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13 Places for Exceptional Bites and Drinks in HRM

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13 Places for Exceptional Bites and Drinks in HRM

Eat & Drink

The HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) is teeming with incredible cocktail bars, quaint cafes, inviting restaurants and lovely bakeries! Here is a list of some of Jessica Emin’s (@eatwithjessie) picks for popular spots and hidden gems to grab a meal, snack or drink in the harbour city.

Café Good Luck

145 Portland Street, Dartmouth

A small, inviting space packed with shelves of specialty grocery items, produce, a window of sweet and savoury pastries, and an espresso machine are what greet you upon arrival. Usually either Sonny Adamski or Emma Strubank, the co-owners, are milling about making drinks or baking. As you look through the ‘fridges’ you will find their to-go sandwiches, or salads, and small batch imaginative ice cream and sorbet flavors like miso brown butter or strawberry rhubarb. The laminated pastries, filled with jam or fruit or egg, are coveted. The coffee is a warm hug, with every detail thought out – from the filtered water they use to the small batch coffee roasters they carry. Visit if you want a delicious cup and maybe even some beans for home.

Evan’s Fresh Seafood

2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth

This fish market and delivery business turned casual take-out and dine-in, located inside Alderney Landing, has become a staple of the Dartmouth waterfront for fish burgers and fish & chips with a fine, light batter that folks seem to love… and of course always fresh fish. They also have fresh shucked oysters that pair nicely with a local beer and enjoyed on their waterfront patio space overlooking the harbour, the Halifax waterfront and the ferry crossing nearby.

Yeah Yeahs Pizza

66 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth

This small take-out pizza joint has become one of the city’s favourites, with pies that are exceptional but not fancy. They make a New York style pizza with a thin base but bubbly charred crust. Pies are available in 18 inch or large slices. Their menu is small, with 5 different pies to choose from, but you can build your own as well. Sometimes a more adventurous ‘pizza of the week’ feature will appear, like a donair pizza or Hawaiian pizza, but the classics are the winners like ‘the boss’ – their version of a works pizza.

Side Hustle Snack Bar

21 Portland Street, Dartmouth

A winning combo happened when a snack bar with perfect drinking snacks moved into a space with one of Dartmouth’s favourite breweries – North Brewing. Since moving to their current location in downtown Dartmouth, their salty, spicy, big-flavour snacks still come to you alongside a beer flight or pints in their new space. Expect items like Chinese style steamed dumplings in chili oil and black vinegar, mountains of fries dressed like a Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich, or a double patty smash burger with gooey orange double cheese slices.

Dear Friend Bar

67 Portland Street, Dartmouth

This is the spot to go in HRM if you want an exceptionally prepared cocktail, on par with something you’d get in New York or London. You can be at ease with your favourite cocktail or let the servers and bartenders guide you into a new experience of flavour and texture, accompanied by a few salty snacks or a small sweet thing while you’re at it. The atmosphere is dim, the space is long and narrow, a dark stained wood bar speckled with crystal spirit bottles runs along the left side wall and tables with velvety booths fill the rest of the room.

LF Bakery

2063 Gottingen Street, Halifax

On weekend mornings, at opening, a considerable lineup can be seen outside the bakery; people waiting to get inside to see if their favourite loaf of bread, baguette or doughnut flavour is still on the shelves. A few tables can be found inside and on their patio for those interested in staying for a croissant and coffee or one of their sandwiches like smoked salmon on a milk bun or a jambon Parisian on a baguette.

Obladee

1600 Barrington Street, Halifax

This corner bar in the heart of Halifax’s downtown has been making wine fun and approachable for over 10 years. The servers here are more than that – they are also facilitators who’ll help you find what you might like best. Or if you care to ask a question or two, they freely offer up stories, pairings and facts about the juice in your glass. The jazz, Latin music, lo-fi beats and folks that often play are a mellow soundtrack to the thoughtful conversations between friends happening between bites of wine-friendly food from their small but focused locally driven menu.

Coffeeology Espresso Co

1587 Dresden Row, Halifax

This coffee shop has but a few seats and the same barista, who also happens to be the owner, works there every day they are open. Kay Kim remembers all his regular customers by name and often by order. One of the best cappuccinos in the city is served here and the latte art is something to be admired. If you get your coffee to stay, it’ll be served in an artful insulated cup on a tray that makes the whole experience special and thoughtful.

Field Guide

2076 Gottingen Street, Halifax

The cutest, hippest little restaurant in the city with pastel walls, upbeat hip hop and food until close every night with lots of vegetable forward dishes to enjoy. This is a spot you can have a multiple course dinner then stay all evening as the music gets louder and more cocktails float onto the floor. This is also one of the best places to have nice drinks in the city if you are not looking to have alcohol as their mocktail list is delicious and they still make those not imbibing feel taken care of.

Stillwell Beer Bar & Beergarden

1672 Barrington Street (year-round)
5688 Spring Garden Road, Halifax (May-October)

Beer nerds unite! This group of bars is the pinnacle of beer bars in Halifax and brings together many local and Canadian breweries to their taps and casks.

Beer Bar Barrington location: On top of their stellar beer list they also have food until 2 am every night and they are not your typical deep fried bar bites – their kitchen utilizes many local ingredients and serves the one of the best burgers in Halifax.

Beergarden Spring Garden location: This large secluded beer garden is found nestled between two downtown buildings; the plants, trees, string lighting and gravel floor make it feel like an oasis in the city. Pints and tacos are served onto large cafeteria style tables with umbrellas for shelter. Ice cream is also an option from their neighbours The Dairy Bar who deal in soft serve and sundaes, and share their space.

Bliss Bowls

1209 Marginal Road, Halifax

A one day only treat for those who want a healthier brunch or breakfast on the weekend. Vegan smoothie bowls made with fruits, vegetables and some boosters like spirulina powder. The bowls are topped with things like nuts, fruits, seeds, nut butter and coconut. Find them at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market and Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.

Mappatura Bistro

5883 Spring Garden Road, Halifax

When you enter the side door of Mappatura Bistro, into their airy, modern yet approachable dining room, you’re surrounded by windows such as the large permanent sunroom on the side of it’s adjoining building. Whether it’s sunshine or a light snow, there is warmth inside and although you can see all the elements, you’re cozy indoors.

The food is also warmth and comfort, with a menu of familiar Italian recipes: gnocchi puttanesca, scallop carbonara, spaghetti bolognese and so on. Aperol spritz and other aperitivo flow as co-owner and host Simone Mombourquette glides through the room smiling to guests like they’re old friends, while her husband, Terry Vasolo, and his team prepare your meal in the kitchen.

by Jessica Emin, Instagrammer and photographer who lives in Halifax, NS

About our guest writer:
When studying at Mount Allison University, Jessica Emin had a realization about happiness: when stressed, she would push the work aside and cook. She’d cook so much, she had to share with friends – who in turn asked her to share her knowledge. And so a career in food writing and styling began. If you’re in the mood for stunning pictures, Jessica’s feed is what you need. This food stylist makes every dish look gorgeous, even a picture of an egg! Jessica had a chance to experience these exceptional treats during #CreatorCoastNS in August 2020.