aFrite opened on the Halifax waterfront a matter of months after I left Halifax, and in the seven…read moreyears since, chef Andrew Al-Khouri's restaurant has made that magical transition from the new kid on the block to a neighbourhood stalwart. The airy, but cozy, space is in the perfect location for me, in between my office and the spot I'd be hitting for pub trivia later that evening. We weren't sat at the bar, but our table had a nice view of the action in the kitchen. The menu is compact and efficient, but still has a broad enough selection that there's going to be something for you no matter your tastes. Creative insertions of Middle Eastern influence show up in the likes of kafta meatballs, za'atar fries and arugula fattoush, while the rest of the menu takes inspiration from around the globe to freshen up comfort food classics. You can only hope that you're in for a treat when you're confronted with a menu that you wish you could have in its entirety, and we weren't disappointed for our first taste of aFrite. Our meal started off with an order of the kafta meatballs. The herbacious hit of their seasoning was just like that of their skewered brethren, and the meatballs had a fantastic sear on them from their cast iron cooking. Veg and flatbread accoutrements and a tzatziki drizzle prettied up the plate and added flavour and contrast, but let's not kid ourselves, you're getting this dish for dem balls. I opted for the fried chicken katsu for my main, and while less technically involved than some of its peers on the menu, the dish was well-executed and hit the spot. The cutlet of fried chicken a thick, but not too thick, breading whose crispiness held up in the face of multiple sauces and the steam of the rice below. Gochujang mayo brought a hint of hint and creaminess, some sweet-savoury contrast came care of the kecap manis, while the ponzu cucumbers brightened things up. My wife's wild mushroom falafel burger was a fun and creative vegetarian dish in an age of forgettable Beyond/Impossible offerings used to check the 'vegetarian dish' column on a menu. The mushrooms added some umami to the falafel patty, and the overall package with the fresh veg was like a fancy falafel wrap. The fries that came with the falafel burger almost stole the show for me. They were peak-frite with an ultra-crispy exterior that told a tale of a blanching plus double fry cook. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, there was no room for dessert! aFrite is a great little neighbourhood joint with the heart and soul to match its creative and well-executed menu, and in an age of corporatized, Instagram-bait restaurants, it deserves your dollars and your taste buds deserve their food.

Cute, small place with creative and thoughtful dishes and friendly service…read more Stopped in for an early lunch/brunch and service was attentive. Husband got the donair eggs benny which we both liked, though donair meat could have been a bit more seasoned. I got the salt cod cake which was served over delicious bbq stewed chickpeas that were very lovely. Place was cozy and had a basket of blankets for colder days. A bit pricey, but would recommend.

Food is so delicious. Staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. You need to keep an eye out for…read morespecials which are always super unique and delicious. The kitchen is very creative. The location is nicely tucked away and easily accessible in the winter months. Absolutely recommend. The empanadas are delicious.

The best arepa I've ever had. WOW! The arepa itself is not too mealy, the "bun" is thin and…read morenicely grilled/crisped on the outside but still soft and moist enough on the inside. And both the beef and the pork fillings were oozing with flavor. The beef almost tasted like a french reduction or something, very rich. The pork was more traditionally flavored garlic, etc., but all the spices, sauces and such complemented each other and elevated the overall dish. GO HERE! Fast casual system is great, and prices are reasonable, especially considering the quality of what you get.

After 14 years of being away from Cole Harbour we welcome them back to the neighbourhood. I have…read morefind memories of going to the "old" Brass Rail with my parents enjoying comfortable family dining. I wasn't disappointed with the re-birth of a great restaurant. The service was amazing, food cooked from scratch in the kitchen, and I love the local focus (they use local black angus beef). A local beer selection would be welcomed as an addition once they get their feet back in the soil. Decor... they need a brass rail. I'll give them the star for decor since they are only a couple weeks since they opened their doors. They obviously focused on what counts, great food, great service, comfortable atmosphere.

