Oysters are quite good, but the lemons are too limited for one dozen of oysters, and the shape of lemon is a little hard to squeeze. Scallops are amazing!Highly recommend this dish! The mix of crispy sesames, cilantro and soft sweet scallops is one of the best match I’ve ever tasted in my life!Tuna and fries is a good dish to share. The fries are not so oily and the tuna is fresh.Duck breasts are so juicy! I’ve never had such good tasting duck in Canada before.Pasta fiori is a little too sour for me.We ordered three cocktails and both of them are wonderful! Especially the one with sage!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Raw Scallop Radish & Black Sesame
Shawnda McCollum
Would definitely recommend reservations, as the seating space is small and it can get busy. We had to wait across the street for a couple of bar seats to open up.The food. Wow, THE FOOD. Yep, it was amazing. We deemed this the favorite meal of our stay in Halifax. Redditors were not wrong with their praise of the establishment. We ended up ordering 3 entrees, two desserts, and several cocktails. We shared the food to sample all the flavors. The flavors were so well balanced. Delicate raw scallops were enhanced but not overpowered by the other ingredients, allowing the sweet, buttery taste to come through. The mackerel with swiss chard was delicious, as was the tuna tartare. You can't go wrong with any of the choices.They are also accommodating of dietary restrictions, as my daughter has gluten sensitivity. They were able to identify all the gluten items and served the sauce for the mackerel on the side so we could both enjoy the meal.Watching the bartender up close was a special treat. They make their own in-house flavor infusion mists to enhance the drinks and special care is taken in both the mixing and presentation of each drink.Great experience. GO!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Raw Scallop Radish & Black Sesame, Grilled Mackerel
George Jia
The place is a bit small, a handful of tables (all full) and about 8 or so bar stools. So reservation is definitely recommended. It is very well run and efficient, the bartenders were fantastic, friendly and knowledgeable. The food was awesome, some seafood and Spanish fares, all very well prepared.The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive, and since they are really well stocked on all ingredients, when you ask for something that's off menu, they will likely be able to provide it. ( I asked for a siesta and it was great).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Raw Scallop Radish & Black Sesame
Ryan AM
It’s tough to put into words how the taste of the food, openness/warmth of the atmosphere and creativity of the drinks are collectively so phenomenal.Dining experiences like this are few and far between. We will be back and are so excited for our next opportunity to dine at Bar Kismet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Doc Halliwood
I was so excited to try this place and was so disappointed with my experience here. There was so much hype about this place, but I'm not sure why. It's too bad they missed the mark on service, atmosphere and food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Dakota MacLean
Food was good waiter made me and my date feel unwelcomed and was cold the entire time we were
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
RMO
The gnocchi and leek salad stole my heart! Dylan was such a great host/baretender and made the best suggestions for our night. I was happy we were able to get a reso, since my last visit we were not able to get a table. Love the atmosphere and the greenery surrounding the restaurant.
Andy E
Phenomenal! Continues to have great food (Ahi Tuna tartare, chicken ragu) as well as superbly made drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patricia Khawand
Certainly a Hidden gem .From service, food, presentation and overall experience 10 stars ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ZEHUA SUN
I had a blast with my partner last weekend, the Tuna Tartare Highly recommend! Fresh Oysters and My favorite Rice wine cocktail - Oddbird!
One of Halifax’ s best restaurant.I really enjoyed my dinner. The restaurant is very cozy and pretty. Service was very good during our meal. We ate as starters the radicchio and the arancini. Very good quality, fresh ingredients, perfect portions. The three wines we tried were also excellent. As main courses we took gnocchi and ragù pasta. We thought the chef was Italian but she comes from Montreal. Congratulations the dinner was overall excellent. On a sad note, we had a reservation for two and we tried to call the restaurant to add a third person. Nobody replied, so we tried Instagram. No responses. That was quite inconvenient so we stayed positive and went there anyway with the third person hoping it would be possible to add an extra chair. When we arrived there, the response was a firm “no”, because it was full. However, the table next to us had an extra chair it could have been easily used to accommodate us. I was quite disappointed, especially because we tried to contact them several times and it was impossible to reach out.
