Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Atlantic Canada

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Atlantic Canada? 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 6 days ago

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

The Adelaide Oyster House

4.8

4.8 (453)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

St. John's

About the restaurant

We’re a small and energetic restaurant on the corner of Adelaide and Water St. in the heart of downtown St. John’s. We carry a wide selection of East Coast Oysters and our menu focuses on seafood + fun, vibrant small plates. We have a rotating selection of local craft beer and wines and an ever evolving cocktail list. Some call us loud, but we prefer lively! TripAdvisor's 'Certificate of Excellence', "Where to Eat in Canada" x 4, and voted St. John's Top Seafood restaurant!

Our reservation policy has changed in order to support the best possible customer experience. We take 5pm reservations for seating's of 2-4 people, and two larger groups of 5+ Sunday through Saturday. We accept walk-ins and keep a wait list each night, so if we cannot accommodate your desired booking time after 5pm, you are welcome to come down and see us!

You can always contact us via email at adelaideoysterbookings@gmail.com or by telephone at 702-722-7222. Our door is open and you are always welcome!

Top review

Alison

Dined 3 days ago

The Adelaide Oyster House did not disappoint! The food was outstanding. It was so fresh, flavourful, and presented beautifully. The staff were engaging and friendly, the ambience was warm and hip. I absolutely loved the 90s alternative music playlist. Our only issue was that the music was a bit too loud for our taste; it was hard at times for us to hear each other in conversation. That said, I fully recognize, that I am in my 40s and my younger self would have likely loved the louder vibe. I highly recommend this restaurant. We had an amazing night out! Thank you xo

The Ostrich Club

4.8

4.8 (732)

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

ElizabethVIP

Dined on 4 Dec 2024

We always have a wonderful time at Ostrich Club. We love the food, the vibe, and the bartender!

LIV

4.8

4.8 (332)

CAN$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

St. John's

About the restaurant

LIV - Nordic for Shelter and Life, embraces a new approach to dining, importing a true European style of partying by combining cuisine with a vibrant nightlife.

Top review

Andrea

Dined on 5 Dec 2024

The food was amazing! Menu has lots of options, and the staff were fabulous as well! One of our favorite restaurants!

Montana's BBQ & Bar - Fredericton

4.7

4.7 (160)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Fredericton

About the restaurant

Montana's BBQ & BAR is a Canadian comfort food restaurant and sports bar that is famous for barbecue cuisine. Enjoy in-house smoked pork ribs, beef brisket, grilled steaks and juicy burgers which are paired perfectly with catching the game. Montana's Federicton celebrates fun-to-eat, finger-licking smoked and barbecued comfort food that breaks the 'proper' rules. Located near Odell Park & Grant-Harvey Arena in Uptown Federicton. Experience the fun, casual and unpretentious vibe, where you can laugh heartily, cheer on the game and enjoy your friends and family. We can't wait to serve you.

Top review

Stephane

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

Best place in town, good food, good servive and good price.

Jack Astor's - St. John's

4.6

4.6 (449)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

St. John's

About the restaurant

Our mission? Great people helping other great people totally have a blast while enjoying amazing food. Wow, that was a mouthful. But can you blame us? We’re a restaurant. One that specializes in delicious food and great times. Our goal is to make you laugh. And depending on your hot sauce tolerance, cry.

In all seriousness, we take real pride in our food. Try our Cluckin’ Fresh Chicken Fingers, made and seasoned with fresh, never frozen chicken tenders. This isn’t run-of-the-mill pub grub. Our Band of Chefs are influenced by a wide variety of tastes and have travelled across the globe to gain inspiration.

But outside of the kitchen, we find it hard to take ourselves seriously. We have an Elvis booth. For no particular reason. Folks, that really does say it all. We’re sports fanatics, music nuts and love a good joke. If you’re into at least one of those things, we should hang out.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 1 day ago

Our server was so sweet, kind and informative Our food was delicious but almost came out too fast - not that we are complaining! I always seem to forget about Jack Astor's when planning to eat out since we enjoy mainly supporting local, but Jack Astor's might join the rotation a little bit more for when we want some drinks and grub.

The Gahan House - Halifax

4.6

4.6 (21)

CAN$30 and under

Pub

Halifax

About the restaurant

With a total of six locations across Atlantic Canada, Gahan House has become an East Coast staple dedicated to creating memorable experiences. We get our name from John Gahan, a prominent merchant and importer of wines, teas, and groceries on Prince Edward Island in the 19th century. His former place of residence is now the location of the original Gahan House in Charlottetown, P.E. To share our award-winning ales with more of Atlantic Canada, we opened our doors and our taps in Halifax, N.S., Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, N.B., and St. John’s, N.L.

We began as a brewpub, and we stay true to our beginnings by having a brew system in-house, ensuring that the beer we serve is as fresh as possible. With a delicious menu, handcrafted ales, and fresh East Coast oysters in our welcoming Gahan atmosphere, we hope you feel right at home.

Top review

Ruthanne

Dined 2 days ago

The place was beautifully decorated for Christmas, not overdone. I had asked for a lovely spot as it was our Christmas dinner, and It was the loveliest spot in the place! The waitress was professional and very polite. We did not feel rushed and we enjoyed ourselves very much. Thank you! Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays!!

Kelseys Original Roadhouse - Moncton

4.5

4.5 (304)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Moncton

About the restaurant

Kelseys Original Roadhouse in Moncton, NB is your destination for an awesome and delicious restaurant and sports bar experience! Enjoy our classic Four-Cheese Spinach Dip, juicy double-stacked burgers, and unforgettable chicken wings, all while catching the game on our TVs. Take advantage of daily deals on happy hour and lunch, plus get 1/2 price wings every Thursday. Can't make it in? Order your favourites for delivery or takeout and enjoy Kelseys wherever you are!

Top review

Teresa

Dined on 6 Dec 2024

Our first time there and the food was delicious. Definitely will be back.

Moxies - Dartmouth Crossing

4.5

4.5 (66)

CAN$30 and under

American

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

Located at Dartmouth Crossing, this contemporary and premium restaurant is the perfect addition to the shopping or entertainment trip with cinemas and shopping centres surrounding it.

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined on 12 Dec 2024

Ok- there are lots of more inspired options at this price point.

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Experience

New Year's Eve

St. James Gate - Moncton

4.4

4.4 (99)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

American

Moncton

About the restaurant

Welcome to St. James Gate - Moncton, we look forward to serving you.

Top review

PaulM

Dined on 28 Nov 2024

We recently hosted our Year-End Staff Celebration at this incredible restaurant, and I cannot say enough good things about the experience. From the moment we arrived, Shane and his team went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Their attentiveness and genuine care made us feel like VIPs the entire evening. Shane’s expertise truly shined when he offered thoughtful suggestions to elevate our evening, from drink pairings to menu recommendations, and even creative ideas to make our celebration more memorable. His personal touch and attention to detail were unmatched. The service was seamless, with the staff always one step ahead, ensuring our glasses were never empty and our meals arrived promptly. The food itself was outstanding – fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, making it the highlight of the night. I highly recommend this restaurant for any special occasion or gathering. Shane and his team have set a new standard for hospitality, and we’ll definitely be back for future celebrations!

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