Our Story
A Taste of Togetherness
We believe life is meant to be a delicious adventure, best enjoyed with your favourite people.
That’s why we created a place where couples, friends, families and big groups can gather around the dining table and feel at home from the moment they walk in.
Family-owned and operated, our values of community, kindness, and exceptional quality are reflected in every element of the Shipyard experience.
From warm customer service to dishes crafted with local ingredients whenever possible, and a commitment to creating win-wins in everything we do, we invite you to slow down and sink into a joyful dining experience by the sea.
For Locals.
Four Seasons.
Locally-owned and proudly rooted in Summerside, the Shipyard was designed with the community at heart.
Owners and lifelong residents Duke and Betsy Cormier envisioned a space where everyone would feel at home, while bringing a fresh, modern vibe to the city’s dining scene. With its casual-yet-elegant aesthetic, light-filled spaces, and approachable menu, the Shipyard strikes the perfect balance of comfort and style. With its casual-yet-elegant aesthetic, light-filled spaces, and approachable menu, the Shipyard achieves a perfect balance of comfort and style.
In a sea of seasonal dining options, the Summerside Shipyard is an anchor of the local restaurant scene. Open year-round, folks from near and far can always count on the doors being open and the food exceptional.
A Storied Space, Reimagined
The Summerside Shipyard was once a bustling place of industry and craftsmanship. In the 19th century, mighty wooden sailing ships were built on this very site for buyers along the North Atlantic coast and across the ocean in England. This booming era of shipbuilding helped fuel Summerside’s growth and cement its place as an economic hub for Prince Edward Island.
When Duke and Betsy Cormier purchased the building in 2024, they set out to honour its rich history while giving it new life as a gathering place for the community.
Nine months of extensive renovations transformed the cavernous space into a light-filled restaurant with a breezy, welcoming ambience. Subtle nods to the schooner era are woven throughout - brass railings, whitewashed walls, and panoramic ocean views create the gentle impression of dining aboard a beautiful sailing vessel.
There’s a ‘deck’ for every occasion, from high-back booths for an intimate dinner to larger bar-adjacent tables for a lively night out, a second-level mezzanine for larger groups seeking privacy, and the star of the Shipyard, a sprawling covered deck overlooking the waterfront that’s perfect for every kind of gathering.
You’re invited to experience the Shipyard reimagined for today as a bright, welcoming space rooted in history and made for connection. Step inside and find your table by the sea.
Fare for Everyone
At the Shipyard, we want everyone to feel right at home, no matter their age, appetite, dietary needs, or budget.
Our approachable main menu features an array of shareables, handhelds, mains and pasta dishes made fresh daily with ingredients sourced as locally as possible.
We also offer dedicated plant-based and gluten-friendly menus, thoughtfully crafted by our culinary team. Dishes range from salads and burgers to hearty pastas, Asian-inspired bowls, and creative sides (yes, even pickle fries).
Kids can choose from familiar and yummy items on their very own menu, complete with a side, drink and dessert at a price parents will appreciate.
Rounding out your dining experience, we offer a wide array of sociable cocktails, wines, beers, ciders, coolers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Be sure to ask about our rotating taps, which always showcase craft beers from local PEI breweries!
Meet Our People
The Summerside Shipyard is a people-first place where every member of our team is celebrated for the unique skills and talents they bring to the table. Creating a safe, kind and respectful workplace for our people is the secret sauce that ensures an exceptional experience for everyone - customers, staff, and our many suppliers.
Head Chef
Jesse Morrison-Gauthier
Chef Jesse Morrison-Gauthier believes that a great restaurant starts with a great team. Throughout his career, he has built kitchens rooted in respect, open communication, collaboration, and creativity, where every member feels valued and empowered to do their best work.
In the kitchen, Chef Jesse’s commitment to excellence is reflected in the skill and care given to every dish that leaves the kitchen. He brings his many years of culinary experience to the table to craft approachable, modern menus that celebrate local ingredients whenever possible. With a focus on both comfort and innovation, he strives to deliver food that feels just right—whether it’s a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a special celebration by the water.
Co-Owners
Duke & Betsy Cormier
Duke and Betsy’s journey into the restaurant world began with a small café that didn’t unfold quite as planned. Rather than be discouraged, the newly married couple took the lessons they learned from that early foray into food service and opened their first Greco franchise. Then they opened another, and another. As Betsy likes to joke, “Every time we had a baby, Duke opened another Greco.”
Over time, Duke branched out from the franchise business to create FiveElevenWest, a casual fine-dining restaurant inside Credit Union Place that quickly became a Summerside destination for food lovers.
Now, more than thirty years later, the couple has come full circle with the opening of The Summerside Shipyard. With their three children grown, Duke and Betsy have poured their shared energy into reimagining one of Summerside’s most iconic and historic buildings into a light-filled waterfront restaurant designed for the community they love.