Must-see restaurants in Nova Scotia

  • Half Shell Oyster Bar

    Nova Scotia

    A long ice bar loaded with such seafood goodies as snow-crab claws, chilled lobsters, littleneck clams and, of course, freshly shucked oysters is the main…

  • Heartwood Bakery

    Halifax

    Everything feels as though it's doing you good at this fantastic veggie-vegan restaurant, which became so popular it now has a second location (at 3061…

  • Press Gang

    Halifax

    This is one of the city's old-school supper spots, in more ways than one. The building (erected in 1759) is one of the oldest stone structures in downtown…

  • Board Room Game Cafe

    Halifax

    There's a choice of 500 board games, from classic to contemporary, at this fun hangout, with wraps, pizzas, good coffee and craft beers to guzzle as you…

  • Mull Cafe

    Cape Breton Island

    A convenient stop along the Ceilidh Trail, this roadside eatery has a varied menu taking in burgers, chicken dishes, seafood, pasta and veggie options…

  • Kiwi Café

    Nova Scotia

    Friendly as anything and serving comforting food cooked with love by an NZ-born chef, this is exactly the kind of community cafe you'd hope to find in a…

  • Brownstone Restaurant

    Nova Scotia

    This attractive little cafe on Main St has some surprises inside, including Italianate murals, brick-effect wallpaper and a bizarre copper-effect stucco…

  • Morris East

    Halifax

    Halifax has some good pizza joints, but this is the pick. Pies are available in your choice of white, whole-wheat or gluten-free dough, and there are some…

  • Marco's Grill & Pasta House

    Nova Scotia

    If you've been traveling around the province for a while, there'll come a day when the thought of eating another lobster or bucket of mussels will tip you…

  • Josie's Place

    Annapolis Valley

    There's nothing fancy about Josie's, just good, old-fashioned, no-frills diner cooking, from fry-up breakfasts to home-style meatloaf, along with…

  • Five Fishermen

    Halifax

    As the name suggests, this upscale place focuses on the fruits of the fisher's art: oysters, lobsters, halibut, Arctic char, swordfish and plenty more,…

  • Rusty Anchor

    Cape Breton Island

    Pit stops are few and far between on the Cabot Trail, which makes this waterfront diner a boon if you've run out of picnic snacks. The food's mostly good;…

  • Le Gabriel

    Cape Breton Island

    This big pub-diner is buzzing on the weekend: locals come for the generous plates of fish, steak and seafood (all served with potato or rice, vegetables…

  • Naked Crepe

    Annapolis Valley

    Who doesn't enjoy a flaky, wafer-thin crepe filled with delicious sweet or savory goodness? Hardly anyone, it seems, judging by this newcomer's rise to…

  • Beggar's Banquet

    Cape Breton Island

    Finally, it's here: the chance to dress up like it's the 1700s and step inside a boisterous, beer-swilling tavern for a crab and lobster feast while being…

  • Rudder's Brew Pub

    Nova Scotia

    Join a local crowd tucking into no-nonsense Maritime classics such as bar clams and fries and Acadian rappie pie (meat pie topped with grated potato) at…

  • Grubstake

    Cape Breton Island

    Hearty, country-style food is the game at the Grubstake: chicken royal, rib steaks, fresh lobster and queen crab, accompanied by homemade porridge bread…

  • Cafe Good Luck

    Nova Scotia

    Dartmouth's latest brunch-spot love affair, the Good Luck is the place for a comforting croque monsieur, a freshly baked muffin or a hangover-fixing…

  • Chowder House

    Cape Breton Island

    This establishment, out beyond the lighthouse at Neil's Harbour, is famous for its chowder, but it also serves great-value suppers of snow crab, lobster,…

  • Wooden Monkey

    Halifax

    A cross between a neighborhood diner and a city pub, the Monkey is a good stop if you're just looking for a simple supper and pint of something local and…

