
Drift
A chic waterfront restaurant in Halifax, Drift offers a modern take on Atlantic Canadian cuisine and is a top-rated brunch destination.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Drift

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A chic waterfront restaurant in Halifax, Drift offers a modern take on Atlantic Canadian cuisine and is a top-rated brunch destination.
Book Ahead
Make reservations in advance, especially for prime dinner times, to ensure a table.
Try the Benedicts
The Eggs Benedict, especially with crab cakes or pork belly, is a must-try.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Atlantic Canadian
Price
$$$
Phone
+1 902-407-6042
Address
1709 Lower Water St #102, Halifax, NS B3J 0J4, Canada
Website
drifthalifax.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Award-Winning Brunch Destination
Ranked among Canada's Top 100 Brunch Restaurants, Drift offers a chic atmosphere and elevated café classics.

Stunning Waterfront Views
Dine on the patio and soak in the beautiful Halifax Harbour views and iconic Tidal Beacon art installation.

Innovative Atlantic Canadian Cuisine
Experience modern takes on classic dishes like hodge podge and rappie pie, crafted with local ingredients.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Make reservations in advance, especially for prime dinner times, to ensure a table.
Try the Benedicts
The Eggs Benedict, especially with crab cakes or pork belly, is a must-try.
Patio Seating
Enjoy waterfront views by choosing to sit outside on the patio, weather permitting.
Explore Unique Dishes
Don't miss unique offerings like Yarmouth Lobster Pot Pie and Seared Sustainable Blue Salmon.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Make reservations in advance, especially for prime dinner times, to ensure a table.
Try the Benedicts
The Eggs Benedict, especially with crab cakes or pork belly, is a must-try.
Patio Seating
Enjoy waterfront views by choosing to sit outside on the patio, weather permitting.
Explore Unique Dishes
Don't miss unique offerings like Yarmouth Lobster Pot Pie and Seared Sustainable Blue Salmon.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Drift is celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and creative, delicious Atlantic Canadian cuisine, particularly its brunch offerings like the unique Eggs Benedict variations and fresh seafood. Reviewers frequently praise the excellent service and chic, modern interior, though a few negative experiences with bland dishes or service issues have been noted.
"We visited this restaurant on Halifax on our first day in Nova Scotia, very recently. We spent 7 days touring around Nova Scotia this restaurant was by far one of the best throughout the province. Ambiance is good. Our server Angie was very nice and welcoming, I would say to be honest all the staff were very friendly.
The chefs ability to combine flavours without overpowering anything, was superb.
I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the Halifax area."
Tina C
"An excellent meal to finish our trip !
We were staying at The Muir and had been looking at Drift during our stay. On the final night, we decided to have a nice meal and wine to finish of our trip - and great hotel stay.
The staff were very friendly and service was excellent, helping us to settle in and understand the menu. With some many recommendations, we decided to try a handful of options from the menu - from appetizers to mains.
Everything was fresh, delicious and beautifully served - an elegant fine-dining feel while remaining very comfort and relaxed. The salmon on the bed of grains had to be my favourite, delicious ! Overall we enjoyed all of the dishes that we tried, can’t wait to go back and try more !"
Jake Wilton
"This restaurant came highly recommended to us but we weren’t able to make dinner so we did breakfast instead.
The most memorable dish we had was the eggs Benedict. Instead of on an English muffin or toast or some other sort of carb, they put it on crab cakes and oh my goodness was this delicious. Not only was it so tasty, it had less carbs in it.
The pancakes were good, they had crunchy bits to it with blueberries and I think getting it as a side is enough. That’s what we did and it was more than enough.
The view is also really nice as it looks out onto the pier and ocean. The interior of the restaurant is also very well designed, modern and chic with hints of coastal in its own way.
I would definitely come back to Drift and try their dinner next!"
A C
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Drift is renowned as a top brunch spot in Canada, offering modern Atlantic Canadian cuisine with waterfront views.
Yes, it's recommended to make reservations in advance, especially for dinner.
