I appreciate a gastropub with lots of yummy choices that caters to those with special requirements. This is a cute, homey yet bright space near the waterfront. Service is friendly and very helpful. We ordered: Nachos (with some ingredients deleted). This does not sound exciting but it was exactly what my kid wanted. Fish and rosti. The fish was baked and tasty Salmon with bacon glaze with my choice of baked sweet potato rosti. This was healthy and fantastic. Wow. Refreshing lemonade Garrison tall ships ale was enjoyed Lemon-lime soda tasted a bit like apples Blueberry crisp was huge, perfect for sharing. This mad packed with wild blueberries, an interesting crunch topping and maple whipped cream. read more

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We ordered a coffee, tea and dessert. The tea was served in a cheap little metal pot. The tea and coffee are almost $4 each. The dessert which was not great was $10. We will never go back again. read more

Really disappointed in the food and the value for money at this restaurant. I came here with a group of six after a conference day at the convention centre which is really close by. The rice bowl was extremely salty and almost inedible. When I told the waiter they did offer to give me a free dessert or add more rice however I felt like the food itself really couldn't be eaten and I didn't want to stay for dessert. I will say the service was very friendly and he continually refilled our waters throughout the meal. I would not recommend this place for dinner however they did have some decent beers on tap and if you wanted to watch the game in Roger's square across the street - then you could sit at a window seat here and still be part of the action. read more

I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who does not like blend tasting vegan food that feels like rubber in your mouth

Amazing food, well worth its price. The Novascotian Salmon was delicious, perfectly executed. The maple syrup on top did not over power to fish but complimented it. Also the Cajun Haddock packed with flavour that surprised me when I took my first bite. Both main dishes came with mash and veggies. Mash was just right and the veggies were cooked wonderfully. My brother hates ginger but the ginger served didn't have the strong taste, never knew ginger could taste like that. The desserts were made very tasteful as well. The apple pie was overall good and the blueberry crisp was interesting. Both complimented with whip cream. The whip cream was not overly sweet. Well balanced EDIT: forgot about the mussel starters. They gave us a good portion for three, pretty good read more

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Absolutely delicious! The aioli that comes with the fish cakes punches you in the tastebuds (in a good way). I LOVE that there is an apple salad for us vegetable-picky folks who still want to attempt to be healthy. Roasties were amazing. Great value overall. Would definitely order again :) read more

The Wooden Monkey - Fish cakes with half roasties and half apple salad. - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Was downtown today and saw this place and decided to check it out. When entering it had an inviting atmosphere, plus they were playing Fleetwood Mac on their sound system, which is always nice. As it was only 5 pm I got a table and was served right away. The waitress, Kayleigh, was really friendly and recommended the pulled pork burger. I followed her recommendation and it was tasty and very filling. I would go back to this restaurant again in the future. read more

We are flying out of Halifax tomorrow and were in the area getting our Covid tests done. So glad we stopped at The Wooden Monkey, it was one of our favorite restaurants of our trip! Convenient parking nearby - it's a hotel parking garage. You do have to pay. I had the salmon. I could have done without the bacon on it, which made it just a bit too filling/rich but it tasted great. My mom had the lamb burger which she loved. My dad had the lentil burger and apple salad. We all absolutely loved the chocolate tofu pie. Don't be scared off by the tofu, it was absolutely fantastic. I also had their virgin blueberry/lavender mojito which was great. Friendly service. I highly recommend. read more

Centrally located by the Citadel, the Wooden Monkey makes a convenient stop after a visit to the Citadel. They have a good selection of vegan/vegetarian options including a lentil burger that looked tasty. My beef burger was decent and they have a representative draft beer selection. They also have an outdoor patio. If you are looking for a low key option downtown this may be a good choice. read more

Great food; some vegan, some vegetarian, some meat. Great service. Lots of character, bohemian feel. read more

