⛴A Vegan Guide to Halifax⛵

I thought I'd make this guide for anyone who is moving or traveling here, just turning vegan here or even currently living here, and not knowing what it has to offer. Since I have a lot of time to kill, I tend to obsessively look up the vegan community: restaurants, health food stores, grocery stores and more. I like to see the transitioning of our community, see the broadening horizons for vegans and how much the world really is embracing compassion. I am going to break things down into categories and hope this is helpful to someone.

Let's start with the basics:

• Halifax does have a Vegetarian Association which is membership based. They usually do monthly meetups at different restaurants.
• If you are looking for a place to do some animal activism, check out Vegan Education Group.
• All of the local Sobey's and Superstores I have been to have a half-decent size natural foods department. They have a good selection of vegan-friendly snacks, cruelty free beauty products and cleaning supplies and other specialty and organic type items. You can get by easily shopping strictly at those stores.  Superstore now has their own line of vegan/plant-based items which you will find all over the store under their President's Choice branding.
  
• Wal-mart carries a selection with Yves veggie meat, Field Roast, tofu and even has a small or larger gluten-free/natural section that offers some vegan-friendly snacks. Some locations also have Gardein, Beyond and other plant based meats in the freezer section. Ben & Jerry's, Haagen Dazs and Breyers vegan variety of their ice cream is also showing up at Walmart's. They've also started to add Daiya and other vegan cheeses, Yogurts and of course dairy-free milks.
• Costco offers a decent selection of vegan foods, it tends to be hit and miss but worth checking if you have a membership. I've seen tofu, veggie burgers, springrolls, potstickers, great prices on hummus and veggies, their Kirkland shampoo and conditioner is cruelty-free and vegan, breads and oatcakes, peanut butter balls, chips, and bulk shelf stable foods and snacks like Clif Bars. 

Vegan Restaurants:

• Springhouse: On Gottingen Street right next to Real Fake Meats.  Previously called Fruition, an all vegan and healthy restaurant and they've added a vegan market with lots of local items and staples for your vegan pantry. Everything from chocolate to crackers. They also hold pop-ups of other local vegan companies. Best raw food I have ever eaten. I recommend the Gardenburger, macaroons and cheesecake.
  
  
  
• Wild Leek: They make fresh juices and smoothies and have daily specials of delicious vegan cuisine. Also has a full menu and a selection of desserts next to the cash. I recommend the dragon fries and cupcakes!
  
  
  
• enVie A Vegan Kitchen: Offers daily specials, raw and gluten free options, as well as a full menu. Also has a full menu of vegan beer and wine. 
• Real Fake Meats: Chef Lauren Marshall  is the creator of the first vegan butcher shop with artisan plant-based cheese and meat products.Restaurant recently renovated and has full seating.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Delivery/Food Truck:

• Vegan Ghost Noodle:  Vegan delivery service offering noodle bowls. 
• IrieVeg: Vegan food truck normally on Hammond's Plains Road.
  

 Vegetarian Restaurants: 

• Heartwood by the Sea: At the Salt Yard Social. Heartwood's only location is now down on the Halifax waterfront. So far it is all vegan as they offer their Heartwood bowls, cookies and drinks. Such a wonderful addition to a very unfriendly place for vegans. 
• Sprout Therapy: Located on Portland Street Dartmouth, serving juice and smoothies, also offers almond milk. Also have some grab and go healthy bowls and salads. 
• Lemon Dogs: Located at the Lockside Canteen in Shubie Park, Dartmouth. Offers vegetarian and vegan burgers and drinks.
  

Meat Markets (yes, that's right): 

• M&M Food Market: It's not the typical place you'd assume you'd fine vegan items but M&M has been offering vegan burgers for many years, they've changed since I last had them but they are now clearly marked vegan and were delicious then and delicious now. They also carry 2 clearly marked boxed desserts. As well, they have frozen veggies, bread, onion rings and fries available. 
• Gateway Meat Market:  Located in Dartmouth. Even though it is called a meat market, they have a quite extensive variety of produce that goes on for amazing prices. They now also carry the Beyond Burger, sausages and crumbles! They also bring in vegan specials most weeks.
• Cavicchi's: Located in Tantallon, this meat shop is now carrying the Beyond burgers and sausage! And also have a vegan chickpea patty.
  

