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Message from Tripadvisor: This business is temporarily closed until 2021-06-29
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Travellers' Choice

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About
Closed for the winter. Re-opening spring 2021. Welcome to Charlotte Lane Cafe & Gift Shop. Best Small Restaurant in Nova Scotia Award from RANS 2013, Best Restaurant Chef Inspired Casual Dining by Taste of NS 2011, Best Restaurant outside of HRM by Chronical Herald. Follow the fabulous aromas down our quaint little lane in the historic district of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, step inside our heritage building and enjoy the warm hospitality and fine dining. Our restaurant offers innovative dishes and fine wines presented with attentive service in a cheerful setting. Since opening in 1995 we have attracted loyal and appreciative clients from near and far, and we invite you to join this happy circle…
PRICE RANGE
US$16 - US$47
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Dinner
CUISINES
Seafood, Canadian, International
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Highchairs Available
Reviews (344)
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Traveller rating
280
38
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All reviews scallops seafood crepe chowder cheesecake casserole sticky toffee pudding shellfish rice sandwich potatoes gift shop nova scotia make reservations fine dining small town wonderful meal chef
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Reviewed October 27, 2020
Small town superior cuisine

This was my second occasion dining in this restaurant, the first a good number of years back. My first time was not particularly memorable, but this more recent occasion was a treat. The carrot soup was a clearly a superior dish. I would gladly return.

Date of visit: October 2020
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Reviewed October 20, 2020
A lovely find!

Great home style cooking, large servings, very pleasant helpful servers. A definite place to eat in Shelburne. Reserve early to obtain a seat!

Date of visit: October 2020
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Reviewed August 23, 2020 via mobile
Absolutely the coziest

We had a wonderful meal. The service was top notch. The appetizers were delicious. I had the zucchini in cornmeal. Delicious. The main course was the filet mignon was cooked perfectly. The folks that work there went above and beyond to make sure your experience...was wonderful.More

Date of visit: August 2020
Helpful?1  
Reviewed August 23, 2020
Amazing food and service.

A friend introduced me to this restaurant and it is worth the trek from Halifax, NS for such a great dining experience. The service was top notch and the food world class. An excellent wine list with affordable prices rounded out our fabulous dining experience....Next time, I will rent a room for an overnight stay and to be able to visit the area more. The Cafe has an excellent local art and crafts shop too. Charlotte Lane Cafe and Crafts makes a trip to Shelburne something put on your "to-do" list!More

Date of visit: August 2020
Helpful?1  
Reviewed August 23, 2020
A Gem of a Restaurent

We were very pleased with our experience here. It is a quaint little place with amazing food ,very friendly and good service. After a few years living in Scotland we ate our fair share of sticky toffee pudding . Charlotte's Lane has the most authentic...we have eaten anywhere in Nova Scotia.!!More

Date of visit: August 2020
Helpful?2  
Reviewed August 9, 2020 via mobile
Fabulous destination restaurant in historic Shelburne

This “destination restaurant” in one of many beautifully restored buildings on Shelburne’s waterfront is not to be missed! The Charlotte Lane Cafe menu offers exquisite food choices created with locally sourced ingredients to stimulate any palate. Local fish and seafood and Nova Scotia wines are...featured. My partner had a wonderful scallop main course and I enjoyed the delicious vegetarian option. We shared the smoked fish sampler as our starter and the chocolate salted caramel cheesecake to finish. This was our second visit - we will return!More

Date of visit: August 2020
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Reviewed December 6, 2019 via mobile
MYNOHTNAM

My wife and I had the festive meals. We each had our own appetizers, and started with the seafood chowder. I am picky, and this was a perfect chowder. Then our main meal was the mushroom stuffed chicken. It also tasted great with the vegetables...and the rice that accompanied it; my wife had the potatoes. Desert was the topper with Chocolate extravangza, which was also excellent. We had an amazing experience at this restaurant and I was very satisfied with the taste of my meal, and couldn't fit another bite.More

Date of visit: December 2019
Helpful?1  
Reviewed November 30, 2019
Festive Menu 2019

Charlotte Lane always offers a wonderful festive menu, and this year is no exception. In addition to the regular menu, they have a three-course menu available from Nov. 27 to Dec. 19, 2019. We enjoyed the smoked haddock and mussel chowder and chicken breast stuffed...with mushroom mousse and spinach, plus pan-roasted potatoes (my husband had the seven-grain rice) and steamed vegetables, with black cherry toffee pudding for dessert. Delicious!More

Date of visit: November 2019
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Reviewed November 20, 2019
Exceeds expectations

We loved this place! The ambiance was amazing, the classical music soothing, and the staff and the place itself is quaint and lovely.

Date of visit: November 2019
Helpful?1  
Reviewed November 9, 2019
Charming!

Disappointed that they were not open for lunch on the day we were there (it had been recommended to us), we nevertheless enjoyed browsing the local crafts and chatting with the personable sales staff and with the Chef who had just arrived to begin his...dinnertime preparations. This is part of the historic village on the waterfront – a beautiful place to visit on a sunny, warm day.More

Date of visit: August 2019
Helpful?1  
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Questions & Answers
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Coolbreeze1015
August 27, 2019|
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Response from Wanderlust777 | Reviewed this property |
Yes, definitely. It's a balanced menu with multiple meat entrees, and at least one vegetarian option. Because the chef is originally from Switzerland, he is not as reliant on seafood as some other restaurants in the... More
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