Category: Halifax

“I’m going to make a go of it.” — Viola Desmond

At Halifax airport, that sentence gave my stop at Peace by Chocolate an extra layer of meaning. This is a chocolate shop, but it is also a story about immigration, starting again and building a home through work.

The Hadhad family’s story drew me in first. A shop devoted to departures and arrivals made the idea of carrying a piece of that story onward feel especially fitting. The products using the word “peace” in several languages resonated most; they felt like messages as much as gifts.

I bought a chocolate-covered pretzel, a dark-chocolate item with sea salt and an assorted box. The dark chocolate with sea salt was very good: the salt sharpened the cocoa without taking over. The pretzel brought the familiar contrast of crunch, salt and sweetness. The assortment extended the tasting beyond the airport.

The story creates attention, but the chocolate still has to justify it. It did. The company’s resilience may bring a traveller to the counter; the quality makes the purchase feel worthwhile in its own right.

Desmond’s sentence belongs to the stubborn optimism of beginning. Peace by Chocolate gives that idea an edible form. It is a Halifax airport stop worth considering for the story, the gifts and the pleasure of the chocolate itself.

What to order

• Dark chocolate with sea salt.
• A chocolate-covered pretzel.
• An assorted box if you want to share or keep tasting after the flight.

What to skip

Nothing from this visit earned a skip.

Verdict

The family story makes the stop meaningful; the chocolate makes it worth recommending. Peace by Chocolate works as both a Halifax souvenir and a good confection.

“I’m going to make a go of it.” — Viola Desmond

That line suits the practical determination behind my order at Dave’s Lobster: walk the Halifax waterfront, find the red-and-white stall, and commit to lobster rolls that would travel onward to Madrid.

I ordered three half-and-half rolls, each combining the hot and cold preparations. The total recorded was CAD $119, including chips. That is what I paid on this visit; prices can change.

Dave’s did not skimp on lobster. Each roll held generous chunks, letting the seafood remain the centre of the order. The dressing was restrained enough to stay in the background.

The hot half kept its moisture through butter. The cold half was refreshing, with celery adding crispness. Ordering both styles in one roll was the right decision: warm richness on one side, cool freshness on the other.

There is an important caveat. I bought the rolls around 5 p.m. to take to Madrid, and we ate them roughly 12 hours later. This was not an immediate waterfront tasting. Texture and temperature changed in transit, so I will not pretend otherwise. Even after that journey, the lobster still felt generous and the two preparations kept their distinct character.

Food carried that far becomes part of the trip itself. The rolls left Halifax and arrived as a final taste of the waterfront. This was a meal chosen with practical resolve and judged honestly in light of the delay.

What to order

• The half-and-half lobster roll, combining hot buttered and cold celery preparations.
• Choose this format if you want to compare both styles in one order.

What to skip

Nothing from this order earned a skip. The bread should be judged at peak freshness; these rolls were eaten about 12 hours after purchase.

Verdict

Generous lobster and restrained dressing make the half-and-half roll worth ordering. Even after travel, the hot and cold preparations remained distinct.

Date of Visit
Sept 5, 3:30 pm

Waterfront Warehouse — Halifax
Waterfront Warehouse has the raw, rustic feel of an old shipping yard, with artwork throughout the restaurant reflecting the history of the waterfront. The music blends naturally with the surrounding conversations, creating a lively but comfortable atmosphere. The washrooms are also kept clean and dry.
This is a shellfish lover’s haven. The menu featured 14 varieties of Nova Scotia oysters, including Ruisseau from Eel Lake, Malleus from Tatamagouche Harbour, Pristine Bay jumbo oysters from Antigonish, and Merigomish from Pictou.
I ate the larger oysters without any sauce or garnish. They were incredibly smooth, with just enough natural salinity to bring out their own flavour.
The cherrystone clams were briny, meaty, and delicious, with a wonderful balance of softness and firmness. The raw scallop, served with shredded cucumber, was exceptionally tender—almost melting in my mouth. It was the best scallop I have ever had.
The seafood chowder was another highlight. Made with fresh salmon, plump shrimp, scallops, corn, carrots, and generously cubed potatoes, it was creamy yet surprisingly light. Every ingredient was well balanced, with nothing overpowering anything else. The larger potato pieces grounded the chowder and made it filling without making it feel heavy. It was one of the best seafood chowders I have had—if not the best.
Do not overlook the molasses brown bread. It was dense but still soft, with a rich flavour that complemented the seafood beautifully.
When I had only one oyster and one piece of scallop remaining, I genuinely could not decide which should be my final bite. I tasted half of each to choose a winner.
The scallop won.
The oysters were excellent, but the scallop’s quality and remarkable tenderness were unlike anything I had experienced before. I told my server that every bite of this meal was worthwhile—and it truly was.
Waterfront Warehouse also offers a wide selection of wine, cocktails, and other drinks.
It is approximately 45 minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, but this meal was well worth the trip. Pair your visit with a relaxed stroll along the Halifax waterfront for a memorable layover experience.
Verdict: A very solid meal and a must-visit for shellfish lovers. Order the raw scallop, seafood chowder, oysters, and molasses brown bread.