 Vegan Other:

• Eco Chic: is a full vegan, eco-friendly salon located in Bedford. All products are also organic.  
   
  Vegan Brands Locally: 


• Cosmic Tree Essentials: is a local vegan cosmetic company that you can purchase at Pete's and Springhouse. 

 Market Stalls:

• The Mediocre Bakery:  Previously called "Two Dumb Vegans". Sells inside the Historic Brewery Market on Saturday's, offers vegan cinnamon rolls and other baked goods. 
• Acadiana Soy Products: Local tofu producers from Grand Pre. They are sold in places like Pete's, Organic Earth and the Historic Farmer's Market.
• Syd Delicious: Pickup and delivery, made to order all vegan cinnamon buns, cupcakes, brownies and more. You can also find her goodies at Cafe Marco Polo in Dartmouth and other local businesses. Also look for at pop-up events. 
  
  
  
• Bliss Bowls: Market vendor at the Seaport on Saturdays making decadent vegan smoothie bowls. Currently selling at Hold Fast Cafe in Halifax. 
• North Node Bakery:  Fully vegan market vendor at Alderney Landing and also doing pop-ups at other markets. Makes unique fun flavours of cookies, cakes, pies, muffins and more! 
  
  
  
• Bramble: Plant based baked goods such as doughtnuts, buns and more. Find them at the Spryfield market on Sundays.
  

Specialty Grocery/Health Food Stores: 

• Halifax has quite a few local specialty health food stores. Pete's Fine Foods is a local grocery store with locations in Bedford (attached to Sunnyside Mall) and downtown Halifax. The location downtown has a large cruelty-free beauty section and carries some specialty items like Tofutti, Daiya, vegan jello, Gardein, Field Roast and other such products. Bedford has much of the same but the selection of vegan items is smaller, particularly the freezer area. Both locations have vegan-friendly sushi and a juice bar that offers vegan smoothies. Downtown also has a small cafe called Pete's Gluten-free Eatery which has vegan baked goods (muffins and cupcakes are vegan when they have a brown wrapper, white are non-vegan) wraps and soups. And yes, it is also all gluten-free. They also have soy and almond milk for drinks and agave for sweetening.
• Other health food stores include: The Healthy Bug (carries vitamins, supplements, cruelty-free beauty products, vegan cereals, gum, Dandies marshmallows, Coconut Bliss, protein bars and more), Organic Earth Market located on Quinpool is a large natural grocery store with vegan specialty products that you won't find anywhere else locally. Also has a cafe attached that offers smoothies and quick meals and treats with vegan options. Local Source Market offers fresh produce, bread, as well as other locally sourced products, including some vegan brands. Honey & Ginger stores located in Dartmouth and Bedford offer natural health and beauty products including local vegan brands. Parks Health Shop located in Bedford sells supplements, snacks and more. Luminate Co is a large wellness market in Bedford and also online retailer. They carry everything from produce, cruelty-free products, vegan grocery and pantry and everything in between.
• Check out some of the Asian and international markets around the city. Taishan is on Quinpool and Queen St.and offers lots of interesting finds including bean curd jerky's, vegetable dumplings and tons of other specialty items. Big Ray's Convenience on Main St. Dartmouth also has an Asian market attached with veggie Worcestershire sauce, jackfruit, tofu and many other cool vegan finds. JJ Mart on Gottingen carries vegan-friendly dumplings, sauces, tofu and much more. Indian Groceries on Robie offers a ton of vegan and vegetarian products including vegan masala burgers, Staff of Life vegan samosas, spices, snacks, frozen ready meals, spring rolls and more. Oco Mart on Quinpool is a Korean grocery store. You can find veggie dumplings, sauces, noodles and many other vegan friendly specialties.
• In the Raw Sprouting Centre: Located in Porters Lake they offer amazing raw and fresh delicious vegan food including cashew ice cream, almond milk, dips, soups, salads and more. You can also find their products in many stores across the HRM such as Pete's and Organic Earth.
• Simply for Life:  Offers nutritional counselling that can cater to a vegan diet. Also has a store where they sell vegan products and packaged foods, as well as vegan to-go foods.
• Other areas of Nova Scotia also usually have health food stores that carry cruelty-free products and specialty vegan foods, check HappyCow for select places.  

 Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market: 

• The market offers, of course, fresh local produce, breads, jams and jellies but there are also a few vegan companies that are set up there too. Osha Mae Soaps is an artisan soaperie who's product line is almost entirely vegan. Also sold at local shops such as Pete's. Earth Elementals sells awesome cruelty-free soaps, laundry soap and more. Many are also vegan-friendly. 
• Farmer's markets tend to be very plentiful all across Nova Scotia. Check almost any town in Nova Scotia and there most likely is one. They are great spots to not only get fresh bread, jams, jellies and local produce but also find some other unique local vegan products. 

Coffee Shops: 

• Second Cup: has many locations and offers soy and almond milk for drinks, has fruit smoothies and also flavour shots that are vegan-friendly.  They also carry some packaged snacks by Sweets From the Earth that are vegan. 
• Two if by Sea: with locations in Halifax and Dartmouth, they offer soy milk for drinks and a vegan ginger molasses cookie. 
• The Boardroom Game Cafe: is a half cafe, half boardgame paradise, located on Barrington Street. Offers soy milk for drinks, smoothies and a few vegan-friendly snacks such as candy bowls (they will leave out the jelly bellies and mike N ikes if requested), veggie and hummus platter,  veggie wrap and a few other lite snacks.
• World Tea House: Okay so although it's not coffee, it still deserves a mention. World Tea House has a huge selection of teas in every flavour imaginable. Can't forget about us non-coffee drinkers but even if you are, they also offer coffee, lattes, etc and have soy and almond milk available.
• The Nook: is a coffee shop located on Gottingen St. that offers almond and soy milk for coffee drinks, as well as, several label vegan food options including a tofu wrap, chickpea tuna sandwich and chili veggie wrap. Also offers alcoholic drinks that are vegan-friendly and can be used as a venue for live music. 
  
  
  
• Dilly Dally Cafe: On Quinpool, they offer cashew, soy and coconut milk for drinks. They also have a selection of vegan baked goods each day, as well as menu choices.
• Narrow Espresso: Has soy milk, bagel with hummus and vegetables, vegan cookies, macaroons and cake. 
• Seven Bays Cafe :  Located on Gottingen Street. Offers soy, almond and coconut milk. They make a great vegan hot chocolate. And also offer vegan breakfast and lunch options and smoothies.
• Yu Yo Craft Supply & Teahouse:  Part art supply store, part teahouse. They offer soy milk for drinks, as well as some vegan food fare. It is such an awesome adorable little place. 
• Apartment 3 Coffee:  Located in Sackville, they have plant based milk for drinks and daily vegan doughnuts from Vandals. 
• Cafe Marco Polo: Located in Dartmouth offers soy and almond milk for drinks and has vegan baked goods and treats from Syd Delicious.
  
  
  
• Tart & Soul Cafe: Located on Coburg Road, they offer soy milk for drinks, a vegan sandwich and their soup is always vegan, as well as a vegan granola bar and peanut butter cup.  
• Glitter Bean Cafe:  On Spring Garden Road,  they have soy and almond milk for drinks, vegan peanut butter cups and granola bars. 
• Trident Cafe: On Hollis Street, offers soy and almond milk for drinks and usually has a few snacks that are suitable but it changes daily.   
• Selby's Bunker: Located in Cole Harbour. They offer oat, soy and almond milk for drinks. They have Staff of Life's veggie pakoras and samosas and a vegan energy ball and carries Schoolhouse vegan gluten free donuts. 
  
