50 Best Places to Eat 2023
Welcome to Curated Food & Drink Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Eat 2023
At Curated Food & Drink Magazine, we recognize the tremendous amount of hard work that goes into operating a top restaurant, so we put considerable effort into identifying each year's top performers. We aim to respect everyone's hustle while highlighting the achievements of those select destinations that truly enrich our culinary landscape.
According to our findings, just over 100 restaurants deserve your attention in the region. However, this list focuses on the 50 Best exclusively. That said, we also produce an annual culinary guide—The Curated Guide—where you can find our complete list of 100.
Looking at this year's 50 Best, it’s clear something special is happening in Nova Scotia. We are a small province but continue to hit well above our belt with our many dining options.
Some Changes
This year's program also represents a seismic shift in how we present the 50 Best. For the first time, only positions one through ten are ranked. This change is the right way to move forward, partly because the difference between eleven and fifty is slim. Why make 50 feel like last place when they were less than two percent away from eleven?
For this year’s process, we worked with a list of 178 culinary destinations—those we felt were the best. This list included locations already identified in The 2023 Curated Guide, plus a handful of others identified by our judges (see list of judges below) through an open nomination process.
With that final list complete, we asked our judges to provide ratings based on dining experiences over 12 months (July 2022 - July 2023).
The Rules
There were rules in place to ensure fairness and accuracy. Unique to our process, we asked our judges to provide ratings according to expectations for a given category. For example, take Morris East and Lou Pécou. Both are pizzerias, so judges were asked to rate them based on what one would expect from a pizzeria versus a cocktail bar, fine dining restaurant, beer bar, or taqueria. We also asked judges to exclude soft launches and restaurants with obvious staffing shortages.
Ultimately, our judges did what we asked, giving us a list we're proud to stand behind. We want to thank each for their time, effort, and objectivity. Without their help, we couldn't produce our 50 Best Places to Eat list. Thank you!
As a final note, we would like to thank you, our readers. It's you keeping the lights on around town. Without your support, none of these best places would exist. Thank you!
A BIG thank you to this year’s official judges!
Alex Nachman, Alexander Henden, Amanda Kelly, Anna Giddy, Beatrice Amyotte, Belinda Doyle, Brady Crewe, Chantelle Webb, Charity Carr, Charles Hsuen, Charlotte Haverstock, Chris Mitchell, Cindy Hilchey, Claire Nowlan, Craig Clarke, Daniel Curren, Dave & Deb Jessop, Deborah Keenan-Stewart, Drew Voegeli, Elyse Czapalay, Fiona Genevieve, Fred Connors, Gabriele Caras, Gabrielle Pope, Gaétan Lang, Grace Holmes, Ingeborg Kiss, Jacqui JnBaptiste, James Cummins, James Robar, Jenn Kim, Jennifer Phelan, Jessica Isenor, Jessica Salmon, John Fluke, Jules Chamberlain, Katherline Lavoie, Katija Bonin, Kayla Short, Kelsey Walsh, Ken Bagnell, Laura Oakley, Lauren MacDonald, Lindsay Wickstrom, Lori Morgan, Maegan Power, Maureen Weidman, Michelle Doucette, Patrick Rocca, Richard Matheson, Robyn Traynor, Sara Ross, Sharon Flanagan, Shelagh McCorry, Stephen Barrett, Tara Szuszkiewicz, Terri Lynn Almeda, Tim Shoveller, Tracy Mahoney, Wendy Friedman
50 Best write-ups by Laura Oakley
1/ Oxalis
22 Wentworth Street, Dartmouth
RESTAURANT $$$-$$$$ D (GF)
oxalisrestaurant.com
A first of its kind, Oxalis has found a way to truly shine as a legitimate fine dining destination in downtown Dartmouth. Owners Sophia Gruber and Andi Preuss’ European roots and luxury resort backgrounds drive an impressive and dedicated level of service and culinary techniques. Consistently pushing boundaries to surprise and delight customers, Preuss’ incredibly delicious, stunning, and sometimes mind-bending gastronomy incorporates personally foraged and hyper-local ingredients. The desserts are arguably the best and most unique in the province.
