‘Tis the season to start planning! With the holidays fast-approaching, now is the time to get those holiday plans set, reserved, or booked. No matter the size of your dinner party or group, there are restaurants and pubs around Halifax that accommodate an array of party sizes.
Credit: Johannes Plenio
So, whether you need a private and intimate space for 10-20 people, enough room for a small company Christmas party, or room for up to 350 people, these restaurant venues offer it all between them.
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Black Sheep
The cozy, warm, and inviting atmosphere of the Black Sheep helps to make it an ideal destination for all sorts of celebratory meals. The Halifax bar and restaurant are also known for stellar service and memorable brunch plates. And when it comes to private party bookings, Black Sheep offers the brunch menu, dinner menu, or a cocktail party menu. They also offer the option of booking up only the mezzanine, or the full restaurant.
Where: BH204 – 1496 Lower Water St.
How to book: email reserve@blacksheephalifax.com
Morris East Restaurant & Wine Bar
Both of Halifax’s Morris East Restaurant & Wine Bar locations are equipped and suited to host your next holiday dinner party! Each restaurant also has its own team dedicated to helping make your event, Christmas, or holiday party, a night for everyone to remember. Morris East also provides catering services so no matter where you want to host the party, your guests can get Morris East’s excellent food.
Where: 620 Nine Mile Dr., Unit 109 (Bedford West), 1984 Vernon St. (Vernon Street)
How to book: call or email
Vernon Street – (902) 444-7669 or laura@morriseast.com
Bedford West – (902) 444-7671 or noelle@morriseast.com
The Garden Retreat Food Bar and Lounge
Gather for a more intimate party or a large holiday get-together in the private areas of The Garden Retreat Food Bar & Lounge. There are two different spaces set aside at the restaurant for private gatherings and parties with The Shiraz Room able to fit 20 guests seated or 35 standing, and the Main Dining Room for larger parties and room for up to 90 guests. The food, the décor, and The Garden Retreat’s overall atmosphere are sure to make a memorable holiday impression on your party.
Where: 1446 Queen St.
How to book: call or email
(902) 830-9341or events@gardenhalifax.com
Ristorante A Mano
As a top Italian restaurant in Halifax, it is no surprise that the larger group menu at Ristorante A Mano is labelled a Festa Di Famiglia. These feasts are for groups 10 or more on any occasion but are especially perfect for gathering with family over the holidays, especially if you have a larger group to feed. These feasts are available in five different set menu options. For groups of 10 or less, simply make a reservation or walk in to grab a table.
Where: 1477 Lower Water St.
How to book: call (902) 423-6266 with 48-hours notice
Bar Sofia
The vibrant space of Bar Sofia in Halifax is a perfect way to complement any party, especially a private party. Make you and your group a table reservation if there are 12 or fewer people gathering for your event; otherwise, contact Bar Sofia to make private party reservations. The restaurant offers a full buyout which fits 56 people seated, or a partial buyout for up to 30 people.
Where: 1709 Lower Water St #104
How to book: OpenTable for large tables, fill out form for buyouts
Salt & Ash Beach House
One of Halifax’s premier dining destinations has the perfect setting for your next private function like a festive holiday dinner and party! Salt & Ash is the perfect spot for a more intimate experience with room for 20 guests seated in their cozy and homey space. As a smaller space for holiday parties, this could work excellently for families and small businesses alike.
Where: 170-1741 Lower Water St.
How to book: fill out form
Ragazzi Resto Bar
Not only does the Ragazzi Resto Bar have space and staff to help with larger parties or private dining, but they also have special packages for holiday and Christmastime parties. The special menus for these special occasions offer the choice between three-course meals, a buffet or the alla grande buffet. A few add-ons that are also available to help brighten the holiday party include live music, or karaoke (included in full restaurant buyouts).
Where: 5187 Salter St.
How to book: call (902) 444-1199 and ask for Leonardo Placidi
The Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar
Whether you’re holiday or Christmas party is for 10 people or 150, Halifax’s Barrington Steakhouse and Oyster Bar have beautiful rooms to accommodate an array of party sizes and types. They’ll assist with creating the perfect menu for you and your guests while also making sure the rooms or restaurant are decorated with Christmas accents or florals.
Where: 1662 Barrington St.
How to book: call (902) 407-5001
Gahan House Nova Centre
There are private dining areas available for holiday and Christmas party reservations in varying sizes at the Gahan House. With this in mind, The Gahan House is also well-equipped for bigger holiday parties or something like a company Christmas party. The four different seating sections fit 18-50 guests. There are other event features offered by Gahan House as well like custom menus, beer or wine pairing menus, custom cocktails, or bring-your-own-wine (with a corkage fee).
Where: 5239 Sackville St, Halifax, NS B3J 3Y3
How to book: email reservations.halifax@gahan.ca
Darya
The event specialist at Halifax’s Darya restaurant invites you to plan a holiday party or gathering within the space’s elegant and modern space. A partial buyout of Darya will fit 24 guests for those intimate and smaller parties, while a full buyout offers space for 106 guests. With these types of reservations, Darya offer their special events menu packages filled with an array of meal types like buffets, canapes and cocktails, and food stations.
Where: 1709 Lower Water St. #110
How to book: fill out form
The Old Triangle Irish Ale House
The venue which becomes the Old Triangle Irish Ale House for large groups provides guests with a warm and inviting place to celebrate the holidays. As a classic Irish pub setup, the restaurant is complete with dark wood features, stone and brick walls, a fireplace, and comfy seating areas. Consider this for a larger holiday party as the room fits 72 people.
Where: 5136 Prince St.
How to book: fill out form
Da Zero
If you’re in need of a larger space for your Christmas party plans, count on the bright, airy, and spacious Da Zero on Cathedral Lane. Da Zero offer space for up to 120 people to make it a perfect destination for company Christmas parties. However, private spaces are still available to reserve for large families, groups of friends, or for smaller company Christmas parties.
Where: 1472 Cathedral Lane
How to book: call or email (902) 406-1210/dazero.hfx@gmail.com
Café Lunette
Feel the warmth of southern France during Halifax’s coldest months by booking Christmas and holiday parties or dinners with Café Lunette. The Parisian-inspired setting, décor, and menu, will all help to transport you and your guests to somewhere warm while you celebrate Christmas or winter break. Café Lunette’s maximum seated capacity is 52 people.
Where: 1741 Lower Water St #160
How to book: fill out form
Bells Lane Kitchen
For some of the biggest restaurant spaces in Halifax, look to Bells Lane Kitchen at Purdy’s Wharf where the restaurant accommodates up to 350 guests in a full buyout. Now, that makes for a large Christmas party and is suitable for corporate or company parties. But still, any size of party is able to contact Bells Lane Kitchen to customize the spaces for different sizes of groups. And, as a top restaurant/catering company in the city, Bells Lane offers a tasty array of menus to provide for you and your group.
Where: Purdy’s Landing, 1949 Upper Water St., 2nd floor
How to book: fill out form