Budget
Shiraz
1240 hollis st. a tiny restaurant set up in an old taxi stand. great authentic iranian cuisine at an affordable price. famous for their hot sauce, a must try with a samosa!
Your Father's Moustache
Spring garden road, +1 902 423-6766, (http://www.yourfathersmou...). pub.
Pizza Corner
3 different pizza restaurants at corner of blowers and grafton. good cheap pizza and donairs gyro-type wraps, often overflowing with meat and sauce. however, this area can descend into anarchy when the bars let out, and the restaurants often lock their bathrooms, even to customers. if you are looking for a more authentic pizza taste head up gottingen or agricola into little italy, where numerous "mom and pop" places abound.
Bud The Spud
Spring garden road. a favourite local chip fry wagon parked in front of the main library branch on spring garden during the spring and summer. try them with the malt vinegar. after you've had your fill, donate the rest of your chips to the city's ever-hungry pigeon population. try to get there early, as they've been known to run out quickly.
Split Crow
1855 granville, +1 902 422-4366, (http://www.splitcrow.com/...). long-standing pub with late week and weekend entertainment and cheap food. "power hour" brings in the crowds for cheaps drinks 2 middies for $5.
Hala's Pizza and Donair
117 kearney lake rd. wedgewood plaza, +1 902 455-5300, (http://www.halaspizza.com/). a charming and cozy pizza restaurant - takes pride in its homemade dishes.
Trident Cafe
1256 hollis, +1 902 423-7100, (http://www.tridenthalifax.com/). pick up any book to read in this bookshop cafe, then either purchase it or put it back. beans are roasted in store twice a week.
Mexico Lindo
3635 dutch village road. authentic mexican food.
Cousin's Snack Bar
2389 agricola street. homestyle breakfast; quirky old-style interior decoration including faux wood panelling, faded watercolour paintings and an old tv with rabbit-ears.
Kings Palace
6140 quinpool road. chinese food.
The Coastal Cafe
2731 robie street, +1 902 405-4022, (http://www.thecoastal.ca). chef/owner mark giffin prepares unbelievable breakfasts, lunches and bake goods for you to enjoy with a complete selection of coffees, teas and other non-alcoholic beverages. north end halifax
Comfy Corner Cafe
1313 hollis street. great homestyle breakfast, very friendly staff, great atmosphere.
Bash Toulany's Fine Foods
5553 duffus street, +1 902 455-5120, (http://www.toulanys.com/). voted best donairs in halifax.
Many of the cheap eats in town are along Spring Garden road. Also consider local pubs see Drink, many of which serve up great food.
Midrange
Elements
1181 hollis st,+1 902 421-1000 (http://www.thewestinnovas...). located within the westin nova scotian hotel, elements is the winner of a wine spectator 2010 award of excellence and features contemporary global cuisine. elements offers many seasonal menus with fresh, local ingredients.
Satisfaction Feast
Robie st by lady hammond, +1 902 422-3540. excellent vegetarian restaurant with variety and taste. plenty of vegan or vegan option items on the menu. dinner salad and entree = 17$ cad. try the neatloaf.
Salty's
1869 upper water st privateers wharf, +1 902 423-6818, (http://www.saltys.ca/). seafood restaurant on the waterfront. casual patio dining downstairs, fancier setting upstairs. can get very busy on summer evenings. reservations recommended.
Il Mercato
5650 spring garden rd, +1 902 422-2866, (http://www.il-mercato.ca/...). good pasta. have the lemon tart for dessert. m-sa 11am-11pm.
Economy Shoe Shop
1661-1663 argyle st, (http://www.economyshoeshop.ca/). behind the bizarre name lies a stunningly decorated and sprawing complex incorporating everything from chandeliers to lush indoor gardens. extensive menu. go on jazz night usually monday and eat nachos.
The Wooden Monkey
Grafton st, +1 902 444-3844, (http://www.thewoodenmonkey.ca/). veggie & vegan friendly bistro featuring local, organic and macrobiotic food and drink. kid's menu available. su-th 11:30am-10pm, f-sa 11:30am-11pm.
Coburg Cafe
6085 coburg road, near dalhousie university. students come here for group study or just to hang. great hot chocolate and a $2 mammoth slice of carrot cake.
Doraku Sushi
Down a little alley on the citadel end of dresden row. +1 902 425-8888. best sushi in the city with a lovely atmosphere and proper inset japanese tables. get miso soup, salad, a maki roll and 5 nigiri for only $12 at lunch.
Fireside Kitchen
3430 prescott street, +1 902 454-7389. meals are reasonably priced, atmosphere is cosy and everything on the menu is worth eating. the cocktail menu is discounted on martini mondays.
Little Fish
downstairs from the five fisherman. 1740 argyle street, +1 902 425-4025. seafood and oyster bar.
The Hungry Chili
5234 blowers st, +1 902 444-3554. outstanding homestyle szechuan restaurant. like no szechuan you have had before.
Heartwood Bakery & Cafe
6250 quinpool road, (http://www.heartwoodbaker...). vegetarian, organic and extremely good. lunch and dinner menu, soups, salads, entrees, desserts. m-sa 10am-8pm.
Gullabulls Bar & Grill
5640 spring garden rd, +1 902 407-3696. hands down best grill in halifax. on the bar side, their 9 tv screens offer a view of the game better than side line seats.
Fid Resto
1569 dresden row, +1 902 422-9162.local by nature. special cooking @ an affordable price, located on dresden row above spring garden rd. closed mondays.
The Paperchase
Is a news outlet with a cafe on top which serves massive lattes and delicious samosas and sandwiches. prices usually range between $5-$10 for everything. vegetarian and vegan selections are abundant. enjoy their computers, free wi-fi and garage-style windows which open to a full view of argyle on warm days.
Top end
Fiasco
1463 brenton street, +1 902 429-4399. fresh local ingredients prepared in classic european style.
Fid
1569 dresden row, +1 902 422-9162. an authentic french restaurant located on dresden row above spring garden rd. closed mondays.
Da Maurizio's
1496 lower water street, +1 902 423-0859. a world-renowned italian restaurant located on lower water st. inside the brewery market.
Five Fisherman
1740 argyle street, +1 902 422-4421. lobster, scallops, and other seafood dishes.
Onyx
5426 portland place, +1 902 454-8533. closed sunday. seating only 69 guests, this restaurant offers an intimate atmosphere.
Chives Canadian Bistro
A high-concept restaurant with a daily menu. Serves only seasonal, local ingredients.
There isn't really such a thing as "Nova Scotia cuisine", but there are a few things that are worth seeking out. Seafood is generally not much cheaper in the Maritimes than elsewhere, however many restaurants specialize in this cuisine. The exception to this rule is mussels. They are generally good quality, cheap and found on many appetizer menus. Another seafood worth having is scallops, as they are generally higher quality than the ones you get in many parts of North America note that good scallops are the size of a golf ball or larger, and do not taste fishy. "Sea pie" is often a good deal when available, as are hearty eats like fish and chips or seafood chowder. Lobster in a restaurant will be expensive, so your best cheap bets are to buy one at the store and cook one yourself, or attend any of the numerous lobster dinners that are hosted by churches and community groups throughout the warmer months. Buying lobster from the various fishermans markets or directly from the fisherman themselves who will often sell street side out of a car will get you the best deal.