Eats, GREAT Eats, and Stuff
In the neighbourhood, walk out the door of the building and turn right.
My biases. LF Bakery is the best French Bakery I've every been to outside of France. Edna and HopYard are my absolute favourite easy dining places in Halifax. Edna is a bit fancier but both are superb.
A little bit of France virtually on your doorstep (across the street, down ½ block). Croissants, fabulous French Bread, sandwiches, pastry, excellent coffee if you want to eat in. Remember that bakery you went to for croissant every morning in Paris? Then you tried other baked treats and the bread. Well, that bakery is now across the street.
68 locals recommend
LF Bakery
2063 Gottingen StA little bit of France virtually on your doorstep (across the street, down ½ block). Croissants, fabulous French Bread, sandwiches, pastry, excellent coffee if you want to eat in. Remember that bakery you went to for croissant every morning in Paris? Then you tried other baked treats and the bread. Well, that bakery is now across the street.
This is my personal favourite restaurant in Halifax. Just down from LF Bakery. Food is outstanding. Award-winning and consistently in the top 5 restaurants in Halifax. Moderate prices.
169 locals recommend
Edna
2053 Gottingen StThis is my personal favourite restaurant in Halifax. Just down from LF Bakery. Food is outstanding. Award-winning and consistently in the top 5 restaurants in Halifax. Moderate prices.
This is actually called:
JANE’S NEXT DOOR
Frozen, ready to eat meals. Jane is Edna’s mother. Jane is her real name, Edna is not her real name…it’s the restaurant name. For years Jane had an award winning restaurant, gave it up, started catering and prepping food and her daughter opened Edna.
6 locals recommend
Jane's Next Door
2053 Gottingen StreetThis is actually called:
JANE’S NEXT DOOR
Frozen, ready to eat meals. Jane is Edna’s mother. Jane is her real name, Edna is not her real name…it’s the restaurant name. For years Jane had an award winning restaurant, gave it up, started catering and prepping food and her daughter opened Edna.
The Foggy Goggle
2057 Gottingen StPub, restaurant, fun place to hang out. Comfort food.
Field Guide
2076 Gottingen StSmall plates, cocktails, just hang out. Great atmosphere, not rushed,
Beer, Food, Vinyl. Hop Yard is a full-service restaurant focusing on craft beer and food of course, and, they sell used vinyl records. There’s a 10 tap rotating draft beer system and a 2-week rotating menu. The food is excellent.
11 locals recommend
HopYard
2103 Gottingen StBeer, Food, Vinyl. Hop Yard is a full-service restaurant focusing on craft beer and food of course, and, they sell used vinyl records. There’s a 10 tap rotating draft beer system and a 2-week rotating menu. The food is excellent.
Waffles. Yup. Waffles. Nice easy treat. Daytime hours only (at least it was when I made up this guide).
7 locals recommend
Waffle Love
2082 Gottingen StWaffles. Yup. Waffles. Nice easy treat. Daytime hours only (at least it was when I made up this guide).
The next three,
The Local
The Seahorse
The Marquee
are all in the same building just down a block on the corner across the street.
Music, trivia nights, other entertainment.
37 locals recommend
The Local Restaurant and Bar
2037 Gottingen StThe next three,
The Local
The Seahorse
The Marquee
are all in the same building just down a block on the corner across the street.
Music, trivia nights, other entertainment.
Seahorse Tavern
2037 Gottingen StRestaurant, bar, live music.
The Marquee Ballroom
2037 Gottingen StLive music venue (serves alcohol). Not a restaurant.
Seven Bays Bouldering
2019 Gottingen StRock climbing, restaurant, drinks. Loose and casual.
Local brewery, right next door to Seven Bays Bouldering. Beer made on the premises. Buy beer, take it home. They also have homemade root beer (no alcohol).
45 locals recommend
Propeller Brewing Company
2015 Gottingen StLocal brewery, right next door to Seven Bays Bouldering. Beer made on the premises. Buy beer, take it home. They also have homemade root beer (no alcohol).
Not a restaurant but very close by to the loft, on Brunswick Street. A lovely little store that sells cards, small pottery, many small git items that are obviously crafted with skill and are not kitschy. Worth a visit if you're looking for a gift.
