aFrite opened on the Halifax waterfront a matter of months after I left Halifax, and in the seven…read moreyears since, chef Andrew Al-Khouri's restaurant has made that magical transition from the new kid on the block to a neighbourhood stalwart. The airy, but cozy, space is in the perfect location for me, in between my office and the spot I'd be hitting for pub trivia later that evening. We weren't sat at the bar, but our table had a nice view of the action in the kitchen. The menu is compact and efficient, but still has a broad enough selection that there's going to be something for you no matter your tastes. Creative insertions of Middle Eastern influence show up in the likes of kafta meatballs, za'atar fries and arugula fattoush, while the rest of the menu takes inspiration from around the globe to freshen up comfort food classics. You can only hope that you're in for a treat when you're confronted with a menu that you wish you could have in its entirety, and we weren't disappointed for our first taste of aFrite. Our meal started off with an order of the kafta meatballs. The herbacious hit of their seasoning was just like that of their skewered brethren, and the meatballs had a fantastic sear on them from their cast iron cooking. Veg and flatbread accoutrements and a tzatziki drizzle prettied up the plate and added flavour and contrast, but let's not kid ourselves, you're getting this dish for dem balls. I opted for the fried chicken katsu for my main, and while less technically involved than some of its peers on the menu, the dish was well-executed and hit the spot. The cutlet of fried chicken a thick, but not too thick, breading whose crispiness held up in the face of multiple sauces and the steam of the rice below. Gochujang mayo brought a hint of hint and creaminess, some sweet-savoury contrast came care of the kecap manis, while the ponzu cucumbers brightened things up. My wife's wild mushroom falafel burger was a fun and creative vegetarian dish in an age of forgettable Beyond/Impossible offerings used to check the 'vegetarian dish' column on a menu. The mushrooms added some umami to the falafel patty, and the overall package with the fresh veg was like a fancy falafel wrap. The fries that came with the falafel burger almost stole the show for me. They were peak-frite with an ultra-crispy exterior that told a tale of a blanching plus double fry cook. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, there was no room for dessert! aFrite is a great little neighbourhood joint with the heart and soul to match its creative and well-executed menu, and in an age of corporatized, Instagram-bait restaurants, it deserves your dollars and your taste buds deserve their food.

Cute, small place with creative and thoughtful dishes and friendly service…read more Stopped in for an early lunch/brunch and service was attentive. Husband got the donair eggs benny which we both liked, though donair meat could have been a bit more seasoned. I got the salt cod cake which was served over delicious bbq stewed chickpeas that were very lovely. Place was cozy and had a basket of blankets for colder days. A bit pricey, but would recommend.

We came to Water Polo for dinner on our first night in Halifax, and I couldn't have picked a better…read moreplace to celebrate my birthday a few days early. If you're celebrating a special occasion, this restaurant knows how to make it feel special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful, especially if you're seated outside overlooking the waterfront. One of my favorite touches was that they provide cozy blankets for guests on cooler evenings. They also have bonfire pits outside, and after dinner Peter let us move over to one so we could enjoy our dessert by the fire. It was such a thoughtful gesture and made the evening even more memorable. Peter was our server, and he was phenomenal. He was enthusiastic, attentive, and offered great recommendations throughout the night. I originally came specifically for the Nova Scotia Lobster Roll because the photos looked incredible, only to find out it's normally only available on the lunch menu. Peter offered to check with the kitchen anyway, and they were kind enough to make one for me. I was so happy, and it ended up being one of my favorite dishes of the meal. We ordered a half dozen oysters (2 Northern Belle from PEI, 2 Blue Nose from Nova Scotia, and 2 Shandaph from Nova Scotia), the Nova Scotia Lobster Roll, the Heirloom Tomato Salad with fresh Nova Scotia lobster added, the Umi Kaze Roll, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra, Grilled Branzino, and the Caramel Sundae. The food was outstanding. Every dish was fresh, incredibly flavorful, and beautifully presented. The only miss was the Branzino. Unfortunately, it had a very fishy taste, and after one bite I couldn't continue eating it. I genuinely think we were just unlucky and received a bad fish rather than it being an issue with the preparation. Peter noticed that I hadn't touched it, asked if everything was okay, and when the bill came, he had removed it without us ever asking. That level of customer service really stood out to me. While they don't offer a complimentary birthday dessert, if you order one they'll make it festive with a sparkler, which was a fun touch and made the celebration feel special. Between the exceptional service, thoughtful hospitality, beautiful waterfront setting, and outstanding food, Water Polo completely lived up to its reputation. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip to Halifax, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for one of the best dining experiences in the city.

