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- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 12 am
Thu-Sun 8:30 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Brunch
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for The Armview Restaurant & Lounge
Review Highlights
"The portabello burger and the lamb burger are fantastico."
(in 3 reviews)
"...on a hungover Saturday or Sunday - try the rotary club."
(in 4 reviews)
"It's a quaint little spot, with a retro nod."
(in 4 reviews)
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Lorna R.
Chester, NS
10/26/2011
While I don't live in the neighbourhood anymore the Armview remains my all time favourite hood hangout. Breakfast, lunch or dinner they always serve it up fresh and fabulous. From diner fare to amazing creative culinary delights you can satisfy anyone at the Armview.
I am always able to find something gluten free to eat on the menu and usually have a number of options to choose from. The staff is friendly and gets to know you.
I am not living in the hood anymore but I make sure to stop by when I am, great meeting place for business or pleasure. George and his crew do an excellent job! -
Review from Chris J.
Halifax, NS
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I've lived in Halifax for five years and am only now taking in the legend that is The Armview. I've heard nothing but great things about the place so a friend and I decided to stop in for quick bite.
Let's get this out if the way: any place with a counter and rotating seats is my kind of place, and frankly, there aren't nearly enough of them. Also, booths. You can't lose really. And while the decor and layout is great, the food is what we came for. The menu is wide and varying with exactly the choices you'd expect. They have liver and onions and while I'm no fan, I don't think you can consider yourself a true diner without it, so good to see that.
I was in the mood for a burger and had a bit of trouble deciding what to indulge in, they all looked so good. But, since I'm a fan of the spice I went with the Hyland. This masterpiece is a fat homemade burger with spicy chorizo sausage and gouda on top, served on a ciabatta bun. Holy eff this is a good burger. You can taste the freshness all they way through, this ain't no frozen junk burger. The fries were superb too, and just the right amount.
The service was great, just enough attention and good-natured. I dig a place like this with laid-back service, the kind that'll engage in conversation if that's your thing but leave you to your thoughts if you feeling quiet.
Overall, a great first time out. Well made, fresh food, great server all in an wonderful, cozy atmosphere. I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Glenn M.
Halifax, NS
We were recently surprised, as regulars at this spot, when just last week, the wings came to our table with no sauce...OUR FAVORITE PART!! We called the server over and asked about the no sauce...usually smothered in dark BBQ sauce...he explained..oh no..we have a new chef..."Its a Franks Hot Sauce and melted butter reduction"......well ecuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me....LOL...we plowed forward and while they were not what our head was expecting they were mighty tasty...one might even say "Finger Licking Good"...but no doubt that is trademarked! :) Keep up the good work...perhaps next visit the new "Macaroni & Cheese" Always save room for the pie, made in house you order Custard Pie and can be adorned with bananas or Coconut....your choice..mmmmmmm
OH and also some Crazy Faboosh music mix playing! -
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'd been meaning to check out the Armview again after having a great time during my first visit at a Yelp Elite event this summer, but it's a little out of the way for me. Last weekend my mom invited me out for dinner and to do a little shopping, it was the parade of lights downtown and we wanted a quiet dinner so this place came to mind.
It's a quaint little spot, with a retro nod. I was feeling like diner food, so I went with the classic chocolate milkshake, and the chicken fingers and fries. The milkshake was awesome, definitely one of the best in the city. Unlike a lot of chicken fingers, these were not from a package, they were made in house with a nice spice blend and were cooked perfectly. The fries were house cut, but could have spent a few more minutes in the fryer. My mom enjoyed her soup and the baked spring rolls.
Service was a little lackluster, but it just could have been an off night.
While the Armview won't be a regular spot for me because of its location, I will definitely check it out again when I'm in the 'hood. -
Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Two trips to the Armview have made me pretty happy - a great place for a meal, lots of character, good service, and a menu that's got lots of unique takes on simple diner food. I could write a long review but what's the point - just go. See for yourself. And make sure to get a milkshake.
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Review from Tiffany T.
Halifax, NS
8/24/2011 ROTD 9/27/2011
This is where the bf takes me when I'm sad, sooking, or mad at him. I always leave in a much better mood.
