Our evening spent at five fishermen was enhanced by the personal attention and genuine caring of all of the staff we came in contact with. The food was superb. As a customer it is always a pleasure when the staff is relaxed and enjoy their work environment.
Please pass on to your staff a job well done.
We will certainly return for another evening.

ever here of salt and pepper?

The atmosphere at 5 fish was pleasant and our server Mallory was exceptional but the food was subpar to say the least I had the pan seared halibut with lobster potatoe hash and my wife the house special a medley of seafood.When I have to ask for salt then the chef either doesn't season or forgot the halibut was a big piece of dry chewy tastless fish with a cloyingly sweet sauce on the hash. My... more

Fair Quality - Small Portions

Arrived at restaurant early and they were very accommodating in providing our party with a table. I consider that good service.The portions were very small and the quality was just fare. $16 for a lobster tail that was extremely chewy and tough and the fish on the 5 fish platter was very dry although the risotto was good.The music was loud and the lights shining though the ceiling fans created... more

Awesome restaurant!!!

I can't say enough about Five Fishermen...it's my favorite in all of Halifax & it's a must every time I visit (every 3 years). The food is wonderful, staff is awesome, the ambience incredible. For history buffs, this building has it all! Be sure to ask them for a brochure on the buildings' history.

great dinner- fun history

We found this place on Open Table and loved it-- it started with the hostess welcoming us and saying "so I see you have never been here before"-- in all the places I have booked with O-T and they ask "have you been here before" this was the first place to actually note that comment--
the food was great- but what is really cool about eating here is reading the history of the building---(hint:... more

Delicious meal!

This was my third dinner here. Hubby was disappointed that the salad and mussel bar had been removed. Portions are on the small side, but delectable! I had the lobster-stuffed scallops and they were perfection

Bland Food

Scallops as appetizer with soba noodles were great. Rest of the food was bland an unseasoned. Lobster was ok but not great. Halibut was again unseasoned, had better fish at battered fish on the waterfront. Service was good, waiter was friendly. I would recommend this place for the price.

Urafoodie

I had the lobster ravioli & it was okay,not great. I also had the haddock,which was good but a bit over cooked. The other 3 people enjoyed their food. They liked the mussels & bread a lot. Service was great.

Fabulous!

My husband and I went here on his last night before he was heading back to Fort McMurray. Our food was fabulous and couldn't be any better. The endless mussel appetiser was awesome ... we really enjoyed the Coconut Currie flavour. Our server Valerie was great. Thanks for taking a few minutes at the end to chat and get to know you. And thanks for taking our picture in the wine cellar. You made... more

Delicious Dishes

We had an early reservation mid-week. Restaurant was very quiet and the staff attentive. Food was very good. Recommend the Digby scallops stuffed with lobster. The all you can eat mussel appetizer is also recommended and it is well priced.

Great food and wonderful service

We really enjoyed our meal at The Five Fishermen. The food was excellent and the service was attentive and friendly.

Been celebrating our anniversary here for 20 years and have never been disappointed yet with food or service. Thank you !

Wewillbeback

Food was fantastic, service was impeccable. The waitress Mallory was very kind and doting. Most enjoyable evening.

An excellent dining experience!

We were looking for an upscale restaurant with a talented chef, we found it at the Five Fishermen. We arrived a little early, sat at the bar and had two very fine martinis and enjoyed the oysters on the half shell special. we then went upstairs, note the fine dining and gorgeous ambience is upstairs. They do not have the mussels salad bar any more, but they you can purchase a large bowl of... more

The atmosphere was fabulous. It was my birthday and the staff were very attentive and the food was very well presented and had great flavours. Loved the mussels. I live in Ontario and whenever I am in Nova Scotia I gravitate to the Five Fish. The Chef Jamie is awesome

Gem.

Liam our server made our night Magical. The oysters sang. And the wine whispered magic. The mussels were magnificent. The Sempe was ambrosial. A stunning, stunning gem in Halifax.