Popular dishes include various Eggs Benedict (especially with crab cakes or pork belly), Yarmouth Lobster Pot Pie, and Seared Sustainable Blue Salmon.
Yes, Drift offers patio seating with beautiful views of Halifax Harbour.
Yes, Drift is highly recommended for both breakfast and lunch, with a strong reputation for its brunch menu.
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For exquisite maritime fare by renowned Canadian chefs Anthony Walsh and Jamie MacAulay, head to the newly opened DRIFT restaurant in the new Queens Marque development. The menu is inspired by the surrounding terroir and features dishes such as Nova Scotia lobster bisque and slow-cooked sustainable blue salmon.
Top Brunch Restaurants Around Halifax – 2024
Five restaurants represent Nova Scotia in the Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in Canada list: Halifax’s Café Lunette, Drift, and Salt & Ash, alongside Dartmouth’s Mic Mac Bar & Grill and The Canteen on Portland. Top Brunch Restaurants in Nova Scotia Café Lunette – Halifax Drift – Halifax Mic Mac Bar & Grill – Dartmouth Salt & Ash – Halifax The Canteen on Portland – Dartmouth Step into Hallmark Movie Magic: Merry & Bright Holiday Spectacle Returns For 2024 Season to Film Backlot Near Vancouver Swiftie Sing-Along: Explore Vancouver on the Taylor Swift Karaoke Trolley This December Christmas Streetcar Rides – Take a Festive Trip Through the Edmonton’s Winter Wonderland Canada Gets New $2 Circulation Coin Honouring Inuit Nunangat Filipino Christmas Night Market Brings Festive Cheer & Pickleball Tournament to Saskatoon This Weekend Ontario Nature Announces Major Expansion of the Park Part of UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Canada’s 10 Best New Restaurants in 2024 According to Air Canada Tim Hortons’ National Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign Returns Nov 18 #pt-cv-view-501a5966p2 .pt-cv-content-item{padding-top:5px!. important;padding-bottom:5px!.
New French restaurant Café Lunette opens in Halifax
Led by the talented trio of district executive chef Bill Osborne, chef de cuisine Vanessa Bélanger—who both helped with the launch of Drift—and executive pastry chef Cori Osborne (Canoe, Alo), Café Lunette plans to offer an elevated blend of French-inspired brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. For both brunch and lunch, guests can expect to see an assortment of all-day offerings that range from cafe classics like croissants and cannelé to traditional lunch items such as smoked salmon crepe, eggs Benedict, and croque madame.
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Another of Canada’s Best New Restaurants in 2023, Drift features creative twists on classic Acadian and Atlantic Canadian cuisine, such as hodge podge and rappie pie. Not to be missed is Maryanne’s Brown Bread and organic honey butter, an aromatic and slightly sweet recipe passed down through the chef’s family on the south shore of Nova Scotia. The interior design is modern, warm, and rooted in a sense of place, with the dramatic wood ceiling designed to look like the underbelly of a tilted ship.
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Drift is a contemporary restaurant located in the heart of the Halifax waterfront, offering a menu that pays homage to the region’s land, people and history. Blending traditional Nova Scotian ingredients with modern culinary techniques. The chic, coastal-inspired decor and innovative dishes, such as their take on seafood chowder or local rappie pie, make Drift a must-visit for foodies looking to experience Halifax’s vibrant dining scene in a fresh and sophisticated way.
Taste – Muir Halifax
A culinary love letter to Nova Scotia’s land, people and history, Drift features modern, elevated takes on classic Atlantic Canadian dishes. Evoking a one-of-a-kind sense of place, Drift is thoughtfully designed for entertaining colleagues or quiet work at the spacious bar. Unwind on the patio with a morning coffee and stunning views of the ocean and iconic Tidal Beacon art installation, or enjoy an evening tucked in by the fire with a Nova Scotia vintage.
10 Famous Waterfront Restaurants In Halifax
Drift serves Atlantic Canadian dishes with a fresh take on them. Located at the Muir Hotel, downtown Halifax, their menu is curated by keeping in mind its roots, serving dinner, lunch as well as breakfast to its patrons along with outdoor seating and a patio that gives stunning views from the ocean, thus making it one of the best waterfront restaurants in Halifax. This restaurant is also appreciated for its service of providing late-night drinks.
