Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Nova Scotia

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 (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.

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 4 days ago

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

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

Marinela

Dined 7 days ago

My experience with Bar Sofia was fantastic. I went with my girlfriends and we were all impressed by the ambidience, food and service. We would definitely visit again.

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Anne's Bravas Brussels Sprouts

Peacock Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (381)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Wine Bar

Halifax

About the restaurant

A refreshing new breed of wine bar, Peacock is a relaxed and boisterous hideaway overlooking the city’s picturesque waterfront in the heart of Halifax’s bustling Queen’s Marque district. Serving an ever-evolving list of labels including small-production and hard-to-find bottles as well as an extensive by-the-glass selection, its menu features a thoughtfully curated list of sharing plates and handmade pastas lightly anchored in local seafood and seasonal vegetables.

Top review

Thea

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience from beginning to end. We chose the chef prix fixe and had a wonderful meal. Everything was absolutely delicious and the service was perfect. Beautiful ambiance and decor, we will be back for sure.

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Experience

The Chef's Fixe

Experience

Perch & Pour Happy Hour

SHUCK Seafood + Raw Bar

4.6

4.6 (593)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Halifax

About the restaurant

It’s obvious we’re all about oysters (they’re chilling on ice as soon as you walk in), but one look at our menu and you’ll see that Shuck is so much more.

Our raw bar features the freshest fish and shellfish with inventive flavors designed to complement, never cover up. Our snacks, sides, and starters are perfect for sharing, and our mains elevate favourite classics from down home to down right delicious.

Warm wood paneling and eclectic glasswork create an atmosphere that captures the spirit of Maritime living. There’s no red carpet here, but we have laid out the best in paper over our tablecloths so you can get to slurping, sharing, and savoring. Join us for lunch in a jiffy, or hang around for a while over dinner for an experience that’s modern, authentic, and unabashedly East Coast.

Top review

James

Dined on Nov 18, 2024

Food was excellent , as was the service by our waiter, Grace. How ever, we were celebrating a special anniversary (52years), and although both host and waitress were aware of this, but other than wishes of happiness no special treat was offered. This is my first restaurant visit I didn’t enlven get a cupcake in honour of the occasion.

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Popular dish

Seafood Chowder

The Gahan House - Halifax

4.6

4.6 (21)

CAN$30 and under

Pub

Halifax

About the restaurant

With a total of six locations across Atlantic Canada, Gahan House has become an East Coast staple dedicated to creating memorable experiences. We get our name from John Gahan, a prominent merchant and importer of wines, teas, and groceries on Prince Edward Island in the 19th century. His former place of residence is now the location of the original Gahan House in Charlottetown, P.E. To share our award-winning ales with more of Atlantic Canada, we opened our doors and our taps in Halifax, N.S., Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, N.B., and St. John’s, N.L.

We began as a brewpub, and we stay true to our beginnings by having a brew system in-house, ensuring that the beer we serve is as fresh as possible. With a delicious menu, handcrafted ales, and fresh East Coast oysters in our welcoming Gahan atmosphere, we hope you feel right at home.

Top review

Ruthanne

Dined 3 days ago

The place was beautifully decorated for Christmas, not overdone. I had asked for a lovely spot as it was our Christmas dinner, and It was the loveliest spot in the place! The waitress was professional and very polite. We did not feel rushed and we enjoyed ourselves very much. Thank you! Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays!!

Moxies - Dartmouth Crossing

4.5

4.5 (66)

CAN$30 and under

American

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

Located at Dartmouth Crossing, this contemporary and premium restaurant is the perfect addition to the shopping or entertainment trip with cinemas and shopping centres surrounding it.

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Ok- there are lots of more inspired options at this price point.

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Experience

New Year's Eve

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.

Waterfront Warehouse

4.3

4.3 (50)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Halifax

About the restaurant

This is the place for simply sensational seafood in Halifax! We are the only venue in Halifax to offer fresh lobster and oysters all under one roof. Come and experience the richness of Nova Scotia"s maritime tradition in a relaxed, warm restaurant atmosphere. Located on the historic Halifax waterfront, Waterfront Warehouse blends fine dining with a view of Halifax Harbour. Select your own lobster from our tanks; enjoy a selection of oysters from our Oyster Menu or savour the mouth-watering flavours of our Cedar Planked Salmon. Stay toasty by the giant fireplace as you watch the ships go by. For group bookings please email warehouse@rcr.ca.

Top review

Scott

Dined on Oct 25, 2024

Jamie was our server; knew when and what we needed before we even asked. I appreciate the recommendations and we thoroughly enjoyed the food. The Shrimp Cocktail has 12 shrimp, and the piece of Fish with the Fish and Chips was so big my wife and I didn’t eat it all. Best Fish and Chips I’ve ever had. The filet was attached to the breading and was clean and white through and through! I recommend this restaurant!

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

SandyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

A wonderful vibe! A delicious visit to celebrate our grandson’s birthday! Excellent food quality, service & speed of delivery. Personable & friendly staff. Reasonable prices. We definitely have enjoyed every visit we have made to Salt & Ash. O Thanks Laurie for your attentive & caring service. Our grandson says it is his new “fave”!

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