The BEST Wolfville Restaurants in Town and Nearby (for 2024)
Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Dalene & Pete Heck
One thing we love dearly about living in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia is the quality and quantity of dining options. No matter the size, every town seems to have restaurants worth making the trip to. And Wolfville, one of the larger towns in the Valley, has many that we love. Below, I’ve listed our favourite Wolfville restaurants we’ve enjoyed to date, and we expect to add more to them as our time here continues.
Our Favourite Restaurants in Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Juniper Food + Wine
Location: 389 Main St
My best meal of 2023 was at Juniper Food + Wine. And even though that dreamy gnocchi dish is no longer on their dinner menu (it changes with the seasons due to local ingredients available), the fact that it even existed will forever elevate Juniper to one of my fave restaurants in Wolfville, and even the entire province.
Pete and I also devoured the baked potato beignets, and his pork belly dish was also plate-lickingly delicious. Reservations are recommended here (well in advance).
Troy Restaurant & Grill
Location: 12D Elm Ave
Troy Restaurant & Grill was the first restaurant we visited in Wolfville, and it was a great introduction to what is possible for quality dining in a small(ish) city. We’ve been back twice since, and each time, we can’t get farther down the menu than the hot and cold mezze.
We typically get a “custom trio” of cold dips (the roasted red pepper is a must), add the spicy baked feta, and you can count on us fighting over the last bite. One day, we promise to get more adventurous and try new flavours, but it’s tough to tear ourselves away from how good those Mediterranean staples are. The cocktails are also noteworthy.
Lightfoot + Wolfville
Location: 11143 Evangeline Trail
Eating at Lightfoot & Wolfville is one of several dining room experiences in the Wolfville area that’s set on a winery. Well-known for its wood-fired pizzas (and wines, of course), we sampled both on our visit. We left with empty plates (the Canadian pizza was especially good), as well as a case of wine to enjoy at home.
We loved the gorgeous styling and atmosphere of the restaurant. Open and airy, it gives off casual and unpretentious vibes, even though the excellent food and wine could legitimately carry a more boastful ambience.
The Church Brewing Co.
Location: 329 Main St
We often default to ‘Church Brew‘ and bring visiting family and friends here, mainly for the very cool atmosphere. Set in a refurbished church on Main Street, it is something to see, and the brews are also very worth the stop. The Heart of Gold amber lager is particularly good, as is the Forgive Me Father coffee stout (bonus points for the name, too).
The food menu, honestly, is a bit hit-and-miss. We’ve had some excellent dishes here, starting with the maple garlic cauliflower and the southern chicken sandwich with the hot-honey lime. Take a pass on the turkey club — it advertises using focaccia (that is NOT focaccia), and the bread-to-filling ratio is off. The Sanctuary Chicken Dip is a great snack to go with your brews. Their fresh French fries are the side of choice.
The Library Pub & Wine Tavern
Location: 472 Main St
Another popular spot on Main Street, Library Pub and Wine Tavern, is hard to miss as you enter the popular commercial area. It has a warm pub atmosphere, and we suspect it is a place where town gossip is served alongside the excellent array of cocktails featuring lots of locally made options.
We recommend the fish tacos with mango salsa, cabbage slaw, and wasabi yogurt, but take a pass on the steak bites starter. The sauce is good, but the meat we ate was quite overdone.
Wolfville Farmer’s Market
Location: 24 Elm Ave
The Wolfville Farmers Market is one of the few farmer’s markets in the region that is open year-round, and despite the long(ish) drive from our house, we find ourselves here quite often. The whole market is a vibe, complete with live music alongside excellent produce and local crafts.
We always make sure to go with an empty stomach as there are great food vendors inside! We especially love the Tipsy Toad Grove Farm burritos and the Taj Mahal Catering pakoras.
Charts Café
Location: 16 Elm Ave
And before we head into the Farmer’s Market, we make sure to stop at Charts Cafe for one of their very excellent specialty coffees. Their pastries are also too good to pass by, and we’ve enjoyed a savoury quiche, too.
Benjamin Bridge
Location: 1966 White Rock Rd
Benjamin Bridge is one of our fave spots in the Annapolis Valley for wine, patio, and the atmosphere. We’ve inexplicably not stopped here for a full meal, but if their wines, piquettes, and charcuterie board are any indication of how good their food is, then we’ll be in for a treat when we finally do. We also love the creative attractions and events they hold throughout the year — like the mini skating rink in winter! (If we lived closer, this would be our automatic go-to place, we reckon.)
Other Wolfville Restaurants Still on Our “To Eat At” List
The following restaurants are highly rated, and we can’t wait to visit them soon!
- JEJU – 8 Elm Ave
- Paddys Brewpub – 460 Main St
- Kings Arms Commons – 430 Main St
- Hennigar’s Cookhouse – 10272 Nova Scotia Trunk 1
Our Favourite Restaurants Nearby Wolfville
The Noodle Guy (Port Williams)
Location: 964 NS-358, Port Williams
This local favourite in Port Williams, The Noodle Guy is known for one thing (hint, it’s in the name!) – fresh NOODLES. From wheat pasta to rice noodles and more, THIS is comfort food in a bowl. On our one visit, Pete had the Soba (Japanese buckwheat and kamut noodles), and I had the shells (with chipotle, asiago, and white wine sauce).
While the noods were super good for both, my sauce lacked flavour, meaning Pete won with his dish choice. I’m eager to go back again for a rematch!
Cumin Kitchen and Drink (New Minas)
Location: 21 Roy Ave, New Minas
In nearby New Minas, Cumin Kitchen & Drink is one of the few spots in town that isn’t a chain. The menu is filled with fresh and delicious options, many vegan and gluten-free. You can feel good about ordering nearly anything they offer — the ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, and wholesome. Pete’s go-to is the Hipster Paradise Bowl with salmon as his protein and I love the fried chicken schnitzel.
Luckett Vineyards (Wallbrook)
Location: 1293 Grand Pré Rd
Luckett Vineyards may be the most well-known vineyard in the Annapolis Valley for numerous reasons. Apart from their quality wines, the restaurant sits on a small ridge opening up to its gorgeous property blow, complete with rows upon rows of grapes.
In honour of the British owner, a red phone booth from the UK (Glasgow, specifically) sits in the middle of it and has since become a famous selfie spot. The menu isn’t extensive but is well thought out. Prepare for crowds, though, as this is a popular spot for groups in summer to enjoy a gorgeous patio (it’s a hot spot for bachelorette parties, as I’ve seen)!
Other Near Wolfville Restaurants Still on Our “To Eat At” List
Our list keeps growing, and these are the restaurants near Wolfville that we can’t wait to visit!
- Le Caveau (Grand-Pré) – 11611 Evangeline Trail, Grand Pré
- Longfellow Restaurant (Grand-Pré) – 11668 Nova Scotia Trunk 1, Grand Pré
- Pizzeria Robust (Port Williams) – 980 NS-358, Port Williams
- The Kitchen at Planters Ridge) Port Williams – 1441 Church St, Port Williams
- Port Pub and Bistro (Port Williams) – 980 Terrys Creek Rd, Port Williams
For a complete list of our Wolfville restaurants, visit our list in Google Maps!
