TL;DR/The Short Version: Excellent little French Bistro on…read morethe ground floor of a residential apartment building. Delicious food, smaller servings, but proportionately lower prices. The Long Version: We had planned to go to Le Bistro by Liz on our last trip to Halifax, but we couldn't because the restaurant was unexpectedly closed due to some emergency or it was closed for a private function, I forget, but I made a note to try again the next time we were in town. So on our most recent visit we made specific plans to go and I'm so glad we finally made it there. This place is very popular! We almost didn't get a table. We didn't make reservations because while on vacation, I like to do things on my own time and don't like committing to being at a certain place at a certain time. We arrived at 5:15pm thinking it wouldn't be busy because it was early to eat, but many tables were full. We were advised we could have a table but would need to leave by 6:30pm because they had a reservation then. Hey if they can serve us that quickly, we were down for a quick meal. I got the Seafood Florentine Crepe ($22.95) and my husband got the Seafood Risotto ($29.95). He also got a glass of Malbec ($17) and we shared the large Profiteroles ($10.95) for dessert. My Seafood Crepe had 2 large Digby scallops, 2 large shrimp and several pieces of salmon, all in a bechamel sauce with onions and spinach. It came with a mixed greens salad which was rather tiny. It was lettuce, one small wedge of tomato and a single slice of carrot. I asked for the dressing on the side and it came as requested. The crepe was delicious and I loved all the seafood in it. The sauce was very rich and creamy. The portion sizes are European (i.e. small, lol) but I felt this was a case of quality over quantity. Although I felt an extra handful of salad would have gone a long way. The salad looked more like a garnish to me than a true side dish. My husband's Seafood Risotto had 3 large Digby scallops and 2 large shrimp on top and small pieces of lobster mixed into the risotto. He really enjoyed his dish. It too was rich and creamy. We shared the large order of Profiteroles (2 profiteroles) and I was pleasantly surprised to see they plated it on 2 separate plates, so we had 1 profiterole each and each was covered in sliced almonds and chocolate sauce and caramel sauce. These were good but not as great as I imagined. The choux pastry didn't have that distinctive chew to it and perhaps was weighed down by too much sauce. Nonetheless, we enjoyed them. Service was courteous and attentive. Even though we were given a bottle of water for the table, our server topped off our waters when she saw they were running low. And we got our meals very quickly. We were out a few minutes before our 6:30pm deadline, lol. Decor is very cute with all things France, like Eiffel tower decorations, signage in French and things like that. Their menu lists prices in Canadian dollars and also in Euros. Not sure what exchange rate they use though, lol. So happy we got to try Le Bistro by Liz. (184)

A very enjoyable dinner! The waiter was attentive and checked in the perfect amount during our…read moremeal. The crepe de mer was excellent, the bechamel complimented the fresh seafood. My spouse's Coquilles St Jacques were very good as well. Finished the meal with profiteroles - the puff was fresh, which isn't always the case! Inside the restaurant is quaint and comfortable.

Took the short ferry ride from downtown Halifax across the harbor and walked up the street to this…read morefantastic little place in Dartmouth. We were lucky to get a table in the small outdoor patio and enjoyed Seafood Chowder, Cobb Salad and the star of the show, the Crobster Roll. Everything was fresh and well prepared. Great way to spend the afternoon, highly recommended!

Mouthwateringly delicious. This rather small restaurant in downtown Dartmouth has a big reputation…read morefor excellent cuisine. Prices are in line with other dining establishments in its genre. On to the food -- My spouse ordered seafood chowder and said the broth in particular had tremendous flavor. It was filled with haddock, 2 scallops, 4 mussels, and a bit of lobster along with potatoes, carrots, celery and onions. A tiny biscuit came with the chowder, which was a little disappointing. I ordered the scallop and pea risotto which offered an explosion of flavor in every bite. The creamy risotto came fused with mint and a dotting of fresh peas, and the 5 scallops topped with crème fresh and mini radish sticks and fresh pea pods added texture. Service was spot on, and since we did not have reservations yet were the first to enter when the establishment opened in the evening, the staff graciously gave us a 90-minute window to enjoy our meal. If we vacation in this quaint town again, The Canteen definitely will be among the first eateries we visit.