Anniversary Dinner

I've been here a couple of times for special occasions before and been impressed by the ambiance, decor and the buffet. I found out that they recently ditched the help yourself buffet inc with main courses, this is clearly an incentive to profit (Being able to lower main course prices to be more in line with competition and to use buffet area for more seating). Personally I found the seafood... more

Delicious, quiet meal

My fiancee and I ate here on our last night in Halifax. It had been recommended by a friend as well as a local we were sitting next to on a flight. I started with the oysters, which were a little pricey, but they were fabulous. The lobster stuffed scallops I ordered as my main was excellent. Very rich, but the portion was just right. My fiancee enjoyed his blackened char with chorizo and corn... more

Recent Changes

We have visited this Restaurant for many years. Recent changes were made to their menu and restaurant. The salad bar and mussel bar were closed. At our recent supper, the waiter served us 3 steaks that were not ordered and they were not the quality that was expected. Tenderloin were ordered , but Striploin were served. The portion sizes of meals were very, very small, although they were good.... more

Excellent service, good meal

Miss the salad bar...while the entrees are slightly lower in cost, the meal ends up being more expensive if you enjoy more than one course. The food was tasty but main course of halibut was smaller than average The five fishes main was certainly sufficient. There are more varied offerings than previously.The mussel appetizer was delicious and generous. The service was outstanding; attention to... more

Disappointing

Food just ok, nothing exceptional. Oysters served on a lettuce leaf and a wedge of lemon, nothing else. Presentation very basic. Lobster ok but a lobster is a lobster. Nothing else than melted butter... Overall very expensive for what you get. Disappointing... It takes years to build a reputation but may no take that long to destroy it. I will not go back. The 5 fishermen need a wake up call.... more

Business Dinner

Started with a reservation for four, two couples. It grew into six then eight and ended as ten people. The restaurant was ver accommodating. The hostess and wait staff were outstanding. The food was done perfect. It came out in perfect order and timing. I strongly recommend this restaurant to ANYONE!

Great restaurant

One of the best restaurant I have ever been to. The food was great. We were 6 people, everyone thought it was a wonderful restaurant

Food was very salty

I had the Five Fishes. The food tasted good, but the meal was very salty - except the rolls, which tasted like the salt had been forgotten. Service was good, ambience was fine.

Fresh seafood, great service

Oysters, lobster cob salad, scallops.
Excellent wine list with great advice selecting a Nova Scotian wine.
Not cheap but good value considering the all round experience.

Just like we remembered it from 30 years ago

We last ate at the five fishermen some 35 years ag and wanted to see if it was still as good as we remembered. It was. We had a wonderful lobster dinner with a good wine, an excellent salad to start with and a very tasty desert to finish it all. My wife and I were allowed to share each... more

very disappointing and past it's prime

I was told that the Five Fisherman was THE place to go for seafood in the Halifax area, and with lobster season just starting, I was very excited to dine there.
Unfortunately this is nothing more than an average and overpriced tourist trap that is showing its age.
The lobster was very small and overpriced, and the sides - string... more

Excellent place if you love seafood

If you are looking for the best seafood restaurant in Halifax.....go here you will absolutely love this place! The location, the service, the atmosphere, THE FOOD! You gotta eat here!

The worst dining experience

We went to the Five Fishermen May 5 2014. They seated us on the main floor - the second floor was closed. it was crowded and loud. Our food took along time - when we got it - everything was cold - the waiter did not come to see how it was - so there was no complaint made. The... more

very poor service, bad food, over priced

We were extremely disappointed with our supper at the five fisherman. Our server was Samantha.. she was very rude and short with us. Our food took way too long to come, it was terrible and very over priced. I would not return nor would I recommend.

Great Place

We really enjoy going here for a meal when we can. It has been around for a long time but the service is great and the food fantastic. Would always recommend this place.

