June 2026
New Brunswick BBQ Season Guide:
Local Flavours, Grill Spots & Summer Cookout Ideas
The sun is out, the grill is calling, and New Brunswick summer is officially ready to be served. BBQ season is one of those simple summer traditions that brings family and friends together. It is about good food, local flavour, time outside, and those relaxed moments that make the season feel special.
Whether you are grilling at home, packing for a picnic, or discovering a local favourite along the way, there are many ways to enjoy BBQ season the New Brunswick way.
Meat, marinades, and sauces
For meat, marinades, and sauces, start with a few NB-made favourites. Try Smokin Jon’s BBQ & Company for small-batch sauces, spices, and jerky, Royal Nova Company for BBQ spices, sauces, and craft beef jerky, MadQ for artisanal sauces or Boudreau Meat Market for BBQ-ready meat options.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
BBQ season is also full of options for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone who loves fresh local produce. Grilled vegetables, veggie skewers, corn, mushrooms, potatoes, peppers, zucchini and plant-based burgers can all be the main event. Visit a local market across the province to pick up fresh seasonal ingredients.
Grilled Seafood
For a true East Coast touch, bring seafood to the grill. Fresh lobster tails with garlic butter, grilled fish with lemon and herbs, shrimp skewers, scallops, or clams can make your BBQ feel like a New Brunswick summer celebration. Find fresh local seafood at:
- Shediac Lobster Shop Ltd - Shediac
- Mcleans Fish Shop - Bathurst
- Alma Lobster Shop - Alma
- Moncton Fish Market - Moncton
- Peters Meat Market - Fredericton
- North Market Seafood - Saint John
Don't Forget the Snacks!
As you get the grill warmed up, snack on Covered Bridge Chips, or spruce up your charcuterie boards with Scottage Cheeze Vegan Products and Candied Jalapenos.
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Build Your People’s Choice BBQ Plate
BBQ season is also a great time to celebrate the local favourites New Brunswickers love most. The 2026 People’s Choice Awards winners can help you build the ultimate summer plate, from smoky BBQ and bold sauces to burgers, food trucks, fresh seafood and local meat options.
Start with something from a local BBQ, grill, or steakhouse. Add a sauce or condiment made right here in the province. Pick up fresh cuts or seafood from a trusted butcher or fishmonger. Then round out the experience with a food truck stop, a burger worth the drive or a classic East Coast lobster roll.
Here are the 2026 People’s Choice winners to keep on your food radar:
Best BBQ / Grill / Steakhouse
GOLD: Le Up'n down Resto Bar - Tracadie
SILVER: Churchill's Pub & Steakhouse - Saint John
BRONZE: Beer Daddy BBQ - Sussex
Best Sauce or Condiment
GOLD: Boucherie Pokemouche - Pokemouche
SILVER: Beer Daddy BBQ - Sussex
BRONZE: Spicy Boys - Fredericton
Best Butcher / Fish Monger
GOLD: Kuinshoeve Meats - Rothesay
SILVER: Marché de poisson Bulger - Le Goulet
BRONZE: Boucherie Pokemouche - Pokemouche
Best Food Truck
GOLD: Bangkok Food Truck - Shediac
SILVER: K C & Son's Fish and Chips - Miramichi
BRONZE: Poutinewagon - Saint John
Best Burger
GOLD: Le Shack à Joe - Shippagan
SILVER: Tide & Boar Gastropub - Moncton
BRONZE: Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub - Saint John
Best Lobster Roll
GOLD: Spinney's Seafood Market - St. Martins
SILVER: Le Shack à Joe - Shippagan
BRONZE: Chez Leo - Shediac Bridge
Looking for more inspiration?
Check out our most recent collections:
Fathers Day Collection
BBQ Collection
Cottage Life Collection
- Centennial Park - Moncton
A family-friendly park with trails, picnic areas, playground spaces and plenty of room to spend a summer afternoon outside.
- Kouchibouguac National Park - Kouchibouguac
With beaches, trails, picnic areas, shelters and coastal scenery, Kouchibouguac is a beautiful destination for a full summer day outdoors.
- Irving Nature Park - Saint John
Enjoy Bay of Fundy views, walking trails, lookouts and outdoor space at one of Saint John’s favourite nature destinations.
- Odell Park - Fredericton
A peaceful forested park in the heart of Fredericton, perfect for a relaxed picnic, walk or afternoon surrounded by nature.
Before You Grill: Check Fire Watch
Before using a BBQ, fire pit, campfire, or any fire-related equipment, take a moment to check the current fire restrictions in your area.
New Brunswick’s fire conditions can change quickly during the summer, especially during dry weather. Checking before you head out helps keep your BBQ, picnic, park day, and community safe.
Ready to Fire it Up?
This BBQ season, make it local, make it New Brunswick and make it unforgettable. Whether you're grilling at home or heading to the neighbourhood park, bring the flavour... And maybe an extra plate to share.
Did we miss someone great?
Probably — and that’s the beauty of New Brunswick. There are so many local businesses, makers, restaurants, breweries, and experiences to discover that we can’t fit them all into one blog. If you know a spot we should feature in a future post, send us a note.
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