Nut allergy friendly: they're very allergen conscious here if you inform the staff. They've got…read moresome dishes with hazelnut and such. Time to Entree: 1 hour, 15 minutes Water Polo is an incredibly well known spot in Halifax, probably showing up on every recommendation for visitors. I had high expectations that were unfortunately dashed by some misses in service. I had a 7:15PM reservation for my birthday, and chose to sit on their famous patio, overlooking the ocean. Chose a time to watch the sunset lighting. It was chilly, and I was offered a blanket twice before someone finally got it. Unfortunately it doesn't really help for cold hands. I enjoyed an 8oz (this is not on the menu, but it's an upcharge to the 5oz) wine, which came out decently quickly. About 45 minutes into my being seated (moved once to the bar, better heating after dark) I got some bread and lobster infused olive oil with balsamic. It was good, but I think the sweetness of the Hawaiian bread roll overwhelmed the flavors of the olive oil and balsamic reduction. Over an hour and 15 minutes after my reservation, I got my lobster malfadine, along with an apology that they brought it to the wrong table (so don't get cold and move, I guess?). The lobster malfadine was delicious, really one of the best pasta dishes I've had (4.5/5). The pasta was a little too long for a mouthful and I wish I had some bread with the delicious sauce. The portions were okay - honestly, I left hungry enough to get another meal elsewhere. I waited another 20 minutes to receive a dessert menu, and then another 20 to get it. The creme brulee was also quite good, and beautifully presented with a birthday message. So, I give them props for that. In total, though, I was here for over two hours. Others at the bar with me were blanketed up, and also waited over an hour for their food. They eventually got moved inside. Huge thanks to the good bartender who tried his best to get us what we needed. Ultimately, I think it's a great spot if you have a lot of time, a lot of money, and a fun group (or a date), but I would not recommend it for a solo diner unless you have a lot of time and the weather is nicer.

Been at Palladium years ago but it was good Prices were a…read morebit steep then so I guess I can imagine now

Great uncle recommendation and boy did he not disappoint. prices to portion ratio was fantastic…read more Split this quasedilla with my nan and we were both very satisfied once complete. Don't sleep on the Palladium!

It's hard to find a place that's comparable to Barringtons, knowledgeable staff, uncompromising…read moreatmosphere, and classic fare. We smoked about a dozen oysters with a few Rockefeller (as good as my last trip to New Orleans), shared a Caesar salad and some bruschetta for lunch. Drowned it with a few Ceasers and glasses of Prosecco and couldn't be happier. The oysters were the freshest I think I ever eaten and it'll be my new stomping ground when I'm back in Halifax.

I really enjoyed my dining experience at The Barrington Steakhouse. Fancy and great service…read more Overall great vibe and the Food was great. Steaks were juicy and veggies were fresh. Accommodated our group with special dietary requests as well. A+

Great service! I got the burger with a side caesar salad! Both were delicious! Server was attentive…read moreand very friendly! Beer was good and had jokes on the glass!

The food was mediocre. Salmon was overcooked and lacked flavor. Prime rib was stringy and the knife…read morewas very dull so had to fight the beef throughout the meal. It felt like it was fighting back. Service was very "quick" and seemed like the restaurant was entitled to my business as compared to earning it. Bill was close to $200 and it basically was "just to eat" as compared to "a dining experience". Nice ambiance but just was not worth it.

