Matthew TremblayThere’s just something so nostalgic about biting into perfectly golden, crispy fried chicken. It might sound silly but I have the fondest memories around fried chicken— birthdays, road trips, summer picnics, and lazy Sundays.
Even as an adult living in Halifax, I find myself craving that same joy and comfort more often than I’d like to admit. Over the years, I’ve definitely found a few favorite spots in town, which I gravitate toward.
Here, I rounded up the best fried chicken spots in Halifax to help you discover your new, go-tos.
1. Chicking
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Website: https://chickingrestaurant.com/
Location: 5680 Spring Garden Rd
Operating hours:
Monday-Saturday, 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Sunday, 3 PM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +19024067070
Must-have: Gochu Mayo Chicken
Serving Korean fried chicken, Chicking is a favorite among locals. They have an incredible variety of options, all seasoned to perfection and incredibly crispy thanks to that double fry.
My favorite is the Gochu Mayo Chicken, a creamy, savory, and slightly spicy take on this comfort food. I like to pair it with the radish pickles that they make in-house as it adds a refreshing contrast that further elevates the flavors of the spicy jalapeno mayo sauce.
One of their most popular items is the King Chicken, a sweet and spicy combo with varying levels of heat. You can choose between a jalapeno, jalapeno and capsaicin, and sweet and spicy variations.
| Pro Tip: Get the Chibap if you like to pair chicken with rice. It also comes topped with veggies and gochujang sauce for extra umami flavor. |
2. Mary Brown’s Chicken
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Website: http://marybrowns.com/
Location: 19 Alma Crescent
Operating hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 11 AM to 12 AM
Friday-Saturday, 11 AM to 1 AM
Phone: +19024074088
Must-have: Wings
Mary Brown’s Chicken is a famous franchise with a number of stores across Canada, including Halifax. Their signature item, a two-piece breaded chicken, which you can get in the Original flavor, Spicy, or both, is a classic—but they have better options.
Their wings are crispy and packed with flavor. Tossed in a variety of sauces, such as Honey, Buffalo, Swicy, and Soy Garlic Glaze, they are finger-licking good.
If you like chicken sandwiches, try their Big Mary, especially the Spicy version. It’s a hefty yet affordable meal with chicken breast fried in their signature breading with extra cayenne dusting, pickles, and spicy mayo, sandwiched between sesame buns.
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their tater poutine, a Mary Brown’s exclusive. But you can also opt for other sides like biscuits, fries, and coleslaw. |
3. CHKN CHOP
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Website: http://www.chknchop.com/
Location: 6041 North St
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +19024060690
Must-have: Spicy Honey Chicken Sandwich
One of the standout places for chicken sandwiches is CHKN Chop. They have ridiculously huge servings stuffed with crispy, deep-fried chicken, a generous amount of fresh vegetables, and sauces.
Everyone looks forward to the weekly specials, which always have the most interesting flavor combinations like Chicken and Waffles, Manitoba Honey-Dill, and Chicken Parm.
Although they have a few staples, Original, Nashville, and Buffalo, they aren’t to be overlooked. They’re massive, crunchy, and consistently good, keeping locals coming back for more.
| Pro Tip: Follow their socials to stay up-to-date with their weekly specials. They are only available for a limited time, but the most popular items will be brought back by popular demand. |
4. Radish Chicken
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Website: http://radishchicken.com/
Location: 6140 Young St Unit 80
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Thursday, 11 AM to 11 PM
Friday, 11 AM to 12 AM
Saturday, 12 PM to 12 AM
Sunday, 12 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +19024879999
Must-have: Pistol Leg
If you’re looking for simple, fuss-free fried chicken, Radish Chicken is the spot. It’s a fusion restaurant, serving modern takes on traditional Chinese recipes.
Here, they offer different cuts like wings, drumsticks, pistol legs, and cutlets, all made with their signature batter and fried until golden brown. They don’t serve them with sides, but you can order coleslaw, cucumbers, or fries for an extra cost.