Great food but not on the waterfront

Excellent food, muscle bar and great salad but not on the waterfront. If you are looking for good food and don't mind a city view in a wonderful old historic building this is the place, Great service also.

Great spot to have a really nice dinner

Excellent food. Great service. Wonderful atmosphere for a dinner for two. Spacious. You are not seated on top on other guests. Prices a bit on the high wnd but as a special occassion dinner, well worth it.

The Five Fishermen

Service poor
Food overpriced
Located downtown Halifax in the Bar district.
Has been around for too many years and exists on its past reputation.
May be new owners in the last decade who are driven by profit not good food and service.
There are much better places to nosh down in Halifax

Good seafood

We went for the upstairs restaurant to find it was close and menu was not available. However, food quality and appearance was good. Service was friendly.

First Class

If you want quality, atmosphere and all around Nova Scotian hospitality The Five Fisherman is the place. You may even run into a star or two ;)

Great seafood restaurant in Halifax

We spent the night in Halifax on our way to Cape Breton and were fortunate to find the Five Fisherman. The location near the waterfront was within walking distance of our hotel and the restaurant itself was charming. The seafood was excellent: fresh, perfectly prepared and delicious. The restaurant is not inexpensive but was well worth the price. We'll definitely... more

Once a favorite....Maybe it will improve once the whole restaurant is open again

I wasn't aware that the upstairs is closed for renovations, therefore the menu from the upstairs (which is better) isn't available. We were seated near a window that was so drafty and cold I had to use my scarf to keep the chill off. When I mentioned the cold, a joke was made by staff that it was acclimatizing me... more

over-priced tourist trap

Title says it all. Halifax downtown is full of restaurants that cater to the cruise ship crowd: people in for one day, looking for a "local" experience, willing to spend $$$ and never to return. The Five Fishermen is over-rated and for the quality of food, way over-priced.

NC Visitor to Halifax

I've frequented Halifax many times over the past few years on business. I have been to Five Fishermen on a few different occasions. This is almost like 2 restaurants. The downstairs restaurant is fantastic and is about $25/entree - I really enjoyed the Halibut. We also tried a few appetizers and they were all very good. You can also eat... more

Great chowder

This is a classy place with great seafood. It's very close to the Halifax Metro Centre. The chowder is excellent. Not a great place for kids. It's more of a couples setting.

Love the restaurant, especially all you can eat mussels and salad bar

This is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Halifax. I have never had a bad experience at this restaurant. The staff is always friendly and food is great. The atmosphere is relaxed and there is plenty of room between tables to give you privacy.

long surviving, for a good reason

I like to bring out of town clients here. the food, the service the ambiance is the best, consistently

A Seafood Dream

This is Halifax's top seafood restaurant. It's not limited to just seafood, but the wide choice and preparation of their seafood makes it a great Nova Scotia dining experience. The mussel and salad bars start you off right . Service is excellent with very knowledgeable servers who know seafood. Wines choices are varied and could be best in the city.... more

Lovely jubbly

I dined here with mother on our trip to Halifax to visit family. The seafood was great, very tasty. I love the mussels. It was all splendidly arranged. However, what I loved the most was the salad bar, where you help yourself to greens.
The restaurant itself is well situated and there is lots of room, so no awkwardly placed... more

Flex your mussels

This is definitely 5 star dining at it best. There are wonderful selections at the salad bar. You can also fill up at the mussel bar - fresh daily. The service is excellent. Our table ordered a variety of meat & fish dishes & everything was done to perfection. Don't stay to late though because the building was once a... more

Good for supper, better for oyster happy hour

The food and experience is nice here, but my favourite thing is to sit at the bar with a happy hour beer, sampling half price oysters. It's 4-6 p.m., daily with servers who know their oysters and help you choose between the oft-changing selection, which usually numbers four choices per visit. For $1.50, with fresh-grated horseradish, lemon and hot sauce,... more