Our friends have spent time in Spain and they were so excited to see this restaurant right when we…read moregot off the ferry. We had been planning to go somewhere else but so glad we didn't! We've never been to Spain but we will take their word that this food was the real deal -- it was delicious. We really enjoyed our server -- she was a lot of fun but also knew when to be there and when not to, if you know what I mean. We started with a few tapas and then had seafood paella, along with Spanish wines and sangria. Next time this restaurant will be our destination and not a happy accident.

I was curious about this place. So I took the family here. The food for the most part tasted good…read more The pappardelle con pollo was tasty and creamy, but the chicken felt a bit lacking. It came with two pieces of bread that were decent. The family shared a paella, and they said it was good. The place had one server, who was also the bartender. She was kind. Thursday night there wasn't much business going on. They had bad bunny playing in the background.

We're taking three weeks and eating our way across Canada from Halifax in the east to our final…read moredestination of Edmonton in the west. We're trying to consume seafood for every lunch and dinner. For lunch today, we chose McKelvies, based on reviews and the fact that we happened to be visiting the Halifax boardwalk. It was a late lunch so we weren't famished, but hankering for something tasty. Both of my picks came from the Starter & Appetizer Menu: Mussels in white wine sauce and Garlic-truffle fries. My wife ordered a regular entree so our server scored big points when both orders arrived at our table simultaneously! The mussels were harvested from a local farm yesterday and their fresh, sweetness testified to that detail. The white wine broth, laced with thyme, garlic and other herbs was so tasty that I drained my bowl to the last drop. The truffle fries were a satisfying compliment to the mussels and I left the restaurant, completely satisfied. The food offerings were well priced and served/plated beautifully. The restrooms were well maintained. The only down-side in a large city setting is the lack of abundant street parking. A helpful hint is parking in Dartmouth and taking the Halifax Ferry. The restaurant is up one block and over two, so great walking distance.

Stopped here for a late lunch/early dinner and thoroughly enjoyed our meal…read more I ordered the crab/lobster burger that came slightly breaded and served in a house-made bun with a tasty slaw and pickled onions and lettuce inside. So full of lobster and crab that the seafood oozed out the sides of the breading. It came with a choice of fries or house salad, and I chose the latter: crispy greens, carrots, radishes, tomatoes and a mild, creamy dressing. My spouse dined on the mussels and a side of truffle-Parmesan fries and thoroughly enjoyed his meal as well. He said the mussels were fresh, and our cheerful server confirmed fishermen had caught them not far from the Halifax shores. Since we ate between lunch and dinner, only two other parties atein the restaurant and maybe one or two others sat at the bar. Overall, prices were reasonable and the restaurant was well worth the visit. A lovely experience indeed.

I went here to celebrate my birthday with my adult son and my girlfriend. The waiter was nice and…read morefriendly. I ordered whiskey and bacon smashburger with a side of Mac n cheese and a Garrison Georgia peach beer. The burger was delicious and the mac n cheese was some of the best I've ever had as well. It had a fairly quiet ambiance which was nice since it was the middle of the afternoon. My girlfriend had the chicken bacon ranch pizza which she said was good as well. We'll be coming back another time because there's other things on the menunI really wanted to try as well.

The Stubborn Goat Gastropub had all the ingredients for a great experience--an appealing concept,…read moredecent atmosphere, and attentive staff. However, the food simply did not deliver on what I expected from a gastropub, nor did it live up to the positive reviews I'd read beforehand. As a gastropub, one anticipates elevated, thoughtfully crafted dishes that showcase culinary skill and quality ingredients. What I encountered instead were dishes that fell short of those standards. The execution lacked the precision and care you'd expect at this price point, and the flavors didn't justify the gastropub positioning. I came with high expectations based on what others have praised here, but the food experience left me disappointed. While the service and ambiance have merit, they can't compensate for a fundamental letdown on the plate. For a gastropub to succeed, the food needs to be the star--and unfortunately, that's where The Stubborn Goat missed the mark for me.