Halifax, Canada

Eating out in Halifax, Canada

Nova Scotia's restaurants are top-notch, priding themselves on hearty helpings of great food, but they really outdo themselves when serving their culinary classics - succulent seafood and fresh-picked local produce from the province's horn of plenty. Savor homegrown perfection in crisp summer wines, planked salmon platters, and decadent desserts flavored by sweet Annapolis Valley apples and juicy Oxford blueberries. Look for the "Taste of Nova Scotia" logo in restaurant windows and you'll be assured of dining on the finest and freshest fare around. Halifax's diverse choices mirror the city's ethnic spectrum and cosmopolitan charm - dig into a shepherd's pie in the coziness of an Old World pub, snack on a baklava in a Greek diner, or feast on lobster on a sun-soaked harbor terrace. In fact, do all three on your first day and consider it a good start!.

Gourmet

daMaurizio's Dining Room is acclaimed as the best restaurant in Halifax. The subdued lighting, elegant decor, fresh flowers, and dining nooks create a warm ambiance in the vast space of this former brewery. The chef opts out of fancy distractions in favor of sleek recipes rich in flavor and perfect presentation, like seared foie gras topped with port wine sauce, and pumpkin-filled ravioli served with citrus duck sauce. 1496 Lower Water Street.

Highly Recommended

Il Mercato thrills food critics and the prices are comparative bargains. It has a bright, bustling Mediterranean bistro atmosphere with the scent of olive oil and parmesan permeating the air. The perfectly grilled seafood has an ideal mix of textures, and the cabbage salad with a warm garlic, bacon, and balsamic vinegar dressing puts an end to the reign of boring greens. Desserts like the chocolate mousse and whipped cream zucotto encased in a Belgian chocolate ganache redefine the phrase "mouth-watering." 5475 Spring Garden Road.

Local Flair

At the Privateer's Warehouse, you can almost hear the pirates' bawdy laughter echoing through the 200-year-old harbor building, where three restaurants share stone walls and hewn beams. Duck, game, steaks, and fresh seafood dishes are all matched with an extensive, accessible wine list. The Upper Deck Waterfront Fishery and Grill, done in a nautical theme, has great views of the harbor and features a lobster tank. Middle Deck Pasta Works and Beverage Company has a bistro atmosphere with innovative pastas, traditional cuisine, and a kid's menu. The boisterous Lower Deck Good Time Pub has long trestle tables and a patio where traditional pub food is served. Historic Properties, Lower Water Street.

Romantic

Hallburton House, in the historic district, is home to one of Halifax's finest dining rooms. The warm glow of a wrought iron door lamp welcomes you into the subdued elegance of an 1809 townhouse for chef specialties such as County greens with grilled grain fed quail and mango, and the Grilled Labrador caribou tenderloin with house filled ravioli and forest mushrooms. During the summer months, enjoy the beautiful Garden Courtyard. 5184 Morris Street.

Going party in Halifax, Canada

Halifax is quaint and easy-going during the day, when Acadian folk dancers entertain in a public square and sailboats glide across the harbor, but once the sun sets all that changes. The city bursts into sleek cosmopolitan nightlife, with opera over here, Shakespeare over there, Guinness flowing in pubs everywhere in between, casinos flashing with shows and slots, and packed dance floors pumping up the party. A cultured and accomplished city fulfills everyone's desires and needs - spendthrifts and budget travelers, young and old, flamboyants and wallflowers - such is Halifax, promising a good time for all!.

Sea Horse Tavern

The oldest tavern in Nova Scotia serves gourmet pizza and fine local beer within its storied walls. Count on darts, billiards, and merriment until morning with out-of-this-world music and service. Its basement setting gives it a TV's Cheers feeling.

Shakespeare By the Sea

The bard's classic tales of revenge, love, power, and betrayal are performed by a talented troupe in Pleasant Park at the southern end of the peninsula, against the natural setting of dark woods, a rocky shore, and historic fortifications.

Casino Nova Scotia

Exciting gaming from Blackjack and Roulette to 600 slot machines, in fact, games galore, and plenty of great live entertainment, numerous eateries from casual to sophisticated, and good old-fashioned hospitality makes this waterfront gaming hall one of the best times to be had in Halifax.

Lower Deck Privateer's Warehouse

Come prepared to spend the night singing and drinking at this ultimate Maritime rustic pub. Live music and an amazing atmosphere work up a nightly blast of rompin' stompin' maritime folk anthems in this ancient brewhouse.

JJ Rossy's

You can't go wrong with the dollar drinks in Halifax's biggest bar, with three levels of dancing, drinking, and pool at the Historic Properties. For obvious reasons, this place is very popular with young people and students.

Neptune Theatre

The queen of Halifax's theater scene, the internationally-acclaimed Neptune offers a wide range of mainstream, first-class dramatic productions.

Symphony Nova Scotia

This professional orchestra usually performs at the Dalhousie Arts Centre, with the official concert season running from October to May.

O'Carroll's Pub

Experienced sailors know a port's best places are usually nestled near the waterfront, and this is a case in point. Lyrical Irish melodies and spirited sea shanties enhance the always-lively atmosphere in this pub seven nights a week.

Common events in Halifax, Canada

Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival

For almost 400 years, the sweet aroma of apple blossoms has wafted across the land. The celebrate the orchards with an Apple Blossom Queen, dances, concerts, barbecues, fireworks, parades, crafts, and more. The festival opens Nova Scotia's tourist season and is listed in the Top 100 Tourist Events in North America. May.

Truro's International Tulip Festival

No flower heralds the coming of spring like the tulip, and no event better celebrates that flower. Victoria Park, downtown, and the entire county are colored by more than 300,000 tulips. There are also dances, dinners, concerts, and art shows. May.

The Nova Scotia International Tattoo

One of Nova Scotia's most-acclaimed events, this show celebrates and honors the province's military tradition as a bastion of defense in colonial North America. Over 2,000 military and civilian performers from 10 countries participate in military games, and pipe and brass bands. This is pageantry at its most sensational! July.

Stan Rogers Folk Festival

This annual music festival features top entertainers from all over North America on numerous stages. Spend a day taking in the best in folk, country, jazz, celtic music, and more in historic Canso town, one of the oldest Maritime seaports. July.

Atlantic Jazz Festival

The groove kicks in with an eclectic cornucopia of Jazz, World Beat, Blues, and Urban Groove at this 9-day festival featuring the best of the east coast and a strong international line-up. Events include concerts, outdoor shows, and workshops. July.

Antigonish Highland Games

A traditional Scottish Highland Games event including clan gatherings, and concerts. The last three days focus on piping, dancing, drumming, and heavy event competitions, along with the Concert Under The Stars. July.

Halifax International Busker Festival

This 10-day celebration of street performance and crafts held in Metro Halifax features dozens of buskers - jugglers, musicians, magicians, acrobats and thespians. August.

Great Scarecrow Festival and Antique Fair

Scarecrows pop up all over Mahone Bay with fun for the whole family. Events include moonlight graveyard tours, musical variety shows, oodles of kid's activities, crafts lessons, street vendors, square dancing, fiddling, and a huge antique fair, as well as seminars on local genealogy and the settling of the area. October.

Celtic Colours International Festival

Scarlet, gold, and orange leaf mosaics make autumn the most beautiful season in Cape Breton. It's also the time when the fiddles, pipes, and songs echo over the island with over 250 musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers entertaining across the island. This festival was rated among the Top 100 Events in North America. October.