Drift image

Drift

Restaurant

👍👍 Enjoyed brunch this morning with partner. Absolutely loved our stay! Our server was fantastic, she was friendly and attentive. The food was divine. We had the coffee cake, scone, and fruit bowl to start. For our mains we had the Steak & Eggs, and blueberry pancakes. Every dish was prepared perfectly... People often mention service, restaurant, menu, experience, good, atmosphere, small, staff, coffee, cake,


Address

1709 Lower Water St #102, Halifax, NS B3J 0J4, Canada

Website

www.drifthalifax.com

Contact

+1 902-407-6042

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (386 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Saturday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 7 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 7 am to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 7 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (12) restaurant (11) menu (11) experience (10) good (10) atmosphere (9) small (9) staff (9) coffee (8) cake (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Adam D. 2 years ago on Google
    Enjoyed brunch this morning with partner. Absolutely loved our stay! Our server was fantastic, she was friendly and attentive. The food was divine. We had the coffee cake, scone, and fruit bowl to start. For our mains we had the Steak & Eggs, and blueberry pancakes. Every dish was prepared perfectly! It was a fantastic experience. The atmosphere and design of the dining room is super cool! Will be back for a cocktail soon!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Dave 1 year ago on Google
    My wife and I went to Drift for a special occasion. The service is absolutely outstanding, as were the cocktails. The food was a tad underwhelming. My wife's steak was a little tough, and the sauce was bitter. The blueberry grunt we had for dessert was tasty, but had very small dumplings for a grunt. We'll absolutely come back for the atmosphere and cocktails.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Calvin C. 6 months ago on Google
    I was drawn in by the beautiful decor of this restaurant while walking by. Love the wooden panels on the ceiling gently curving into the bar. Really pleasing to look at. I would love to come by again to sit at the bar next time. Food and drinks are equally impressive to the decor. They put lots of effort into plating their dishes and it really helps with the enjoyment of the restaurant. Everything about this place screams attention to detail. The lamb was as good as it looked. I almost regret sharing this dish with my date. Tender, juicy, succulent. The char on the skin was perfect. Easy recommendation. Oysters were good too. On par with all the other restaurants I tried in the east coast. I appreciate the garnishes they provided. Both cocktails I tried were excellent. I recommend this place!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris C. 2 years ago on Google
    Our meal at Drift was fabulous from start to finish. Service was excellent! Food was very tasty, well prepared and presented. Nice selection of local craft beers on menu is always nice to see. The Drift and Stormy was excellent!! Make reservations as this restaurant seems to be always busy!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Jesse H. 8 months ago on Google
    I was very excited to dine at Drift as I had heard good things about this place. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with our visit. The service was great, but the food is mostly mediocre at a premium price point. We ordered the brown bread with honey butter, mussels and dulse, seared foie gras, beef tartare, pork belly and scallops, and the cheese plate for dessert. The seared foie was ok but not worth it as it was such a small portion. The majority of the mussels in the mussels and dulse were also kinda small. The beef tartare tasted ok. The pickled beets masked a lot of the beef flavour— would skip it. It was not worth the price. The pork belly and scallops were delicious. However, the cheese plate was unpalatable. The hard cheese was very dry and sucked the moisture right out of our mouths lol. Not even the honey helped with how dry it was. The blue cheese was putrid, gag worthy. I’ve had some decent blue cheese before and this was not it. The pickled veggies tasted old. The cheese plate was $29, and I expected it to be amazing but frankly, I think it needs to be deeply revised or removed from the menu entirely. Sorry but you should be ashamed for serving that lol. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this place to any of my friends or family. Try the Ostrich Club instead. In addition, y’all need AC. We sat outside because the summer heat was cooler than the temperature indoors smh
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Naoko N. 2 years ago on Google
    It was so hard to make a reservation for a prime dinner time! Ended up dining there on Tuesday evening. A great ambience in a new hotel building. Must be nice to go there in the summer as it is right in the heart of a Halifax Harbour. The Halibut dish was great - a little salty for my personal taste. Each dish costs $36 - $50. But, drinks are priced at average market rate. Desserts are small but yummy. I wish that French fries were also homemade;). Will go back 😊.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bodhi A. 1 year ago on Google
    First off, the atmosphere is beautiful, I really enjoy the busy vibe. I was there for a work dinner, and felt like I was in Mad Men or something. The fishcake was insane, such in-depth flavours. The steak and fries were pretty good, but didn't stand up to the fish cake especially for like 40 bucks. Very positive experience overall.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Katie E. 1 year ago on Google
    The food here was terrible. Bland and overpriced. I had the Eggs Benedict that came cold with a square hash brown cake that had zero flavour despite 2 lbs of ketchup I put on it to make it edible. Of course we never had the opportunity to discuss with the server because she dropped our food and we never saw her again. I can only assume this place survives because it's located inside a hotel but if you're reading this and about to make a reservation, keep looking. One star because the hostess was quite friendly and the decor was nice but otherwise, the experience was forgettable.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 K M. 9 months ago on Google
    I go here every time I am in Halifax. All but one experience was bad as they were not willing to accommodate dietary restrictions on their menu. However, this is when the restaurant had opened recently, and I have had no complaints since. Food is always delicious, service is excellent and the interior design and atmosphere are wonderful.

