Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Atlantic Canada

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Atlantic Canada? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses 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 book, 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 6 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 11 Dec 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!

EDNA Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (800)

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

JLVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Consistently excellent food and service, the current winter menu is phenomenal.

The Adelaide Oyster House

4.8

4.8 (453)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

St. John's

About the restaurant

We’re a small and energetic restaurant on the corner of Adelaide and Water St. in the heart of downtown St. John’s. We carry a wide selection of East Coast Oysters and our menu focuses on seafood + fun, vibrant small plates. We have a rotating selection of local craft beer and wines and an ever evolving cocktail list. Some call us loud, but we prefer lively! TripAdvisor's 'Certificate of Excellence', "Where to Eat in Canada" x 4, and voted St. John's Top Seafood restaurant!

Our reservation policy has changed in order to support the best possible customer experience. We take 5pm reservations for seating's of 2-4 people, and two larger groups of 5+ Sunday through Saturday. We accept walk-ins and keep a wait list each night, so if we cannot accommodate your desired booking time after 5pm, you are welcome to come down and see us!

You can always contact us via email at adelaideoysterbookings@gmail.com or by telephone at 702-722-7222. Our door is open and you are always welcome!

Top review

Alison

Dined 3 days ago

The Adelaide Oyster House did not disappoint! The food was outstanding. It was so fresh, flavourful, and presented beautifully. The staff were engaging and friendly, the ambience was warm and hip. I absolutely loved the 90s alternative music playlist. Our only issue was that the music was a bit too loud for our taste; it was hard at times for us to hear each other in conversation. That said, I fully recognize, that I am in my 40s and my younger self would have likely loved the louder vibe. I highly recommend this restaurant. We had an amazing night out! Thank you xo

The Ostrich Club

4.8

4.8 (732)

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

ElizabethVIP

Dined on 4 Dec 2024

We always have a wonderful time at Ostrich Club. We love the food, the vibe, and the bartender!

LIV

4.8

4.8 (332)

CAN$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

St. John's

About the restaurant

LIV - Nordic for Shelter and Life, embraces a new approach to dining, importing a true European style of partying by combining cuisine with a vibrant nightlife.

Top review

Andrea

Dined on 5 Dec 2024

The food was amazing! Menu has lots of options, and the staff were fabulous as well! One of our favorite restaurants!

Portage

4.8

4.8 (925)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

St. John's

About the restaurant

Located in historic downtown St John's, Newfoundland. An upscale casual cuisine of family - style dishes that share between 2 - 4 people. An eclectic selection of wines from around the world. Reservations of 6 or less can be made through OpenTable. We do not take reservations of groups larger than 8. Walk - ins welcomed when seats are available. We do not reserve the bar seats and Chef's Table. Thank you.

Top review

Madison

Dined 1 day ago

Brandon was kind and knowledgeable, anticipating our needs before we even voiced them. He made the experience a 10/10!

Sip Bar & Fare

4.7

4.7 (97)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

Centred around a roaring hearth with an airy atrium and terrace above, Sip offers food and drink with character. Our menu features upscale cocktails — including curated classics and custom concoctions — and shareable plates cooked over an open flame.

Join us for a bite or a bevvy. We’ll keep the fire going.

Top review

ArefVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great food, great service! Definitely coming back!

Discover more

Experience

Sip & Savor: A Wine Tasting Happy Hour

Darya

4.6

4.6 (755)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Mediterranean

Halifax

About the restaurant

A refined yet earthy dining destination on the Halifax waterfront, Daryâ offers a fresh, bright take on Eastern Mediterranean cooking. Featuring a globally-inspired wine list, vibrant cocktails and a large, sunny patio, Daryâ’s spirited, relaxed atmosphere invites diners to break bread with friends and loved ones and sample as many flavours and textures as possible.

Top review

Diana

Dined 6 days ago

Valuable price for brunch buffet. Nice food, great service and great dining experience.

Discover more

Experience

Buffet Brunch at Darya

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 2 days ago

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

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