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The Wired Monk Coffee Bistro
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Music Venues [Edit]
5147 Morris StHalifax, NS B3J 1A9
(902) 422-2219
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 7 pm
Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast, Brunch
- Music:
- Background
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for The Wired Monk Coffee Bistro
Review Highlights
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"...to mention the glorious looking baked goods sitting in the..." In 4 reviews -
"The Wired Monk has one the best wi-fi by the Coast for 2008..." In 4 reviews
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"1) Free and reliable wireless: Yup." In 3 reviews
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Yvette K.
Kingston, NS
5/15/2012
My visit was for research.. I have the desire to open a coffee shop in a small valley area that needs a basic menu. I need to know what makes people happy when they are in a coffee shop, and how to make money doing it.
What kinds of treats do you order? What kind of coffee do you like? Is healthy eats important? I would love to have any ones input...
But on with my review...
Friendly customer service with a smile and patience while I decided....
I had a basic medium roast coffee and a(here is the tasty part). Nice, fresh bagel with egg,avocado, tomato breakfast sandwich that made my taste buds sing! I love healthy foods. Yum. I am so sick of the choice of only a greasy breakfast.
Don't get me wrong, I love my sweets too...I just want options :) -
Review from Carolyn H.
Halifax, NS
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
The service is amazing. This is the friendliest coffee shop in town. It's not a full-service place, just a coffee shop, but the owner brought me a water from the self-service pitchers. I always feel like she remembers me, even though I dont go here that often.
There's also a downstairs. . .something I didn't realize for a while. So if it seems crowded, there might still be tables available if you don't need to sit by a window. -
Review from Robin S.
Halifax, NS
4/13/2012
Sometimes I run out of breakfast-y things, and the Monk is conveniently located two minutes from my house and on the way to the bus stop. The staff have always been super-friendly. And pro tip: if you go around 7:30, the muffins are hot out of the oven! Sometimes I buy one before they even have a chance to pop 'em out of the tray.
I like their coffee, though I admit I rarely get it unless I happen to be out of coffee since it's so very close to my apartment. I haven't had their lunch offerings either, so my review is...well, mostly muffins and friendly service! -
Review from Maggie L.
South End, NS
4/4/2012 ROTD 4/17/2012
Great place. I like the atmosphere, and the variety is great. The baristas are very friendly, and not in that obviously fake way that so many customer service people are. Either very good actors or genuinely enjoy their job?
I only tried one item off the menu so far, a chicken club wrap. For a wrap it's decently filling, and they didn't skimp on the chicken or bacon which is a plus. The price, while fair, is closer to what I'd expect to pay in a restaurant than a cafe.
The only thing on my mind that could improve it is being open a little later. Since it's the only internet cafe here (that I'm aware of...) that sells liquor. The first few times I was thinking of coming here, I wanted to come in for a pint, but it was already closing time by then. -
Review from Ashlee F.
The Wired Monk is my go-to café! I've never had one of these before, so it makes me very excited to say that. I love the vibe and atmosphere inside; it's so comforting, and the baristas are top notch. They remember you and make every visit personable.
I'm not a coffee drinker, and only drink tea at home, but I love hot chocolate. The Wired Monk has the best hot chocolate in Halifax, at least. There is just something about it - It's sweet, but not too sweet, it's creamy, but not too creamy. I can't describe it, but if you love hot chocolate as much as I do, go get one and try for yourself. I think they usually top it with whipped cream, but I never get it on mine.
They are certainly a hidden gem when it comes to food items. They make delicious sandwiches with combinations I would never think of! I can't even pick a favorite. They are so accommodating they will make any substitutions without hesitation! I love their morning monk wrap, but I'm not a fan of beans. So, I substitute the black bean salsa with avocado! They also serve most of their wraps and sandwiches with nacho chips! It's a nice crunchy side.
The baked goods selection is great as well. When I first fell in love with The Wired Monk it was because of their brownies. OMG! They are just soooo good!! They have a wonderful selection of muffins, cookies and scones. Try a heated breakfast twist; it is like a tea-biscuit-muffin-type-thing stuffed with egg and cheese and veggies!
The prices can be quite high and sometimes they are slow, but it's so worth it - everything is made with care! -
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
10/20/2011
A cute coffee shop with ample seating space, I enjoy The Wired Monk. They have a nice selection of both hot and cold, coffee and tea drinks, and their mocha's are not overly sweet, which is nice. Also, they are licensed, for those of you who like specialty coffees.
The free wi-fi is fantastic, the staff is great, though the muffin I had was a little dry and without much flavor. I think I just made a bad choice, because a lot of their food looked awesome.
This spot is a little too far away from my home to be my regular coffee shop, but I'm always happy to stop in here with a friend, or if I am in the area. -
Review from Asheley R.
Halifax, NS
10/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
When I think of the Wired Monk I think of funk meeting chic. The atmosphere is fabulously laid back with the lovely lady behind the counter dishing up whatever you want. Of course offering a wide variety of your barista needs, they also seemed to have some pretty freakin' good looking hunger killers. The egg mcmuffins were no question calling my name. Not to mention the glorious looking baked goods sitting in the case. I didn't stop by to dine but my goodness the panini on the plate of the broad next to me!! Jealous.
I perched myself close to the window of the Morris location. A pretty big spot with seating in the front and downstairs. I sat by the window and soaked up a couple of rays while I blogged my troubles away. There seemed to be a good selection of people there doing just that. Others seemed to be catching up over a latte. I was also fathomed by the wide array of people this establishment brought it. I'm talking gucci suits to dreads. So it was pretty cool that way.
So the real reason I picked the Wired Monk? The pumpkin spice latte on the sign. So delicious. It took her a good 10 minutes to make it and she even brought it to my seat with a smile. Overall my entire afternoon spent there was just lovely. The Wired Monk has one the best wi-fi by the Coast for 2008-2010! Go check it out. -
Review from Ben B.
Looking back, I have no idea why I punked out on giving the Wired Monk a five-star review. I love this place. If I could afford to, I'd make it my permanent office but alas, the lattés and sandwiches add up...but just for fun, let's take this idyllic office space star by star:
1) Free and reliable wireless: Yup. Not one, but TWO wireless signals for your surfing pleasure. I've never, ever had a problem getting connected nor have I been unceremoniously booted, throwing my entire existence into chaos because WHAT AM I if not for the internet?
2) Tasteful and notably unnanoying café music: I've heard user-friendly folk, smooth jazz without bordering on nineties soap theme songs, and even some kickier tunes that get me groovin' through the afternoon.
3) Great lattés: I don't drink coffee so I'll be damned if I know what that's like here, but their Butterscotch Lattés have a sick hold on me. Their balance of sweet to contrast the espresso is delightful without getting too syrupy or tasting like sugared milk.
4) Friendly service: From the lovely lady who runs the place (who just helped me with the front door because at 8am I can't operate simple door knobs apparently), to the cute hipsters who work the late shift, I just love these people. They're nice, helpful, interactive, and seem like they like their jobs.
5) Fresh-made food: With an oven in behind the counter, there are always cookies, cinnamon buns, Morning Glory muffins with egg, and tons more being stocked fresh on the shelves. Their lunches are just as lovely-hearty but healthy to keep you fueled without the post-lunch digestion coma.
*Bonus star for abundant seating. With two full floors, there's no need to be a creepy table lurker. Oh come on...you know you've done it.
**Also, I give a bonus star for the fact that they have nice, clean, homey washrooms that are well-maintained. When you're looking to bunker down for a couple hours, it's just another way of making you feel more comfortable-like you're working at a friend's place!
***Also also...they have booze. You know, for celebrating when you get the job done. Or to drown your sorrows when the deadline passes. Your choice.Listed in: Coffee Shop Stops, South Endery, Cheap Halifax Lunches, Outsourced Workplaces, Seeking Out Sammiches
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/18/2010
With reliable wi-fi, incredible butterscotch lattés and fast, healthy lunch options, The Wired Monk… Read more »
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Review from Mike B.
2/28/2011 36 Check-ins Here
I stumbled upon the Wired Monk about a year ago because I wanted a place to read that was somewhat out of the way but not too far for me to travel by walking that was also not too noisy and offered drinks other than basic coffees and teas.
There's a wider range of drinks available here than a lot of specialty coffee shops have. Smoothies and blended coffee drinks are my preferred beverage, but they also have your essential tea, coffee, lattes (both coffee and tea), and juice and pop. There's also a small assortment of wines and liquor.