9 locals recommend
Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique & Letterpress Studio
1453 Brunswick StNot a restaurant but very close by to the loft, on Brunswick Street. A lovely little store that sells cards, small pottery, many small git items that are obviously crafted with skill and are not kitschy. Worth a visit if you're looking for a gift.
A Japanese inspired café and desert shop. Matcha ice cream. If you know about Matcha, well, they have it here. If you don't know about Matcha...it's green tea ground to a powder. Very distinct and subtle taste. Matcha ice cream, for those who appreciate it, is divine. The name Taiyaki comes from one of the deserts. A fresh baked waffle in a fish shape. Comes with a variety of fillings. The Taiyaki are a taste delight. Your mouth will be happy.
Cafe Taiyaki 52
2009 Brunswick StA Japanese inspired café and desert shop. Matcha ice cream. If you know about Matcha, well, they have it here. If you don't know about Matcha...it's green tea ground to a powder. Very distinct and subtle taste. Matcha ice cream, for those who appreciate it, is divine. The name Taiyaki comes from one of the deserts. A fresh baked waffle in a fish shape. Comes with a variety of fillings. The Taiyaki are a taste delight. Your mouth will be happy.
It's worth the trip. Although it's not close, you can either drive there or take the ferry to the Woodside terminal and then just walk a short distance up the hill. An unpretentious (read old) diner...not old style, truly old...same location for nearly 50 years. Fabulous fish and chips, not heavy, not overly battered, tasty cole slaw (not too vinegary or salty), wonderfully friendly staff. If you crave great Fish & Chips, this is the place to visit.
29 locals recommend
John's Lunch
352 Pleasant StIt's worth the trip. Although it's not close, you can either drive there or take the ferry to the Woodside terminal and then just walk a short distance up the hill. An unpretentious (read old) diner...not old style, truly old...same location for nearly 50 years. Fabulous fish and chips, not heavy, not overly battered, tasty cole slaw (not too vinegary or salty), wonderfully friendly staff. If you crave great Fish & Chips, this is the place to visit.
More Neighbourhood and the nearest alcohol store.
Walk out the door and turn to the left. Some of these places are a bit further away but still easy to get to.
Well this one's easy. It's in our building. Coffee shop, light meals, alcohol.
48 locals recommend
The Nook on Gottingen
2118 Gottingen StWell this one's easy. It's in our building. Coffee shop, light meals, alcohol.
Vandal Doughnuts
2306 Gottingen StNeed a doughnut? Small custom doughnut shop.
Authentic French Charcuterie. Great food to take out. Prepares his own meats. Not a restaurant. Look, mouth waters, buy it, go home, eat. Easy.
40 locals recommend
Ratinaud
2157 Gottingen StAuthentic French Charcuterie. Great food to take out. Prepares his own meats. Not a restaurant. Look, mouth waters, buy it, go home, eat. Easy.
Menz & Mollyz Bar
2182 Gottingen StLGBTQ Bar.
Dee Dee's Ice Cream
5668 Cornwallis StHome-made ice cream, burritos, coffee.
My Mother's Bloomers
2086 Creighton StBeautiful florist shop if you need some flowers during your stay.
NSLC
2559 Agricola StGet your drinks here.
It’s a straight-ahead old-style Jewish Deli (not kosher). Unpretentious.
31 locals recommend
Hali Deli - Old World Delicatessen
2389 Agricola StIt’s a straight-ahead old-style Jewish Deli (not kosher). Unpretentious.
Highly rated, great space, delectable food. Urban restaurant and bar serving French inspired seasonal home-style cooking.
92 locals recommend
Agricola Street Brasserie
2540 Agricola StHighly rated, great space, delectable food. Urban restaurant and bar serving French inspired seasonal home-style cooking.
Eliot & Vine
2305 Clifton StCasual dining, inventive food, stellar reviews.
For your emergency snacks, milk, chips…your basic corner store.
10 locals recommend
Joe Thomeh Kwik-Way
5580 Cornwallis StFor your emergency snacks, milk, chips…your basic corner store.
More Great Eats a bit farther away (all these places are very highly rated)
These are all worth the distance and they're actually not that far.
High end. Sublime. Beautiful food beautifully served in a relaxing atmosphere. Among the top 5 best in Halifax.
