The Best Places to Eat Brunch in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Expect queues for weekend brunch – and with good reason. “Sweet and Salty,” a menu favorite that regulars sometimes call “Sucré-Salé,” satisfies palates that crave both flavors: two ricotta pancakes, bacon, sausage, one sunny-side up egg and maple butter. A much-requested dish by vegans is the tofu version of shakshuka with spiced yogurt and sourdough toast. Travelers who eschew granola in a bowl for brunch can opt for the duck confit hash, which takes the form of a plate brimming with sweet potato, brussel sprouts, onions and two sunny-side up eggs.

Co-owners Dave Woodley and John House, who worked together at Gio a few blocks away, have won praise for their fried chicken sandwich. Just enough crunch! Their menu takes brunch to the next level with dishes including mushroom gnocchi and Brisket Benny, which will keep you going until a very late supper. Black Sheep also earns kudos as one of the best brunch spots in Halifax for its range of cocktails, including Long Thyme No Sea – gin, sherry, pear and thyme shrub, lemon and brut.

“Unpretentious” and “down to earth.” That’s how regulars describe this family-owned tavern on the Dartmouth side of the harbor. After all, they have pan-fried bologna on the menu! Mic Mac follows a proven menu formula that shies away from oats and yogurt. Customers can enjoy filet mignon and fishcakes, but rest assured traditionalist brunch fans will be sated with the Mic Mac “Big Hungry” Breakfast ($23.50): steak (as you like it), bacon, ham and sausage, with two eggs, spiced home fries and toast. Ask about weekend brunch specials.

Heman Lee and Kaleigh Burns have created a funky, energetic eatery on Robie Street. Their brunch items are as imaginative as the decor (the coolest counter stools in town!). Scan the all-day brunch menu but chances are your eyes will stop at the cilbir – a Turkish-inspired dish of poached eggs with yogurt, topped with chimichurri sauce. The rösti potato pancake (smoked salmon, garlic yogurt and soft-poached egg) is also filling and delivers a good wallop of protein.

Mark Giffin’s menu is a delight to read. The giggle-inducing Durty Burd will smack your taste buds wide awake: two fried eggs, habanero buffalo chicken, bacon, coastal sauce, havarti cheese and guacamole squeezed into a toasted English muffin with home fries or light green salad. There’s also The Elvis: a buttermilk waffle sandwich of peanut butter, banana, Montreal bacon and maple syrup. Take a breather between mouthfuls to admire the edgy wall art in the Robie Street rowhouse.

Restaurateur Mary Elle Planetta sticks to basic ingredients in her brunch options. A menu that list 16 kinds of eggs benedict will attest to that. The all-day breakfast menu offers budget-friendly steak and eggs for only $12, while the Hungry Hippo gives the (hopefully) hungry diner three bacon strips, two sausages, ham, three fried eggs, toast and home fries for a modest $9.95. Brunch-goers who overindulge can always tackle the calorie-burning climb up the nearby historic Halifax Citadel.

Victor and Sybil Fineberg have created a welcoming, laid-back eatery that rivals any traditional deli you’d find in New York. The all-day breakfast menu means you can treat yourself at brunch to Victor’s Big Breakfast, an assembly of three eggs, smoked meat, corned beef, salami with challah or rye toast, potato latke or hash browns for $10.99. Suggestion: you can also fashion a tasty brunch from the side options, which include lox schmear, latkes, bagels, challah and grilled salami.

Remember, not all crepes are sweet. Having said that, Portland Street Creperie does satisfy sweet-toothed patrons with crepes bearing the names Oreo Cheesecake, Nutella, Fruit Salsa and The Jill (chocolate chip cookie dough buried under a layer of crème anglaise, whipped cream and Smartie sprinkles). Savoury options include Mushroom Melt, Eat Your Veggies, The Donair (with lots of spiced meat and onions) and Pierogi – a lip-smacking creation of garlic mashed potato, cheddar, sour cream and green onion.

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