On a cruise stop in Halifax, we were drawn to this restaurant by their fabulous sounding menu and boy were we glad. Our lunch experience was exceptional. The ambiance is warm and inviting, our Server was terrific. And oh my, the food couldn't have been better. From the complimentary focaccia to our mains, wow good! I had the Crab-stuffed Ravioli with Shrimp in a Limoncello cream sauce and Husband had the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. We agreed it was some of the best cooked shrimp we've ever had. And the pastas were outstanding. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Absolutely delish. This is my second time checking out The Bicycle Thief in Halifax. This time I had Linguine al' Aragosta & Sangiovese wine which was so good! For dessert, I tried the Butterscotch Caramel Cake and had enough to finish after the Sarah McLachlan concert. My server was delightful and helpful in selecting my meal. The restaurant is classy, with decor that is welcoming and cozy. I plan to eat here each time I am back in Halifax. read more

See all

A Halifax Classic That Lives Up to the Hype! The Bicycle Thief is one of those iconic spots that every local recommends--and now we totally understand why! As Italian food lovers, this place absolutely did not disappoint. It's clearly beloved too, because the place was buzzing and packed the whole time we were there. Even the complimentary bread was next-level. I ordered the Gnocchi all'Amatriciana, and while it gave me some wicked heartburn later (worth it!), it was honestly one of the best gnocchi dishes I've ever had--you can tell it's house made, and the sauce was rich and flavourful. My only (tiny) note would be wanting a bit more guanciale. My wife had the Linguini all'Agosta and enjoyed it, though a couple lobster pieces had a texture that threw her off a little. Still, she happily cleaned her plate. We also really loved the drinks--my Rhuby Margarita was delicious and refreshing, and my wife's Gold Mine cocktail was a hit, especially with that ginger beer kick. Overall, this spot is well worth the hype--great atmosphere, amazing food, and a must-visit for anyone craving a special Italian meal in Halifax. read more

See all

Bicycle Thief is a must try spot on the Halifax waterfront. The inside has this dark, moody vibe, and the food was just as good as everyone says. Mussels - Briny, plump, and perfectly cooked, these were a fantastic start to the meal. Linguine all'Aragosta - lobster, tomato sauce, and parm on pasta. Simple but so good, I'd definitely order it again. Beef short rib - The real highlight of the evening. Juicy, tender, and a huge portion--you could easily share it between two or three people. Overall, a great meal. I get why this place is so popular. One star off because it was so dark inside I needed to bring out my phone flashlight to read the menu. read more

See all

Halifax is about the lobster so we ate lobster pasta and lobster roll. The server we had was amazing and was super cool- Matty, guy from Toronto. He says Ter- ron- tah! They totally cater to food allergies (Husband has Gluten Allergy) so our meal was gluten free and tasted hella good. The pasta was so good that it didn't taste like it was gluten free. Most Gluten free pasta tastes gritty and theirs was not. In fact I thought the pasta was not gluten free but it was. Restaurant is clean and casual. Table setting has white tablecloth. At night it seems appropriate to be business casual. There are quite a bit of locals who eats here We will be bacg read more

See all

In the heart of downtown Halifax, checked out the Bicycle Thief, and it was a fun experience. It serves authentic and creative Italian food, with seafood options as well. It has classic decor with a huge patio surrounding the restaurant for outdoor seating viewing the Halifax Harbourfront Their menu made up of three "gears" - 1st gear, second gear, and high gear, the appetizers, pastas and the main courses. Had the opportunity to order: 1) Linguine all'Aragosta - Local Lobster, San Marzano tomato, garlic, vino bianco, cream, parmigiano 2) Fresh Atlantic Halibut, Snow Crab, Vermouth beurre blanc, braised cipollini onions, herbed fregola, grilled asparagus Really enjoyed the Linguine all'Aragosta. Truly fresh local lobster was used and a super creamy white wine sauce served on top of the pasta. It also comes complimentary bread served with lobster butter. Despite a busy night, the servers remained very attentive and was able to serve us and provide the dishes within a reasonable time. Its considered on the more pricier end (pastas $30 to 40, mains $40 up), but the restuarant truly has great views and uses fresh ingredients. Note: there is limited outdoor parking that isn't free and based on fixed rates. read more

See all

10/10! Everything perfect. Lobster roll has just a hint of chili lime in the mayo. Excellent crispy fries. Salad with delicious vinegarette. Nice spring greens and a little shaved carrot and pickled onions. Chocolate 12 layer cake was to die for. Beautiful ambiance inside and cute outdoor tables. Manon, our waitress, was so sweet and attentive. Fantastic. read more

The Bicycle Thief - 12 layer chocolate cake. - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

See all

Too LOUD! Between the blasting music, the dragging of the chairs over the floor, and the crashing dishes it was just too loud to be enjoyable, even hard to have a conversation. We asked for a quiet place for lunch and they put us in the bar. The lobster chowder was outstanding, loaded with corn, carrots, potato, chunks of bacon and big pieces of lobster . The grilled shrimp in bourbon sauce was very fresh and tasty. The focaccia bread with hummus was an interesting combination, the hummus was very nice, but the bread was doughy. Service was excellent. This can be recommended for a fine dining experience, providing you sit where you don't have to listen to all the noise. read more

See all

One of Halifax's most iconic restaurants On our recent trip to Halifax, we had dinner at The Bicycle Thief and everything lived up to the hype. From the fresh crab ravioli to the 12-layer chocolate cake (yes, 12 layers), every bite was incredible. We ordered the Insalata Estiva (a must try, unlike any salad I've ever had), fresh crab ravioli, Linguine Fra Diavolo, and their famous 12-layer Torta al Cioccolato Highly recommend booking ahead and grabbing a patio seat for the best view in the city. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 (we had reservation for inside but since we arrived earlier we asked if it would be possible to sit outside and they accommodated us. The inside felt a bit stuffy and the patio had a nice view of the waterfront.) read more

See all

Everyone we spoke to about Halifax mentioned this place. It's clearly a local favorite--almost a point of pride. So we came in with high expectations. It's a beautiful restaurant with a great patio and truly excellent service. The vibe is polished, and you can tell the team knows how to run a smooth operation. But... the food didn't wow me. I had the lobster roll, and while it was fine, we'd had better elsewhere during our trip. Given all the hype, I left a bit underwhelmed. One thing I noticed--the same group seems to own several spots along the waterfront. They're well-run, no doubt, but they lean heavily into the safe, Western fare that suits the tourist crowd. Nothing wrong with that, but if you're looking for something bold or unexpected, this might not be the place. Still, for the views and service alone, it's worth a visit. Just go in with your expectations in check. read more

The Bicycle Thief - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

More than good food. I went here for the name and location. After a day at work, went here for late lunch early dinner. I sat outside near the water and watched the people and boats go by. I started with the mussels which were good. The plate was enough for two, even three or four to share. For dinner I had the shrimp fra diavolo. This was a home run. The flavor was very good. Many times the spice is lacking but at bicycle thief it was just right. Not overpowering but you know it's there. Where bicycle thief excels is the service and friendliness of the waitstaff. They seemed to really enjoy working together and with the customers. They were attentive but not overbearing. I highly recommend going to the bicycle thief when in Halifax. read more

The Bicycle Thief - Shrimp Fra Diavolo - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

See all

Review is based on dinner and lunch two days later. This place has a good vibe. A little noisy but good energy in my opinion. Server greeted us right of way. Ordered my usual bourbon Manhattan and was told they don't have any Bourbon. What??? Tariffs evidently all bourbon is American. So switched to Crown Royal (which is Canadian). Ok I found out later the pour of alcohol is consistent in the country. That explains the three Manhattans lol. Appetizer of scallops was tasty. My wife had the mussels appetizer and said they were the best she has had. I got the cioppino and my wife got the lobster ravioli. She loved the ravioli and I loved the cioppino. Full of fresh seafood including mussels, shrimp, crab and small lobster tail, and fish including halibut and salmon. The sauce was excellent and a nice piece of toasted buttery bread to dunk in it. Dessert was butterscotch / caramel cake which was outstanding. Highly suggest saving room for this. Service by Ethiopia was great. Dinner was a 5! Returned for lunch and my wife had a lobster roll which I wasn't blown away by. I ordered fish cakes which I didn't care for the taste. Service by Matty was very good but our food choices weren't on par with dinner. Lunch was a 4 read more