Have you ever been served by Batman? I have, and I have documentary proof of it. Check the server's name on the bill when you visit this small resto that prides itself on local, organic offerings. Seating options are the standard table-and-chair combo and bar dining. The décor is nothing special, but there is a giant monkey poster on one wall. Reasonable prices, even on alcohol. Steinhart is a NS gin. I had a Steinhart G+T at Wooden Monkey ($7). Bought a bottle of Haskap Berry gin (one of their specialty gins) at the Seaport Market on the same trip. My dining companion had the 9" pulled pork pizza with BBQ sauce ($17) which she found tasty and filling. I had the large beet salad ($13.50); it would have been better if the beets were served warm. I believe that she had a lemon tart for dessert. She almost licked the plate - for real. Batman was entertaining and efficient. He must have been wearing the suit underneath his street clothes... read more

I crossed something off the bucket list today, all thanks to the Wooden Monkey. Having been a vegetarian since my very early teens, I missed out on my meat-eating chance to indulge in a Halifax staple: the donair. For years I've been judged whenever I shrug as visitors ask me where to find the best donair. For years I've been looked down upon for not knowing its glory. But no longer! Today, I tried the vegan donair. Sure, it's not the same as the five pound beasts that sloppy drunks maul outside of pizza corner as they wait for cabs, but it's as close as I'll probably ever come to that so it still counts. Fresh pita is stuffed with marinated seitan and caramelized onions with tomatoes and a sweet coconut sauce (identical in taste to the real donair sauce which I have tried), and ooey-gooey mozzarella. Basically, it was a total mess and I should have grabbed extra napkins. So filling I could barely finish half of it (I didn't even mention it came with a full serving of delicious potato roasties and a side salad, most of which went untouched), it was a satisfying feed with lots of flavour. I could have gone for a little more crunch in the actual donair since the seitan and mozza made for a very chewy situation but I did like it and could see splitting one with someone further down the road. Our server was a total gem who stayed friendly, polite and attentive who you could tell was sensitive about making sure we got in and out within the designated workday lunch time. I don't always love my meals at the Wooden Monkey, so you really have to find something you like and stick to it, or get good recommendations from a regular, but I'm always glad to have them in my backpocket for a night where I want to pick from some refreshing, creative vegetarian options. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Seitan donair. - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Fantastically delicious meal. I had asked a work colleague to choose a restaurant to celebrate a work achievement and he had gladly selected the Wooden Monkey to dine together. You enter the restaurant and it's set in an old downtown building with creaky floors but has that "Haight-Ashbury" SF feel to it. Free, eclectic and individualistic are the best words that come to my mind. The menu looked to be an amazing offering of carefully selected menu offerings. Everything looked just so damm good that I had a hard time coming to a concensus on what to choose. So I had decided to go with their vegetarian curry but with an added serving of NS Scallops. This was one of the most delicious curries I've had in some time. It was the perfect balance of fresh vegetables with a sauce that was slightly sweet but fragrantly aromatic and creamy. It was one of those meals in which you savour and yearn to come back to test more out. Service was cordial friendly and not too intrusive. We also had an explanation of the new convention center being built across the way. Exceptional meals rest with you as a memory that need to be repeated. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Amazing veg curry with 7 plump scallops added - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

A much needed reaffirmation of my love for the Wooden Monk. I set sail to this resto for a first date (ooh!) just recently. Points to my new friend for suggesting such a lovely setting, as it had been too long since I've graced its confines. It wasn't a particularly busy night, and as usual, service was prompt. Our waiter was a bit more stiff than Monkey staffers I've had in the past; however, he was still very polite. After being served our drinks, I noticed that my wine was not Pinot Grigio, but Chardonnay. Ick-- chardonnay is not my forté. Not having the heart to complain, i sipped away at my sweet drink reluctantly. Sigh.. However, dinner made up for it. Both my comrade and I ordered lentil burgers with side apple salads, (Meant to be?) and were completely satisfied. This is my favourite meal on the menu by far. (And decently priced!) Instead of a traditional kaiser bun, the lentil burger is served on a thin, crispy grain pita with sweet savorings of honey mustard and miso. A gluten free option is available as well! (Although not stated on the menu) A slight ruffle in the drink order did not deter my love for The Monkey. Its relaxed and thoughtful surroundings, and veggie friendly deliciousness can do no wrong. read more

