Matthew TremblayOnce upon a time, a group of clueless souls (including yours truly) took on a quest for culinary excellence from among the multiple restaurants in Halifax. Spoiler alert: we failed miserably.
We stumbled into a restaurant that should have had a “Proceed with Caution” sign flashing above the door. The food was a disaster, the ambiance was awkward, and the experience left us questioning our life choices.
So I took it upon myself to become the gastronomic guru Halifax desperately needed. Armed with determination and an insatiable appetite, I scoured the streets, tasting everything in sight (someone had to do it, right?).
And now, after sacrificing my taste buds in the name of research, I present to you my carefully curated list of Halifax’s finest establishments. No more gatekeeping, no more food-related FOMO — consider this your VIP pass to culinary bliss!
So, whether you’re a seasoned Haligonian or a fresh-faced newcomer, get ready to feast like royalty. It’s time to ditch the duds and indulge in some serious gastronomic greatness!
The Bicycle Thief
Media credit: ourbicyclethief
Website: http://bicyclethief.ca/
Address: 1475 Lower Water St
Contact: +1 902-425-7993
Hours:
- Open daily from 11:30 AM–11 PM
The Bicycle Thief is where the vibe is as chill as your last Netflix binge and the ambiance is a perfect mash-up of old-school charm and new-school swagger.
This place dishes out North American grub with a hefty dose of legendary Italian soul that’ll have you drooling just from reading the menu.
We’re talking jumbo prawns sautéed with garlic, cognac, charred grape tomatoes, and a splash of cream that’ll make you question every shrimp cocktail you’ve ever had!
Don’t even get us started on the organic chicken breast with an almond crumb crust and summer herb salad — it’s so good you’ll want to write a song (or two) about it!
If the weather’s behaving, grab a spot on the buzzing patio and soak up the picturesque waterfront while you feast. The view is so magical it’s like dining in a postcard.
| Pro Tip: Order the Tagliata — a peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin sliced rare and dripping with extras, with a side of sea-salted chips! |
Sea Smoke Restaurant & Bar
Media credit: seasmokehfx
Website: http://www.seasmokehalifax.com/
Address: 1477 Lower Water St Unit 140
Contact: +1 902-406-1051
Hours:
- Open daily from 11:30 AM–10 PM
Sea Smoke Restaurant & Bar is where your taste buds go for a vacation! The chefs at Sea Smoke bring decades of experience and a knack for transforming fresh, delicious seafood into creations that’ll make your senses do a happy dance.
Right on the boardwalk at Bishop’s Landing, this spot offers jaw-dropping views across the harbor to George’s and McNab’s Islands, all the way to the open Atlantic where they source much of their menu.
Their oyster bar is a local treasure trove featuring favorites from Nova Scotia and PEI. Not a seafood fan? Their menu has mouth-watering burgers, chicken, pork, and vegetarian delights too!
| Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying their top-quality sushi, sashimi, and the most Instagrammable maki in the city! |
Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar
Media credit: batonrougegrillhouse
Website: https://www.batonrouge.ca/baton-rouge-halifax
Address: 1877 Hollis St
Contact: +1 902-407-0007
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11 AM–9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11 AM–10 PM
Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar serves up a distinguished selection of classic steaks and seafood.
Their secret? Meticulous preparation and the finest ingredients — all driven by an obsessive commitment to making sure you leave satisfied!
Housed in the landmark Morse’s Tea building, this chain restaurant doesn’t scream big-box vibes. Giant wooden beams, old brickwork, and a sprawling patio make the downtown location perfect for a summer beer and some solid steak, ribs, and seafood.
Here, you can dive into a menu loaded with burgers, steaks, and seafood, all served in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. They even throw in a kid’s menu for those tiny humans you bring along.
Perfectly cooked mushrooms, crab cakes, and lobster poutine are just a few of the delights waiting for you. Their waitstaff will bring you tasty biscuits, raspberry cheesecakes, and ice cream that might just make you forget your manners!
| Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying the lobster poutine — a gustatorial game-changer that’ll have you coming back faster than you can say “Bon appétit!” |
Agricola Street Brasserie
Media credit: agricolastreet
Website: https://www.rcr.ca/restaurants/agricola-street-brasserie/
Address: 2540 Agricola St
Contact: +1 902-446-7664
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 4–11 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–11 PM
Tucked away in Halifax’s hip North End, Agricola Street Brasserie is where foodies come to chillax and indulge in East Coast delights with a French twist.
From robust, earthy flavors to delicately slow-cooked specials, every bite is a flavor explosion waiting to happen.
Whether you’re cozying up for a romantic dinner for two or rolling deep with a crew of 12, Agricola’s got your back with long banquettes and standalone tables fit for a feast.
The bar is like a playground for grown-ups, with a butcher block-style setup boasting 18 seats just waiting for you to sit and sip on some locally crafted beer or a glass of vino.
It’s the perfect spot to soak up the buzz of the dining room while you ponder life’s most pressing question: red or white?
| Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying the grilled rack of lamb — tender lamb cooked to perfection in a mild curry yogurt sauce. |
The Auction House
Media credit: auctionhousehfx
Website: http://www.auctionhousehalifax.com/
Address: 1726 Argyle St
Contact: +1 902-431-1726
Hours:
- Closed from Monday to Tuesday
- Wednesday to Thursday: 4–9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM–12 AM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM–8 PM
The Auction House, where your burger cravings meet their match! This place isn’t just any old pub — it’s a burger mecca, dishing out chef-inspired creations that’ll make your taste buds do the Burger Dance.
