Thomas WilsonSo you wake up feeling as lively as a sloth on a Monday morning. Too lazy to brew your own cuppa, you set out on a quest for the best coffee shop in Halifax, NS.
Yep, been there, done that, and still doing it because who needs homemade when there’s a whole city of caffeine to explore?
It all started with a yawn and a stretch, then I stumbled into the nearest coffee shop in my area seeking salvation in a mug. Little did I know, that first sip would kickstart a whirlwind tour of java joints, from cozy corners to bustling barista stations.
So, whether you’re a fellow coffee fiend like moi or just on the hunt for your next caffeine fix, this list is your ticket to coffee heaven!
Weird Harbour Espresso Bar
Media credit: weirdharbour
Website: https://www.weirdharbour.com/
Address: 1656 Barrington St
Hours:
- Opens daily from 7 AM–5 PM
Weird Harbour — where being “unpretentious” is like the newest hit on Netflix.
And who’s the star of this show? None other than Dan Weir, the caffeine connoisseur whose service is as genuine as his lattes are creamy.
And where do you enjoy this caffeinated spectacle? Right smack in the heart of downtown Halifax, where you can sip your brew and watch the Barrington Street circus unfold through the window.
In winter, it’s the coziest spot this side of the equator, perfect for warming your frosty toes while spying on passersby. And come summer, grab a seat outside, soak up the city vibes, and pretend you’re in your own indie film montage!
| Pro Tip: Feeling adventurous? Order an oat cortado, or better yet, challenge Dan to concoct something so wild it’ll blow your mind! |
Uncommon Grounds
Media credit: uncommongroundshfx
Website: https://theuncommongroup.com/
Address: 1030 South Park St
Contact: +1 902-404-3124
Hours:
- Open daily from 7 AM–7 PM
Uncommon Grounds is where coffee dreams come true and your taste buds go on an adventure. Just stroll in and be greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sight of baristas who are basically your new best friends.
Need a quick pick-me-up between classes? They’ve got you covered with Italian Soda, matcha lattes, bagels the size of your head, and cookies so massive they could double as dessert frisbees.
Uncommon Grounds takes its beans seriously, roasting them in tiny Nova Scotian batches for maximum freshness and flavor.
Their signature blend, the “Fog Burner,” is a powerhouse mix of Guatemalan, Costa Rican, and Kenyan beans, roasted to perfection by a roastmaster who’s basically a coffee wizard.
| Pro Tip: Pair the Fog Burner with a date square for a little balance — sweet enough to complement the coffee without overpowering it! |
Cabin Coffee
Media credit: cabincoffeehfx
Website: https://cabincoffeehalifax.com/
Address: 1554 Hollis St
Contact: +1 902-422-8130
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM–6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 7:30 AM–5 PM
Cabin Coffee whisks you out of the city chaos and into a snug little cabin, right in the middle of Downtown. This cafe is family-run, meaning the owners’ relatives have all had their turn slinging some java behind the counter.
The menu is a family affair too, loaded with cherished recipes like their seedy breakfast bars and the oh-so-famous Halifamous Cinnamon buns. Running strong for over 20 years, Cabin Coffee is the darling of the locals.
They serve up coffee from Java Blend, roasted right in Halifax’s North End. And their bagels? Fresh from Izzy’s Bagels in Bedford.
The vibe inside is rustic cabin chic — totally unique and utterly cozy. You can go early for their breakfast bun combo (a steal at just under $9 for a sandwich and coffee). The breakfast bun bursts with fresh ingredients that put McDonald’s and Tim’s to shame!
| Pro Tip: Their bacon breakfast bun is a tasty triumph, plain and simple. Pair it with your preferred coffee or vanilla rooibos tea! |
Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe
Media credit: dillydallyeats
Website: http://www.dillydallyeats.com/contact.html
Address: 1920 Brunswick St
Contact: +1 902-407-5554
Hours:
- Open daily from 7 AM–5 PM
Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe is all about that local love, serving up small-batch, market-to-table coffee, food, wine, and beer. No wonder the Coast readers voted it “Best of Halifax”!
They’ve got something for everyone — carnivores and vegans alike. This cozy brunch haven on Quinpool dishes out seitan-packed vegan BLTs slathered with vegan mayo, alongside americanos spiked with your choice of soy, oat, or cashew milk.
They’ve got coconut milk too, just in case you feel like switching it up.
Their baked goods are a vegan delight, though you’ll need to race to snag them before they sell out. The daily soup often goes the vegan route, and their small food fare is perfect for a light bite.
| Pro Tip: Avoid the chaos of peak hours if you’re with a group — this spot is best enjoyed in pairs for a truly intimate (and less elbow-bumping) experience! |
Cafe Good Luck
Media credit: cafe.goodluck
Website: https://manualfoodanddrinkco.com/goodluck/
Address: 145 Portland St
Hours:
- Open daily from 8 AM–4 PM
Cafe Good Luck is the ultimate double-threat, moonlighting as a casual restaurant with soups, sandwiches, and the occasional Prince Edward Island oyster — fancy, right?
But let’s be real, this cozy coffee shop is legendary for its oversized scones. If you want to experience the coffee shop equivalent of a bear hug, snag a scone and a hot drink, then park yourself in a window seat on a rainy day.
Beyond the drool-worthy food and snug ambiance, coffee snobs (yep, like me) will fall head over heels for Café Good Luck’s specialty coffee. The baristas are like coffee wizards, serving up the finest brews in the city (or so I claim).