The Armview is my #1 spot for breakfast. I love Breakfast; I love Breakfast anytime of the day. It is my fave meal of the day. I love Breakfast. (another one of those "b" words that deserves a capital)
That being said, The Armview has something special going on. It reminds me of an old time diner with spectacular grub and fantastic service. I throughly enjoy the many options for eggs benny( smoked salmon, roasted asparagus, ham, or bacon) which is my fave breakfast meal.
The Brunch menu is perfect for the bf and me, since he does not get as excited as I do over breakfast.
Their lunch and dinner menu has some great options as well. I LOVE LOVE the avacado wrap. Yum yum.
Service is A-1, and prices are very good. I have yet to have a bad experience and I have absolutely nothing to complain about.Listed in: Bountiful Breaky's
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
5/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Jetlag: time traveling's lingering cousin of reminder. Back home on the west coast, my taste buds are still reminiscing about a perfectly poached egg topped with a hollandaise sauce worth scraping the plate for. (ok, it was a wee but salty, but nothing worth knocking any stars for). It's like I can almost still taste the yolky goodness, the soft english muffin and the grilled tomato, like I just finished eating.
If the garden veggie wasn't enough, the home fries had me smitten. Still not convinced... order a coffee (no there's no specialty coffee like a cappuccino here) but the beans are locally roasted and mildly sweet. Trust me, you'll hear your taste buds and addiction receptors rejoice.
With Caesars on the menu, a big space and a random video game room, you can almost forgive the slow and slightly scattered service. But if this is a training opp for management, just a tip. You may consider teaching servers some time management tips. For example, bringing 2 waters at one time saves time.
Based on the reviews, I'd like to tap my toes to some sweet DJ beats come night time. Next time...Listed in: Sprinkled With Haligonian…
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Review from Kim H.
5/10/2011
I can't believe I have lived in Halifax my whole life, and the North End for over 2 years and I have never visited this little diner before now! Anyway, I finally got there, and I think it might be a new favourite weekend breakfast spot!
It is probably one of the smaller diners I have ever seen, but they have it laid out in an organized way plus the quirky mini-ness just adds to its charm for me. There is certainly nothing fancy about this place, but there is a super friendly, down-home atmosphere that makes you feel like a regular even if it's your first time. The food feels like something your grandmother would make for you - simple recipes and ingredients that harken back to a simpler, more communicative time when everything was fresh and made at home surrounded by family and love. (they don't even take debit or credit - can't get any more old-fashioned than that!)
Besides, "no frills" is just my style. A "fancy" meal is nice once in a while, but most of the time my eating-out needs are pretty simple - good food, served hot and fast, friendly service and good prices. This place ticks all those boxes for me.
It is easy to see why this place has been in business for so long - they obviously have their system down to a science because our food came out piping hot and fresh within 10 minutes. My entire plate of Eggs Benny was smothered in delish hollandaise sauce and I think the home fries were some of the best I have had in a long time (the boy seemed to think they used Cajun seasoning on them, which could be part of the reason for the yummy flavour). Lets just say I took care of part of the dish washing for them by licking my plate completely clean.
I will definitely go back to this place again the next time we want a fast, yummy, cheap breakfast and a reminder that the best food is often the simplest.Listed in: Triple B's (aka Best…
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Review from Laura S.
Halifax, NS
1/31/2011
Owner and GM George K. rocks it at the Armview with urbane style and local comfort; a local diner slash DJ hotspot; a homecooked meal that you'd never actually be able to cook at home. You can be a family, a date, a birthday party, a senior-gang, a business lunch, or a rat-pack of tequila-headached afternoon-risers looking for recluse in a crisp gin ceasar, a thick chocolate milkshake, or a hard-to-find quality cup of coffee. No matter the client, George has made sure you get what you need out of this refurbished landmark restaurant.
Tasty local food that is frequently updated, tweaked and refreshed, featuring quick-lunch options (considerate for those in a frenzy), hearty salads (SEVEN to choose from, all worth trying), an admirable brunch menu (more than one veggie option, healthy options, hungry-man options, and FIVE different bennys), and possibly the best burgers in the city (again, more selection! The portabello burger and the lamb burger are fantastico).
My favourite dish? The pan-fried haddock with the grilled pear and blue cheese spinach salad. Enjoyed while bronzing on their extended patio, entertained by an endlessly bemusing rotary, and relaxed by the Atlantic Ocean scenery. Delight!
