Dine Around Freddy
Dine Around Freddy is a FROSTival Favourite
Dine Around Freddy is a FROSTival favourite and it is coming to Fredericton Capital Region from January 23 to February 9, 2025! Chefs at 30+ participating restaurants have curated special 3-course dining menus at a set discount price of $42 per person. It is a wonderful time to get out and try some new-to-you restaurants or revisit your favourites to see what’s new on their Dine Around Freddy menus. This is a limited time special event. Make your reservations and get ready to indulge in some delicious food.
Wolastoq Wharf
Wolastoq Wharf was my very first Dine Around Freddy experience. This restaurant is best known for their incredible seafood - and it is their seafood that I crave. So I was very excited to see their famous Seafood Fettuccine as one of their main options on their Dine Around Freddy menu. The portion size was so large, that my friend Laurie and I both needed takeaway boxes for our leftovers. Talk about value!
Everything was Scrumptious at Wolastoq Wharf
Everything was scrumptious at Wolastoq Wharf during my first Dine Around Freddy dinner here in 2020, from the delicious pear and brie soup, served with their signature freshly baked Bannock (with a side of butter and molasses), to our Seafood Fettuccine, followed by the decadent Chocolate Baileys Crème Brûlée’ dessert. Laurie and I were both drawn to this lineup, but there were other options, too, including a Spinach Salad with Bacon Dressing as a starter, Jambalaya for another main option, and a New York Style Cheesecake for dessert, which all sounded equally amazing. I was not surprised at all as Wolastoq Wharf is one of my favourite restaurants in Fredericton! For more information on Wolastoq Wharf and their 2025 Dine Around Freddy offerings see links at end of this article.
MoCo Downtown
MoCo Downtown was my second Dine Around Freddy restaurant experience. Dining here is like a trip to Italy, but it is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Fredericton. This cozy restaurant specializes in savoury, flavourful dishes and if it is Italian that you are in the mood for, this is the place for you. When you enter MoCo Downtown, you sense you are in for a special experience, and you are! Beware, the aromas from the kitchen have you salivating before you even sit down to read the menu.
Moco Downtown is a Trip to Italy
My friend Lucie joined me in 2020 for this dinner and we each selected different starters - she had the Tortellini en Brodo - which is a traditional first course for Christmas feasts in northern Italy. It is a meat stuffed pasta served in a rich chicken broth. I enjoyed the Passatelli en Brodo. Typically, it is found in Pesaro e Urbino and other regions of northern Italy, such as Emilia Romagna and Umbria. This dish has parmesan bread dumplings served in a rich roasted winter vegetable broth.
We both chose the Italian Beef Braciole as our entrées, for its thinly sliced beef, stuffed with prosciutto, breadcrumbs and herbs, all slowly simmered in Nonna C’’s tomato sauce until fork tender and served with parmesan mashed potatoes (yum) and winter vegetables. And it was all done - just right. Talk about comfort food! There were other entrée options as well including a Pumpkin Ravioli (great for vegetarians), and an Arctic Char dish that had tempted me, too.
For dessert we went in different directions again - Lucie had the Espresso Brownie (chocoholics unite), and I enjoyed the White Russian Crème Brûlée’. We shared bites and both were heavenly. This Dine Around Freddy trip to Italy at Moco Downtown was divine! For more information on Moco and their 2025 Dine Around Freddy offerings see links below.
The Lunar Rogue
The Lunar Rogue, an iconic downtown pub in Fredericton, has been serving up great food and drinks for over 35 years. It opened its doors in 1989. I can recall celebrating my husband’s 30th birthday there in 1992! Now, as I sit down in 2025 for a pre-Dine Around Freddy dinner with my bestie Lucie, I can’t help but reminisce. Loved way back, and loved just as much today, the Lunar Rogue is Fredericton’s oldest downtown pub, renowned for its exceptional food, welcoming hospitality, attentive service and, of course, its vast whisky selection.
