The Rock Bottom Brewery is new on Spring Garden Road.

ROCK ON

Tucked away beneath the venerable Your Father’s Moustache pub on Spring Garden Road, you’ll find one of the downtown’s newest dining experiences. Rock Bottom Brewery is a microbrewery, boasting several distinctive ales made on site, but it also has a creative gastropub menu, with creative dishes like haddock stuffed with lobster and cream cheese, and portabella chicken.

Chef Luis Gaspar and partner Victoria Dunham Gaspar: the team behind Halifax's Top New Restaurant.

Image © Tammy Fancy/www.fancyfreefoto.com

THE NEXT BIG THING

Every year, the editors of Where magazines across the country present a series of awards honouring Canada’s Top New Restaurants. This year, the team at Where Halifax chose Pipa Restaurant & Bar on Argyle Street. Specially in Portugese/Brazillian cuisine, the new creation from chef Luis Gaspar and partner Victoria Dunham Gaspar brings a new dimension to Halifax’s dining scene.

Artful desserts at Cheapside Café.

Image © Janice Hudson

HOW SWEET IT IS

Located in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street, the Cheapside Café offers light meals and snacks but it specializes in decadent desserts. Artfully prepared cakes, mousses and tortes are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Fresh local seafood at Waterfront Warehouse on Lower Water Street.

5 ON THE WATERFRONT

• Murphy’s Cable Wharf, Lower Water Street: Perched on the end of a wharf, great harbour views, live lobster tank.

• Salty’s on the Waterfront, Lower Water Street: Nestled in the heart of the Historic Properties, fresh seafood.

• Waterfront Warehouse, Lower Water Street: On the waterfront boardwalk; fresh lobster, crab and oysters.

• 44 North, Upper Water Street: Floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing Halifax Harbour, regional cuisine.

• MacAskill’s, Alderney Landing in Dartmouth: Where the Metro Transit ferry docks, spectacular view of Halifax’s skyline.

Steak and seafood in a stylish setting at Ryan Duffy's.

Image © Janice Hudson

SEAFOOD WITH A CONSCIENCE

If you’re crazy for seafood but worried about the environment, get your fix at Ryan Duffy’s on Bedford Row. The steakhouse is part of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program—ingredients for certified decisions come from environmentally sustainable sources.

Chef Paolo Colbertaldo creates “comfort food with panache.”

Image © Tammy Fancy/www.fancyfreefoto.com

LOCAL FLAVOURS

The area north of the Halifax Common isn’t known for its great dining options but you’ll find a rare treasure in Jane’s on the Common on Robie Street. At the contemporary neighbourhood diner, chef Paolo Colbertaldo creates “comfort food with panache,” drawing on local flavours in dishes such as smoked salmon eggs Benedict, corn-bread crusted haddock and lamb burgers.

Contemporary dining at Gio on Market Street.

CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS

Surprise your taste buds with a visit to Gio at the Prince George Hotel on Market Street. The menu showcases inventive international flavours: Malaysian beef salad, polenta and the Kobe “Long” Burger (a must-try for burger fanatics).

Enjoy a hearty brunch at Cora's.

BRUNCH BUNCH

The freedom to have a long relaxing brunch is the best part of any vacation. And that’s the specialty at Cora’s. The popular chain specializes in crepes, French toast, waffles and eggs prepared almost every way imaginable. Five locations around the city, including just off Spring Garden Road on Dresden Row.

Uncommon Grounds has three downtown locations.

5 JAVA HOT SPOTS

• Uncommon Grounds, three downtown locations: New York-style coffeehouse, gourmet coffee and tea, plus desserts baked on-site.

• Steve-o-reno’s, Brunswick Street: a Halifax institution, specialty drinks, inexpensive lunches, fruit smoothies.

• Just Us, Spring Garden Road and Barrington Street: fair-trade coffee roaster, products grown chemical-free.

• The Wired Monk Coffee Bistro, Morris Street: specialty drinks, organic teas and coffees, soups and grilled paninis.

• Cabin Coffee, Hollis Street: comfort food, milkshakes, fair-trade coffees, rustic setting.

Gourmet pizza at Morris East.

Image © Scott Munn

PRIMO PIZZA

• The Argyle Bar & Grill on Argyle Street: Gourmet pizza prepared in a wood-burning oven.

• Morris East on Morris Street: Intimate dining room, creative pizzas showcasing fresh local ingredients.

• Ristorante a Mano on Lower Water Street: Gourmet pizzas, from the restaurateurs behind Bish and Il Mercato.

The desserts taste as good as they look at Cheapside Café.

Image © Janice Hudson

EDIBLE ART

You can work up quite an appetite strolling through the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street, so it’s a good thing the creations in Cheapside Café have plenty of aesthetic appeal too. The desserts are especially enticing, tasting as appealling as they look. The most popular choice is the Cheapside Café Torte, a milk and dark chocolate mousse torte topped with hazelnut crunch.

Japanese fusion dining at Sushi Nami Royale on Dresden Row.

EAST MEETS WEST

From unforgettable sushi to fusion fine-dining, you’ll find a variety of Japanese flavours at Sushi Nami Royale on Dresden Row. The menu marries traditional cuisine with innovative new flavours, offering diners some exciting new experiences.

Fiery jerk chicken at Caribbean Twist.

ISLAND APPETITES

• If you’ve ever had authentic jerk chicken, you know how addictive the fiery flavour can be. And now you can experience it—and lots of other Jamaican dishes (from fiery to sublime)—at Caribbean Twist on Gottingen Street.

• Rock Island Café on Quinpool Road was the first restaurant to bring the island flavours to the city. This bright, colourful spot specializes in the flavours of Bermuda, including hearty chowder unlike any other served in the city.

Casual Asian cuisine at Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

In the heart of the downtown on Blowers Street, Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant is a friendly, casual spot specializing in sushi and hibachi. But an extensive selection of sashimi and teriyaki dishes means you won’t have an easy time deciding on your order.