In Nova Scotia, lobster isn’t just food – it’s a way of life! Seafood enthusiasts worldwide recognize Nova Scotia lobster as the cream of the crop. Our cold-water lobsters, known for their sweet flavor, have put us on the global culinary map. It’s no wonder that Atlantic Canada stands as one of the planet’s leading lobster exporters, with nearly half our catch heading overseas.
When tourists land in Nova Scotia, their first Google search often includes “Nova Scotia lobster restaurants”. Our menus boast an array of lobster dishes: from classic dinners to innovative rolls, hearty bisques, indulgent poutines, and even quirky options like lobster-infused beer and ice cream! Yes, you read that correctly – we have everything!
When can you catch lobster in Nova Scotia?
Not only is Nova Scotia the world’s lobster hub (with a nod to Barrington), but we also offer fresh lobster year-round. The province is split into zones where licensed fishers can set traps at specific times. This system ensures that, collectively, you can savor fresh lobster in Nova Scotia any day of the year.
Don’t miss our blog post featuring 17 reasons to visit Barrington, Nova Scotia. It’s packed with unique attractions, delectable eats, and breathtaking beaches!
The Nova Scotia Lobster Festival
While lobster is always in season here, there’s one particular time and place that – at the risk of ruffling some feathers – produces the absolute finest lobster. Enter Nova Scotia’s south shore (zones 33 & 34). This region alone accounts for about 40% of Canada’s annual lobster catch, and for good reason – it’s simply outstanding.
Fittingly, the official Nova Scotia lobster festival takes place on the south shore. The Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl runs throughout February, right in the heart of the local lobster season. During this festival, restaurants vie for the title of “best lobster roll”, and I’ve had the honor of judging this competition twice!
Nova Scotia Finest Lobster Roll
Affectionately dubbed the Lobster Roll Off, this year saw 14 restaurants competing for the coveted “best lobster roll” title in Nova Scotia. Here’s how they fared.
A note to our Halifax-based or visiting readers: While you can find excellent lobster in the city, I strongly recommend a day trip to Nova Scotia’s south shore. Their lobster preparation is truly unparalleled.
The Kiwi Café
19 Pleasant St, Chester
8am – 4pm.
Description: Fresh Nova Scotia lobster chunks mixed with dill mayo, served in a toasted brioche bun
My Experience: While not the most eye-catching roll, this one surprised me with its incredible taste. The salad on the side looked fresh and green, but the lobster portion seemed smaller than others. However, the flavors were outstanding! The mix of dill and lemon, the perfectly toasted fresh roll, and the sweet lobster meat made this my top pick. I didn’t expect the Kiwi Cafe to win, but it did!
Do Over? I’ve already been back for more!
The Deck
30 Firehall Rd, Blandford
12:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Description: 1/4lb of fresh Mahone Bay lobster, mayo, black pepper, and a hint of celery, topped with crisp lettuce for extra crunch
My Experience: Sadly, this roll fell short of expectations. The lobster didn’t seem fresh, and the bun was stale. The portion size also seemed less than the advertised 1/4lb. I’ve heard others had better experiences here, so maybe it was just an off day. Unfortunately, our roll was not enjoyable.
Do Over? Not likely.
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Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre
36 Treasure Dr, Western Shore 12pm-8pm (weekends only)
Description: Fresh lobster mixed with mayo and herbs
My Experience: Don’t let the brief description fool you – this roll was fantastic! It easily made our top 5 list this year. The fresh herbs, especially the dill, really stood out. It was so good that I saw someone invoke the 5-second rule after dropping a piece on the floor!
Do Over? Absolutely, we loved it!
242 Bahama Mama Delicacies
64 School Road, Blockhouse (Blockhouse Market) Saturdays only 12pm-5pm
Cracked Lobster
Legion Parking Lot, Location Unspecified
Hours not provided
Description: Deep-fried lobster served on a kaiser bun, topped with cilantro lime sriracha sauce
My Experience: This unique setup required pre-ordering and pickup from an unusual spot – the legion parking lot. While initially off-putting, the presentation was stunning. Garnished with pea shoots and accompanied by the trip’s best fries, it was visually impressive. However, the deep-fried lobster didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I appreciate the creativity, but I feel the lobster’s delicate flavor gets lost among the stronger elements. Still, kudos for the innovative approach.
