Do you love lobster? Would you try lobster ice cream or lobster beer?
Yup, you did read that right! Here in Nova Scotia, this beloved crustacean is so fresh and plentiful that folks can get pretty creative in what lobster dishes they create and indulge in next. There’s no denying that a traditional boiled or steamed lobster dinner served with lots of melted butter to dip in is the best, but after spending time along Nova Scotia’s South Shore during the annual Lobster Crawl Festival, your eyes and bellies will be opened to a whole new world of lobster goodness. We encourage you to travel from Barrington (the lobster capital of Canada) to Peggys Cove, stopping at as many portside restaurants in between, and see just how many lobster dishes you can try!
Here are 14 fresh, delicious, comforting, and quite unique lobster creations to look forward to.
1. Lobster Mac and cheese - The ultimate comfort food, macaroni and cheese is always a winner in our books. Mixed with fresh chunks of lobster meat, melted cheese, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy rich sauce, you’ll be dreaming about this ooey gooey dish for years to come.
Featured image: Lobster Mac & Cheese from The Salt Banker
2. Lobster Fondue - Enjoy as an appetizer or as a main! Dive into a savoury dish of lobster fondue where skewers of homemade garlic bread and fresh lobster claws (all held together by a lobster band of course) are served over a warm pot of buttery lobster cream sauce. Dip, bite, enjoy!
Featured image: Lobster Fondue from Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack
3. Lobster Fettuccine - Featuring a creamy tarragon sauce, red onion, tomato, spinach, and locally caught lobster, you will want to savour every twirl and bite of this lobster pasta dish. Paired with garlic toast, be sure to leave at least a slice to help you soak up any remaining sauce at the end of the meal.
Featured image: Lobster Fettuccine from The Grill at The Quarter Deck Resort
4. Lobster Ice Cream - Surprise your taste buds with the unique combination of sweet and salty! This hand-crafted vanilla lobster ice cream is rich, creamy, and lobster-infused. It’s a must-try.
Featured image: Lobster Ice Cream by Get the Scoop created for Lobster Made Easy
5. Lobster Poutine - A Canadian classic with a Nova Scotia twist! Hand-cut fries, fresh cheese curds, sweet chunks of lobster, and a creamy buttery cheese sauce on top. This dish is perfectly rich and regular poutine may never compare again once you try it!
Featured image: Lobster Poutine from Elliot’s Dining Room at White Point Resort
6. Lobster Quesadilla - What’s better than dipping lobster in a butter sauce? Dipping a warm cheesy lobster-filled tortilla in a butter sauce! This simple quesadilla dish is packed with a symphony of Mexican and Maritimes flavour.
Featured image: Lobster Quesadilla from Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack
7. Lobster Eggs Benedict - Start your day with a decadent twist on the classic eggs Benedict breakfast dish. Sitting atop a toasted english muffin lies a generous amount of buttery lobster and a perfectly poached egg, all covered with a rich and creamy hollandaise sauce. A luxurious dish that will easily become your favourite brunch item from here on out.
Featured image: Lobster Eggs Benedict from The Salt Banker
8. Lobster Burger - If you love burgers and lobster then you’re going to want to sink your claws into a juicy and flavourful lobster burger! The best of both worlds, this surf & turf style meal is six ounces of local beef, smoked mozzarella, bacon, baby spinach, garlic aioli, tarragon butter sauce, and a generous portion of Nova Scotia lobster — all served on a local artisan bun and topped with a bacon-wrapped scallop. It’s the ultimate burger of dreams.
Featured image: The Lobster Lunenburger from The Grand Banker Bar & Grill
9. Lobster Dip - Add a touch of luxury to your appetizers with a bubbly cheesy lobster dip. Amazing, comforting, and delicious, enjoy with grilled pita bread or other bread/chip of choice. So good that you won’t be able to stop eating.
Featured image: Lobster Dip from 27 South at the Best Western Bridgewater
10. Lobster Beer - Refreshing and unique, discover the delicious taste of lobster beer! Saltbox Brewery in Mahone Bay uses fire-roasted shells and whole lobsters to incorporate the lobster taste and aroma into their beer. It’s not as strange as you think and totally delicious with a hint of citrus. Pair it with a lobster dish to enhance the flavour!
Featured image: Crustacean Elation Ale from Saltbox Brewing
11. Lobster Seafood Chowder - A hearty must-have, lobster chowder is packed with seafood and large mouthwatering chunks of lobster. Find this dish prepared in various ways across the South Shore, but all guaranteed to be rich, creamy and hit the spot. Enjoy as a starter, alongside a lobster roll, or as a full meal!
Featured image: Lobster Seafood Chowder from The Kiwi Cafe
12. Lobster Sliders - Like miniature versions of a lobster roll, these lobster bacon club sliders are the perfect bite-sized treat and full of flavour.
Featured image: Lobster Bacon Club Sliders from The Emerald Light
13. Lobster Roll - This list simply would not be complete without including the almighty lobster roll! Fresh chunks of lobster meat served in a buttery roll, some restaurants keep the dish simple while others put a unique spin on it. As you travel around Nova Scotia’s South Shore indulge in the many different versions of lobster rolls you find and if you get the chance to try a creamed lobster roll please do — a signature dish that is unique to South Western NS!
Featured image: Lobster Rolls from around Nova Scotia’s South Shore