OH, and did I mention they cater? At a competitive prices? With equally fantastic food and presentation and options to suit your anythings? -
Review from Ben B.
Retro diner meets hip DJ lounge? Yeah, I can dig it. It's like taking an authentic journey back to the good ole days if those good ole days were far cooler than they actually were. You just kinda want to run up to people's tables and start awkward PSA videos about puberty and the economy of working for a factory. No? Just me?
I've been here multiple times for brunches and breakfasts that have all been really nice. The menu has a great selection and plenty of twists on old favourites. Plus they have Hollandaise sauce, so who really cares what they want to put it on so long as it gets it into your face, right?
But food aside, the reason The Armview gets a five-star from me is because of the vibe. They've taken a really interesting concept and made it work with the addition of great cocktails, incredible music nights, theme parties, and more awesome than you could ever expect that close to the rotary. One of my resolutions for 2011 is to be less afraid of that traffic mess so I can be here more often. -
Review from Rhonda D.
Halifax, NS
1/31/2011
I like this place :)
The food is great... pretty sure everything is homemade from the taste of everything I have ever tried.
I have tried the cheeseburger, fish burger, and lamb burger (yes, I like burgers!) :p
All were amazing. I never seem disappointed with anything here, *except* for the last time I was there, I asked for a pickle on my burger and when I got the bill they had charged me $2.00 for it !!!
No worries, there goes your tip - no skin off my back; if you're going to be so damn cheap to charge a customer for a pickle then you're not getting a tip from me... you can use the $2 and take it up with your boss.
Anyways, great food, not-so-great service (all 3 times we have gone), but whatever, it is Halifax... I'm thinking you pretty much have to pay over $100 for your meal in this city to get decent service. -
Review from Jens G.
Halifax, NS
11/17/2010
Diner to Disco, two of my fav things.
Breakfast or brunch for the not yet showered is a perfect offering for the weekend crowd. The menu covers all the usual suspects while tossing in a few cool options for eggs Bennie.
This week was my first lunch experience with the wide selection of menu choices. That said, I wimped out for the hamburger and fries, caving into the up sell and adding bacon and cheese. Wow is all I can say. This burger has to be homemade as the paddy alone was a taste explosion. My lunch companion was my father in law who has been a sales rep on the road for 100 years. This man has had his share of fries and couldn't stop raving about these fresh cut treats.
The truly cool thing about The Armview is the weekend night vibe that comes out of no where. This unassuming dinner has a fantastic sound system that a DJ can max out on various weekends. One minute your finishing dinner, the next minute you are surrounded by the hipper people for endless cocktails.
Turning a diner into a lounge is their X factor and they do it well. -
Review from Cadence M.
Halifax, NS
8/23/2011
I live not far from here and used to go all the time. I love the retro looking decor , the food is pretty great and staff is friendly. The only thing that makes me not give them 4 or 5 stars is that I've found they've slowly but surely taken my favorite items off the menu which, as a vegetarian, has left me with few interesting options besides a cooked veggie sandwich/pasta/mushroom burger. That aside, if you love meat check out their feature burgers!
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Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
12/2/2009 2 photos
Although I had heard quite a bit about 'The Armview' over the years, my car-less-ness had kept me away until this past Monday.
This place is basically a great modern take on a diner. Lots of unique menu options with choices like: The Montreal smoked meat sandwich (reuben or plain with Dijon), the Highland burger with chorizo sausage and smoked gouda, as well as the grilled shrimp salad which comes with avocado, papaya, mesculin greens, shrimp and spiced cashews. Mmmm... Lots of lamb and seafood choices~ certainly made me happy!
For lunch I tried the lamb burger with horiatiki salad (essentially a greek). The burger was served on a delicious ciabatta bun. My enjoyment of the meal would have improved greatly if:
1) The lemon oregano dressing had been used more sparingly. The bottom half of my ciabatta bun was soaked through with the excess dressing on the salad that had seeped off.
2) The burger needed more tzatziki. There was hardly any. Tzatziki and lamb are a winning combo, load it on!
My friend tried the Mumford multigrain with mashed potato and enjoyed it. She subbed most of the ingredients off in favor of the 'personalize' menu options though so I can only really vouch for the sandwich in its altered state.
