Niger Reef Tea House (licensed restaurant)

This is a wonderful restaurant only made more wonderful by the people that work there. It’s a small menu but the dishes are unique and delicious. I enjoyed the crab cakes (so great) and the Lobster Sandwich. Their chowder was the best I’ve had on our trip. It’s a cute place with a killer view. I would definitely return and highly recommend it.

Been coming here for years. The lunches are tasty and flavourful. My favorite is the potato tart, a unique dish of the chef. Dinners are lovely and the Sunday prime rib dinner is a must have. The tea house overlooks the bay and the Blockhouse park and has a very nice quiet nature atmosphere even though you are in the middle of town.

Artisan, flavourful, in-season meals with a view. We had the pleasure of eating here on an evening favourable to be outside, and it was beautiful and relaxing. Charming owners and staff. The meal was absolutely perfect, fresh and beautifully presented. And yes! Try crabcakes are a must - try! Deck seating available. Parking. Reservations recommended. Within walking distance of the downtown.

Disappointed in how we were treated. I went yesterday just before 2pm with a friend. We were asked if we had a reservation. My friend said I tried to call but there was no answer but I left a message. The gentleman at the counter snaps back “I don’t have time to answer the phone I’m too busy.” He then asked if we were there to have lunch. We said we hoped to and his response lunch had been very busy, they were running low on food. He abruptly said “I’m going to say no you will have to come another time.” I understand sometimes things happen but no effort to say here’s what we have left on the menu, does that interest you, can we get you a drink. Zero effort and the attitude was not great. We were made to feel we were an inconvenience. Probably won’t be back to be treated like that

A nice restaurant with a good view. The ambience was great. Food was a bit expensive but I guess its standard in St. Andrews during peak season. The menu had only limited options. Overall a good experience.

Hard to not order the prime rib sandwich and key lime pie every time- just excellent. If weather permits, the outside deck is pretty special.

Fantastic location with incredible views of the bay. The pesto pizza appetizer was superb. After that, it WBA’s all downhill. The pasta in the puttanesca was over cooked but the seafood was perfect. The lamb was over cooked. Sent back and over cooked again. The steak was also over cooked and flavorless. The carrots were hard as rocks, thus undercooked. The carrot cake was dry and flavorless. The blueberry crepes were tolerable. We found out the owner/chef was not there, so in fairness, maybe the food is better when he is there.

Went for special Sunday prime rib, meat was good but small portion and no Yorkshire pudding. For $55 I expected a little more

Perfection!! The chowder was soothing and perfectly balanced. Fish cakes were out of this world. Service was great and you can't beat the view

Not really a tea house (that's a historical name), but a charming little restaurant on the outskirts of town. Crab cakes, bacon-wrapped scallops, fish entrees, and strawberry rhubarb dessert were all excellent. Very courteous wait staff. If we lived in St. Andrews, we'd be there a couple of times a week. This is a very small place, so make reservations for dinner. We heard (but cannot confirm) that it's very good for lunch too.

Excellent grilled lobster salad sandwich- the best I've ever had. The setting is charming and the service was great.

We enjoyed lunch so much we returned for dinner. Food is well prepared and artfully presented. Delightful setting. Nice staff

Cute place by the water. Homemade veggie burger was a hit. Beef stew was great on a chilly afternoon. Friendly staff!

Gorgeous view, nice people and phenomenal food. Lots of choice Of homemade desserts. Very relaxed inviting and calm atmosphere. Perfect place to bring a date!

Don't let the name fool you because it is not a tea house. That was the original name that is respectfully kept for historical reference. We ate there our first night in St Andrews. Sunday nights are fixed price 3 course menu. That was great because we appreciated all the decision making being removed from a great evening. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the magnificent view. The service was great and the evening intimate.

The view from the terrasse is simply wonderful, overlooking the water from the hill, with a large park, and next to the historical 1812 war Blockhouse. Service was friendly and noninvasive. We were there for lunch. I liked the lobster sandwich a lot, and the chicken sandwich was also a hit with my partner. Would definitely go back again. I would like to try their dinner menu, which seems a bit more formal.

