Halifax Urban Foodie Tour

Halifax Urban Foodie Oasis

Halifax is well known for its wealth of culinary dining adventures, so when I was invited to partner with Discover Halifax to try out their latest urban foodie experience - focused all on sustainably-conscious places to eat and drink, I was all in. My husband, Eric, was in, too. So, pack your walking shoes, and bring your appetite and sense of adventure, because this Halifax Urban Foodie Tour delivers an abundance of delights.

DISCOVER HALIFAX
- For the Urban Foodies

Halifax’s North End - For the Urban Foodies

Halifax’s North End was at the centre of my urban foodie adventure. This iconic neighbourhood and diverse hub will win you over with its historical buildings and cool & trendy vibe. As a travel conscious visitor, you can also feel good that the independent businesses on Discover Halifax’s “For the Urban Foodies” itinerary have strong sustainability practices in place. It was most evident in my visits, that they all care deeply about the future and their impact on the world.

Dilly Dally Coffee Café

A great adventure deserves a great beginning, and Dilly Dally Coffee Café was the perfect start. This cute café in Halifax’s North End was voted “Best of Halifax” by The Coast readers, and no wonder! They focus on small batch, market-to-table coffee, food, wine & beer. Yes, they are a licensed café. Service is excellent, staff (and customers) were helpful & friendly, and in warmer weather you can enjoy their patio overlooking a sweet mural. Best of all - is the very thoughtful and flavourful combos they create that are plated so professionally that you will be salivating before you even take your first bite. Feast your eyes on my scrumptious BLT + A (avocado) bagel & latte. Eric and I will definitely be Dilly Dallying again.

Emera Oval

After you fuel up, you might choose to head to the Halifax Common and lace up for a skating session at the Emera Oval. In-line skating, roller skating, biking, and skateboarding are offered in warmer seasons. In winter, this year-round facility transforms into the largest outdoor, artificially-refrigerated ice surface East of Quebec City. It is equivalent to the size of three NHL hockey rinks! Free equipment rentals are available (with valid government issued ID). Find public washrooms onsite, too.

Chain Yard Urban Cidery

If you are feeling a bit peckish, make a beeline for Chain Yard Urban Cidery. Sample a flight of their ciders sourced with 100% Nova Scotia apples handpicked from the Annapolis Valley, and indulge in some classic Southern comfort dishes with an East Coast twist at their Unchained Kitchen. Eric and I shared the southern fried chicken plate with apple slaw, buttermilk ranch & hot sauce and the pan-fried haddock tacos with Piri-Piri, Shaved Radish, Avocado, Sweet Corn & Chimichurri. Two thumbs up for the funky vibe here, along with the great service and tasty treats & drinks.

Agricola Street Books

Agricola Street Books was next on our itinerary. This cozy new & secondhand book store is teeming with affordably-priced, quality books for kids, youth, and adults. There is a nice curated selection of stationery, teas, and giftware, too. The owner Oona Craig, a teacher-librarian, has a real passion for what she does, and it shows. This shop is organized, welcoming, and dog-friendly. I even met her sweet golden retriever. You cannot tell the new from the used books here as Oona only buys back “Wow! Did you even read that?” condition books during her Buy Back days. Browse two levels of charming nooks & crannies then settle in, wind down - like we did - and curl up with a good read. Highly recommend a stop here.

Compass Distillers

Follow our footsteps and enjoy a tour & tasting at Compass Distillers. I predict this artisan Nova Scotian distillery will have everyone setting their journey east to experience their award-winning spirits. Alex & Miranda give a knowledgeable guided tour to explain their grain-to-glass process. The majority of their raw ingredients come from local growers or wild sources. They work with local foragers that respect the natural growth cycles and they partner with other Nova Scotian businesses as much as possible. Back in the tasting room, Dylan serves up some wicked cocktails, including my fav - the Fizzy Bee. It is made from their famous blue Gin Royal, which derives its distinct blue colour from an infusion of butterfly pea blossom. This product is also a tribute to the bees and pollinators that help them create it. To show their appreciation and dedication to sustainable beekeeping, one dollar from every bottle sold is donated to the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association to assist in their efforts to support bee health. Pop in for a Fizzy Bee, then buy a bottle of Gin Royal, and help save the bees. That’s a Win - Win - Win, as far as I can see.

Agricola Street Brasserie

Agricola Street Brasserie was the perfect evening dining destination in the North End to meet up with family from Halifax. This renovated printing shop from the early 1900s has a great vibe and a warm ambiance. Service was attentive, and the inspired flavourful cuisine using quality local ingredients - from both the land and sea - makes for a elevated dining experience. Agricola Street Brasserie prides themselves on high quality local craft beer and wine offerings, too. The daily fresh-baked bread, Steak Frites & desserts were enjoyed by all. It was a bit too early in the season to partake in their rooftop patio winter globe seating and the Chef’s tasting menus with sommelier pairings require a 3-day prior reservation, so plan ahead if you want to take in these extra special dining experiences.

Halliburton House Inn

Home base for our two-night stay was Halliburton House Inn. This boutique hotel is a trio of side-by-side heritage buildings with a fascinating history. They are located just a short stroll to Halifax’s historic waterfront. Enjoy being close to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafés. Rooms are all unique. Ours was a cozy one tucked way up on the third level (be forewarned there are lots of stairs) but the climb was worth it, as our room had a charming fireplace and a skylight.

I hope this article has whet your foodie appetite, to plan a trip to experience some of Halifax North End’s culinary treasures. This Halifax Urban Foodie Tour truly delivers an abundance of delights and it is one that sustainably-conscious travellers can feel great about supporting.

This post was sponsored by Discover Halifax; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads & Twitter. Be the first to receive my latest articles by clicking on the ‘subscribe’ link at the top of this page. Share articles you love with your social media community. There’s No Place Like Home!