20 locals recommend
Gio
1725 Market StHigh end. Sublime. Beautiful food beautifully served in a relaxing atmosphere. Among the top 5 best in Halifax.
Breakfast, lunch, brunch. A fun place to eat. Fabulous variety on the menu, From basic breakfasts to unusual combinations. All good.
Elle's Bistro
1678 Barrington StBreakfast, lunch, brunch. A fun place to eat. Fabulous variety on the menu, From basic breakfasts to unusual combinations. All good.
High end. Reservations. Award winning chef. Outstanding food. Among the top 5 best in Halifax.
27 locals recommend
Chives Canadian Bistro
3000 Barrington StHigh end. Reservations. Award winning chef. Outstanding food. Among the top 5 best in Halifax.
The chef is a food genius. Little brother of Chives. Also, smaller prices. Located 2 doors down from Chives. Great burgers and varied menu. Mac & Cheese is prize winning.
51 locals recommend
2 Doors Down Food & Wine Halifax
1533 Barrington StreetThe chef is a food genius. Little brother of Chives. Also, smaller prices. Located 2 doors down from Chives. Great burgers and varied menu. Mac & Cheese is prize winning.
High end. Small intimate restaurant in a boutique hotel. Regularly one of the top rated in Halifax.
10 locals recommend
Stories Fine Dining
5184 Morris StHigh end. Small intimate restaurant in a boutique hotel. Regularly one of the top rated in Halifax.
Looking for a great burger. This is the burger joint you want to go to. It’s a diner, plain and simple. Darrell Fries (spicy potato wedges) and milkshakes are renowned.
30 locals recommend
Darrell's Restaurant
5576 Fenwick StLooking for a great burger. This is the burger joint you want to go to. It’s a diner, plain and simple. Darrell Fries (spicy potato wedges) and milkshakes are renowned.
PIZZA. Not just considered the best pizza place in Halifax but in the top 10 of all restaurants. Remember, Pizza, like many foods is subjective.
Tomavinos Ristorante
1113 Marginal RdPIZZA. Not just considered the best pizza place in Halifax but in the top 10 of all restaurants. Remember, Pizza, like many foods is subjective.
Groceries, Coffee and More
First, there's coffee and then some grocery stores.
Personally, I shop at all three of the grocery stores listed below. My favourite is Pete’s Fine Foods (also known as Pete’s Frootique). As it turns out, it’s also the closest store of the three.
Wonderful coffee shop. Roasts beans in the back daily and constantly. Always smells of freshly roasted coffee. Ground to your request. Light snacks only. Not a restaurant.
75 locals recommend
Java Blend Coffee Roasters
6027 North StWonderful coffee shop. Roasts beans in the back daily and constantly. Always smells of freshly roasted coffee. Ground to your request. Light snacks only. Not a restaurant.
An outstanding grocery store/specialty grocer. In addition to being a basic grocery store, there’s a huge cheese counter, deli counter, prepared foods, the nicest produce, sushi bar (take out) and much more. They also carry many specialty grocery items.
There's a soup/salad/sandwich bar, stir fry lunch counter and seating for eat in or, you can take it out. It’s great for lunch or supper…and…they have a gelato and smoothie bar (right across from the salad bar). If you decided on Sushi, you can eat here in the dining area downstairs or upstairs.
48 locals recommend
Pete's Fine Foods
1515 Dresden RowAn outstanding grocery store/specialty grocer. In addition to being a basic grocery store, there’s a huge cheese counter, deli counter, prepared foods, the nicest produce, sushi bar (take out) and much more. They also carry many specialty grocery items.
There's a soup/salad/sandwich bar, stir fry lunch counter and seating for eat in or, you can take it out. It’s great for lunch or supper…and…they have a gelato and smoothie bar (right across from the salad bar). If you decided on Sushi, you can eat here in the dining area downstairs or upstairs.
Sobeys North &Windsor
2651 Windsor StFull supermarket.
Large great full supermarket. A bit farther than Sobeys and Pete's.
226 locals recommend
Atlantic Superstore
6141 Young StLarge great full supermarket. A bit farther than Sobeys and Pete's.
The name says it all. It’s an Italian market and restaurant serving prepared foods. Eat in or take out. Everything is wonderful. Luscious pastries. Italian groceries (they do not carry fresh fruit/veggies, but Superstore is virtually next door).
