Does the best tasting lobster in the world come from Nova Scotia? It just might. I mean, I think so! Nova Scotia lobster is prized for its superior taste. Here are my tips on where to find the best Nova Scotia lobster dining experiences, including lobster rolls and lobster suppers.
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Nova Scotia Lobster
First up, you may be wondering why Nova Scotia lobster is so special. In a word: quality. Thanks to the cold North Atlantic waters it lives in, this lobster has a high fat content. Slow growth in those frigid waters makes the lobster meat firm and dense. Most importantly, it’s sweeter and more succulent compared to those lobsters living their best life in warm water.
And did you know approximately 65% of Atlantic Canada’s lobster catch is sold to the US and rebranded as Maine lobster?
Nova Scotia Lobster Rolls
The best Nova Scotia lobster rolls from the South Shore are awarded at the annual Lobster Roll Off competition, which I judged last year. It’s one of the top events of Nova Scotia’s South Shore Lobster Crawl festival. If you’ve never had the good fortune to be invited into a kitchen party in Atlantic Canada, this is the next best thing.
Lobster Roll-off Challenge
At the Roll Off, judges sample lobster rolls from a dozen South Shore restaurants in a blind tasting to crown the champion. Guests at this lively, ticketed event also pick up expert tips and insider secrets for crafting the ultimate lobster roll, courtesy of the renowned Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse.
My favourite tip: Remove the elastic bands on the lobster’s claw before steaming or boiling your lobster. Duh. Note: I’ve made this misake before. 🙂
Top Lobster Rolls
I was lucky enough to serve as a judge at the 2025 Roll Off challenge. The top winners were:
Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack (they’ve won numerous times!)
The Grill at Quarterdeck
Lobster Suppers in Nova Scotia
A true lobster supper in Nova Scotia is something special. You can find lobster dinners at certain restaurants, like The Grill at Quarterdeck Resort on Summerville Beach. Most famous, however, is the dedicated lobster supper at the Shore Club.
Only open from mid-May until mid-October, you’ll want to make your lobster supper reservation in advance for the Shore Club. For a set fee, you choose your lobster size, and included are a pound of mussels, an unlimited salad bar, a roll, dessert, coffee, or tea. Whenever I’m asked if I want more mussels, I always say yes!
You’ll be given a plastic bib to wear, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll need it with all the dunking and dipping into melted butter you’re going to do.
Keep your eyes peeled for signs announcing community lobster suppers, often held in a church or community center. Those are the best, with incredible desserts (pray for strawberry shortcake).
At Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound, you can pick your own lobster from the tank, and this is one of my favourite experiences because you can enjoy it on the deck overlooking the ocean. Plus, Hall’s offers more options for customizing your sides.
Nova Scotia Lobster Restaurants
There are plenty of spots to get your lobster fix in Nova Scotia. Here are my top recommended lobster dishes based on my own lobster crawl from Halifax down to Nova Scotia’s South Shore.
Tip: To get the most out of your road trip, be sure to pick up a bag of Covered Bridge Atlantic lobster potato chips so your lobster levels don’t get too low between stops. Sadly, these chips are usually only available in summer.
Kiwi Cafe, Chester
Just a short 45-minute drive from Halifax, Chester is a charming seaside town filled with boutiques, cozy cafes and lively pubs featuring live music. A must-visit is the Kiwi Cafe, where I lost it over their irresistible pastry case. Everything is made from scratch, and there’s loads of scrumptious lobster creations.
This cafe will put top-quality Nova Scotia lobster into anything: sandwiches, eggs benny, panzanella salad (amazing!), you get the picture. I was a fan of the chowder with large chunks of lobster and haddock floating in the milk-based broth.
Capt’ Kats, Barrington Passage
Capt’ Kats’ lobster roll is considered one of the region’s finest. For a truly decadent treat, sample the creamed lobster—a local specialty that’s luxuriously rich with butter and cream, served over toast. Another standout is the lobster-topped fish cake, generously smothered in creamed lobster. I went for the latter.
The menu is a lobster lover’s dream, featuring lobster grilled cheese, lobster poutine, lobster quesadilla and lobster pasta. But the ultimate must-try is the lobster fondue: tender lobster morsels and garlic toast spears, perfect for dipping into warm, melted butter. Sooooo good!
Grand Banker, Lunenburg
In the pretty town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Banker stands out as a beloved local haunt with an inviting atmosphere and full-on maritime charm.
The signature dish to try is the Luenburger: a juicy 6-ounce burger stacked with smoked mozzarella, crispy bacon and succulent Nova Scotia lobster, all crowned with a bacon-wrapped scallop. Being from Alberta, I was hesitant and wasn’t sure how good the beef would be. Reader, it was fab! The burger was indulgent and absolutely worth every calorie.
Quarterdeck, Summerville
During my visit to the Grill restaurant at Quarterdeck Resort, I tucked into their special lobster menu offered for February’s Lobster Crawl festival. Options included baked lobster, lobster mac & cheese, lobster poutine, and even a playful lobster cocktail.
I opted for the lobster dinner, which was fab. And I might have eaten a lot of someone else’s lobster mac & cheese because it was so perfectly thick and gooey. If the biscuit board is available, don’t miss the chance to order it.
Betty’s at The Kitch
In Mahone Bay, Betty’s is a cozy spot with wood-fired pizzas and creative share plates. The lobster bisque stood out. It’s light, savoury, and makes for the ideal starter without being too filling.
During the February lobster festival, don’t miss the Crawford pizza, a fun creation with a thermidor-inspired base and topped with lobster chorizo. Though there wasn’t lobster in their curries, I’d highly recommend them, too.
Emerald Light Restaurant, Shebourne
Emerald Light Restaurant claimed the title for best lobster roll at the 2024 Roll Off competition. While lobster rarely appears on their regular menu, February is the exception, when their award-winning lobster rolls make a triumphant return.
The cocktail menu is is equally impressive, and their Chipotle Lobster Caesar is worth throwing back, so long as you’re a garlic lover.
Where to Stay in South Shore, Nova Scotia
You can find a basic hotel anywhere. Here are three very unique, atmospheric spots to stay along Nova Scotia’s South Shore that I’d happily stay at again.
Black Forest Cabins
Set along a scenic boardwalk beneath towering pine canopies in Mahone Bay (just 45 minutes from Halifax), these studio cabins are an idyllic retreat. Each timber-framed cabin is Pinterest-perfect, featuring vaulted ceilings, king-size beds and expansive views from bay windows. Black Forest Cabins offer every comfort, from a wine fridge and air conditioning to a relaxing sauna.
Quarterdeck Resort
Centrally located on the southern shore, about an hour and a half drive from Halifax. Set on Summerville Beach, a 90-minute drive from Halifax, guests at Quarterdeck Resort are steps away from one of Nova Scotia’s most famous white sand beaches.
My room in the Seawood complex featured a private outdoor hot tub on the deck, a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size fridge and oven and a separate living room—just like having my own condo. The resort also boasts indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, a fitness facility and even a private movie theatre.
Oceanstone Seaside Resort
Situated at the edge of Peggy’s Cove Preservation Area, a 40-minute drive from Halifax, Oceanstone Seaside Resort offers a mix of cottages and inn-style rooms.
The beachfront cottages offer private decks, wood-burning stoves and convenient kitchenettes. My favourite part was the sweeping sea views from nearly every window and all the board games. I so wished my family were with me. Don’t miss the chance to unwind in the resort’s Hydrothermal Nordic Spa.
