Murphy's Fish & Chips (Truro)

Located at 88 Esplanade Street in Truro, roughly halfway between Halifax and Prince Edward Island, Murphy's Fish & Chips Eatery is a genuine Nova Scotia institution. This family restaurant claims to serve the « best English-style fish & chips in Canada » — a bold statement, but one plenty of visitors will happily confirm after a single bite!

The moment you push open the door, you're plunged into an enchanting nautical setting: colourful buoys hanging overhead, fishing nets, seashells, old woodwork… You'd think you were in a little fishing port of another era! The warm atmosphere and the friendly welcome — often from the owner himself, Mr. Anderson, who thinks nothing of coming over for a chat at your table — add all the charm of the place. One adorable detail: the meals are served on fish-shaped plates!

In the kitchen, it's a real treat. Fish & chips is the undisputed specialty: cod or haddock of impeccable freshness, batter crisp but light (not too greasy!), served with fries fried to a perfect gold and a house tartar sauce to knock you over. But it was the Assiette de la mer — the famous Seafood Platter — that was our big favourite: a genuine explosion of ocean flavour, with perfectly cooked white fish, plump shrimp, meltingly tender scallops, squid and Digby clams, all of it served with fries, coleslaw and assorted sauces. A generous platter that honours the province's finest seafood.

The portions are hearty, the prices very reasonable and the service quick and attentive. To finish in style, don't miss their famous chocolate cake, which plenty of regulars describe as irresistible.

An address that embodies the Nova Scotia maritime spirit at its most authentic. An essential stop on the road between Halifax and New Brunswick!