Mystic: Halifax’s newest culinary gem opens in Queen’s Marque District
Who’s behind it: Mystic is part of Freehand Hospitality, a renowned group that operates several chef-driven restaurants in Halifax, including Drift, Bar Sofia, Café Lunette, and Daryâ. The restaurant will be helmed by Chef Malcolm Campbell who has extensive experience homed in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens. This collaboration brings a wealth of experience in hospitality and culinary excellence to the Queen’s Marque District.
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The thing about the Muir Hotel is that—although it’s arguably the highest-end hotel in the city—it is committed to showcasing local Atlantic Canadian hospitality and culture and Drift is no exception. The bar and restaurant specializes in all things local (especially seafood). We recommend the steamed PEI mussels with Lightfoot & Wolfville flora wine and frites alongside a French 75 with Benjamin Bridge brut and East Coast gin.
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Drift is the new place in town, and since it opened its fancy doors, reviews have been nothing but fantastic. This upper-class restaurant on the Halifax waterfront focuses on serving artful creations using fresh local ingredients, including fruit, vegetables, and seafood. We recommend the Yarmouth Lobster Pot Pie and the Seared Sustainable Blue Salmon.
9 Breakfast Spots in Halifax for Every Morning Mood
Drift might not be an every weekend kind of breakfast spot, but it’s definitely a great place to bring some out-of-towners. Located in Muir Hotel, in the waterfront district of Queen’s Marque(queens marque halifax), it’s an upscale place with incredible cocktails. Here, you’ll find freshly baked goods—think perfectly buttery, flaky croissants.
Best Eats of 2022 – Eat This Town
I had heard such mixed reviews of this place, and I’m not one to get all excited about all the new restaurants in “Little Toronto” but I felt obligated to try one, and it might as well be the first that opened. Besides, when I hear such mixed reviews I am more inclined to check a place out for myself. Drift was not disappointing at all.
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HALIFAX– When Drift opened along the Halifax Waterfront in 2021, it came with a goal of showcasing the unique, mouth-watering cuisine Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region had to offer. The Lower Water Street restaurant takes ingredients from the land and sea from this unique province and turns them into one-of-a-kind dishes.
The Halifax, Nova Scotia Travel and Dining Guide
The hotel's restaurant Drift is excellent, as is the in-room dining, and the hotel also features a guests-only speakeasy bar called BKS, which looks stunning - unfortunately, we were not able to experience this one in person, as they are only open Wednesday through Saturday nights.
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Drift: Located at 1709 Lower Water St, Drift combines coastal charm with a focus on fresh seafood and creative cocktails. Whether you're lounging on their patio or enjoying their stylish interior, Drift offers a relaxed setting with stunning waterfront views.
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My preferred spot for a lazy weekend brunch, Drift is the best Halifax has to offer. Relax into the elegance and comfort of the waterfront patio and feast on beautifully prepared dishes that highlight local ingredients and cuisine.
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At Drift, you’ll find a menu of modern eats inspired by Atlantic Canadian classics in a room that pays homage to shipbuilding traditions. This restaurant is the onsite dining option for the Muir Hotel. Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
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The restaurant in the Muir Hotel, Drift, is described as a modern take on traditional Atlantic Canadian dishes. And that’s exactly what it serves up. I started with MaryAnn’s brown bread with organic honey butter.
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Drift’s version of hodge podge elevates the vegetable stew with fresh seafood. (Credit: Karen Burshstein). When it comes to must-try new restaurants in Halifax, Drift is a dining hot spot.
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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.
Visit Halifax | Build Nova Scotia
Led by Chef Anthony Walsh and located in Queen’s Marque, Drift celebrates the region’s natural bounty, delivering elevated takes on traditional culinary favourites.
Restaurant Directory
Located on the main level of the newly built five-star Muir Hotel, Drift is a confident ode to Nova Scotia’s land, people and history.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit