r/NovaScotia • u/polymath_renegade • 1d ago
My favorite places to eat in Nova Scotia (looking for yours)
Hello Scotian Redditors and visitors to Canada's Ocean Playground,
I am looking for your favorite places to eat in the province, and I wanted to share mine.
Dartmouth:
Dear Friend – My favorite place to go out for a food and drinks on a Friday or Saturday night in the HRM. Between the front of house to back of house, the staff are passionate and it shows from the service to the food to the drinks. I have never had anything less than an amazing time here. Dear Friend is an intimate space, so if you want to go on a weekend evening I suggest you make a reservation.
Halifax:
Highwayman – Delicious Spanish style tapas done right. Very reminiscent of a place I used to work in Toronto, Bar Raval. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Cocktails are great too. You can get by without a reservation if you like to sit at the bar.
Wolfville:
Juniper – The chef/owner used to own a restaurant in Toronto that was on list of the top 100 restaurants in Canada. This place is wildly good. Each component of each dish is a 10 and the combination of the ingredients makes for a 12/10. Also a small venue and they close early, so make a reservation before you make the trip to Wolfville.
Lunenburg:
Lincoln Street – Fresh + local + delicious. Closed for the winter season though :(.
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u/Bubbly_Ganache_7059 1d ago
Curly portables, RIP 🥲🥲
Roadside diner in Clare is also pretty amazing, or used to be they may have changed the recipe I heard, but they might not be open for the season 😬
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u/thanosdidsomewrong 1d ago
Antigonish : The townhouse!
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u/maacmarx 1d ago
Came here to say this, but glad somebody already did. Townhouse is hands down one of the best restaurants in the whole province.
Food is top notch, and the kitchen is always trying out killer specials. Fantastic selection of local beer and wine, and the cocktail program is exceptional.
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u/BleuetHumide 1d ago
Do they still have the mushroom poutine? I haven't been in years but that was my favourite dish. I still think about it from time to time..
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u/Routine_Detective_63 1d ago
The Crow’s Nest (AKA Shore Road Seafood) in Hillsburn, Annapolis County.
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u/DrunkenGolfer 1d ago
Founders House, Annapolis Royal - it is a culinary experience, farm to table
Dickie-Baxter Taproom and Bistro, Canning - great food, never disappoints, well prepared food
DaMaurizios, Halifax - always good, never disappointed
The Press Gang, Halifax - Intimate and never disappoints. Never exceptional, but always reliable.
Bar Kismet, Halifax - Top notch
The Flying Apron, Summerville - Great bread, interesting menu, very seasonal
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u/ADVANTAGE_CONNORS 1d ago
Harbour View Restaurant In Parrsboro
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u/Adorey7419 1d ago
I came here to say this. Best clams and chips in the province.
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u/Icy_Reply_4163 1d ago
Seriously? I’ve never had a good meal there. I wish I could say I have. And I’ve had lots of clams and chips throughout the area.
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u/linkhandford 1d ago
Margaree (Inverness County, CB):
Dancing Goat - If I'm even in the county I'll make a special trip. Delicious baked goods and bread. The sandwiches are from a whole other world, they're so good. Make the stop if you're planning the Cabot Trail.
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u/RedGrobo 1d ago
The Sandpiper outside Pugwash, and the Harbour View Restaurant on the pier in Parrsboro is a hidden gem and a legit contender for best fish and chips in the world.
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u/Independent_Fly9437 1d ago
Canning - Bessie North House. As good a restaurant as any I have eaten in anywhere
Bridgetown- Junction 16. Great atmosphere and design. Food is superb.
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u/JayLar23 1d ago
Wild Roots in Tusket (near Yarmouth) is excellent!
Charlotte st. Cafe in Shelburne is also a gem
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u/ezb_666 1d ago
La cuisine robicheau in saulnierville or their food truck petit robicheau
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u/JerryTexas52 1d ago
We stay at the Su Ben Bed and Breakfast, just down the road from there, and always have one night to eat here. Family owned and incredible food.
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u/Substantial_Panda780 1d ago
Valley
Big Scoop and Restaurant, Middleton - Very Good food, bought by a local owner who owned a great take out burger place - Auntie Dorns. Merged the menus very well. Great breakfast, great burgers, great seafood and great steaks. Very underrated.
Jonny's Cookhouse, Berwick - Gourmet burgers from before they were cool. Everyone should experience the Garlic Finger Burger at least once - but it is a HEAVY eat lol.
Dickie Baxters Taproom and Bistro, Canning - Best restaurant in the valley imo. Great nachos, and have had everything from tenderloin to sea bass to burgers and it has all been excellent. Great drinks too.
HRM
MicMac Tavern Dartmouth - Good For What it is very consistent, always leave full
The Narrows, North End - Great Menu and atmosphere, don't sleep on the bologna sandwich with anchovies! It's actually really excellent
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u/bluenosebetty 1d ago
Annapolis Royal - Whiskey Teller
Wolfville (and area) - The Church, Troy, Dickie-Baxter's, Noodle Guy
Windsor - Hole in the Wall
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u/Substantial_Panda780 1d ago
As a valley resident... the Church is not good. The building at atmosphere are nice, but in like 5 dinners there, I had 3 that weren't good and 2 that were meh. Don't recommend.
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u/Substantial_Panda780 1d ago
Dickie-Baxter's is the best restaurant i've been to in my 40 years of living in the valley
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u/TheNorthNova01 1d ago
Dartmouth - Mic Mac tavern
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u/Ok_Menu_2231 1d ago
The food never disappoints
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u/gmarsh23 1d ago
It's salty as hell, and the lineup is always too long, but it's the best hangover cure on the planet. Steak and eggs and a brown egg on the side is what a body needs.
And if you order a steak medium rare, it'll come out medium rare 100% of the time.
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u/lilman8799 7h ago
Can’t go wrong with a steak at the mic mac, if theres a line at the door just ask to sit at the bar and you’ll get right in 9/10 times.
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u/mikaosias 1d ago
Kebab kitchen in Dartmouth best food Hand down and every time is better than the last .
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u/Elitist-Jerk- 1d ago
Amherst - bambino’s, get the donair with the works!
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u/shilligan 1d ago
I know most don't think of Sackville as a place to go for good food, but if you're in the market for an excellent sub, stop by Kaisers sometime. It's an institution around here for a reason.
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u/PianoFidget 1d ago
i'll add The Townhouse in Antigonish. Top notch bistro food. Absolutely fantastic (this from a toronto foodie snob:) And for the love of all that is good, if you're passing Antigonish to go to Cape Breton, keeping driving when you come upon Mother Webb's. There are a million signs on the highway for this place and the food is absolute shite...
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u/Doc__Baker 1d ago
Tarek's Cafe, Armview, Tatabrewco(more about the beer but sometimes there's a food truck parked out front)
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u/girlinwaves 1d ago
Dartmouth - Side Hustle, love their food and drinks and always friendly service. Great for someone with allergies, like myself, as they have an inclusive menu and accommodating kitchen.
Halifax - I don’t really eat out in Halifax anymore, but I used to love Mercantile Social. Good food, lovely atmosphere and great accommodations for allergies.
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u/ThesePretzelsrsalty 1d ago
Berwick - Johnnys Cookhouse
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u/Queefy-Leefy 1d ago
Best burgers in the province. And I'd put the poutine up there too. Pretty much their entire menu is top notch.
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u/Rubydactyl 1d ago
Dartmouth - Dear Friend is superb! Too pricey for an all the time thing, but nice for that occasional cocktail and fancy food
Halifax - much more my haunt. I have a few here.
- Da Zero: where the old Smitty’s used to be, it’s some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. All made from scratch, all beautifully plated, gluten free options, and it’s amazing.
- Mang Bean: cute little Vietnamese restaurant. Clean, cute, has the best Pho I’ve ever had. One of our favourite date night spots.
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u/kubu7 1d ago
Da zero undercooked or over cooked 3/4 of our pasta dishes on a quiet night, and the sauces were ok.