Great ambience in this little restaurant! Pleasant service as well. The booths could have used with a wipe down although we were in at 1:30pm after the lunch rush so I'll give the servers a break and assume they were too busy over the rush to clean.
Try this spot out! I hear good things about the brunches too. -
Review from Dr. H.
Halifax, NS
7/20/2011
Armview is a good little spot. I had a sandwich I think it was called the 'Dagwood' and it was really good. Staff is nice. But it gets really busy and the location is not ideal. Good food though!
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Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
12/3/2009
We've heard lots of buzz about the Armview as being "The Cool Place" for brunch. I had my doubts, after all it's been here forever, and it doesn't look like much from the outside, but the menu was certainly impressive when I checked it out on line. http://www.thearmview.com
When we walked in it was like taking a step back into the 1950's. On closer inspection, the upholstery etc, have been redone, but the feel is the same. We sat in the front, which looked small, but there is a larger back room. It's very kid friendly and has an extensive menu.
We were there for our ritual weekend diner breakfast - eggs, bacon and home fries and they certainly rank high. Twice as much bacon (a big plus for me) as anywhere else and eggs perfectly cooks.
Now I can't wait to go back for a real diner lunch special BLT? Club Sandwich? Or my all time favorite diner food - the hot chicken sandwich. -
Review from Lacey H.
3/24/2010
The Armview has a fantastic patio, if you can overlook the swirling traffic making its way through the rotary. In the summer especially, this place is bumping, with people popping by after a hard day's work and folks in their bathers coming for some chow post-swim at one of the surrounding lakes.
I like this bar/diner as a good place to grab a bite with friends. It's modern and fun, with some inspired menu items sure to sate any appetite. In the summer, I fervently enjoyed stopping by with my amigos to grab a pitcher and some nachos after working up an appetite engaging in quintessentially summer activities. It can be hard to score a patio seat, especially on a summer's day - but it's worth the wait. The inside can be a tad stuffy for my liking, and I enjoy being able to look out over the arm while I sip a Rickard's White.
They dish out ample serving of all your favorite pub fare while incorporating some more refined ingredients. The fries are great and my friend's meat burger was piled high with toppings. I suggest this joint as a great neighborhood locale, perfect for bevies, snacks and gossip. -
Review from Bessy N.
Halifax, NS
1/14/2009 3 photos
One of my fave places to brunch on a hungover Saturday or Sunday - try the rotary club..it will satisfy your (grease) hunger...
Also a huge fan of their dinner menu - which offers healthy alternatives to the diner experience.. mojito chicken, best baked halibut in the city.. the list goes on.
funky, retro decor juxtaposed with a bit of modern cool - i'm a fan!Listed in: Good for Groups
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Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
2/25/2010 1 photo
This place takes me back years from when I used to go after youth club for French fries and gravy with the boys. Now when I walk in I almost do not recognize it. WOW nicely decorated with wide booths fresh atmosphere.
Being a chicken lover I had the sesame chicken stir fry, YUM that is all I can say. It had like a peanut taste to which was different but I like it. Portions were hearty so much that I was not able to have desert. Maybe I can save that for the next time. -
Review from Laura P.
Toronto, ON
5/19/2010 3 photos
A little out of the way from my everyday wanderings, The Armview was a special trip with friends. The idea of shaking things up with a new venue was the perfect midweek remedy, and as it turns out, a tasty pub-style time.
It was early evening, and this place was bustling. Although it was not a long wait for a spot, there was a bit of a kerfuffle getting situated. An initial confusion of table openings caused for a slight bend in first impressions, but the service staff quickly recovered by getting us a great booth in all efficiency. Phew- time to enjoy.
This is a modern take on the old time diner. Art Deco meets traditional 50's booth seating and small town flavour. Bold patterns paint the walls, floors and fabrics, and service is approached with a well mixed, friendly attitude.
The menu here is extensive, offering a full selection of pub-style variety. They mainly stick to classic selections of nacho appetizers and burgers, sandwiches and pasta main dishes, but from the plates I saw, it all appeared as yummy goodness. I ordered the local haddock, and it proved itself well. And for pub-fare, there were a few items I was curious to try. (Eg. Haddock burger, Grilled Shrimp Salad) Impressed by the seafood opportunity here.
