New Bedford has long been known as a staple and center of the seafood world. New Bedford scallops, for instance, are prized around the world. Nearly 50 million pounds of sea scallops land on New Bedford docks each year. New Bedford Seafood (http://newbedfordseafood.org) is the source for all local seafood and may very well be the source of the next lobster, scallop, or cod you enjoy. With seafood being brought in daily to New Bedford’s docks, fresh seafood is easy to find in every restaurant in the city.
Seafood is not the only delicious food that can be found in New Bedford. The best example of New Bedford’s expanded palate is the launching of the city’s first Restaurant Week, September 15-21, 2018 (http://destinationnewbedford.org/event/love-the-ave-north-end-restaurant-week/). At this inaugural event, which is particularly intended to showcase and promote the city’s North End neighborhood, chefs and restaurants from all over town will offer special meal deals (including prix fixe meals, discounts, and new signature dishes and entertaining events) in order to attract new customers and encourage locals to try new things. It is being called “Love the Ave” as most of the foodie festivities will take place along historic Acushnet and Belleville Avenues.
“It is everyone’s wish that these terrific small businesses seize the opportunity to put North End dining on the New Bedford map,” says event organizer Steven Froias, noting that people can check out the latest news on the event’s own Facebook page (Facebook.com/lovetheave).
From fine dining to casual noshing, the North End boasts an impressive array of savory cultures that stretches far beyond seafood; from traditional and contemporary American, to Chinese, French, Guatemalan, Mexican, Peruvian, Portuguese, and Spanish. The North End is, in many ways, an encapsulation of the city’s historic past and a proud predictor of its flourishing future.
Even if you cannot make it to “The Ave” for this special event, New Bedford has plenty of edible attractions all year long. This year thousands came out to relish all different types of food trucks at the 2nd Annual New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival. Participants of the 12th Annual Taste of the SouthCoast sampled the area’s best restaurants, bakeries, and caterers, casting a vote for their favorite. The voting continues this October at the 12th Annual New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival, where guests enjoy local chowder from their favorite restaurants.
Other than New Bedford seafood’s famous finest catches, New Bedford’s restaurants also offer a globe-spanning assortment of options that includes New World takes on Old World Portuguese flavors, traditional Chinese tastes, authentic brick oven pizzas and other Italian favorites, Greek helpings, Mexican marvels, and Cape Verdean classics. Want a quick quality bite while watching the game? New Bedford’s pub scene has just what you need to unwind and enjoy; from craft cocktails to HD happiness. Fresh beer and live entertainment are easy to find Downtown, beer fans able to enjoy an abundance of local brews. Need a snack? Try anything from Iberian delights to French favorites. Looking for something a little healthier? There are plenty of places to get fresh squeezed juice or delicious vegan donuts that may make a convert out of you!
So whether you come for Restaurant Week or just want something good in the neighborhood, New Bedford has plenty to offer. And while the city remains true to its seaside heritage, anyone can find something to hook them.
– Matthew Robinson, Contributing Writer