“Oxalis delivers a breathtaking balancing act of high-wire flavours that are exquisitely prepared and playfully plated. Every sophisticated, yet approachable course more than satisfies, leaving even the most discerning diner with a sense of joyful ebullience.”
photos by Michelle Doucette
2/ Bar Kismet
2733 Agricola Street, Halifax
RESTAURANT & BAR $$-$$$ D (GF)
barkismet.com
Despite consistent, well-earned international attention, Bar Kismet remains dedicated to lifting home-grown talent and producers. Husband-wife team Jenner Cormier and Annie Brace-Lavoie have crafted an elevated, highly seasonal, seafood-focused concept that delivers a thoughtful offering of visually striking plates. Brace-Lavoie highlights the ingredients’ quality and simplicity through expert techniques. The award-winning cocktail program continues introducing sophisticated, fun and creative offerings, while the small bistro atmosphere invites relaxation and intimacy.
“Set forth a symphony of thrills with every morsel of food at Bar Kismet! This restaurant keeps creativity flowing, both at the bar and in the kitchen. Menu offerings are eye-opening, pleasing and fun to share.”
photos by Jessica Emin
3/ Founders House Dining & Drinks
3816 Nova Scotia Trunk 1, Annapolis Royal
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ BR/L/D (GF)
foundershousedining.com
The destination that first put Annapolis Royal on the map for culinarians, Founders House continues to excel at delivering fine dining experiences rooted in Annapolis Valley agriculture. Backed by one of the most exciting hospitality groups in the province, Thistle Hospitality, corporate chef Chris Pyne leads the culinary team to excellence, backed by time spent cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants. The service team operates with the highest level of professionalism and Maitre’d Brent Goertzen leads a bar team that dreams up novel, locally-inspired cocktails.
“The dining experience at Founders House delivers warmth you’d expect from the East Coast. The chef’s menu is prepared with such care, using fresh local ingredients, and everything is beautifully-plated. It’s unpretentious dining at its best.”
4/ Bessie North House
23 Bessie North Road, Canning
TASTING MENU DINNERS $$$$ D
bessienorthhouse.com
Those lucky enough to have dined at exclusive farm-to-table restaurant Bessie North House know that they’re up to something very special in rural Canning. A perennial top-four-finisher on our list, chef Dave Smart only seems to grow his obsession with highlighting ingredients from nearby Annapolis Valley farmers. The seven-course tasting menus offers plates that elevate ingredients to their fullest potential. Co-owner Susan Meldrum ensures the service remains both highly personal and professional. A husband-and-wife team who are passionate ambassadors to what Nova Scotia agriculture has to offer.
“The Bessie North House in Canning beautifully showcases Nova Scotia on every plate they serve. Their continued excellence and attention to detail embodies what true fine dining can be.”
photos by Michelle Doucette
photo by Akram Hamdan
5/ Highwayman Restaurant & Bar
1673 Barrington Street, Halifax
BAR & RESTAURANT $$-$$$ D
highwaymanhfx.com
The sheer amount of knowledge inside the four walls of Highwayman is enough to make an impression on even the most discernible cocktail enthusiast. The bar team at this Spanish tapas-style restaurant is dedicated to educating the customers’ palates on classic cocktails—making them as they should be made. At the same time, they take pride in remaining on the cutting edge of mixology trends and note-worthy techniques, creating a handful of unique drinks that change over a few times per year. Not to forget the food— pintxos and small plates that are always on point and in harmony with the drinks on offer.
“Take your friends visiting from chic cities or your parents—I’ve done both and it never disappoints. Cocktails are top-notch, and the menu is diverse and flavourful. I’m a fool for their scallop crudo & pintxos!”
photo by Michelle Doucette
6/ The Orient Chinese Cuisine
227 Bedford Highway, Halifax
CHINESE RESTAURANT $$ D (GF)
theorientns.ca
Ivan Chan is one of the hardest working chefs in Nova Scotia, and his mission to serve authentic and elevated Chinese food in Halifax has earned The Orient this place on our list. Chan’s humble Bedford Highway location has surprised and charmed diners with everything from multi-course tasting menus to regional specialties like Hong Kong café style BBQ duck to Canadian Classics. He is truly a chef who is here for his customers and is uncompromising on quality and service.
“Authentic Chinese flavours, fresh seasonal ingredients and mouth-watering signature dishes keep me going back to The Orient again and again. Always a warm and welcoming dining experience. I highly recommend the Peking Duck and Spicy Lobster dishes, best shared with friends!”
photos by Michelle Doucette
7/ Ori Foods Co.