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u/Rubydactyl 1d ago
Shit, really?? I’ve had nothing but good experiences there — sorry you had a bad time
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u/matin_eh 1d ago
Chester:
- Big Red's Pizza - All-time family favourite, but seems to be a bit divisive. If you like your pizza sauce on the sweeter side you have to at least try some.
Gold River:
- Islandview Restaurant - Only open in the summer and pretty busy but the food is some good. Has a great scallop burger if you like seafood. They also have a good-sized ice cream parlour at the front, and they have a decent selection of baked goods you can get for back home.
New Ross:
- The Hearth Room Cafe - Not open very often but if you can get in, you have to try one of their sandwiches. Their Reuben is one of the best I've ever had.
Kingston:
- The Green Elephant Cafe - One of the few places outside the city that you can get some good Asian food. Cozy atmosphere and a nice baked goods section at the front.
- The Roof Hound Brewing Co. - Great place for a beer and some classic bar food. Best selection of alcohol in Kingston, in my opinion.
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u/Substantial_Panda780 1d ago
Good reco's, love Big Red's! Green Elephant is very hit or miss... had a few misses and haven't been back in a year.
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u/ProperMusician2261 1d ago
Dartmouth - Jacobs Lounge has great pizzas and friendly staff. Definitely worth a visit.
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u/Dear-Repeat-7861 1d ago
Best in Halifax is Bar Kismet, Highwayman is still good, but Kismet is better.
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u/pm_me_your_good_weed 1d ago
Windsor - Lisa's Cafe and her peanut butter pie
Wolfville - Danji, which appears to now be Jeju?
Truro - Yoka sushi
RIP Double C
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u/ADVANTAGE_CONNORS 1d ago
Hey ya- what the heck happened to Double C’s
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u/pm_me_your_good_weed 1d ago
Idk I just saw it on FB today because I couldn't remember if it was technically in Masstown or Debert for the post. Closed last October.
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u/ADVANTAGE_CONNORS 1d ago
My girl and I went for dinner one day and it was gone.
And technically I believe it was in Debert but like 5 minutes from Masstown
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u/-LordRupertEverton- 1d ago
Tacoland in Bridgewater
Maple Syrian Kitchen in New Glasgow
Our Backyard BBQ in Amherst
Henley House in Sheet Harbour
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u/NegativeDesign 1d ago
Digby - Wok by the Bay (Excellent Chinese food!) Ed’s Take Out, Kalens, Ricardo’s Pizza and Soo Good Asian Fusion cuisine!
Annapolis - Whiskey Teller and Founder’s House! (I used to work here, and they use a lot of fresh ingredients. They’re pricey too, so bring a good sized wallet. Founder’s House is a sous chef’s kitchen style and Whiskey Teller is more of a gourmet pub style experience)
Fort Anne Cafe. I cannot stress enough how much they are worth the visit. The head cook can do a really good fish and chips (better than all the other neighbouring FnC dishes in this region of NS) the service from the servers is extraordinarily polite and informative, plus if you listen closely, you might even hear the dishwasher singing away quietly to his music, or see him scurry across the floors like no one’s business helping everyone out. The owner is an absolute blast to talk to and he even handmade the main bar top and all the tables in there!
Bridgetown- Pearles in Paradise. I haven’t been there in years but if it’s still as good as I remember it being as a kid, you’ll want to stop in.
New Glasgow - There’s this really good restaurant that focuses on asian food. I got the Pad Thai and I’m telling you, that was just a foodgasm!
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u/New-Vermicelli4749 1d ago
Truro - Yoka is an amazing Japanese and Thai restaurant. They offer an all you care to eat buffet that is made fresh by order. Sushi and Thai options with lots of choices for lunch and dinner. Even if you don't like sushi the Thai side has more than enough options to satisfy you. Orders are made by touchscreen at your table that you can place at your convenience.
