Blue Mussel Cafe

A terrific meal, with extremely wonderful service and a great atmosphere. It was my first time here, and I look forward to going back again.

Oysters were good, but the rest is bland and unsatisfactory. My expectations were not met at all.

I had been looking forward to coming here from the day I booked my tickets to PEI and safe to say it did not disappoint!
The food was fabulous! Presentation was on point and the food was so flavorsome. I got the lobster dip and the baked bubbly and shared a walnut brownie with my friend.

I was stuffed and a very happy human when I left!

When travelling, we are always on a quest to find the perfect seafood chowder. Is it too thick, is there enough seafood, are there too many potatoes. The only point we agree on is chowder is often ruined by the overbearing smoky flavour of bacon – not everything is better with bacon.
We found perfection at Blue Mussel Café! Their Seafood Chowder is a rich creamy velvety broth loaded with haddock, salmon, scallops and mussels that allows the delicious fresh Maritime seafood flavours to shine!
Their steamed classic PEI mussels with white wine garlic were absolutely amazing!
Our server was warm and welcoming and the atmosphere was great … a PEI gem!

Had just visited Anne of Green Gables Heritage site. Quick drive to the coast. We were seated quickly with the well coordinated hostess and staff. Lots of great sounding options on the menu. We only chose a few but were excellent. The oysters were good (although a bit small) including the homemade mignonette and cocktail sauces. The seafood chowder was delicious and served with a large homemade biscuit. Had a good beverage menu, including custom cocktails.

This place never disappoints! Food is always delicious. Glad they were able to reopen after the storm last fall.

While the food was decent, the service was incredibly slow, both while waiting for a table and waiting for food.
The check in system is an annoyance. You should NOT have to download an app in order to get a table.
When we got in, we waited for 15 min for a drink order, then 20 to actually get our drinks. It kinda went downhill from there in regards to wait times. The experience ended up being just shy of 2 hrs.
Again, the food was ok, we got an array of dishes: mussels, salad, haddock, chowder and pasta. The mussels were fantastic, but the rest could have been made at home.
We had younger kids with us so as soon as we were finished, our party broke up. One person went to the washroom and was a few minutes (8 min tops). When they got out, someone was already seated at the table we were at, with food and drinks. To say this was frustrating is an understatement. I will think twice before going back.

Good food & good atmosphere! The food wasn’t anything “exceptional”, but no complaints. The wait process was super easy - reserved a table on the way there via Yelp & could watch the wait list as other were seated, and we were closer to our turn!

It’s hard to put into words just how wonderful the dining experience was at Blue Mussel. On an island with solid seafood and dining choices at every corner, the Blue Mussel stands above with no swagger, or elitist feel - just a fun, energized, charming, comfortable, friendly, engaging space that clearly cares a great deal about the food they serve, the people they serve it to and the island they live on. Both familiar and exceptional, the entire dining experience is not to be missed.

By using the YELP app we had a 3 hour wait. We have never had a 3 hour wait for food. Honestly - it would have been worth it for 4,5 or 6 hours. We sampled cocktails - an outstanding secret recipe Caesar and the most refreshing homemade radler. Apps included a small mussels and small chowder with fresh sweet biscuit. The mussels absolutely sing with fresh flavour and are expertly executed. The chowder is all of your favourite buttery chowder memories in one bowl. The mains were Scallops and red potato’s and a seafood linguine. Both exceptional. The linguine is not to be missed - a satisfying portion that will take you to the edge of indulgent seafood satisfaction without tipping you into overload - but close.

Service - energized, prompt, friendly, knowledgeable - as a maritimer would say “the very best”.

My only regret is that I have to return to a province that does not have the Blue Mussel in it - and that seafood dishes will forever always be slightly less good in my mind because I will know the best is out there on a pier in North Rustico. And I will go back.

Fantastic staff and delicious food. You have to eat here. If you don't eat seafood the pork is amazing! On top of the food we were treated like superstars - tremendous attitudes from all the staff! *book your visit online through the Yelp app first, do it before 7pm or you may not get seated. Totally worth the wait!

A rare jewel on The Island. Our favorite casual outdoorsy restaurant. Great food, lunch or dinner menu. My wife's favorite, the Seafood Bubly Bake, is top notch, you'll be hard pressed to find better.we haven't. The pan fried haddock with variety of wisely chosen vegetable medly just melts in your mouth.
A must stop-in if your in the area.a must try destination on a nice day.
Great friendly staff to ensure all is just right.
No regrets ever at this seafood specialty stop!

What a beautiful surprise! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was fantastic! They even supply blankets in case you get cold. The staff were attentive and efficient. Excellent experience all around!

Amazing service, location and food!
We had the mussels, oysters (fresh), lobster dip (must have), chowder and scallops! Everything was delicious and the service was prompt and friendly. We sat on the patio and had the wonderful sunset and great view. I’d go back in a heartbeat! Make sure to put yourself on the waitlist via yelp- this place gets busy!

This place is perfect. I have been here at least 10 times since it opened (and I don't even live in PEI).
This place is almost always busy but don't take reservations, so I recommend either calling ahead to get on the wait list or add yourself to it through Yelp.
The staff is always friendly and helpful with suggestions if you need it.
The food is always on point. I've had a number of items and while they're all great, I would recommend the vegan mushroom wellington and the farmers greens salad.
If you're in the area, I definitely suggest stopping in.

Amazing food! I don't like sea food at all but my husband does. I had to try, OMG reeeaally amazing taste.
They even have food allergen info in their menu.
Service, drinks and decoration are excellent.
Highly recommend it.