Nearly the middle of nowhere, a fabulous meal was had. Seemingly run only by the owner couple and the chef, all three who take part in being the waiter as well. So small that service may be a little slow, but so worth the wait. Delicious soup. A variety of changing mains and sweets. Reasonable prices. Beautiful surroundings at the edge of town. Don't miss it.

Niger Reef is incredible. Understated. Private. Secret. If you arrive in St. Andrews, walk north or away from the end of the peninsular on Water St as far as you can until you hit the Fort. Niger Reef is my favourite restaurant in the town of St Andrews. This place has style and humility - which makes for a wonderful meal. It is difficult to describe the perfection of the cooking- small menu, but local, fresh ingredients. Must try: Lobster sandwich, daily frittata special, Roast beef sandwich (apparently the best my fellow connoisseur has ever had) the daily soup special, between the people at your table you must try EVERY dessert (seriously), but especially Strawberry/Rhubarb crumble. love, LOve LOVE.

Nice little cottage cafe. On the water and dog friendly on the deck. Katie had a bowl of former water. Velvet had the Fiddlehead soup. She loved it, I thought it tasted like grass. I had the soup and sandwich both great.

While staying at the Algonquin Resort, our concierge made a dinner reservation for us at Niger Reef Tea House. Upon arrival, we took the last outdoor table, and it was a good thing we had reservations. The quaint house has an outdoor patio with great views of the harbor and the Blockhouse National Historic Site. Dinner was excellent, service was wonderful and my only regret is that we were too full to enjoy dessert.

We went here with my cousin and her husband on her recommendation. They live on the other side of the river in Maine. The food, service, and view were all great! It is a small place and reservations are not always easy, she said. And the menu is short, but has so many interesting choices. My mind was made up instantly when our waitress told us the entree special was pasta puttanesca. When I was a waiter at an Italian restaurant in LA, the chef often served this as a lunch for the waiters. I've never had better, but this was good! I've only seen this dish in a menu 4 times in 30 years. Plus the waitress didn't even mention the scallops and shrimp it came with! See photo. The table shared a salmon mousse and a small pesto/feta flatbread, both excellent. My fried enjoyed the seafood chowder and farm salad, and my cousin & her husband both had the cedar plank salmon with a ginger maple sauce which they was very good. As people who follow me know, I support sustainable seafood, so I am not a fan of farmed salmon, so it was a curious fact to learn that it is illegal here in Maine or Canada to catch wild Atlantic salmon - the salmon stocks here have been decimated by overfishing. You can only get farmed salmon! And my cousin assured me they are making efforts to do it sustainably. My guess is they aren't there yet. My wife and I don't drink alcohol, so I cannot attest to the wine selection but the restaurant does have one. For dessert, we shared a crepe with wild blueberries and vanilla ice cream and the carrot cake, which my cousin recommended. Normally, I wouldn't order carrot cake because it is so often the same. Not this time! This cake was whole grain with a unique texture and the best I have ever eaten! Hats off! Unfortunately, no pictures. For a beverage, I ordered a pot of Lady Grey tea. I love Earl Grey, and had not heard of this variety. I was told this is what the Queen drinks. They have removed the bergamot, but it was still delicious! And it came in a BIG pot! Overall, the meal was a splurge but not exorbitant, and worth every penny!

Had lunch today at Niger Reef Tea House and wasn't disappointed. Don't let "Tea House" dissuade you from this small, quaint incredible restaurant in St Andrews. The menu is somewhat limited but if everything is as good as what we had for lunch, you can't go wrong. I had the Roast Beef sandwich on ciabatta and it was superb. Real, nicely sliced prime rib perfectly prepared. Pam had the Lobster Salad sandwich on wonderful wheat bread and she raved. Better than any Lobster Roll we've enjoyed. Sandwiches also come with soup or salad. We both opted for the seafood chowder. We both thought it was quite good. Full of fresh fish, shrimp and scallops and very tasty. It is prepared in a cream broth style as opposed to creamy which we are used to. If you are in St Andrews, NB you have to give it a try. You won't be disappointed. A little pricy but it's Canada. Two for lunch with a half liter of wine: $60.00. You can probably spend less for average somewhere else. PS: Had a light dinner at Harbor Front last night and I would rate it 2 stars. Not great for the price.

