Grabbed an elaborate lunch at this restaurant. It’s hard to miss as it’s right next behind the Maritime Museum and also has a good rating on Google. My friend and I shared the appetizers. We ordered the flash fried calamari and crab bisque. The bisque was so so tasty and a decent portion. For the main, I got the fish & chips which was good. My friend got the fish fry and struggled with it as it was a bit too much of fried food on a plate. The portion was good for the price.
The restaurant is cozy and our server was very polite and nice.
I loved McKelvie’s!!!! They have THE BEST clam chowder in Halifax, also love that they use fish broth for the clam chowder where most places actually use chicken broth. The authentic taste of the chowder is unmatched! We got crab cakes as well, and (I’m not joking) I could eat those everyday. we also got the seafood shareable platter and it was 100% worth it. You get the variety of the east coast seafood. Service was so lovely, staff were friendly and welcoming. Atmosphere was also fun! Highly recommend!
Reza Sattarzadeh Nowbari
+4
I went for dinner in McKelvie's, and the experience was just fine. The best thing about this restaurant is the staff and the service you receive from them. The food is just fine. Their chowder is amazing with lots of seafood inside. But the same cannot be said about the main dish. I ordered Jambalaya because I wanted to have a seafood platter with many choices. Unfortunately, there were only tiny bits of lobster. I didn't expect half a lobster, but being a bit more generous would be a fine gesture. I will probably not order that when I go back there.
My wife and I had just wrapped attending the Hal-Con convention and were looking for a nearby spot to try out. As soon as we got inside we were met with friendly faces and pleasant greetings. Loved the atmosphere and the decor inside.
Both Lucas & Tyrel were very friendly from the moment we sat down. Chatting with us, enthusiastically talking about the food and asking us about our experience attending the convention.
The food was exceptional. My wife had the lamb shank, and I had the jambalaya, with a couple of nice cocktails and corn bread. I've never had jambalaya at all before, so naturally I had two bowls of it! Ha! I've almost never order two entrees anywhere but this was so good. My wife said it's among the best lamb she's had.
We get to Halifax about once a year so next year we're planning on stopping in again, if not sooner if we get back into the city before then.
Kristin & Nathan Crawford
+5
Our server James was wonderful! He was kind and patient taught me how to eat my first whole lobster. They were able to accommodate a seafood/fish allergy for my husband as well.
The decor was funky. We have already recommended to a few people on our travels.
On The HighWay of Life
+4
My family were in Halifax for the week. McKelvie's has been around for a long time now. I remember dining here back in 1998.
The fresh seafood is amazing. The seafood chowder is the best that we all had during our week long tour of Halifax and Nova Scotia.
The service was attentive and warm. The variety of seafood dishes were made with care and it all tasted simply delicious.
The food here is rather memorable.
Happy Eats everyone :-)
This is a beautiful place for sure with an upscale atmosphere. We tried the scallops, cajun shrimp, haddock croquette, seafood chowder, and oysters. I could have eaten a vat of that chowder my god, but the oysters were teeny-tiny, very disappointing. I also thought there would be a more unique variety of toppings for the oysters besides shallot vinegar and horseradish. The croquette was very mushy and bland. We spoke with the manager before we left to get some history on the place and he was very enthusiastic to talk to us and answered all our questions. Overall a pricey meal, with small portions, although the food and ambience were very nice.
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I recently had the pleasure of dining at McKelvie's, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. From the moment I stepped inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere made me feel right at home. The staff greeted me with genuine smiles and provided excellent service throughout my visit.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the fish and chips. Oh my, they were truly exceptional! The fish was perfectly cooked, golden and crispy on the outside, while the flesh inside was moist and flavorful. The chips were heavenly, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It was evident that only the freshest ingredients were used, and the attention to detail in the preparation was commendable.
The menu offered a variety of options, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. The portion sizes were generous, ensuring that I left completely satisfied. Additionally, the prices were reasonable, considering the quality and quantity of the food served.
I also appreciate the restaurant's commitment to sustainability. They use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, and the packaging is eco-friendly. It's refreshing to support a business that cares about the environment.
Overall, I can confidently say that McKelvie's offers a delightful dining experience with their scrumptious fish and chips, friendly staff, and inviting ambiance. If you're a fan of this classic dish or simply looking for a fantastic meal, I highly recommend giving this place a try. You won't be disappointed!
Came here for dinner with my wife. Food was great, we waited for 30-45min but totally understandable because the restaurant was full. Fresh seafood and yummy steak.
A local told us about this place. They had tasty drinks and wicked good food. Lobster roll and crab bisque were excellent!
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