As far as food goes, they offer snack food like cookies, muffins and oatcakes but also serve up sandwiches hot off the press, or my personal favourite, samosas. When I go to the Monk, I often will grab a samosa for lunch with my drink.
Sometimes the place can be quite busy and there isn't a lot of room if you're coming by yourself or with a friend so if you're determined to stay in, you might have to wait around. But they do have a downstairs with a few additional tables. Great for small meetings as it's relatively hidden away (although there are no windows so be careful of losing track of time).
Wireless is free and reliable. You just got to get the password from one of the baristas or if you're observant, catch it written on a small note by the register. Type it in once and you're good forever (it hasn't changed).
I find sometimes the drinks to vary in consistency from one visit to another but I've never received a poorly prepared one. Service is also very friendly. I'm always greeted and as I'm leaving, a "goodbye" or "see ya later" is always called out.
I think if I were to make a list, as of now I'd put The Wired Monk at the top of my list of favourite coffee shops in Halifax. -
Review from Jill M.
1/28/2011
I would punch a toddler in the face for one of their brownies.
Seriously though, they have delicious baked goods and drinks and the atmosphere is great. It's a gem of the South End when it comes to coffee. -
Review from Kimberley M.
Halifax, NS
5/26/2011
I'm jealous of people that can call the Wired Monk their local coffee shop.
Staff are familiar and friendly, food is fantastic, and my favourite thing is probably the size of the coffee cups. A small really is a medium, so I get more than I'm expecting, each and every time. (Quantity isn't always quality, but every americano here has been delicious).
My favourite place to sit is at the windows, overlooking Morris street. It's probably the best coffeeshop sitting location in the city, or at the very least, it's my favourite. With a laptop, free wireless and a cup of coffee, this is the best way to start a work day.
I am not so fond of the downstairs section (no windows), but that's okay, the upstairs is warm and inviting. In fact, for the longest time I didn't know there was additional seating downstairs anyway!Listed in: Coffee is my life blood
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Review from Adam S.
2/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Oddly enough, as much as I like The Wired Monk (and I like it quite a lot), I almost always end up there because my boyfriend has either lead me there or insists on meeting me there. But I rarely argue.
Since I'm not much of a coffee drinker, the draw of this very cozy cafe is typically the food and warm service. The sandwiches and baked goods are always fantastic and the samosas (I believe they're Staff of Life samosas) taste great after being grilled in the panini press. I've never had an unpleasant experience with The Wired Monk's service - in fact, the employees all seem to be quite pleased to be helpful.
With a sunny street level and a spacious basement, you'd have to be quite unlucky to find yourself seatless in this location.
My only real complaint is the cafe's hours. I'd love to go to this location during the evening, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards.
All in all, a highly recommended place to grab a coffee and small meal. -
Review from Erin P.
2/1/2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE The Wired Monk. If I lived closer to downtown you bet I'd be there on a daily basis.
I'm a self proclaimed coffee feind, and LOVE their coffee. And their baked yummies are pretty fantastic too.
Love the vibe. Love the atmosphere. Love the service. Hands down, my fave coffee spot in the city. -
Review from Sue A.
10/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
The Wired Monk wants to be a friendly neighbourhood kind of coffee place. Located in an old house with high ceilings and large sunlit seating areas, the Monk is kind of homey. But I find that there is a certain inexplicable slightly corporate vibe, maybe because the Monk is a franchise.
While the Hollis and Morris location is off the beaten track from downtown offices, it's a perfect destination for lunchtime exercise in the form of a stroll. The best part is the reward of tasty food.
I'll be upfront. I don't visit the Monk for its organic teas and coffees. I do credit the Monk with getting me hooked on the Mighty Leaf brand of tea, a premium organic brand. But at $2.75 a cup, there's seems to be a lot of margin in there and with the addition of DavidsTea to Hali my tea budget is being diverted.
What I spend my money on at the Monk are the sandwiches. The handmade wraps and sandwiches are delicious. My favourite is the Monk wrap, a combination of chicken, avocado, bacon and cheese on a grilled Panini-like triangle. Served with a few nacho chips, it's a perfect civilized lunch a nice step above your standard food court sandwich. Of course you'll pay a bit more for this superfresh sandwich, but it still comes in at under ten dollars.