My wife and I had an awesome experience at this restaurant. The owner operator specifically is a nice personality and works to make the experience of every one of his guests absolutely awesome. The setting is incredible and has a view at sunset of the Blockhouse and the Fundy Bay. Since all of the menu items are produced from scratch and are fresh, the menu is created daily and offers many gluten-free options. The team is eager to modify any menu items for any food sensitivities and they are very gracious and expedient in their service. I would recommend this to all of my family and friends and it's definitely worthwhile for at least one visit for anyone in St. Andrews. Certainly superior to all of the pub style or family 'fried' style restaurants on the Water street.

This cure spot is in a beautiful setting. We did have a hard time ordering as the waitress returns to our table twice to say our choice was no longer available. The food was good enough for sure. If we return it will be for the setting.

Amazing dinner. Small menu but everything was cooked perfectly. Service was great, like GREAT, view was unbelievable and the whole experience was the best we have had in St. Andrews. So nice to see people that still have a passion for the industry. Well done David and Emilia!

Thank you to David owner/chef for staying open until we arrived. Food was delicious - I had cedar planked salmon and my wife had the steak. Both were excellent, great flavors. Strawberry rhubarb crumble for dessert was delicious. Highly recommend. Would definitely come back next time we are in the area. Hope you're reading this review David!! :)

Sitting outside on the deck of the Niger Reef Tea House on a beautiful summer day is about as good as it gets for a vacation moment. The dark expanse of Passamaquoddy bay and its surrounding islands makes a person wonder whether there are more beautiful places in the world. My family had lunch at the Tea House and the food is lovely. The potato tart is the thing to get though the lobster and chicken curry sandwiches were equally delicious. The service is friendly though maybe on the slow side but who could be in a hurry with such views? To top it all off, I had a yummy blueberry cheesecake dessert that I would have again and again. Did I mention the view?

Delicious, always an enjoyable time, great staff, can't beat the setting. I don't get there enough.

Everything about this place is outstanding....the cozy atmosphere, the beautiful view and the delicious food. We sat on the deck on a cool, but comfortable evening. The menu isn't extensive but it's well balanced. We both had the excellent grilled lobster sandwiches, which were served with a very tasty tossed salad and yummy roasted potatoes. They have a very good wine list and bottled beer. Dave the owner (and our server) was very engaging and personable. We had strawberry rhubarb crumble and blueberry flan for dessert - both were incredibly delicious!

Really good food, and something a little different from the standard fish and chips and lobster roll at all the other restaurants. I had the lamb shanks and my husband the special which was scallops and mushroom rice. Both excellent!

I give this place 1 star for the snobby attitude I got when I just tried to walk in for lunch. I can't comment or rate the food because I haven't tried it, it is probably ok. When I walked in with my wife and kids in a completely empty dining room, I was measured from head to toe by someone behind the counter, probably the owner from what I could tell. Somehow He seemed to not really like my golf attire and quickly made a point of mentioning that. He also pointed out he has no room for us for both lunch and dinner, like we were going to ever come back to his shack. His concern was somehow that me and my wife would deplete his kitchen that was reserved for his customers, really?.... Regardless of how many reservations a restaurant has, one should always leave spot for walk-ins. Snobby attitude should not mix with good food.

This was an excellent choice for an evening meal. The food was well prepared and tasty. we had the lamb shank, salmon & lobster sandwich...all came with a lovely side salad and thankfully no fries on the menu! The desserts were equally scrumptious. So much more than a Tea House!

One of the best dining experiences on a trip through the Maritimes! Wonderful food, intimate setting, friendly staff, and away from the crush of the tourists downtown. A serendipitous find but definitely a highlight of our holiday. Highly recommend to anyone serious about good food!