Always a wonderful dining experience

I never grow old of the Five Fishermen! Enjoyed a wonderful meal last night of crab crusted haddock for me and the rib eye steak for my partner. Couldn't resist adding 3 jumbo shrimp to my dish as well. $9 extra but it was worth it! Finished off sharing an orange tiramisu for dessert. The food was delicious and the... more

If you are a lover of great seafood, this is the place

I don't get to Halifax very often, but when I do, I have to go and visit the Five Fishermen. This is some of the freshest and best seafood I have ever tasted anywhere. I can't think of an occasion where this great restaurant wouldn't be an excellent choice, whether for a quiet evening with your mate, or a business... more

better restaurants in Halifax

disappointed at the quality of the food today at lunch. Server was very nice, but the fact that there were only three tables and my lunch of fish tacos and hand cut fries was dry and cold..overpriced. The restaurant had a musty smell and the bathroom had a sewage smell.
Too bad because this used to be an icon.

Not what it used to be

Let me start by saying I am from the prairies, so not exactly an expert on seafood....
BUT, I have been to the Five Fishermen a number of times over the past 20 years.
Also my job has me travelling all over the world, so I have had the opportunity to try fantastic seafood from all over.
The first few... more

Very rude

The hostess could not offer us a table without a reservation, even though we saw many open ones. The manager actually suggested we try "somewhere else". We did.

Excellent

We visited in April 2011 after finding this restaurant on "you tube" we had a very good meal. The service was superb also

Great seafood

It was recommended to us by a friend who was a local. We had great service from our hilarious waitress Julie. We ordered from the grill bar because the other menu was just out of the question (price wise). My friends all enjoyed their food and I personally got $4 Caesar and the lobster barigoule. Very delicious, lobster was so... more

Awesome Seafood

Came here for dinner with the family and we were all pleased with our meals. This restaurant is definitely one of the high end restaurants in town. It's in a good location in downtown Halifax on Argyle St., just down the street from the Metro Center and near the World Trade & Convention Center and City Hall.
Service is good,... more

The Best salad bar in town

There are perhaps four top drawer restaurants in this town. Five Fisherman is the one for proper service and the best value for money at the high end range without a doubt. From the setting to assistance with wine to the international renown salad bar and to the halibut . This is the restaurant to take your guests for a... more

Extremely disappointed with my meal

I was at the Five fishermen on wednesday and I have to say that I was looking forward to this meal, as I use to visit this restaurant frequently a few years ago, but I hadn't visited it in a long time. As usual the setting was beautiful, the greeting was perfect, a young man came to us very promptly... more

Great Place

This was my second visit, the first visit for my husband. He was not disappointed. Fantastic service, food and wine selection! Superb seafood selections. Oysters galore. Easy to get too, great downtown location. Relaxed, pleasant cozy atmosphere. Great for enjoying a delicious quiet dinner. Hope to be back again. Would recommend it to anyone visiting Halifax.

Second Visit and thoroughly enjoyed it

We were here in 2006 with family and enjoyed the food and service then ... this time (Oct 2013) was no different. In fact, Matt (our bartender/server/storyteller) was professional, attentive and knowledgeable. He never missed a beat serving us at the bar and tending to the other patrons and staff. When someone enjoys their job it shows and is a... more

Excellent food

We met up with friends in Halifax and were there one night. This restaurant was within easy walking of our hotel, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was really nice and we all enjoyed our food. I would return in a heartbeat. It was cozy too which was a pleasant change for us.

A great dining experience

This was my second time dining at the Five Fishermen, the first time for my wife. We both loved the ambiance, the fantastic service by our waiter, and of course, the food and wine. This is a great place for a romantic dinner, and the menu selection very good, especially for seafood. An extensive wine list, and loved the salad... more

Good choice

We were glad we chose the Five Fisherman for lunch. We shared five appetizers and they were all very good and reasonably priced.
The atmosphere was very nice and the service was good as well. We would recommend dining here!