All that I’d heard about bar kismet set it up to be an amazing experience but I was quite underwhelmed. The service was sub par with three servers on the floor two of which were very friendly and welcoming. The third who served us was quite aloof and didn’t seem too interested in stopping by our table; we didn’t really receive a welcome or any explanation of the menu when seated. We asked questions and the answers were helpful but curt. I cannot complain about the menu as everything we had (tuna tartare, oysters, olives, bread, soprese) was delicious but nothing really wowed us in the way we were expecting. We had several cocktails which were hit or miss with Borneo to run being the highlight and for whom the bell sotols being the one to be avoided. The price point of Bar kismet pushes it into the realm of fine dining and our experience topped out at mediocre which was disappointing.
Had a disappointing dinner at Bar Kismet this past week. We brought friends who had never been there before and the whole experience did not leave a favourable impression. Our main issues were that we felt like our server couldn't give us the time of day and like all questions were annoying them. We felt rushed. Our table was not wiped during service (dessert was brought while tuna tartare crumbs were still on the table). We also didn't love the reminder to tip appropriately when paying our bill. The food was standard for Kismet but hardly much has changed on the menu.Bar Kismet was always a favourite and our top recommendation for friends visiting Halifax but we won't make plans to go back. Kismet shouldn't get a pass for bad service because it is only one of a few highly regarded restaurants in Halifax.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Stephen R
Bar Kismet was one of many great restaurants we visited on our three-week trip to Canada - it was one we booked well in advance and were highly anticipating, it certainly lived up to the hype! We had great seats at the bar and over the course of about two hours we indulged in a variety of amazing dishes, with some of the highlights being the raw scallop, ahi tuna tartare and gnocchi. The drinks selection was excellent and what was really impressive was how original all their cocktails were. I'm sure you could get a classic if you really wanted but I'd recommend diving into their unique creations instead! Some were particularly interesting, such as the "floppy disk" and "howshegoinbud?". The restaurant draws a diverse crowd ranging from solo diners to small groups, there are also a lot of visitors coming from overseas or other parts of Canada now they are developing such a positive reputation. Service from the guys behind the bar was perfect, they were chatty with all the guests and knew exactly when to come by for another drink or food order. Dave looked after us for most of the night and was excellent. Would certainly recommend for a memorable night in Halifax!
Valerie E
The best restaurant in the city. Best if you like seafood, but you can still get a delicious meal without. Everything is so well done.
Oysters are quite good, but the lemons are too limited for one dozen of oysters, and the shape of lemon is a little hard to squeeze. Scallops are amazing!Highly recommend this dish! The mix of crispy sesames, cilantro and soft sweet scallops is one of the best match I’ve ever tasted in my life!Tuna and fries is a good dish to share. The fries are not so oily and the tuna is fresh.Duck breasts are so juicy! I’ve never had such good tasting duck in Canada before.Pasta fiori is a little too sour for me.We ordered three cocktails and both of them are wonderful! Especially the one with sage!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Raw Scallop Radish & Black Sesame
Would definitely recommend reservations, as the seating space is small and it can get busy. We had to wait across the street for a couple of bar seats to open up.The food. Wow, THE FOOD. Yep, it was amazing. We deemed this the favorite meal of our stay in Halifax. Redditors were not wrong with their praise of the establishment. We ended up ordering 3 entrees, two desserts, and several cocktails. We shared the food to sample all the flavors. The flavors were so well balanced. Delicate raw scallops were enhanced but not overpowered by the other ingredients, allowing the sweet, buttery taste to come through. The mackerel with swiss chard was delicious, as was the tuna tartare. You can't go wrong with any of the choices.They are also accommodating of dietary restrictions, as my daughter has gluten sensitivity. They were able to identify all the gluten items and served the sauce for the mackerel on the side so we could both enjoy the meal.Watching the bartender up close was a special treat. They make their own in-house flavor infusion mists to enhance the drinks and special care is taken in both the mixing and presentation of each drink.Great experience. GO!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Raw Scallop Radish & Black Sesame, Grilled Mackerel
The place is a bit small, a handful of tables (all full) and about 8 or so bar stools. So reservation is definitely recommended. It is very well run and efficient, the bartenders were fantastic, friendly and knowledgeable. The food was awesome, some seafood and Spanish fares, all very well prepared.The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive, and since they are really well stocked on all ingredients, when you ask for something that's off menu, they will likely be able to provide it. ( I asked for a siesta and it was great).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Raw Scallop Radish & Black Sesame
It’s tough to put into words how the taste of the food, openness/warmth of the atmosphere and creativity of the drinks are collectively so phenomenal.Dining experiences like this are few and far between. We will be back and are so excited for our next opportunity to dine at Bar Kismet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was so excited to try this place and was so disappointed with my experience here. There was so much hype about this place, but I'm not sure why. It's too bad they missed the mark on service, atmosphere and food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Food was good waiter made me and my date feel unwelcomed and was cold the entire time we were
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
The gnocchi and leek salad stole my heart! Dylan was such a great host/baretender and made the best suggestions for our night. I was happy we were able to get a reso, since my last visit we were not able to get a table. Love the atmosphere and the greenery surrounding the restaurant.
