Digital Nomad’s Guide to Halifax
I know Halifax somewhat well because I attended the University of King’s College there in 2008/2009, before transferring to the University of Toronto, where I completed my undergrad.
I only recently returned this year (2023), and just for a couple days, but I didn’t find the city radically changed. It does, however, have more vegan restaurants than it did back in the day.
In any event, it’s always been a cool little coastal city. And that hasn’t changed.
(Want to know what Halifax sounds like? Here’s a playlist of local indie acts.)
Coffee Shops
Cabin Coffee
1554 Hollis St, Halifax, NS B3J 1V3
True to its name, this cute, cozy coffee place in the heart of the city’s downtown has a rustic cabin vibe, and is a solid option for those looking to get work done.
(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)
Cempoal Cafe
2374 Agricola St, Halifax, NS B3K 4B6
Basically a North End Halifax living room that serves coffee. Not particularly stylish, but the crowd is colourful and friendly, and the WiFi works. Top marks for character.
(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)
Ampersand Cafe (Halifax Central Library)
5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS B3J 1E9
Whether you bother with the coffee or not, Halifax Central Library is an ideal workplace for digital nomads. It’s surprisingly sleek, with open WiFi, lots of tables, outlets, and no shortage of space.
(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)
Restaurants
enVie
5775 Charles St, Halifax, NS B3K 1K7
The obvious dinner spot for plant-based people in Halifax.
Great menu, located in a nice neighbourhood, staff are friendly, and the ambience is charming.
(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)
(Photo: Wild Leak)
Heartwood
Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3L 1A3
Back in my uni days, I used to eat at the Heartwood on Quinpool Street all the time. Unfortunately, it’s now closed and the only Heartwood left is by the waterfront.
It’s a nice area, but I hope they open another dine-in location at some point. Also, note that they’re a vegetarian restaurant, though most of what they serve is vegan.
(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)
Parks and Recreation
Halifax Public Gardens
Spring Garden Rd. &, Summer St, Halifax, NS B3J 3S9
A spectacular park located between the Dalhousie campus and the city’s downtown area.
It’s filled with flowers, trees, statues, and a bucolic pond with ducks.
(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)
Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol: Legal drinking age in Nova Scotia is 19.
Cannabis: Recreational cannabis is legal. It can be purchased from licensed dispensaries by adults aged 19+.
Psychedelics: I’m not aware of any psilocybin stores open in Halifax, but there are plenty of websites offering to sell psilocybin to city residents. And by the time you read this, there may be shops open in the city. Nonetheless, psilocybin is illegal in Canada and any shops or websites selling it are acting in clear and explicit contravention of applicable law.