The Halifax Waterfront: Where to stay, eat and play

The Halifax waterfront is truly the new, happening place to be in Nova Scotia’s capital.

Don’t get me wrong.  It’s always been a lovely place to visit.

The city is known for its folksy hospitality, salty air and maritime history (think Titanic).

But if you’re asking:  What’s new on the Halifax waterfront?  The answer is plenty.  There’s a new 5-star luxury hotel, a bunch of chic restaurants and captivating art installations. It’s creating a cool new vibe in the city.

You can easily spend a day exploring the Halifax harbourfront.  And many evenings of foodie bliss.

You’ll see what all the fuss is about in this guide.   Read on for tips on where to stay and eat, plus things to do on the Halifax waterfront.

Table of Contents

Quick facts about the Halifax Harbourfront
Where to stay on the Halifax waterfront
Best waterfront restaurants in Halifax
Best waterfront bars in Halifax
Things to do on the Halifax waterfront
FAQs about visiting Halifax
Halifax waterfront map

Quick facts about the Halifax harbourfront

It may be obvious to say, but the Halifax harbourfront borders the city’s downtown on one side and the Atlantic ocean on the other.

This isn’t just a Halifax tourist attraction.  It’s one of the deepest harbours in the world, which makes it a busy commercial port.  You’ll see everything from cargo ships the size of apartment buildings to yachts and kayaks cruising by.

Here’s the fun part for visitors.  There’s a classic boardwalk that runs along the water for ten city blocks or 4.4 kilometres (2.7 miles).  It’s known as the Halifax harbourwalk.  And since this is the “facts” section, I’ll mention that it’s one of the world’s longest downtown boardwalks.

All facts aside, it’s simply a gorgeous place to walk, lounge or eat. And to soak in the special atmosphere of friendly Nova Scotia.

Where to stay on the Halifax waterfront

If you want to stay in a Halifax waterfront hotel, the Muir Hotel is a fantastic choice.

The 109-room hotel is the centrepiece of the new Queen’s Marque district, located between Prince, Lower Water and George streets.

Affiliated with Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the Muir is the only 5-star luxury hotel in Halifax.

You might be wondering how a 5-star hotel serves up Nova Scotia’s “folksy hospitality”.  Yet, the Muir Hotel Halifax hits all the right notes.

“Muir” means “the sea” in Scottish Gaelic, a nod to Nova Scotia’s heritage.

The hotel’s motto is “born of this place”.  You’ll see its connections to Nova Scotia everywhere, including this dramatic entrance.  The glowing columns are made of lenses similar to those used in lighthouses across the province.

Luxurious yet cozy rooms at the Muir Hotel in Halifax

My spacious room at the Muir gave me a feeling of being on a luxury ocean liner.  Hurricane lamps by the bedside, a backlit, porthole-style mirror on the fully-stocked walnut bar, and the “fog-white” Egyption cotton duvet cover all evoke that sense of place.  It’s done in an understated and tasteful style, rather than a stereotypical “Anchors-Away” look.

Even though my room had full-length windows with a view of the Halifax port, it was extremely quiet. I didn’t hear any noise from the hallway either.

As a new hotel in Halifax, the room is fully tech-enabled with high-speed Internet, USB and Lightning chargers and digital control panels for the lighting, drapes and blinds, and heating systems.  You’ll get a briefing on how everything works when you first arrive.

It’s worth noting that the hotel draws energy from a sea water loop making it one of the most energy efficient buildings in the region.

Bathroom goals

Yes, the spa-like bathroom in my hotel room deserves its own section in this post.

The comfy granite-lined marble tub has a certain “peel-me-a-grape” aura. Local bath salts are on hand for a relaxing soak.

The shower is so spacious, you could have a party in it.  It has a rain shower head and a separate shower wand, along with Aesop bath products.

Given the cool, rainy weather during my visit, the fleece-lined robe and heated bathroom floor made me feel snug and cozy.

Special touches and exceptional service

How does a 5-star hotel differentiate itself?

For me, it’s the little things.  The Muir Hotel in Halifax succeeds because of the local touches and exceptional service.

The old-fashioned braided rugs and the custom-designed tartan blanket say “Nova Scotia” in the best possible way.

And there’s tea!  There’s a Nespresso coffee machine in the room, but as a tea drinker, I’m always annoyed when hotels expect you to make tea through a coffee filter – – it’s awful.  Not at the Muir.  There’s a separate kettle for tea and selections from TEALEAVES, a Canadian tea company.  It shows the extent to which the hotel has thought things through because  Nova Scotians are big kitchen tea drinkers.

