Announcing the 2026 Finalists of the Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards!

The votes have been counted and the judges have judged. Congratulations to the 2026 Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards finalists who have showcased their skill, care and creativity in their nominated fields! 

Thank you to all the restaurants that nominated themselves for the Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards, the public for voting for their favourite restaurants and a big thank you to the volunteer judges who use their experience and expertise to choose the finalists!

The winners of the 2026 Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards will be announced on January 26, 2026, at the 2026 Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards Gala at the Westin in Halifax.

BUY TICKETS

The 2026 Finalists

Social Media Award

Dear Friend Bar

Margaret’s

Via Condotti

Community Engagement Award

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 (Lightfoot & Wolfville)

Chef Colin Bebbington (Tribute)

Chef Steph Ogilvie (Reta’s Restaurant)

Best Bartender

Dylan Brentwood (Reta’s Restaurant)

Elise Sergerie (Freehand Hospitality)

Mark Bradbury ( Bertossi Group)

Don’t see your favourite restaurant on the list of finalists? It might be that they did not nominate themselves. The Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards requires that restaurants be nominated by a representative (owner, manager or staff) of the restaurant. Learn more 

 

The Restaurant Association of NS is a not for profit organization. Your participation in the Nova Scotia Restaurant Awards and other RANS events helps us to continue to support a vibrant and thriving restaurant industry across Nova Scotia.