  • 3/5 Brett B. 4 months ago on Google
    The restaurant itself is nice, the bathrooms are nice, the service was good, but the food falls short. The $24 beef tartare was the most boring and one-note beef tartare I've ever eaten, and it also happens to be one of the most expensive in Halifax. The soup and pie with the Christmas dinner special were both quite good, but the Christmas dinner itself was average or slightly better than average in taste. The turkey dinner was a laughably small portion. There were 1.5 Brussels sprouts on the plate, about half a teaspoon of cranberry sauce, a fairly small portion of turkey, and a small amount of stuffing and potatoes, plus a few roasted root vegetables. The turkey wasn't super moist and seemed like it was either a little overdone or had been sitting around a while, and the stuffing was about on par with boxed stuffing in terms of flavour and texture. The mashed potato was very smooth and nice and the gravy had great flavour. For $114 including tax and tip, I'd expect either a more reasonable portion size for the turkey, or everything on the plate to be incredible and perfect, and I'd also expect a little more wow factor from the beef tartare for the $24 price tag on it.

  • 5/5 Linda M. 4 months ago on Google
    The first thing you notice when walking into Drift is how beautifully the restaurant is illuminated with evening light through the outside glass walls onto the restaurant's soft and muted wood grain which covers floor to ceiling. After that you settle into an evening of delicacies. A fabulous array of cocktails, appetizers and mains. The dessert menu was as enticing as well. Service was extraordinary as our server (Lexie) answered all our questions and recounted ingredients and techniques that inspired our taste buds and imagination. We had breakfast at Drift the following morning and had the same experience with an entirely different menu and staff. Be prepared - one visit is not enough.

  • 5/5 Cathy V. 5 months ago on Google
    I came for late lunch after 2pm so atmosphere was completely quiet. Had the lunch prixe fix menu: clam chowder and chicken sandwich. Come hungry, I could barely eat half my sandwich after how filling the chowder was. Chowder was a touch salty. Chicken sandwich had a bright lemon aioli that balanced out the cheese and deep fried chicken. Great views and decor

  • 5/5 Mariam A. 6 months ago on Google
    Our waiter was incredible… he was attentive towards our son and the service was quick and friendly. The restaurant doesn’t seem kid-friendly when you come in but they put us into a quieter corner so we didn’t disturb other diners and even brought a kids menu, colouring pencils, and high chair. We loved the fish cakes and beet lentil salad. My husband also said the old fashioned cocktail he ordered was really done well, and he’s picky with old fashioneds. The only dish that disappointed us a bit was the brown bread- the bread itself was warm and perfect but the honey butter was hard, cold and didn’t have much taste. I was most excited for this popular appetizer so it surprised me. One small complaint but everything else was perfect.

  • 5/5 Jenna K. 7 months ago on Google
    Really gorgeous ambiance! The whole design is flawless! The staff were super friendly and the food was delicious. Definitely on the pricier side with smaller portions, but a great treat!

  • 5/5 Angela K. 8 months ago on Google
    Food was phenomenal. Service was impeccable. We were delighted to find this place after a disastrous experience at another restaurant. It’s always reassuring when you see the front of the house manager constantly walking around, helping service, checking in with guests, and being a presence. We ordered pork belly with scallops and their sirloin steak. Absolutely divine! The dining experience was A+.

  • 3/5 Stacy M. 7 months ago on Google
    The staff are amazing! So welcoming and comforting. The atmosphere was incredible. I stayed at the MUIR and had two occasions to dine. Unfortunately I got food poisoning the first time which took away 2 days of my vacation. I opted to try again and had their ceasar salad with chicken. The chicken was delicious, however, the salad had little to no flavor and I ended up sending it back. Surprisingly for a high end restaurant, I wasn't offered compensation. I won't try a third time.

