Adam & Becka's guidebook
Our fav local restaurants
Our favourite restaurant to take visiting friends and family to is definitely Rhubarb. Located on the grounds of the Oceanstone Seaside Resort, the food and atmosphere are fantastic and quintessentially Nova Scotian. The restaurant is a 25 minute drive from our home, and 5 minutes before Peggy’s Cove.
We think they make the best lobster roll around - but check the menu before you go because during certain times of the year this is only available on their lunch menu. Reservations are highly recommended.
56 locals recommend
Rhubarb
8650 Peggys Cove RdOur favourite restaurant to take visiting friends and family to is definitely Rhubarb. Located on the grounds of the Oceanstone Seaside Resort, the food and atmosphere are fantastic and quintessentially Nova Scotian. The restaurant is a 25 minute drive from our home, and 5 minutes before Peggy’s Cove.
We think they make the best lobster roll around - but check the menu before you go because during certain times of the year this is only available on their lunch menu. Reservations are highly recommended.
It doesn’t get more authentically Nova Scotian than lobster supper at the Shore Club. Purchase a small, medium or large lobster and included in the price is an all-you-can eat salad bar, mussels, as well as coffee/tea and dessert.
Also known as “Nova Scotia’s Last Great Dance Hall”, every Saturday night in the summer there’s a live music dance that could easily be the highlight of your trip (be aware that some shows sell out ahead of time). Located in Hubbards, a 25 minute drive down the south shore, this experience is not to be missed.
Unfortunately the suppers only run from mid-May to early October (check their website for exact dates). Reservations are highly recommended.
33 locals recommend
Shore Club
250 Shore Club RdIt doesn’t get more authentically Nova Scotian than lobster supper at the Shore Club. Purchase a small, medium or large lobster and included in the price is an all-you-can eat salad bar, mussels, as well as coffee/tea and dessert.
Also known as “Nova Scotia’s Last Great Dance Hall”, every Saturday night in the summer there’s a live music dance that could easily be the highlight of your trip (be aware that some shows sell out ahead of time). Located in Hubbards, a 25 minute drive down the south shore, this experience is not to be missed.
Unfortunately the suppers only run from mid-May to early October (check their website for exact dates). Reservations are highly recommended.
For a quick bite and good coffee nearby, check out the Train Station Bike & Bean. About 10 minutes away, this is a great spot to stop and eat-in or grab something to go. This old train station has been converted into a cafe and bike rental shop, and is located on the “Rails-to-Trails” - a multi-use pathway where the train tracks used to run.
43 locals recommend
Train Station Bike & Bean
5401 St Margarets Bay RdFor a quick bite and good coffee nearby, check out the Train Station Bike & Bean. About 10 minutes away, this is a great spot to stop and eat-in or grab something to go. This old train station has been converted into a cafe and bike rental shop, and is located on the “Rails-to-Trails” - a multi-use pathway where the train tracks used to run.
After the Bike and Bean, walk next door to Cavicchi’s Meats to purchase house-made sausages and other local specialties. The Cavicchi’s are the nicest people around, and if you’re visiting in the summer keep an eye out for their “Bangers & Beer” events where you get a real feel for the close-knit community you’re staying in.
10 locals recommend
Cavicchi's Meats
5411 St Margarets Bay RdAfter the Bike and Bean, walk next door to Cavicchi’s Meats to purchase house-made sausages and other local specialties. The Cavicchi’s are the nicest people around, and if you’re visiting in the summer keep an eye out for their “Bangers & Beer” events where you get a real feel for the close-knit community you’re staying in.
The Nomad Gourmet food truck can often be seen in our community over the warmer months. Check out their facebook or twitter to see if they’ll be in the area when you are.
Nomad Gourmet Catering
13446 Peggys Cove RdThe Nomad Gourmet food truck can often be seen in our community over the warmer months. Check out their facebook or twitter to see if they’ll be in the area when you are.
Honourable mention has to go to Mezza - our favourite “fast-food” stop in the area. Their chicken shawarma wrap has been voted the best in Halifax, and *insider tip* ask for fries on the inside!
22 locals recommend
Mezza Lebanese Kitchen
1558 Barrington StHonourable mention has to go to Mezza - our favourite “fast-food” stop in the area. Their chicken shawarma wrap has been voted the best in Halifax, and *insider tip* ask for fries on the inside!
You can’t beat the view at The Finer Diner. Overlooking a picturesque cove, this quaint diner is a great spot for simple, affordable, good food. 20 minutes from our home and 10 minutes before Peggy’s Cove.
24 locals recommend
The Finer Diner
9976 Peggys Cove RdYou can’t beat the view at The Finer Diner. Overlooking a picturesque cove, this quaint diner is a great spot for simple, affordable, good food. 20 minutes from our home and 10 minutes before Peggy’s Cove.
Edible Matters is about 15 minutes away on the Hammonds Plains Road going towards Bedford. Great food all day long, as well as a bakery and take-home meals available for purchase. We recommend making a reservation, and note that this may not be the place to go if you’re in a rush.
9 locals recommend
Edible Matters
1345 Hammonds Plains RdEdible Matters is about 15 minutes away on the Hammonds Plains Road going towards Bedford. Great food all day long, as well as a bakery and take-home meals available for purchase. We recommend making a reservation, and note that this may not be the place to go if you’re in a rush.
