Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Nova Scotia

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Nova Scotia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dear Friend

4.9

4.9 (409)

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

Toki

Dined on Jul 16, 2025

My experience here was beyond amazing. Drew the bartender was so welcoming and made my experience here so amazing. I mentioned that we were celebrating a birthday and Drew as the amazing bartender he is made us a complimentary espresso martini to celebrate the birthday girl. I would highly recommend this intimate lovely place to anyone who’s looking for a wonderful intimate experience with excellent service.

Lou pécou pizzeria

4.8

4.8 (236)

CAN$30 and under

Pizzeria

Halifax

About the restaurant

In Provence, a region in southeastern France, “Lou Pécou” is the term for the peduncle, or stalk, that holds a cluster of fruit. Our grandparents taught us that when in the kitchen, you must start with the freshest and finest of ingredients. They had a unique way of feeling and picking lou pécou, to know if the fruit and vegetable is local, ripe, and fresh. We look forward to passing you these traditions and learnings through our pizzas.

At Lou Pécou, you will find exclusive finely curated dishes with a Provençal touch, a wide range of organic and biodynamic wines, signature cocktails, house-made desserts, and much more!

Top review

Dawn

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent crust and unique toppings make this worth the trip

EDNA Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (889)

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

MarkVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Another great dinner, and this time with 7 of us at one big table. Always make a point to visit Edna when in Halifax, thanks so much, you guys!

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4.9

4.9 (866)

CAN$30 and under

European

Halifax

About the restaurant

Eliot & Vine offers an array of dining experiences. Have a seat in the main room along the bright windows, or at our beautiful marble top bar. Our semi-private ‘Frolic Room’, boasting exquisite work by renowned artist Jean Bradbury, is perfect for group dinners or a quiet date night. Or, watch the chefs work their magic while you sit at the kitchen counter. Eliot & Vine was designed by Breakhouse. European favourites get a unique twist inspired by the seasons and ever-changing market offerings. Our extensive wine list features classics you love, and unique gems waiting to be discovered - from around the world or local vineyards. We have hand-crafted cocktails and a selection of European bottled beer, while the draught taps showcase our love of home. We are happy to accommodate special requests, such as a gluten-free or vegetarian meal. Don’t hesitate to ask anyone on our team, and be sure to let us know if you have any food allergies or sensitivities.

Top review

TamaraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great off-menu cocktails last night, the tuna tartar & chocolate torte are my new faves!

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Popular dish

Fried Brussels Sprouts

The Canteen on Portland

4.9

4.9 (3490)

CAN$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

The Canteen is a full-service neighbourhood restaurant in Downtown Dartmouth, serving up chef-inspired seasonal fare for lunch, brunch and dinner. At the helm in the kitchen is award-winning chef and co-owner Renee Lavallee. Her seasonal menus are influenced by classic French, Italian and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine – with a little bit of Renée’s magic thrown in. Signature items include The Canteen Burger, The Crobster Roll, Seafood Chowder and more.

Top review

Nancy

Dined 2 days ago

I love the Canteen! Steak and pommes frites with grilled broccoli was sooo good!

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4.8

4.8 (1358)

CAN$51 and over

Steak

Halifax

About the restaurant

CUT Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience sure to please the most sophisticated of diners. Start your evening with a glass of award-winning wine or perhaps a popular craft beer. From our menu, savour a dry-aged New York Striploin, delicious AAA Atlantic Rib-eye, PEI Blue Dot tenderloin or Wagyu beef all cooked to your specifications. Finish off with an amazing sampling of fine cheeses, a specialty liqueur and a decadent dessert. Downstairs, SHUCK Seafood + Raw Bar features a seafood market with a wide selection of Nova Scotia product delivered daily. Enjoy oysters on the half shell, crudo, ceviche or whole fresh fish prepared to your liking. In the summer, sit outside on our beautiful patio overlooking the Halifax waterfront.

Top review

Rhonda&Robert

Dined on Jul 16, 2025

Elegant surroundings, polished service, and perfectly prepared meals made our anniversary dinner exquisite. This is a perfect restaurant for extra-special occasions.

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4.8

4.8 (790)

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

Magie

Dined 2 days ago

Superb on all fronts. Started with 1/2 doz PEI oysters, served on half shell with mignonette made with house fermented minced onion and a spicier mango something or other. The oysters were so pristine they were beautiful naked or with just a bit of lemon, but both accompaniments were wonderful. When in Rome…so, I opted for a glass of bubbles from a local maker - super impressive - fine mousse, crisp and light, citrus and saline minerality but complex and creamy. Was undecided about where to go next so asked for guidance, and was led to snow peas and snap peas, snow crab, whipped ricotta, elderflower vinegar and a glass of a locally produced Chardonnay. So good…just a perfect mouthful. The wine pairing was perfect. Finished with shrimp dumplings, which tasted like takoyaki in Osaka but you won’t die of a heart attack or burn a layer off the roof of your mouth. Instead it’s floating in a shallow pool of dashi with kimchi relish, and a bit of kewpie. This was paired with the most incredible orange wine, also produced in Nova Scotia. I’m deliberately not identifying the wines. Asking for guidance and suggestions elevated the experience. Will visit again to try tomatoes and tuna crudo before returning to Baja Canada.

Tribute

4.9

4.9 (230)

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

Cameron

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic meal in a beautiful setting with great service. Highly recommend

East Side Mario's - Halifax - Bayer's Lake

4.6

4.6 (173)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Halifax

About the restaurant

At East Side Mario's Halifax we're passionate about three things: food, famiglia, and fun. Make every family meal a special occasion at East Side Mario's, where good food and great company come together to create lasting memories and let our family handle the cleanup. With generous portions and a warm, inviting atmosphere, our hand gestures are as grand as our love for family. Whether you're looking for a dine-in experience for lunch and dinner or prefer the convenience of takeout or delivery, we cater to every preference. Come join us and enjoy All-You-Can-Eat, featuring Soup, Salad, and Garlic Homeloaf, Mario's mouthwatering Chicken Parmigiana, signature pizzas and classic Italian-American favourites that will have you saying, "Mama Mia!"

Top review

Yolanda

Dined 7 days ago

Brought our son here for his 20th birthday...his words after we were done eating was "really good choice for my birthday dinner". We all enjoyed every bite.

Toridori

4.8

4.8 (15)

CAN$30 and under

Asian

Downtown

About the restaurant

At ToriDori, we don’t play by the rules. We are a vibrant mashup of flavours and a whirlwind of global influence – we are cross-cultural chaos.

We are where Crispy Spam Musubi and Slapped Wheat Noodles collide with killer BBQ and Beef Tongue Skewers that’ll blow your mind.

At ToriDori, we have no reservations and no worries – we’re ready when you are.

Authentic? Yes. Traditional? Never. We invite you to dive headfirst into our delicious disorder.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 6 days ago

This was my second visit. This time I brought my husband to celebrate his birthday. Once again the staff was absolutely fantastic and the food was delicious. It was a wonderful experience.

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