Got Lobstah!? This post goes out to all you lobster lovers! Who are hopefully aware that if you haven’t enjoyed a fresh lobster meal in Nova Scotia, knows you truly haven’t enjoyed lobster.
Picture this, it’s the middle of winter and you’re itching to travel, see beautiful coastal sites and enjoy fine seafood dishes.. All of a sudden you’re sitting in a restaurant with a freshly boiled lobster caught just that day and gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean in front of you. Looking around the room you aren’t the only one experiencing this moment. The table to your right has a lobster-infused pasta dish, to your left there’s a classic lobster roll, and on the menu there are more lobster items you even knew existed… Welcome to Nova Scotia’s South Shore, where one of their towns is even the Lobster Capital of Canada!
Lobster season in our beautiful coastal province is 365 days a year, with different districts fishing in different months. Along the South Shore, they fish all winter and spring long. February (while not the most eventful month in other parts of the province) is peak lobster season here and possibly their most popular month of the year because they have dedicated the entire month to celebrating (you guessed it) the love of LOBSTER! Lobster Crawl is a month-long celebration with over 150 events, experiences, and unique yummy crustacean dishes everywhere you look. If you are seeking to add something to fill your heart and belly in 2022, add this to the list!
We didn’t get to experience the festival this year, however did take ourselves on a little self-guided lobster tour.
Here are 6 places and 6 different Lobster dishes to enjoy on your South Shore travels!
*Note: half of these are from Lunenburg as we were there to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bluenose. We are already looking forward to revisiting this area of the province to enjoy more unique lobster spots and dishes. Have some to recommend? Let us know!
1. Elliot’s Dining Room, White Point Beach Resort
- Lobster Poutine -
White Point Beach Resort is a year-round, oceanfront beach vacation destination. After checking into our coastal cabin for the night, we had dinner at their onsite restaurant, Elliot’s Dining Room. There are lots of great menu options but their Lobster Poutine was calling our names! Fresh cut fries, chunks of lobster, lobster cream, and cheese curds.. aka absolute heaven. Paired with a local craft beer it was incredible!
2. Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack, Barrington Passage
- Lobster Rolls - creamed and cold -
This lobster everything spot is home to Lucy the Lobster. As Nova Scotia’s version of Groundhog Day, Lucy is a weather forecaster and lets the province know when spring is arriving. Being located in the lobster capital of Canada of Barrington, we knew to expect lots of delicious options but were excitedly greeted with 18 different kinds of lobster dishes. Eighteen!! From lobster fondue, quesadillas, sandwich melts, nachos, pasta, you name it and they had it. We kept it classic and went with their award-winning lobster roll (fresh, crisp, and so delicious) and a creamed lobster roll (creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness).
3. The Dockside, Lunenburg
- Steamed Lobster Tails with Shrimp -
Popping into the picturesque town of Luneburg, there are lots of different lobster-infused restaurants to choose from. Our first one was the Dockside Restaurant where overlooking the colourful waterfront we enjoyed steamed lobster tails, yummily dipped in butter of course.
4. The Knot Pub, Lunenburg
- Lobster Linguine -
This year-round locals favourite pub is a must-visit if you’re in the area and looking for a nicely priced quality meal. We recommend making a reservation, especially if here for dinner. Sticking to our lobster theme, we dove into a plate of the Lobster Linguine. The sherry cream sauce hit the spot and was paired the meal with a specialty Saltbox Bluenose brew.
5. The Grand Banker, Lunenburg
- The Lunenburger -
If there’s a spot that has it all in Lunenburg it’s the Grand Banker. They have Shipwright Brewing upstairs, onsite accommodations, and of course a restaurant that offers a fresh locally inspired menu. Lot’s of seafood options here! If you love burgers and lobster then their Lunenburger is a must. Six ounces of hand-formed fresh local ground beef, smoked mozzarella, smoked bacon, baby spinach, garlic aioli, generously topped with NS lobster (all knuckle & claw meat), and a tarragon butter sauce, served on a local artisan bun and picked with a bacon-wrapped scallop. Delish!
6. The Kiwi Cafe, Chester
- Lobster Haddock Chowder & Lobster Benedict -
We adored this bright and lively spot in the heart of Chester. Maybe it’s the smell of yummy coffee or friendly staff, either way, you can’t help but smile when entering the building. Great for all-day breakfast, lunch, or a coffee date, we chose two lobster dishes that definitely wowed us. The Lobster Haddock chowder was the perfect amount of creamy and contained lots of haddock in it. I wasn’t going to pair it with anything, but couldn’t resist their lobster roll when I heard it had dill mayo. The other dish we went for was the all-day breakfast menu item Lobster Benedict which was, of course, buttery, creamy, and filled with lobster goodness as well. The home fries served with it were also seasoned very nicely.
Something we wish we got to try...
Located in the postcard-perfect town of Mahone Bay, Saltbox Brewing creates a Lobster infused beer (yes you read that right) called “Crustacean Elation”. We didn’t get to try it because they were still in the brewing process, however loved trying their other beers on tap and can’t wait to head back for the lobster flavoured one someday! Curious how they make it? Lobsters and the lobster shells are used twice during the brewing process: once when whole lobster is added directly to the mash, and later when the roasted shells are added back into the boil.
We hope this blog helps inspire you to explore Nova Scotia’s breathtaking South Shore and fall in love with all these amazing lobster dishes and locations like we did. They were some of the freshest lobster dishes we’ve ever had!
Follow @novascotialobstercrawl on social media to stay up to date with future Lobster Crawl festival information.
Here’s a little video recap from our trip as well:
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* This post was done in collaboration with Tourism Nova Scotia but all opinions expressed are our own. *
