Quinpool & West End
One of Halifax’s small business arteries supplies diners with Korean, Japanese and Lebanese flavours, and the ruler of donair throne.
Quinpool ARDMORE TEA ROOM
Sometimes all you need is a thick milkshake served in an old-fashioned glass with a jumbo straw, or perhaps a hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes to shake off your woes. The classic diner fare at this institution is always cheap and cheerful; expect a crowd on the weekends for the popular breakfast. 6499 Quinpool Road, 902-423-7523
ATHENS RESTAURANT
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1982, expect fast and friendly service, consistently excellent souvlaki, moussaka and other Greek specialties, and inexpensive Canadian specialties—seafood, wraps and burgers—in large portions fill the tables at this popular eatery. 6273 Quinpool Road, 902-422-1595
THE B-WELL SUSHI AND CAFE
This self-described ’90s-style New York sushi place serves up the expected (and demanded) classic rolls like California and salmon, tempura and miso soup, as well as a myriad of ramen and udon noodles. If you want to step outside the bento box, there are some adventurous additions: try the Banana Bonanza Roll with lightly fried banana and wasabi mayo. 6184 Quinpool Road, 902-428-4019
BIONE KOREAN AND JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Formerly Rich Forest restaurant, this Korean-japanese restaurant has the same affordable menu featuring Korean table BBQ, sushi, homemade noodles, vegetarian fare and a mighty fine bi bim bap. 6300 Quinpool Road, 902-407-3811
BLUE OLIVE GREEK TAVERNA
The food is hellas good at this upscale Greek taverna, serving traditional souvlaki, moussaka and pastitsio. Local ingredients like Nova Scotia lamb are used in the burger and enjoyed among white washed walls and shuttered blue windows. . 6196 Quinpool Road, 902-407-3000
BRAMOSO PIZZERIA AND BEER BAR
Bramoso has always had its mind on the local. A gourmet pizzeria that lets the Nova Scotian ingredients shine on its brick-oven pies (which can be gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, by the way), this Quinpool local upped the service ante this year, expanding its space to add 20 more seats and become Bramoso Pizzeria and Beer Bar, letting the local craft beer shine, too. 6169 Quinpool Road, 902-425-2222
DILLY DALLY EATS
Opening in June 2016, Dilly Dally is a licensed cafe in the former Second Cup space on Quinpool that shines a light on small batches— serving local coffee, food, wine and beer. 6100 Quinpool Road
EAST COAST BAKERY
The fresh-baked bread smell returns to Quinpool with East Coast Bakery, which specializes in the delicacy that is Montreal bagels. 6257 Quinpool Road, 902-429-6257
ENERGY BAR AT ORGANIC EARTH
A wee cafe within the grocery store makes super-powered smoothies, juices, espresso drinks, herbal teas, sandwiches and desserts. 6487 Quinpool Road
FREEMAN’S LITTLE NEW YORK
What hits the spot at 3am at the almost 60-year-old eatery? Well, there’s the Coney Island Sampler, a collection of delicately fried appetizers, including garlic-laden bread knots, fries, pepperoni and fingers of mozza, zucchini and chicken. 6092 Quinpool Road, 902-429-0241
HEARTWOOD
Few plates and bowls in Halifax are this green. Halifax’s much-loved vegan and vegetarian restaurant prepares its local and organic centric dishes with a serious focus on natural—meaning these eats are fresh, unrefined and unprocessed. The coffee is fair trade, the wine is organic and the sour dough bread is out of this world. Try the Wild Card salad, one of Heartwood’s famous bowls or its new selection of glutenfree burgers. 6250 Quinpool Road, 902-425-2808
KING OF DONAIR
One of the many palaces in the KOD kingdom, serving up Best of Food award-winning donairs, big-ass slices and other cheesy delights. 6420 Quinpool Road, 902-421-0000
THE OTHER BEAN
This licensed boutique coffee house boasts a chic interior, offering locally roasted coffee, tea and specialty drinks. The cafe also specializes in gourmet sandwiches including the I Ham what I Ham and Rabbit Food, for the veggie eaters among us. The back deck is a great place to grab a place and kick back in warm weather. 6220 Quinpool Road, 902-444-7555
JI XIANG SUSHI
Ji Xiang replaced the long-serving China Classic, offering authentic sichuan eats that’d tingle your tastebuds big time. But its made another transformation, now Ji Xiang has swapped sweet heat for rocking rolls, preying on our gluttonous side with its all-you-can-eat sushi selection. 6311 Quinpool Road, 902-429-2828
MEZZA LEBANESE RESTAURANT
Contemporary natureinspired design and soft lighting makes this Lebanese restaurant a bright light in Quinpool’s bustling restaurant scene. In keeping with the unique look, Mezza specializes in tapas-style menus. Pick from set three-course menus, or build your own meal of hot and cold mezzet and entrees. Mezza’s selection of local produce and lamb, along with spices imported direct from Lebanon, puts it in a class of its own. Everything is prepared in-house with special attention paid to taste and quality. 6386 Quinpool Road, 902-444-3914
