Best Nova Scotian Foods
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Garlic fingers is a popular food item throughout Atlantic Canada. Even though it looks like a pizza, garlic fingers are cut in strips or fingers instead of being cut into slices like a regular pizza. The dish consists of pizza dough that is topped with cheese, garlic butter, and parsley.
It is baked until the cheese melts, and it can then be additionally topped with dill, vegetables, or pieces of bacon. Garlic fingers are often consumed with regular pizza as a side dish, and they are typically accompanied by dipping sauces such as Donair or marinara.
MOST ICONIC Garlic fingers
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Halifax donair is a Nova Scotian 'drunk food' staple, invented in the 1970s by a Greek man named Peter Gamoulakos. The dish consists of pita bread filled with roasted shaved beef, onions, tomatoes, and the signature donair sauce. The beef is flavored with secret spices, and those are believed to be salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and paprika.
The pita bread is usually dipped in water and grilled before assembling the dish. What makes this dish unique is the sweet donair sauce – a concoction made with a combination of garlic, vinegar, sugar, and condensed milk. Halifax donair is typically wrapped in aluminum foil before serving, and in 2015, it was even declared the official food of Halifax, testifying to its popularity as a favorite midnight meal in the city.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Kebab
MOST ICONIC Halifax donair
Pictou County pizza is a unique variety of pizza originating from Nova Scotia, characterized by a somewhat thicker, chewy dough, a spicy brown sauce, and Halifax-made Brothers' pepperoni. The pizza is so popular that it is even shipped frozen all over Canada.
Every year, there is a Pictou County pizza competition, so that the locals can find out which pizza restaurant is the best. It is recommended to pair the dish with a cold beer on the side.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Pizza
MOST ICONIC Pictou county pizza
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Hodge-podge is a thick, nourishing stew with origins in the Canadian region of Nova Scotia. The name of the soup is probably derived from the English term hotch-potch, which means a mixture, referring to the fact that the stew is prepared with a combination of different vegetables such as carrots, beans, and potatoes.
The stew is typically thickened and flavored with heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Moosehunters are Canadian cookies originating from Cape Breton Island. They are made with a combination of molasses, brown sugar, butter, milk, eggs, flour, baking soda, and (optionally) ground spices such as cinnamon and ginger. Once the dough is ready, it is cut with a round biscuit cutter or a glass, then baked until nice and crispy.
If desired, once they have cooled down, moosehunters can also be iced on top with a combination of butter, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
This Acadian layered casserole from Nova Scotia consists of grated potatoes interspersed with layers of pork fat and either meat (ground beef, pork, or chicken) or seafood (clams,scallops). The pie is then baked until it develops a golden brown color.
It is usually garnished with butter or molasses before serving. Interestingly, the pie is derived from the phrase pâte à la râpure, meaning grated pie, referring to its key ingredient, grated potatoes.
MOST ICONIC Rappie pie
Best Nova Scotian Food Producers
Lobsters 'R' Us is a respected seafood producer specializing in the supply of premium live lobsters and snow crab. Their commitment to excellence at every stage of the process—from harvest to delivery—ensures freshness, safety, and authentic ocean flavor.
Through close collaboration with local fishers and the use of state-of-the-art storage facilities, the company maintains ideal conditions to preserve the natural quality of its products. Energy-efficient technology and an advanced traceability system guarantee consistent quality and full transparency in every shipment.
BEST Lobsters 'R' Us Seafood
Clearwater Seafoods is a leading Canadian company specializing in premium, wild-caught seafood. Founded in 1976 as a small local lobster shop in Nova Scotia, Clearwater has grown over the decades into one of the largest vertically integrated seafood companies in North America, renowned for its superior quality, food safety, and reliable global distribution.
Its product range includes a wide variety of shellfish, including scallops, lobsters, clams, snow crab, Norwegian lobster (langoustine), rock crab, whelk, and turbot. All products are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), ensuring their sustainability and exceptional quality.
BEST Clearwater Seafoods Seafood
North Brewing Company is a craft brewery known for its innovative approach to brewing and strong commitment to the community. Founded in 2013 by Rozina Darvesh, Peter Burbridge, and Josh Herbin, North Brewing started as a small local brewery but quickly grew due to its dedication to quality and innovation.
Their beers not only reflect the rich tradition of craft brewing but also explore new flavors and brewing techniques that push boundaries. Each of their locations offers a unique atmosphere where guests can enjoy craft beer, delicious food, and a friendly environment.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Still Fired Distilleries Spirits
Best Nova Scotian Food Products
The Americian lobster is one of the world’s most prized seafood delicacies and the lobsters offered by Lobsters 'R' Us stand out for their exceptional freshness, flavor, and quality. The cold environment slows their growth, allowing for a natural buildup of protein and nutrients.
This results in meat that is denser, juicier, and more flavorful—delivering a deep, well-rounded taste that needs little enhancement. It’s a pure expression of the ocean’s finest. Whether boiled, grilled, or used in gourmet dishes, Atlantic lobster from Lobsters 'R' Us leaves a lasting impression.
Clearwater’s Snow Crab are a premium seafood delicacy, sustainably harvested from the cold, pristine waters of the North Atlantic, known for their naturally sweet flavor, juicy texture, and delicate snow-white meat. These crabs are fully cooked and frozen at peak freshness, making them ideal for a variety of culinary uses—from appetizers and seafood platters to main courses.
Each cluster features one side of crab legs and a claw, carefully processed and packed to preserve maximum freshness and quality. Caught and handled according to the highest food safety standards and certified by the MSC, these crab clusters are not only a gourmet delight but also a responsible choice for consumers who value sustainability and natural purity.
Clearwater Premium Hardshell Fresh Lobster is a high-quality delicacy, wild-caught from the cold, pristine waters of the North Atlantic, renowned for its succulent, firm texture and naturally sweet flavor. These lobsters are sustainably harvested and carefully handled to preserve maximum freshness and quality, meeting the highest standards of food safety.
With their hard shells and rich meat, they are an ideal choice for seafood lovers seeking an authentic taste of the ocean. Whether boiled, steamed, baked, or grilled, Clearwater lobsters deliver a premium culinary experience with the assurance of a natural and responsibly sourced product.
AWARDS
World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2022
Gus' 65M Ale is an elegant beer styled as a Belgian Blonde Ale. This beer carries the characteristic notes of Belgian tradition, combining lightness with a richness of flavor, making it ideal for beer lovers who enjoy drinks that are both drinkable and complex.
In the aroma, Gus' 65M Ale offers a pleasant balance between subtle fruity and spicy tones. Dominant aromas of ripe fruits like pear and apple combine with light spicy notes typical of Belgian yeast. Its relatively low bitterness makes it smooth and balanced, while the malt sweetness in the background pairs with a lightly spicy finish, leaving a lasting taste without being overly heavy.
AWARDS
Untappd - 3.6
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.