23 reasons Nova Scotia should be on every foodie's travel bucket list

Noteworthy Nova Scotian eats

23. Refuel after sightseeing at Margaret’s

Less than an hour’s drive from the capital of Halifax, Peggy’s Cove is the perfect place to soak up true East Coast charm. The rural village is an active fishing community and boasts many striking photo ops, including the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. Those tired from sightseeing should head to Margaret’s Café, a cosy spot serving up grilled panini, seafood chowder and Maritime-inspired baked goods, alongside fresh coffee, tea and cold drinks.

22. Get your coffee fix at Sissiboo Coffee Roaster

While big-name chain Tim Horton’s has a certain novelty pull for those visiting the province for the first time, those looking for a stronger coffee fix should stop at Sissiboo Coffee Roaster. The team ethically sources its organic Fairtrade beans and roasts them to perfection. There are a few blends to choose from, too, whether you prefer your cup with hints of chocolate and hazelnut or vanilla and caramel. The mini chain is home to three locations across the Southwest part of Nova Scotia.

21. Dine and sip in style at Lot Six

A Halifax favourite, Lot Six is a lively, trendy spot loved by locals and visitors alike. It’s known for its craft cocktails and modern Canadian fare, so look forward to tucking into plates brimming with freshly shucked oysters, fried calamari, lobster rolls, crab fried rice, and poke-style tacos, all while sipping on your tipple of choice. Heading here for dinner? Grab a table in the glass-roofed atrium for the coolest seat in the house.

20. Take on the Lunenburger at Grand Banker Bar & Grill

Overlooking the bustling Lunenburg harbour, Grand Banker Bar & Grill serves up a menu inspired by its surroundings. The restaurant works with local producers, farmers and fishermen to produce a menu highlighting Nova Scotian delicacies; favourites include the Maritime seafood chowder, house chips with Cheddar and bacon dip, and pan-seared scallops with pineapple salsa. The Lunenburger (a mighty patty topped with smoked mozzarella, bacon, rocket, garlic aioli, tarragon butter sauce and Nova Scotian lobster) is the house speciality and well worth tackling, if you dare.

19. Experience fantastic fine dining fare at Blomidon Inn

Set in the Annapolis Valley, a breathtaking region of Nova Scotia defined by its captivating natural beauty and soaring landscapes, the Blomindon Inn feels like it’s been plucked straight from a film set. The red and white, cedar-encased building, with its grand English Victorian–style interiors and old-school hospitality, is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. Come for dinner and you’ll enjoy fantastic fine dining fare, showcasing the best of the province’s ingredients. Previous dishes have included whipped feta and marinated tomato bruschetta, fresh lobster linguine and pan-seared scallops with fruity salsa.

18. Buy incredible produce at Stirling Fruit Farms

A local favourite since 1917, Stirling Fruit Farms is a must-visit for those who love sampling the freshest fruits and vegetables when travelling. Stop off here to stock up on artisanal products, from local cheeses and chutneys to creamed honey and cartons of fresh apple cider. Visitors can pick their own fruits in the summer and pumpkins in the autumn, and no visit is complete without a scoop of ice cream; a new flavour is released every week, so expect tasty options like lemon curd and wild blueberry.  

17. Feel part of the community at Wild Roots Restaurant

Located in the small fishing village of Tusket, Wild Roots Restaurant is a neighbourhood eatery with a big heart. Set up by chef-owner Kylie Brownell, the spot has become one of the area’s most-loved restaurants, adored for its fresh flavours and welcoming atmosphere. Local ingredients are at the core of the menu, with highlights including fricot soup (a hearty Acadian soup with chicken and dumplings) and beer-battered fish and chips with coleslaw and house tartare.

16. Tuck into wood-fired pizza at Betty’s at the Kitch

Set in the picturesque seaside town of Mahone Bay, Betty’s at the Kitch is a cosy, rustic joint that pours local wines and serves wood-fired pizzas. Menu highlights include mini Yorkshire puddings stuffed with tender beef and horseradish aioli, the charcuterie and cheese board platter and the Bowers pizza (garlic butter shrimp, mozzarella, Parmesan and fresh herbs on a thin, crisp base). The décor is truly charming, with fun artwork, mismatched furniture and a courtyard adorned with fairy lights and candles. There’s often live music, too.

