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Italian Market
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Italian Event Planning & Services Caterers Bakeries, Italian, Caterers [Edit]
Young-Kempt Centre6061 Young St
Halifax, NS B3K 2A3
(902) 455-6124
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for Italian Market
16 reviews in English
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Review from Mike B.
I thought I wrote a review about the Italian Market but I guess I haven't. I felt compelled to because they now sell FRENCH MACARONS! And I must say, of the few places in Halifax that does sell them, they are the best ones in town! And cheapest! (almost 50 cents cheaper than the nearest priced competitor).
It's nice because I do find most of their other food dishes to be a bit on the pricy side. I do enjoy the lasagna though (don't I always?) as it has certain spices on it that makes it stand out from other places and their lasagna. Also a nice variety of fun desserts like cakes, pies and puddings.
And note that they do make a lot of the baked goods that are served in places around town. So if you thought that muffin tasted familiar, it liked did and this is the source.Listed in: Lasagna Fantasies
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Review from Adam S.
1/26/2012 2 Check-ins Here
As an update to Mike B.'s review, it seems as though the Italian Market has discontinued its line of macarons.
Which is too bad, as they were easily the best thing about the place.
I'm reviewing this from a restaurant perspective, not from a grocery store perspective, by the way. The grocery store half looks lovely and I'm sure would be a valuable resource, were I making Italian food on a regular basis.
The restaurant side, though, is pretty average. Everything is pre-made and microwaved to order. I've never had anything that was outright bad, but I've never had anything that blew me away. I always think the grilled cheese is going to be some revelatory experience, but the bread never quite works for me.
The desserts are pretty good, even though they've banished my favourite treat. I tend to like the smaller desserts, like the lemon pot du creme.
And quite frankly, I just don't like the format. I feel awkward most of the time that I'm in there. It's sort of like a cafeteria-style restaurant, except that they bring the food to you after you've ordered at the counter. And then you pay at a different counter, likely after wondering if you're supposed to bring your dirty dishes somewhere. And ordering dessert is awkward, as I've found you pretty much need to go stand beside the dessert display and demand it.
Anyway, yeah. I'll probably return at some point, but it's not a high priority. -
Review from Craig S.
9/11/2011
Disclaimer: I have never eaten food from here this is simply a review of the grocery part of the store.
And as the grocery part goes I give it the thumbs up.You can find some unique, hard to find items here like ``00`` flour for pasta and pizza dough (sure you can use common flour, I just like the 00 better - it is finer). There are some nice chorizo and other meats to carry out for use in your own kitchen, some herbs and other spices that are at times more difficult to find in our normal grocery stores.
I`ve had a loaf of bread from here that I think was focaccia bread that was quite good (I say I think because while good there were not a lot of pieces of olives in it as I would`ve expected). -
Review from Ben B.
5/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I just don't care about it.
There. You can basically stop reading there if you're in a rush. If you're not? Well, let's keep going.
The Italian Market is one part euro-grocery, one part deli, and half a part restaurant. I say half because while they have a really expansive menu with tons of tasty items that are perfect for a quick weekday lunch, everything is just reheated via microwave as it's ordered. The food is still pretty good but as a result of it's quick preparation, some dishes are slightly reminiscent of airplane meals which is never a good thing.
The eating area is pretty tight, packed with uncomfortable chairs and tables that can be a little small even for a twosome. Service is limited to your food drop-off after it's ordered at the counter, and payment at the cash on your way out the door.
I know that sounds like a whole lotta haterade but trust me, I never mind going to the Italian Market, it's just never high on my list. So take that for whatever it's worth...Listed in: North Enders, 'Market'ing, Italiano
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Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
2/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Italian Market is a pretty routine lunch stop for me. It's not far from my work and an easy place to meet up with friends of mine that work at Willow Park. I'm thinking of the place mainly as a restaurant for the purposes of writing this review, but it's also a great Italian grocery store with a good selection of meats, cheeses, pastas, Italian specialties... you know, what the name implies!
They have a great sandwich selection, including grilled paninis which I have yet to try - I tend to be mostly a muffaleta kind of guy (with an amazing olive pesto, man is it good). They have the usual Italian deli selection of pastas as well which are reheated to order, and last time I was in a couple weeks ago they added a fresh cooked to order pasta special, cooked right at the coffee bar.