We’re talking thick, juicy beef burgers piled high with caramelized onions, Sriracha-spiked relish, and “everything” mayo!
Going healthy? Go for a veggie-oat burger topped with goat cheese. Yes, oats.
They’ve also got plates piled high with chicken wings that’ll have you licking your fingers clean and nachos so loaded they’re practically begging to be devoured!
Their fish ‘n’ chips are so good they’ll transport you straight to the seaside, and their fried chicken sandwiches just redefine comfort food!
| Pro Tip: Sink your teeth into the Brewer’s Burger — it’s a beefy masterpiece topped with sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, and smoked gouda cheese served with hand-cut chips! |
Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Media credit: thepressganghfx
Website: http://thepressgang.net/
Address: 5218 Prince St
Contact: +1 902-423-8816
Hours:
- Closed from Sunday to Monda
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 5–10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 5–11 PM
You’re always welcome at the Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar, where history meets haute cuisine in the heart of Halifax! Housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings, this gem is a treasure trove of seafaring tales and tantalizing flavors.
And let’s not forget the liquid delights — they’ve got more wines than a pirate’s plunder, single malt whiskies smoother than a sailor’s swagger, and cocktails as bold as a captain’s orders!
After some alcohol, you can sink your teeth into their famous Press Gang scallop risotto — bursting with veggies, parmesan cheese, and those juicy U-10 Digby scallops, topped with mixed tobiko for that extra oomph.
| Pro Tip: Get the Halifax Burger Bash for some real beefy goodness if you feel a bit seasick! |
EDNA
Media credit: ednarestaurant
Website: http://ednarestaurant.com/
Address: 2053 Gottingen St
Contact: +1 902-429-2550
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PM
- Saturday: 5–10 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM–2 PM, 5–10 PM
Ahh, EDNA, where you just Eat, Drink, and Nourish Always — and that’s where this cool resto takes its name! Now, their food is all about simplicity, local flavors, and a dash of creativity.
We mean fresh Nova Scotia oysters that’ll make you question why you ever settled for anything less, charcuterie straight from local farms, and salads bursting with market-fresh veggies.
Oh, and did we mention the butcher’s cut and daily specials? They’re like a culinary surprise party, depending on what Mother Nature decides to throw our way.
| Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying their legendary crab cakes with grapefruit aioli and radish slaw! |
Brooklyn Warehouse
Media credit: brooklynhalifax
Website: http://brooklynwarehouse.ca/
Address: 2795 Windsor St
Contact: +1 902-446-8181
Hours:
- Closed from Sunday to Monday
- Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM–3 PM, 4–9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM–3 PM, 4–10 PM
Brooklyn Warehouse is where fine dining meets funky vibes! Just imagine a cozy bistro with enough kitschy décor to make your grandma jealous.
From the mismatched chairs in vibrant hues to the artsy-fartsy wall hangings, this place screams “hipster haven” louder than a barista calling out your overly complicated coffee order.
But don’t let the quirky atmosphere fool you — Brooklyn Warehouse takes its food seriously. With a menu that changes more often than your mood, they’re all about keeping it fresh, local, and oh-so-tasty.
Sure, the selection might seem small, but every dish is a flavor explosion waiting to happen. From pork belly that melts in your mouth to schnitzel so crispy you’ll think you’re in Vienna, every bite is a culinary adventure!
| Pro Tip: Our mouths are still drooling over the Grilled Red Drum Fish with Maria’s Pantry Canestri — but don’t tell anyone! |
The Five Fishermen
Media credit: 5fishermen
Website: http://fivefishermen.com/
Address: 1740 Argyle St
Contact: +1 902-422-4421
Hours:
- Open daily from 5–10 PM
You know it’s time to visit The Five Fishermen when you need your seafood to rule the seas (or at least, your stomach) in a historic setting that’s decades older than your grandpa’s jokes!
Not sure what to get? We love their classic Nova Scotia seafood chowder bursting with scallops, clams, prawns, mussels, and salmon!
If that doesn’t float your boat, there are wood-grilled swordfish steaks dripping with sauces so good, they should be illegal.
Don’t worry, ground folks — they’ve got you covered with wood-grilled steaks, short ribs, and enough veggie options to make even a rabbit blush!
| Pro Tip: Dive into the “Five Fish” dish for the ultimate seafood extravaganza. It’s like an underwater kingdom on a plate, complete with an asparagus risotto crown. |
The Wooden Monkey
Media credit: thewoodenmonkeyrestaurants
Website: http://www.thewoodenmonkey.ca/
Address: 1707 Grafton St
Contact: +1 902-444-3844
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:30 AM–9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Time to meet The Wooden Monkey, where meat-eaters, pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans can all gather in perfect harmony! It’s a cozy spot where a hearty veggie curry snuggles up next to a roast chicken and a scallop pasta without skipping a beat.
Their menu is a love letter to organic and locally sourced goodness. From sizzling pizzas to stacked burgers, and crisp salads to fresh-off-the-grill fish, they’ve got it all.
And the drinks — oh the drinks! Local brews, fruity cocktails that dance on your palate, and wines kissed by organic grapes just waiting to be your dinner date’s wingman.
Now, onto the best part (for us anyway): desserts. We’re regulars for their blueberry crisp, made with oats as wholesome as a Nova Scotia sunrise, and blueberries bursting with local flavor.
| Pro Tip: The real star is the Chocolate Tofu Pie — a non-dairy, chocolatey dream with organic silken tofu snuggled in an almond walnut crust, crowned with maple whipped cream! |
