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    The Bicycle Thief

    4.4 (933 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

    The Bicycle Thief Photos

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    THE BICYCLE THIEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Bicycle Thief

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    Inside bar area.

    Super nice decor. Very good lobster roll. Interesting cocktail menu. Excellent service. Recommend.

    Complimentary focaccia
    Lori R.

    On a cruise stop in Halifax, we were drawn to this restaurant by their fabulous sounding menu and boy were we glad. Our lunch experience was exceptional. The ambiance is warm and inviting, our Server was terrific. And oh my, the food couldn't have been better. From the complimentary focaccia to our mains, wow good! I had the Crab-stuffed Ravioli with Shrimp in a Limoncello cream sauce and Husband had the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. We agreed it was some of the best cooked shrimp we've ever had. And the pastas were outstanding. Highly recommend!

    Butterscotch Caramel Cake
    Mary M.

    Absolutely delish. This is my second time checking out The Bicycle Thief in Halifax. This time I had Linguine al' Aragosta & Sangiovese wine which was so good! For dessert, I tried the Butterscotch Caramel Cake and had enough to finish after the Sarah McLachlan concert. My server was delightful and helpful in selecting my meal. The restaurant is classy, with decor that is welcoming and cozy. I plan to eat here each time I am back in Halifax.

    Focaccia

    Best ravioli I've ever had! This is a must try place right off the water! Reservations are recommended but if you come on off peak hours you might be able to get a table outside with the view of the water! Indoor looked amazing as well! Service was great! You get focaccia to start which was delicious! I got the crab ravioli with shrimp and oh my gosh it was PHENOMENAL! Definitely check this place out!

    Gluten Free focaccia
    Amber K.

    Was in town for a few hours on a cruise stop and made sure to make reservations to try the gluten-free experience at the Bicycle Thief. This was about a 10 minute walk from the cruise pier, I arrived a little early for my reservation, so I got immediate seating at the bar (I was hungry, so happy to accept!). Bartender was extremely knowledgeable about gluten-free options and also made recommendations for diners around me. I decided on the tuna tartare and the lobster linguine and both were soooooo good. There were huge chunks of lobster claw meat in this pasta and I sifted through to make sure I got it all, delicious! My wine was great, it was an intimate setting due to the lighting, and warm colors for decor. Enjoyed my experience, and will be back to try the lobster roll!

    Mike J.

    A Halifax Classic That Lives Up to the Hype! The Bicycle Thief is one of those iconic spots that every local recommends--and now we totally understand why! As Italian food lovers, this place absolutely did not disappoint. It's clearly beloved too, because the place was buzzing and packed the whole time we were there. Even the complimentary bread was next-level. I ordered the Gnocchi all'Amatriciana, and while it gave me some wicked heartburn later (worth it!), it was honestly one of the best gnocchi dishes I've ever had--you can tell it's house made, and the sauce was rich and flavourful. My only (tiny) note would be wanting a bit more guanciale. My wife had the Linguini all'Agosta and enjoyed it, though a couple lobster pieces had a texture that threw her off a little. Still, she happily cleaned her plate. We also really loved the drinks--my Rhuby Margarita was delicious and refreshing, and my wife's Gold Mine cocktail was a hit, especially with that ginger beer kick. Overall, this spot is well worth the hype--great atmosphere, amazing food, and a must-visit for anyone craving a special Italian meal in Halifax.

    Chocolate cake
    Anna J.

    Bicycle Thief is a must try spot on the Halifax waterfront. The inside has this dark, moody vibe, and the food was just as good as everyone says. Mussels - Briny, plump, and perfectly cooked, these were a fantastic start to the meal. Linguine all'Aragosta - lobster, tomato sauce, and parm on pasta. Simple but so good, I'd definitely order it again. Beef short rib - The real highlight of the evening. Juicy, tender, and a huge portion--you could easily share it between two or three people. Overall, a great meal. I get why this place is so popular. One star off because it was so dark inside I needed to bring out my phone flashlight to read the menu.

    Lobster roll on GF bread
    Jennifer G.

