The Best Lunenburg Restaurants
1. Salt Shaker Deli
The Salt Shaker Deli is one of our favourite restaurants on the Nova Scotia South Shore; we love spectacular views of the Lunenburg Harbour, the atmosphere, friendly service, the patio and, of course, the menu. They serve everything from lobster rolls to Bahn Mi Burgers. They are showcasing fresh seafood and locally-grown produce. Their hand-rolled thin-crust pizzas are the best we know; coming from us means something. Salt Shaker Deli is very popular and is open almost 365 days a year.
124 Montague Street - (902) 640-3434
2. Grand Banker Bar & Grill
The Grand Banker is another Lunenburg harbourside restaurant with great waterfront views. They have a fresh menu committed to local artisans, farmers and fishermen and offer a varied, tasty menu and a large selection of local wines and craft brews on tap. The Grand Banker serves lunch and dinner and is open year-round.
82 Montague Street - (902) 634-3300
3. Old Black Forest Restaurant
The Old Black Forest Restaurant is located between Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. Their menu offers many good authentic, mostly South German dishes, including Schnitzel, Spätzle, Bratwurst, Black Forest Cake and Apfelstrudel.
River Ridge Lodge partners with the Old Black Forest Restaurant and offers a Taste of Germany Package that includes a gift certificate to the Old Black Forest Restaurant and a German-inspired breakfast at River Ridge Lodge.
10117 Hwy 3, Schnares Crossing - 902) 634-3600
4. Dining Room at Bluenose Lodge
The Bluenose Lodge is located a few minutes' walk from the Lunenburg Harbour. The distance and no outside dining mean that we can often get a table at the Bluenose Lodge dining room last minute when it's almost impossible to get one in the Old Town of Lunenburg or even the Knot Pub in the summer months without standing in line. The atmosphere is relaxed but elegant and could be defined as a fine dining experience. They feature local sustainably caught seafood and farm-fresh vegetables and proteins. The menu changes seasonally.
10 Falkland Street, Lunenburg - (902) 634-8851
5. Lincoln Street Food
Lincoln Street Food is a modern, coastal neighbourhood restaurant that transformed what was the classic diner into a modern kitchen. It's a unique concept for Lunenburg in a town where most restaurants offer mainly traditional fare. The menu is small and changes through the season, profiling locally sourced ingredients. They summarize it as "a modern approach to dining offered in a casual and fun atmosphere adding in a bit of quirkiness".
They are only open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday.
200 Lincoln Street - (902) 640-3002
6. Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar
The Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar is located next to the Saltshaker Deli and has the same owners. They self describe themselves as "relaxed, upscale cuisine". With upscale also comes higher prices. The restaurant has quite a different, more intimate atmosphere and is only open seasonally. The food is good but it can be hard to get into the Beach Pea since it's quite popular. We recommend making a reservation a few days in advance.
128 Montague Street, Lunenburg - (902) 640-3474
The Top Lunenburg Breweries and Pubs
The Knot Pub
The Knot Pub is a local favourite and is loved by many. The pub is usually always busy with a lively atmosphere any time of the year. They have an extensive menu, and the prices are probably the most reasonable in Lunenburg. The food is the best pub food in the area, and the menu is quite extensive with lots of seafood and many healthier items. Frauke loves their Greek Salad and also the Caesar Salad.
4 Dufferin Street, Lunenburg - (902) 634-3334
Lightship Brewing Company
The Lightship Brewing Company is at a fantastic waterfront location and boasts great views of the Old Town of Lunenburg across the water. Here you can enjoy fantastic craft beer and cider. The onsite Boathouse Bites serves food like fries, salad, chowder, mussels, lobster sliders, bratwurst and Lobster Mac & Cheese. The Barn Coffee Shop is also located in the same building, so it's a great places to hang out for a bit with a coffee or tea. In the warmer months, the huge deck offers lots of outdoor seating. We always tell our guests to bring a jacket when heading to Lunenburg since it's usually a few degrees cooler in Lunenburg than in Mahone Bay since it's lot more exposed to the elements.
93 Tannery Road, Lunenburg - (902) 634-9639
Bar Salvador
Bar Salvador is a great place for a drink and some Spanish tapas. The rumour was that the owners of the Saltshaker, Fish Shack, the Half Shell and Beach Pea opened Bar Salvador in 2021 so people could have a drink and light snack while waiting to get a table at one of their other restaurants. The food is quite good but a bit pricey for what you get, but it's worth it alone for the experience. They focus on creating an old-world experience while showcasing locally sourced and imported Spanish ingredients. They also have an extensive selection of cocktails, Spanish wines, sherries, brandies, and vermuts.
125 Montague Street, Lunenburg - (902) 640-2540