Calling all those visiting Halifax, this article is for you! Halifax is not just the capital of Canada’s east coast seafood province, like many places, it is also home to some of the best restaurants in Canada. Whether you’re in the city visiting for work or vacation, here are five downtown Halifax restaurants that we strongly recommend for you to try while you’re here.
1. Bar Sofia - 1709 Lower Water Street
Located in the Queen’s Marquee District, Bar Sofia is a new addition to the city’s downtown restaurant scene. With highly sought-after reservations, Bar Sofia is currently considered to be one of the most popular restaurants to try.
Bar Sofia is described as a place for food lovers, artists and adventurers. It is a casual Latin restaurant and cocktail bar that showcases the vibrant essence of Latin cooking. According to their website, as you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted by classic elegance, fresh Latin energy and the surrealist artwork of Rafael Silveira.
In terms of food, their all-day menu features an array of tasty snacks and small plates such as the most addictive empanadas and vibrant salads. They also offer large plates consisting of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes best for sharing among friends and family.
2. The Bicycle Thief - 1475 Lower Water Street
Owned by The Bertossi Group, The Bicycle Thief is a favourite among all. Located in Bishop’s Landing, The Bicycle Thief is the perfect place to visit for a social dinner with friends, family or for a romantic date night with your partner as the restaurant exudes the most welcoming, relaxing, come-as-you-are atmosphere.
During the warmer months, you can expect their waterfront-facing patio seating and for the colder months, you can reserve their heated outdoor cabins for a unique dining experience. Food-wise, you can grab a bite of North American food with Italian soul during lunch, dinner or even take a seat at their wine bar for a drink or two.
Out of all the dishes offered on the menu, my personal favourite is the Spaghettini ai Frutti di Mare, a pasta dish that consists of jumbo shrimp, scallops, and mussels coated with a white wine-based sauce.
3. Sea Smoke Restaurant & Bar - 1477 Lower Water Street
This list of Halifax restaurants wouldn’t be complete without at least one seafood restaurant recommendation. Sea Smoke Restaurant & Bar is located along the boardwalk of Bishop’s Landing; if you’re seated on their patio, you can expect to enjoy the views of George’s and McNab’s Islands.
They offer the finest seafood experience on the waterfront as their chefs present their decades of experience through their dishes, serving fresh seafood infused with the best flavours of Asia, such as their popular starter, Tuna Crispy Rice. If you’re a fan of oysters, at Sea Smoke, you can find fresh, high quality, local favourites sourced from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. All-in-all, we guarantee that you’ll enjoy everything that Sea Smoke has to offer.
4. Antojo Tacos + Tequila - 1667 Argyle Street
Antojo Tacos + Tequila is located in the heart of Halifax’s restaurant and entertainment district, after grabbing tacos at Antojo, you can easily head into another nearby bar or restaurant for drinks and dessert. When dining at Antojo, you can expect a casual, lively setting, perfect for a social gathering with friends.
As the name suggests, Antojo offers an extensive selection of tacos and tequila-based cocktails. Picture this, you’re sipping on a margarita and start your dining experience with their chips and salsa as a starter, then move into devouring their pork belly tacos and then top it all off with their churros. What more can you ask for?
5. Los Toros - 5075 George Street
Last but not least, Los Toros, another restaurant located along the Halifax Waterfront. You can find Los Toros around Upper Water Street, just past the Queen’s Marquee.
If you’re craving for a family-style food experience with friends or coworkers, look no further, Los Toros offers the most exquisite food.
The menu at Los Toros will surely delight your senses as it captures the authentic taste of Spanish cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. Personally, I would recommend for you to order one of their paella dishes for the table, particularly the Paella Marinera.
Where to Stay in Downtown Halifax
Do you have the sudden urge to book a trip to Halifax? Staying downtown is extremely convenient for those travelling for work or even for those looking to just go restaurant hopping. Nonetheless, here at 365 Experience, we have you covered. Here are a list of Downtown Halifax Airbnbs that you can book for your next trip:
If you’d like to stay somewhere else, we have Airbnb rentals scattered throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality. Click here to be redirected to our Airbnb profile for the full list of our rentals.
Note: Photos attached this blog are not owned by 365 Experience Inc. No copyright infringement is intended.