Fresh off an 8:00 AM flight into Halifax, dropping our bags at the hotel and heading straight to…read moreCafé Lunette for a French brunch spread was the absolute best decision. The ambiance is stunning. The patio is adorned with bright yellow umbrellas, and the interior decor immediately transports you back to France with its thoughtful French flair. Since the weather was perfect, the patio was already packed with people dining outside, so we were seated inside--which ended up being just as lovely. While the service was incredibly friendly and polite, there were a couple of minor kitchen/service mishaps: our server initially brought out the wrong latte, and the Crab Oeufs Bénédictes arrived without any crab. However, the staff handled it wonderfully--as soon as we pointed it out, they immediately rectified everything by bringing the correct latte (even letting us keep the extra one- matcha latte) and a side plate of crab without any fuss. As well, gave us some discounts. What we ordered: -CRAB OEUFS BÉNÉDICTE: Soft poached eggs over a buttery croissant with hollandaise. Once the crab was added, it was a total hit. - CROQUE MADAME: Savory mortadella, rich mornay, melted brie, and a perfectly fried egg--pure decadent comfort food. - LE TOFU SCRAMBLE: Silken tofu, avocado, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, home fries, and toast. Great flavor profile and a fantastic plant-based option. - LUNETTE SPECIAL: Classic breakfast done right, fried eggs, flavourful Brother's bacon, home fries, roasted mushrooms, and toast. Despite the quick hiccups, the food quality, gorgeous setting, and attentive recovery from the staff made for a memorable first meal in the city. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a charming brunch spot in Halifax!

We decided to go French for dinner. Cage Lunette is located very near our Marriott hotel on the…read morewaterfront. It's a lovely place with bright yellow umbrellas on the patio. A can't miss spot. Inside it's very nice with a French inspired flair. They had an in house Jazz group which definitely added to the vibe. Our servers were great, very helpful and attentive without being overbearing. We had a nice wine along with a Caesar salad and Mussels. The Caesar had bacon in it which was unexpected. It was nice @ the mussels were good. Overall our experience was good.

We went here for lunch, and it was a great choice! No wait for a table, water views, and the food…read morewas mostly good. We got the lunch special, lamb pita and lamb bowl. Both were underwhelming. Not much meat and the veggies/pickles they give are a little random. BUT, everything else we got was really good, especially the babagannosh and puffed up pita! That was definitely my favorite dish. I could eat a whole bowl of it! The tomato and peach salad, and broccolini sides we got were also very good! Service was a bit slow and they got my order wrong but was quick to fix it. I would definitely come here again, but try the skewers instead of the bowl or pita.

Darya's brunch buffet used to be one of the best dining deals in Halifax. It was a genuine standout…read morethat included a generous spread of high-quality Mediterranean dishes, all at a price point that made it feel like a treat without the guilt. We were regulars, and for good reason, sometimes going every week. ...but that's what makes the recent changes so disappointing. The buffet price has jumped from $35 to $42 per person (about a 20% increase) and yet somehow the offerings have gone in the opposite direction. The number of dishes on the buffet has been reduced, and most of the accompanying sauces have been quietly cut back or eliminated altogether. The toum, in particular, used to be a highlight (garlicky, creamy, and addictive) and its absence is genuinely felt. Now, two people are now easily spending $100+ for what is demonstrably less food than before. Since tax and tips are calculated as a percentage of overall spend, you end up paying quite a bit more per person than what you did a few months ago. The food that remains is still good. Darya's kitchen hasn't lost its touch, and the quality of the Mediterranean cooking is evident. And of course, the views are spectacular. But value is about the whole equation, and right now that equation doesn't balance. Paying more for less, especially when the "less" includes things you loved, is a hard sell. We probably won't be back again, at least for a long time . Here's hoping they reconsider and restore what made this special for everyone, locals as well as seasonal tourists, in the first place.