Phenomenal! Continues to have great food (Ahi Tuna tartare, chicken ragu) as well as superbly made drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Certainly a Hidden gem .From service, food, presentation and overall experience 10 stars ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a blast with my partner last weekend, the Tuna Tartare Highly recommend! Fresh Oysters and My favorite Rice wine cocktail - Oddbird!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
One of Halifax’ s best restaurant.I really enjoyed my dinner. The restaurant is very cozy and pretty. Service was very good during our meal. We ate as starters the radicchio and the arancini. Very good quality, fresh ingredients, perfect portions. The three wines we tried were also excellent. As main courses we took gnocchi and ragù pasta. We thought the chef was Italian but she comes from Montreal. Congratulations the dinner was overall excellent. On a sad note, we had a reservation for two and we tried to call the restaurant to add a third person. Nobody replied, so we tried Instagram. No responses. That was quite inconvenient so we stayed positive and went there anyway with the third person hoping it would be possible to add an extra chair. When we arrived there, the response was a firm “no”, because it was full. However, the table next to us had an extra chair it could have been easily used to accommodate us. I was quite disappointed, especially because we tried to contact them several times and it was impossible to reach out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Gorgonzola Gnocchi & Burnt Walnut
All that I’d heard about bar kismet set it up to be an amazing experience but I was quite underwhelmed. The service was sub par with three servers on the floor two of which were very friendly and welcoming. The third who served us was quite aloof and didn’t seem too interested in stopping by our table; we didn’t really receive a welcome or any explanation of the menu when seated. We asked questions and the answers were helpful but curt. I cannot complain about the menu as everything we had (tuna tartare, oysters, olives, bread, soprese) was delicious but nothing really wowed us in the way we were expecting. We had several cocktails which were hit or miss with Borneo to run being the highlight and for whom the bell sotols being the one to be avoided. The price point of Bar kismet pushes it into the realm of fine dining and our experience topped out at mediocre which was disappointing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Ahi Tuna Tartare & Allumettes Fries, Marinated Olives
Had a disappointing dinner at Bar Kismet this past week. We brought friends who had never been there before and the whole experience did not leave a favourable impression. Our main issues were that we felt like our server couldn't give us the time of day and like all questions were annoying them. We felt rushed. Our table was not wiped during service (dessert was brought while tuna tartare crumbs were still on the table). We also didn't love the reminder to tip appropriately when paying our bill. The food was standard for Kismet but hardly much has changed on the menu.Bar Kismet was always a favourite and our top recommendation for friends visiting Halifax but we won't make plans to go back. Kismet shouldn't get a pass for bad service because it is only one of a few highly regarded restaurants in Halifax.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Bar Kismet was one of many great restaurants we visited on our three-week trip to Canada - it was one we booked well in advance and were highly anticipating, it certainly lived up to the hype! We had great seats at the bar and over the course of about two hours we indulged in a variety of amazing dishes, with some of the highlights being the raw scallop, ahi tuna tartare and gnocchi. The drinks selection was excellent and what was really impressive was how original all their cocktails were. I'm sure you could get a classic if you really wanted but I'd recommend diving into their unique creations instead! Some were particularly interesting, such as the "floppy disk" and "howshegoinbud?". The restaurant draws a diverse crowd ranging from solo diners to small groups, there are also a lot of visitors coming from overseas or other parts of Canada now they are developing such a positive reputation. Service from the guys behind the bar was perfect, they were chatty with all the guests and knew exactly when to come by for another drink or food order. Dave looked after us for most of the night and was excellent. Would certainly recommend for a memorable night in Halifax!
The best restaurant in the city. Best if you like seafood, but you can still get a delicious meal without. Everything is so well done.