When in Halifax..eat lobster

What a great dinner..the waitress was super and more than attentative..made great recommendations and was always around..The highlight though was the lobster which was served just right...enough cracked and cut that you fought with it but it was a short battle...good value for your money

Liked the history

We chose to go to Five Fishermen on the recommendation of a cab driver. He had driven us to see the main cemetery of the three used for people killed in the Titanic. This seems to be sort of an undersold story -- at least we didn't know the Titanic people were rescued from the port in Halifax. We had... more

Never Fails

Terrific place. Consistently great food and service. Always a good choice for seafood. An excellent choice for business meetings too.

One of the best restaurants in Halifax

Had a great meal, the mussels were super and had a great scallop meal. Nice ambiance and close to everything, was able to walk to it from hotel

Highly recommend

Had a great experience here with the kids and another family. The staff is top notch and very helpful. The food is also very good. Some of the best lobster I had in Halifax. Oh and the all you can eat mussel bar isn't too shabby either. Definitely visit this place.

Best seafood pasta ever

This was our favorite restaurant in Halifax.. Great service, great food, and great location..We were seated up stairs and the only bad thing I can say about this place is that it could use a facelift. The up stairs was a little dated but the booths did add privacy to our dinner. I often order seafood pasta in a white... more

Great Food But Pricey

My husband and I organized a large dinner here with our siblings, the night before our wedding.
What will most people be concerned with? The food - which is excellent. If you're looking for seafood, this is a fantastic choice. We all tried the oyster and salad bar (some hits, some misses) in addition to our entrees. The entrees were... more

Good Food & Beer

Food very good, oyster happy hour, service adequate. Nice stop. Again in walking distance of almost everything

Great atmosphere

We had a rushed dinner here at the end of September. Service is amazing, food is great. I really enjoyed the salad and mussel bar. Definitely part of the price but worth it, no need to order appies. My husband had the scallops and I had seafood fettuccini. I had to share my plate it was so good. When we... more

Lovely setting

This restaurant is on a corner across the street from a long park and old church, easy walking from the harbor. We ate outdoors (they have heat lamps, tho not needed during our visit) and were served promptly and well. We shared a grilled scallop appetizer (excellent) and each had the Fisherman's chowder, loaded with large pieces of shrimp, lobster,... more

Excellent food

Excellent food, lovely decor, good service, somewhat expensive. Close to waterfront easy walking distance to downtown. Good wine list. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to others.

Five Fishermen Restaurant, Halifax

The history of the building itself is very interesting. We dined in the upstairs fine dining room and were very happy with the whole experience. The restaurant is amazing with its décor and stained glass window that came from France. The food was exceptional and our server was a delightful fellow (Clerk 14 - I think maybe his name might... more

One of the top Halifax' restaurants, a genuine landmark. Located at the first floor of one of Halifax oldest buildings overlooking the mid-town square.
Nice separated tables in a romantic setting. Only plus points!

There is a second place in this building at ground level called "Little Fish"; it's a Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

Revisited in 2006, still a great place but quality lost a point. Food... more

Take it or leave it!

I went with a group of four adults while on vacation. The menu had an adequate selection of dishes and wines. I had chosen this restaurant because my husband loves PEI muscles and the restaurant is kown for its muscle and salad bar. We each ordered one to two cocktails/beers, an entree and desset totaling about $350. If you don't like muscles or are looking for a quick cheap meal this is not... more

We came from Toronto for our first trip to Halifax. We were really excited about this restaurant after having had some great lobster at Gio's at our Prince George hotel. We had heard that the Five Fishermen was a must see hot spot. I wish that's all we had done. For an ocean side city we expected super fresh tasty fish. Instead, we got small portions of middle of the road fish that wasn't... more

Not Worth the $$

If you really like muscles you might get your moneys worth but other than that it is just a little sub-par. The service is fantastic esp if you have any allergies!!!! But it is a very old traditional place...somewhere your rich grandfather might take you after a polo match. Overall i thought it was ok, but didn't think it was worth the money. McKelvies is less pricey and better food.