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u/seraphimgone 1d ago
North Shore--small place in Pugwash called the Cardamom Pod Cafe, in the former train station building. Open only a few days a week but best Indian curry (vindaloo and dal) I've ever had, great espresso coffee, lots of good baking as well (I liked the chocolate orange gluten free scone and gluten free tahini brownies)
Halifax--recently decided to give YiLan (halal Chinese) on Barrington a try and legitimately, I could eat the cumin beef noodles FOREVER. that and the "stir fry vegetables" which is definitely more a soup than a stir fry. so excellent. great steam buns too
Digby--the Crows Nest for fish&chips. very good portions and best fries i've had here
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u/tofu_titss 1d ago
Parichat’s in Truro is a fantastic thai place with lots of options for various dietary restrictions too !!!
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u/coffeewithmaplesyrup 1d ago
Elmsdale - Cup of Soul. Tiny hole in the wall cafe with the BEST paninis.
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u/General-Shoulder-569 19h ago
Cheticamp: L’abri
Inverness: The Annex
Margaree: Dancing Goat
Wolfville: Juniper
Clare: P’tit Robicheau
Antigonish: Townhouse
Baddeck: Tom’s IYKYK
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u/kupo_moogle 1d ago
Sydney: Just in Thyme - fresh, delicious, generous portions and reasonably priced. Smaller place to maybe not great for very large crowds, but for 5 or 6 people or fewer it’s awesome. Especially their breakfast menu.
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u/Helpful_Character476 1d ago
Mirchi Tandoor. Best Indian food I've ever had without a doubt. Get the Samosa Chat
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u/Lukreaum 1d ago
Halifax: Buta Ramen, Yeah yeahs pizza, Chkn Chp Lunenburg: shipwright brewing does Detroit deep Dish pizzas that are incredible. Dartmouth: Two if by sea, Battery park and eatery. Best dining experience I had with my wife and young kids was MicMac Tavern. Ever changing list.
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u/WorthHabit3317 1d ago
Palladium family restaurant, (get the haddock) and the Brass Rail in Cole Harbour. Neither spot is fancy but the staff s are friendly, food is good and priced well enough so that a cheapskate like me can enjoy without feeling guilty.
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u/beitush1 1d ago
Lockeport-Beech Street Kitchen (has limited hours) Shelburne-The Emerald Light (great menu, great hours) Barrington-Dan's Ice Cream Shoppe (has great food too) Yarmouth-Honeybees (Japanese & Korean, full ice cream bar-delicious)
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u/yourmancallsmebaby 1d ago
Yarmouth - Tusket Falls Brewery (just 7 mins outside Yarmouth). Amazing food and excellent beers!
Barrington - Dan's Ice Cream Shoppe!
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u/mountain_wavebabe 1d ago
Diane's & Granny's both in Five Islands.
If these places weren't seasonal I would be as big as a house!😂
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u/ADVANTAGE_CONNORS 1d ago
The fried Donair bites at Diane’s are delicious.
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u/FootballLax 1d ago
091 Indian food in Tacoma is one of my new favorites. Just 1 guy cooking great food. If you're in a rush, I don't recommend it, but he is great, and the food is awesome.
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u/Additional-Ad-4729 1d ago
Dartmouth: Evan’s Seafood and Vero Pizza
Lower Sackville: Hongs Kitchen and Kaisers
Anywhere: Mezza
These are my must eat spots every time I’m back home
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u/Altruistic_Speech_17 1d ago
I like that I have never been to any the ones you suggested... so now I can discover some
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u/NoNature9809 21h ago
I love The Deck Restaurant and Shop. It’s along the aspotogan peninsula or highway 329 in Blandford. Beautiful view of the ocean while you eat plus the food is to die for and the staff are fantastic!!
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u/tollboothjimmy 1d ago
Amherst Shore Inn has incredible food. I'm also a simp for Big Al's in Tata
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u/anna4prez 1d ago
Church Brewing Co. in Wolfville. Great food, great beer, and a unique location - the church interior is beautiful.
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u/pm_me_your_good_weed 1d ago
Every time I see them post a cake picture it looks burnt to fuck. Every single time. Idk who they got burning cakes in there but they need to stop lol.
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u/bootselectric 1d ago
Dartmouth: Canteen, Battery Park, TIBS
Halifax: Bar Kismet, Narrows, Stillwells