20 locals recommend
Italian Market
6061 Young StThe name says it all. It’s an Italian market and restaurant serving prepared foods. Eat in or take out. Everything is wonderful. Luscious pastries. Italian groceries (they do not carry fresh fruit/veggies, but Superstore is virtually next door).
Out and about, Drinks, Fun
A few things to do.
Every town has at least one. TVs, games, sports, food, drinks.
13 locals recommend
HFX Sports Bar & Grill
1721 Brunswick StEvery town has at least one. TVs, games, sports, food, drinks.
One long street full of restaurants and bars. At one end, The Carleton, venerable music venue and restaurant. Always lively. Lots of patio seating outdoors in good weather. Plans are slowly underway to perhaps turn this into a pedestrian mall. At least that's the current plan for summer weekends.
Argyle Street
Argyle StreetOne long street full of restaurants and bars. At one end, The Carleton, venerable music venue and restaurant. Always lively. Lots of patio seating outdoors in good weather. Plans are slowly underway to perhaps turn this into a pedestrian mall. At least that's the current plan for summer weekends.
Casino Nova Scotia
1983 Upper Water StIt’s a casino. That’s why it’s called Casino Nova Scotia.
HaliMac Axe Throwing Halifax
1920 Brunswick StEver wanted to try axe throwing. This is the place.
Brew pub, light fare, beer right inside and beside the brewery.
17 locals recommend
2 Crows Brewing Co.
1932 Brunswick StBrew pub, light fare, beer right inside and beside the brewery.
Sightseeing Near
Just a very few things that might interest you.
Large open air park. Skating oval in winter. Skates available to rent (at the time of writing, skate rentals are FREE with government ID).
66 locals recommend
Halifax Common
5816 Cogswell StLarge open air park. Skating oval in winter. Skates available to rent (at the time of writing, skate rentals are FREE with government ID).
National Historic Site. Old fort. Once upon a time, this is where the military was stationed to protect Halifax.
318 locals recommend
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada
5425 Sackville StNational Historic Site. Old fort. Once upon a time, this is where the military was stationed to protect Halifax.
Halifax Town Clock
1768 Brunswick StreetBeautiful old clock building right beside The Citadel.
A tranquil oasis of gardens and spaces in the centre of a busy city.
234 locals recommend
Halifax Public Gardens
Summer StreetA tranquil oasis of gardens and spaces in the centre of a busy city.
Architecturally award winning beautiful new building. Come in, stroll, look around, then wander to the rooftop where there’s a nice little restaurant with outdoor seating and views.
124 locals recommend
Halifax Central Library
5440 Spring Garden RdArchitecturally award winning beautiful new building. Come in, stroll, look around, then wander to the rooftop where there’s a nice little restaurant with outdoor seating and views.
Old and new, historic, a seaport. Lively. In season, cruise ships dock here. They can be enormous.
173 locals recommend
Halifax Waterfront
Lower Water StreetOld and new, historic, a seaport. Lively. In season, cruise ships dock here. They can be enormous.
New building, old established Farmer’s Market on the waterfront. Just keep walking past the Halifax Waterfront. Lots of vendors selling their wares, as well as ready to eat treats and meals. Great on Saturday & Sunday. Less lively other days but still interesting.
196 locals recommend
Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market
961 Marginal RdNew building, old established Farmer’s Market on the waterfront. Just keep walking past the Halifax Waterfront. Lots of vendors selling their wares, as well as ready to eat treats and meals. Great on Saturday & Sunday. Less lively other days but still interesting.
Canada's national museum of immigration. The museum occupies part of Pier 21, the former ocean liner terminal and immigration shed from 1928 to 1971. Pier 21 is Canada's last remaining ocean immigration shed. The facility is often compared to Ellis Island (1892-1954).
120 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
1055 Marginal RdCanada's national museum of immigration. The museum occupies part of Pier 21, the former ocean liner terminal and immigration shed from 1928 to 1971. Pier 21 is Canada's last remaining ocean immigration shed. The facility is often compared to Ellis Island (1892-1954).
Point Pleasant Park
5530 Point Pleasant DrLarge beautiful city park with many walking trails.