Such a highlight of our trip! Make reservations!! $15 pp, cash only (there are banks with ATMs in…read moretown). We were just elated by the experience. A "ceilidh" (pronounced "Kay-Lee") were Irish/Scottish musical gatherings in people's homes that were common in the area historically. This venue is helping to keep that tradition alive and supports local Cape Breton artists to perform regularly. It is a really magnificent experience. We had the pleasure of experiencing Dara on fiddle and Adam on piano. They shared music, told stories, and answered questions. It was very intimate, informative, and beautiful. There were people from all over the world. It is open every evening in tourist season (I think that was May to October but check first). Starts at 7:30 but get there by 7:15.

Alexander Keith's Ale is the best beer I have had in ages, and it is the local pour here. Solid…read moreGold. Great little Irish pub with a substantial food menu. Daily specials. Live music. Outdoor patio. Poutine. Lovster rolls.

A pretty good pub with pub food we came here as part of a tour for pubs while in port and…read moreunfortunately we weren't here long enough. The service was very good and we had some local beers and then I ordered a Guinness to go with the lobster roll and poutine fries (which we never had). We were with a couple from the ship that lived in Canada who knew a lot about the area. The lobster roll was cold but it is supposed to be that way and came on a toasted bun. The poutine fries are served with gravy and according to the couple can be different depending on where you get it. It also had cheese curds in it, so if you are worried about clogging your arteries pass it by. Good stuff, and a good place to grab food and drink.

Staff are friendly and fast. Had the local brews and the New Humdinger Chicken Burger. As you can…read moresee by the photo. It tastes as good as it looks!

Food was decent and we had great service on a quiet rainy night. This is obviously a local favorite…read moreand we were happy to find it open before the season really got going.

We are on a boat and were able to have drinks and dinner at the Groundswell Pub - the owner is a…read morereally nice man and his two beautiful daughters helped serve our meals. Lovely deck overlooking the harbor, a nice menu with something for everyone - it was a great find! We highly recommend stopping here!

Groundswell is a gem in the crown of Madame Isle. Sure it has great local beers, a full bar, and a…read moregorgeous location; but Groundswell has more.... The owners love their lovely tavern and they care for their guests. A visitor is not just another punter in for a drink, but a welcome friend. The food is excellent, the interior is cozy while the beer garden is a veritable playground replete with a beautiful coast. Do yourself a favor. When you are near Madame Isle, stop by Groundswell, you will not be disappointed.

Iconic venue with great food. If you're travel traveling through, it's a must stop! Although we…read moredidn't go to see a specific artist, the music was still great along with the service and the beer. Anywhere the locals go you know is going to be good.

Stopped here for lunch while driving the Cabot Trail. Walked in and there were a group of musicians…read moresitting around a table playing traditional fiddle music. So good. However the food did not live up to the vibe. My wife had the fish cakes and coleslaw. I had the chowder and mussels. The fish cakes were mostly potato and the coleslaw was generically tasteless. The chowder was a bit glutinous. In the cup I had, the advertised shrimp and scallops were missing. The mussels were fresh but overcooked and rubbery. The sauce was served in a plastic cup on the side which I thought odd. The service though is very friendly.

The maple vinaigrette salad with candied almonds is excellent…read more We got the loaded baked potatoes skins also excellent. Then the apple crisp with ice cream. Perfect. Service was prompt and very informative. Ambience is old mill type aura. We sat next to the fire and it was toasty. Recommended. Highly.

This pub is one of the closest eateries to the cruise port in Sydney. We stopped here for lunch…read moreafter spending the morning walking around town. Indoor, outdoor patio and rooftop seating available. We enjoyed steamed mussels, a smoked meat sandwich & soup, and a donair. Everything was sooo good & flavorful. Pricing was reasonable and service was great as well. The only disappointing thing was that they were out of oysters that day.

If you are traveling, as I was, the Black Diamond is the perfect spot for you. It is a true…read morecommunity pub where everyone talks to everyone else. The owner puts even strangers at ease and does his best to create a really fun feeling. I enjoyed that so much. And the burger I had was yummy good and unbelievably inexpensive. It's worth a try if you find yourself in the area.

Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Good bar food. Music plays to please. Big screens to keep track…read moreof those big games. Place rocks karaoke on Thursday nights with Starlight Entertainment and live music on Saturday nights. Quiet corners to catch up with friends. Definitely a go to place for nighttime in Sydney!

This place rocks! It's like the "Cheers" bar only in Sydney. The vibe is honest, genuine and…read morecomfortable. I had the Greek special which is Superb with a capital S. The servers are friendly. If you want a place where you can sit back, eat some good grub, listen to music or watch the game, this is your place. The prices are A-OK as well.

Old ladies behind the bar give terrible service, but lots of big screens to watch the game on.read more

Very friendly place. Great Guiness and food. Worth it. Had…read morethe soup and fish and chips. Good.

We rented a airb&b nearby and we're looking for nice easy food. We had a great time, food was good…read moreand service super nice! Definitely a great option in the area!