The Wooden Monkey - As displayed on thewoodenmonkey.ca - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Went there for dinner and had a vegetarian curry and added the local fresh scallops. Hmmmm!!!! It was so so delicious! The flavours were just heavenly and you could taste the freshness of all the ingredients. The scallops were cooked to perfection! The restaurant has two levels, we sat upstairs and it's such a cool place there. All the tables and chairs are different. The interior boasts a rustic and comfortable feel and there is so much to look at and to enjoy! Every single individual of the staff is super friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home. I highly recommend this place!! read more

The Wooden Monkey - Strawberry kefir: deliciously thick and strawberry tasting. Hot water and lemon - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Absolutely fantastic. The lentil burger was incredible and filling in the best way (I felt really full but not like I was stuffed with things I couldn't pronounce). This was my first time here, and it makes me sad to know that the construction surrounding the restaurant is really affecting the business. This is probably one of the best restaurants in Halifax (in my opinion).I recommend it to everyone! Great for anyone. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Lentil burger with veggies - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

I've meant to try this place for over a year, after mixed reviews, just to see for myself. On a chilly winter Thursday, I decided to stop in around 4:00 with time to kill before an evening appointment. Two tables were taken upon my arrival, out of maybe a dozen in total? (there may be an upstairs in this restaurant too, I saw a flight of stairs, but didn't ask or investigate, so that could just be nothing). Matching with the name, a lot of the décor in here is wood...mix & matched table sets, I think a stone fireplace. Not sure if it's accessible or not, with the main dining area up a few steps to the right. Very friendly service. I was lucky to arrive at happy hour so had a glass of a nice L'Acadie pinot grigio for $5. Good, and different Raw tacos (Nappa wrapped spicy sundried tomato, walnut mushroom 'meat', fresh salsa, pine nut 'sour cream' and guacamole. vegan $6.75 for one). I didn't realize from the menu description that they have no tortilla, but are served as a lettuce wrap. A bit expensive for just a few bites, but still good nonetheless. The Vegetable Curry (mushrooms, toasted quinoa, raisins, curry coconut, macadamia nut paste, sweet potato sticks and cilantro. vegan $23 )was very good and filling with lots of flavor, but definitely more expensive than what you'd pay elsewhere for a similar dish. I think the mark-up is quite high here. But yes, I will go back and try another dish, such as the lentil burger and a few other yummy-sounding items. read more

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This is a good option n if you're gluten intolerant! Food: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Service: 5/5 The food was alright, but a bit overpriced. The ambiance is nice and casual. The location is central. Our server was the owner's son, who was very prompt and friendly. He made our experience very enjoyable. read more

Every time I eat at The Wooden Monkey, I feel as though I sit on the cusp of something great, never quite being propelled into the "awesome, delicious, the best" category. I'm a vegetarian and according to the mouths of many, this place is a veggie restaurant - but that's not the case. They are dedicated to local, sustainable food, with an emphasis on organic products, which does not automatically equal a place designed for the herbivores. Their menu is meat heavy, with lots of interesting sounding items. The service is professional and courteous, and the atmosphere is quite lovely and comfortable. However, I find the vegetarian/vegan items often lacking in flavor as well as overpriced. The servings aren't bountiful and I usually leave feeling like had I whipped up my meal at home I could have made it tastier. Give me a little more flavor and creativity on the veg-items, Wooden Monkey. I want to love you! read more

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Just arrived from Texas, we were hungry, the door man at Prince George hotel suggested The Wooden Monkey, man was he correct. Melissa took great care of us, her suggestions hit the spot, plus she is a excellent waitress, her choice of music for the background is also great. Plus the Ice Tea and desserts man what else could ask for. Thanks Melissa read more