The service goes above and beyond in a classic Nova Scotian style.  From the moment I arrived, staff at the front desk and door greeted me by name every time I passed by.  In the room, there was a plate of macarons and a hand-written welcome note.  When I left my book on the bedside table, a bookmark magically appeared.  My messy charge cords were bundled up with a hotel-labelled tie (which I’m still using).

There’s also a car and driver service available to whisk you anywhere downtown (and to save your legs walking up hill).

These are the things that make the difference and contributed to a special stay at the Muir.

Best waterfront restaurants in Halifax

Wondering where to eat in Halifax?

Halifax has a wonderfully strong and varied foodie scene.  And that’s been given a boost with the opening of new restaurants in the Queens Marque district on the waterfront.  These restaurants have quickly become among the best places to eat in Halifax:

Drift

The restaurant in the Muir Hotel, Drift, is described as a modern take on traditional Atlantic Canadian dishes.

And that’s exactly what it serves up.

I started with MaryAnn’s brown bread with organic honey butter.  It came out piping hot and tasted like a hug.

I followed that with a lobster and shrimp cake appetizer.  For the main course, I savoured a dish of slow-cooked pork belly with delicate Digby scallops.  My friend had a delicious Nova Scotia seafood “hodge-podge”, a traditional mix of seafood and fresh veggies.  To close, I enjoyed the flourless chocolate cake with sea salt.

It’s easy to see why Drift makes the Halifax best restaurants list.

For breakfast, I ordered these amazingly thick blueberry pancakes as room service.  They’re made with brown butter crumble and local maple syrup and a great deal of happiness.  Just a note though – – you probably need only one order of pancakes for two people.

Bar Sofia

If you like the fresh taste of Latin food, Bar Sofia is the perfect spot.

This small Halifax harbour restaurant has a fun atmosphere with colourful tiles on the tables and the outside patio.

The menu, which features small plates and playful cocktails, is inspired by the Chef’s Argentinian heritage.

At lunch,  the pork belly soft tacos were bursting with flavour from the pico de gallo (like a salsa) and leche de tigre (a marinade), along with fresh lime and cilantro.  I couldn’t resist trying the beef empanada which was very tasty with a spicy kick.  Bar Sofia’s margaritas are also a big hit with Halifax locals.

Café Lunette

You might be surprised to know that one of the new restaurants on the Halifax waterfront is a Parisian-inspired bistro.

Café Lunette serves coffee, tea and pastries in the morning (try the buttery pain au chocolate).   In the evening, the café turns into a bistro with soft light from drippy candles that remind you of Lumière in Beauty and the Beast.

The house specialties include traditional onion soup and steak tartare.  But I chose a favourful chicken cordon bleu with white ham, polenta and broccolini.  For dessert, I enjoyed a luscious chocolate pavé with a nicely contrasting taste of lime zest.

It’s no wonder that Café Lunette was voted as one of the best new restaurants in Canada.

Salt + Ash Beach House

Salt + Ash has a relaxed and beachy atmosphere, with a patio that’s just steps away from the water.

The menu focuses on live-fire cooking, with a selection of grilled meats and seafood, along with wood-fire pizzas.  The fish and chips are also popular.  True to its Nova Scotia roots, the restaurant serves shareable kitchen party platters.

The lunch special on the day I visited was shrimp and avocado on toast with a side salad.  It was a delicious light meal with a glass of local bubbly on the patio.  If the weather forecast looks good, I recommend that you reserve a table outside.

Daryâ

The name, Daryâ means “ocean” which makes sense because it’s is also very close to the water.

This atmospheric Halifax waterfront restaurant specializes in sharing plates including kebabs, tagines and slow-cooked lamb.

I had heard it was also known for its flatbread, so I popped in for a late afternoon sampling.  The serving of laffa bread with labneh (a yoghurt dip) and olives was warm and sizeable.  I enjoyed the snack, but I think Daryâ is best for groups, so that you can order a variety of tastes.

Bicycle Thief

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Bicycle Thief, a mainstay waterfront Halifax restaurant.

The menu here is described as North American food with an Italian soul.  Owing to its location, there are plenty of seafood options. On a previous visit to the city, I couldn’t resist the linguine with sautéed Jumbo Shrimp, garlic and chilies.

You definitely need reservations at the Bicycle Thief.