PHIL’S SEAFOOD
O Captain! My Captain! Rise up and try the fish! Catch of the day at this seafood restaurant includes scallops, clams, haddock or shrimp— coated in breadcrumbs or poached, served with homemade tartar sauce and homecut fries—and as a bonus, you’ll still have a couple doubloons left in your pocket. 6285 Quinpool Road, 902-431-3474
ORGANIC EARTH MARKET
A store with a conscience. This local grocer offers organic groceries, fresh produce, green health products, natural cleaning and and chemicalfree beauty products. 6485 Quinpoo Road, 902-425-7400
RELISH GOURMET BURGERS
At this local franchise of the New Brunswick gourmet burger joint you can expect a loud, enthusiastic welcome to go along with those juicy, thick burgers (both the meat and vegetarian kind). Choose from a list of tasty toppings, including crispy onion frites, pepper jack cheese, pickled peppers, pancetta bacon, brie cheese, grainy dijon mustard, sliced avocado, roasted peppers and tzatziki sauce. Then take a seat and wait for the chorus of workers to call out your name. 6024 Quinpool Road, 902-474-4152
SEASONS BY ATLANTICA
Some people like an after-work drink on Fridays to help the week’s stresses float away. But here you’ll find that and then some. Some being
delectable, locally-inspired cuisine, weekly live music and a panoramic the view of the Common, Seasons is a wise choice year-round. Atlantica Hotel, 1980 Robie Street, 902-490-3331
SHAWARMA STOP
A takeout and catering spot serving up chicken, beef, fish, tofu shawarma, kafta, kebabs, falafel and delectable dips. Tasty, quick and flavourful! 6290 Quinpool Road, 422-0068
SICILIAN PIZZA, DONAIRS & SUBS
Presenting, the pizza slice that doesn’t quit—yet another location of the legendary Home of the Big Slice, Sicilian Pizza. 6302 Quinpool Road, 902-455-5555
SONG’S KOREAN RESTAURANT
A Korean eatery with reasonably priced specials and all the delicious marinated rib dishes you can shake a Yut stick at. 6249 Quinpool Road, 902-444-3030
SWEET HEREAFTER CHEESECAKERY
If your last meal was at this dessertaddicts dream, you’d be going out on a really high note. Dozens and dozens of rich flavours of homemade cheesecake, both traditional and out- of-the-ordinary, plus Laughing Whale organic coffee and tea, make this pretty Quinpool spot a divine dining choice. 6148 Quinpool Road, 902-404-8001
THAI IVORY CUISINE
The second location of Bedford’s favourite Thai resto brings over 100 choices of flavourful rice, noodle, curry dishes offering great lunch specials, catering and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. 6303 Quinpool Road, 902-431-8424
TRULY TASTY RAMEN AND DUMPLINGS
Homemade dumplings are the name of the game, with a variety of sauces (sriracha, chili, soy sauce, vinegar) and noodles, noodles, noodles. Fried chicken ramen—you are everything. 6214 Quinpool Road, 902-407-4047
OWASABI HOUSE
Our readers have repeatedly called this Halifax’s Best Sushi for a reason. Wasabi House has quickly become a go-to spot for fresh fish, creative creations and killer service. Whether meeting friends for a quick lunch special, or snuggling up for an intimate dinner, Wasabi’s large menu’s got you covered, and the best? The nightly Happy Hour eats from 9pm until close—the perfect post-movie night- cap (if you prefer your nightcaps a bit fishy). 6403 Quinpool Road, 902-429-8858
YANJING CHINESE RESTAURANT
Yanjing will satisfy even your wildest Chinese food cravings. From traditional beef, tofu and duck plates, to Canadian Chinese chow mein, this place has got it all. 6430 Quinpool Road, 902- 423-2587
West End THE ARMVIEW RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Don Draper would love the Armview’s cozy retro-chic atmosphere, and so would you. A focus on fresh and from-scratch cooking and twists on the classics make this diner a pleasure for anyone to keep coming back to. Burger lovers should definitely try some of the Armview’s innovative options like the Hyland or the lamb burger. 7156 Chebucto Road, 902-455-4395
DIMITRI’S PIZZA
A family business known for classic pizzas galore, plus donairs, salads, sandwiches, since 1987, Dimitri’s has been an unassuming west end institution that doesn’t quit. 6469 Chebucto Road, 902-453-5333
EURO PIZZA
This pizzeria is well worth the trip off the beaten path, out along St. Margarets Bay Road. In the summer you can sit at one of the plastic tables outside, scarfing down one of Metro’s best slices. Some advice from a seasoned Euro Pizza veteran: Try the chicken platter, and wash it down with a serving of homemade Greek yogurt with honey and nuts and your life will never be the same. 31 St. Margarets Bay Road, 902-479-7979
FRIES & CO.