See all

We LOVED The Bicycle Thief! We sat outside by the water which was so nice. Our waitress was so friendly and made good recommendations. We absolutely loved the scallops and fried calamari apps. The fall of the bone short rib was phenomenal and someone at the table must order it!! It's a huge portion so everyone got a bite. The crab ravioli was awesome and the burger and salmon entrees were also very good! Highly recommend!!! read more

See all

We recently tried The Bicycle Thief and had a mixed experience. The calamari came with a blended-style batter that wasn't particularly memorable, but the aïoli alongside it was really delicious. We also ordered a steak sandwich, and when it was served, the server oddly commented that "it's nothing special," which felt like something we should have been told before ordering. The sandwich itself was just okay, though the gravy was excellent and stood out as the best part of the dish. The fries were crisp but otherwise unremarkable. On the brighter side, the homemade focaccia was soft and fresh, and the roasted red pepper hummus was quite good. Service was super friendly but SUPER slow. Like really slow. Don't stop here if you're in a rush. The ambiance in here is amazing though. Five stars for vibe. Since this restaurant is known for its pasta and we didn't try any, I can't speak to their specialty, but based on our overall experience I would give it three stars. read more

What a lovely restaurant with wonderful ambiance! Our waiter was attentive and had a great personality. All his recommendations for the food were spot on and everything was great! The oysters were so fresh and delicious with the freshly grated horseradish! I would highly recommend this restaurant but make reservations because they are always super busy! read more

The Bicycle Thief - Oysters and tuna tartar. - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

What an awesome dining experience! Upscale without being pretentious. From the warm greeting by the hostess, to the exceptional service from Paige. I heard her twice ask the kitchen for a 'special' for a diner. The mussels are sublime. So tender, with a deep rich broth. Paige brought a little extra focaccia to further enjoy the broth. The lobster roll was so fresh! Nice soft bun, and a great light salad accompaniment. The single scoop of sorbetto was more like a double...such a nice refreshing end to the meal. Plus...there's the view, which even on a misty, overcast day was beautiful. And fun to watch the people stroll by on the wharf! read more

See all

4.5/5 overall, for food, service, and ambiance. Hip popular restaurant, a little pricier than others. Interesting cocktails. Very dark restaurant read more

The Bicycle Thief - Cioppino - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

See all

TL;DR/The Short Version: Excellent food at this charming Bistro down by the waterfront. The Long Version: At the time of the writing of this review, The Bicycle Thief has over 800 reviews on Yelp, so it certainly does not need my positive review, lol. This restaurant is incredibly popular. My husband and I went here for lunch. I had the Lobster Roll ($29) which comes with fries and a salad. He got the Crab Ravioli with poached shrimps ($30). My lobster roll was fantastic. It was a bit smaller in size than other lobster rolls I've had in Halifax, but it was filled with lobster and was delicious. The fries were shoestring fries, which are my favourite type. They were crispy and I loved them. They were sprinkled with both salt and pepper. The salad was a mixed greens salad and allowed me to feel somewhat healthy about my meal, haha. I asked for the dressing on the side and it arrived as requested. The dressing was a sweet vinaigrette which I enjoyed. I would definitely get this again. Surprisingly it's only on their lunch menu and is not available at dinner. My husband's crab ravioli was a small portion. Only 6 ravioli and 2 shrimp. However, he absolutely loved it. I had half a ravioli and it was rich and full of crab. He was however, still hungry after finishing his plate in no time, lol. I shared my lunch with him so it was all good. We shared the Coconut Semifreddo ($14) for dessert. It's a ball of coconut ice cream coated in hardened chocolate, cut in half. It's plated with grilled pineapple, honeycomb sponge toffee, shortbread crumble and toasted coconut. Very tasty. My husband also had a coffee ($3.50). Service was pleasant. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. We ate indoors. The decor is old school bistro and very cool looking. I totally understand why it's popular. (181) read more