15. Dive into a fresh seafood tower at Waterfront Warehouse Restaurant

Located on Halifax’s recently regenerated promenade, Waterfront Warehouse Restaurant is a seafood haven filled with East Coast charm. The timber-clad spot celebrates the province’s diverse seafood scene, with the menu naturally focusing on the day’s catches – think colossal seafood towers, bacon-wrapped scallops and blackened haddock sandwiches. Our top tip? Order a watermelon salad, finished with blueberries, pickled watermelon rind, toasted almonds and feta, for the table – the flavours cut through the salty seafood beautifully.

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14. Enjoy fresh pastries at Aucoin Bakery

Those lucky enough to visit Cape Breton Island, an islet brimming with winding coastal roads, challenging hiking trails and a deep-rooted history of Celtic culture, should make a pitstop at Aucion Bakery. This family-run business opened in 1959 and has grown into a local hotspot adored for its home-style crusty loaves, warm fruit pies and sticky cinnamon rolls. Stock up on your favourite baked supplies before setting out on the Cabot Trail.

13. Fill up on fresh flavours at Lightfoot & Wolfville

A family-owned winery focusing on organic practices, Lightfoot & Wolfville is well worth the visit if you’re keen to discover more about Nova Scotia’s burgeoning wine industry. Enjoy a tasting, grab a bottle from the shop and sample beautifully paired dishes at the on-site restaurant. The restaurant’s menu changes seasonally, meaning you can delight in dishes such as pork and beef meatballs in marinara sauce, baked oysters and charcuterie plates. In the summer months, the opportunity to enjoy wood-fired pizza straight from the oven adds to the appeal.

12. Sample New Zealand fare at Kiwi Cafe

Nova Scotia might not be the first place you’d expect to find fresh New Zealand bites, but Cafe Kiwi is well worth stopping off at. Set in the quaint village of Chester, this cool neighbourhood spot serves up tasty baked goods, light lunches and incredible breakfast plates. The eggs Benedict with Nova Scotia lobster, home fries and micro greens is the crowd favourite.

11. Try a regional fast food favourite at King of Donair

If you’re after pure Nova Scotian comfort food, look no further than the Halifax donair. Similar to a Greek gyro and a döner kebab, this regional staple sees rotisserie-cooked, spiced beef, tomato, onion and a sweet, garlicky sauce made with condensed milk wrapped inside a warm, toasted pitta. It was created in the 1970s by Greek immigrant Peter Gamoulakos and you can still try it at the King of Donair, the mini chain where it was first served. 

10. Experience a sunset dinner at Luckett Vineyards

This incredible vineyard was founded in 2000 by Pete Luckett, an English grocer who saw the potential in an expansive, overgrown hay field. Luckett Vineyards now produces some of the best wines in the province and enjoys striking views over the Gaspereau Valley. There’s a brilliant lunch and dinner service daily and there are few better ways to start an evening than by soaking up the soaring landscapes at sunset while sitting on the terrace with a glass of wine in hand. Don’t forget to snap a photograph inside the iconic British phone box nestled amongst the vines either.

9. Hop on the Tastes of Lunenburg Food Tour

Complete with original colonial buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, the small port town of Lunenburg is famed for its colourful architecture and historic waterfront and is one of just two urban areas in North America awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site title. The best way to soak up all of the town’s charms and quirks is through a Tastes of Lunenburg Food Tour; this multi-stop walking experience will see you learn plenty about Lunenburg and try some of its culinary delights, including seafood chowder, lobster rolls and homemade ice cream. 

8. Shop local at Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market

Established in 1750, this charming farmers’ market is the longest continuously running market in North America and is an absolute must-visit for those exploring Halifax city at the weekend. It was originally a cattle and livestock market, but has since transformed into an elaborate event showcasing local farmers and small businesses. Expect row upon row of vendors selling all manner of delicious goodies, including fresh produce, baked goods, maple syrup, smoothie bowls, Indian curries, Korean dishes and hot sauces.  

