Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Nova Scotia

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Nova Scotia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

Tribute

4.9

4.9 (36)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Halifax

About the restaurant

Tribute is a unique restaurant located on the Halifax Waterfront. Defined not by a specific cuisine, but by a place - Nova Scotia - Tribute sources the best local ingredients to pay homage to authentic, impactful dishes with international influences, showcased through live fire and charcoal cookery in an open kitchen-to-dining room. With a fun and elevated approach to East Coast hospitality, Tribute is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, offering a chef’s tasting menu and wider options a la carte, paired with nimble wine and cocktail lists. Menus will change often to highlight seasonal ingredients from Nova Scotian farmers and producers.

Top review

Marianna

Dined on 12 Dec 2024

Fantastic from start to finish. Flavours and dishes that are new to Halifax, all delicious. One of my new favourite spots in the city. The lasagna and butter cake especially were incredible.

La Piazza Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (74)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Halifax

About the restaurant

La Piazza Ristorante opened in June 2015 and is a family-owned Italian restaurant. As you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere immediately embraces you, making you feel like part of the family. La Piazza takes immense pride in serving Italian cuisine made with love. La Piazza is proud to have won platinum winner for best Italian restaurant in 2020, and 2022 in the Community Votes!

At La Piazza, pasta lovers are in for a treat with a wide variety of pasta dishes. For those craving the perfect slice of pizza, the wood-fire oven delivers a crispy, thin crust topped with the freshest ingredients. Whether you opt for a classic Margherita or a gourmet prosciutto and arugula combination, the pizza at La Piazza is nothing short of delicious! We also have a fantastic wine selection and cocktails to pair with any meal!

Top review

Tracy

Dined on 4 Dec 2024

Food is delicious and consistent. The lighting is cosy and it’s so nice to see the Woodfire pizza oven flames.

Tilly’s Kitchen

5.0

5 (576)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Bistro

New Glasgow

About the restaurant

At Tilly's Kitchen, our daily goal is to create, serve and enjoy fine food. The woman behind Chef Brad's inspiration was his Nana Tilly and her passion for cooking. We love fresh food, flavorful food, food that’s in season, and food that’s distinct. We design our menus with local market fresh ingredients, so that the food we serve you is as fresh and flavorful as can be. We welcome you to our restaurant, and wish you a hearty appetite.

Top review

BerniceVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Another great dining experience at Tilly’s. The continued consistency of great food and atmosphere keeps us coming back for more!

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Grilled Beef Tenderloin

Lou pécou pizzeria

4.9

4.9 (177)

CAN$30 and under

Pizzeria

Halifax

About the restaurant

In Provence, a region in southeastern France, “Lou Pécou” is the term for the peduncle, or stalk, that holds a cluster of fruit. Our grandparents taught us that when in the kitchen, you must start with the freshest and finest of ingredients. They had a unique way of feeling and picking lou pécou, to know if the fruit and vegetable is local, ripe, and fresh. We look forward to passing you these traditions and learnings through our pizzas.

At Lou Pécou, you will find exclusive finely curated dishes with a Provençal touch, a wide range of organic and biodynamic wines, signature cocktails, house-made desserts, and much more!

Top review

Gerrie

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

This is a lovely little restaurant. The pizzas are unique and exceptional. We continue to be impressed by everything it does.

Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar

4.8

4.8 (881)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Lunenburg

About the restaurant

✼ If you would prefer to dine on our waterfront patio, please add a visit tag in seating preferences when reserving and we will do our best to accommodate you (weather permitting).

Let the Beach Pea’s team of talented chefs prepare a delicious meal for you. With diverse specialties, ranging from French cuisine to traditional Italian pasta, the combined experience of this kitchen produces delicious, elegant dishes with a focus on fresh Nova Scotia seafood.

We accept reservations for dinner service, but if our dining room and patio are full, you are welcome to have a refreshing drink at the breezy bar while you wait to be seated.

Please note that we hold reservations for a maximum of 15 minutes
We are happy to accommodate parties of 1-8 guests in our intimate space.

