We came to Water Polo for dinner on our first night in Halifax, and I couldn't have picked a better place 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. read more

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Nut allergy friendly: they're very allergen conscious here if you inform the staff. They've got some 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. read more

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A Surprise Favourite - So Good We Came Back for Dinner (Wife's Birthday!) We originally stopped into Water Polo just for drinks before another dinner reservation... but this place completely blew us away--so much so that we came back the next night for a full dinner to celebrate my wife's birthday. And we're so glad we did. From the moment you walk in, it's clear how much attention to detail has gone into this place. They've truly thought of everything. The vibe is sleek but welcoming, and every element--from the decor to the drinks--feels intentional and elevated. We started with cocktails, which were creative and full of personality, and we were pleasantly surprised by the free bar snacks--which ended up being a highlight on their own! They served a dish of tajin cashews, fresh sea salt kettle chips, and the most incredible truffle oil popcorn. Such a cool, unexpected bonus that made our visit feel extra special. We also loved their selection of craft beers, which were well-curated and offered a nice variety. When we returned for dinner the next night, we were treated to a truly memorable meal. My wife had been eyeing the snow crab pasta, and it lived up to the hype--fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared. I ordered the short ribs, which were tender, deeply flavourful, and paired with some of the best mashed potatoes I've had in a long time. Our server was fantastic--attentive, friendly, and made the evening feel personal. She even surprised us with a special dessert topped with a sparkler for my wife's birthday. Such a thoughtful gesture that meant a lot. Water Polo goes above and beyond--from the food and drinks to the service and atmosphere. They clearly hold themselves to a high standard, and it shows in every detail. Highly, highly recommend. read more

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We had the best evening at Water Polo, right on the Halifax waterfront. Sitting out on the patio with the fireplaces glowing, it felt cozy yet lively. The restaurant had blankets for when it got cold. The food was just as impressive: Bread - We were given bread to start which came with this lovely lobster infused olive oil. At the end of our meal, we purchased 2 bottles of this olive oil. Miso Black Cod - This isn't a dish I'd normally order, but it completely won me over. The fish was buttery and tender, with a miso glaze that struck the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Every bite was layered with flavor and texture. Spaghetti Alla Chitarra - Easily the best scallops I had in Halifax -perfectly seared bursting with flavour. I wish there were more. Oysters - Fresh and briny, exactly what you'd hope for when dining by the ocean. Mussels & Frites - The mussels were small but delicious. Beef & Scallop Dumplings - The taste was good but the texture was a bit too soft for my liking. Between the waterfront views, the warmth of the fire, and the standout dishes, Water Polo made for an unforgettable night. One less star because the service was slow. read more

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Absolutely delicious! The service was amazing, the waiter was very friendly and giving us advice on neat places to go in Halifax! The restaurant is beautiful, right on the harbour! read more

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Everything was fantastic! The food was delicious. The crème brûlée was outstanding! I would highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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Have you ever ordered a seafood tower and felt instant regret the moment it arrives? Not here--this one is pure joy from the first glance! It came loaded with a dozen gorgeous oysters from three different regions, plump chilled shrimp, sweet lobster, bluefin tuna, tuna tartare, fragrant chilled mussels, and--because I couldn't resist--I asked them to throw on some fresh scallops however the chef wanted to prepare them. They delivered perfection. My son was in heaven, and since we were already celebrating raw flavors, we added the steak tartare for good measure. What a decadent, delicious, and surprisingly light lunch. Worth every penny--this is how a seafood tower should be done! Oh, best cheesecake I ever had. Mark great Job, this place I would recommend without reservations. read more

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I'm back adding more to my 5 star review -- tried more food menu options which all were to die for! read more

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We are visiting on a day that there are a lot of cruise ships in port. I called ahead to see if they had availability and they actually answered the phone. Kudos to them!!! They said we had options to sit at the bar or at a table. We chose to sit at the bar. The bartenders are warm and inviting. I asked for a recommendation and was given help in a choice of wine. There was no push to upsell, just kind thoughts. The ambiance is so wonderful. Open and full of light. A definite place for brunch or lunch. If coming back to this town, I would not hesitate to return and work our way through the menu. Enjoy! read more