What I like the most is that it’s located in the North End of Halifax, where the fun trendy bars and pubs are. Since they open until 11 PM or midnight, it’s the perfect place to hit up before going for a drink.
| Pro Tip: Check out their Family meals to get different fried chicken combinations for a more affordable price. |
5. Truly Tasty
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Website: https://www.trulytasty.ca/
Location: 6210 Quinpool Rd
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 12 PM to 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +19024074047
Must-have: Crispy Fried Chicken Ramen
Truly Tasty is a ramen restaurant that will surprise you with its fried chicken. They marinate the meat before frying it until golden brown and serving it alongside pickled daikon and spicy garlic mayo.
If you like ramen and fried chicken, you can get the best of both worlds in one bowl. It sounds like an odd combination—but this unique and satisfying twist on these well-loved comfort foods is worth the try.
Made with a spicy miso chicken broth, topped with green onions, it’s creamy, spicy, and umami-rich broth will soothe your tummy and your soul. The crispy chicken adds a very satisfying crunch to every bite.
| Pro Tip: If you like chicken with rice instead of noodles, order their Crispy Fried Chicken Don. It’s a rice bowl with their signature chicken, house green salad, cabbage, and spicy garlic mayo. |
6. La Rozzi Bistro
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Website: https://larozzibistro.com/
Location: 72 Gary Martin Dr, Bedford
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Sunday, 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +19022221494
Must-have: Spicy Fried Chicken
Located in Bedford, La Rozzi Bistro is a mom-and-pop shop that brings the comforting flavors of Filipino cuisine to your plate. This family-run eatery is known for serving hefty dishes at affordable prices.
The highlight of their menu is the fried chicken, which you can order alongside sweet spaghetti, seafood noodles, and of course, gravy. The chicken comes with a spicy option, great for those who enjoy a little kick without the mouth-numbing pain.
What makes this spot a standout is the all-you-can-eat option. For a surprisingly affordable price, you can feast on unlimited fried chicken, white rice, and a smoky, savory eggplant side dish.
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their sweets. Sometimes, they’ll have treats like Creme Caramel, a creamy custard doused in a sweet caramel layer. |
7. McJolly
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Location: 1536 Granville St
Operating hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 11 AM to 11 PM
Friday-Saturday, 11 AM to 12 AM
Phone: +17824146769
Must-have: Fried Chicken Burger
Halifax doesn’t have Jollibee (at least yet), but it does have McJolly. This local spot has carved out a name for itself with its no-fuss, perfectly golden fried chicken, served alongside steamed rice and rich, savory gravy.
Since McJolly is owned by the same Filipino family behind La Rozzi, you can expect the dishes to have the same homemade flavor. It’s also budget-friendly, making it an ideal choice for students and workers downtown.
If you’re looking for a quick, grab-and-go meal, their fried chicken burger, particularly the Sweet Thai Chili rendition is a must-try. Featuring fresh, crunchy veggies, American cheese, and fried chicken with sweet-and-spicy sauce, it’s a simple yet elevated meal.
It’s definitely worthy of a spot on the list of the best Filipino restaurants in Halifax.
| Pro Tip: If you’re ordering from their all-you-can-eat menu, you mustn’t share with others. You also can’t have leftovers or you’ll be charged with a whole order. |
8. Iron Rooster
Website: https://www.iron-rooster.ca/
Location: 1671 Barrington St
Operating hours:
Daily, 11 AM to 12 AM
Phone: +19024872268
Must-have: Chicken Popcorn
Iron Rooster is a hidden gem that’s too good to gatekeep. Whether you’re craving a quick snack or a hefty meal, they have just the right fried chicken dish for you, and a range of flavorful options, including BBQ, spicy, pepper, cumin, and salt and pepper.
They have a whole deep-fried Cornish Hen on the menu, which isn’t something you see often. Crispy and perfectly seasoned, their chicken is seriously underrated and worth coming back to every time.
My favorite part about coming here is getting the Chicken Popcorn along with crunchy fries as a mid-day pick-me-up. Every order comes with one free dipping sauce, but you can get extra for a small additional price.
| Pro Tip: Choose Combo meals if you’re looking for more variety for a reasonable price. They have options like Chicken Wings and Wraps, Drumsticks, Fried Cornish Hen, and more. |
