Downtown Gems

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Are you one of those soulless downtown office workers? Need some ideas for what to do with your lunch-hour, maybe get some soul back? Check these out.

 1. Star Anise Vietnamese Noodles Restaurant

1571 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z7
(902) 422-2602

Category: Vietnamese

5.0 star rating
  3/7/2011

Quick, fresh, friendly. What more do you need for a business lunch-hour?

The pho is very good, but the vermicelli bowls are even better. And the lunch specials can't be beat. I have not had a single bad meal here.

The service is sometimes pretty…More »

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 2. Pretty Things Boutique

5240 Blowers Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1J7
(902) 492-8329
4.0 star rating
  3/7/2011

An amazing selection of adorable dresses you won't find elsewhere.
The staff are really helpful and friendly, and the fitting rooms are spacious. They were even super-patient about me trying stuff on while my 18-month old escaped to run through the…More »

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 3. Pipa Restaurant and Bar

1685 Argyle St
Halifax, NS B3J 2B5
(902) 407-7472

Categories: Portuguese, Brazilian

4.0 star rating
  5/17/2011

I have not had a single bad meal in this restaurant. I was recently there for the third time with my toddler, and not only was the food great again, they were super-tolerant and welcoming.

The space is lovely, with beautiful candles throughout for…More »

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 4. 108 Yoga

411- 1496 Lower Water St
Halifax, NS B3J 1R9
(902) 449-0108

Category: Yoga

4.0 star rating
  1/9/2012

108 is a great little studio that is certainly a contender for my favourite after the closure of the Yoga Loft. The space is somehow both airy and cosy and the perfect temperature for a comfortable practice.

There are several roomy change rooms at…More »

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 5. The Bicycle Thief

1475 Lower Water St
Halifax, NS B3J 3Z2
(902) 425-7993
5.0 star rating
  5/17/2011

Ohhh. Yes. A perfect choice for an anniversary dinner. So popular we had to dine at 5:30 on a Friday night, but no matter.

From the time we took our cozy corner table overlooking not only the rainy boardwalk but a variety of bottles from the cellar…More »

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 6. Urban Cottage Antiques & Collectables

1819 Granville St
Halifax, NS B3J 3R1
(902) 423-3010

Category: Antiques

4.0 star rating
  1/9/2012

Hands down my favourite thing about Urban Cottage is the pricing system. They mark each item with the price they hope to score for it, then gradually, gradually reduce it as time goes by. If something's out of your budget, you can take a chance on…More »

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 7. Biscuit General Store

1661 Argyle St
Halifax, NS B3J 2B5
(902) 425-5436
4.0 star rating
  1/9/2012 ROTD 3/19/2012

This has got to be the prettiest little boutique downtown. Any time of the year it's worth a browse - for edgy clothes, gorgeous jewelry, nifty housewares, interesting cosmetics, even kid and baby gear.

I have to admit I'm usually too cheap (and…More »

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 8. Sushi Shige Japanese Restaurant

1532 Granville St
Halifax, NS B3J 1W8
(902) 422-0740

Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars

3.0 star rating
  5/4/2011

Decent sushi in a little basement venue.
The presentation of everything was lovely and I'd like to go back for some of the other Japanese food. The Chirashi was very pretty but only average, though the gyoza were delicious and the tempura very fresh…More »

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 9. Carbonstok

1235 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J

4.0 star rating
  1/3/2012

So much fun! So much pretty! So many neat things to buy for yourself and friends.

Eco-friendly cleaning solutions, green toys, pop-up stores celebrating local artists...

The aim is to sell products that promote sustainability and good design. I think…More »

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 10. Ciboulette Cafe & Catering

1541 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z5
(902) 423-5282
4.0 star rating
  3/1/2011

Delicious coffee. Incredible muffins. Phenomenal salads. Divine salads. And it's cute as hell. What more can you ask for?

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 11. Bookmark

5686 Spring Garden Rd
Halifax, NS B3J 1H5
(902) 423-0419
4.0 star rating
  5/18/2011 ROTD 11/5/2011

I heart Bookmark so much.
I am so pleased at the amazing online customer service for special orders, as well as the service with a smile when I go pick up.
I admit to being easily overwhelmed in bookstores, so I will admit I don't go in to browse…More »

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 12. Cha Baa Thai

1546 Queen St
Halifax, NS B3J 2H8
(902) 406-3008

Category: Thai

4.0 star rating
  4/13/2011

Ummmm. Delicious.
Attentive, friendly service in a bright sunny room. The food is impeccable, whether eat-in or take out. Most recently had the Mango Salad and Hot and Sour Soup with prawns. A generous helping of both arrived, with several fat shrimp…More »

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 13. Two If By Sea

1869 Upper Water St
Halifax, NS B3J 1S9
(902) 492-4600
4.0 star rating
  1/6/2012 First to Review

Oh! The darling, darling Two if By Sea has crossed the harbour with their lovely coffee, enormous, delicious croissants, and lovely atmostphere. It's a most welcome addition to the Historic Properties, beautifully appointed. The cosy sitting area…More »

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 14. Garrison Brewing Company

1149 Marginal Rd
Halifax, NS B3H 4P7
(902) 453-5343

Category: Breweries

4.0 star rating
  Update - 10/4/2011

Another review to pimp Garrison's Brewery 'Tours'.

More of an inexpensive way to book the brewery for an event than an actual tour, the Garrison experience is very cool and laid back.