Drift was once on the list of top 100 Canadian restaurant, and we've decided to have lunch here…read moreduring our trip to Halifax. Reservation is easy and there's still plenty of spots for Friday lunch with same day booking. The vibe here is relaxing and quiet with the restaurant entrance hidden inside a hotel. Service is good too. The chef has demonstrated quite solid cooking skil and my suggestion is to go with the fancier dish here where the chef clearly pays more attention to, compared to dishes like fish and chips. I tried a classic cocktail with gin as the base. It turned out to be very refreshing. For food, Caesar salad was delicious. Pan fried cod fillet was cooked perfectly, very tender and went well with the roots vegetables. It was my favorite dish here. Lobster pasta was also delicious. Fish and chips were average, definitely not comparable to some of the food truck places. Fries were dry and tasted bitter. Overall, this is a good restaurant with great food quality, good service and nice environment. I would consider revisiting if I'm in Halifax again.

What do you think of when you're heading out east ? Seafood of course ! Let me tell you... I've got…read morea new appreciation for it after my trip last week. We've had a trip planned to golf Cabot for the last few years. The texts and emails were flying delays, cancelled trips and in general , I never thought it would happen. Surprisingly, Halifax was a quick little flight from Toronto and am I ever glad we did it. First off, we talked about getting lobster on the side of the road at shacks etc, blah blah blah but as soon as we landed we headed to meet a friend who said we must try this lobster croissant sandwich at The Drift. OMG OMG OMG ! Could be one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted but you know what was even better, the Chablis, no, the lobster pasta, no... It was the lobster fritters. They were insane ! The fritters are a bit like a conch if you've ever had that in the BVIs but they are battered so perfectly with a zesty hint of like that is so perfect, it's too hard to describe. Over the top crispy timbit deliciousness with lobster. The drift is a MAJOR win, it's along the water in Halifaxs best hotel the Muir and it's just perfect. Our trip was filled with Oysters and I have to say, each place had slightly different variations but I will NEVER say I had a better Oyster than in Halifax. If you hear me say it, just call me out because we had at least 4 Oysters each at around 6 places and they were all better than anywhere I've ever eaten in the world, almost to the point where I didn't need the sides (almost). I am so glad I visited Halifax, oh and by the way, the golf at Cabot was insane ! INSANE ! Was it better than Cabot St Lucia ? Nope, but I give Cabot St Lucia a 9.8 and I give Cabot Cape Breton a 9.6. STOP right there ! I had the crab shack , I had the crab shack and oh my gosh was it good. Just outside Cabot is the best little shack with the freshest little sandwiches on fluffy buns. Check it out right here- get the mainlander sandwich and the crab bretoner. The mainlander is warm lobster spiced up on the bun, heaven ! And the crab bretoner is chilled crab, mix up perfectly with aioli, green on and a few other things. If you're near Inverness you better stop there. Ok ok ok , I'm writing all of this as I go but on the Sunday we end up at the 5 fishermen. Order the lobster, the carbonara lobster , the chowder and Oysters at every single place you go in Halifax and thank me later. I wasn't expecting to love the food this much, wow ! If you're there on a Sunday, hit Durty Nellys. In my Opinion it's the best pub in the world- yep ! See ya next week :)

Always a Wonderful dine in experience here. Food is great. Love the patio and ambiance.read more

Very lovely authentic Italian restaurant with high quality food, great service and warm and cozy…read moreatmosphere. I came here with a friend for lunch on a weekday and sat on the patio. The staff were friendly and we were received with warm welcome. We were offered complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic. We ordered "Local Mussels" and "Pan Seared Scallops" for appetizers. They were both fresh and delicious. For entrée, we ordered "Linguine Frutti di Mare" and "Triangoli All'Aragosta". Hands down one of the pasta I have had in my life. And we finished our 3-course meal with a fabulous "Tiramisu".

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.

Beautiful restaurant. Attentive waiter. Delicious food…read more We ordered the borscht with the added Hungarian pork sausage as the appetizer, the Hungarian gypsy goulash as the main, and the Hungarian trifle for dessert. We received a complimentary basket of bread with chives butter. The bread was so soft and warm and with the butter, it was a perfect starter. Every dish had their own distinct specialties, but the star of the show was the pirogies that came goulash. They were well seasoned and pillowy soft. I highly recommend sharing an appetizer, main, and dessert in order to try a bit of everything.

It closed a few years ago. It is now Turkquois. Get with the program Yelp!! It's now a fine…read moreMediterranean restaurant. There is also another original Turkquois restaurant in Bedford. Also rocks a good takeout menu. I'd give it 4 stars.