opted for the lobster roll and it was the best one I've ever had. Huge, filled with big chunks of lobster, on a soft, fresh, homemade roll. We all left full and completely satisfied. If you're in Cape Breton, stopping here is a must! read more

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We are on holidays in the beautiful East Coast. A local here recommended this restaurant. Super glad they did. The food is so good we came back the next day. This little gem of a restaurant offers homemade everything that would make grandma proud. Restaurant is also clean and wait staff is very friendly. read more

This place doesn't look a whole lotta fancy but it sure is a whole lotta good. Everyone is right about this place - the seafood chowder is out of bounds. Hearing the rumors about how good it was - I ordered a small cup. I was in the mood for fishcakes and but I didn't want to miss the chowder everyone was raving about. Even a small cup comes with a nice big lobster claw sticking out. There were at least two big scallops, shrimp and fish. It was delicious. Then came the fish cakes - equally good. They were served with homemade beans, chow and cottage cheese. Cottage cheese? Yep, cottage cheese. I had cottage cheese with fishcakes but it definitely added a little something. Make sure you don't drive by this place. The show was right - You Gotta Eat Here. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Small cup of seafood chowder. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

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Get the seafood chowder. It is the best. They use 7 different types of seafood - no fillers. Even though it is rich in seafood, it doesn't taste as heavy as others. The biscuit was pretty tasty too. We also ordered the fish and chips the first time - good but nothing compares to the chowder. We met the owner Charlene who was absolutely wonderful. Great stop on the Cape Breton Cabot Trail road trip. We seriously came back twice on our trip to get another bowl of the Chowder. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - The Seafood Chowder - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

The best seafood gumbo I have ever had!! Great service and great food...highly recommend you stop at Charlene's!

Very good chowder - they are famous for it and it was FULL of fresh fish and lobster. Excellent crispy crunchy fish and chips and the insides were soft and sweet. read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - FULL of local fish, clams, and lobster!! Very filling but couldn't resist. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

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Although I came here hungry for the seafood chowder... it was good but it more more watery than I like. I was expecting the chowder they serve in a sourdough bowl at fisherman's wharf in San Francisco or pikes market in Seattle. However I had the fishcake with baked beans and they were yummy!!! The ladies here do a brilliant job... you can tell it's home cooked food. A+++ for the best meal in all of Cape Breton. read more

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I eat out everyday. Omg. Best seafood chowder of my life. What I thought was potato are scallops. Awesomeness read more

You know you are in a good place when all the locals pack it. The seafood chowder is outstanding! My bike partner had half a lobster claw in his. There is more seafood than broth in their chowder. The biscuits are homemade and they have a quite a selection of homemade desserts. I hade the caramel cheesecake, which was also very good. If ever in the area you must tryout this restaurant. read more

In full agreement with other reviews that this is the best chowder on the island, if not the best I've ever had. Breakfast is great too. Highly recommend this place. read more

Let me start out by saying that we've been eating chowder ever since we have arrived at Cape Breton. Charlene's Bayside chowder is the best we have ever eaten in this area! Should be a must stop to all going to Cape Breton. Fish Cakes are yummy too! read more

Exactly as expected with the diner feel. Great seafood chowder. We went for brunch, at 10 AM, and the only seafood entrée available is seafood chowder with fish cake, which was very good. A variety of other standard breakfast entrées were available for those who are not seafood lovers. The pancakes and bacon were very good. The staff was very nice and polite, and the food came out quickly and hot. The waitress did a nice touch with signing the check with wishes for a good day. read more

Best Seafood Chowder! It is definitely worth the detour. It was recommended to us by our hotel & it was a great recommendation.

Chowder soup was very good, but I asked for a cheese burger med rare, it came out as a dead over cooked hamburger. She slapped a piece of cheese on it and put it in the microwave, now it was rubber read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Delicious chowder soup - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

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Known for its seafood chowder but I was actually blown away by their cup of mud dessert. The other pies looked amazing, and my girlfriend loved her breakfast home fries. On the walls are photos of bald eagles that live in the area, and pulling out of Charlene's we saw two of the bald eagles fly right over our car. A special place read more

Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - Bucket of Mud! - Canadian (New) Near Me - Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia