James MartinWhenever I want a quick and affordable meal, I always find myself ordering fish and chips. Whether I’m getting takeout or enjoying it from the restaurant, it’s always served hot, crispy, and with hefty portions that can power me through the day.
Beer-battered or panko-breaded, fish and chips are a staple dish, cherished among Haligonians. No matter where you find yourself in Halifax, you’re never too far from a cozy pub or a local gem that dishes up this classic comfort food.
In this guide, I’ll take you to some of the best fish and chips spots in Halifax.
McKelvie’s Restaurant and Bar
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Website: http://mckelvies.com/
Location: 1680 Lower Water Street
Phone: +19024216161
Opening hours:
Weekdays, 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Weekends, 12 PM to 9:30 PM
Nestled in a century-old building that used to house horse-drawn firefighting equipment, McKelvie’s Restaurant is one of the most interesting places to enjoy a plate of fish and chips—but definitely not the strangest.
They offer a fuss-free recipe, a beer-battered haddock with a side of homemade tartar sauce, fresh coleslaw, and a slice of lemon. Each plate gets two pieces of fillet, mounted on a bed of crispy golden french fries.
| Pro Tip: At McKelvie’s, you can get takeout and enjoy your beer-battered fish and chips from the comfort of your home. Just call them up to order. |
Bluenose II Restaurant
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Website: https://bluenoseii.ca/
Location: 1824 Hollis Street
Phone: +19024255092
Opening hours:
Sun-Wed, 8 AM to 8 PM
Thu-Sat,
Named after Nova Scotia’s famous schooner, Bluenose II is a Halifax landmark. It’s one of my go-to places for fresh seafood, all-day breakfasts, and seasonal plates.
Their fish and chips, a house specialty, are available year-round. They coat their filleted haddock in a thick batter, deep fry it until golden brown, and then serve it with a side of fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce.
If a single piece of fish isn’t enough but two is too much, you should get the crispy, bite-sized haddock tips instead of the fillet.
| Pro Tip: You can order up to 3 pieces of fish fillet for under $20. Served with a generous heap of french fries, it’s a pretty good deal. |
Salty’s Bar and Grill
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Website: http://www.saltys.ca/
Location: 1877 Upper Water Street
Phone: +19024236818
Opening hours:
Bar and grill, Daily, 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Upstairs restaurant, Daily, 5 PM to 9 PM
Aside from its breathtaking views of the harbor, Salty’s has an incredible menu focused on fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients.
While the restaurant on the second level has an upscale vibe, perfect for romantic dinners and special occasions, the Bar and Grill next to the water offers a more laid-back atmosphere. It’s also where you can get a phenomenal plate of fish and chips.
Fried in a light beer batter, the fillets are always crisp, giving you that satisfying crunch without overpowering the juicy, flaky fish inside. You can also get a panko-breaded haddock, which has a lighter, crunchier exterior with less grease.
| Pro Tip: Reservations aren’t necessary for the bar and grill, as well as for patio seating. |
The Narrows Public House
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Website: https://www.thenarrowspublichouse.ca/
Location: 2720 Gottingen Street
Phone: +19024072475
Opening hours:
Sun-Mon, 11 AM to 12 AM
Tue CLOSED
Wed-Thu, 11 AM to 12 AM
Fri-Sat, 11 AM to 12:30 AM
The Narrows serves classic pub fare in a fish captain’s old house, which includes fish and chips. They fry the fillet in a light batter, giving it that perfect crisp on the outside while keeping it moist, tender, and flaky on the inside.
You should come over with an empty stomach, or you better bring company. Although they only serve a single piece of fillet, it’s a hefty piece, which is best shared with great friends over good beer.
| Pro Tip: The Narrows doesn’t accept reservations. Since they have limited seating, arrive early, especially on the weekends. |
Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
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Website: http://www.durtynellys.ca/
Location: 1645 Argyle Street
Phone: +19024067640
Opening hours: Daily, 11:30 AM to 2 AM
Serving hearty Irish pub fare with East Coast hospitality, Durty Nelly’s is an ideal spot for a late-night drink and, of course, hearty comfort foods like fish and chips.
They dip their fillets in a thick batter, giving the fish a light, crispy coating that locks in moisture, making each bite tender and juicy. It’s served with a side of golden, thick-cut fries, creamy coleslaw, and a tangy house tartar sauce.
Although Durty Nelly’s is a chill brunch spot, where you can sit on the patio and soak up some sun, it transforms into a lively space after dark. Blasting acoustic music and Celtic melodies, it’s easily one of the best nightclubs in Halifax (best night club Halifax).
| Pro Tip: Catch live music performances at Durty Nelly’s for free. Always check their socials or website for more information on the performances you want to attend. |
Sydelles Fish and Chips
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Website: https://www.sydelles.ca/
Location: 225 Cobequid Rd, Lower Sackville
Phone: +19028691519
Opening hours:
Tue-Thu, 11 AM to 7 PM
Fri-Sat, 11 AM to 8 PM
Sun, 11 AM to 7 PM
Sydelles is known for its fish and chips, a simple yet comforting meal served in generous portions, nearly spilling out of your plate. What I like the most is that it’s affordable—even the larger platters that are meant for sharing.
For a single fillet and chips, it costs $11.95, while three pieces cost only $19.95, which is such a steal. The family pack comes with 10 pieces of fish, a huge heap of chips, coleslaw, and gravy.
| Pro Tip: Get their seafood platter if you’re hangry. Each order comes with a piece of haddock, scallops, shrimp or calamari, and crispy, golden fries. |
Rudy and Olives
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Location: 793 Bedford Hwy, Bedford
Phone: +19028321681
Opening hours: Daily, 11 AM to 7 PM
Rudy and Olives is a small fish and chips spot named after the owners’ dogs.
Their fillet is battered to order, which gives the fish a perfectly crisp and golden coating. Then, they serve it with thick, hand-cut fries, fresh coleslaw, and a cup of tartar (too small for our liking).
It’s a little on the greasy side, so it’s best paired with a refreshing drink like a light beer or a pale ale. If it’s too early to get a drink, you might want to sprinkle a bit of lemon all over the fish to cut through the dish’s richness.
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their seafood chowder. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with fresh, local seafood. |
Ken’s Seafood and Pizza
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Location: 3560 Dutch Village Road
Phone: +19024572244
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu, 11 AM to 10 PM
Fri, 11 AM to 12 AM
Sat, 4 PM to 1 AM
Sun, 4 PM to 10 PM
Another mom-and-pop shop that serves incredible plates of fish and chips is Ken’s Seafood and Pizza. It’s a few minutes away from downtown, but it’s worth the trip, especially after a night of drinking.
Their haddock is dipped in a light, well-seasoned batter and deep-fried to a golden crisp. I like that they serve plates meant for sharing at a reasonable price.
They even have a family pack with 10 pieces of fish and 2 orders of medium fries all for $34.99. It’s a great deal you can’t get elsewhere.
| Pro Tip: Ken’s Seafood and Pizza doesn’t accept any reservations. They are busiest on Fridays, so come early if you want to get dinner here. |
Fredie’s Fantastic Fish House
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Website: http://www.frediesfantasticfish.com/
Location: 8 Oland Crescent
Phone: +19024503474
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat, 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Sun, 11:30 AM to 7 PM
Serving fresh, affordable seafood in generous portions, Fredie’s is a fantastic fish house indeed. Although I’ll never know what’s in their signature batter, it gives the fillet a light and crisp exterior that complements the flaky, tender haddock inside.
My favorite has to be their super sides, particularly the hand-cut fries drenched in homemade bread dressing and gravy. If you want a healthier alternative, you can get the sweet potato fries.
Compared to other spots that serve fish and chips in family packs, their offer is on the pricier side with $50 for only eight fillets. However, that does include a heap of hand-cut fries, a large tub of gravy, and coleslaw.
| Pro Tip: If you like squeezing lemon over your fish and chips, just feel free to ask for more wedges. |
Evan’s Seafood Market and Restaurant
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Website: https://www.evansfreshseafoods.com/
Location: Alderney Landing, 2 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth
Phone: +19024662118
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu, 11 AM to 7 PM
Fri, 11 AM to 9 PM
Sat, 8 AM to 9 PM
Sun, 11 AM to 8 PM
Evan’s is known for their fresh, locally sourced seafood and friendly service. While mornings offer a more relaxed vibe, the night scene here is bustling and full of life, making it the perfect time to get craft beer and classic pub fare.
Their fish and chips are made with fresh haddock, lightly breaded and deep fried until extra crispy. The sides are only their house fries and homemade tartar sauce—no coleslaw.
For an additional $2, you can get the salad and french fries options. Or, you can get the sweet fries.
| Pro Tip: Whether for lunch or dinner, weekends at Evan’s are quite packed, so come early to get a table on the patio and have the perfect coastal dining experience. |
