Essentials
Food, alcohol, and cannabis locations
This is the best place to get groceries in the area. It's also right next to a liquor store.
7 locals recommend
Spidles' Your Independent Grocer
211 Duke StThis is the best place to get groceries in the area. It's also right next to a liquor store.
If you are looking for cannabis products, this is the only one on the South Shore. Remember, no smoking on the property please.
11 locals recommend
NSLC
143 Victoria RoadIf you are looking for cannabis products, this is the only one on the South Shore. Remember, no smoking on the property please.
Foodland - Chester
4115 Nova Scotia Trunk 3It's closer, but has less to offer than the Independant.
Craft Alcoholic Beverages
Here is a full list of local beverage offerings.
This is by far one of the best breweries in the province. It is small so most people have never heard of them. They have a constant new rotation of beers that are in the style of German and Belgian ales and lagers. They have a nice property to sip and enjoy drinks on. No food is served here.
Tanner & Co. Brewing Ltd.
50 Hiltz RoadThis is by far one of the best breweries in the province. It is small so most people have never heard of them. They have a constant new rotation of beers that are in the style of German and Belgian ales and lagers. They have a nice property to sip and enjoy drinks on. No food is served here.
A brewery with a great beer patio that has occasional events and live music through the week. It is also along the trail system that runs from Halifax to Yarmouth. An excellent stop for cyclists.
33 locals recommend
Saltbox Brewery
363 Main StA brewery with a great beer patio that has occasional events and live music through the week. It is also along the trail system that runs from Halifax to Yarmouth. An excellent stop for cyclists.
If you like vodka or rum, you will want to stop here. The vodka rivals the highest scale vodkas currently on the market.
Tipping Point Distillers
5478 Lighthouse RteIf you like vodka or rum, you will want to stop here. The vodka rivals the highest scale vodkas currently on the market.
The first distillery on the craft scene. Lots of different spirit types to choose one. Some, if not all, are gluten-free. It is also located in a really atmospheric historic building associated with ship building.
22 locals recommend
Ironworks Distillery
2 Kempt StThe first distillery on the craft scene. Lots of different spirit types to choose one. Some, if not all, are gluten-free. It is also located in a really atmospheric historic building associated with ship building.
The smallest brewery on this list by far, but they often offer funky beers. They also have the ability to sell 1L cans for take-away.
6 locals recommend
Shipwright Brewing Company
80 Montague StThe smallest brewery on this list by far, but they often offer funky beers. They also have the ability to sell 1L cans for take-away.
Another space that hosts occasional events and live music. They also provide barrel-aged batches of beer (subject to availability of casks).
12 locals recommend
Lightship Brewery
93 Tannery RoadAnother space that hosts occasional events and live music. They also provide barrel-aged batches of beer (subject to availability of casks).
A tap room with mostly Garrison products. They also produce their own beer in limited quantities. The distribution radius is only 20km from the tap room.
7 locals recommend
FirkinStein Brewing
673 King StA tap room with mostly Garrison products. They also produce their own beer in limited quantities. The distribution radius is only 20km from the tap room.
This place is really out of the way, but if you are a die hard beer fan you may as well check them out. Visit The Knot Pub if you want to save the drive and just drink their beer.
13 locals recommend
Hell Bay Brewing Company
38 Legion StThis place is really out of the way, but if you are a die hard beer fan you may as well check them out. Visit The Knot Pub if you want to save the drive and just drink their beer.
The place the put cider on the map in Nova Scotia! A great alternative to beer. They also offer fruit wines.
Muwin Estate Wines & Bulwark Cider
7155 NS-12The place the put cider on the map in Nova Scotia! A great alternative to beer. They also offer fruit wines.
Nearby Towns
Here are some places to visit.
In the summer, there are a few places to go in Chester for food. If you are in the off-season, it is mostly dead. The highlight of what Chester offers is "Race Week" if you are into sailing and want to visit in early-August.
72 locals recommend
Chester
In the summer, there are a few places to go in Chester for food. If you are in the off-season, it is mostly dead. The highlight of what Chester offers is "Race Week" if you are into sailing and want to visit in early-August.
This is a quaint, picturesque town that is known for it's waterfront and churches. It also has a few quaint restaurants.
172 locals recommend
Mahone Bay
This is a quaint, picturesque town that is known for it's waterfront and churches. It also has a few quaint restaurants.
Very historic. It is the home to the Bluenose II (the ship on our dime). Quite a few historic buildings and lots of great restaurants for all occasions. A perfect spot to do a food crawl!
245 locals recommend
Lunenburg
Very historic. It is the home to the Bluenose II (the ship on our dime). Quite a few historic buildings and lots of great restaurants for all occasions. A perfect spot to do a food crawl!
Unwind
Treat yourself.
If you are lucky enough to book services here, you will thoroughly enjoy your time.
39 locals recommend
SENSEA Nordic Spa
40 Sensëa RdIf you are lucky enough to book services here, you will thoroughly enjoy your time.
This club is open to visitors. Non-members must book 6 days in advance to play. Call the Pro Shop at (902) 275-4543.
28 locals recommend
Chester Golf Club
206 Golf Course RdThis club is open to visitors. Non-members must book 6 days in advance to play. Call the Pro Shop at (902) 275-4543.
The Kayak Shack
106 Duke StRent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards during the tourism season.
This is a local performing arts center focused on outdoor theatre while they are conducting restorations on the old playhouse.
23 locals recommend
Chester Playhouse
22 Pleasant StThis is a local performing arts center focused on outdoor theatre while they are conducting restorations on the old playhouse.
A "Ma and Pa"-style stable that offers horseback riding and pony rides. Suitable for families and children.