    Halifax is about the lobster so we ate lobster pasta and lobster roll. The server we had was amazing and was super cool- Matty, guy from Toronto. He says Ter- ron- tah! They totally cater to food allergies (Husband has Gluten Allergy) so our meal was gluten free and tasted hella good. The pasta was so good that it didn't taste like it was gluten free. Most Gluten free pasta tastes gritty and theirs was not. In fact I thought the pasta was not gluten free but it was. Restaurant is clean and casual. Table setting has white tablecloth. At night it seems appropriate to be business casual. There are quite a bit of locals who eats here We will be bacg

    Steven S.

    In the heart of downtown Halifax, checked out the Bicycle Thief, and it was a fun experience. It serves authentic and creative Italian food, with seafood options as well. It has classic decor with a huge patio surrounding the restaurant for outdoor seating viewing the Halifax Harbourfront Their menu made up of three "gears" - 1st gear, second gear, and high gear, the appetizers, pastas and the main courses. Had the opportunity to order: 1) Linguine all'Aragosta - Local Lobster, San Marzano tomato, garlic, vino bianco, cream, parmigiano 2) Fresh Atlantic Halibut, Snow Crab, Vermouth beurre blanc, braised cipollini onions, herbed fregola, grilled asparagus Really enjoyed the Linguine all'Aragosta. Truly fresh local lobster was used and a super creamy white wine sauce served on top of the pasta. It also comes complimentary bread served with lobster butter. Despite a busy night, the servers remained very attentive and was able to serve us and provide the dishes within a reasonable time. Its considered on the more pricier end (pastas $30 to 40, mains $40 up), but the restuarant truly has great views and uses fresh ingredients. Note: there is limited outdoor parking that isn't free and based on fixed rates.

    12 layer chocolate cake.
    Nancy S.

    10/10! Everything perfect. Lobster roll has just a hint of chili lime in the mayo. Excellent crispy fries. Salad with delicious vinegarette. Nice spring greens and a little shaved carrot and pickled onions. Chocolate 12 layer cake was to die for. Beautiful ambiance inside and cute outdoor tables. Manon, our waitress, was so sweet and attentive. Fantastic.

    Grilled shrimp in Bourbon sauce
    Cheryl H.

    Too LOUD! Between the blasting music, the dragging of the chairs over the floor, and the crashing dishes it was just too loud to be enjoyable, even hard to have a conversation. We asked for a quiet place for lunch and they put us in the bar. The lobster chowder was outstanding, loaded with corn, carrots, potato, chunks of bacon and big pieces of lobster . The grilled shrimp in bourbon sauce was very fresh and tasty. The focaccia bread with hummus was an interesting combination, the hummus was very nice, but the bread was doughy. Service was excellent. This can be recommended for a fine dining experience, providing you sit where you don't have to listen to all the noise.

    Armita P.

    One of Halifax's most iconic restaurants On our recent trip to Halifax, we had dinner at The Bicycle Thief and everything lived up to the hype. From the fresh crab ravioli to the 12-layer chocolate cake (yes, 12 layers), every bite was incredible. We ordered the Insalata Estiva (a must try, unlike any salad I've ever had), fresh crab ravioli, Linguine Fra Diavolo, and their famous 12-layer Torta al Cioccolato Highly recommend booking ahead and grabbing a patio seat for the best view in the city. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 (we had reservation for inside but since we arrived earlier we asked if it would be possible to sit outside and they accommodated us. The inside felt a bit stuffy and the patio had a nice view of the waterfront.)

    Gayan P.

    Everyone we spoke to about Halifax mentioned this place. It's clearly a local favorite--almost a point of pride. So we came in with high expectations. It's a beautiful restaurant with a great patio and truly excellent service. The vibe is polished, and you can tell the team knows how to run a smooth operation. But... the food didn't wow me. I had the lobster roll, and while it was fine, we'd had better elsewhere during our trip. Given all the hype, I left a bit underwhelmed. One thing I noticed--the same group seems to own several spots along the waterfront. They're well-run, no doubt, but they lean heavily into the safe, Western fare that suits the tourist crowd. Nothing wrong with that, but if you're looking for something bold or unexpected, this might not be the place. Still, for the views and service alone, it's worth a visit. Just go in with your expectations in check.

    Shrimp Fra Diavolo

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    9 months ago

    Everything went well from going in to service,food and place. Awesome service food is always excellent.

