Established in 2007, The Lost Anchor, is a seasonal restaurant located in Cavendish PEI. We’re open from early June to end of September every year.
The Story of The Lost Anchor
The Marco Polo, renowned for speed, was a tall ship, launched in 1851 at Saint John, NB. In 1883, during a hurricane, the ship sank off the shores of Cavendish. The disaster unfolded in front of PEI novelist, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s childhood home. The town was transformed by the presence of the crew, all of which survived, and the ship’s captain, Fredrick Martin, stayed with Lucy Maud and her grandparents. These events ignited Lucy Maud’s passion for storytelling, and her first exposure to a national audience, was a report she wrote, describing the shipwreck. The ship itself, remained lost at sea until 1960, when a local fisherman, Tommy Gallant, discovered it, and along with it, the Marco Polo’s LOST ANCHOR!
The anchor is now proudly displayed in our dining room. Visit us and check it out sometime!
Meet the Owner
Denise Fleming has been married to her high school sweetheart, Billy, for more than 33 years, and together they have three children, Ashley, Hailey, and Jesse. Known for her high energy and tireless work ethic, whether she’s on the floor at the restaurant or hosting friends and family for dinners, parties, and celebrations, Denise thrives on bringing people together and making them feel at home. With over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry, she brings a deep passion for service, community, and excellence to The Lost Anchor. Born and residing in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Denise is a seasoned server and manager who has dedicated her career to creating memorable dining experiences built on warmth, quality, and connection.
Denise served as General Manager of The Lost Anchor for two seasons before taking ownership of the restaurant. The opportunity to carry on the vision of her best friends, previous owners, Mandy and Jason, who played a vital role in growing The Lost Anchor into one of Cavendish’s most beloved destinations, shaping the brand and its reputation — is both a privilege and a responsibility she embraces wholeheartedly. She remains committed to continuing that legacy with heart and purpose.
Meet the Head Chef – Ryan Coady
We’re thrilled to announce that Chef Ryan Coady is returning for the 2025 season—this time as our Head Chef!
Ryan has been an essential part of our kitchen for the past two seasons (2023 and 2024), consistently bringing dedication, creativity, and calm leadership to every service. With over 20 years of extensive culinary experience, including his Red Seal endorsement, Ryan brings both skill and heart to everything he creates. He leads our kitchen with a steady hand and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In his down time, he loves camping, hiking, trivia and ‘just for fun’, he has an Engineering Diploma from UPEI. And most remarkably, he is still rooting for the Montreal Canadians.
We’re proud to have Chef Ryan at the helm and can’t wait for you to experience the flavors and passion he brings to the table.
Shoutout to Our Incredible Team
At The Lost Anchor, we know that a great restaurant is only as strong as the team behind it. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated group of staff who return to us season after season — bringing energy, professionalism, and heart to everything they do.
We are especially proud to recognize our returning management team: Alex, Alexa and Lauren, whose leadership and commitment have been essential to our continued success.
We are equally grateful to our long-standing team members who have been with us for multiple seasons: Izzy, Margaret, Kelsee, Katie, Alena, Alex C, Hailey, Becca, Isabelle, Phinley, Jadyn and Ellen. Their hard work, loyalty, and passion for hospitality help shape the warm and welcoming experience we strive to create every day.
We couldn’t do it without them — thank you for being such an important part of The Lost Anchor family!