One of my favourite long summer day drives in Nova Scotia is to head down the old number three highway along the South Shore. Yes, Atlantica Oak Island happens to be along this very road, but that’s not the reason why I love it. Why I love driving the South Shore is because of it’s abundance of take out food, ice cream shops, antique shops and other interesting establishments, both off the old highway and 103 as well. Having grown up on the South Shore and all, I am familiar with quite a few of these little gems, but I put the call out on Facebook for friends and family from that area to let me know what they consider to be the best take out food and ice cream spots. Much in line with my own choices, here is Your Guide to: Delicious Ice Cream & Take Out Food on the South Shore! Bear with me, though, as many of these spots don’t have websites and will need to be discovered by getting in the car and exploring!
Let’s start at the tip of the province in Yarmouth. This first spot isn’t exactly “off the beaten path”, however, the take out seafood is delicious and worth mentioning. Downtown on the waterfront there is a big bright yellow restaurant and brew pub called Rudder’s. A few years ago, Rudder’s procured an old train car and transformed it into a take out window for people on the go, who don’t have to time to come into the restaurant and sit down, or want to wander along the water and eat. How do I know so much about this place? I might have spent a summer working at Rudder’s… I know firsthand that the food is delicious! Sidebar: If you want to try shark, this is the place to do it during their yearly Shark Fest.
Moving up the coast, let’s stop in Shelburne. There were a few mentions for Shelburne including Shelburne Dairy Treat, Dan’s Ice Cream Shoppe (number one on Tripadvisor), and my personal favourite right on the highway, Thomson’s. The convenience alone of pulling off the highway and ordering food from a takeout window is fantastic. Most of the dishes are of the deep-fried variety, and seafood, which is pretty standard all along the coast.
A bit further up the highway, in Queen’s County, close to Liverpool is an awesome spot called the Dairy Treat. Now it is my understanding that most of the locals simply call it “World’s Best Clams” and up until a couple days ago, I didn’t even know the real name. When I visited this great little spot, I did notice the sign stating that they have the world’s best clams, and I did investigate to the best of my ability. Yes, indeed, they do have delicious clams and as well an extensive ice cream offering, including sundaes, banana splits and the like. Visit if you can! You’re in beach country… while you’re down there, try and find the elusive white-sand warm water Carter’s Beach.
Just a jaunt up the road, turn on exit 14 down Auto Row in Hebbville, heading towards Bridgewater. Along this same road is the Tastee Freez, my quintessential summer ice cream window while growing up in the area. My go-to item is a medium twist… that is, a medium sized soft serve cone that’s half vanilla, half chocolate. Delicious. They also have pretty good take-out menu available, along with the full range of sundaes, dipped cones, and flurries (their version of a Blizzard). There is a big gravel lot to pull into beside it, and a couple picnic tables to sit at. Across the road is a huge U-Pick strawberry farm!
Looking for something a bit more refined? Keep on going until you hit exit 11 and head into Lunenburg for some homemade goodness at Sweet Treasures Confectionary on Montague Street. The smell of homemade waffle cones hits you as soon as you step inside this small shop, and an order of very cocoa-y chocolate ice cream is perfect for a stroll along the waterfront in this UNESCO World Heritage Site town. Another side bar: Staying for dinner or lunch? Try Magnolia’s Grill, on the same street.
Not too much further towards Halifax, along the old number three (just past Alantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island) try the bright pistachio green Island View Restaurant. Just inside the door you can choose to either grab an ice cream at the takeout counter to the left, or sit in the dining room and enjoy the view of the bay of islands. Another great spot for soft serve. Growing up we always called this place the Green Canteen. There are a couple picnic tables outside, great to enjoy your cold treat and the ocean breeze on a hot day!
I’m sure there are many, many more hidden spots and greasy spoons along the South Shore, and if you’re visiting Nova Scotia and want the real deal – just ask the locals where to go! Enjoy!
Happy Eating,
Laura