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    10 months ago

    Food and service very good but very pricey. Nice to sit outside. Inside was load. Better than the sister restaurant across the way

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    1 year ago

    Nice restaurant on the harbor. Very popular. Reservations a must. Food was good. Service good.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing service, dinner and wine. Busy place, a little noisey. Enjoy every visit and willbe back.

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    Page 3 of 24

    The Bicycle Thief Reviews in Other Languages

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    Peacock Wine Bar

    Peacock Wine Bar

    2.4
    (5 reviews)
    0.6 km

    I wish we took a picture of the actual restaurant -- it was so tastefully decorated and coordinated…read morewith the name Peacock. The scallops were incredible -- crispy outside and cooked to perfection throughout. This place had a very well curated drink menu. So many choices (wish I took pictures). I'm not sure about the parking situation here because we walked from our hotel next door. But it's located on a lovely spot near the water.

    I was staying at a nearby hotel and had heard good things from a local, so I decided to check it…read moreout. Beautiful room, created a casual and sophisticated vibe. As the name suggests, it is a wine bar, so a good selection of local and imported wines. I had the steak tartar, followed by the scallops, and finished with the triamisu affogatto. The steak tartar was the stand out. It didn't come with crackers, so I ordered some foccacia. I really didn't need to. The dill pickle croutons were such a nice touch in flavor and texture. The scallops were interesting...perfectly seared, and all the components of the dish (roasted cauliflower, sour cherry, dill) are good on their own but didn't really come together to form a dish. So it is a bunch of tasty things on a plate that don't really relate to each other, but all good on their own. Finally, the tiramisu...loved the affogatto, and sabayon all worked together beautifully, and it is a large portion, very sharable! Lastly, the service was great. I was solo and felt very well taken care of

    Photos
    Scallops
    Scallops
    Tiramisu affogatto
    Tiramisu affogatto
    Steak tartar

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    Steak tartar
    Sapori Italian Street Food

    Sapori Italian Street Food

    4.3
    (20 reviews)
    0.6 km

    Thank you Luca for an amazing dinner! The food was fantastic and we really experienced a real…read moretaste of Italy! We'll back !! Valerie and Marco

    Halifax has never had a shortage of Italian restaurants, with many of them being regarded among the…read morebest fine dining places in the city for years. And while I was in exile in Ottawa for several years, just the downtown has inexplicably added several more Italian spots. Of those though, it was Sapori's casual, street-food-inspired menu that piqued my interest the most (my condolences to the regrettably-named, Sketti and Ball). One day, my wife and I popped in for dinner after work. The elongated restaurant was decently full between regular diners and an solid showing for a pizza-making class. It happened to be Dine Around, so the arancini and square pizza would have to wait, as if there's one thing I like more than street food, it's a deal! Dine Around menus are typically prix fixe with an assortment of choices, and Sapori's was no different. Choose between a few apps, mains and desserts and voila, you've got yourself a three-course meal for $30. I kept it simple and went with the classics - a Caesar salad to start, spaghetti and meatballs, and a profiterole for dessert. The Caesar was sizeable and serviceable, with no departures from the formula, but no standout twists or quality ingredients here either. Romaine, real pancetta, and crumbled parmesan, which sadly wasn't the real deal Parmigiano Regiano. It was big enough for both my wife and I, which was an unexpected bonus though. Next up was the spaghetti and meatballs, a comfort food classic beloved by both young and old. The al dente spaghetti was evenly coated in the pomodoro sauce, and the two meatballs were saucy, tender and hearty. A solid coating of Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley completed the picture. The star of the show was a bit of a tease, because there was just one (I get it, food costs, etc), but the profiterole was excellent. The choux pastry was lightly crisp on the outside, with a wonderfully rich vanilla cream inside, and a dusting of confectioners sugar and a caramel drizzle took things up a couple notches. And by "things" I mean "my blood sugar". My next time there found me swinging by for a solo lunch, with their casual fare in my sights. Their lunch deal (slice of pizza + soup or salad + a cookie) was an unreal deal for a place that isn't one of Halifax's dicey pizza points, so I jumped on that. Feeling hungry, and wanting to support them beyond the basic deal, I also tacked on a single arancini and a can of San Pellegrino. For my slice I chose the salsciccia which comes with Italian sausage (are the wires connecting on "salsciccia"?), salami, caramelized onions, and mozza, with a drizzle of honey to top it off. It was a hefty slice, with a thick, airy crust that reminded me of focaccia. The sweet honey paired well with the savoury and salty meats, as well as the lightly sweet and acidic tomato sauce. A solid slice, for sure! The garden salad was a mix of fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and carrot, with an herbaceous vinaigrette to brighten up your palette. I enjoyed the crunch of the sizeable chunks of carrot, in contrast to the more common shredded carrot. The arancini disappeared quickly, as the crispy shell and cheesy rice within begged to be finished in as few bites as possible. A tip of the cap to Sapori for giving my lonely arancini a nice plating with a dollop of tomato sauce to hold it to the plate, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley and parm to top it off. Mid-day, mid-week staffing was minimal, and owner Luca Ferrante took mine and other customers' orders with friendly aplomb. Halifax's fine dining scene has long been dominated by Italian restaurants, but more casual fair like Sapori deserves its own place in the city and our bellies.