  • Shoreline Restaurant

    Annapolis Valley

    This is the spot in Digby for top-notch scallops – and clams, crab, lobster, haddock and pretty much every other fish you care to mention – along with…

  • Highwheeler Cafe

    Cape Breton Island

    Everyone's choice for lunch, this Baddeck cafe ticks all the boxes: grilled sandwiches, delicious quesadillas, homemade soups, and delicious muffins and…

  • Flavor Downtown

    Cape Breton Island

    If you can't make it to the main Flavor on the waterfront, this downtown diner is the next best thing: an urban-style cafe serving sandwiches, soups and…

  • Dancing Moose Cafe

    Cape Breton Island

    Stop in here for Dutch pannenkoeken (pancakes), either savory (loaded with green onions and Gouda cheese) or sweet (whipped cream, honey, fruit, nuts –…

  • Sugar Moon Farm

    Nova Scotia

    The food – simple, delicious pancakes and locally made sausages served with maple syrup – is the highlight of this working maple farm and woodlot. To…

  • Bean Dock

    Nova Scotia

    A chilled coffee shop overlooking the waterfront, serving grilled cheese sandwiches, muffins and paninis. There's also a gift shop selling souvenir tees,…

  • Clucking Hen Deli & Bakery

    Cape Breton Island

    This fun cafe and bakery makes an ideal stop at the start or end of your Cabot Trail drive. The decor centers on chickens and hen-based puns, while the…

  • Portland Street Creperie

    Nova Scotia

    A beloved snack stop for locals, this hip creperie corners the market in all things pancakey: go savory with a mushroom melt or ham and Swiss, or indulge…

  • Harbour View Restaurant

    Nova Scotia

    If it's fish-and-chips, homemade chowder, delicious pies and supersize club sandwiches you want, this homey diner down by the water will definitely fit…

  • Roadside Grill

    Nova Scotia

    Try the steamed clams or the rappie pie (meat pie topped with grated potato) at this pleasantly old-fashioned and long-running local restaurant. There's…

  • German Bakery Sachsen Cafe

    Annapolis Valley

    The owners of this Teutonic-themed cafe hail from Saxony in Germany, and specialize in goodies such as schnitzel, sausages and belegte brötchen …

  • 2 Doors Down

    Halifax

    Easy-going eating is the ethos at this downtown joint, good for comforting dishes such as pork chops, steak-frites and classic burgers. There's a vaguely…

  • Oh My Cod!

    Nova Scotia

    For quick and easy eating, this friendly seafood diner is hard to beat: enjoy clams, scallops, battered haddock and fish tacos, along with hand-cut chips,…

  • Bette's Kitchen

    Cape Breton Island

    You'll need to be hungry here: Bette serves up supersize portions of home-cooked, mostly deep-fried food. As you'd expect, the Kitchen Sink burger has…

  • Sydney St

    Annapolis Valley

    In a turreted, decked building just off the main drag, this lively pub is where everyone heads for a pint of something cold and local. It also does decent…

  • Myrtle & Rosie's Cafe

    Annapolis Valley

    This welcoming cafe is a hub for the village. Stop in to chat with locals, drink a cup of coffee over a slice of pie or chow down on a delicious BLT or a…

  • ArtCan Gallery & Café

    Annapolis Valley

    Enjoy fair-trade coffee, delicious baked goods and views over the valley in this art store–cafe run by local artist Ron Hayes. It also offers workshops…

  • Annie's Place Cafe

    Halifax

    A slice of small town in the heart of Halifax, Annie's welcomes you in and serves up a hearty breakfast all day, including freshly baked bread and…

  • Antigonish Townhouse

    Nova Scotia

    Swing by this popular town pub for a pint of something local or a plate of chicken-confit poutine or moules frites. It's a favorite hangout for students…

  • Breakwater

    Nova Scotia

    The pick of Pictou's limited choice of dining, this simple place serves seafood, steaks and burgers in a spacious, booth-filled building overlooking the…