  
  
• The Ville: Located on Sackville Street, offers plant based milk options, a vegan clubhouse and soups.
• Rumi Coffee Company: Has non-dairy milk for drinks and a vegan wrap and salad. 
• Bliss Caffeine Bar: Has soy, coconut and oat milk for drinks. Has smoothies and a vegan club sandwich on the menu. 
• Sidekick Cafe: Has plant based milk for drinks, breakfast wrap and Schoolhouse vegan donuts.
  
  Burger Joints (or places that only really have a vegan burger as an option):
  
  
  
• Krave Burger: Located on Spring Garden and Woodside, fast food, vegan burger option on the menu, ask for no butter on the bun. Awesome fries too!
  
  
  
• Darrell's: Offers a veggie burger that can be made vegan upon request.
• Economy Shoe Shop: On Argyle Street, they offer the vegan beyond burger and a few other items on their vegan menu.  
• Cheesecurds: Local chain restaurant that has 2 locations in Dartmouth, one in Halifax and another in Bedford. Now offers the Beyond Burger and has a gourmet vegan cheeseburger on the menu. They also have veggie gravy but I'm not sure if it's vegan or not.
• The Cheeky Neighbourhood Diner: Has the Vegenator burger on their menu.
  

   Pizzeria's: (many other pizzerias can make vegan pizza simply by removing cheese. Always inquire first though because some dough contains milk or eggs. I am only including the places that specify vegan or offer vegan cheeses)

• On The Wedge: Located beside Pete's Frootique in Bedford, On the Wedge offers a VEGAN pizza by the slice. You can also order their signature vegan pizza called the Roasted Rocket or make your own with your choice of toppings. Trust me, you won't miss the cheese, they make the best crust in all the land. 
  
  
  
• Salvatore's: A great pizza place over in Hydrostone, feels much like a true authentic pizza shack. They offer vegan ricotta for your pizza, lots of veggies to choose from and already vegan crust and sauce. I've heard their vegetarian sausage is now vegan-friendly. If anyone can confirm for me that would be great!
  
  
  
• Stone Pizza:  Located downtown Dartmouth, they offer vegan cheese! 
  
  
  
• Pizza Pizza: Chain restaurant that offers Violife vegan cheese, newly added Yves veggie pepperoni and Field Roast Chorizo to the menu and lots of good veggie toppings too. Extremely affordable. 4 locations located throughout the HRM and hopefully more to open. 
  
  
  
• Nayya Pizza & Grill: Located in Bedford offers vegan cheese for pizza, calzones and garlic fingers. Also has a vegan schwarma and Lebanese plate on the menu. 
• Vero Pizzeria: Located in Dartmouth Crossing. They offer vegan cheese and lots of veggies for toppings. 
• G-Street Pizzeria: New to Gottingen Street, G-Street offers a lot of vegan options including a burger, donair and meat and cheese alternatives.  
  
  
  
• Mother's Pizza: Pizzeria that offers vegan cheese and sausage.
• Pizzatown:  Multiple locations throughout the HRM, they offer vegan cheese, sauce and dough. Delivery available.
• Yeah Yeahs Pizza: Has locations in Dartmouth and Halifax. Offers vegan cheese on their menu now. 
• Morris East: Location on Quinpool offers vegan pizza with vegan cheese and faux meats. 

 A Taste of Asia: 

• Thai Ivory: Location in Bedford offering delicious Thai cuisine. Almost everything can be made vegan, just let your waitress know.  One of my favourites!
  
  
  
  
• Just Springroll: Located on the bottom floor (next to Cineplex) of Park Lane Mall, Just Springroll is run by two sweet ladies who know how to make authetic cuisine. They offer a vegan plate with the most delicious tofu and veggie curry dish and of course their signature, veggie springrolls.  
  