Oakley Stables
1371 NS-12A "Ma and Pa"-style stable that offers horseback riding and pony rides. Suitable for families and children.
Sightseeing
For hikers, cyclists, and snowshoers.
The trail is a 8.2km loop that is lightly trafficked. Suitable for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash.
9 locals recommend
Castle Rock Trail
Aspotogan TrailThe trail is a 8.2km loop that is lightly trafficked. Suitable for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash.
There is a 3.4 km coastal walking trail here ideal for easy hiking, walking, and running.
12 locals recommend
Graves Island Provincial Park
230 Graves Island RdThere is a 3.4 km coastal walking trail here ideal for easy hiking, walking, and running.
A 30.4km point-to-point trail connecting Chester to Mahone Bay that is ideal for biking.
Dynamite Trail
Dynamite TrailA 30.4km point-to-point trail connecting Chester to Mahone Bay that is ideal for biking.
A 7.1km point-to-point trail that begins at the Chester Visitor Center and ends at Henneberry Lake.
Chester Connection Trail
Chester Connection TrailA 7.1km point-to-point trail that begins at the Chester Visitor Center and ends at Henneberry Lake.
A 10.8km point-to-point trail that connects Mahone Bay to Lunenburg. This is perfect for cyclists looking to launch from Salt Box Brewing or continue from the Dynomite Trail. Take note there is a unintuitive road crossing on Maple Avenue (Hwy 3) that has the next section of trail positioned 25m down the road at the crosswalk. Along the way there is a forest sculpture section that can be seen from the trail.
Bay to Bay Trail
Bay to Bay TrailA 10.8km point-to-point trail that connects Mahone Bay to Lunenburg. This is perfect for cyclists looking to launch from Salt Box Brewing or continue from the Dynomite Trail. Take note there is a unintuitive road crossing on Maple Avenue (Hwy 3) that has the next section of trail positioned 25m down the road at the crosswalk. Along the way there is a forest sculpture section that can be seen from the trail.
Food scene
A random assortment of high and low cuisine offerings in various surrounding communities.
If Sicilian-style and New York-style pizza had a baby, you would have Roman-style. Amazing quality eats with a taproom for Tanner and Co. next door. Some harbour views.
8 locals recommend
Il Ferramenta
59 Duke StIf Sicilian-style and New York-style pizza had a baby, you would have Roman-style. Amazing quality eats with a taproom for Tanner and Co. next door. Some harbour views.
Best coffee in the area with an atmospheric, repurposed barn space. They also provide amazing baked goods. Get the pear and cream cheese scone if they have it. You will not regret it.
30 locals recommend
The Barn Coffee & Social House
458 Main StBest coffee in the area with an atmospheric, repurposed barn space. They also provide amazing baked goods. Get the pear and cream cheese scone if they have it. You will not regret it.
Good seafood. Great back patio. Was once featured on the Food Network.
50 locals recommend
Salt Shaker Deli
124 Montague StGood seafood. Great back patio. Was once featured on the Food Network.
The Gold Bean Cafe
21 Beech Hill RdCome here for the diner breakfast and lunch vibes. Coffee is decent.
Seaside Shanty Restaurant
5315 Nova Scotia Trunk 3Atmospheric with good views. A local favourite.
If you are looking for a simple, bready pizza like most places that serve "by the slice", then this is your place. If they are not too busy, they will deliver to the lakehouse if you ask them. Don't rely on this as your sole means of evening food if you are not picking it up yourself.
Jamal's Pizza
4115 Nova Scotia Trunk 3If you are looking for a simple, bready pizza like most places that serve "by the slice", then this is your place. If they are not too busy, they will deliver to the lakehouse if you ask them. Don't rely on this as your sole means of evening food if you are not picking it up yourself.
Food, high tea, and books. If your happy place is a whimsical library, then you are in luck. The high tea is great and it comes with a sandwich tower.
13 locals recommend
The Biscuit Eater Cafe and Books
16 Orchard StFood, high tea, and books. If your happy place is a whimsical library, then you are in luck. The high tea is great and it comes with a sandwich tower.
It has a great hobbit cottage vibe. They offer Hell Bay beer and decent pub fare.
53 locals recommend
The Knot Pub
4 Dufferin StIt has a great hobbit cottage vibe. They offer Hell Bay beer and decent pub fare.
Best pub in Chester. Has a great old seaside atmosphere. A favourite among locals and sailing enthusiasts. Pub fare for food.
29 locals recommend
Fo'c'sle Tavern
42 Queen StBest pub in Chester. Has a great old seaside atmosphere. A favourite among locals and sailing enthusiasts. Pub fare for food.
It's a restaurant for people who want to have simple food with no fuss. It also allows for people to dock their sailboats alongside as they eat.
36 locals recommend
The Rope Loft
36 Water StIt's a restaurant for people who want to have simple food with no fuss. It also allows for people to dock their sailboats alongside as they eat.
Serious diner vibes. Don't come here looking for polished cuisine or service, very homespun. Serves ice cream. Locals refer to this place as the "Green Canteen".
8 locals recommend
Island View Restaurant
6301 Hwy 3Serious diner vibes. Don't come here looking for polished cuisine or service, very homespun. Serves ice cream. Locals refer to this place as the "Green Canteen".
A bright and cheery cafe that would be just as at home on the Sunshine Coast, BC. Good coffee, vegetarian options, solid brunch/dessert offerings.
44 locals recommend
The Kiwi Cafe
19 Pleasant StA bright and cheery cafe that would be just as at home on the Sunshine Coast, BC. Good coffee, vegetarian options, solid brunch/dessert offerings.
Oh My Cod!
567 Main StGreat seafood, lame pun. Great patio views and a casual vibe.
Old Black Forest Cafe & Gasthof
10117 Nova Scotia Trunk 3Traditional German cuisine with a great German beer selection.