I would argue that the best part of travel—is the food! I love that when I explore different places, I get to experience cuisine that reflects the unique landscape, people and culture of a place.

Being a tourist in my own province is one of the best ways to discover regional eats and my stay in Pictou County introduced me to a wide variety of incredible flavours – from farmers, markets, food trucks, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants!

I’ve pulled together some of the best spots along the beautiful Northumberland Shore to shop for local foods, enjoy a cold brew, grab a pastry on-the-go and to sit down to enjoy a meal – along with some legendary Pictou County hospitality.

Read on for my favourite North Shore food & dining picks!

New Glasgow / Westville / Stellarton area:

Knoydart Farm Cheese
7037 NS-245, Knoydart

This family-owned farm offers a variety of artisanal organic cheese products made from the milk of their own free range, grass-fed cows. I visited this beautiful property overlooking the Northumberland coastline and had a lovely chat with Frazer Hunter who treated me to a tour of the farm and sent me home with the most delicious cheese!

New Glasgow Farmers Market
261 Glasgow St, New Glasgow

Open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, the New Glasgow Farmers Market offers local produce and meats, baked goods, prepared foods to enjoy on site or for takeaway, and a wide variety of unique, handmade items by local artists and crafters. It’s a great spot to hang out for a bit, listen to live music and enjoy some tasty Pictou County eats!

Curious Crows Coffee House
247 S Foord St, Stellarton

A great place to start your day! This warm and welcoming coffee shop offers freshly brewed, locally-roasted coffee and tasty pastries made in house. Cute, comfy interior and friendly service. So good – I visited twice!

Backstage Brewing Company
37 Bridge Ave, Stellarton

Backstage Brewing in Stellarton is a craft beer enthusiast's paradise, offering a wide selection of local brews and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts and refreshing ales, there’s something for every beer drinker. We enjoyed a tasting flight on the sunny patio with a few bar snacks.

Blue Lobster Public House
230 S Foord St, Stellarton

This year-round restaurant and seasonal beer garden in downtown Stellarton is a fun spot to enjoy traditional maritime dishes like Fish & Chips, locally crafted beer and spirits, lawn games and live music. The retail store sells popular products made onsite including Blue Lobster Vodka Soda, Nova Scotia Spirit Co products and Painted Boat Beer.

I love this spot and visited a couple times while I was in the area. On my first visit, I ordered the Fish & Chips with a pint of the Painted Boat Beer, and the Stacked Tuna with the Dragonfruit Guava Vodka Soda. Delicious! I came back with my sister, nephews and my little dog (who is allowed in the beer garden!) for nachos, wings, lawn games and some live music (Adam Makbain). We had a great time.

East Avenue
200 Provost St, New Glasgow

A trendy eatery that blends contemporary flair with classic dishes. East Avenue boasts a menu that celebrates a fusion of international flavors with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. From seafood dishes to tasty vegetarian options, there is something on the menu for everyone.

My friend and I enjoyed Mussels in a Home-Made Cream sauce served with Garlic Bread, the East Avenue Chopped Salad with Shrimp and the highlight of our meal was the Fried Sweet Chili Cauliflower, so good! A pint of Garrison Tallship Ale paired perfectly with our food. Great spot for a nice meal!

Tilly’s Kitchen
71 Stellarton Rd, New Glasgow

This family-owned restaurant takes pride in its authentic homestyle cooking, serving up fresh, flavorful, seasonal dishes. The menu is designed with local market ingredients in mind and the daily specials highlight fresh produce. Located in an older historic home, the atmosphere is warm and cosy, a great place for a special meal with family and friends.

I started with the oysters (because I always order oysters when they appear on the menu!) For my main dish, I ordered the special with Steak, Shrimp, Scallops and veggies; hearty comfort food! For dessert, I ordered the Warm Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream. It was a lovely meal and I’m looking forward to visiting this restaurant again!

The Monarch Marina
15 Riverside St, New Glasgow

This marina and restaurant, located along the East River of New Glasgow, is a haven for boating enthusiasts and food lovers alike. With both indoor and outdoor seating, this is a great spot to share a tasty meal and drinks with friends. I was keen to try their take on fish & chips: Coconut Haddock with Dill Pickle Aioli and Coconut Slaw — and it didn’t disappoint! The Strawberry Limeade cocktail paired perfectly, a light and summery drink perfect for the patio.

Mamatsu Fresh Asian Kitchen
205 Provost St, New Glasgow

Mamatsu Fresh Asian Kitchen brings a delicious taste of Asia to the heart of Pictou County. The menu at Mamatsu features a nice selection of Asian dishes, made with fresh ingredients and bursting with vibrant flavors. From savory stir-fries and noodle dishes to mouthwatering sushi rolls and aromatic curries, every plate is thoughtfully prepared to tantalize the taste buds. I enjoyed the Dumplings made in-house and the spicy Dan Dan Noodles with peanut sauce.

Town of Pictou area:

Marina Bar and Grill
67 Caladh Ave, Pictou

Located on the Pictou Waterfront, this restaurant has a large dining room and deck with a great view of the harbour and the nearby Ship Hector. They are open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lot’s of hearty pub-fare and local seafood on the menu. I really enjoyed the Grilled Haddock Tacos with mango salsa and lemon dill sauce, paired perfectly with a pint of Garrison Georgia Peach beer.