258 Wyse Road, Dartmouth
CAFE & RESTAURANT $-$$ BR/L (GF)
orifoodsco.com
Some might say that owners and chefs Zoë Bartel and Lachlan Culjak took a risk opening ORI in an off-the-beaten-path residential neighbourhood in Dartmouth, but the concept has evolved, flourished, and is now ranked in our top ten, proving that good food can thrive anywhere. Bartel’s expertly crafted high-end pastries, comforting baked goods like cookies and pies, alongside stellar coffee and breakfast sandwiches have made them a morning stopover for locals, while the lunch menu combines elegant offerings with tasty classics.
“Ori is a must for convenient take-away or sit down lunch. Great ambience, service, and fabulously fresh housemade eats. Always innovative, delicious, and satisfying. Visit once and you’ll go back again and again. Their Basque cheesecake is heavenly - buy a whole one!”
photos by Michelle Doucette
8/ Dear Friend Bar
67 Portland Street, Dartmouth
COCKTAIL BAR & EATERY $-$$ D (GF/V)
dearfriendbar.com
A cocktail bar in downtown Dartmouth from local mixology pioneers and ambassadors Jeffrey Van Horne and Matthew Boyle, Dear Friend has become the sought-after drink destination of the neighbourhood. As you would expect, this is the place for tasting award-winning cocktails crafted by a passionate team of bartenders. But don’t worry, the food is far from an after-thought, offering a concise yet thoughtful menu of small plates, stand-out bar bites and of course, East Coast oysters.
photos by Anisa Francoeur
“Dear Friend has created magic in Dartmouth. This intimate low lit cocktail bar is one of the best, not just in Nova Scotia, but Canada. Do yourself a favor and order the PB&J Sour. What made it truly special were the outstanding small plates, which were some of the best I’ve had in the city.”
photo by Michelle Doucette
photo by Michelle Doucette
9/ Le Caveau
11611 Highway 1, Grand Pré
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ L/D (GF/V)
grandprewines.com
Le Caveau continues on its path as a highly impressive farm-to-table winery restaurant at Domaine de Grand Pré. Driven by chef and owner Jason Lynch’s close relationship with nearby farmers and intense dedication to sourcing from the Annapolis Valley, he continues to find the best of the best. Lynch keeps things interesting by highlighting these ingredients using globally-inspired techniques and influences. For over two decades, Le Caveau has continued to make local food inventive and fun to eat, all while promoting the incredible wines of the region—and that’s really something.
“Establishing itself as one of Nova Scotia’s top culinary destinations and then maintaining that status for nearly 25 years is a major accomplishment that belongs solely to Chef Jason Lynch and the team at Le Caveau.”
photo by Kathy Jollimore
10/ Side Hustle Snack Bar
21 Portland Street, Dartmouth
EATERY $$ L/D (GF/V)
sidehustlesnackbar.com
Locals have loved watching Side Hustle evolve from a tap room snack bar to a sleekly designed full-service restaurant on Portland Street in downtown Dartmouth. Partly because husband and wife duo Kathy Jollimore and Brent Darbyson have worked so hard to make it happen, and also because they knock it out of the park with simply delicious food and exceptional cocktails. Jollimore’s twist on local and international dishes ranges from refined comfort foods like the must-try pork dumplings to super playful beer-friendly plates like loaded mac fries. It’s the kind of place where every dish tastes like a winner.
“Side Hustle Snack Bar is a welcoming, open, and modern space, where you can enjoy different cuisines from around the world made with fresh local ingredients.”
photos by Michelle Doucette
Listed in alphabetical order.
Battery Park Beer Bar
62 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
BEER BAR & EATERY $$ L/D (GF/V)
batterypark.ca
Think playful pub food with a seasonal influence, and 20 rotating taps of local and nearby craft beers. The Ace Burger menu is a must, and the entire food offering is meant to be washed down with the beer or cider on tap. In the summer, check out the hidden courtyard patio and grab some cold beer on your way out.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Bar Salvador
125 Montague Street, Lunenburg
TAPAS BAR $-$$ D (GF)
barsalvador.com
A teeny, colourful Spanish-inspired restaurant and bar in historical old town Lunenburg brought to you by the Ruiz-Salvador team. A must-stop for bright, summery cocktails, fantastic wines, and a menu that perfectly combines local seafood along with imported Spanish ingredients to create traditional tapas fare.
photo by Michelle Doucette
The Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar
128 Montague Street, Lunenburg
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ D (GF)
beachpeakitchen.com
A bright, modern space in historic downtown Lunenburg to enjoy masterfully prepared, fresh seafood, and other dishes featuring locally-sourced meat and produce. Handmade pastas are the icing on the cake here, where a Mediterranean-influenced menu showcases compelling yet recognizable flavours.