See all

We visited here while it was raining. We were visiting Halifax with a dog. They were more than accommodating. They cleaned up a wet spot on the patio for us. We had lobster roll which was great, seafood chowder and fish cakes which were both very good! Would definitely recommend this place! Very friendly and accommodating staff! read more

See all

This was one of my favorite places in Halifax when I visited. We lucked out getting a corner table outside so we could view the water and there was live music playing outside. June is lobster season so of course we had to get lobster. My husband got the lobster pasta, which was very good. I ordered the lobster roll which had large chunks of lobster and tasted great. I would highly recommend coming here. Their menu was very extensive and had a lot of good options to choose from. read more

The Bicycle Thief - Lobster roll - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

See all

Spent two nights in Halifax about a week apart, first night this place was packed, so we skipped it. Last night in town we made it into the restaurant, sat outside, they have blankets, I should have used one. The food here was amazing and the service was fabulous. read more

A great place to dine by the waterfront for any occasion. Food: 5/5 - a great selection of food from vegan to seafood for all types of diners. We had the vegan pasta with mushrooms and lobster roll. The roll was fresh and delicious. It came with bowl salad and fries. Portions were a decent size. If you enjoy seafood, this is the place. Service: 5/5 - server was friendly and offered selections to choose from. Ambiance: 5/5 - nice and comfy vibe to the place. read more

See all

Came here for lunch and their lobster rolls and scallops are amazing!! There's no wait and their seafood are very fresh!! Highly recommended. Sit outside if possible so you will have sea views read more

We visited The Bicycle Thief after seeing it highly recommended in the area, and it definitely lived up to the buzz. I had the red ravioli; it was rich and flavorful, though just a touch on the salty side for my taste. My husband went with a dozen oysters, which were incredibly fresh and served ice-cold, just the way they should be. The drinks were expertly crafted, and the service was absolutely impeccable: attentive, professional, and warm. It's a lively spot with a great atmosphere, perfect for a special night out in Halifax. read more

See all

I'm not even sure where to begin. I've eaten at hundreds of restaurants in my lifetime and this place is by far the best I've ever experienced. We sat at the bar where Matt and Ben took care of our every want. I had my first Caesar drink (the best cocktail I have ever had). My husband drank from the local beer selection and could not have been more pleased. Every single aspect of this meal was on point. The atmosphere was gentle yet bustling. The servers were kind and welcoming, providing the cruise ship patrons either excellent service. Matt and Ben knew how to transition from each meal course, and we felt no pressure from them at all. I like not being in a hurry when I eat. The tuna tartar and the scallops got the experience rolling, followed by the steak sandwich and crab ravioli. I don't remember ever being so satisfied with each course and with the service, ever. If we ever make it back to Nova Scotia, we will absolutely make our way back here. The Bicycle Thief, you have trained your folks appropriately and it shows. Thank you for this experience. Ben and Matt, kudos to your work ethic and expertise read more

See all

Not really sure what we should've ordered, but we weren't impressed with the lauded Burger or Lobster Roll. We liked the fries and happily dipped them in the Creamy Herb (included Tarragon) dressing. We felt like we "wasted" a dining opportunity here. But our server was efficient and friendly. They obviously have a fervent fan base so we'd have to try different entrees next time. read more

The Bicycle Thief - Good fries - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

See all

We had a very nice late lunch - as they so busy that only 3:45 was available - was great experience The mussels were spot on! Crab Ravioli and Salad with crab great as well Location and service were very good - cannot go wrong here at the fun Halifax waterfront read more

Top notch 10 out of 10 on absolutely everything. This place was a real unexpected treat. The service was incredibly friendly and professional. The food was outstanding. So many highlights, but the seafood pastas were legit. From lobster to mixed seafood they will customize anything. The scallops were cooked to perfection. The restaurant is very busy so book a reso. The atmosphere is fun and casual. A must stop in Halifax. read more