I've been here twice & got their Cole harbour burger both times... It's real good! And, so are…read moretheir prices. But, there is one thing that will make me return again, again & again... three words... Bacon Parmesan Mayo. You're probably thinking "ya, that sounds good", let me tell you, it's freaking amazing. I don't know if it's made with the clouds that angels sleep on or some secret stash of golden bacon but OMG it's tasty!!!!! I would totally buy a bucket of it. Or, at least a bottle. They do charge 75 cents for a side of it, but it's worth it - and it was enough for us both to share as a fry dip. Ps; they have delicious fries too! It hasn't been busy, at all, either time we dined here, it is a small-ish resto though. * I heard the clams here was amazing, they're next on my list!

4 of us came for a Saturday morning brunch. It was a gorgeous day so we sat on the patio…read moreoverlooking the water. Ordered the standard coffee to start. Waiter was awesome. Made sure we were ok every time he was in the vicinity. I ordered the mushroom Benedict with the hollandaise on the side. It was great with the locally made truffle cream cheese. I did have to ask for a steak knife to be able to cut through the bread. It was a well done piece of pizza dough. Tasty but tough to get through. Came with tater tots and a donair sauce to dip them in. My husband ordered the stuffed baked potato. He loved it but said next time he will order the side salad on the side and ask for more dressing. I ended the meal with a cool glass of rose. We will definitely be back.

We had read such positives about this place and had to check it out. The staff is so friendly and…read morethe food was delicious and plentiful . I ordered their hardy chowder stuffed with all kinds of seafood with a side salad added... that was my lunch, plenty. I wanted to try the jalepino corn bread but not the full order so she was able to sell me a single piece ,it was delicious ! My husband got the burger and fries and really enjoyed! The only negative is really the noise level inside. If the weather allows eat on their terrace overlooking Halifax harbor.

Been at Palladium years ago but it was good Prices were a…read morebit steep then so I guess I can imagine now

Great uncle recommendation and boy did he not disappoint. prices to portion ratio was fantastic…read more Split this quasedilla with my nan and we were both very satisfied once complete. Don't sleep on the Palladium!

Our first time at Bar Sofia had us swinging by for a friend's birthday. There was a good dinner…read morecrowd although it ebbed before a switchover to the late night crowd. The interior design is fun and bright, with splashes of colour and fake plants, and on-brand for their target audience of millennial and Gen-Z women. The fully open kitchen is a nice touch, and I regret not having a view of it, but that's what happens when you show up last! The menu has an assortment of Latin American dishes like yucca fries, empanadas and tacos, as well as local/contemporary fare that gets a Latin touch like aguachile oysters, bravas Brussels sprouts and adobo-roasted cauliflower. My wife and I went for a mix of big and small plates, ordering the beef empanadas, Brussels sprouts, and the cauliflower. For an adult beverage, I had the Oaxaca old fashioned. It was adequate cocktail, although a smokier mezcal would have made it more memorable. Someone who I assume was a manager had spotted the gifts on the table and not only brought over a shot for the birthday girl and her partner, but for the whole table! While it was a low ABV liqueur, it was a lovely gesture and savvy business move. We must have arrived in between seatings, as despite a fairly full dining room, all our dishes came out surprisingly quickly and all together. I started out with the smaller plates. Some variation of fried Brussels sprouts has been a common sight on restaurant menus for a decade, but hey, it works! Bar Sofia's iteration gets a dose of savoury and tomato-y bravas sauce, and also gets topped with a colourful assortment of thinly sliced veg - radish, carrot, pickled red onion, jalapeno, and some sprigs of cilantro. The sauced-up sprouts lost a good bit of their crispness, but the bravas sauce was undeniably tasty, with a balance of richness and acidity. The veg accoutrements added welcome splashes of colour and texture. The empanadas come two to an order, so perfect for sharing with my wife! The hearty beef was cooked to perfection, and the olives and egg completed the traditional filling. The pastry itself was supple and flaky, with a golden brown and crisp exterior. When we swapped dishes, I was glad to get my hands on the cauliflower. The generous portion of half a head of roasted brassica came with rice, a cashew crema and the aforementioned veg toppings. The char of the cauliflower played well with the nutty sauce, and although a bit repetitive, the veg accoutrements brightened up the flavour profile. While Bar Sofia's origins as a Toronto-based restaurant company's idea to fill the commercial space at Queen's Marque isn't exactly a stamp of authenticity, they are bringing some dishes that aren't common in Halifax (other than the Brussels sprouts). I enjoyed my meal there and it's a fun vibe, but there was no 'wow' factor for me. I'm sure I'll tackle more of the menu and patio some day, but as I continue to catch up on the Halifax food scene, I'm not rushing back either.

