Make this a Destination of your Trip to Cape Breton
My husband and I were so pleased to have found the Bell Buoy Restaurant in the picturesque village of Baddeck. This treasure overlooks the Bras d'Or lakes. We had sailed in late. We walked up from the warf and saw the restaurant, we were greated by a friendly young lady at the door. We asked for some suggestions and she very confidently said I would recommend anything on the menu. So we took her word and were seated at a window table overlooking the lake.

We were given homemade oatmeal bread to start. Our server told us Mrs. MacPhail, one of the owners, makes all the breads and desserts herself. We started with mussels and seafood chowder. I have tried it all over the world and just couldn't believe how amazing it was. It had chunks of haddock, salmon, scallops and lobster. We had to order another bowl. Then we had the seafood sampler that had shrimp, marinated herring and smoked salmon nuggets. My husband had the seafood Alfredo that was perfect and I had poached salmon with dill sauce.

Believe it or not we actually saved room for dessert we had a brownie delight with hot fudge and their own homemade icecream.

The decor was just beautiful with huge windows that framed the lake and the lighthouse. You can also see the Alexander Graham Bell estate from their dining room.

[They] have a very well-thought-out selection of wines and an outside patio. This restaurant will now be a destination of ours for now on, on our trips back to beautiful Baddeck.

On our way out we saw a number of pictures of family and grandchildren -- we learned this is a family-run operation for 23 years with an outstanding reputation all over the world. A real gem of the Island.    [31 Aug 2003 16:55:34]

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Recommended Dishes: Bluenose Chowder with homemade oatmeal bread, Seafood Sampler, poached salmon, seafood Alfredo

     ­Anonymous   

Far and Away the Best Seafood in Cape Breton.
The Bell Buoy Restaurant was a fantastic find. I don't even know where to start! We had been touring the Maritimes for nearly two weeks when we finally made our way to Baddeck. We asked a group of locals where they would recommend going for a nice meal and without hesitating they pointed us to the Bell Buoy.

The selection of seafood was incredible, the best we had experienced on our vacation. The appetizers were extremely generous servings full of seafood. My lobster-stuffed mushrooms were absolutely heavenly, and I my husband claims the only reason he managed to finish his massive serving of chowder was because it was the best he had ever tasted. For our main course I had a lobster sandwhich served on the most delicious homemade bread. My husband had lobster in the shell which I think may have been the highlight of our vacation. Our children (notoriously difficult eaters) had no trouble finding something they enjoyed off the kid's menu.

Overall the Bell Buoy was fantastic! The wait staff were friendly and helpful, the wine list was extensive, and most of all it was great to find a restaurant with gourmet food and a family-friendly environment.

In short we can't wait to return on our next vacation.    [25 Oct 2005 13:52:00]

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     ­Anonymous, Ontario   

Delicious Bell Buoy!
Bell Buoy was recommended to me in several places and I was glad I went. It was a bit pricey but worth every penny.

I had the famous chowder which was great. I had scallops that were sauteed and they were perfectly cooked. Not overseasoned.

Service was wonderful. Even though we had eaten too much we had dessert anyway. It was all great.

The location is terrific, right on the water.

The 2 previous reviews said the rest. What a great place.    [26 Jul 2006 22:04:52]

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Recommended Dishes: Chowder

     ­Anonymous   

Vacation Highlight
After touring the spectacular Cabot Trail, last July, my wife and myself happened upon the Bell Buoy Restaurant in Baddeck N.S. by mistake. We were hungry,and tired and tried to get into four other restaurants in town at the height of the lunch hour. We went past the Bell Buoy on the main street of Baddeck several times and said it looks too busy and touristy. What a mistake this could have been.
She popped in to see if there was seating available and told me to park the car. Begrudgingly thought oh great, lobster rolls, fish and chips or burgers. I could not have been more impressed.
Absolutely incredilble chowder, great breads, nice salads and tasty fish entres. Portions to satisfy the most hungry.
The service was prompt but not rushed. Attentive but not pushy. The window view of the harbour was fascinating, and when the 130 foot yatch docked at the pier, we were impressed. Our waitress struck up a conversation with us with our invitation, and before we knew it we had five or six people around our table talking like we were old friends. This was amongst the most relaxing stop we had on our vacation to Cape Breton.
The food was more than we expected, the service was quick and friendly and the view was mesmerizing. Not a value meal but it was of great value experience.
We would love to return on our next trip.    [03 Sep 2006 21:43:04]

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Recommended Dishes: Chowder and deserts

     ­Chis and Glen