Also on the way to Bedford and just past Edible Matters, is the Cortado Tasting Room where you’ll find the best coffee and espresso in the area.
6 locals recommend
Cortado Tasting Room
50 Gary Martin DrAlso on the way to Bedford and just past Edible Matters, is the Cortado Tasting Room where you’ll find the best coffee and espresso in the area.
Next door to Cortado is Noggins Corner where you can pick up valley fresh farm market goods like fruit, vegetables, and cider.
Noggins @ Sante Centre
50 Gary Martin DrNext door to Cortado is Noggins Corner where you can pick up valley fresh farm market goods like fruit, vegetables, and cider.
You can also enjoy a meal at The Millstone Public House - a cozy new gastropub with great reviews.
Millstone Public House Bedford
50 Gary Martin DrYou can also enjoy a meal at The Millstone Public House - a cozy new gastropub with great reviews.
North End Halifax
We spent 8 years living in the North End of Halifax, an area we love and think all visitors should spend some time exploring for its trendy shops, cafes, restaurants and microbreweries.
Start with breakfast at our favourite breakfast spot in the city - The Coastal Cafe. You won’t find a better, more unique breakfast, but be aware that it’s small and you may have to stand while waiting for a table. We’ve always felt the wait was worth it, but realize this isn’t for everyone.
61 locals recommend
The Coastal Cafe
2731 Robie StStart with breakfast at our favourite breakfast spot in the city - The Coastal Cafe. You won’t find a better, more unique breakfast, but be aware that it’s small and you may have to stand while waiting for a table. We’ve always felt the wait was worth it, but realize this isn’t for everyone.
Edna
2053 Gottingen StField Guide
2076 Gottingen StBest cocktails in the city, and fantastic shareable plates.
The Ostrich Club
5529 Young StGreat food in the trendy Hydrostone Market.
The Independent Mercantile Co.
2091 Gottingen StAwesome and cute home good store.
ANA + ZAC
2576 Agricola StCurated thrift and home goods store.
Great view of the harbour, cool nature playground, and information about the Halifax Explosion.
31 locals recommend
Fort Needham Memorial Park
5515 Stairs PlGreat view of the harbour, cool nature playground, and information about the Halifax Explosion.
One of our favourite local breweries, and a great outdoor spot to grab drinks and play corn hole.
88 locals recommend
Good Robot Brewing Co.
2736 Robie StOne of our favourite local breweries, and a great outdoor spot to grab drinks and play corn hole.
Great cider tasting floats, and also a very good food menu!
50 locals recommend
Chain-Yard Urban Cidery
2606 Agricola StGreat cider tasting floats, and also a very good food menu!
Our favourite ramen in the city, and the fried cauliflower is life-changing.
11 locals recommend
WATER&BONE
5687 Charles StOur favourite ramen in the city, and the fried cauliflower is life-changing.
It’s owned and run by the nicest humans (our friends Ami and Eric) but also because this 4-seater Izakaya restaurant is a totally unique and amazing experience.
7 locals recommend
Kitsune Food Co
5710 Young StIt’s owned and run by the nicest humans (our friends Ami and Eric) but also because this 4-seater Izakaya restaurant is a totally unique and amazing experience.
El Chino Snack Bar
2398 Robie StTacos and tequila (also Chinese snack food!)
Known as Halifax's best pizza, but we recommend the meatball hero!
107 locals recommend
Salvatore's Pizzaiolo Trattoria
5541 Young StKnown as Halifax's best pizza, but we recommend the meatball hero!
Downtown Halifax
Halifax is definitely known for its food and drink scene, but with the sheer number of spots downtown you can easily land someplace geared towards tourists that will end up costing you more - and in our experience - being a bit of a disappointment. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path of tourist-geared restaurants, check out some of our faves.
Just Us Cafe
5896 Spring Garden RdAntojo Tacos + Tequila
1667 Argyle StThe Stubborn Goat Gastropub
1580 Grafton StHenry House
1222 Barrington StThe Bicycle Thief
1475 Lower Water StFresh pasta!
Stillwell
1672 Barrington StAmazing craft beer bar.
Wine bar with small plates including cheese & charcuterie boards.
44 locals recommend
Obladee, a Wine Bar
1600 Barrington StWine bar with small plates including cheese & charcuterie boards.
Stillwell Beergarden
5688 Spring Garden RdSummertime can't miss!
Dartmouth
Dartmouth is fast becoming the hip, up-and-coming part of the city. Just a quick (and scenic) ferry ride across the Halifax harbour.
The Canteen on Portland
22 Portland StTwo If By Sea Cafe
66 Ochterloney StCoffee and incredible croissants.
Grab coffee, browse for records, and even get a haircut at Joel Plaskett's New Scotland Yard Emporium.
9 locals recommend
New Scotland Yard
45 Portland StreetGrab coffee, browse for records, and even get a haircut at Joel Plaskett's New Scotland Yard Emporium.
Kept
75 King StSuper cute home store.
Lake City Cider House
35 Portland StBattery Park
62 Ochterloney StGreat craft beer list, and shareable plates.
The Watch That Ends the Night
15 Kings Wharf PlGreat cocktail bar in Dartmouth.