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McKelvies Reviews List
McKelvies
McKELVIE’S
DELISHES FISHES DISHES
Enjoy one of Halifax’s most acclaimed kitchens in a renovated turn-of-the-century fire hall. Located across from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the Halifax waterfront, McKelvie’s offers an historic setting to savour the finest seafood and traditional Nova Scotia fare.
Famous for Nova Scotia Lobster, Digby Scallops, Blackened Salmon, Potato Crusted Haddock and choice cuts of Prime Steak, McKelvie’s offers a wide selection of local favourites including Crab Bisque, Seafood Chowder, Steamed Mussels, Crunchy Haddock, Fish ‘n Chips, Jump-Up Calamari and
Snow Crab Cakes. Save room for our Mile High Coconut Cream Pie, one of our many house made devilish desserts.
Our Taste of the Grape wine list features wine from around the world to compliment our menu. As well we also offer a selection of local microbrews.
The locals say you can find the best of the sea and Nova Scotia - at McKelvie's.
See more McKelvies details
36 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 36 reviews
5 stars
(4)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(18)
- special occasion(16)
- fit for foodies(13)
- great for lunch(11)
- neighborhood gem(11)
- romantic(9)
McKelvies Reviews List
Review 1 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
dinner for 2
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/19/2013
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"overall food and service was good i had steak and that was a bit overcooked but my wife had her steak made perfect. service was so so could have been better"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 2 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We have dined @ McKelvies each time we have visited Halifax and are never disappointed. We started our meal with scallops which did not disappoint. My husband enjoyed the lobster and I had the halibut stuffed with crab and cream cheese. Both entrees came with perfectly steamed asparagus w/ green beans. The wine list is good. Service on this particular evening was very good. The staff was friendly and efficient. All in all another very pleasing meal."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"As always - great food at a reasonable price in the heart of old Halifax"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion
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Review 4 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great experience, as always.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I took my mom here for Mother's Day. She's from Ontario and McKelvies' is always our favourite place to come when she's in town. Our waitress was very nice, and other than the service being a little bit slow at times (even though the restaurant was not that busy), the dinner was perfect. An added bonus was finding out that they now sell mix for their amazing bread!
Overall, we had a wonderful time and will definitely be back. The food was amazing, as always, and the atmosphere and customer service were great. I've never had anything less than a great experience here and recommend it to all my friends.
Also: the coconut cream pie was the best thing I've ever tasted."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 5 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Decent Food, Friendly Service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The Food is quite good. A few more non-shellfish options would be nice. Prices a little higher than the food quality justifies, however, overall is a good restaurant with a nice atmosphere and efficient and friendly service."
Dined on 5/06/2013
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Review 6 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Consistently good seafood
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"McKelvie's is a long-lived restaurant in downtown Halifax, and it has survived by always being consistently good (not great, but good). The menu is strongly focused on seafood, with a couple of non-seafood options.
On this recent visit my wife and I had calamari to start, poached salmon, and strip-loin. The calamari were a little too chewy, but the salmon was cooked nicely (not over-done) and the steak was exactly as my wife had asked. The vegetables had just the right amount of "al dente". A nice touch was the warm ceramic container for my wife's fries which kept them from going cold during the meal."
Dined on 15/03/2013
2011
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Review 8 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
It was our second time at
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was our second time at McKelvie’s we found the food to be very good and the atmosphere inviting. The seating location was excellent and the Friday half price bottle of wine special appreciated."
Dined on 15/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 9 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Pleasurable Dining Experience
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was only my wife and my second visit to McKelvie's; and as before, the food, service, and surroundings were exemplary in all respects. We'll be back on our next trip to Halifax."
Dined on 22/02/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 10 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was delicious. My
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was delicious. My wife had the fish cakes and I had the pomegranate salad. Both had a variety of tastes that pleased the palette. The waiter was very attentive and friendly - even with a busy lunch crowd on Valentine's. He was a gentleman that wore two hearing aids and we think he did a wonderful job. The only criticism we have is about the maitre d' who came across as a bit rough and unwelcoming."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
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Review 11 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Bisque was awesome - my favourite.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Bisque was awesome - my favourite.
One of my guests was slightly disappointed with scallop dish - a dish ordered a previous time and quite enjoyed - didn't seem to be consistent.
One of my guests was slightly disappointed with scallop dish - a dish ordered a previous time and quite enjoyed - didn't seem to be consistent.
But in general very much enjoy the restaurant."
Dined on 18/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 12 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I travel alot and visit alot
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I travel alot and visit alot of restaurants. The price is just way too much."
Dined on 05/02/2013
2013
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Review 13 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was my first visit since
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This was my first visit since 2000. I was very pleased to find the same dish - seafood au gratin with potatoes- that I had enjoyed so much when I ate there regularly. This was a great place for a romantic birthday dinner."
Dined on 27/01/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 14 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I would say the food was good
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I would say the food was good in parts. For the lobster platter that I order the lobster was not that great but the scallops, shrimps and the salmon was very tasty. The salad also tasted well. For appetizers I ordered oysters which was kinda ok. It is very expensive when we compare to the taste of the food. But I would recommend it for special occasions of couples. The restaurant was very quiet and food service was good."
Dined on 27/01/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for McKelvies
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Consistently excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I have been to McKelvies many many times since they opened. During that extended period of time I have never had a bad experience with the food being consistently excellent."
Dined on 26/01/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for McKelvies
Based on the average of (21) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
5 out of 7 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic