A quick ferry ride across Halifax Harbour leads to giant croissants and great locally roasted coffee at Two If By Sea Cafe in Dartmouth. This bustling cafe, known to locals just as “TIBS,” offers a selection of oversized delicious pastries,and put Anchored Coffee (the coffee roastery just next door) on the map. 

What started as a small to-go pizza shop just above Two If By Sea is now a must-try slice in Halifax. With a second location on Barrington Street, Yeah Yeahs Pizza offers ultra-thin, New York-style pies, slices of white pizza and garlic fingers (a necessity in any Halifax pizza joint). 

Downtown Dartmouth’s dining scene is slowly starting to rival Halifax and The Canteen has a major influence on beckoning Haligonians across the harbour. This self-proclaimed neighbourhood restaurant serves comfort foods with a local focus like snow crab dip, steak frites, and their famous Crobster Roll (a divine duo of crab and lobster in a roll).

EnVie is arguably Halifax’s best vegan spot, and this refined restaurant skips the tired shaved beet and carrot salad in favour of contemporary dishes using farmer’s market ingredients, featuring everything from dumplings and oyster mushroom wings to “charcuterie” boards and fried chick’n sandwiches.

The Brooklyn Warehouse is a cosy bistro with a big personality. As one of the restaurants in the city to champion hyper-local and slow food, the menu continues to focus on producers from Nova Scotia, with salads made with That Dutchman’s Cheese Farm Dragon Breath blue cheese, seared scallops with green goddess dressing, and cheeseburgers with Nova Scotia ground beef. 

Touted as one of the most “haunted” buildings in Halifax, it also happens to be one of the nicest spots to enjoy a seafood dinner. Historic details pair well with an old-school-meets-modern menu of oysters Rockefeller, Nova Scotia crab cakes, pesto-crusted halibut, and lobster thermidor.  

The Wooden Monkey has been paving the way for hip, vegetable-heavy venues across Nova Scotia since 2004. Expect casual fare such as burgers, sandwiches and pizzas; while it’s vegan-friendly, it certainly doesn’t shy away from the freshest, locally grown meats and seafood.

When on the East Coast, shellfish is at the top of the must-eat list, and Press Gang offers a wide variety— at least a dozen types of oysters are on offer daily from New Brunswick’s Beausoleils to PEI’s Malpeques — served right at the bar. Not in the mood for oysters? No problem. Atlantic halibut, salmon, and lobster are available, along with steaks and the restaurant’s sought-after peanut butter pie.

When Haligonians say “authentic Irish pub” about this place, they aren’t kidding. This watering hole was designed and built in Ireland before it was shipped to and assembled in Halifax in the late 2000s. Here, you’ll find everything from Irish whiskey and N.S. craft beets to P.E.I. mussels and local fish and chips, along with a raucous party scene, dancing to live traditional music.

This wine bar has the best selection of biodynamic wines and local vintages in the city, with an impressive by-the-glass offering ranging from Gaspereau Valley sparkling to Carignans from the Rhone. Pair a tasting with their menu of seasonal vegetable dishes, charcuterie, and French cheeses. In the summer, its hillside patio gives way to a great view of Barrington Street below.

King of Donair is credited as the creator of the Halifax donair, and over the years, it has developed a loyal following — and for good reason. The King’s original donair has been around since 1973 and is a staple in every Nova Scotian’s fast food repertoire. Fancy some garlic fingers (that’s garlic and cheese pizza slices)? King of Donair does those too, and very well.

Inspired by Toronto’s beer-focused Bar Volo, the owners of Stillwell beer bar on Barrington helped catapult craft brewing in Halifax to a whole new level. A dozen rotating taps feature local and international cider and beer, along with special casks and a great bottle list — try their burger and their famous Tokyo fries. Stillwell’s ever-expanding beer empire also offers up Stillwell Freehouse on Agricola Street, a nod to the British pub, and in the summertime, Stillwell Beergarden on Spring Garden Road takes advantage of an empty lot and turns it the best patio in the city. 

This classic pub shines brightest in the summertime. While the standard grub and decently priced drinks are great, the sprawling rooftop patio is even better. Grab a spot by the roof’s edge to glimpse Spring Garden Road and the Public Gardens below.

Built in 1835, Henry House is a designated National Historic Site of Canada and has been one of the most beloved pubs in Halifax since the late 1960s. Crowded with locals and tourists, Henry House serves up great fish and chips, in addition to traditional Nova Scotia seafood chowder and fishcakes, alongside British pub favourites like curry and shepherd’s pie.