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10 Foods to Try in NS

Everyone knows that Nova Scotia is world-famous for our lobster and that it is a must-try while visiting. From a traditional lobster dinner to a beach side lobster boil to lobster rolls, creamed lobster, lobster poutine and even lobster beer, Nova Scotia can quell your lobster cravings. But, did you know about the other delicious foods worth trying during your visit? Here are ten for you to chew on.

Digby Scallops

Digby scallops are world-famous for being succulent and fresh, caught off the shores of the Bay of Fundy by the largest scallop fishing fleet in the world based in Digby. Several restaurants throughout the province serve these sweet little morsels in a variety of delicious ways. From bacon wrapped to pan seared; battered and deep fried to served on top of seafood linguine; as a salad topper to chowder and the list goes on!

Digby Scallops

Wild blueberries

Wild blueberries are Nova Scotia’s provincial berry with over 40 million pounds produced in the province each year and shipped all over the world. Oxford, Nova Scotia is Canada’s wild blueberry capital with wild blueberry grunt being a delicious and iconic Nova Scotia dessert. Visit a u-pick during harvest time – August to September – or pick up a pint of fresh berries at the nearest farm or farmers’ market.

Going on a wild blueberry binge? Check out other Nova Scotia made wild blueberry products like juice, liqueur, syrup, beer, soap, lip balm, baked goods, chocolates, preserves, wine, tea or coffee which you can drink from your handcrafted blueberry themed mug.

Fresh blueberries are used in everything, including refreshing drinks.

The Donair

The iconic donair has been infiltrating westward in Canada, but make no mistake its roots are deep in Nova Scotia – Halifax to be exact. In 2015 this deliciously saucy, meaty, messy wrap became the official food of Halifax.

So, what is it anyway?

Spiced beef, cooked on a spit and shaved onto a pita, doused in a sweet garlic sauce and garnished with tomatoes and raw onions is the best way to describe it. But to locals it’s just goodness. While there is no beating the classic, innovations in the donair space have been surfacing in recent years. Creative cooks have come up with donair pie, donair pizza, donair poutine, donair burgers, donair eggrolls, donair sausages, and even donair soup.

Need your donair to-go (home, that is)? Order it to go – it’ll be wrapped up tight for safe travels – or pick up a bottle of donair sauce or a kit at a local grocery store to make your own.

A traditional Donair

Dulse

Dulse is an edible red seaweed that grows in the Bay of Fundy. After being harvested, dulse can be eaten as is as a seaweed snack, added to recipes or made into things like flakes, powder, or soap. Some say it is an acquired taste, but relatively easy to find around Nova Scotia and worth a try!

Oatcakes

Oatcakes, like many things in Nova Scotia, originate with the Scottish (we are New Scotland, after all). This treat is just the right amount of sweet and salty and pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee. Some variations are even flavoured with peanut butter or dipped in chocolate for that extra sweet touch. Whether you prefer chewy or crunchy, oatcakes can be found throughout the province at bakeries and cafes.

Apples

When you think of Nova Scotian foods, apples probably aren’t the first thing that come to mind. But, maybe they should be. The province’s fertile Annapolis Valley is ripe with apple orchards, covering thousands of acres of land. This humble fruit is celebrated each spring at the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival and harvested each fall, from mid-September to the end of October, with many u-pick options available. There really is nothing like a fresh, juicy apple picked straight from the tree and with well over 20 varieties of apples to choose from, your favourite apple for snacking and baking is sure to be available.

Cideries in the province also utilize local apples as the main ingredient when brewing their crisp and flavourful ciders.

Apples growing in an apple orchard in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley region.

Oysters

There are a few different varieties of oysters grown in the coastal waters of Nova Scotia. Each with their own distinct characteristics and flavours but all providing a hit of refreshing, salty brine that can only be found in a just-plucked-from-the-water-yesterday oyster. Visit one of the many restaurants across Nova Scotia that offer up fresh oysters on the daily.

Succulent, fresh oysters on the half shell

Rappie Pie

Rappie Pie is a traditional Acadian dish made up of grated potatoes and meat. This dish is available at many restaurants throughout the province but while travelling through the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores region, stop by the Red Cap Restaurant or La Cuisine Robicheau to give it a try. You can even pick up a rappie pie from D’Eon’s to take and bake at home.

Eat Lobster and Seafood Chowder on the Nova Scotia Lobster Trail & the Nova Scotia Chowder Trail

The Nova Scotia Lobster Trail and The Nova Scotia Chowder Trail are unique to Nova Scotia, each highlighting the incredible fresh seafood that Nova Scotia is famous for. It is a worthy feat to try and eat at every location on the trail but with dozens of stops you may need to make a second or third visit back to Nova Scotia!

Looking for luscious and local Nova Scotia lobster to try? From Capt Kat’s Lobster Shack in Barrington Passage – the area is the Lobster Capital of Canada – to the Rusty Anchor Restaurant in Pleasant Bay on the beautiful Cabot Trail, you won’t be disappointed!

Quarterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill

Good Cheer Trail

Need something to wash this all down with? Visit a Nova Scotia winery, distillery, brewery or cidery to pick up a locally crafted beverage or order one off a restaurant menu to sip with your meal. The craft beverage scene has been booming in recent years with producers located in every region of the province and can all be discovered by following the Good Cheer Trail!

Wine in Nova Scotia, on the other hand, has a deep history which dates back to the 1600s with the Annapolis Valley being one of the first areas in North America to cultivate grapes for wine. Tidal Bay is Nova Scotia’s first wine appellation and this crisp, aromatic white is the perfect pairing for our fresh seafood.

Boxing Rock Brewing Co.

Learn from the locals

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