Best waterfront Halifax snacks

Naturally, my sweet tooth led me to the treats in the Queen’s Marque district.

Peace by Chocolate not only has melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, but a fascinating backstory.  The Hadhad family’s longtime chocolate factory in Syria was bombed in 2012, forcing them to flee to Lebanon as refugees. Three years later, they were able to move to Canada and were welcomed in Nova Scotia.  With community support, they’ve rebuilt their chocolate business.

Looking for Halifax ice cream?  The Fog Company serves whimsical soft serve ice cream with “fog” (candy floss).  The idea is on point given the notoriously foggy Halifax harbour.  I had the Lighthouse Lemon on a warm afternoon.  While it had a lovely tangy lemon flavour, it was decidedly messy.  Be sure to grab some napkins!

You can also get made-from-scratch churned ice cream, cookies and donuts at the Fog Company.

The Fog Company is closed on Tuesdays.  If you have a craving, head to the nearby Cows ice cream outlet at Cable Wharf.

You’ll find a number of other food kiosks along the boardwalk, serving everything from lobster rolls to beaver tails.

Best Halifax waterfront bars

BKS

Psst….wanna go to a secret speakeasy?  I know a place.

BKS is a hushed and moody cocktail lounge in the Muir Hotel.  It’s only available to hotel guests.  Staff will lead you down a secret passageway and you must knock on the door to gain entry.

The fun cocktail menu is inspired by Halifax’s Prohibition-era rum-running past.  I had tequila and mezcal cocktail called “Red Sky”.  It had lots of booze and flavour and shimmered when swirled.  My friend liked his champagne cocktail with the tongue-in-cheek name, “Her Majesty’s Displeasure.”  With bits of gold leaf sprinked on top, it was described as “a wee bit debaucherous in nature.”

You can also step out from the lounge onto a terrace with a fantastic harbour view.

And, no, I don’t know what BKS stands for.  It’s a secret.

Peacock Wine Bar

Peacock Bar is an intimate space in Queen’s Marque with showy decor, like a peacock.  The bar has 90+ wine list, cocktails and a tapas-style menu. Tell the server what you like and they’ll make recommendations.

And, be sure to check out the washrooms.  If there was an award for the best best-decorated bathroom, the Peacock Wine Bar would take the prize.

Things to do on the Halifax waterfront

Relax at the Muir’s wellness centre

Guests at the Muir Hotel can unwind at Windward Wellness.

The centre has high-end fitness equipment and classes.  But I was more interested in relaxation and enjoyed the vitality and cold plunge pools, the eucalyptus steam room, infrared sauna and halotherapy salt room.

To be honest, I didn’t know much about halotherapy.   I reclined on a heated lounger for 20 minutes as the air was infused with Atlantic salt in little puffs from a “halogenator”.  It didn’t seem like much was happening at the time, but I noticed my skin was glowing afterwards.  It’s also said to be good for the respiratory system.

Stroll or Cycle the Halifax boardwalk

As mentioned the Halifax boardwalk runs for 4.4 kilometres (2.7 miles) from end-to-end.  You can easily spend an afternoon or more walking the boardwalk and taking in the ocean vibes.

If you like to cycle, there are bikes and helmets available for guests at the Muir Hotel.

Check out the new works of art along the Halifax boardwalk

The Tidal Beacon and Rise Again

The Tidal Beacon at Queen’s Marque is 60-foot tower at the harbour’s edge.  The tower’s light rises and falls with the tides.  At high and low tide, the lights shimmer and shine a beacon into the sky.

The beacon sits on Rise Again, a sloped roof that inclines to two storeys above the ground.  There are stairs to the top and it opens up to a natural amphitheatre where you can catch a summer concert.

Sail

At the bottom of Prince Street, you’ll find “Sail”, an ethereal sculpture using wire mesh and lighting to look like a ghost ship floating on water.

Muntz Metal and Sirens’ Calling

As you walk through the Queen’s Marque district, take a look at the Muntz metal panels on the sides of buildings.  Shipbuilders used this metal to keep ships’ hulls from rotting during long voyages.

The metal is etched with images like ship manifests, that share Nova Scotia’s past and present.

Take a ferry across the Halifax harbour to Dartmouth

Another way to get great view of the Halifax skyline by taking a ferry across the harbour to Dartmouth.

The Halifax Ferry Terminal is at 5075 George Street, a short walk from Queen’s Marque.  The ferry runs every 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the time of day) and costs $2.75.  It makes the crossing in only 15 minutes.