Betty's at The Kitch
319 Main Street, Mahone Bay
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ BR/L/D
kitchinn.com
This playful resto off the beaten path in Mahone Bay insists everyone has an inner “Betty.” The gluten-friendly sourdough pizza is legit, and they offer a few other wood-fired menu items worth a try. Battle with a local to get your table; the friendly service and excellent beer and wine list will make you want to stay a while.
The Bicycle Thief
1475 Lower Water Street Halifax
RESTAURANT $$$-$$$$ L/D
bicyclethief.ca
Halifax waterfront hotspot The Bicycle Thief hasn’t stopped buzzing since they opened up shop in 2011; the warm and cozy interior plays host to a busy and bustling dining scene most nights of the week. The lengthy Italian-inspired menu is complemented by a lovely wine selection and great service.
Bliss Caffeine Bar
1451 South Park Street
RESTAURANT & CAFE $$ B/BR/L
blisscaffeinebar.com
A bright and energetic daytime joint where the coffee is as outstanding as the brunch. Settle in for a friendly full-service experience or head to the espresso bar for a flat white to-go and one of the prettiest pastries in town. The Fried Chicken Sandwich and Breakfast Tacos are a must, plus, there are mimosas.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Broth House
1588 Granville Steet Halifax
ASIAN NOODLE BAR L/D $$ (V)
brothhouse-halifax.com
A tucked-away noodle bar serving up heaping bowls of flavour. The menu offers an all-star lineup of Taiwanese, Japanese and Sichuan comfort foods like pork belly bao, Taiwanese beef shank, tonkotsu ramen, and must-try dandan noodles, all made from scratch and with care.
photo by Michelle Doucette
The Canteen on Portland
22 Portland Street Dartmouth
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ BR/L/D (GF/V)
thecanteen.ca
Definitely the downtown Dartmouth destination for food lovers, The Canteen packs in regular customers for Saturday brunch, weekday lunches, and dinner service. Expect approachable-yet-chef-inspired fare that changes seasonally and features local suppliers, with no shortage of satisfying and vibrant flavours.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Charcuterie Ratinaud
2157 Gottingen Street, Halifax
EATERY $$ L
ratinaud.ca
Halifax’s only authentic French charcuterie and cheese shop now serves lunch Thursday to Saturday from 11:30 A.M. to 3 P.M. Try the freshly made sandwiches or from-scratch soups during the cooler months. The eat-in café is licensed and offers wine by the glass and beers from Big Spruce Brewing on tap.
The Cheeky Neighbour Diner
6024 Quinpool Road Halifax
MODERN DINER $$ B/BR/L/D (GF/V)
cheekyneighbour.com
A modern diner that feels like it has been on Quinpool for generations! Cheeky Neighbour is fun and casual, serving up classic breakfast and lunch foods from scratch, as well as internationally-inspired brunch dishes. A few cocktail options and local beer make this the perfect place to meet friends.
photo by Michelle Doucette
CHKN CHOP
6041 North Street Halifax
CHICKEN JOINT $-$$ L/D
chknchop.com
Juicy charcoal-fired rotisserie chicken lives in the spotlight at CHKN CHOP, but the side dishes and liquid offerings are just as fun and delicious. Boozy slushies like piña colada, a small but well-thought-out tap list, and many, many bottles of Valentina make this counter-service joint a must-try. Look for their weekly feature sandwich.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Cumin Kitchen & Drink
21 Roy Avenue, New Minas
EATERY $$ B/BR/L/D (GF/V)
cuminkitchenanddrink.com
A breakfast and lunch destination by Le Caveau’s chef-owner Jason Lynch brings a straightforward-yet-varied offering of flavourful dishes using suppliers from the Annapolis Valley. Get in early to beat the daily bustling lunch crowd, or grab prepared food to go for an easy dinner at home.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Dee Dee's Ice Cream
5668 Cornwallis Street, Halifax
ICE CREAM SHOP $
deedees.ca
Bid farewell to humdrum summer tastes; after a Dee Dee’s experience, you will never go back to plain popsicle life. Ice cream with flavours like Mexican Chocolate, Banana Cardamom, and Peach Ginger (sorbet) are served year-round at this award-winning ice cream shop, and burritos all summer long.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Doraku
44 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
JAPANESE EATERY $-$$ L/D
doraku.yolasite.com
Known locally as one of the best sushi joints around, be sure to make a visit for the omakase sashimi, amazing maki and offering of other Japanese go-to dishes like karaage, gyoza or house-favourite torikawa ponzu. Dine in and try the sake selection.