Top review

Andrea

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent as always! Service, food, cocktails…all so good. We remarked amongst the table the food/experience we had at the Beach Pea could rival any top tier place we’ve been in the world. It’s a gem, and we are lucky to have it in Lunenburg! Thank you for becoming an annual birthday tradition for our family. 💕

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4.8

4.8 (827)

CAN$30 and under

European

Halifax

About the restaurant

Eliot & Vine offers an array of dining experiences. Have a seat in the main room along the bright windows, or at our beautiful marble top bar. Our semi-private ‘Frolic Room’, boasting exquisite work by renowned artist Jean Bradbury, is perfect for group dinners or a quiet date night. Or, watch the chefs work their magic while you sit at the kitchen counter. Eliot & Vine was designed by Breakhouse. European favourites get a unique twist inspired by the seasons and ever-changing market offerings. Our extensive wine list features classics you love, and unique gems waiting to be discovered - from around the world or local vineyards. We have hand-crafted cocktails and a selection of European bottled beer, while the draught taps showcase our love of home. We are happy to accommodate special requests, such as a gluten-free or vegetarian meal. Don’t hesitate to ask anyone on our team, and be sure to let us know if you have any food allergies or sensitivities.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great spot to meet up and have an enjoyable evening! Great staff and tasty menu. If you have not tried E&V, put it on your list for 2025!!

The Canteen on Portland

4.9

4.9 (3276)

CAN$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

The Canteen is a full-service neighbourhood restaurant in Downtown Dartmouth, serving up chef-inspired seasonal fare for lunch, brunch and dinner. At the helm in the kitchen is award-winning chef and co-owner Renee Lavallee. Her seasonal menus are influenced by classic French, Italian and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine – with a little bit of Renée’s magic thrown in. Signature items include The Canteen Burger, The Crobster Roll, Seafood Chowder and more.

Top review

Ronald

Dined 2 days ago

Beyond a doubt the best restaurant in Dartmouth. Food and service are always great and staff make you feel like you should not dine anywhere else. Ron

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4.9

4.9 (367)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

Dear Friend is Downtown Dartmouth's cocktail & wine bar. Join us in our cozy, European style cocktail bar or on our vibrant patio for great food, amazing cocktails, attentive service and awesome music. Located in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth on Portland Street, we are steps away from the Dartmouth Waterfront and Alderney Ferry Terminal. Our small plate food menu showcases Chef Bradley George's take on fresh Nova Scotian seafood and cured meats, as well as small plates with Asian and Spanish influences. Our bar team features some of the best the country has to offer; always creating new flavours and perfecting classics. Join us for our Oyster Happy Hour, everyday from 4pm-5pm, or book a table with friends to imbibe. We have lots of space for walk-ins as well!

Top review

AndrewVIP

Dined 7 days ago

No better place in Dartmouth. Great food and great service and interesting drinks.

EDNA Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (801)

CAN$30 and under

Bistro

Halifax

About the restaurant

An upmarket neighbourhood bistro serving locally focused dishes. We are a bustling one-room restaurant with a comfy bar. Seasonal menus include P.E.I. Blue Dot rib eye steaks, local seafood, and seasonal veg.

Open for lunch service Tuesday-Friday 1130-230
Open for Supper service Tuesday-Sunday 5-10pm
Open for Brunch service Sunday 10-2 pm

We keep bar seating open for walk-ins each night so feel free to pop in.

Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome but not guaranteed.

***Please note when picking a reservation time that our licence requires minors (even sweet tiny little babies) to be out of the restaurant by 10pm, sorry for the inconvenience.

Top review

JLVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Consistently excellent food and service, the current winter menu is phenomenal.

The Ostrich Club

4.8

4.8 (733)

CAN$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Halifax

About the restaurant

The Ostrich Club is all about quality over quantity. Simple food with big flavours. Natural wines. Thoughtful cocktails. Warm and inviting service.

Please have a look at our menus though please note that the regular menus may not be entirely current as there may be a delay from open table in re-posting the most up-to-date ones. See our website for current menus.

We hope to welcome you soon!
#livefastdieyum

Top review

BillVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Our favourite dinner destination. Great wine, wonderful food and caring, focused service.

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