See all

The restaurant serves a seafood forward Italian menu. And their seared local scallops ($17; 3 to an order we added a fourth) was a favourite dish for our table. Deceptively simple looking, the crustaceans are pressed into finely crushed almonds, so the golden seared crust also has a crispiness to it. The added richness and crunchiness pairs wonderfully with the yuzu beurre blanc, which made me wish I had saved bread for dipping into the buttery sauce. I'd recommend swapping out the sesame cucumber "spaghetti" for diced cucumber instead. The long tendrils were too messy to get onto the bread and overpowers the fish in the yellowfin tuna tartare ($16). They should also substitute the too crunchy crostini for another base, perhaps large taro chips to go along with the other Asian theme ingredients. Nevertheless, the tartare was fresh and flavourful with the pickled ginger, wasabi cream, and creamy avocado. There was the perfect amount of heat in the linguine fra diavolo ($28), the garlicky tomato sauce covering each piece of the thick and chewy spaghetti. While the five prawns were perhaps a touch overcooked, they were still meaty and delicious. The rack of lamb ($54) was cooked to perfection, the meat juicy and tasty on its own having been covered with rosemary and Dijon mustard. On the other hand, the side was polarizing - my friends loved the sweety and salty combination of the Amarena cherries, potato, and pancetta. Cherries with meat? Not for me, thank you. My second favourite dish also incorporated scallops, except in the risotto con Capesante ($32) they didn't have an almond crust. Instead, they're served with a hefty portion and creamy risotto studded with peas and crispy prosciutto. Both the seafood and rice were cooked beautifully. We're told the butterscotch caramel cake ($14) is the only dessert The Bicycle Thief has kept on the menu since its inception. And after seeing slices whizzing by us to other tables, I had to try this layered cake. It's sweet, creamy, and nutty, reminding me of the caramel crunch cake from La Rocca, except the meringue is replaced with sponge cake and crusted toasted pecans. Normally, I'm not a fan of very sugary desserts but this one was delicious. read more

See all

Worth Every Bite‼ We walked into The Bicycle Thief with high expectations and they nailed it! It's located right on the Halifax waterfront, the kind of place where the air smells like salt and good cooking. The staff was friendly, the service was smooth, and the food was flat-out excellent. We had a fresh salad, soft pillowy gnocchi, and pasta with sausage that was packed with flavor. They recommended a local beer that only they carry and it hit the spot. Prices were fair, the view was great, and the whole place just had that easy, confident feel of a kitchen that knows exactly what it's doing. read more

Food was great, nicely portioned and priced for a downtown restaurant. The flavours of EVERY dish we order was just right and the seafood tasted fresh, only complaint is the pasta noodles were too soft, I prefer my pasta more Al dente. We ordered the Sear local Scallops, calamari, Linguine Aragosta, and Spaghettini fruits de mar. The decor and ambiance of this restaurant makes it great for a date night! It's a little noisy for a first date but anything besides that should be good. Dimly lighting and cozy upscale decor. The washrooms could use a little love and more lighting 2 out of the 3 stalls in the women's washroom was out of toilet paper and lightbulbs burnt out so it was super dark. Our waiter was freely and nice, nothing extra special. I would have preferred if our waters were refilled automatically without having to ask but not a big deal, (it's the little gestures that make a good tip into a great tip) Would definitely recommend to others to come try the food here, specifically seafood related dishes! read more

See all

Saw The Bicycle Thief on Yelp when looking for a place for lunch. The excellent reviews are definitely well deserved. When we got there they were busy but the hostess treated us so graciously and found us a table right on the water. The outside tables are so cute with soft wraps for you draped over your chair in case you find the outside air a little cool. Reminded me of the osterias in Venice. Our server helped us pick dishes that were local favorites and they did not disappoint. My favorite of the savory dishes we tried was the lobster and corn chowder. I must confess after getting home I immediately looked for a recipe that might be somewhat like it and discovered The Bicycle Thief has won awards for this chowder. I am not surprised. It was like a really long simmered, deeply flavored yet still light vegetable soup with lobster. Absolutely delicious. Our server let us know the butterscotch cake was not to be missed and she was totally right. It had a rich brown sugar cake with a butterscotch cream cheese frosting and an amazing butterscotch drizzle. They gave us a large piece that would have fed 4 but the two of us ate the whole thing. It was the best dessert I have had in a long, long time. Beautiful location; friendly, helpful, welcoming staff; and delicious, thoughtful food. Definitely not to be missed while in port in Halifax. read more