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Pictured are two pasta dishes but the cod dish was the best thing. Good service. Overall good experience. read more

Water Polo - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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The food was exceptional and the service was really great! Highly recommend this restaurant. It is a bit noisy inside (the patio is much nicer but there was a long wait to sit outside). read more

Water Polo - Highly recommend the dumplings and burrata appetizers. Absolutely amazing. All of the sushi options are terrific - very fresh. - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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No complaints about food. Everything was delicious! However, service was slow and whoever packaged food up to take home needs some instruction. The chocolate tart we asked to forego the gelato but they put it in the takeout container. And the steak salad was packaged on top of the bread, making it soggy. A little disappointing for such a high end restaurant. However, we will definitely be back as there are several items on menu I have yet to try and the quality is great! read more

The atmosphere is incredible, the wood detailing and the curved booths give a cruise ship vibe. The only issue was that it got a little loud from all the hard surfaces. Food was probably the best I've had. Fresh oysters, a beef tartare that was incredible, salmon Wellington done to perfection. Service was also quick and very enthusiastic. I will be going back many many more times! read more

Water Polo - Oysters and beef tartare - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Attentive staff, excellent food. My lobster bun was likely one of the best. Relatively new place only opened for three months. Even their individual restroom ( more than 8) are sparkling clean. read more

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Great atmosphere and decor, great service, food mixed. Pulpo was fantastic, sushi roll just okay, salmon Wellington way overcooked and broccolini just meh. read more

Amazing presentation and food, service is top shelf. Overall an amazing experience. read more

Excellent selection of seafood, drinks & deserts. Wonderful patio seating with views of the water and boardwalk. Settle in as there's no rush and take in the sights of Halifax. read more

As always, our visit to Water Polo was exceptional. And the staff make it especially great. The restaurant manager, Christian, is probably the hardest working restaurant manager I've ever seen. He doesn't stop. He's always checking on the guests, and pitches in and helps the servers when they need it. The servers are very hard-working too, and always personable and efficient. read more

This was absolutely wonderful. That atmosphere is fun and beautiful. The wait staff were fantastic. This place was buzzing on a Tuesday night in the shoulder season. That tells you something. We all had a variety of small plates and entrees and shared. The food was amazing. Definitely check this out. read more

Blasting loud music early in the morning disturbs both people and nature. It shows poor judgment--I wouldn't trust their food either.

On the positive side, it's a beautiful restaurant, stunning really. The rolls served to start were delicious and the desserts were wonderful as well. Service was good after a low start. The meal unfortunately was not what I would expect for the fine dining price. I chose the miso cod which I was really looking forward to but there was a very heavy cilantro component to the cucumber salad and also I believe cilantro oil. I have an aversion to cilantro but didn't mention it because it was really unexpected in that dish and not mentioned on the menu description. I would allocate my fine dining money to their sister restaurant the Bicycle thief the next time. read more

Food great - more seafood option than other options. Dinner menu a bit pricey compared to the lunch menu. Wonderful front door staff and wait staff very attentive both times we have been there. Fun atmosphere in terms of deco. And nice open space design. No loud music so a conversation can be had and making the experience enjoyable. read more

Our server Emma was outstanding. She didn't hover but was available. Knowledgeable, pleasant, read the table and knew our expectations. We will be back. read more

We are rarely ones to leave a negative review. But this place absolutely did not live up to its hype. Let's start with the service. Hostess was excellent. Server not so much. To begin, he took a long time to come see us despite an almost empty restaurant. Our drinks took at least 20 mins to arrive. another 15 mins until table buns were served. these were incredible though. another 20 mins and our meals arrived. Before the appetizer we ordered. We were told it was missed so we cancelled it. The lemon wedge had a sticker on it and the fries were missed and the hostess had to go back for them. Many apologies were made, but the service didn't improve. They brought the appetizer anyway and said it was on them. That was all though. No discount on the bill. No manager came to discuss the experience. We are visiting from out of province and have been eating our way through Halifax. We will not recommend this place, nor will we return. read more