Where to Enjoy a Taste of Place in Halifax

Inspired by Nova Scotia’s flora and fauna, Oxalis is an elevated farm-to-table restaurant showcasing the finest flavours of the region. 

Step inside this intimate 37-seat eatery to experience an evolving menu driven by seasonal ingredients from local foragers, farms, and fishmongers with German and Austrian influences. The beverage list boasts thoughtfully curated wines and beers – both local and from abroad – and handcrafted seasonal cocktails.

Along with the a la carte menu, the notable Chef’s Experience tasting menu features a variety of sweet and savoury artfully plated dishes through seven courses with an optional wine pairing, offered every evening from Wednesday to Sunday.

Embark on a culinary journey with Curated Food Tours and discover some of Halifax’s best and most underrated foodie hot spots while taking in the sights of the city.

Choose to explore one of Halifax’s neighbourhoods on a three-hour tasting tour that features six stops along the way. From sushi samples at an Izakaya to craft beer tasting at a local brewery, and so much more, savour the local flavours of Halifax and get behind the scenes of the businesses that contribute to Halifax’s vibrant culinary scene.

Located in Halifax’s North End, Good Robot is a brewery, bar, restaurant and beer garden known for its playful vibe and unconventional brewing.

Good Robot pushes the boundaries of brewing and delivers some of the most imaginative flavours in Halifax’s craft beer community, brewing beers that are eclectic, eccentric, and fraught with foraged materials, impulse decisions, and whimsy.

Just steps from the Halifax waterfront, the Halifax Brewery Market is a charming farmers’ market that buzzes with energy every Saturday morning. Step inside the historic building dating back to the 1800s and discover mouthwatering treats from dozens of unique vendors. From fresh artisan pastries to fried street snacks and everything in between, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.

Nestled in the North End of Halifax, Bar Kismet is a small family-owned restaurant and bar serving up fresh seafood, handmade pasta, inventive cocktails, and curated wines.

This charming restaurant is a favourite among locals and visitors alike, with an ever-changing food and drink menu that has earned it places on the list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants and North America’s 50 Best Bars, as well as winning the 2022 Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. The menu draws from Mediterranean and French regional cuisines and showcases seasonal Nova Scotian ingredients, such as sea buckthorn and rhubarb root. Unsurprisingly, the dishes are equally beautiful as they are delicious. 

Go beyond the beaten path and experience a gourmet farm-to-table experience in its truest essence at Lupin Dining.

Inspired by the surrounding region, Lupin’s bright and vibrant menus change often to showcase the best locally-sourced ingredients from farmers, fishermen, and butchers, as well as ingredients grown and harvested from the garden just outside the restaurant. Enjoy a five-course tasting menu featuring elevated French and Mediterranean dishes inspired by Nova Scotia’s unique local flavours, while soaking up the tranquil scenery of Musquodoboit Harbour on the Eastern Shore.  

Get familiar with Nova Scotia’s seascapes and discover the unique chowders the province has to offer on the Nova Scotia Chowder Trail.

From casual diners to upscale bistros, savour top-notch chowders packed with fresh lobster, halibut, salmon, and world-famous Digby scallops sourced from frigid Nova Scotian waters. The trail snakes along the scenic peninsula from downtown Halifax to charming coastal villages and beyond. While the views are great, it’s the famous seafood that will have diners coming back for seconds.

Print a Chowder Trail passport and collect stamps at stops along the way to win prizes, or simply enjoy the coastal culinary adventure.

Situated in the heart of Halifax, Highwayman is an intimate eatery serving up some of the finest Spanish flavours on the east coast.

Step into this dark and moody restaurant, inspired by the themes of The Highwayman, the iconic poem by Alfred Noyes, for refined-yet-unpretentious fare. Highwayman’s always-evolving menu revolves around Spanish-inspired seafood, meat and vegetable dishes, and sharing-friendly tapas and pintxos, all made with the freshest local ingredients.

Highwayman’s drink menu boasts a carefully considered list of cocktails, wine, and beer – honoured as one of Canada’s Best International Restaurant Bars by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s 2023 Spirited Awards, it’s no question that this spot is a no-brainer for indulging in incredible cocktails. 

It’s no secret that Compass Distillers has made waves in Halifax’s craft beverage scene, generating over 75 reputable awards since beginning production in 2017.

Step inside this cylindrical distillery and tasting bar located in North End Halifax to experience world-class spirits with a local focus. All spirits, from gin to vodka, to whisky, and more are made from Nova Scotian-grown grains, as well as other raw ingredients like sugar and molasses. Perhaps most notable for their gins, Compass sources local botanicals, like juniper, cucumber, butterfly pea flower and ginger to create striking, unique flavours that are distinctly Nova Scotian.

Learn about the Compass’ grain-to-glass process on a guided tour through the distillery; get an exclusive look at the crafting process, from milling and mashing to fermentation and distillation, and sample a custom flight of Compass spirits for the perfect way to end the tour.

Fresh-baked pastries, housemade preserves, and locally-sourced charcuterie: there’s a lot to love about Luke’s Small Goods.