photo by Michelle Doucette
EDNA
2053 Gottingen Street, Halifax
RESTAURANT & BAR $$-$$$ L/D (GF)
ednarestaurant.com
EDNA continues on as an excellent dining destination for intimate dinners in its eco-chic, comfortable one-room restaurant—and now offers lunch throughout the week. The sophisticated dishes are heavily influenced by local suppliers, the changing of the seasons, and an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
Evan's Fresh Seafoods
2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
SEAFOOD COUNTER $-$$ L/D (GF)
evansfreshseafoods.com
There's nary a breadcrumb on-site in this completely gluten-free fish restaurant and take-out bar. Fish and chips is the speciality here, but their chowder—a light base, overflowing with chunky fish and seafood—is amazing too. Grab some frozen fish cakes or wild salmon to take home.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Field Guide
2076 Gottingen Street, Halifax
RESTAURANT & BAR $$-$$$ D (GF/V)
fieldguidehfx.com
This cocktail bar-slash-small plates restaurant is a busy neighbourhood joint in the North End. Think seasonally-inspired menus, trendy interior and an inventive, rotating cocktail list. Seating is limited but the bar is a super fun place to eat small plates and watch the mixology action.
The Flying Apron Cookery
3 Summerville Wharf Road, Summerville
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ BR/L/D (GF/V)
flyingaproncookery.com
This family-owned restaurant, inn and cooking school is serious about supporting local and sourcing sustainably. Chef-owner Chris Velden and his culinary team create flavourful, seasonal dishes that draw visitors from all over the province to this stunning area on the Bay of Fundy.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Gio
1725 Market Street, Halifax
RESTAURANT $$-$$$$ D (GF/V)
giohalifax.com
Gio, known for its beautiful plates designed by talented chefs showcasing local, seasonal ingredients, remains a stellar dining destination for dinner in downtown Halifax. The décor and service are always on point, and the cocktails alone make it worth a visit. Don't forget dessert!
photo by Michelle Doucette
I Love Pho
746 Bedford Hwy, Halifax
VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT $$ L/D (GF/V)
ilovepho.ca
Known for its flavourful bowls of pho (Vietnam’s signature noodle soup) the menu also offers a generous selection of Vietnamese dishes like banh mi, goi cuon (cold rolls), savoury pancakes and traditional curries plus other rice and noodle dishes. (And they have Vietnamese iced coffee!)
photo by Michelle Doucette
Il Ferramenta Pizzeria
59 Duke Street, Chester
PIZZERIA & SLICE SHOP $-$$$ L/D (GF/V)
ilferramentapizzeria.com
Il Ferramenta is a Roman-style pizza al taglio restaurant in downtown Chester. Long fermentation dough helps to create light and crispy rectangular pies with a variety of delicious toppings, served in big square pieces or as whole pies. A selection of local beer, wine and cider is available as well.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Junction Sixteen
73 Queen Street, Bridgetown
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ L/D (GF/V)
junction16.ca
This former CPR railroad station-turned-restaurant is a welcome addition to the Bridgetown area. The hefty menu offers robust fare that leans heavily on Italian flavours. Fried bread with beef carpaccio, fresh pasta made by hand and phenomenal pizzas featuring both Canadian and Italian-inspired toppings.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Juniper Food + Wine
389 Main Street, Wolfville
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ L/D (GF)
juniperfoodandwine.com
A micro-sized restaurant nestled on Main Street in Wolfville, Juniper is magnifying local ingredients to epic proportions. Letting beautiful ingredients shine, the dishes at Juniper are refined-yet-accessible, gorgeous, and straight-up delicious. And the wine list is just fantastic.
