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Drift, Halifax, NS

Drift

4.8
4.8
1368 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
102-1709 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 0J4

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 31 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Charming
A distinct new dining experience led by celebrated Chef Anthony Walsh, Drift features modern, elevated takes on classic Atlantic Canadian dishes and traditions. Located on the main level of the newly built Muir Hotel, our salon, bar and promenade offer a simple, modern and stylish setting in which to dine, drink, linger and relax without interruption. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, as well as late night drinks, we warmly invite you to experience a taste of Drift at your leisure.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Canadian, Contemporary Canadian, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–10:30 am Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Bar Daily 11:00 am–12:00 am Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Jamie MacAulay
Gift card

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What 1,368 people are saying

Drift reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Atlantic Canada

    Great for scenic views

  • Atlantic Canada

    Canadian

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Ambiance

  • Nova Scotia

    Good for business meals

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Drift offers an elevated Atlantic Canadian dining experience with "absolutely delicious" food and "stellar staff." Guests praise its "lovely ambiance" and "exceptional service," highlighted by standout dishes like the Atlantic salmon and seafood chowder. While slightly pricey, it remains a top choice for special occasions and memorable meals.

1,368 Reviews
  1. Chris

    Atlantic Canada1 review

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    When your bill for coffee and pancakes for three people is $96 those pancakes had better be the best pancakes in town. Drift used to have the best pancakes in town unfortunately that is no longer the case. Their $25 pancakes are now just regular pancakes with some odd tasting crumbs on the top.They used to have a unique and outstanding espresso crumble on top and were the lightest fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever had. Don’t fix it if it’s not broken Drift! The ambiance inside drift is lovely unfortunately it’s attracts the sort of patron who thinks wearing clouds of perfume to go to brunch is still a good idea. The waft of perfume from the ladies we were sitting beside made it seem like we were eating our breakfast in the perfume department at Sephora. Not Drift’s fault by any means but still… ambiance. Service was outstanding as usual.

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  2. nadia

    Calgary1 review

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    I was really disappointed with the food at Drift Halifax. The brisket looked and tasted like canned meat .definitely not what I expected from a place with such a good reputation. Overall, the food quality was poor and not worth the price.

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  3. Laura

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our meal was amazing and thanks to Ian and the entire staff we had the most memorable time. The surprise desert board was spectacular.

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  4. Dylan

    Atlantic Canada1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything about Drift was perfect. Amazing service, great atmosphere and above everything else, the food was incredible. Would highly recommend to everyone.

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  5. Dave

    Atlantic Canada6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Drift is one of our favorite restaurants in Halifax. The atmosphere is wonderful. It's strikes the perfect balance of class without pretention. It's very relaxing, enjoyable experience. The staff are very well trained and organized. Our server Maija was excellent. Very personable with the appropriate level of attention. You can't go wrong with brown bread rolls as an appetizer, are perhaps the best tasting that I have ever had. My wife had the seafood hodgepodge which she thought was amazing. I had a Easter special (cod dinner) which was good, the fish was cooked perfectly. I had a special cheesecake which was a bit underwhelming, the presentation with the rhubarb garnishes on the side made it look very nice and tasted wonderful, but the cheesecake itself(fluffy whipped filling with a solid graham cracker bottom) was a bit "meh". The chocolate mousse that my wife had was presented well and tasted nice. The pricing seems very reasonable for a restaurant of its class, service and quality.

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  6. Michele

    Atlantic Canada2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    With a higher end restaurant I expected more cooperation with a garlic sensitivity but the restaurant was not very accommodating. I was told alot of food was made ahead so they could not help me out except to offer a piece of fish and a salad. The waitress was very attentive and worked to make it a good experience. The decor and ambiance was lovely. Unfortunately, I wouldn't go back as the choices are too limited.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Michele VIP

    Greater Boston42 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A delightful and delicious experience. We dined early so had our pick of tables (ask for the corner banquette just behind the hostess station) and no fewer than four servers attending to us (our primary server was exceptional). The French martini was the best I've ever had - impossibly fresh ingredients. My dining partner's chianti by the glass ended up pairing perfectly with his meal. We were greeted with an intriguing 'chef's special gift' spoon of a corn and radish mixture that was sweet and tangy at the same time. Our taste buds full awake, we tried the house brown bread with perfectly soft organic honey butter (with a delightful wheat imprint) - it's lighter and sweeter than a typical brown bread, which paired perfectly with my meal. Drift is "elevated Atlantic Canada" so there's plenty of cultural comfort food on this menu. My dining partner had the Lawry's Jiggs Dinner, which says it's brisket and tastes like corned beef. The vegetable accompaniments are exquisite. It's hard to find the words for the sunflower-crusted Atlantic salmon. It's one of the most surprising, delicious salmon preparations I've had (and I've had a lot). The preserved lemon salsa is incredible. And the risotto-ed fregola pasta pearls were a revelation - you won't be able to stop eating them. We wonder what adding a pastry chef might do for this otherwise fantastic menu - our deserts were not as memorable - a scoop each of French vanilla and pecan gelato and a 'chocolate bombe' presentation of milk-chocolate mousse. Next time we'll be trying the cheese plate and apple pie mille feuille. Thanks to everyone at Drift for a lovely experience.

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  8. Sophie

    Ottawa14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food. Service was good. Loved the decor and comfort.

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  9. Jami Lyn VIP

    Chicago5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was cooked well and we enjoyed dinning here. Was very “basic” in flavour in a good way, like letting the authentic ingredient flavours shine vs over seasoning and adding extra.

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  10. Fiona VIP

    Atlantic Canada4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely delicious Burger Week creation! Great service too, even though it was extremely busy. First time there; can’t wait to return and try something else.

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FAQs

Drift offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (902) 407-6042.

Drift is rated 4.8 stars by 1368 OpenTable diners.

Drift does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Atlantic Canada
  4. Nova Scotia
  5. Halifax

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 31 times today
Google Map for Drift

102-1709 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 0J4

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Halifax
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–10:30 am Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Bar Daily 11:00 am–12:00 am Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Canadian, Contemporary Canadian, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jamie MacAulay
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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