If I were prone to exaggeration, I would say that going to a big-box chain restaurant is the culinary equivalent of being at the bottom of Jame Gumb’s well. If someone surreptitiously brought me to a Jack Montana’s East Side Pizza-type restaurant, the parking lot would have a trail of claw marks and broken fingernails […]
Food + Drink
Restaurant reviews and ratings for Halifax, Nova Scotia, featuring articles about the best new downtown Halifax and Dartmouth NS restaurants, fine dining, pubs, seafood, local bars, chefs, beer, donairs, pizzas, vegetarian and organic food and more.
Pedal to the mellow
Gus’ Pub & Grill “Whenever we have big metal shows, we order extra Olands,” says Jake Cuming, a bartender at Gus’. He stresses Olands, Olands, and more Olands. Plus cheap draughts. And whiskey shots—“The hard stuff.” 2605 Agricola Street, 423-7786 The Company House CoHo owner Mary Ann Daye suggests a bit of the hard stuff […]
All those jazz bars
Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs You can get your fill of some killer blues music pretty much every night of the week at Bearly’s. It boasts such local acts as Morgan Davis, Roger Howse and Garett Mason. At this classic-looking joint, you’ll always feel welcome as you mix with a crowd of young and […]
Caribbean Twist makes us shout
An open space with a scattering of tables, Caribbean Twist has a modest, take-out joint feel. The walls are bright yellow and orange. Potted palms and other greenery weave around the tables, and a bank of windows at the front of the restaurant offers a bright wash of natural light. All together, there is a […]
Pale ales in comparison
After spending a week eating and drinking in Halifax over the holidays, I began to notice a pattern in my beer consumption: I was consistently forgoing extreme brews in favour of lighter, more quaffable pale ales. This is no insult to the highly characterful and bitter IPAs that garner a lot of attention, at least […]
Fruit flavoured beers: Brews with bite
Halifax Alehouse The Alehouse has plenty to choose from when it comes to pleasing your beer belly. But for those less enthusiastic about traditional flavours, the bar’s Pump House Blueberry Ale is sure to satisfy all tastes. It’s light, refreshing and flavourful—a yummy treat for anyone who prefers a fruitier drink. 1717 Brunswick Street, 423-6113 […]
Members-only Bars: private drinking in Halifax.
Resolutes Club Membership is $10/year. Members get access to free pool, free darts, shuffleboard and the ultimate giveaway: occasional free drink tickets! Two members are needed to represent newbies, but don’t cause a ruckus and you can count yourself in. You can visit three times before signing up and are always sure to find a […]
Take a Greek vacation at Estia
If I close my eyes tight enough, opening the door on the cold, salty curb of Spring Garden Road into the doors of Estia feels like walking into my own personal Narnia. Crossing the threshold, I step out of winter into the warmth of a summer day in Greece. The air hangs heavy, warm with […]
Creating sparkling duos with champagne
The Liberace of holidays, New Year’s Eve is all about sparkle. From fireworks to sequins to sparklers to wine, everybody is looking for a little more razzle and a lot more dazzle. And if your drink can erase Ryan Seacrest’s spray-tanned face in a haze of bubbles by the time the ball drops, so much […]
New Years’ bubbly drinks checklist
Moet Dom Perignon Whether you’re a rapper or just have a general predilection for ballin’, nothing says extravagance like a $200 bottle of Dom P. You can sip it reflectively or, for the ultimate fuck-you to poor people, spray it around like you’ve just won the Tour de France. Piper-Heidsieck Recession got you down? Piper-Heidsieck […]
2009: The year in new restaurants
View New on the Scene 2009 in a larger map If we missed any, please let us know at shoptalk@thecoast.ca
How to bribe Santa with cookies
Now that it’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, shifty-eyed tots around the world are breaking into a nervous sweat whenever the words “naughty or nice” come up. But before they take that long Christmas Eve walk down the red and green mile to their rooms, think about giving the naughtier children in your […]

