Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Nova Scotia

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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 favourite 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 (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 7 days ago

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

Tribute

4.9

4.9 (36)

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

Natalie

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Wow, just wow! This was my first time trying Chef Colin’s food and it certainly won’t be my last!! The steak cooked on the open fire had such a depth of flavour, and the handmade pasta was a highlight of the meal! Finally, finished off the meal with the ooey gooey cake, that truly couldn’t believe was gluten free. Fabulous service, lovely atmosphere and overall fantastic meal. We will be back!

Bar Sofia - Halifax

4.7

4.7 (824)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Latin

Halifax

About the restaurant

Showcasing the vibrant essence of Latin cooking, Bar Sofia is a paradise for lovers of shared plates and cocktails. Led by celebrated Chef Anthony Walsh, Bar Sofia playfully nods to his family’s Argentinian heritage as well as the next generation of food lovers, artists and adventurers.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

This was our first time here and we will definitely be back. It’s beautiful inside, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious.

Discover more

Anne's Bravas Brussels Sprouts

Asia Restaurant and Bar

4.6

4.6 (90)

CAN$51 and over

Asian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to ASIA, Halifax's premier destination for an unparalleled Pan-Asian dining experience.

Our restaurant redefines culinary adventure with a menu that showcases innovative dishes from across Asia, expertly crafted to tantalize your taste buds. Delight in our experimental cocktails and curated wine list, all designed to complement and elevate your meal. At ASIA, we promise a dining experience unlike anything you’ve encountered before, blending extraordinary flavors with an exceptional atmosphere.

Join us for a memorable journey through the vibrant and diverse world of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing staff, food, and ambiance. Going back again!

Besharam Bar and Grill

4.5

4.5 (94)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Indian

Halifax

About the restaurant

New age Indian restaurant, quirky setup, owned and operated by Chef Mani, serving classics to modern Indian food, crafted cocktails, local beer, Indian beer, great selection of wines to pair perfectly with your food.
Indian music, Ideal space for young professionals, groups, get-togethers, team meetings.

Highlights:
Tandoori dishes, freshly baked naan made to order, cocktails crafted to go with Indian food.
Beautiful patio over looking public garden, Private room, Live music

Top review

David

Dined 2 days ago

Great food and reasonable prices. Wait staff was friendly and attentive.

Sea Smoke Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (857)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Halifax

About the restaurant

Located on the beautiful Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, Sea Smoke Restaurant & Bar happily boasts one of the best views in the city.

Food prepared with precision is served by a friendly & proud service team.
Incredible cocktails are created seasonally by an experienced bar team with something to satisfy any craving. A tailored wine list features many varietals by the glass and special offerings by the bottle.

Looking for a place to impress that special someone? Look no further! We also offer take-out & offsite catering.

Top review

Brad

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Excellent place to eat. Great views. We have enjoyed this restaurant a few times.

Discover more

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

4.4

4.4 (141)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Halifax

About the restaurant

At East Side Mario's Halifax-186 Chain Lake Dr. 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

Courtney

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Great experience. Server answered all my questions about current promos. Very fast and efficient. Very friendly. Food was great as always.

The Mercantile Social

4.4

4.4 (317)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Halifax

About the restaurant

The Mercantile Social is a Kitchen + Bar that is the focal point of the city and offers a one-of-a-kind casual fine dining experience. From our 30+ seater marble top bar to our open concept dining room and state of the art design, guests are leaving with a unique impression and has easily been a "go-to" place.

From social plates to fresh seafood and signature dishes we stand on the corner of Hollis and Sackville, and sit at the crossroads of historic Halifax’s first garrison and the modern undertones of downtown. Hearkening back to our mercantile history, The Mercantile Social takes inspiration from European and Latin American influences, and a sense of adventure that opens up our part of the world to taste and influences from around the globe. For a memorable experience, drop by and make a little history of your own!

Top review

Lesley

Dined 5 days ago

We started with crab dip which was.absolutely delicious. I followed that up with the mushroom ravioli which was outstanding. My dinner companion had the seafood linguini which he found a little flat and he was disappointed that the sauce was not more robust. The meal was wrapped up with the sorbet which we shared and was yummy. Overall a really good meal but the table beside us was extremely loud which took away from our experience.

Salt & Ash - Halifax

4.3

4.3 (1064)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Halifax

About the restaurant

A warm, relaxed and feel-good retreat where friends come to gather over crackling fire, delicious food and cold beer, Salt + Ash represents a new wave of Nova Scotia dining. With a focus on live-fire cooking, its approachable menu of unique shared snacks, wood-fired pizzas, hearty meat and seafood, and East Coast family-style favourites is both inviting and laid-back, while its idyllic waterfront setting offers uninterrupted harbour views.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent Staff Awesome Location Awesome Prices and Excellent Food!!!👍👍

Discover more

4.2

4.2 (657)

CAN$30 and under

Wine Bar

Lunenburg

About the restaurant

Wine Bar & Wood-Fired Pizza...

i’m a betty. you’re a betty. everyone’s a betty.
betties love wine. betties love wood-fired pizza and small plates.
betties REALLY love wine.

Top review

Heather

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

We had a wonderful meal. The service was quick and friendly. The server was attentive and read the mood of our party perfectly. We had a great time. The Monday east coast curry special was very tasty and added a nice variety to the wood fired pizzas offered on the menu

Explore Diners' Choice best of Nova Scotia

Explore more Diners' Choice lists