Kanpai Izakaya
1535 Dresden Row, Halifax
JAPANESE EATERY $$ L/D
kanpaiizakaya.com
An izakaya-style Japanese restaurant serving a lengthy menu of both classic and fusion shareable plates, donburi dishes, maki rolls and sashimi. Kanpai is a casual, fun environment for trying lots of Japanese snack foods with sake and local craft beer.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Kofuku Japanese + Thai
2752 Robie Street, Halifax
JAPANESE & THAI RESTAURANT $$ L/D (GF/V)
kofukujapaneseandthai.ca
A family-run restaurant that specializes in both Japanese and Thai food, Kofuku offers an extensive offering of Thai curries, noodle and rice dishes along with a full offering of tempura, sushi, ramen and rice bowls. Make sure to check out the super affordable daily lunch combos and their sake menu.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Lightfoot & Wolfville
11143 Evangeline Trail, Wolfville
WINERY & RESTAURANT $$ L/D (GF)
lightfootandwolfville.com
A winery, culinary destination & event venue focused on terroir-driven, organic and biodynamic wines. The seasonal patio restaurant features a wood-fired oven and ingredients sourced directly from the Lightfoot family farm & garden. Tasting experiences available with a stunning Cape Blomidon view.
photo by Jessica Emin
Lincoln Street Food
200 Lincoln Street, Lunenburg
RESTAURANT $$-$$$$ D
lincolnstreetfood.ca
A farm-to-table, chef-owned restaurant on the main drag in Lunenburg, the menu at Lincoln Street Food is shaped by what’s fresh at the town’s Thursday farmers’ market. A simple interior allows the food and drink to shine; the small menu covers all the bases and there’s always a stellar vegetarian option.
Lou Pécou Pizzeria
5567 Cunard Street, Halifax
PIZZERIA $$-$$$ BR/L/D
lou-pecou.ca
A cheerful new North End restaurant serving pizza classica, a style popular in Southern France. Expect light, crispy thin-crust pizzas made with organic flour, creative French and Italian inspired toppings, a thoughtful cheese and charcuterie offering, biodynamic, organic wines—and killer house-made chili oil.
Lupin Dining & Pantry
1196 W Petpeswick Road, West Petpeswick
TASTING MENU DINNERS $$$$ D (GF/V)
lupindining.ca
An unexpected farm-to-table dining experience in Musquodoboit Harbour that offers a seasonal five-course tasting menu as well as an a la carte option, both featuring ingredients from the on-site garden. Grab from-scratch oven-ready meals from the pantry or order online in advance for pick up or delivery.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Mappatura Bistro
5883 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
ITALIAN RESTAURANT $$ D
mappaturabistro.ca
Comforting Italian trattoria-style food and attentive service make this little bistro worth regular visits. The owners, a husband and wife duo, efficiently tag team front and back of house with all the attention to detail you’d expect. The fun aperitivo and digestivo program greatly enhance the dining experience at Mappatura.
The Narrows Public House
2720 Gottingen Street, Halifax
PUB $$-$$$ L/D (GF/V)
An essential pub experience, this Maritime public house is a stunningly restored heritage property now come to life. Cozy up by one of the wood-burning fireplaces and enjoy beautifully elevated East Coast comfort foods like boiled dinner,
fish and chips, or a house-made bologna sandwich.
photo by Michelle Doucette
The Noodle Guy
964 Highway 358, Port Williams
EATERY $$ L/D (GF)
Whether you’re in the mood for stuffed ravioli, soba noodles or even ramen, this hand-made noodle-slinging favourite in Port Williams has you covered. The “not-pasta” part of the menu offers up tasty rice bowls, salads, wraps and more,
plus check out popular Thursday burger nights.
photo by Michelle Doucette
The Osney Café & Social
5783 Charles Street Halifax
CAFÉ & EATERY $-$$ B/BR/L
theosney.ca
Proudly baking from scratch and slow-roasting meats in-house, The Osney is a step up from your typical café food. Standout sandwiches, amazing quiches, an all-day breakfast and a stellar coffee lineup featuring espresso from Port City Coffee give this little gem a major edge.
photo by Michelle Doucette
The Ostrich Club
5529 Young Street, Halifax
RESTAURANT $$-$$$ BR/D (GF)
theostrichclub.ca
The chef-driven menu at Ostrich Club delivers globally-inspired farm-to-table food using local suppliers. The menu is truly creative, not to mention delicious, and the sophisticated wine list shines a light on natural wines—most of which you’ve never seen or heard of before. The server knowledge is highly impressive and as is the drinks menu.