  
  
• YuYo Craft Supply + Teahouse: Cutest craft supply store combined with a tea house I've ever seen. Located in the outside of the Brewery Square. Offers organic soy milk (for sale and in drinks), light food including a few vegan ones like caramel walnuts, shaobing (pancake with green onions and sesame seeds), chazuke (soup with rice, oyster mushroom, seaweed), and fruit rice ball hot soup.
• Modern Orchid: Located in Dartmouth Crossing, made to order dishes, much of the menu can be made vegan, just specify to server.
  
• Indochine Bahn Mi: Located on South Park Street, much of the menu is or can be made vegan. They offer vegan bahn mi, noodle bowls and tacos. Also have smoothies and bubble tea.
• Minato Sushi: Located downtown Halifax offers a few veg choices. Vegans specify.  
• Talay Thai: Vegetable based dishes can be made vegan by specifying no egg. Staff knows what vegan means and can accommodate easily.  Locations in Halifax and Cole Harbour. 
• Kajohn Thai Restaurant: Located on Young Street. It is a sister restaurant to Thai Ivory. Staff can let you know what can be made vegan and what can't. Offers pad thai, curry dishes and rice dishes.  
• Mirchi Tandoor:  On Blowers Street, Indian restaurant that has marked vegan options including daal, rice dishes, etc. 
• Naan N Curry: Indian restaurant that offers marked vegan options, such as chana masala, samosa and pakoras. 
• Sura Lounge:  Vegetarian options on menu, inquire which can be made vegan. 
• Wok Your Way: Located in Dartmouth. Offers Asian fusion cuisine, with marked vegan menu options. 
  

 Mexican: 

• Antojo Tacos + Tequila: Vegans to specify but many things can be done vegan upon request.
  
• Habeneros: Several location throughout the HRM and province,  fast food Mexican style eatery. Offers build-your-own tacos, burritos, bowls, and more. Has a vegan Bombay curry bowl/burrito. 
• BarBurrito: Fast food Mexican restaurant that just opened on Tacoma in Dartmouth. They offer Beyond veggie ground as a vegan option and you can customize tacos, burritos or bowls with your choice of veggies. 

Middle Eastern:

• Mezza Lebanese Kitchen: has few locations in the HRM. Although it doesn't sound super vegan-friendly they offer some of the best falafel in town and it even comes with a vegan tahini sauce! Plus their french fries are to die for. They also have a Lebanese plate that is vegan! 
• Turkish Delight: Located on Spring Garden, they have a full vegetartian menu, many can be made vegan upon request.
• Tarek's Cafe: Located on Robie Street. Vegan options include, Falafel pita, veggieburger, hummus, baba ganoush. The tahini contains sour cream but can be replaced with hummus or baba ganoush.
• Lemon Tree: Location in Bedford. They offer vegetarian plates, Bedford location also has a lentil wrap.  
• Staff of Life: is carried all over the city including convenience and grocery stores and has vegan samosas, pakoras and Jamaican patties always marked as such.  
• Chef Abod Cafe:  Large selection of vegan-friendly middle eastern dishes, located on Kempt Road.
• Khan's HFX:  Takeout and catering. Marked vegan options, including samosas, lentil curry and eggplant. 
• Saj House: Marked vegan options including falafel.
  

Vegan-Friendly Restaurants: 

• The Wooden Monkey: has locations in Dartmouth and Halifax. Comfortable pub like ambiance with full bar and has a good selection of marked vegan items on their menu including pizza, burgers and desserts. 
  
  
  
• Mary's Place Cafe: Located Spring Garden Road has vegan menus, much of which is Middle Eastern cuisine with falafels, hummus and other such dishes. They also have vegan breakfast/brunch items such tofu scramble. They also have veggie chili and veggie burger. 
  
  
  
• Upstreet BBQ Brewhouse: Located in Dartmouth, they offer bbq jackfruit, salads and several sides that are clearly marked on the menu.  
  