When it comes to fish and chips, there’s golden-brown deliciousness, and there’s golden-brown deliciousness. Then there’s Fries & Co. The aroma alone lets you know you’re in for a treat. Smothered in ketchup, drowning in malt vinegar, sprinkled in salt. 2603 Connolly Street, 902-455-5250
THE GOOD FOOD EMPORIUM
Known as much for its laidback, relaxed atmosphere as for its homemade bread and hearty daily specials, this community restaurant north end favourite. Look for some of the best fishcakes and chutney in town, a champion breakfast menu and the favourite of many, the avocado, cheese and tomato medley better known as the Ghettosocks sandwich. 2186 Windsor Street, 902-422-3150
HALIFAX SHOPPING CENTRE FOOD COURT
Give those tired feet (and credit cards) a break. Choose from one of the many chain standards—manchu Wok, Thai Express, A&W, Dairy Queen (or the one local star, Mezza)—grab a seat and watch everyone else spend their dough. 7001 Mumford Road
JAPANESE & KOREAN FOOD MARKET HEIWA
Adventurous chefs and sushi enthusiasts will love this tiny store, hidden in the shadow of The Bay. Plenty of Japanese foodstuffs—sticky rice, vinegar, nori seaweed, wasabi and more—plus amazing homemade dumplings, fresh or frozen. 7018 Chebucto Road, 902-455-8383
LA PIAZZA RESTO & CAFE
Whether you’re soaking up rays on its sunny patio, or toasty warm inside, La Piazza wows with its stoneoven pizzas, its weekend brunch and its wine and beer selection. 6430 Chebucto Road, 902-404-5885
LOCAL JO CAFE & MARKET
Settle the tots in their special play area and enjoy a specialty fair trade coffee or the house made chai one of its famously delicious treats. Still hungry? You’ll also find farmers’ market produce, free-range items and freshly baked Vendenne breads. 2959 Oxford Street, 902-455-6225
LOOK HO HO RESTAURANT
Look Ho Ho first opened in 1959. Ever since then they’ve been serving Haligonians abundant amounts of Canadian Chinese cuisine that comforts. Look Ho Ho boasts a variety of combination options and dishes, as well as a friendly staff. 6420 Bayers Road, 902-455-5479
THE MINDFUL MANGO CAFE
The Mindful Mango serves specialty coffee and soups, sandwiches and salads, made from in-house recipes, using locally sourced and fairly traded ingredients. The Mango’s also a socially conscious business aimed at helping its employees discover their paths to self-sufficiency. 7071 Bayers Road, 902-455-9686
PAPA MARIO’S PIZZA
Slice up your life, with pizza, pizza, pizza, pasta, wings, donair egg rolls and other takeout treats just waiting to be delivered to your door . 6954 Mumford Road, 902-421-2121
WILD LEEK FOOD & JUICE BAR
The delicious brainchild of local vegan culinary artist and food blogger Kirsten Taggart brings a refreshing dose of vegan and vegetarian eats—and a juice bar—to west-end Halifax. 2156 Windsor Street, 902-444-5466