Elevated Eats and Fine Dining: 20+ Culinary Hot Spots in Nova Scotia

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a romantic dinner, or just looking to savour a little something special, these memorable restaurants will leave craving more.

Be sure to make reservations. These popular places fill up quickly.

Halifax Metro

Bar Kismet
Bar Kismet, a small family-owned gem, delights patrons with inventive cocktails, carefully selected wines, and a menu featuring fresh seafood and handmade pasta. Offering a dynamic experience, Bar Kismet‘s food, wine, and cocktail menus are refreshed weekly, ensuring guests always encounter something new and exciting with each visit.

The Bicycle Thief
Experience the inviting ambiance of The Bicycle Thief and indulge in North American cuisine with an Italian twist and legendary cooking that promises to captivate your heart. From tantalizing handmade pasta to fresh local seafood and wood-fired pizzas, this waterfront establishment offers a diverse menu to satisfy every palate.

CUT Steakhouse
Since its inception in 2006, CUT Steakhouse has consistently upheld its commitment to excellence, earning prestigious accolades such as the 4-Diamond AAA/CAA Award and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence each year. With meticulous attention to detail, from the quality of every cut of steak to the craftsmanship of every cocktail, CUT delivers an unforgettable culinary experience just steps from the Halifax Waterfront.

daMaurizio Fine Dining
daMaurizio Fine Dining prides itself on leaving no aspect of your dining experience unattended. With its award-winning menus, wine selection, and attentive service, it has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. From meticulous attention to culinary craftsmanship to personalized service, every detail contributes to crafting an unforgettable evening for its guests.

Drift
A culinary ode to Nova Scotia, Drift elevates classic maritime fare, paying homage to traditional dishes and local ingredients in an inspired way. Along with Drift, you’ll find a full culinary district, from Asian inspired to Mediterranean to try, within Queen’s Marque on the Halifax Waterfront.

EDNA
Discover EDNA, a bustling one-room restaurant with a cozy bar, and you’ll experience the “Eat. Drink. Nourish. Always.” that their name represents. Known for their legendary brunches, discover incredible seasonal dinner menus that include the freshest local seafood, meats, and seasonal vegetables in one of Canada’s top restos.

Fawn Restaurant
Fawn Restaurant, a sophisticated dining destination in downtown Halifax, offers modern classics to its discerning clientele. Women-led, Fawn blends metropolitan flair with East Coast warmth, embodying an enduring elegance. Experience a curated menu of modern American cuisine infused with French and Italian influences and a meticulously crafted beverage selection that harmonizes with Chef Natalie Rosen’s creations, ensuring an exceptional dining experience. Be sure to visit for their weekend afternoon tea!

The Five Fishermen Restaurant & Grill
Located in one of Halifax’s heritage buildings, The Five Fishermen Restaurant & Grill is known for the unique history of the property that ties it to the Titanic… and perhaps a few of its ghost stories. But have no fear, the seafood inspired menu is the most divine thing you’ll experience here.

Gio
In the heart of downtown, fine dining has a fun twist with Gio’s inspired cuisine paired with a sommelier selected wine menu. Located close to Neptune Theatre and the Scotiabank Centre, Gio is the perfect place to start a night on the town.

Highwayman Bar & Restaurant
Experience the essence of downtown charm at Highwayman Restaurant & Bar in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy exceptional Spanish-inspired dishes and cocktails crafted from the freshest Nova Scotian ingredients. Whether you’re dining with friends, family, or solo, expect unparalleled hospitality and a culinary journey through the East Coast’s finest flavors.

Oxalis Restaurant
Take the ferry to Dartmouth where an elevated European farm-to-table dining experience awaits at Oxalis. With a menu that evolves with the seasons, Oxalis showcases carefully selected ingredients from local foragers, fishmongers and farms.

The Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Nestled within one of Halifax’s oldest buildings, The Press Gang beckons with its sophisticated ambiance and a focus on fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients. Start your dinner with their signature oyster bar and enjoy live jazz music on Fridays and Saturdays from their baby grand piano.

Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley

Bessie North House
Delight in the flavors of the Annapolis Valley at Bessie North House in Canning. Offering an inventive 7-course Prix Fixe meal, Bessie North will take you on a culinary adventure. But be sure to reserve early or you will be left on the waiting list.

Founders House
Discover elevated fine dining in a rural setting near the historic town of Annapolis Royal. Founders House celebrates locally sourced ingredients and inventive flavors through multi-course dinners at this heritage property in the Annapolis Valley.

Juniper Food + Wine
Journey to the charming town of Wolfville and discover Juniper Food + Wine. This intimate 16-seat restaurant devoted to the seasonal flavours of the Annapolis Valley including the local wines.

Le Caveau Restaurant
In the heart of Nova Scotia’s wine country at Domaine de Grand Pré winery you’ll find Le Caveau Restaurant with seasonal cuisine that pairs perfectly with their award-winning wines. Dine under their beautiful pergola in summer or take in a special event like Music Under the Vines.

Wild Caraway Restaurant & Café
Locally sourced and foraged ingredients take center stage at this culinary gem tucked away in Advocate Harbour. Discover flavours of the Bay of Fundy region with a 5-course set menu (from Thursday to Monday), that changes weekly at Wild Caraway.

Cape Breton Island

The Brixton
Experience casual upscale dining inside and a relaxed backyard style beer garden outside at The Brixton. The seasonal menus offer a modern North American flare with influences from other cultures and focus on fresh, local ingredients prepared and served in simple and interesting ways.

GRÁ Restaurant
GRÁ translated from Gaelic means love and that is exactly what you’ll find in their cuisine where everything is prepared from their own garden and surrounding area in this earth to table experience featuring a 6-course tasting adventure.

Panorama Restaurant at Cabot Cape Breton
You’ll discover Panorama Restaurant truly embodies its name, offering both stunning vistas over the 18th hole at Cabot Links and the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence along with incredible cuisine. Start your day with a lavish à la carte breakfast, while dinner highlights the finest Nova Scotian ingredients expertly paired with a curated selection of local and international wines, promising a dining experience of unparalleled excellence.

Woodroad
Located on a bluff just 100 feet from the ocean, Woodroad offers experienced-focused dining with an open kitchen and a menu that changes often to reflect seasonal ingredients from land and sea.