Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Nova Scotia

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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. Enjoy!

Dear Friend

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.

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

Natalie

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

Wow, just wow! This was my first time trying Chef Colin’s food and it certainly won’t be my last!! The steak cooked on the open fire had such a depth of flavour, and the handmade pasta was a highlight of the meal! Finally, finished off the meal with the ooey gooey cake, that truly couldn’t believe was gluten free. Fabulous service, lovely atmosphere and overall fantastic meal. We will be back!

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.

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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4.7

4.7 (824)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Latin American

Halifax

About the restaurant

Showcasing the vibrant essence of Latin cooking, Bar Sofia is a paradise for lovers of shared plates and cocktails. Led by celebrated Chef Anthony Walsh, Bar Sofia playfully nods to his family’s Argentinian heritage as well as the next generation of food lovers, artists and adventurers.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

This was our first time here and we will definitely be back. It’s beautiful inside, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious.

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Anne's Bravas Brussels Sprouts

Sip Bar & Fare

4.7

4.7 (97)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

Centred around a roaring hearth with an airy atrium and terrace above, Sip offers food and drink with character. Our menu features upscale cocktails — including curated classics and custom concoctions — and shareable plates cooked over an open flame.

Join us for a bite or a bevvy. We’ll keep the fire going.

Top review

ArefVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Great food, great service! Definitely coming back!

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Experience

Sip & Savor: A Wine Tasting Happy Hour

Darya

4.6

4.6 (755)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Mediterranean

Halifax

About the restaurant

A refined yet earthy dining destination on the Halifax waterfront, Daryâ offers a fresh, bright take on Eastern Mediterranean cooking. Featuring a globally-inspired wine list, vibrant cocktails and a large, sunny patio, Daryâ’s spirited, relaxed atmosphere invites diners to break bread with friends and loved ones and sample as many flavours and textures as possible.

Top review

Diana

Dined 7 days ago

Valuable price for brunch buffet. Nice food, great service and great dining experience.

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Experience

Buffet Brunch at Darya

Asia Restaurant and Bar

4.6

4.6 (90)

CAN$51 and over

Asian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to ASIA, Halifax's premier destination for an unparalleled Pan-Asian dining experience.

Our restaurant redefines culinary adventure with a menu that showcases innovative dishes from across Asia, expertly crafted to tantalize your taste buds. Delight in our experimental cocktails and curated wine list, all designed to complement and elevate your meal. At ASIA, we promise a dining experience unlike anything you’ve encountered before, blending extraordinary flavors with an exceptional atmosphere.

Join us for a memorable journey through the vibrant and diverse world of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing staff, food, and ambiance. Going back again!

LOS TOROS Auténtico Español

4.1

4.1 (147)

CAN$30 and under

Seafood

Halifax

About the restaurant

Los Toros Auténtico Español is a hidden gem nestled in a picturesque waterfront location. As you step inside, you are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that immediately transports you to the vibrant streets of Spain. The restaurant boasts a charming patio area that overlooks the glistening waters, creating a serene and breathtaking dining experience.

The patio is adorned with comfortable seating and rustic accents, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely meal while taking in the scenic views.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the Paella. Los Toros takes great pride in serving traditional paella that is bursting with flavors and aromas. Prepared with a meticulous attention to detail, each plate of paella showcases the culinary expertise and dedication to authenticity.

To complement your meal, Los Toros also boasts an impressive selection of Spanish wines, handpicked to enhance the flavors of the cuisine.

Top review

Tammy

Dined on 29 Nov 2024

This nice little gem was our first time. The food menu has a bit of everything, the portion was really good, the service was really good. I would like to suggest to take a closer glance at the layout and ambiance. Upon our arrival the light were really bright and with the wood tables and metal chairs does not reflect what the restaurant wants to achieve. The potential is there and with prime location I think they are missing a great opportunity!

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