2026 Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards

The Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards return in 2026 to celebrate the best of our province’s vibrant food and beverage industry. Each year, these awards recognize the restaurants, bars, cafes and food trucks that make Nova Scotia a standout culinary destination—from innovative chefs and creative mixologists to welcoming restaurants, passionate producers, and dedicated hospitality teams. 

 

Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks, live music, and an industry night with friends and colleagues!

 

Finalists for the 2026 NS Restaurant Awards

 

Social Media Award 

Dear Friend Bar 

Margaret’s 

Via Condotti 

 

Community Engagement 

Old No. 7 Restaurant & Sports Bar 

TACOcentric 

Upward Mobility Kitchens & Cafe 

 

Local Hero Award 

Justamere Cafe | Bistro | Bakery 

Mystic 

Upward Mobility Kitchens & Cafe 

 

Best Beverage Award 

Dear Friend Bar 

Espresso 46 

Tribute Restaurant 

 

Best Atmosphere Award 

Crème 

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyard 

The Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar 

 

Best Outdoor Dining 

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyard 

Tuna Blue 

Water Polo 

 

Hospitality Award 

Casa Di Stefano 

EDNA Restaurant 

Oxalis Restaurant 

 

Best Limited Service Restaurant 

Deedee’s Ice Cream 

Vandal Doughnuts 

Xena’s Bread & Butter Ltd 

 

Best Restaurant – Cape Breton 

The Annex 

Table Doucet 

Panorama 

 

Best Restaurant – Mainland NS 

Bessie North House 

Le Caveau 

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyard 

 

Best Restaurant – HRM 

Mystic 

Oxalis Restaurant 

Tribute Restaurant 

 

Best New Restaurant 

Reta’s Restaurant 

Tribute Restaurant 

Water Polo 

 

Best Chef 

Chef Chris Pyne 

Chef Colin Bebbington 

Chef Steph Ogilvie 

 

Best Bartender  

Dylan Brentwood 

Elise Sergerie 

Mark Bradbury