It's hard not be captivated by Halifax-based musician Leanne Hoffman's thoughtful alt-pop music.
Merging a love of poetry with glitzy production most often associated with Top 40 pop in her melancholy-yet-catchy album The Text Collector. The artist's 15-track is made for listening from start to finish—and don't you dare tap that shuffle icon. Seeing as we're a food-focused entity, we're especially taken by the song "Portugese Tarts" and the analogies within it.
With a penchant for creativity, it's not surprising that Leanne Hoffman finds much to love when it comes to the vibrant Halifax food scene.
From an old-school diner breakfast to impeccable pastas at a current contender for enRoute's Canada's Best New Restaurants 2023, here's her best bets for enjoyable eats and drinks in the Nova Scotia capital.
Breakfast
If I’m going out for breakfast, I want to have an overwhelming amount of options and then I want to order the same thing I always order. The best place to do this is the Armview Restaurant.
They’ve got all your typical breakfast choices, plus multiple genres of eggs benny, and you can get banana cream pie as your breakfast dessert when you’re done. I almost always order the fish cakes because it satisfies multiple cravings at once.
Lunch
I want a sandwich at all times of the day. Lunch time is the best time to eat a sandwich and Halifax has so many good sandwiches. This is going to be a controversial choice but hear me out: You must go to Springhouse and get their Springwich.
I am not vegetarian, but this sandwich slaps, whether you eat meat or not. It has crunchy pickled vegetables, crispy fried marinated tofu which is still warm when you get the sandwich, the softest bread, and the perfect condiment to filling ratio. Thinking about it now makes my mouth water.
Dinner
Again, there are so many great dinner spots in Halifax but I would pick Fawn. I’m biased because my dear friends created this restaurant with their blood sweat and tears but even if I wasn’t biased, I would still pick it.
The atmosphere is so dreamy, and the food is impeccable, no matter what you’re looking for. Some of the best fish dishes I’ve had, you have to get the Tuna Crudo. They have one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Also, the pasta. All of it!
Go with your friends so you can share...or actually, go alone and sit at the bar so you don’t have to share.
Drinks
It was hard to pick a dinner spot, but it’s even harder to pick a drink spot. Halifax has a huge coffee scene, and I would say my favourite right now is Ramblers. All their espresso drinks are perfection, and they always have a selection of pastries plus it smells like freshly baked cookies all the time.
If you’re looking for a cocktail, Fawn’s older sister Field Guide makes for a very, very good everything. I have never had a bad cocktail here, and they make great non-alcoholic cocktails too!
Okay and one more. If you’re looking for a cozy, casual spot with a warm atmosphere and great beer and cider options, The Freehouse is my favourite place to wander to when I want to be out in the world but don’t want to try so hard.