Part #1. So we did the text thing and got there at approx 6: 15 PM. Shortly after being seated and given menus, we enquired about a children's menu, as our 4 year old was with us and a family friend. We were told by our server (very friendly BTW) that no kids menu was available after 3: 30 PM. Here's the reason stated! "We don't serve a kids menu after 3: 30 PM as it takes up to much burner space in the kitchen" As a consumer, think about that for a minute! If we'd had a fourth adult at the table instead of our daughter, what would have happened? Would they have been able to eat? Would they have used that burner space to feed an adult or somebody not requiring a full sized meal! Likely, and maybe we missed it but no signage up regarding not being able to feed 4-tops! So this place is only thinking of their average check, and keeping it as elevated as possible.good on ya, but at the expense of losing potential return guests, not so smart! We have traveled extensively; Canada, USA, and internationally with ALL of our kids and never any issues. Michelin starred places, the very best in New York ***, Paris, juke joints, pizza parlors, BBQ pits you name it, we've eaten there and much more, and our kids have always been accommodated! There was even a pasta on the menu and they could have simply offered a quick pasta dish for her (although the pasta dish they do offer is so sacred to their beloved chef Jamie, that there are absolutely NO SUBSTITUITIONS. "sorry no mods" (marked on the menu). Get over yourself for just a minute! You're in PEI serving food on a modified deck with a plastic roof), or they could have even offered the haddock, with a single piece instead of two pieces for our 4 year old.she loves fish BTW! We were not looking for a cheap item item, just something portion centric for her and not have to waste 80% of a full meal! She likes to have her own plate of food like the rest of us. A note on this; I admit I wasn't too pleasant to our server upon being notified of the NO KIDS OFFERINGS! I did use an expletive, not directed to our server but about the reasoning given; obviously a choice of verbiage given from management or owners! She went to speak to a floor/ shift manager. We overheard them talking about my comments and observed them pointing at our table. Said manager/ supervisor then approached me abruptly asking if WE had figured out a meal for our child yet! I remarked that "we will order when we are ready to order". Don't get me wrong here; ambiance is good, service attentive and food good.not great, but good.better than most on the island! Here's a few comments on the rest of the overall experience. We were promptly served water on being seated, but in warm glasses.glass water bottles for the table are held for service in an iced cooler in the service area.but served in warm glasses; not sure why!

Went on 2021 opening day. 2nd visit and again, Blue Mussel does not disappoint. Beautiful ambience, satisfying and comforting food and prompt, kind and conscientious service which all comes together to provide an experience that keeps patrons coming back.

The seafood was fresh and plentiful. The flavors of the ingredients and sides melt in your mouth and transport you to another place. Even though they have many seafood-based dishes, my husband ordered the pork loin and never have I tasted pork so succulent.

The service was top-notch. It was a busy opening day and there were smiles from other patrons all around. The waitresses were all so attentive. Wait time felt like nothing - we arrived at 7: 20 and got through appetizer and main course within an hour and that's taking into account savoring the meal and great conversation.

All in all, I hands-down recommend Blue Mussel to anyone living or visiting PEI this summer as one of THE restaurants to get a true Islander experience.

Best meal in PEI and arguably one of the nicest lunches we have ever had as a family. Kids burger and Mac and cheese was gourmet quality. Service and atmosphere was a 10/5 according to my daughter. Virgin drinks were delish. Recommend the mint blueberry. Lettuce was seemingly just picked from the garden. Chowder was excellent. Family friendly but as fancy it gets for a Cavendish / Rustico getaway. Will be back next vacation! Thank you for a great finish to a nice quick trip! And Get the desserts! Blueberry pie was “church quality” which is top score in our books.

Part #2. (Had to use alternate email due to limited space for entire review)
My cold tuna tartare was good but also served on a warm plate; again uncertain as to why! I had the haddock and the batter/ breading/ coating, whatever it was, was coming off on the first bite. Tells me the fish was either not properly dried off prior to cooking or not cooked in a hot enough pan to cook off the moisture in said coating or maybe even sat up on the pickup line too long. No idea, but not technically well done. Uninspiring! We spoke to another couple from the island the next morning during a swim and they stated that they went through the same when they went their with their kids! We love supporting local  but when you put yourself up on the pedestal you think you belong on, be careful and ensure you hit ALL of the touch points. Maybe a trip to some of Stephen Starr's operations might be a good thing (look him up). I've been to almost all of his units, some multiple times and never a miss at anything. Maybe in the off season a trip to see first hand, some places that always fire on all cylinders! I've always stated how great it is to know how great you are in this industry, but it's even more highly commendable when you recognize how great you could become! Seek out betterment in the face of adversity of operational challenges. We won't be back and we will no longer frequent their other unit, Slaymaker and Nichols Gastro House in Charlottetown. Best wishes!

Open air reataurant on the North Rustico waterfront. One of the busiest seasonal restaurants outside of Charlottetown and a destination for many locals and tourists alike. Usually a wait to get in on nice days. Steps from the beach and boardwalk. Great food, drink selection, usually a dedicated bartender on staff, good service overall. Prices as to be expected.

O. M. G, the Lobster Roll with potato salad was off the charts! Best of both that I've had in awhile. Servers were fantastic as well, plus it was a warm day so we sat on the deck. Perfection? ! Thanks guys, I can't wait to come back!

This restaurant has a great atmosphere and the food is SPECTACULAR. I think all seafood restaurants in PEI have the best seafood, however, this place tops our list. They have cute sweaters and other merchandise too!