Don't overlook the desserts, either, or the coffee. They offer great cannoli among a variety of options.
Some people complain about the price. Yes, it's more pricey than some sandwich options, but you're also getting good value for your money, and the atmosphere is perfect. -
Review from David H.
Halifax, NS
5/20/2011
I've never used the eat-in section of the Italian Market. I once took a cannolo with me with which was I was thoroughly unimpressed. Pricey and bland, nothing compared to what can be found in Southern Ontario.
However, the Italian Market also has a grocery section. In addition to pasta and polenta (obviously) they sell various Italian-style sausages (as far as I'm aware they are all from Canada), frozen ravioli and other filled pasta (again from Canada), Loacker wafers from Italy (unfortunately much worse than Manner wafers from Austria), and many other Italian products. They also have a few products that are not typically Italian, such as stuffed grape leaves from Greece.
Unfortunately many items are very expensive at the Italian Market. But they also have some decent deals. What are some of my favourite finds? The torrone isn't fantastic but it's good, and at $4.29 for a pack of 150g it has a decent price. I often go to the Italian Market to buy bread: they have very good baguettes for only $2.50, and their struan bread (a Scottish harvest bread) is absolutely wonderful ($4 for approx. 800g).
So if you need Italian-style groceries or good bread, take a look at the Italian Market, but make sure to check the price labels before you go to the check-out. -
Review from Sarah A.
Halifax, NS
2/14/2011
I'm only giving four stars because I really find they are expensive for what they are. But they are good. I want to buy the Vespa trincket thingy they had on display... but it's not for sale.
They have awesome pre-made dough, which is better than I can make in my antique bread machine...
I kind of don't like how they microwave your food to heat it up after it's been sitting around for awhile, but when you like something a lot, you tend to ignore these types of things and look on the brighter side... Kind of like when your partner get's a little too overweight, but it makes you look thinner.. you know!? -
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
11/3/2009 1 photo
High marks for the food, lower marks for the spotty service. This place has never been able to get a handle on its staff, and that's always been a bit a drawback. Still, they make some really great food, including one of my favourite things to bring to a social gathering - the salmon and cream-cheese pate. You will be the favourite of any group if you bring this to a party with a few crackers and a nice bottle of vino. They also make nice pizzas, great sandwiches, and lots of pre-made pastas for instant lunches and dinners to eat in or take out.
The shop is also an Italian grocery, and another of my favourite things to do is buy their frozen ball of pizza dough and their own shop-made pizza sauce and make up my own pizzas at home. There's also bread, pastas, coffee, a wide selection of olive oils and sweets straight out of the old country. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
5/28/2010
The Italian Market - the whole idea of being able to walk into a place like this and have so many fine eats at your fingertips is appealing to anyone.
If you are a cook at heart and need those special ingredients to cook up your own feast or maybe you just want to kick back and buy something already freshly made.
Here you will have options. I choose on this day to buy some ingredients to make a dish for the weekend. The service was great.
Just to let everyone know, this is under new owners now. So stop by and see if things are different. -
Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
12/1/2009 6 photos
Although I know lots of people who love the take out, I opt for the terrific ingredients to make my own Italian delicacies. The best homemade sausages in town...delivered fresh every Thursday afternoon and if you can't get there until Monday, you'll find them in the freezer. My favorite - sweet fennel sausages, but there are spicy chorizo and some other kinds as well. Perfect grilled, served with lentils....I'm drooling but that's not all you can find at the Italian Market.
Being a huge pasta fan, I'm really crazy about the two aisles of imported pastas from the standard to the really unique and all the possible toppings like oil dried black olives, Italian antipasti, anchovies by the tin or the jar, roasted and marinated artichoke hearts and red peppers are some of my favorites.
Olive oils and balsamic vinegars come in every grade and from every region in Italy. And I must mention the fresh buffalo mozzarella and other soft cheeses and fresh homemade pasta, sauces and pizza dough so you can be a star at home with very little effort. -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
12/17/2009
When reviewing the Italian Market you need to break it down into two separate entities. The grocery portion and the dining portion.