Learn local history at museums along the Halifax boardwalk

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

Almost one million immigrants to Canada landed at Pier 21 in Halifax from 1928 to 1971.  This national museum presents the stories of these immigrants in a personal and heartfelt way.

If your family immigrated to Canada, you can ask the museum staff to look up their immigration records.  They gave me a copy of the ship’s register that documented my grandma’s arrival in Canada from England.

 

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

From steamships to the Battle of the Atlantic, you can learn about Nova Scotia’s marine history at this museum.

A big draw is the display on the role Nova Scotia played in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.  Ships from Halifax were dispatched in stormy seas to recover and identify the victims.

Museum visitors can learn about life aboard the Titanic and see over 50 artifacts from the ship.

CSS Acadia and HMCS Sackville

You can visit two historic Canadian ships docked along the Halifax boardwalk.

The Acadia is the only surviving ship to have served the Royal Canadian Navy during both world wars.  The staff quarters feature striking mahogany and oak paneling and fine brass work.  Admission is included with your ticket to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.  There are also guided half-hour tours four times daily.

Known as the Last Corvette, HMCS Sackville is Canada’s oldest warship.  It played a pivotal role in winning the Battle of the Atlantic.  Admission to see the ship is by donation.

Go shopping along the Halifax waterfront

There are many local shops and kiosks along the Halifax boardwalk.

If you’re looking for local stuff, be sure to visit the Historic Properties at 1869 Upper Water Street.  The Historic Properties is a group of restored waterfront warehouses dating back to the late 1700s.  Now these buildings offer boutique shopping and waterfront eateries.

Another great spot to pick up local artisanal items and tasty treats is the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market at 961 Marginal Road, Pavilion 23.  The market is open on Saturdays (8am to 2pm) and Sundays (10 am to 2 pm)

Special events and festivals on the Halifax waterfront

There is always something going on at the Halifax harbour.

Highlights include Canada Day fireworks, a jazz festival in July, an annual buskers’ festival in early August, and a 4-week winter festival in November and December.

You can check to see what’s going on during your visit here.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Halifax boardwalk

When is the best time to visit Halifax?

The best time to visit Halifax is May through October.  The city usually has pleasant weather during the summer and fall.  Don’t miss the fall colours in the countryside.

How do you get from the airport to downtown Halifax and the waterfront?

The quickest way to get downtown is by driving.  You can rent a car at the airport.  A taxi ride to downtown will cost around $65 – $80 and take about half-an-hour.  You can also call an Uber.

The MetroX Regional Express 320 bus takes almost an hour to get downtown and costs $4.25.

You can also book an airport shuttle with Maritime Bus for $22 one-way or $40 return.

Guests at the Muir Hotel can arrange a private car service.

Downtown Halifax is hilly, but fairly compact, so the best way to get around is walking.

Is parking available at the Halifax waterfront?

Halifax waterfront parking can be a challenge.  You’ll find parking lots “with “pay by plate” systems at:

• Bishop’s Landing – 1475 Lower Water Street:
• Salter Lot – 1521 Lower Water Street:
• Foundation Place – 1549 Lower Water Street:
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – 1655 Lower Water Street

The cost for parking averages about $3/hour.  You may also find parking on nearby side streets.

Can you swim in the Halifax harbour?

I wouldn’t.  This is a busy, working harbour, so the boat traffic is a safety concern.  As for the water, it has a history of being polluted, although city officials say it’s been cleaned up.

If you want to go swimming, I’d go to one of the many nearby beaches.

Halifax Day Tours

You can see Georges Island and its cute lighthouse from the Halifax waterfront.  What you may not know is that this is a National Historic Site of Canada.  Originally a prison, it later played an important role in defending Canada.  You can visit on a half-day tour to see the labyrinth of military works and tunnels.  Plus, there’s a great view of the city.  Book a tour to Georges Island here.

One of the most popular day trips from Halifax is a tour to Peggy’s Cove to visit the quaint fishing village and see Canada’s most famous lighthouse.  You can book a 4-hour tour to Peggy’s Cove here.  

Another must visit is the colourful and historic town of Lunenberg.  Book a full-day trip from Halifax to Lunenberg here.

Halifax Waterfront Map

As you can see, the waterfront in Halifax is a fabulous place to stay, eat and play.  Enjoy!

Travel Bliss Now was a guest at the Muir Hotel Halifax but my opinions are always my own.

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