7. Be blown away by smoky flavours at Tribute

Tribute is one of Halifax’s buzziest new dining experiences. The playful, modern restaurant features a theatrical open plan kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city's harbour. It sources the best of Nova Scotia’s seasonal ingredients, then fire roasts them and pairs them with international flavours. The menu is spearheaded by Halifax native Colin Bebbington, who uses his experience working in Bologna, Italy, to bring exciting new concepts to the table. Expect dishes such as coffee cappelletti pasta with prosciutto butter, tortellini with a tomato-infused dough, and halibut with Asian greens and rhubarb. 

6. Indulge in a seafood-fuelled feast at Baddeck Lobster Suppers

A destination spot located on Cape Breton Island, Baddeck Lobster Suppers is a seasonal restaurant specialising in seafood-abundant feasts. The family-owned eatery showcases the best of locally caught seafood, from meaty lobsters to mouthwatering mussels, through a mighty four-course dinner. Menu highlights include all-you-can-eat steamed mussels and chowder, freshly steamed lobster with melted butter for dipping and a house-made dessert of the day.

5. Eat with the seasons at Domaine de Grand Pré

Owned by the Stutz family since 1994, Domaine de Grand Pré is the oldest farm winery in Atlantic Canada. The Swiss-born family replanted all of the vineyards in the late 1990s, transitioning it into the award-winning business it is today. Alongside must-try vineyard tours and tastings, stop by the on-site restaurant, La Caveau; the spot is guided by local producers, with a hyper-seasonal menu full of fresh flavours. Enjoy dishes such as tuna tartare, confit duck pappardelle and pan-roasted arctic char. Book in for a night at the beautifully restored inn to round off a magical day. 

4. Go on a multi-sensory food journey at Mystic

With a front-row view overlooking Halifax waterfront, Mystic sets itself apart from other restaurants in the area. Here diners are guided on a multi-sensory journey across land and sea thanks to an incredible tasting menu and wine pairing experience. The space is beautifully thought out, boasting an open-plan kitchen and counter seating for those wanting a fully immersive evening, plus tables perched over the bay for guests after a more relaxed affair. 

3. Sink your teeth into a lobster roll at Tom’s Lobster Shack

Lobster rolls are abundant in Nova Scotia, but none are quite as mouthwatering as Tom’s Lobster Shack. Located in Peggy’s Cove, this endearing spot serves up four delicious roll styles, whether you prefer your lobster cold and smothered in mayonnaise, celery slices, parsley and shallots, or warm, herby and drenched in garlic butter. Regardless of how you like yours dressed, you can expect each roll to be piled high with fresh lobster.

2. Book a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Dining on the Ocean Floor

Set on the site of the world’s highest tides, Dining on the Ocean Floor is a multi-sensory event every foodie needs to experience. Spread across an afternoon at Burncoat Head Park on Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy, you’ll be guided by a local forager, learning about the area’s amazing wild edibles, before indulging in a seafood feast enjoyed atop the red rock cliffs. Diners are then taken on a private tour of the park, venturing down to the ocean floor where you’ll find fossils and fascinating tidal pool creatures. The experience closes with a three-course dinner right on the sand, followed by a campfire and local indigenous Mi’kmaq stories.

1. Take on a whole lobster at Hall’s Harbour Restaurant & Lobster Pound

Ask any Nova Scotian where to go for an authentic lobster experience and they’ll direct you to Hall’s Harbour Restaurant & Lobster Pound. Set in an old fishing village dating to 1779, the blue and white timber-clad joint boasts striking views over the Bay of Fundy and offers some of the freshest lobster in the province. Diners have the option to hand select their own lobster from the on-site pound – it will then be freshly prepared and served steaming hot with a selection of sides. Other must-try dishes include the lobster nachos, panko-breaded calamari and pickle chips.

Getting there

A six-hour flight from the UK, getting to Nova Scotia couldn’t be easier. Air Canada offers multiple direct flights a week from London Heathrow Airport to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, while WestJet flies directly from London Gatwick Airport and Edinburgh Airport during the peak summer season.  

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