The Lunar Rogue Offers an Incredible Value Meal
This traditional Maritime pub offers exactly what you expect and so much more. Warm and inviting staff deliver made in-house meals with care, and the portion sizes are extremely generous. Lucie and I kicked things off with our shared appetizers: Coconut Shrimp, served with a sweet and tangy chili dipping sauce, and the Inside Out Potato Poppers - potato boats topped with creamy dip made from artichoke, garlic, green onion and a blend of cheese. There was also a third tempting starter option of Crispy Wonton Bites, which we’ll try next time.
For our mains, we had a hard time choosing, but finally settled on the Thai Chicken Stir Fry - crispy vegetables and tender chicken breast in a savoury satay sauce, served over angel hair pasta. We also ordered the Big Bourbon Burger, topped with bourbon BBQ sauce, bourbon caramelized onions, and creamy brie, with lettuce, tomato and pickle, served with fries (or Caesar salad). We cut the burger in half and opted for the fries. The Pesto Crusted Pan-fried Haddock was another mouthwatering choice on the Dine Around menu.
Choosing what to order was the hardest part of the meal, and finishing everything on our plates was almost as challenging. But we persevered, packed up our entrée leftovers, and powered through to dessert. For the grand finale, we indulged in a rich Carrot Cake topped with cream cheese frosting and toasted almonds and the decadent Chocolate Brownie topped with the Rogue’s house-made whisky caramel sauce served with vanilla ice cream. A perfect sweet treat to end our outstanding meal. The Lunar Rogue truly offers an incredible value meal with its Dine Around Freddy menu! Click on the restaurant and Dine Around Freddy links below to plan your visit.
Dimitri’s Souvlaki
Dimitri’s Souvlaki first opened in 1987, quickly becoming Fredericton’s favourite Greek Restaurant. Today, Dimitri’s is very much the same as when it first opened and still well known for its excellent Mediterranean food, huge portions, and family-friendly environment. Find it in the charming Tannery District in downtown.
Dimitri’s Delivers Great Greek Food
My friend Julie and I couldn’t wait to enjoy the cozy, warm atmosphere at Dimitri’s to explore their curated menu for Dine Around. We both know Dimitri’s delivers great Greek food, so we would be in for a memorable Dine Around experience and we weren’t disappointed! We began by sharing the Citrusy Chicken Wings appetizer, with the option of lemon pepper, ginger orange, or chilli lime. We chose the chilli lime, and each flavourful wing had us licking our fingers, savouring every last bite. The wings packed a zesty punch that was just the right balance of tang and spice. We also shared the tender calamari, served with a rich tzatziki sauce. The third appetizer choice was a Spicy Roasted Red Pepper & Feta Dip Served with pita bread. Dimitri’s certainly has three stellar options to start your Dine Around experience.
Enjoy a Mediterranean Dining Adventure at Dimitri’s
For the mains, we each chose something different. I opted for my all-time favourite - the Chicken Souvlaki Plate. You can also select pork, lamb, or veggie options, but I couldn’t resist the juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken souvlaki skewers. The plate comes with a fresh Greek salad, a side of your choice of side (I went with the rice and also was treated to the potato wedges). Pita bread and tzatziki sauce is also a staple with this plate. Julie decided on the 7 oz. Sirloin Steak, and she couldn’t hide her satisfying smile after the first bite. She put her fork down and stated, “I ordered it medium rare, and that’s exactly what I got - medium rare!” The Greek seasoned steak was cooked to perfection and came with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and a rich mushroom red wine sauce. Julie was thrilled with her choice, while I was happily in my comfort zone with my souvlaki. There’s also a Cajun Penne Alfredo on the Dine Around menu, featuring penne noodles and sautéed veggies in a spicy Cajun sauce, available vegetarian or with chicken. With such a varied main line up, you’e such to find something that suits your taste. The potions were also so generous that despite our best efforts, we couldn’t finish everything on our plates - but we assured the staff it wasn’t because we didn’t love it. We were simply saving room for dessert.
To wrap up our Dine Around experience at Dimitri’s, we chose two indulgent desserts: the scrumptious Mini Apple Crumble Cheesecake and the lovely Baklava Sundae. We shared bites and sipped our coffees raving over our experience. There was also a Cookies & Cream Cake on the curated menu’s dessert lineup. Dimitri’s knows how to deliver on every front. Julie’s mentioned her husband loves the gluten-free options here. They know how to do that right, too! And beyond the food, we both adore the enchanting atmosphere of the Tannery. So, if you’re craving a Mediterranean dining adventure (without the need for airfare) Dimitri’s is the place to be. See the restaurant and Dine Around Freddy links below for more information.