  
  
• Mary's African Cuisine: Located on Barrington Street, offers a vegan strew, samosas and other items, ask staff for details.
• Garden Food Bar & Lounge: Located in Halifax and offers vegan burger, bowls, sandwiches and more. 
• Harvest: Farm-to-table restaurant located in Bedford. Offers customizable healthy bowls, salads, smoothies and more. 
• Battery Park: Located downtown Dartmouth offers a couple vegan options on the menu. 
• Pickford and Black: Has a vegan menu with bowls, a burger and more. 
• Gahan House:  Offers a vegan menu with salads, bowls, burgers, carrot cake and more. 
• North Brewing Company: Locations in Dartmouth and Timberlea, has marked vegan menu items including burgers, poutine and more.
  
• There are many more restaurants as well that are vegan-friendly, checking Happy Cow is very beneficial. I am continually researching for my blog and website, so I update Happy Cow frequently as well. I have been asked to be the ambassador for HappyCow.net for the Halifax, NS region, so as your representative I am happy to answer questions and help locals. 

Dessert:

• Sweet Hereafter: is a cheesecakery that always has a vegan cheesecake selection and special orders can be placed. 
  
  
  
• Dee Dee's Ice Cream: Offers a few vegan sorbet's. Also has some food options in the cafe, a burrito, soups and almond milk for coffee drinks.
  
  
  
• Susie's Shortcake:  Located in Bayers Lake, they offer vegan and gluten-free cookie dough and made to order vegan cupcakes in 3 flavours. 
• Taiyaki 52: Located on Brunswick Street. Taiyaki is a Japanese waffle and their crunchy waffle batter is vegan and so is their red bean and blueberry fillings.  They have dedicated vegan batter for their maple cinnamon seeds taiyaki. 
• Chicken Little: Located on the Bedford highway, they are now carrying Dole Whip (basically vegan ice cream).  
• Rousseau Chocolatier: Located on South Street in Halifax, they offer soft serve dairy-free sorbet and also have some vegan chocolates to choose from.  
• Schoolhouse Gluten-free Gourmet:  Sold at the Seaport Market on Saturdays and many surrounding stores and businesses. They offer many vegan options including gluten-free donuts.  
• Vandals Doughnuts: Temporarily closed. Now located on Gottingen Street in their own space and another location in Dartmouth which isn't open regularly so check ahead. They offer vegan doughnut options every day.
• Locally BAKED Outlet: Located in Sackville, offers bakery items, has vegan options. 
• Fortune Doughnuts: Now open on Gottingen Street, they offer at least one vegan donut option daily.
  
  
  
• The Bread Lounge: Located off Robie street in Halifax, they offer vegan soft serve ice cream in the summer. 
• Antoinette's Cheesecakes: Made to order vegan cheesecakes and also has her own location on Baker Drive in Dartmouth. Sells vegan cheesecake by the slice. 
• Booza Emessa: Located in Bedford, they offer non-dairy ice cream options.
• Leonaidas: Located in Cole Harbour offers vegan Dole Whip and the 70% dark chocolate dip is vegan as well.   
• Peace by Chocolate: Syrian-refugee owned chocolate shop offering a range of vegan-friendly dark chocolate, coffee, tea and vegan ice cream. 
• Eva's Original Chimney: Located in Dartmouth, makes original chimney cakes and has vegan options, offers vegan ice cream and toppings. 
• Truly Scrumptious: Made to order vegan and gluten-free cakes and desserts.
  
• The Fog Company: Offers vegan coconut milk ice cream, 2 varieties of doughnuts and a cookie. 
   
  
  
  
  
  Catering:
  • Conscious Catering: Offers vegan/vegetarian catering services. You can also find her delicious vegan baked goods in Organic Earth Market.   
  • Scanway:  Not an all vegan catering service but they offer vegan options that are marked on their website. Including main dishes and dessert.

All and all I think Halifax is a very vegan-friendly city and it's ever expanding. I hope this can help someone. I want people to see that going vegan isn't scary and you don't have to feel like you are going to be left out. There's lots to choose from!

Wondering what you can eat outside of the city? Click here. Also check my Shopping Cruelty-free in Canada guide. The HRM has all of the stores mentioned in that post. And also check out my Chain Restaurant blog post.

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