A great thing about the Monk is the amount of available seating. Large windows on two sides of the cafe mean lots of natural light to bask in while enjoying your sandwich and surfing the internet using the great wi-fi connection. One other noteworthy item about the Monk is that it's licensed. Nice to know that strong liquid refreshments are available if needed.Listed in: Downtown Lunch Under $10
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Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
2/25/2010 3 photos
I've been meaning to check out The Wired Monk for ages. It just seems like I'm too early (dropping my husband off down the street for work) or just not in the neighborhood.
Well, today was the day. Too early for lunch, unfortunately because today's special sounded awesome...avocado cheesy melt - avocado, goat cheese, cheddar, craisins & apples on a panini and (if you can manage both) butternut squash soup.
I did get to sit in the comfy chairs near the fireplace and chill for a bit. The cappuccion was delightful. What I did not have, but sounded amazing, were some of the specialty coffees, like The Monk's Lunch - espresso (all their specialty coffees start with that), milk, banana liquer, Irish Cream, and chocolate. Seriously!
The service was great - friendly staff and tables cleared of any one else's stuff - I hate when that happens. And the muffins and other pastries looked very tasty, but I did a quick look at my waistline and passed. Oh well...next time. -
Review from Lacey H.
3/26/2010
I'm a fan of this java-joint. The large windows, the cozy seating area in the back, the tasty bevies - it has all of the amenities necessary to create an appealing cafe scene.
The bar area is huge; with tons of room for the employees to maneuver, they're able to work efficiently and comfortably in this airy space. If you happen to have an amigo working at this joint, there are some bar stools at the far end for you to perch while you catch up and enjoy a drink.
The cafe displays local art from talented photographers and other creators of visual works. There is a downstairs area, if the main floor is full, which is good if you head in at a busy time.
Their coffee is expertly brewed, and their sandwiches and snacks are tasty and fresh. They also serve some alcohol, and host an open mic night every now and then, which I've been to and enjoyed.
Two thumbs up for this lovely neighborhood cafe. They're friendly, hospitable and dish out quality goods. Hooray! -
Review from Laura P.
3/22/2010
The Wired Monk was one of the first coffee shops I began to frequent after my move to the city. Located just skip away from my place of living, it became a nice ritual to enjoy a morning tea with a book on the weekends.
First and foremost, the food is quite good while the tea is ok. (I've heard really good things about their coffee.) There's a homemade and creative sensibility in their product and comparable to some of the other stand out cafes around Halifax. The staff seems really friendly and it easygoing as well.
Its a long 'n' lean layout, but there is a downstairs as well. The mood seems to be pretty relaxed- I've always been fine to read without a big ruckus going on in the background. Besides sit down tables, there are comfy chairs and a large fire place for atmospheric effect. Its also nice to sit outside in the summer, as they set smaller garden tables & chairs on the sidewalks.
The Wired Monk also hosts readings, live music and local art shows occasionally, which is something to keep an ear out for. While its a great spot for those in the area, I wouldn't make a special trip to get there. (I now live on the opposite side of the city) With the wide assortment of cafes around the city, I'll hit up something just a little bit closer to home.Listed in: Tea Time
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Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
9/22/2009 1 photo
Great Staff, Coffee and Snacks!
The Wired Monk is a great name for this great coffee shop. It has a relaxing, almost Buddhist theme, while delivering very strong, great coffee. Their muffins, scones, sandwiches, cookies etc...all taste great and are made in a healthy way. It is in a great location, a bit off the beaten trail and a few minutes away from the more popular streets. But it is definitely worth taking a detour. Their seating is a bit limited and you notice since they have a strong, steady amount of clientele who come in regularly. But it is all worth it for the food and drink you get.Listed in: Best Downtown Coffee shops
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Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
10/24/2009 2 photos
Perhaps I need to give Wired Monk another shot, but I wasn't super impressed with this little coffee and tea shop when I initially ventured in.
At the time (this was probably about a year ago) Wired Monk carried my absolute favorite type of overpriced tea: Mighty Leaf. Amazing. On this particular occasion I noticed that Wired Monk carried boxes of this delicious tea in their merch area. I immediately snatched a box up (since at the time you couldn't buy this tea anywhere in Halifax) and marched up to the front counter to inquire about the price. The coffee guru on that day proceeded to inform me that I would have to pay the $2.75 that you would pay for a cup of tea times the number of bags in the box. Wha??? Needless to say I didn't leave with my favorite tea and was blown away that Wired Monk would be charging $25-$30 for a package of tea.
