If you’re exploring Prince Edward County and find yourself near Sandbanks Provincial Park, make a point of stopping at Sand and Pearl in West Lake. This oyster bar and fish shack has become one of the County’s most talked-about seasonal spots, and after our visit, it’s easy to see why.
What to Expect
Sand and Pearl is just minutes from Sandbanks. The setting has a laid-back, coastal-cottage feel. Think two large patios, a screened-in porch, indoor seating, and a backyard fire pit for cooler evenings. It’s dog-friendly, casual, and family-run, with an atmosphere that feels more like an East Coast fishing shack than fine dining, even though the food punches well above that description.
Since opening in 2017, the restaurant has built a loyal following, and it even landed a spot on Air Canada’s enRoute list of Canada’s best new restaurants.
Keep in mind it’s a seasonal operation, typically running from spring through the first weekend in October, with hours that can shift by day of the week; it’s worth checking ahead, especially outside peak summer months. Reservations are encouraged during the busy summer season, though walk-ins and takeout are also available.
Service is known for being warm and friendly, with knowledgeable staff who often point diners toward local wineries and cideries to check out after the meal.
Popular Sand and Pearl Menu Items
The menu leans heavily into fresh, local seafood and changes regularly depending on what’s available, but a few items keep coming up as favourites:
- Fresh oysters: the raw bar is the restaurant’s calling card, and it’s a big part of the draw for us repeat visitors.
- Fish and chips: a standout for its light, crisp batter and fresh-cut fries.
- Lobster rolls: served with a signature twist using a duck liver pâté-buttered bun.
- Seafood towers: a shareable option for bigger groups looking to sample a bit of everything.
- Shrimp cocktail and lobster bao: lighter bites that pair well with a round of oysters.
- Cheeseburgers: for anyone in the group who isn’t in a seafood mood.
- Coleslaw: a vinegar, aioli side that regularly gets ordered twice.
The Menu Highlights
Raw Bar: Freshly shucked East and West Coast oysters served alongside chilled cocktail shrimp, clams, or order the multi-tiered seafood towers paired with champagne or craft beer.
Shack Favorites: Classic hot buttered lobster rolls, beer-battered local pickerel and chips.
Land Lovers: A well-loved cheeseburger for non-seafood eaters has all the fixings!.
Pair any of it with a cold beer, a glass of local wine, or something from the champagne list, and you’ve got a solid summer afternoon.
Worth the Detour
Sand and Pearl is proof that some of the County’s best meals come from small, seasonal spots that focus on doing a few things really well.
If you’re spending a day at Sandbanks or touring West Lake wineries, build in time for a stop here; just don’t expect it to be open in the off-season.