Claudine’s Eatery
Claudine’s Eatery has long been a go-to for my family—first at their cozy spot on the northside, and now at their modern urban café on the southside of Fredericton. This family-owned gem is all about East Coast comfort food, owned by a dynamic mother-daughter team. What sets Claudine’s apart is their focus on “real food” not “fast food,” and their ever-changing daily specials. For me, it’s much more than just a restaurant; it’s a tradition. Every year, on the first day of school, my group of retired teacher friends and I kick off the year with a “To Hell with the Bell” brunch here. We gather, sip mimosas, reminisce about teaching days, and dive into the eggs benny - hands down, the absolute best in town.
Dive into a Delicious Experience at Claudine’s
So, when I was invited to try Claudine’s 2025 Dine Around Freddy offering, I was thrilled. My husband, Eric, and I were ready to dive into yet another memorable experience. To start, I went straight for the Wild Mushroom Soup - a rich, earthy blend of wild mushrooms slow-cooked with herbs and finished with cream. A drizzle of truffle oil and a sprinkle of fresh chives took it to another level. Eric opted for the Kale Salad, packed with quinoa, roasted tempeh, crispy chickpeas, and sweet potato, all dressed in a tangy Tahini Dijon. I had to steal a few bites, and I’d highly recommend it, too!
For our mains, I opted for the Pan-Seared Faroe Island Salmon, served with brussels sprout hearts, whipped squash, crème fraîche, candied lemon, and a garnish of microgreens. The salmon was perfectly cooked—tender, flaky, and rich with flavour. Eric was in his happy place with the Red Wine Roast Beef, paired with whipped truffle-herbed potatoes, heirloom carrots au jus. The Mmm’s that escaped him after the first bite made it clear this dish was a definite winner.
Claudine’s Never Disappoints
When it came time for dessert, I was torn between the Irish Crème brûlée and the Chocolate Cake with boiled icing. The cake won, as I’ve had it here before and it was just as moist as I remembered. And the icing—oh, that decadent icing—was like a dream come true. Eric couldn’t resist the Mini Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream. He called it more of a pumpkin pudding than a pie, but either way, it was devoured in no time. Of course, he couldn’t leave my cake alone, either and ended up eating half of that, too. I’m sure the Crème brûlée would’ve been equally delightful, but I’m not complaining about my choice. Claudine’s is one of those places that never disappoints. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it’s always a hit. But if you’ve only experienced their daytime offerings, the Dine Around Freddy event is the perfect excuse to savour a dinner here. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Dine Around Freddy Gives You Choices
Three weeks of Dine Around Freddy gives you choices and lots of time to return to your favourite restaurant more than once, or time to visit several different restaurants. Each year, the local chefs change their Dine Around Freddy menus. That’s what makes this event so fun. The menus change every year, but what stays the same is knowing you will experience unique, mouth-watering meals.
Dine Around Freddy Value Meals
Dine Around Freddy is truly the perfect time to enjoy a value meal. Take this opportunity to check out several. Be it Date Night, Girls Night, I Don’t Want to Cook Night - there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy more of these fabulous chef-curated discounted meals. Cure your Winter Blues with a little Dine Around Freddy in your life.
Dine Around Freddy Restaurants
There are over 30 great options for Dine Around Freddy in 2025. So get out there! There is no better time to treat yourself than now! There is something for everyone but remember - this is a limited time offer, so don’t wait. Check out Dine Around Freddy for a full list of all participating restaurants and each restaurant’s chef-curated Dine Around Freddy menu. Then pull out your calendar and make some reservations. Don’t forget to tell them - the Maritimes Maven sent you!
This post was sponsored by Wolastoq Wharf, Dimitri’s Souvlaki Restaurant, Claudine’s Eatery, MOCO Downtown, and The Lunar Rogue Pub; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!