Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Atlantic Canada

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Atlantic Canada? 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!

The Canteen on Portland

4.9

4.9 (3280)

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

vanessaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent as usual! Never disappoints always so fresh and delicious!

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (370)

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

Cory

Dined 3 days ago

Incredible food and amazing options for non-alcoholic cocktails, as always. There’s a reason Dear Friend is a guaranteed stop every time I come to Dartmouth.

Lou pécou pizzeria

4.9

4.9 (179)

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

Virginia

Dined 2 days ago

This is a small restaurant so it doesn't feel like a big busy restaurant. I had the salad special which was different from everybody else's salad and was very good and the same thing goes for my pizza. I specifically went because I had heard that the gluten-free pizza crust was excellent. I'm here to say I've never had a gluten-free pizza crust that good. Actually it's not gluten-free it's gluten-friendly because it's cooked in the same kitchen with all the other gluten pizzas.

Quintanas De La Plaza

4.9

4.9 (49)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

St. John's

About the restaurant

Bringing you a delicious blend of Tex Mex food to St. John's, NL since 1980! A new experience for you. A tradition for us! Located in Churchill Square just minutes from downtown and Memorial University. Come sit back and enjoy some of our most popular dishes including the Mexican Flag, Flautas or Fish Tacos. We offer a wide selection of tequilas and the best margaritas and sangrias in St. John's!

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent food and superb service, as always! Consistently amazing!

EDNA Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (805)

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

TammyVIP

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Ednas never disappoints! The food is ALWAYS amazing, service is delightful and the venue is superb. This is my go to brunch and it has been for years! You will never be disappointed but make a reservation, they are very popular!

La Piazza Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (75)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Halifax

About the restaurant

La Piazza Ristorante opened in June 2015 and is a family-owned Italian restaurant. As you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere immediately embraces you, making you feel like part of the family. La Piazza takes immense pride in serving Italian cuisine made with love. La Piazza is proud to have won platinum winner for best Italian restaurant in 2020, and 2022 in the Community Votes!

At La Piazza, pasta lovers are in for a treat with a wide variety of pasta dishes. For those craving the perfect slice of pizza, the wood-fire oven delivers a crispy, thin crust topped with the freshest ingredients. Whether you opt for a classic Margherita or a gourmet prosciutto and arugula combination, the pizza at La Piazza is nothing short of delicious! We also have a fantastic wine selection and cocktails to pair with any meal!

Top review

Laura

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Very nice dinner and able to get a reservation with short notice.

The Ostrich Club

4.8

4.8 (733)

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

BillVIP

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

Our favourite dinner destination. Great wine, wonderful food and caring, focused service.

Claudine's Eatery

4.8

4.8 (170)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Fredericton

About the restaurant

Claudine's Eatery is, put simply, East Coast comfort food. Family owned and operated by a mother/daughter duo. We pride ourselves on creating real food, not fast food.

Top review

Rick

Dined on Dec 15, 2024

This place always delivers! Great service, delicious food and a welcoming warm atmosphere.

Piatto Pizzeria - Midtown St. John's

4.6

4.6 (1352)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

St. John's

About the restaurant

Piatto is the only pizzeria in Atlantic Canada to hold the prestigious VPN certification from Naples, Italy. You know there are just over 500 worldwide!

Top review

Heather

Dined 1 day ago

A meal at Piatto is always great! From the service to the quality of the food and the price, it's worth coming back again and again ... which I do!!

Betty's at The Kitch

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 Atlantic Canada

Explore more Diners' Choice lists