Even if you’re not into espresso, their filter coffee is no slouch. Plus, they have freshly baked goodies every day and a little food market for those must-have pantry staples.
| Pro Tip: For the ultimate Sunday morning bliss, head to Café Good Luck and treat yourself to any of their breakfast sandwiches with a filter coffee for the best brunch lottery! |
Morley’s Coffee
Media credit: morleysdartmouth
Website: http://www.frictionbooks.com/
Address: 45 Portland St
Contact: +1 902-407-3899
Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
- Wednesday to Friday: 7:30 AM–7 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–5 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM–4 PM
Morley’s Coffee, owned by hometown hero Joel Plaskett, is where you go when you want to sip above-average joe while pretending you’re in a hipster dream.
There’s just something about a bookstore and coffee shop combo that makes your heart do a little jig — but Morley’s Coffee cranks it up a notch. This beloved café not only cozies up with Friction Books but also houses Taz Records.
That means you can pop in for a killer latte and waltz out with a new book and some vinyl to spin at home. Talk about multitasking!
The staff? Ridiculously friendly and helpful — like, they’ll actually answer all your questions without a hint of condescension.
| Pro Tip: Their cortados are perfectly balanced, with a smooth, velvety milk texture that’ll make you wonder why you ever drank anything else! |
Espresso 46
Media credit: espresso.46
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Espresso46/
Address: 2867 Isleville St
Contact: +1 902-989-3167
Hours:
- Closed from Sunday to Monday
- Tuesday to Saturday: 8 AM–3 PM
Right inside a brick warehouse that moonlights as an espresso machine repair shop on Isleville Street, you’ll find Espresso 46.
This caffeine gem is run by the most charming man in Halifax, Federico Pasquinelli, an Italian expat who somehow makes your morning better just by existing!
With two service windows, Federico dishes out espresso shots and delightful banter that wakes you up just as much as the coffee. His beans come from Java Blend Coffee, a local legend where Federico also roasts because, clearly, he’s a coffee wizard.
Espresso 46 is the perfect blend of Halifax’s iconic coffee culture and Federico’s irresistible Italian charm, backed by years of espresso expertise.
Patrons lose their minds over the cinnamon bun, which they swear is the best on the planet (seriously, they’re obsessed), and the almond lemon cake is the stuff of sweet, citrusy dreams.
Their cappuccino and macchiato? So divine, you’ll be speechless!
| Pro Tip: Get your hands on any of their fantastic coffee and pastries. And if you spot the bomboloni, pounce on it like it’s the last donut on earth — you won’t regret it! |
Narrow Espresso
Media credit: narrowespresso
Website: https://www.facebook.com/narrowespresso/
Address: 5570 Fenwick St
Contact: +1 902-431-5450
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM–3 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 8 AM–3 PM
Chic and cozy, Narrow Espresso is the South End’s worst-kept secret and your new caffeine sanctuary!
Since 2013, this 10 x 30-foot café, opened by barista AJ Son and the late, great Steve Armbruster (a legend in the Nova Scotia coffee scene), has been serving up big vibes in a small space.
Living up to its name in size but bursting with character, Narrow Espresso dishes out delicious boutique brews from North Mountain Coffee.
You can treat yourself to specialties like affogato, café Vienna, and café Marocchino, (think of them as mocha’s cooler cousins), plus a variety of teas and smoothies for those feeling fancy.
| Pro Tip: Pair your favorite coffee with the apple crumble cake. We recommend going plain black for the full experience — because why mess with perfection? |
Two If By Sea
Media credit: twoifbyseacafe
Website: http://twoifbysea.cafe/
Address: 66 Ochterloney St
Contact: +1 902-469-0721
Hours:
- Open daily from 8 AM–3 PM
Two If By Sea is the caffeinated crown jewel of Nova Scotia, and boy, do they know how to bake! Their croissants are so good, they should come with a warning label.
The almond croissant? It’s the king, and all other pastries bow down before it.
Each bite is a buttery, flaky symphony that’ll make your taste buds break into a happy dance. If you call yourself a pastry lover and you’re in Nova Scotia, missing out on this place is practically a criminal offense.
The café’s vibe is perfect for lounging around, pretending to work while you stuff your face with croissants. Prices are as fair as you could hope for, considering the heavenly treats they churn out!
| Pro Tip: If you’re lucky, you might snag one of their elusive Black Forest or Chocolate Cherry croissants. One bite and you’ll be dreaming about these flaky wonders forever! |
Portland Street Creperie
Media credit: portlandstreetcreperie
Website: http://www.portlandstreetcrêperie.com/
Address: 55 Portland St
Contact: +1 902-466-7686
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:30 AM–4 PM
Craving a European escapade but stuck in Halifax? The Portland Street Creperie is here to rescue you from your mundane existence!
This quaint little cafe dishes out crepes so delectable, they’ll make you forget you’re not strolling down the Champs-Élysées.
We’re talking Quebec-inspired buckwheat crepes that’ll have you shouting “Ooh la la!” and Parisian goat cheese crepes so divine, you’ll swear you can hear the accordion playing in the background.
They even serve up cheeky delights like crepes stuffed with Oreo cheesecake — because who said crepes couldn’t be rebellious?
| Pro Tip: Don’t tell anyone but here’s the secret combo: mushroom melt crepe with some of their bacon — you’re welcome. |
