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Governor's Pub and Eatery, Sydney, NS
Governor's Pub and Eatery, Sydney, NS
Governor's Pub and Eatery, Sydney, NS
Governor's Pub and Eatery, Sydney, NS
Governor's Pub and Eatery, Sydney, NS

Governor's Pub and Eatery

4.5
4.5
72 Reviews
CAN$30 and under
Seafood
Top tags:
Welcome to Governors Pub & Eatery, a superb Cape Breton Island seafood restaurant renowned for its fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, home-cooked meals and fabulous, friendly service. Located in the historic home of the first mayor of Sydney, Governors is a mixture of old world in a contemporary, vibrant setting, with two outdoor patios, local craft beer and cider beer garden overlooking spectacular Sydney Harbour. Live Local music daily.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    CAN$30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Pub, Beer Garden
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Fri 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (902) 562-7646
  • Website
    http://governorseatery.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Ardon Mofford
  • Catering
    Please contact chefardon@ns.aliantzinc.ca for catering menu's and quotes.
  • Private party contact
    chefardon@ns.aliantzinc.ca: (902) 562-7646
  • Location
    233 Esplanade St., Sydney, NS B1P 5Y8
  • Neighbourhood
    Sydney
  • Parking Details
    Private Lot
  • Entertainment
    Open mike night every Tuesday.Weekly Irish Session every Thursday night. Friday After work Party 6-9pm Saturday Ceilidh's 3-6pm
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 72 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

72 Reviews

  1. Gary

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 2, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great but the only thing is there was a line up to the entrance. Nobody knew that you can reserve on line not even the staff.However we kept saying that we had a reservation and it took us to the front anyway and did not have to wait.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great meal and service at reasonable price.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Birthday lunch! Really enjoyed it.

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  4. sonnym

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible food and service

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  5. sonnym

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible service and food. Loved the atmosphere.

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  6. Canadian30

    New York Area

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Much needed timeout.

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  7. Kelly

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Good food. Good service Quality for the price. Attentive waitstaff.

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  8. CarolA

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Dined there twice in 2 days for dinner. Delicious food and great wait staff! Recommend highly! Be sure to make reservations busy but respecting all during covid👍

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  9. DarrylB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome experience Would recommend to everyone 100%

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  10. sonnym

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and entertainment

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  11. PaulL

    Atlantic Canada

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2020

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    This is probably the most recommended restaurant/pub in Sydney, but perhaps it is only because it's been around for so long and it's a bit of an institution. The food selection was mediocre, the taste of the food just ok, and besides the live music and lovely view of the water from the deck, the restaurant and the whole experience were just so so. I would far rather recommend other dining establishments in this part of CBRM.

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Never really have a bad experience at Govenors. This time just a small error with my order. Asked for maple salmon and got regular. Which was still delicious. I think as well maybe have a line for guests with reservations especially during busy times during covid19 regulations.

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  13. AnnieP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 8, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Was visiting Cape Breton from Moncton New Brunswick. We stayed at the holiday inn across the street and ate here at Governor’s pub and eatery. The food was very good, we sat out in the beer garden, and enjoyed music played by a local guy. He was very good, and he wasn’t loud which was another bonus..we had an excellent time. Covid has changed all of our lives so it was a real treat to be able to enjoy a meal, have a drink and hear the local music. Thanks for the wonderful Cape Breton hospitality!

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 1, 2020

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When we selected our reservation on the app there was no place to indicate a preference for indoor or outdoor. We assumed the indoor restaurant would be the default but we were offered outdoor. We had to wait in order to be seated inside.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I booked the reservation and forgot to mention that we had someone in our party who had mobility issues. Fortunately they were able to accommodate our party of 5 in the main dining room. Service was great.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was my daughter’s 25th Birthday and evening was perfect

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  17. Kelly

    Atlantic Canada

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2020

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    My dish is the maple, lime grilled tofu with coconut risotto and veggies. This dishes changes every time I order it. It's been through many incarnations but the last one was a soup mess of risotto with veggies mixed throughout in a bowl with my tofu on top. The tofu was super tasty. The risotto was just bland mushy. I go for the atmosphere, staff and tofu dish. One less reason to go. :(

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  18. LauraF

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 27, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great service, beautiful meal. Our table was next to the kitchen entrance so not much ambiance. I would definitely go back

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  19. PaulM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great location. One of the best places to eat in Sydney.