  • 4/5 Deepak S. 8 months ago on Google
    I had the pleasure of visiting Orbit in downtown last night and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and courtesy by the staff. The outdoor patio provided the perfect ambiance for a delightful evening. I settled into a comfortable spot and was immediately impressed by the attentive service. The waitstaff was not only knowledgeable about the menu but also made valuable recommendations, enhancing the overall dining experience. I started with the salmon tartare, and it was an absolute treat for the senses. The dish was expertly prepared, showcasing the freshness of the ingredients and a harmonious blend of flavors. Each bite was a revelation, and I savored every moment. For drinks, I indulged in the JW Blue Label and a fine tequila. The drinks were meticulously crafted, a true testament to the mixology expertise at Orbit. The JW Blue Label exuded elegance and complexity, while the tequila provided a smooth and nuanced taste that lingered on the palate. The attention to detail extended beyond the culinary offerings. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the patio offered a pleasant escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The service was prompt yet unobtrusive, allowing me to enjoy my evening at my own pace. In conclusion, Orbit is a gem in downtown—a place where culinary artistry meets impeccable service. If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience that tantalizes your taste buds and elevates your spirits, I highly recommend paying a visit. My sincere gratitude to the entire team for making my evening truly memorable. I’ll also be sharing some photos that capture the essence of the evening. Thank you, Orbit, for an unforgettable night.

  • 5/5 Alysha M. 9 months ago on Google
    Very much enjoyed my visit here! Staff were friendly, attentive, and professional. They had an extensive drink menu. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food. Chicken was great and filling. The brown bread to start was divine. Fantastic atmosphere, enjoyed people watching on the boardwalk. Looking forward to dining here again! :)

  • 5/5 Lliam O. 7 months ago on Google
    What an exquisite meal, stellar staff and a gorgeous view! STEAK FRITES, ROAST CHICKEN & RAPPIE PIE, and NOVA SCOTIA SEAFOOD HODGE PODGE. To drink, a pint of NORTH BREWING, PRIORITY, PALE ALE and an ounce of Glen Breton with a water dropper. Brendan was a great server and the other staff were friendly, well trained, and highly efficient. Will definitely be back! Kudos, Wayne! You're running a tight ship!

  • 4/5 On The HighWay of L. 8 months ago on Google
    While staying at The Muir, it is customary to try out the restaurant downstairs right? It is located right by lobby / fireplace area. We decided to try breakfast. And the food was exquisite and delicious. One negative during my visit was that the service as painfully slow. There was an obvious staff shortage which was quite visible and evident during the breakfast service. Otherwise, the staff tried their best. And the food, coffee and teas were exceptional. Everyone enjoyed the food. You can even sit outside on the beautiful patio and enjoy the stunning harbour / water / sunset views. The dishes that were ordered were THE FULL DRIFTER, MUSHROOM & CHEDDAR OMELETTE, STRAIGHTFORWARD BREAKFAST and THE HIPSTER. Happy Eats everyone :-)

  • 4/5 Myles C. 2 years ago on Google
    Went for an Easter Sunday brunch and overall had an excellent meal. We had the coffee cake, The Full Drifter, The Breakfast Butty Sandwich, and the Benedict. Apart from the coffee cake everything was delicious. We were disappointed with the coffee cake, it was very dry, though otherwise tasty. I enjoyed the coffee, but my mother didn't. The tap water was very much that, strong chlorine taste. The still water was much better. I will definitely be back, I'd like to try the dinner menu. Excellent atmosphere and friendly staff that went above and beyond.

  • 4/5 A.J. T. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a pretty good brunch spot to help start your day. We got there pretty early (despite it being a Friday morning) to make sure we got a table as we had heard really good things about the restaurant. The patio is really nice and offers a great view of the water. We had the Breakfast Butty, the Fish Cakes as well as a slice of their coffee cake. Overall the food was really good. A couple small critiques would be that the Breakfast Butty had onion jam served on the side which seemed to clash with the goat cheese and tomato within the sandwich. A quick look on the menu and it appears they've already revised the sandwich to cheddar and bacon. Also the coffee cake was a little dry. In terms of service, it was quite slow. It seemed like they were a little short staffed but all credit to the servers, they did what they could and were as attentive as possible while always being polite. Overall, the prices are reasonable and the food was quite good. While I hope their staffing improves, for the time being I wouldn't go here if you're in a hurry.


Call +1 902-407-6042 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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