This review is the only one you need to read. Choosing a restaurant on the Halifax Waterfront isn't…read moreeasy. Lots of good choices. The vibe and reasonable prices are what drew me into Bar Sofia when I was walking the boardwalk to decide on a place to grab dinner. The restaurant was half full when I arrived and quickly filled up. I received excellent service from both the bartender, Lance, and one of the servers (or manager) who was making his way through the room offering constant help to his teammates. I ordered the mixed grill although it had a fancier Spanish name that I don't recall. It had a little bit of everything with the perfect amount of spice. When I return, do I get it again, or pick something new to try? It's a really tough decision. Might need to make multiple trips back! They have a great drink list. I landed on a local IPA which had a lovely flavour and I would order again.

We came to Water Polo for dinner on our first night in Halifax, and I couldn't have picked a better…read moreplace to celebrate my birthday a few days early. If you're celebrating a special occasion, this restaurant knows how to make it feel special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful, especially if you're seated outside overlooking the waterfront. One of my favorite touches was that they provide cozy blankets for guests on cooler evenings. They also have bonfire pits outside, and after dinner Peter let us move over to one so we could enjoy our dessert by the fire. It was such a thoughtful gesture and made the evening even more memorable. Peter was our server, and he was phenomenal. He was enthusiastic, attentive, and offered great recommendations throughout the night. I originally came specifically for the Nova Scotia Lobster Roll because the photos looked incredible, only to find out it's normally only available on the lunch menu. Peter offered to check with the kitchen anyway, and they were kind enough to make one for me. I was so happy, and it ended up being one of my favorite dishes of the meal. We ordered a half dozen oysters (2 Northern Belle from PEI, 2 Blue Nose from Nova Scotia, and 2 Shandaph from Nova Scotia), the Nova Scotia Lobster Roll, the Heirloom Tomato Salad with fresh Nova Scotia lobster added, the Umi Kaze Roll, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra, Grilled Branzino, and the Caramel Sundae. The food was outstanding. Every dish was fresh, incredibly flavorful, and beautifully presented. The only miss was the Branzino. Unfortunately, it had a very fishy taste, and after one bite I couldn't continue eating it. I genuinely think we were just unlucky and received a bad fish rather than it being an issue with the preparation. Peter noticed that I hadn't touched it, asked if everything was okay, and when the bill came, he had removed it without us ever asking. That level of customer service really stood out to me. While they don't offer a complimentary birthday dessert, if you order one they'll make it festive with a sparkler, which was a fun touch and made the celebration feel special. Between the exceptional service, thoughtful hospitality, beautiful waterfront setting, and outstanding food, Water Polo completely lived up to its reputation. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip to Halifax, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for one of the best dining experiences in the city.

Absolutely delicious! The service was amazing, the waiter was very friendly and giving us advice on…read moreneat places to go in Halifax! The restaurant is beautiful, right on the harbour!

Great service! I got the burger with a side caesar salad! Both were delicious! Server was attentive…read moreand very friendly! Beer was good and had jokes on the glass!

The food was mediocre. Salmon was overcooked and lacked flavor. Prime rib was stringy and the knife…read morewas very dull so had to fight the beef throughout the meal. It felt like it was fighting back. Service was very "quick" and seemed like the restaurant was entitled to my business as compared to earning it. Bill was close to $200 and it basically was "just to eat" as compared to "a dining experience". Nice ambiance but just was not worth it.