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  20. Kelly

    Atlantic Canada

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I did have one bad experience this past summer which stopped me for going back for awhile and my favorite dish has changed a lot--the agave-lime marinated grilled tofu is now the maple lime tofu dish. What was coconut mushroom risotto with spicy thai seasonal veggies, four good-sized portions of grilled tofu with a swipe of sweet potato mousse is now coconut rice, three pieces of tofu, seasonal veggies and lovely microgreens on top. Still tasty but not as fabulous as the previous incarnation. AND it's $2 more expensive. Two bucks isn't a HUGE deal until you realize it's 24 dollars plus tax. The servers were fabulous! Thanks all

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    It was nice but a little cold inside. Next time I’ll sit next to fireplace. Food was good, and came fairly quick.

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Ordered many appetizers Some were great; others just ok Service was great They close pretty early

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Overall very tasty food, however we weren’t offered the special menu which seemed strange to me. The server seemed to be rushing us through our meal not enough to be rude, just a little bit.

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  24. JenniferO

    Atlantic Canada

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was awesome, as usual!

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best fish & chips in North America!

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We had a great time here - great food and great service - we want to come back next time we are in town!!!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 3, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had the mussels....the BEST I ever had!!!! Lobster roll and seafood chowder were good but not great.

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    West Palm Beach

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Alround good experience rating +4

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  29. David

    Miami - Dade

    8 reviews

    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2019

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    The food at Governor's Pub may be wonderful or terrible. I'll never know. My wife and I arrived a few minutes early for our 8 pm reservation on Sunday, Sept. 1 only to be informed that there would be a one hour wait. The reservation had been confirmed on Open Table. We went elsewhere.

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  30. Ange

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice meal! Prices were decent with lots of options on the menu. Good, higher-end pub food.

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  31. tnmjn

    Naples

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had fish and chips and halibut. Both very good. Twiced baked potato was especially good. James, our waiter, was knowledgeable and efficient. Definitely need a reservation when rainy as majority of seating is outside and thus limited during rain days. Hostess seems unhappy with her job but the rest of the staff was very friendly and anxious to please.

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  32. kstauf

    Charleston

    40 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2019

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was good. I wanted lobster but it came out chewy and a little tough so I sent it back and got the salmon minus the glaze. That was done very well. The veggies that came with it were a bit over done. Service was very good!

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  33. NadineL

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We arrived early but the staff was really accommodating. The food was excellent and it was a perfect end to our visit in Sydney.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    26 reviews

    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on June 20, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lives up to its reputation. Service and food was excellent. I had the seafood risotto, some of the best risotto I’ve ever had.

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  35. JenniferO

    Atlantic Canada

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was delicious, as per usual! But we feel like our reservation was forgotten about as it took about 3-4 minutes to find us a table, and our server seemed to forget about us! But we’ll be back as the food can’t be beat!

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  36. JOHNP

    Atlantic Canada

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2019

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Ordered the lobster sandwich. There was more red onion and lettuce than lobster, menu said lobster and mayo, no mention of red onion or lettuce, it wasn't chunks of lobster, minced, emailed Governor's but did not get a response back, very disappointing

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  37. MandyH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 3, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went on the recommendation of our BNB host. Made reservations on a Monday, glad we did; place was hopping. Naked oysters, mussels to start were fantastic! Followed by lobster risotto for me and lobster roll for my dinner date. Everything was great. Our server was so friendly and service was good. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Governors Pub.

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  38. sassafras

    Greater Boston

    78 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    78 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My wife and I dined here while in Sydney. Although it was before the tourist season (May), the place was full on a Friday night. The noise level was high and there was live music on the second floor. Although the music sounded good we were glad to be seated on the first floor as it was really loud. The food was good and the waitress was extremely good. She appeared to be waiting on ten or a dozen tables including large groups yet the meal went smoothly. The food was good. The wine list very limited - a common problem we encountered in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Sydney has a very limited choice in restaurants and this is a good one.

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  39. LeanneP

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing!!!!

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  40. DaveDalgliesh

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service!!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Governor's Pub and Eatery is rated 4.5 stars by 72 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Google Map for Governor's Pub and Eatery

233 Esplanade St., Sydney, NS B1P 5Y8

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Sydney
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Fri 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Pub, Beer Garden
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking Details
    Private Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Ardon Mofford
  • Entertainment
    Open mike night every Tuesday.Weekly Irish Session every Thursday night. Friday After work Party 6-9pm Saturday Ceilidh's 3-6pm
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Website
    http://governorseatery.com/
  • Phone number
    (902) 562-7646
  • Catering
    Please contact chefardon@ns.aliantzinc.ca for catering menu's and quotes.
  • Private party contact
    chefardon@ns.aliantzinc.ca: (902) 562-7646
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