In search of a vegetarian-friendly option for a dinner with my BFF from out of town, I chose the Wooden Monkey based on the recommendations of work colleagues. The restaurant was busy on a Tuesday night which is always a good sign! A great, earthy/wood decor and bustling ambiance. Due to other indulgences over the course of the day, our party of 3 stuck to the "light fare" menu with the free-range Nova Scotia lamb burger and the lentil burger, both served with roasties. Nothing particularly fancy about either dish but both were nicely seasoned, cooked properly and hit the spot. The entrees that went past us over the course of the meal looked fantastic, I'd be inclined to return to try those selections. The price was definitely right, with our meals coming in at $16.75 and $13.75 respectively, and a 1L of house wine (Jost) for only $35, the Wooden Monkey offered a high quality, great value option. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Free-range Nova Scotia lamb burger served with roasties - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

I'm late to the Wooden Monkey party. I know. Don't get me wrong, I've been meaning to go just never got there. So when my best friend said she was coming to Halifax for a visit, and there was a great Groupon for the Wooden Monkey I was all over it. I love a good deal and I love her so of course I was all about it. I'm so glad we are deal hunting friends because we had a great night here. I'm one of those people that is always on the hunt for the best nachos, the best burger, best whatever. I'd have to say that the Wooden Monkey is up there for best Nachos. These things were amazing! They got the cheese layering just right along with the toppings, sides. It was a master piece. That atmosphere is intimate and classy, the lighting was dim for the dinner crowd and there are large windows in case your date is boring and you want to people watch. Don't act like you don't do it. read more

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Aside from having ketchup accidentally dropped all over my leg, the meal was very good. Had the seitan sandwich with their baked fries. A little messy to eat but overall I'd recommend it for anyone. Having gone in for lunch it was a nice quick meal. I figured something would have been done about having my leg covered in ketchup though, wether it was on the bill or meal. Or even to clean if there was any issues. So if you go in there without having food dropped on you, I think you'll have a pleasant experience. UPDATE: After reading what happened the owners reached out to me to make it better. I don't often have mishaps or a bad experience at restaurants but when it does happen it's very rare to have owners reach out because they truly want make it better so that you come again. They were very nice and I will certainly go back next time in town and chances are each time I head back to Halifax. read more

Wooden Monkey is amazing - on a recent trip to Halifax, we made an effort to eat dinner here a few different times because no where else in the city seemed to live up to this standard. The ambiance is nice - certainly not fancy but thoughtful, quirky decorations in a dimly lit dining area, once the sun sets. Tables are far enough apart that you're not accidentally eavesdropping on your neighbor's weekend plans. Wait staff is friendly & knowledgeable and the food is outstanding. Seriously - who else can possibly make vegan nachos taste this good?! The scallop & almond salad and haddock with a flair were two of our other favorites. Prices are also reasonable; I just wish they were open later! 9 and 10 o'clock closing times are pretty early for anyone just trying to relax & explore the city. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Scallop & Almond salad - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Was disappointed with the meal - roasted chicken sandwich was very tasteless and the roasties were burnt to a crisp. The live slug that came with our meal was extremely disappointing. Although pure accident, the response on how it was handled was extremely disappointing . :( read more

Very friendly, accommodating staff, especially during covid. The food was absolutely delicious (I enjoyed the scallop pasta). Overall, excellent experience! read more

I have heard so much about The Wooden Monkey that I thought it was time to try it out. Seems that the majority ruled here. The place was full of people who looked like they were having a great time. It is really has a special atmosphere with the wood all around you and the wonderful tables. I do like to see what people are ordering, I know , you should not stare, I am really not staring at them, just the food to see what is looks good. I am a sucker for presentation with food. So Pizza was on the menu and ordered, also ordered the spinach salad, I love spinach salads, and this one was pretty special. I have to say, this restaurant has that Wow factor that your friends would be pleased if you took them. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Meal was misrepresented on the menu (chickpea salad), dining room was hot, and wait staff was cold.

Great restaurant right on the Dartmouth Waterfront. Excellent food, service and that view!

We came here for lunch during our Halifax trip a couple of months back. I had the vegan Triple Taco plate and 1/2 pint of Propeller IPA. My wife had the Chickpea Salad. We both really enjoyed what we ordered, and we liked the decor as well as our server. Two thumbs up. read more

Fresh, interesting, and delicious food. Everything I've had here has been delicious. Great location, laid-back atmosphere.