Do Over? Not for the roll, but I’m curious about their other offerings.
Dory Mates Seafood Shop
11 Lincoln St, Lunenburg
Thursday/Friday 12-4, Saturday 12-3
Description: Local claw and knuckle lobster meat lightly tossed with celery and mayo, topped with arugula, served on fresh focaccia from Boulangerie La Vendeenne Bakery
My Experience: Our Saturday visit during the busy Lobster Crawl was met with disappointment. They had already sold out, explaining they only prepare a limited number of rolls daily. Given February’s short duration and the event’s popularity, this seemed like a missed opportunity.
Do Over? Yes, as I believe this experience doesn’t truly represent the owners’ commitment.
Grand Banker Bar and Grill
82 Montague St, Lunenburg
Monday-Sunday 11:30am – 8:00pm
Description: A quarter pound of claw and knuckle meat served on a toasted Boulangerie La Vendeenne brioche bun with garlic butter, house-made citrus aioli, green onion, and a touch of lettuce
My Experience: Despite a 25-minute wait, the roll had its merits. The flavors were well-balanced, allowing the lobster to shine. While sides weren’t included (available for an extra $5), the locally-sourced bun was delicious, albeit slightly over-toasted for my taste.
Do Over? Perhaps, but probably not for the lobster roll.
Salt Shaker Deli
124 Montague St, Lunenburg
4:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Salt Shaker Deli
124 Montague St, Lunenburg
4:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Description: Nova Scotia lobster mixed with tarragon, mayonnaise, fresh celery, and arugula, served on a brioche bun
My Experience: While I’m generally a fan of Salt Shaker Deli and have visited numerous times, their lobster roll left me somewhat underwhelmed. I had high hopes for the tarragon addition, but unfortunately, the flavors didn’t quite pop as I’d anticipated. Like some other establishments, this roll came without any sides, which I believe should be standard. On a positive note, I really appreciated the use of arugula and the addition of celery, which provided a pleasant crunch to the overall texture.
Do Over? Not for the lobster roll, but I’ll definitely return for their pizza!
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27 South Best Western
527 Nova Scotia Trunk 10, Cookville
11:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Description: Local lobster prepared with house-made lobster mayo, accompanied by pickled red onions, served on a top-split bun
My Experience: This roll stood out as one of my favorites. The house-made lobster mayo, used sparingly, added a layer of complexity and richness that set it apart from many other rolls we tried. It enhanced the lobster’s flavor without overpowering it. As you might guess, I was thrilled with the upscale side options and chose the tomato bisque, which was excellent. The roll’s presentation was also noteworthy, garnished with pickled onion and fresh herbs, elevating the overall dining experience.
Do Over? Absolutely, I loved every bite.
The Blarney Stone Restaurant
16339 NS-103, Hebbs Cross
11:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Description: A brioche hot dog bun filled with lobster, lettuce, celery, and a sour cream-mayonnaise blend with a hint of dill. Served with your choice of tossed salad or fries and coleslaw.
My Experience: This roll taught me not to judge a book by its cover. The Blarney Stone is a modest local pub, and the roll itself wasn’t the most visually appealing we’d seen. However, both my companion and I were pleasantly surprised by its fantastic flavor. I particularly enjoyed the generous amount of lettuce compared to other rolls, and the freshness of the dill and lemon really shone through.
Do Over? Without a doubt, I’d order this roll again.
Osprey’s Nest Public House
39 John Rieser Drive, NS-331, Petite Rivière Bridge.
Description: A brioche hot dog bun filled with succulent lobster, crisp lettuce, crunchy celery, and a tangy sour cream-mayo blend with a hint of dill. Accompanied by your choice of a fresh tossed salad or crispy fries and creamy coleslaw.
My Experience: This lobster roll truly stood out as one of my top picks (Update: Thrilled to share that Osprey’s Nest clinched first place this year – well-deserved!). Being our initial stop, I initially wondered if my enthusiasm was simply due to it being my first lobster roll of the day. However, after sampling all 14 options, I can confidently say it was genuinely outstanding! The roll boasted an abundance of tender claw and knuckle meat, with just the right amount of sauce (which aligns perfectly with my preference). The bun was beautifully toasted, offering a delightful buttery crunch.
Do Over? Absolutely, without a doubt!
