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.

The 2026 Finalists

 

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 (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.