10 Halifax Restaurants Using Locally Sourced Ingredients

For a truly memorable culinary adventure, Lupin Dining & Pantry offers a farm-to-table dining experience on a 40-acre homestead near Musquodoboit Harbour.

Pick from the a la carte menu or enjoy the chef’s tasting menu (it’s hard to go wrong either way) and savour exquisite plates anchored in maritime flavours with a French and Italian influence. A seat in the snug dining room provides a view of the garden and farm out back. What isn’t produced from the surrounding acreage is sourced locally through other farmers, fishermen, and butchers in Nova Scotia. Their pantry is open year-round for seasonal small-batch soups, sauces, and hand-made pasta to go.

Named Halifax’s best restaurant in 2024, Oxalis is a modern farm-to-table fine dining restaurant in downtown Dartmouth inspired by Nova Scotia’s flora & fauna.

The locavore menu draws inspiration from the nearby terroir and pays homage to the owners’ German and Austrian roots. Seasonal and thoughtfully selected ingredients from local foragers, fishermen, and farms are beautifully plated in harmonious, eye-catching colour schemes.

Try the a la carte menu or take your time with the Chef’s Experience, a 2.5-hour culinary procession that is truly in a league of its own. 

One of Canada’s Best 100 New Restaurants in 2023, Peacock Wine Bar is an upscale addition to the Halifax waterfront.

Discover a curated selection of local and international wines paired with regionally inspired, elevated small plates. Seasonal vegetables and local ingredients bring each dish to the next level, like the grilled beet salad garnished with Atlantic haskap berries and hand-made pasta topped with locally foraged wild mushrooms.

Named Taste of Nova Scotia’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, Rhubarb offers elevated comfort food and seasonal dishes with maritime roots.

“From fresh-baked biscuits to braised lamb shank, we’re all about celebrating local food and drink.” A mainstay for locals and tourists alike, Rhubarb’s cozy and welcoming dining room overlooks the stunning St. Margaret’s Bay. Classic seafood options such as chowder, haddock stew, and mussels are plentiful.

Venture slightly off the beaten path to Brooklyn Warehouse, an intimate, warmly lit bistro in the North End of Halifax.

Brooklyn Warehouse works with rural producers, local markets, and regional suppliers to create hearty and flavorful dishes.  The simple menu offers seasonal, fresh dishes, like pistachio butter roasted halibut and squash risotto with pumpkin seeds, alongside creative cocktails and sweet desserts.

Situated in the heart of downtown Dartmouth, the Canteen is a lively and welcoming neighbourhood restaurant offering chef-inspired dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

The simple and inviting menu changes with the season and features regional ingredients like Digby scallops, authentic Italian cheese made in Lunenburg, locally sourced meats, and freshly baked bread. Sip a glass of Nova Scotia wine, beer, or cider and enjoy the convivial, intimate atmosphere.

Another of Canada’s Best New Restaurants in 2023, Drift features creative twists on classic Acadian and Atlantic Canadian cuisine, such as hodge podge and rappie pie.

Not to be missed is Maryanne’s Brown Bread and organic honey butter, an aromatic and slightly sweet recipe passed down through the chef’s family on the south shore of Nova Scotia. The interior design is modern, warm, and rooted in a sense of place, with the dramatic wood ceiling designed to look like the underbelly of a tilted ship. Expect Maritimes seafood alongside locally foraged ingredients. Even the plates are handmade locally by ceramic artist Undine Foulds.

2 Doors Down has been producing familiar Nova Scotian favourites with a focus on local ingredients for years.

They source ingredients from local family farms and support nearby suppliers like Maria’s Pantry. The bar is a destination of its own, offering a trendy vibe, complete with an ample selection of local beer, wine, and craft cocktails.

Located in the Brewery Market on the Halifax waterfront, Black Sheep is a go-to for approachable, globally-inspired dishes with seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy an ocean-to-table meal like lobster ravioli or seafood gumbo, or opt for a more classic, hearty dish in this casual and welcoming environment. The rooftop dining area is an ideal spot for weekend brunch in warmer weather.

The Wooden Monkey has been a sustainability champion in the Halifax restaurant scene since their opening in 2004.

They source from local growers and opt for non-GMO and organic ingredients whenever possible. All their meat is sourced locally from farms since 2024. The veggie-forward dishes don’t skimp on flavour, and there’s no shortage of creative vegan and gluten-free options. Visit their Downtown Halifax location or take the ferry to Dartmouth to dine at their Alderney Landing location.