The Nook and Cranny
50 Caladh Ave Pictou

Featuring fresh, house-made dishes, locally crafted beer and liquor, and their own Salty Dog Brewing Company beer, this restaurant offers a view of the Pictou waterfront and is a great spot to enjoy a tasty meal with friends. On the weekends, you can enjoy live music! We ordered the Creamy Seafood Chowder (a stop on the Nova Scotia Chowder Trail) with a glass of Tidal Bay, and BBQ Bacon Burger with a local lager. We really enjoyed our meal sitting out on the sunny patio with a view of the ocean!

Mrs. MacGregor’s Shortbreads
59 Water St, Pictou

Indulge in some sweet treats at Mrs. MacGregor's Shortbreads! Made using an old family recipe, these small-batch, melt-in-your-mouth shortbreads come in many different flavours, like Lemon Poppy Seed, Lavender & Lemon or (my personal favourite) Chocolate. This shop offers other locally-sourced foodie delights as well. Treat yourself to a taste of Pictou County's sweet side!

Harbour House Ales & Spirits
41 Coleraine St, Pictou

Raise your glass to a classic local pub experience at Harbour House Ales and Spirits. Enjoy a large selection of craft beer and spirits, fresh seafood, burgers, pasta and more. We enjoyed a couple pints and a plate of nachos on the sunny patio. Great spot to meet up with friends to share some pub grub and drinks!

Thomson's Dairy Bar
63 W River Rd, Pictou

This beloved local spot for ice cream and sweet treats has a nostalgic ambiance and a huge variety of cold treats available. With over 60 flavours of soft-serve to choose from, as well as hard ice cream, milkshakes, slushies and sundaes, there’s something for everyone on a hot day! I admit, I visited a few times ;) My personal favourite is the salted caramel soft-serve.

River John area:

Overstreet Cafe
2727 River John Station Rd, River John

Located in the heart of River John, this charming cafe serves up home-made bakery treats, sandwiches, locally-roasted coffee and drinks. The warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with friendly staff, creates a welcoming space where locals and visitors alike can gather and enjoy a relaxing dining experience. I needed a little pick-me-up and ordered a latte and chocolate oat square, it totally did the trick!

Caldera Distilling
65 River John Rd, River John

For spirits enthusiasts or curious travellers seeking to discover the essence of Pictou County, a visit to the Caldera Distilling Tasting Room is an absolute must. They are a farm-to-bottle distillery located in River John and the grains used to create the whisky are grown right on the property. You can visit their rustic tasting barn to sample a variety of whiskies or sip on a cocktail while sitting outside enjoying a view of the fields.

The Pork Shop
3412 Hwy 326, Denmark
2578 Westville Rd., New Glasgow

The Pork Shop has two locations, one in New Glasgow and one near River John offering high-quality pork products including smoked chops, gluten-free sausages, roasts, spiced capicola steak, and more. It also carries other local foodie products like beef, chicken, jams, honey, maple products, and cheese. I stopped by to pick up honey-garlic sausages for the BBQ while staying at Ocean Sunset Chalets. They were delicious!

Pictou County Pizza

Everyone thinks their home-town pizza is the best and Pictou County is no exception! “Pictou County Pizza” is a regional pizza style famous for a unique spicy brown sauce. According to local lore, the sauce originates from a family recipe created in the 1960’s by Greek immigrants to the area, George Kouyas and his brother Demetre who opened Sam’s Pizza in Stellarton, NS. Each pizza restaurant has their own unique recipe, but the sauce is generally made with tomatoes, veggies, herbs and spices (that give it a more of a brown colour) and sometimes flour or chicken stock. Traditionally, this pizza is topped with Brothers pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers under a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on a thick and chewy crust. It is sometimes served with a side of donair sauce (a creamy, sweet garlic sauce that many East Coast Canadians like to use as a dip for garlic fingers or pizza).

If you ask around, locals have strong opinions about which Pictou County Pizza shop is best! I tried several to find out what the fuss was all about. Sam’s in Stellarton and Acropole in Pictou are popular so I started there first. I also visited Sam’s in Trenton, Acropole in Westville, Alice’s in New Glasgow, Andre’s in Stellarton and Pictou County Pizza in Abercrombie. In most cases I ordered the classic “Combo” but I also tried a couple pepperoni slices and one donair slice that just looked too good to pass up! It was my first time trying the brown sauce and I was worried it might be too spicy but the heat from the sauce and the pepperoni was pretty mild and I really liked the pizzas! One slice at a time was plenty for me, these pizzas do have a thick crust and lots of toppings hidden beneath a satisfying layer of delicious mozzarella cheese.

If you’re visiting Pictou County, it’s a guarantee that you won’t go hungry. Whatever dining experience you’re looking for — you’ll find, from local foods to fill your picnic basket to casual fare to refined dining.

I was happy to bring home some culinary souvenirs from my trip through the charming towns and communities along the North Shore and will definitely be back!

If you’re looking for things to see and do along the Sunrise Trail — check out my Guide to Exploring Pictou County, Nova Scotia.