$12 gets you 5 beers and 90 minutes to drink them in. Bring your…More »

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/7/2011

    So many incarnations of heaven in a glass.
    This is the little brewery that could. Pretty much… Read more »

 15. Love, Me

1539 Birmingham St
Halifax, NS B3J 2J6
(902) 444-3668
5.0 star rating
  3/8/2011 ROTD 6/27/2011

If you start anywhere else when shopping Halifax for gifts for your loved ones, I surely do not know why.

This shop is an absolute gem, stuffed with handmade Canadian goodies from clothes to jewelry to toys to stationery to household goods.

From the…More »

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 16. Tai Pan

1505 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J 3K5

Category: Chinese

3.0 star rating
  4/20/2011

The key to ordering at Tai Pan is to avoid the chafing dishes. There are a variety of inkjet-printed menus dotting it's food court landscape, and these are where you find the food worth eating.

From the basic BBQ pork or crispy chicken with veggies…More »

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 17. Attica Furnishings

1566 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z6
(902) 423-2557
4.0 star rating
  3/7/2011 ROTD 8/30/2011

This is *the* place downtown to daydream about the stylish life you crave. Lots and lots of nifty little gadgets, geegaws and knick-knacks, but even more lovely, lovely furniture from EQ3 and similar designers.

Four floors to explore means you should…More »

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 18. Bistro Le Coq

1584 Argyle St
Halifax, NS B3J 2B3
(902) 407-4564

Categories: French, Cafes

4.0 star rating
  8/15/2011

I wanted to love this place! Ok! I loved this place!

As everyone's said the decor was lovely, the servers adorable and attentive. The cocktails were exciting and different (but maybe a little sweet?) and the food was very good, but not without some…More »

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 19. Crimson Clover

1351 Birmingham Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1C3
(902) 492-8677
4.0 star rating
  11/7/2011

The sweetest little addition to Halifax's second-hand scene is now snuggled on the residential side of Birmingham street.

It's floorboards to rafters with beautiful, well-curated, high-end second hand clothes, outwear, shoes, purses and more.

The…More »

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 20. Sweet Jane's Gifts & Confectionery

5431 Doyle St
Halifax, NS B3J 1H9
(902) 425-0168
3.0 star rating
  10/4/2011

Love, love, love the bins of candy you buy by weight.
Love the wall o' Jelly Bellies.
Love the cute and unique giftware.

One day I"ll try out the baskets.

Sweet Jane's is an absolute gem of a place, hiding out on Doyle St. to distract you as you head…More »

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 21. Just Spring Roll

5657 Spring Garden Rd
Halifax, NS B3J 1G9
(902) 446-3536
3.0 star rating
  6/26/2011

Fresh, made to order, authentic Vietnamese food buried deep in the bowels of Park Lane. It's not somewhere I'd make a special trip for, but it's a good, solid option if you're in the neighbourhood. The price is right, too.

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 22. Argyle Fine Art

1559 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z7
(902) 425-9456

Category: Art Galleries

3.0 star rating
  3/8/2011

What a welcome addition to Barrington Street.

This little gallery showcases young local talent in a welcoming and unintimidating storefront. The current show of Yo Rodeo's 3-D art is  a perfect example of the kind of fresh and funky works you can…More »

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 23. Life Salonspa

5520 Spring Garden Rd
Halifax, NS B3J 1G5
(902) 423-7771

Categories: Hair Salons, Day Spas

3.0 star rating
  3/7/2011

Great stylists, delicious-smelling Aveda products, and a super location.

Better for hair and makeup than for pedicures and the like... it's often a bit chilly in winter.

The tea they give you while you wait is almost worth the visit on its own.

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 24. Healthy Habit

1505 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J
(902) 422-4347

Categories: Soup, Sandwiches

4.0 star rating
  3/18/2011

Healthy Habits is surely the friendliest take-out lunch downtown.  

This husband-and-wife duo have a wide variety of fresh, healthy and creative sandwiches, many named after other tenants of the building (Aliant, X-Wave, etc.), a yummy rota of soups,…More »

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 25. Obladee Wine Bar

1600 Barrington St
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z6
(902) 405-4505

Category: Wine Bars

5.0 star rating
  3/18/2011

How do I love thee, Obladee? Let me count the ways:

1) You bring a touch of class to a part of Barrington that needed one
2) You have a delightful and lengthy selection of wines by the glass
3) Little plates of nibbles? Cheese and Charcuterie? Need I…More »

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Recently updated lists from Rhia P.

Pretty Things to Wear (3)

Here's where I like to shop

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The sweetest little 'hood in Halifax.

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"Living the life of my dreams. In my dreams, anyway."

Review votes:
129 Useful, 28 Funny, and 109 Cool

Location

Halifax, NS

Yelping Since

January 2011

Things I Love

Design, good food, local everything, my family.

Find Me In

North End Halifax

My Hometown

Halifax, NS

When I'm Not Yelping...

I'm your friendly public servant.

Why You Should Read My Reviews

I love my city. I love to eat. I love to (window) shop.

My Second Favourite Website

Twitter?

The Last Great Book I Read

Julian Barnes - The Porcupine

My First Concert

Bryan Adams. Twice. Whoah.

My Favourite Movie

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

My Last Meal On Earth

Sashimi. Foie Gras. Vietnamese noodles. Oh Goodness, who could choose?

Most Recent Discovery

Sri Lankan food at the Seaport Market on Fridays

Current Crush

Is it too lame to say my husband is my crush always?