I probably ought to head back to Wired Monk and give them another shot. I've heard good things about their coffee so maybe this 3 star review will be receiving a update in the near future. -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
1/30/2010
I don't actually find anything great about this Wired Monk. I've only been in once, but it wasn't the best experience.
It took quite some time for me to be served after I walked in and even longer to get my beverage. It was a coffee. A regular brewed coffee. I asked for a bit of cold water topping it off, but they ignored this request.
I took a seat at one of the few tables inside and tried listening to my music and reading my book. I couldn't focus on anything, though, because every minute someone would walk through the front door and I had to hear it slam shut. It was pretty annoying and I eventually decided to leave.
I figure I'll have to give it another try since I've been wrong about first impressions before. Plus, it's so close to my house I want to love it! -
Review from Jen M.
Bedford, NS
9/12/2011
I was impressed. I had a delicious Americano with a lovely crema on top. My sandwich was great, with chicken, apple, Brie, craisins, greens and a curry mayo, all grilled on a panini press. I'll go again.
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Review from Anna H.
Halifax, NS
2/6/2010
This high ceilinged, well lit coffee shop is popular among students as a place to grab a drink, chomp on a muffin and spread out their books. I noticed that the music would be a bit too loud to keep me from focusing, but that doesn't seem to hinder others. And it's not all university kids; my friends who study here say a nice mix of people come through the doors each day.
On to the important stuff: the coffee. I had a nice mocha here on a freezing day last week that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I have a hunch based on the chocolate flavour that it would not have translated well into a hot chocolate. And the drinks all run a little on the expensive side. Sigh. Cest la vie. The cooler cases do boast a decent selection of sandwiches, dessert bars, baked goods, yogurt cups and juices, which sets The Wired Monk apart from other shops with much more limited fare. And then there's the booze. It's rare to find a coffee shop with its own signature cocktail, but The Wired Monk has this and more. Staff here were polite but not very engaging, so I can't tell you much more. It's a fine little shop though. -
Review from Andrew F.
3/3/2010
I've stopped by the Wired Monk a couple of times. Pretty good coffee and no charge for adding soy! Seating is rather limited, but there are a few over-sized chairs that look exceptionally comfortable. I didn't get a chance to sit in them, however, since it was pretty busy and those particular chairs seemed to be in high demand. Although I didn't try the light fare they serve alongside their speciality coffee and tea drinks, it sure looked good!
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Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
10/28/2009
Not a fan of the Wired Monk. Too crowded. Mediocre coffee. Once I was in the neighbourhood on a blustery day and wanted a warm drink so I popped in only to be stuck a massive lineup. When I eventually got my coffee, the only place to sit was downstairs in a room that was entirely empty and had plain white walls with nothing on them. It was ridiculous! I felt like I was on some Candid Camera show where they were waiting to see how long it would take me to tweak to the absurdity of the situation. It was't long.
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Review from Paul F.
Halifax, NS
3/20/2011
The first thing I noticed when we entered the Wired Monk was that the place was filthy. All of the tables were really dirty and there was no sign of anyone cleaning it up. There were dead flowers in vases. How long had they been sitting there? Perhaps it was part of the eclectic decor but I don't think so. I cleaned off a table and then tried to find a menu. After hunting around for a while I found one tucked away by the cash. We ordered a prochuitto sandwich, a veg wrap and a club sandwich. I noticed that the person preparing the food never washed her hands. She would give out cash then resume making the food. Yuck. The club sandwich was a mish mash. It had avocado, thin sliced genereic turkey, bacon, lettuce, cheese and spicy chipolte sauce. Too many ingredients. I could not taste bacon or turkey as the chipolte was so overpowering. The whole thing did not work. It was served with a few generic type nacho chips(odd) and no dip. My wife's prochuitto sandwich was the same as my Monk Club. Too many ingredients. It was hard to taste the prochuitto. The veg wrap was good. It had a onions, avocado, goat cheese, lettuce and carrots I think. It was good, but nothing you couldn't easily make at home. We also had a banana strawberry smoothie which had some kind of artificinal flavoring added. It had an un-natural taste. The cafe was really busy and crowded and uncomfortable as people were brushing by our table. I prefer not to have someone's butt on my table when I'm trying to eat.
I didn't like the food, the atmosphere or the general vibe of the place. I would not go back.