Happened upon this gem of a restaurant, the domestic beer is icy cold, the Apple salad (smaller portion) is enough to share and very tasty. The lentil burger is marvelous and the haddock dish (cajun version) is also marvelous. Worth a journey from Florida ;-) read more

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My husband and I were looking for a good lunch place near the Halifax Citadel and came across The Wooden Monkey. Loved the food and the charming atmosphere. I had the scallop pasta which was just the perfect size. It was creamy and delicious. My husband had the Chorizo pizza which was very generously topped with Chorizo. The beer list had a good amount of local brewers on tap and I appreciate that you could order a small 10oz size. Would recommend it! read more

We went in August and called to get a table in 15minutes and they were able to accommodate us. The decor is rustic but nice and the menu is great! Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and raw food available, as well as meat and seafood. Juices and kombucha and a variety of desserts were also available. I had the Napa taco which was good and the roasted chickpea salad that I enjoyed. I ended with the tofu and non dairy chocolate cake which was ok but a bit much for me. The lemon tart and blueberry crumble were good. My son said the apple pie was good but very different. Everybody said the maple whipped cream didn't have a maple taste. My husband loved the scallop pasta and my mom enjoyed the vegetable curry. The two who ordered the chicken dinner said it was bland. My niece enjoyed the salmon. Service was quick and friendly. Location was great for us as it was walking distance from our hotel......smack downtown on Grafton and Prince. The bacon wrapped scallops and sweet apple salad were enjoyed by all. read more

Nice meal. Excellent service. Our first dinner in Halifax. Had brisket stew. Delicious.

The Wooden Monkey is always a good bet if you're downtown and looking for delicious food! It's a two-storey restaurant with lots of local and healthy options. I appreciate that their menu lists whether dishes include nuts or dairy, are raw or vegan and that they have a number of gluten-free selections. The prices are reasonable for the quality of what is offered and I've always been thoroughly satisfied (love the lamb burger & chocolate tofu pie!). While parking downtown can be a bit of a challenge with all of the construction, parking garages and bus stops are nearby and there is bike parking out front from what I remember. read more

Solid restaurant for food, service and ambiance... but I can't say I'd want to come back. We had the fish cakes (which were REALLY GOOD), sesame crusted fish and scallop pasta. The two mains weren't bad but also weren't great. And the pricing was a little on the high end compared to other places that would've delivered a higher quality at the same price. It seemed like this place catered to the organic, gluten free crowd so if you like or need substitutions, this resto would be for you. read more

Great lunch joint right here! I got the seafood chowder which was portioned just right for me. I didn't want a ton of food but I did want great flavor and this dish did it for me. My buddy got the curry taco special and said it was awesome! The atmosphere was fun. Looks like the restaurant has won several awards (pic provided). Solid place for great food! read more

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For this visit I tried their Bacon Cheese Burger. I have to give the Wooden Monkey props for creating their own unique bun, despite the structural flaws. I've encountered so many plain white buns, so coming across something like this is always a nice surprise. This burger didn't disappoint me, there was just a couple small things that I wasn't a huge fan of. I plan on making a return visit at some point in the future to try one of their non-beef burger options. read more

The Wooden Monkey - Bacon Cheese Burger - Bars Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

WOW! We went to The Wooden Monkey for dinner a few nights ago and it was FABULOUS. We were sat right away by a lovely host. The atmosphere is casual and classy. We enjoyed the candles throughout the restaurant to "set the mood" - ha ha. We ordered the monkey bruschetta to start which was a focaccia bread that had a delicious blend of tomato, basil, garlic, olive oil, a good portion of feta and Parmesan - highly recommend this! We then shared entrees so we could try both dishes. I ordered the vegetable curry which was packed with flavour. My friend ordered the sesame haddock and rice. Both dishes were great! No complaints at all. The service was good. We would have liked to order another drink but were brought the bill without asking so we didn't have a chance to. That's okay though as we went down the street for a drink after dinner. We'll definitely be back. read more