The grocery portion is great. There are a lot of varied and specialty items that you will not find anywhere else in Halifax. Shopping here for your Italian themed meal is about as authentic as you could possible get in our city. You'll be tossing pasta, adding olives and watching Who's The Boss (featuring noted Italian American Tony Danza) all night long. Definitely check this place out for your next home cooked meal.
However, avoid the dine in or lunch experience. Cold pizza enters the microwave...actually, everything enters the microwave. You have no idea how long food has been sitting around. It's also very small portions at a rather steep price. The staff is friendly, but friendly only gets you so far.
Let me stress again, a microwave! Come on, seriously? I would love to give the Italian Market higher marks (as a matter of fact, if it was just a grocery, I would!), but paying nearly 10 dollars for a warmed up piece of chicken and a Pepsi just doesn't cut it for me.
Go for the grocery, leave before you check out the menu, it's probably going to be better if you make it yourself anyway. -
Review from Bethany J.
Halifax, NS
3/25/2010
Walking into the Italian Market feels like you've stepped into the old country. In front of you are aisles of grocery goodness the likes of which you won't find elsewhere in Halifax. Imported pastas in every shape and size, oils, vinegars, canned tomatoes, crackers - they're all there for you to peruse before making a decision. To the left are the cold cases, which stock fresh pastas, sauces, dough and various sausages (fresh or frozen, depending on the day). In the back, you'll find the cheese case and the deli counter. Both have numerous choices that make the Italian Market unique - try the pâtés!
We love having meals comprised exclusively of appetizers, so this week I stopped in and brought home some sliced genoa salami, some provolone, a couple of bags of croustinis and some pâté. We stuffed ourselves on it - it was so good.
In the next case are several varieties of salads and next to them are fresh-made entrées available for eat-in or take-out. I find that their prices for ready-made items are on the high side - but that's to be expected in a niche market.
Don't forget the baked goods case! Until recently, the Italian Market was the exclusive supplier of oatcakes to the Starbucks location in Clayton Park. (Unfortunately, that Starbucks has now gone corporate - and the oatcakes aren't nearly as good!) Also on offer are cannolis and cheesecakes - all sorts of treats to tempt you.
Stop into the Italian Market. Parking is plentiful and the store is open until 7pm on weekdays. -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
2/24/2010 1 photo
Italian Market tucked in the plaza on Young street has a great convient loaction with plenty of parking right in front and even opened 7 days a week.
Walking there on my way to work or even home I often just stop in a and look around at all the yummy stuff. Coming into the variety of smells from the fresh garlic to all the spices make me hungry. Like others I find this a great place to pick up some ingredients to make that specail dish for home. But if you are not a cooker then you can go to the back and look through the glass cases at all the yummy dishes that they create on location of a wide varitey of Pasta and Lasagna's.
I have not tired the Pizza yet but maybe that might be a next time for me. -
Review from Lacey H.
3/26/2010
I once worked at this Italian food mecca and loved being able to treat myself to a hearty veggie sandwich during my lunch breaks. Sometimes I would get an orzo salad, and some days the tomato and bocconcini - the options abounded and my decisions felt endless.
There are lots of ready made items to get excited about at this market style cafe, located in a strip mall on Young Street. I am a huge cheese fiend, so relished the opportunity to buy wedges of serious fromage straight from the amply loaded display case. I'm not a meat connoisseur, but can appreciate the lust for deli-cuts after seeing tasty sammies constantly piled high with said ingredients.
Not only can you get prepared grub, but also tons of grocery items from the market area. From olives to pastas to olive oil - there are so many options available it's bound to make any Italian food lover's head swoon.
My only complaint is that top-quality ingredients are not used in the preparation of deli-foods. Personally, I prefer when there is at least an attempt to use organic or local whenever possible, but I'm fairly certain this isn't a priority at The Italian Market.
Nonetheless, this is a fun and inspiring little market, sure to get you excited about cooking and eating in general. Eat in or take out, it's up to you - like I said, decisions abound once you step into this North End market. -
Review from Personalo X.
South End, NS
4/16/2009
Two words: Surly staff.
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Review from R N.
Halifax, NS
9/20/2008
great italian groceries and delicious sandwiches.