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    View of the open kitchen
    View of the open kitchen
    Arancini
    Arancini
    Menu

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    Menu
    Le Bistro By Liz

    Le Bistro By Liz

    3.9
    (117 reviews)
    0.8 km
    $$

    TL;DR/The Short Version: Excellent little French Bistro on…read morethe ground floor of a residential apartment building. Delicious food, smaller servings, but proportionately lower prices. The Long Version: We had planned to go to Le Bistro by Liz on our last trip to Halifax, but we couldn't because the restaurant was unexpectedly closed due to some emergency or it was closed for a private function, I forget, but I made a note to try again the next time we were in town. So on our most recent visit we made specific plans to go and I'm so glad we finally made it there. This place is very popular! We almost didn't get a table. We didn't make reservations because while on vacation, I like to do things on my own time and don't like committing to being at a certain place at a certain time. We arrived at 5:15pm thinking it wouldn't be busy because it was early to eat, but many tables were full. We were advised we could have a table but would need to leave by 6:30pm because they had a reservation then. Hey if they can serve us that quickly, we were down for a quick meal. I got the Seafood Florentine Crepe ($22.95) and my husband got the Seafood Risotto ($29.95). He also got a glass of Malbec ($17) and we shared the large Profiteroles ($10.95) for dessert. My Seafood Crepe had 2 large Digby scallops, 2 large shrimp and several pieces of salmon, all in a bechamel sauce with onions and spinach. It came with a mixed greens salad which was rather tiny. It was lettuce, one small wedge of tomato and a single slice of carrot. I asked for the dressing on the side and it came as requested. The crepe was delicious and I loved all the seafood in it. The sauce was very rich and creamy. The portion sizes are European (i.e. small, lol) but I felt this was a case of quality over quantity. Although I felt an extra handful of salad would have gone a long way. The salad looked more like a garnish to me than a true side dish. My husband's Seafood Risotto had 3 large Digby scallops and 2 large shrimp on top and small pieces of lobster mixed into the risotto. He really enjoyed his dish. It too was rich and creamy. We shared the large order of Profiteroles (2 profiteroles) and I was pleasantly surprised to see they plated it on 2 separate plates, so we had 1 profiterole each and each was covered in sliced almonds and chocolate sauce and caramel sauce. These were good but not as great as I imagined. The choux pastry didn't have that distinctive chew to it and perhaps was weighed down by too much sauce. Nonetheless, we enjoyed them. Service was courteous and attentive. Even though we were given a bottle of water for the table, our server topped off our waters when she saw they were running low. And we got our meals very quickly. We were out a few minutes before our 6:30pm deadline, lol. Decor is very cute with all things France, like Eiffel tower decorations, signage in French and things like that. Their menu lists prices in Canadian dollars and also in Euros. Not sure what exchange rate they use though, lol. So happy we got to try Le Bistro by Liz. (184)

    Service was amazing ! Liz was the hostess. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. It was…read moreMother's Day and Liz commented on my accent.

    Photos
    Decor
    Decor
    Crepe Fruits de Mer a la Florentine
    Crepe Fruits de Mer a la Florentine
    Decor

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    Decor

    The Bicycle Thief - italian - Updated June 2026

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