There is also a great breakfast menu here, for those who make the first meal their best meal. The Armview can certainly accommodate that. I tried a sip of a friend's milkshake, which was also something I'd like to have for myself sometime.
All in all, this place seems like a nice, wholesome spot to dine and get some hearty grub. Enjoy great service, a fresh esthetic and good quality in its offerings. -
Review from Bethany J.
Halifax, NS
3/17/2010
We settled in at the Armview on one of the last fine days of fall. It has been an unexpected favour - a warm, summer-like day in the beginning of October - and we wanted to spend as much as we could of it outdoors, which led us to the patio at the Armview.
Beers were ordered all around, with a fine selection offered by the establishment. We settled in on the menu, eventually making our choices in-between conversation and drinking. My boyfriend's father had the chowder - one of the best he's ever had, he says - and my boyfriend had the fish and chips. I chose the Portobello and Spinach linguine.
As I said, my boyfriend's father was very taken with the chowder. I saw his bowl - it was heaped with healthy chunks of haddock and salmon, with plenty of scallops and shrimp to round out the dish.
My boyfriend had the haddock and chips and although he was more than pleased with the flavour and consistency, the size was a concern: one piece was a generous fillet but the other looked about half the size of the first - if that. He inquired and the server consulted the kitchen, who told him that the portions were determined by weight and that since the first piece was heavier than usual, the second piece was the remaining portion. We weren't altogether thrilled with that answer but accepted it as everything else was going so well.
My pasta was flavourful. It was a bit too firm, though - apparently it hadn't yet met Al ... Al Dente. The mushrooms and spinach were good textures to pair with the linguine, and the garlic was present but not overdone.
All in all, we left with a good impression, having spent a couple of hours under an umbrella on the patio. We plan to return for brunch sometimes - I hear they do a good job, and that it's a good value! -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
9/10/2009
Some people can break the age-old business rule: Location, location, location.
It is no secret as to why this restaurant is successful. The owner, who I, along with many other customer's, have had the pleasure of meeting, believes in some very old-fashioned philosophies that definitely remain true to this very day. And these philosophies are the reason this restaurant is so successful.
Here are the ingredients to an amazing dish I call, "A Great Restaurant."
1. Consistent, high quality food with a personal touch. Anyone can make a great cheeseburger. But deciding you will put pepperoni on top and have this as an option is gutsy and fun. No one I know has ever gone to the Armview and came back saying they didn't like the food.
2. Great Staff! The staff always make you feel at home. Enough said.
3. Being a supportive part of your community. This is one of the most important ingredients and is so often missed in the cut-throat restaurant industry. The Armview hosts as many events as it can at more than reasonable rates. The owner seems to have made it his personal mission to ensure no matter who you are, they can find a way to help you put on whatever function you want at their restaurant.
The only downside is the location. It is out of the way for anyone who is used to walking around the numerous restaurants in the downtown area. This is why there is a star missing. However, I will even challenge my own rating and say that the fact this restaurant is not directly downtown, could be a great thing! After all, not being directly downtown means you are almost always guaranteed a seat because there are less crowds to deal with.
So it seems as though the philosophy in general is to give customer's great food, service and understand that you are a local business and therefore need to be a part of the community in order to keep the community coming to you. With many restaurants cutting back and trying to get customer's in and out of their seats as fast as possible, its nice to see that some restaurants keep to the old, tried and true ways that have been proven to keep customer's for centuries. So maybe one day I will add a star to it and complete the rating. Lord knows, this small but mighty restaurant is worth it. -
Review from R N.
Halifax, NS
8/15/2009
we had a great dinner here the other night. inexpensive, casual, and tasty. our waitress was a little slow, she had a lot of tables to take care of, some indoor and some outdoor. other than that (which is understandable), the experience was great, fun decor and atmosphere, an interesting menu, too many good options to choose from! and the food was simple and delicious.
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Review from Allison K.
Halifax, NS
10/22/2010
I've been here a few times, both times with someone else. I really liked it both times and so did my friends. It's a great place to go when you are really hungry and the prices are really good as well. I live off the peninsula and I find that being on the way home this is a really convenient location for me, with easy parking! I had the veggie pasta last time I was there and it was great, my friend said it was the best burger he every had! Definitely going to return!
