Indulging in Saint Andrews
Since moving to New Brunswick in 1998, I’ve made many trips to Saint Andrews — also known as St. Andrews or St. Andrews by-the-Sea — tucked away in the province’s southwest corner, along the Bay of Fundy.
But this weekend was a first for my husband and me in the charming coastal town: our inaugural visit to the Indulge Food & Wine Festival, an annual event that brings together local chefs, winemakers and craft-beverage makers — along with food-and-drink lovers from near and far. The festival has been organized for more than a decade by Tressa Bevington with support from local tourism and industry partners.
A warm Saint Andrews welcome — the historic Inn on Frederick, our home base for the weekend.
After checking in at the Inn on Frederick, we picked up our festival wristbands, glasses and maps, ready to eat (and sip!) our way through town.
The Indulge adventure begins!
Friday — A Taste of St. Andrews
A variety of events span the weekend of the Indulge festival, from chef-led dinners to late-night dances. We didn’t make it to every happening but managed quite a few — including Taste of St. Andrews, where more than 30 venues offered small bites, local brews, and boutique wines. Among the many chefs taking part were Peter Tompkins of 11th Mile in Fredericton, as well as Prasanna Kumar of The Algonquin Resort, Saint Andrews, and Chris Aerni of the nearby Rossmount Inn.
From smoked seafood to decadent desserts, it was an edible exploration of local craft, creativity and community. What a great way to showcase the region’s offerings!
Standout Bites
Taste of St. Andrews did not disappoint. Personal favourites included a butter-chicken dumpling from Daddy Ji’s food truck, meatballs on creamy polenta from 11th Mile, and smoked-salmon canapés from Wolfhead Smokers. On the sweeter side, coconut cream puffs from Buttercream Dreams and raspberry profiteroles from The Algonquin Resort stole my heart.
Between bites and sips, the real flavour of the evening came from the people — locals and visitors alike.
A group of ladies — who I nicknamed the Real Housewives of Saint John — were making the most of Indulge Food & Wine while celebrating their 70th birthdays, complete with badges and glittering tiaras. I became their unofficial paparazzi, bumping into them and snapping photos at various stops along Water Street. At one point, they had me join in on a photo — borrowed tiara and all — proving that joy and friendship are always the best pairings of the night.
Birthday sparkle meets festival fun at Indulge!
We ended the evening surrounded by laughter, music and the happy chatter of festival-goers enjoying the town’s coastal hospitality.
Saturday — Hot Drinks, Cool Finds
The next morning, hubby and I recovered from our evening of indulgence with a hearty breakfast at the Inn on Frederick before setting off for the local farmers’ market.
Breakfast bliss at the Inn on Frederick.
With hot drinks in hand from Honeybeans Coffee, Tea & Treats, we strolled along the market kiosks, stopping to purchase handmade soaps, be tempted by beautiful crocheted ponchos and peruse unique woodworking items.
There was more shopping that afternoon, as we browsed some of my favourite area shops, including Cottage Chic, L.H. Boutique, the Whale Store, Warm and Coasty, Crocker Hill, the Nautical Shop, Marée as well as new-to-me stores like the Jona & Jessie Boutique and Bucca dell’Acqua. (The latter is shown below; stunning painting by store co-owner Kate Bucca.)
That evening, we headed to The Kennedy House for dinner and live music — a lively finale to a fun day.
Sunday — Hike for the Food Bank
On Sunday morning, we worked off some of our eating splurges by joining the Rossmount Inn’s annual Hike for the Food Bank. All proceeds from the climb up Chamcook Mountain, located behind the Rossmount, support the local food bank.
The trail to Chamcook’s summit is about 2.5 km (one way) and took us through a shimmering canopy of crimson and gold. The views of Passamaquoddy Bay and the islands beyond were breathtaking.
Once we’d reached the top, the Rossmount Inn’s Chef Aerni and helpers greeted hikers with steaming chili and homemade cookies — the perfect reward as we gazed out over the autumn-painted landscape.
Rossmount Inn’s Chef Chris Aerni ladles steaming chili for hikers atop Chamcook Mountain.
A mother pauses at the top of Chamcook Mountain to photograph her daughter amid the fall-colour magic.
Reflections on a Coastal Weekend
My love affair with Saint Andrews took a joyful turn during the Indulge Food & Wine Festival this weekend. Kudos to the organizer and her team, participating chefs, local businesses and all others involved in the memorable event.
Thinking of going next year? Tickets for this popular October weekend go fast. They went on sale online in August of this year. Check www.indulgenb.com and follow the festival on social media for 2026 updates.