This bright and airy café emphasizes authentic, traditional handmade baking methods, specializing in artisan bread, delicate croissants, and seasonal scones, among many other mouthwatering treats. For lunch and later, an assortment of simple-yet-refined sandwiches are available, boasting flavours as bright as its charming storefront. Peruse Luke’s in-house brand of small-batch jellies, relishes, and jams made with local ingredients, and find an eclectic assortment of imported specialty snacks. 

The Canteen on Portland is a bright and cheery neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of downtown Dartmouth, serving up chef-inspired fare for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch.

The Canteen prides itself on honest, unpretentious food, made with love. Settle into an approachable menu influenced by classic French, Italian, and Nova Scotia cuisine, featuring crowd-pleasing dishes, packed with bold flavour, and handcrafted cocktails sourced with seasonal local ingredients. During the warmer months, the “Crobster Roll” reigns supreme: a warm, buttery roll piled high with Nova Scotia snow crab and lobster, mixed with grainy mustard, dill, truffle oil and shredded lettuce. 

The Canteen captures the vibrant spirit of downtown Dartmouth in every aspect, inducing a sense of community and belonging for locals and visitors alike.

After 87 years of business, it’s no question that the Shore Club offers one of the most unique dining experiences in Nova Scotia.

Situated on St. Margarets Bay, the Shore Club is a quaint dance and dinner hall, famous for its incredible live entertainment, legendary lobster suppers, and east coast hospitality. The hall was built in 1946 but its lobster suppers were in full swing for a decade before that on the shores of Hubbards Beach. 

The Shore Club isn’t flashy or fancy; visitors are seated at long tables covered in red and white gingham tablecloths and outfitted with bibs to stay clean during their feast. Choose between a 1lb or 1.5lb lobster for supper and enjoy fresh steamed mussels, warm rolls, and an unlimited salad bar, which are all included in the price of the entree. Finish off the feast with some decadent dessert offerings, such as the classic Nova Scotian blueberry grunt, also included in the price of the entree. 

With over a million lobster suppers served since 1946, it’s safe to assume that the Shore Club delivers a meal to remember. 

This cozy neighbourhood nook does two things exceptionally well: handcrafted cocktails and fresh oysters. Experience a menu full of inventive cocktails, shaken or stirred, and bursting with character. Nostalgic ingredients, like Fruit Loops, are infused into sophisticated cocktail recipes to complement the bar’s playful vibe, but the menu extends much further to provide flavours for every palette, including a number of zero-proof options. Earning 16th place in Canada’s Best 100 Bars of 2023, it’s no question that this vibrant restobar is worth the visit.

People aren’t just flocking to Dear Friend for killer cocktails; the food menu is superb too. Featuring a list full of small and large shareable plates and late-night snacks, this is a great way to get a taste of local flavours from the surrounding region. Local, sustainably-sourced oysters are also at the forefront of the menu and are priced at $1 during happy hour, every day from 4pm-5pm.

Set off on a sea kayaking excursion along Nova Scotia’s dramatic granite coast and get an inside scoop on lobster fishing with East Coast Outfitters’ Sea-to-Table Lobster Adventure.

Paddle through clear, turquoise waters around secluded bays, between granite islands, and into hidden inlets before reaching the quaint fishing village of Lower Prospect. Climb aboard a local fisherman’s lobster boat to learn about a typical day on the water, setting and hauling lobster traps while listening to stories of seafaring experiences.   

Return to East Coast Outfitters to be greeted by the catch of the day: smoked oysters and an authentic lobster dinner served wharfside with foraged ingredients, all prepared by a locally-renowned chef as the sun begins to set over the ocean.

An elevated take on fast-food, CHKN CHOP arguably serves up the best chicken in Halifax.

Step inside and instantly be met with the aroma of charcoal-fired rotisserie chicken that this North End gem is known for. Step up to the counter and order off the large menu board, filled with different cuts of rotisserie chicken, an array of drool-worthy sides, poutine, sandwiches, and more. Local wines, beer, and cider are also offered here, along with bright and boozy slushies, perfect for sipping on the sunny patio. 

In addition to the succulent rotisserie chicken, CHKN CHOP is also renowned for its out-of-this-world fried chicken sandwiches. While a couple of classic fried chicken sandwiches are offered daily, the weekly specials are what set this joint apart from others; expect gourmet creations every week, influenced by different cuisines and packed with bold flavour. Sourced with seasonal local ingredients and piled high atop a fluffy milk bun made by a nearby French bakery, these sandwiches are a love letter to the surrounding neighbourhood.

Dive into fresh Bahamian flavours at East Coast Conch, the first and only full-service Bahamian restaurant in the Maritimes.

Located along the Bedford Highway, this vibrant eatery serves up beautifully plated authentic Bahamian dishes. The menu is expansive and accommodates a variety of diets, offering everything from crispy conch fritters to spicy jerk chicken and so much more. Order individual dishes or dine family-style with fresh fish served whole, accompanied by a generous choice of sides. With a menu made just for kids, this is the perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy.

East Coast Conch is comforting and welcoming; with a friendly, cheery atmosphere pulsing with Bahamian culture in every aspect, this gem is worth the visit.