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Rock Island Cafe - CLOSED
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
6 reviews for Rock Island Cafe
6 reviews in English
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Review from Laura P.
7/22/2010
Perhaps it may deem appropriate to name my first born after the glory known as Quinpool. Too much? Perhaps... but this Halifax hood is one of the best in the city, and I do feel grateful. Rock Island Cafe is a small part of its greatness, and with a new menu and summertime seating, its got "pit-stop" written all over it.
I've never had Bermudean food specifically, so this alone is an intrigue. Lots of heavier type dishes, and this is not a cuisine my sensitive tum could endure on a regular basis. But the menu revamps appear to be stepping things up a notch with upscale delights.
I went for the Pan Fried Haddock, which was wonderful. Expensive? Yes... at $17 it looks as though my grocery stop this week will be taking a cut. But the aromas of a lovely cafe and new menu opportunity had my curiosity and I have no regrets. The meal itself was, indeed, scrumptious.
Great atmosphere, good food and the sureness of Quinpool to back it up. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
4/3/2010
I was invited to dinner with my boyfriends parents a few weekends ago, and when someone suggested we dine at The Rock Island Cafe, I jumped at the chance. I've been a longtime admirer of the decor gracing the outside of this little restaurant (a starfish atop a pale green building, with gilded columns and a giant omega carving). I was curious to see if they could deliver in taste and service as they did in aesthetic.
My first thought was that the inside of the restaurant was a little bit cheesy, mirrors lining the walls and plasma TVs playing the adventure channel featuring clips of waterfalls and rain-forests, except the one hanging over our table which was showing Dog the Bounty Hunter. Our server was an older man who was so happy and bubbling with energy, he made sure we had everything we needed and check back often to see if we needed drink refills.
Although I only got a small sample of the menu, I was really pleased with my meal. There were roasted vegetables (which I usually pass up in favour of bread and meat) but they were done well and really yummy.
Hot Hint: Rock Island Cafe features artists on weeknights as well as hosts an open mic night. It's great background music to dine to. -
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
9/29/2009 1 photo
I have a feeling the kitchen was just having a bit of an off night when I was there, so I'm giving Rock Island Cafe the benefit of the doubt that it can do better than it did on my first visit. A fun, fresh, little space - who could argue that what Quinpool Road needed was a taste of Caribbean comfort food?
The restaurant's exterior is wonderful - soft green stucco and a big pink starfish - a clean, inviting look. The interior has a bit of fun in its design as well - but I found the multitude of television sets scattered around such a small space both distracting and unnecessary.
So, the food. I had the Rotti, which arrived at my table quite cold. Didn't send it back - our server was busy and distracted. Most of the folks around us seemed to be enjoying their food, and the place seemed to be hopping. I'll go back some time and give it another try, because I really want this restaurant to succeed - if only because it's nice to have some variety from all the Greek restaurants on Quinpool. -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
12/15/2009
The Rock Island Cafe - where the only thing that's better than the stuffed chicken is the quirky man who tends the bar and greets patrons almost every night of the week. He has been my waiter every time I've visited this place and is a real treat.
The decor gives a real island feel as long as you don't look out the window and see the snow piling up. The lighting is low and the calypso renditions of your pop music favorites is a laugh. There are a few too many flat screen televisions on the wall which can cause a bit of a distraction, even if they're all playing video of scuba diving and running on the beach.
The food is very tasty, as I said, try the stuffed chicken. It is a little pricey, but it's always nice to pay for a meal and feel like you got your moneys worth.
Great staff, great food, The Rock Island Cafe is definitely a restaurant worth checking out the next time you're in the west end! -
Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
2/24/2010 3 photos
I've been meaning to try Rock Island Cafe since it opened, but somehow never made it until yesterday. Perhaps it was the bone chilling dreariness of the day, but the lovely pastel colors outside called me in.
And from the second I was inside the door, it was like a magic wand had been waved and I was transported to Bermuda. I... am.... not ...joking!
The island music, the huge video screens taking us around the island with its glorious white sandy beaches and aquamarine waters, pretty pastel homes and hotels. Don't even get me started on those fantastic flowers and mangos still in the trees. What a wonderful travelogue. The decor added to the mood and my awesome waiter, so eager to please really reminded me of my trip to Bermuda, more years ago than I care to count. Obviously, it's time to head back. But until then....I'll be back to Rock Island Cafe often for a fix of Caribbean Heaven.
It was lunch time and I had an island traditional dish - chicken hot pie. Think, Canadian traditional chicken pot pie with a curry twist. It was delicious. I'm already planning my next visit. I'll be having the fish cakes (apparently they're one of the favorites here), or perhaps the Rock Island Bermuda Triangle - (my waiter called it a serious "hungry man meal") spiced pan seared haddock, shrimps and scallops served with a tropical fruit sauce.
All that was missing, was my bathing suit and a girly holiday drink. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
3/31/2010 1 photo
I love to go here and pretend I am down south! Talk about take your stress away. You can not help but to love the interior of this place.
It is a nice change from the 50,000 Greek Restaurants that seem to be taking over Quinpool Rd (not that I do not love Greek Food). I was here on a lunch hour. I ordered a salad, consisted of cucumber, banana and spinach, with a few surprises, it was good.
The staff was friendly and the cost was reasonable.