The Bicycle Thief - Beautiful day for great Italian food! - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Great food at a great restaurant. My wife and I were there for an anniversary lunch. They surprised us with a complementary dessert which was a lovely touch. read more

This is a popular restaurant in Bishop's Landing area. Was recommended by a few of the locals. Food (5/5) - very strong menu with lots of choice and some creative options: - Cioppino - this was an outstanding fisherman's stew and the highlight of the meal. Just the perfect mix of seafood, veggies and a very tasty stew. Lots of seafood included and all were solid. The stew was so good I soaked up every bit with the tasty garlic bread. - Seared Scallops - really nice mix of fresh scallops, panko crust, Yuzu drizzle and almonds - Fresh Oysters - local Halifax farm and great taste - 12 Layer Chocolate Cake - very good, moist and not too rich but just enough Service (4.75/5) - another strong point, server knew his stuff and had good recommendations and descriptions. Friendly hostesses at the front too. It's a popular place so walk-in may require a wait. Atmosphere (4.5/5) - darker, semi-upscale feel but old style pictures, fixtures and charm. Right on the boardwalk by the water so some views depending on your table. Overall (4.75/5) - very impressed with the restaurant and a definite repeat/recommendation. Overall, pricing is reasonable imo. If they put this restaurant on King Street in Toronto, it would be booked almost every night and charging 50% more. read more

See all

I enjoyed my fettuccine with meatballs last night, with the jumbo shrimp as a starter. The sauce that accompanied the shrimp was delicious; I asked for more bread to soak it up. My friend and I had no reservation so we sat at the bar which worked just dandy. Quick and attentive service although the place was very busy. I enjoyed my Old Fashioned as well. Good job staff! read more

The Bicycle Thief - Old Fashioned done well! - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

The place seems like the go spot for locals AND tourists. The employees were amazing and our server was quite the character. The place itself felt as big which would explain the seating options for outside with heating. It looks big, but the wait to get in sometimes can be long so prep ahead. Food: we ordered oysters, a tomato/tofu salad, jumbo shrimps, all delicious. I got the pasta with mussels, shrimp and scallops, which was also delicious. I would definitely return. read more

The Bicycle Thief - Italian Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

See all

Even though it was highly rated on Yelp, it exceeded our expectations- ambience, cocktails, wine list and of course - the food. And dessert- I don't even like butterscotch but after watching several pieces go by, we had to try the caramel butterscotch cake. It was...transcendent! Even though it was Friday night full, we had reservations and were seated immediately and noise level was perfectly acceptable. If there was a sixth star, I'd give it! read more

We ate here twice during our visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Both times the food was quite good and we read that this was one of the most highly rated restaurants in Halifax. The first time we were seated in the back of the restaurant by the bar, but the second time we asked for a table in the front room. We liked the seating second time better. Both times the food was quite good. Seafood is the King. Favorites were: Downeast Fresh Lobster Roll Lobster & Corn Chowder Jumbo Shrimp sautéed with garlic Housemade Fish Cakes Downside was the packed restaurant on both days and screaming babies who detracted some from the otherwise upscale seaside ambiance. But we have been there ourselves and understand that babies happen. read more

Food and service were great! Would not hesitate to go back when visiting again. Had the lobster rolls, scallops and chowder.

Five stars. One of the best meals we've had in Halifax. We came to The Bicycle Thief on a very cold night, and the warm ambience and cozy fires made it such a welcoming place to settle in. It felt like the perfect spot to escape the chill and enjoy a great meal. Our server, Arda, was fantastic--friendly, attentive, and made everything feel easy and unrushed. Plus, he went above and beyond to make my two parents, who are both turning 80, feel very special. We shared the mussels and calamari to start (both were excellent), then each had our own mains. The seafood dishes stood out--fresh, rich in flavor, and clearly made with care. We finished with coffees and espressos, along with three kinds of gelato: vanilla, pistachio, and brown butter. All were great, but the brown butter was unforgettable. Top-to-bottom, just a great experience. read more