Lane’s Privateer Inn
27 Bristol Ave, Liverpool
11:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Description: Generous portions of sweet lobster meat, mixed with crisp celery and zesty green onion, lightly dressed in a tangy horseradish mayo.
My Experience: First off, I was thrilled to see they offer a gluten-free option! This roll likely had the most generous serving we encountered, so if quantity is your priority, Lane’s is the place to go! While I appreciated the unique twist of horseradish mayo, I found it a bit too sauce-heavy for my liking. I prefer a roll that’s not overly messy, as they’re already challenging enough to eat. I opted for a side salad with mine – which was absolutely delightful. One thing’s for certain: you won’t leave Lane’s feeling hungry!
Do Over? Probably not for the lobster roll, but I still adore Lane’s and will definitely return!
Nova Scotia Rollies & Catering Company
151 Water St, Shelburne
Description: A whole lobster nestled in spicy sushi mayo, garnished with fresh parsley and celery, served on a freshly baked brown bread roll. Accompanied by a vibrant pineapple mango salsa.
My Experience: This roll was a pleasant surprise! I initially worried the spicy mayo might overpower the delicate lobster flavor, but it complemented it beautifully. Another generously portioned roll that could easily be shared. The brown bread roll was delicious, though perhaps not my top choice for a lobster roll. In my opinion, the brown bread is so good it deserves to be the star of its own dish. The highlight for me was the pairing of the lobster roll with the fresh, tangy salsa – a delightful combination. Note: This roll requires advance ordering.
Do Over? Yes, I would certainly give it another try!
Anchors Away Family Restaurant
10341 NS-103, Clyde River
11 AM – 7 PM
Description: Succulent lobster meat sautéed in butter, combined with creamy mayo and crisp lettuce, nestled in a toasted hot dog bun and crowned with crunchy, golden cracker crumbs
My Experience: Indulgent. Extremely indulgent. If you’re a fan of rich, buttery flavors, this roll might be your dream come true. However, I found it overwhelmingly greasy for my taste. While I’m not typically drawn to sautéed lobster, the addition of toasted crackers and a buttery roll created a heavy, messy dining experience that was a bit too much for me.
Do Over? I’ll pass on this one.
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Captain Kat’s Lobster Shack
3723 Nova Scotia Trunk 3, Barrington Passage visit their website 11:30 AM – 07:00 PM
Description: Locally sourced, tender lobster meat, paired with baby spinach, diced celery, and green onion, lightly dressed in mayo, all served on a warm, buttery grilled bun
My Experience: Captain Kat’s consistently delivers, and this visit was no exception. They’ve perfected the art of the classic lobster roll, adhering to the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” philosophy. Their roll has always been a standout, and it continues to impress. The simplicity of fresh ingredients combined with expert preparation results in a reliably delicious experience. I appreciate their commitment to maintaining the quality of their signature dish without unnecessary frills.
Do Over? Absolutely, without hesitation.
Must-Try Nova Scotia Lobster Rolls
After extensive taste-testing, we’ve compiled a list of the top lobster rolls in Nova Scotia. Here are our top 5 recommendations:
- Kiwi Cafe
- 27 South (Best Western Bridgewater)
- Oak Island Resort
- Osprey’s Nest Public House
- Captain Kat’s Lobster Shack
It’s worth noting that lobster roll preferences are highly subjective, and opinions on the best rolls in Nova Scotia can vary widely. These selections reflect my personal taste, but I’ve encountered people who ranked my least favorites as their top choices – such is the nature of culinary preferences!
We’d love to hear about your lobster roll experiences this season. Share your thoughts and favorite picks in the comments below!
Thanks for sharing your insights! While our article covered many great spots, we appreciate you mentioning The River Pub and The Rose Bay Store. As a self-proclaimed lobster roll expert, it’s great to hear your top picks. Your aunt’s place in Shediac sounds like a hidden gem too! You’re right, keeping some local favorites under wraps can be a blessing – it helps preserve that cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Your suggestion about lobster on toast along the French Shore is intriguing. It’s always exciting to discover new ways to enjoy this delicacy.
Regarding the restaurants we featured, our focus was on those participating in the official NS tourism list last year when we wrote the article. We aimed to visit and review all the spots they included. However, the lobster roll scene is always evolving, and we’re glad to learn about more fantastic options. Maybe we’ll have to do a follow-up piece to explore these local treasures!
