Halifax 
Credit: The Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Romance and food go together–everyone needs to eat, and why not do it with someone you love? Halifax has many options for romantic dinners, but I’ve narrowed it down to 15 on the Halifax Peninsula. There are two kinds of restaurants on this list: cozy and elegant places for intimate dinners, and fun spaces where you can get to know someone new. Wherever you are in your relationship, you’ll have a lovely night with your significant other at one of these places.
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar
In one of the city’s oldest structures, this high-range restaurant has a smaller menu than some of the others on this list, but they do everything incredibly well. They source fresh oysters from all over Atlantic Canada at their oyster bar, featuring at least 3 farms every day. They have Whiskey Night on Thursdays, which is a great chance to try one of their nearly 100 different kinds, and there’s live music every Friday and Saturday night. The Press Gang is open until “late”, which can mean the wee hours of the morning, making this a great place for a long, fun night out, or one last call before heading home.
Address: 5218 Prince Street
Phone: 902-423-8816
Website
Gio
For a memorable date night, Gio sets the scene with its chic ambiance and locally inspired dishes. Nestled in downtown Halifax at the Prince George Hotel, it’s a go-to for seasonal, handcrafted cuisine and warm hospitality. Whether savoring artful appetizers, indulgent mains, or decadent desserts, Gio promises a night of culinary excitement and refined hospitality.
Address: 1725 Market Street
Phone: (902) 425-1987
Website
A Mano
Credit: Ristorante a Mano
At the other end of the Halifax Waterfront is A Mano, a mid-range budget Italian restaurant. They will often have events surrounding the holidays, so it’s a great way to share date night with others in a similar mood. The atmosphere is fun and elegant at the same time (a true achievement), and they have something on the menu for everyone. And if you don’t want to dine in for date night, they have takeaway for nearly everything on the menu, including their fabulous desserts.
Address: 1477 Lower Water Street
Phone: 902-423-6266
Website
The Five Fishermen
Address: 1740 Argyle Street, Halifax
Phone: (902) 422-4421
Website
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Brooklyn Warehouse
Brooklyn Warehouse is mid- to high range in terms of budget, but you get value for every dollar you spend. This bistro is beloved by Halifax all around, and the neighbourhood feel of the place makes it fit right into this part of town. Brooklyn Warehouse is committed to sourcing local ingredients for their food, and they serve several local beers and wines. This is a great place to start exploring restaurants outside of downtown Halifax for a special occasion.
Address: 2795 Windsor Street
Phone: 902-446-8181
Website
Le Bistro by Liz
The winner of multiple local and travel agency awards, Le Bistro by Liz is casual elegance at its most reasonable. With live music on offer and a fantastic French cuisine menu that is in a mid-range budget, Le Bistro makes you feel like you’ve stepped into Paris. To complement this, the décor also has a Parisian flair, with red-checked tablecloths and French wall decorations. And if Paris is known for anything, it’s for romance.
Address: 1333 South Park
Phone: 902-423-8428
Website
The Henry House
The Henry House has an upstairs and a downstairs, and both have their own charm. Upstairs is more of a restaurant, downstairs is a pub, and they both serve great food. Upstairs is casual elegance; downstairs has small cozy booths and open two person tables to choose from. For both floors, it’s a mid-range budget and a wide-range menu for both food and drink. It’s pub food with over 20 great local beers to choose from, a great place for either a first date or one of the first few.
Address: 1222 Barrington Street
Phone: 902-423-5660
Website
The Bluenose II
Credit: Bluenose II Restaurant
The Bluenose II is a lower-range restaurant with astounding food; they even have a lobster dinner at a very reasonable price (it’s a better deal when it’s lobster season, of course). Every course has reasonable priced options with portions great for sharing, and it’s generally quiet and peaceful. It’s downtown Halifax and a great place to stop after work, or to spend a first date getting to know each other. You’ll definitely want to stay for dessert—everything is out of this world.
Address: 1824 Hollis Street
Phone: 902-425-5092
Website
Krave Burger
Address: 5680 Spring Garden Road
Phone: 902-407-5728
Website
Morris East
Morris East has a small mid-range menu and does everything right. There are lit candles at every table, wood pizza ovens, live music events, and there’s options for every palate and dietary need. They will often have special prix fixe menus, and their cocktail menu includes some delicious mocktails. There are three Morris East locations, two on the Peninsula and one in Bedford, and they’re all lovely places for a quieter night out (or musical, when there’s live music).
Address & Phone: 1984 Vernon Street (902-444-7669), 5212 Morris Street (902-444-7687), 620 Nine Mile Drive (Bedford) (902-444-7671)
Website
Da Maurizio
This high-range Italian restaurant is Italian food at its finest. With a wine list spanning four continents and a menu with options for everyone, Da Maurizio is for special occasions for sure, but well worth the price. They even have white tablecloths, which according to my mother makes it feel even fancier. Located in the Brewery Complex, a recognized Historical Place in Canada, it’s another restaurant close to the Waterfront, giving you the option to work up an appetite with a walk before, or to stroll around after your meal (weather permitting…or maybe not if you’re a fan of romantic rainy atmosphere).
Address: 1496 Lower Water Street
Phone: 902-423-0859
Website
La Frasca Cibi and Vini
Credit: La Frasca Cibi & Vini
La Frasca is a mid-range Italian restaurant with great food. They have cozy tables towards the back and the front tables give a great look out the big front windows. The atmosphere is sparkling, with friendly conversations going on all around. The wine list is extensive, and the food ranges from big hearty meals to small-yet-satisfying appetizers. It’s a great place for a lively dinner with good food and wine, and it’s close to everything Spring Garden has to offer. Like A Mano, they also offer takeaway.
Address: 5650 Spring Garden Road
Phone: 902-422-2866
Website
Agricola Street Brasserie
Address: 2540 Agricola St, Halifax
Phone: (902) 446-7664
Website
The Stubborn Goat
Credit: Stubborn Goat Gastropub
The Stubborn Goat is one of the most fun spots I’ve ever been to. Tucked away on Grafton Street, this place is great all-year round. They have seasonal outside seating (they have deck heaters to keep you cozy on chillier summer days), and lots of tables and room at the bars inside. Another place that’s open until “late”, it’s a great place to hang out, choose from their huge drinks menu, and keep the food coming—they focus on local suppliers, so you’re having a lovely night out and supporting local businesses!
Address: 1579 Grafton Street
Phone: 902-405-4554
Website
The Keg Steakhouse and Bar
The Keg is a premier Steakhouse chain in Canada, and its Halifax location lives up to its reputation. Their steak is obviously what they’re best known for, but they also have a great variety of appetizers. You can add to your steak dinner, with options like shrimp, sautéed mushrooms, and bleu cheese crust. If you want to sit on the bar side, you have access to all appetizers while you’re having a drink. This is a high range in terms of budget, so save the dinner for a special occasion and try out some appetizers and drinks on the bar side when you’re enjoying a regular date night.
Address: 1712 Market Street
Phone: 902-425-8355
Website
By: Adrienne Colborne