Having been in Halifax on May 28th as part of a conference. I booked a table of ten at The Five Fishermen at the urging of staff at The Lord Nelson Hotel. I wish I went elsewhere, or researched the establishment in advance.

One of my clients was a gentleman awaiting a total knee replacement. Fran, the hostess for the evening, rudely told me my customer who was on 2 canes would have to navigate... more

I had the worst fish dish in my life

It is our first visit to maritime provinces. We expect to taste fresh and tender seafood in Halifax, the most prosperous city in the provinces. The ambience of the restaurant is of British style. High ceiling, big crest on wall, candle on table. It is a nice place to dine. We had soup chowder of seafood and dishes of fish, one was halibut. The soup had several types of seafood, salmon, scallop... more

Excellent!!! The type of restaurant that Halifax is famous for!

One of the best in Halifax!! Well run and great food and service!!The wine list was good and our waiter (Daniel was very knowledgeable) A great place to impress a client or a date.

Not worth the money

The food is not worth the money you pay for it, I mean how much does the mussle bar really cost? Sorry but there's better places to eat!

Worth the money?

They have made themselves one of the priciest restaurants in Halifax for no reason that I can see; I feel that you are paying top dollar for average food. There are absolutely higher caliber restaurants for more reasonable price in Halifax. One year ago I would always recommend this restaurant first but now it would be about #10 on my list of places to eat in Halifax.

This is a very nicely decorated restaurant close to the tourist district. The food was good, but for $39 entrees and $10 martinis, it was a bit overpriced. The salad bar was ordinary. The mussel bar was a nice touch and the mussels had good flavor, but were very small--the work/reward ratio wasn't so great. Service was friendly and competent. The kitchen was very slow getting orders out.
... more

We're returning!!!

My husband and I went with our son to Little Fish a couple of years ago and we absolutely loved it. The service was great, the food exceptional (the muscles are to die for), and the atmosphere was great for a family. We're returning soon to Nova Scotia and one of the first places we are going is to Five Fishermen and Little Fish.

We eat here quite often .The restaurant is set in and old stone type building .with lots of small rooms with fireplaces. Downstairs there is a casual restaurant with an oyster bar. The seafood is always fresh and best of all there is an all included mussel and salad bar in the main dining restaurant.

Favorite Dish: Any of the blackened fish.....halibut or swordfish especially!!

Little Fish was great

We'd heard about the great food at the 5 Fisherman but because we had our young son with us we opted for the more casual Little Fish. We had the best meal of our vacation there and would highly recommend it. The food was excellent and the staff were super friendly, going out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Great place !

Best I've Had

The food, from the salad and mussels bar, main dishes and desserts were superb. The wine and beer list excellent.

Superb culinary experience!

I came from Victoria, BC to your restaurant recommended by a friend from Toronto who dined there before. We loved it! It was a memorable occasion. Thank you so much for a fabulous evening, it was outstanding. Olga

Five Fisherman

This is an excellent seafood restaurant located in the heart of downtown Halifax. The restaurant overlooks the Grand Parade and it has a wonderful menu of items to choose from.

The Five Fishermen is a very popular local restaurant, so it is recommended that you make reservations if you have a large group. Six of us walked in off the street just before 7 PM on our first night in Halifax and we had a 1-hour wait on a Monday night before we found seating. However, it certainly was worth it! The interior decor is very well done and the seating arrangements are varied and... more

Whenever I go to Halifax I always stop in at the Five Fishermen. If you're not a fan of seafood, then there is still good eating to be had here, but if you do like seafood, then I guarantee you'll be glad you went.

Prices are just a little high, but it's understandable given the quality of the food and atmosphere. It's also very popular so be sure to make reservations.

Favorite Dish: Where to... more