PMQ Restaurant
1537 Barrington Street, Halifax
GERMAN RESTAURANT $$-$$$ L/D (GF/V)
pmqrestaurant.ca
Authentic German food and beer on tap in a casual bierhalle-like atmosphere, PMQ takes the time and effort to execute beloved German dishes like schnitzel, spaetzle and house-made pretzels plus introduces lesser-known and unsurprisingly delicious options into the Halifax culinary scene. Even the condiments are made from scratch.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Rasa: Flavours of India
1542 Birmingham Street, Halifax
INDIAN RESTAURANT $$-$$$ L/D (GF/V)
rasarestaurant.ca
A stylish Indian restaurant in the Spring Garden Road district, Rasa offers extensive wine and cocktail lists along with a lengthy food menu. Everyone’s favourite Indian dish seems to be on offer, and—get excited—they have a tandoori oven.
Ristorante A Mano
1477 Lower Water Street Halifax
ITALIAN RESTAURANT $$-$$$ L/D
ristoranteamano.ca
This light, airy trattoria serves authentic Italian fare, including generous servings of fresh pasta. It’s also perfect for large groups, where dishes can be served on a platter, family-style and shared around the table. A Mano is known not only for its food but for its attention to service.
photo by Teymour Adham
Robie Street Station
2394 Robie Street, Halifax
MODERN DINER $$ B/BR/L (GF)
robiestreetstation.com
An awesome selection of comforting dishes that is somehow appropriate to eat any time of the day, Robie Street Station takes the all-day breakfast concept up a few needed notches. If you love inventive ways to eat eggs, this is your jam. This bright neighbourhood joint overlooks the Commons.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Salvatore’s Pizzaiolo Trattoria
5541 Young Street, Halifax
PIZZERIA $-$$ L/D (V)
salvatorespizza.ca
A Friday night favourite in the historic Hydrostone district, Salvatore’s has New York style pizzas, hero sandwiches, cannoli, cheesecake, and drinks. The menu sticks to gourmet classics, such as the Rodger or the Bianco in Stephano, recipes that were created when Sal’s first began.
Truly Tasty
6210 Quinpool Road, Halifax
RESTAURANT $$ BR/L/D (V)
trulytasty.ca
A family-owned ramen restaurant making the noodles from scratch with flour imported from Japan, this noodle joint is worth a visit for both traditional bowls like shoyu chashu (pork) ramen and newer creations like fried chicken ramen with spicy garlic mayo. Portions are big, so bring your appetite with you.
photo by Michelle Doucette
Verano Food Purveyors
1871 Hollis Street, Halifax
MEXICAN EATERY $$ B/L (GF)
veranofoodhfx.ca
A tucked-away downtown counter-service style café offering breakfast and lunch, Verano brings quality Latin food made from scratch to a busy office district. A lengthy selection of their homemade empanadas, tacos and freshly made guacamole keep locals and visitors coming back for more.
photo by Michelle Doucette
The Whiskey Teller
9 Church Street, Annapolis Royal
PUB $$-$$$ B/L/D
thewhiskeyteller.com
The Whiskey Teller made its name serving wood-fired rotisserie food. Back in August, the historic building it calls home experienced a significant fire, so they are now closed. Plans are to re-build and re-open. For the time being, they are hosting pop-ups, which you can track on Instagram.
photo by Michelle Doucette
A Baker’s Fifty
In case you missed it, this year's 50 Best list includes 52 culinary destinations. There were several ties during this year's ranking, and we simply couldn't find a reason to exclude anyone. Besides, we're known for doing things a little differently. Why not maintain this expectation?
In addition to the ties, another nine restaurants with high scores almost made the list. Those close calls include: The South Shore Fish Shack (Lunenburg), Il Mercato (Bedford), The Press Gang (Downtown Halifax), Rustic Crust (Upper Tantallon), Martin’s Kitchen (Hatchet Lake), Tom's Lobster Shack (Peggy’s Cove), Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe (Quinpool Road), Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery (Quinpool Road), and Seoa's Chicken (Bedford). Alas, we had to cut it off somewhere.
Should we change it to the 75 Best next year? As much as we’d like to, 50 is the right number, even if it makes our life more difficult.
Congrats to this year's 50 Best Places to Eat!
If you have dined at more than 60 restaurants over the past 12 months, have great taste and would like to volunteer your judging services for the 50 Best Places to Eat 2024, email us.
