The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Restaurant · Halifax

The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Restaurant · Halifax

1

5218 Prince St, Halifax, NS B3J 3X4, Canada

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The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar/Facebook
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null
The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar by null

Highlights

Oysters, seafood risotto, steaks, live music, 18th-century charm  

Featured in Eater
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5218 Prince St, Halifax, NS B3J 3X4, Canada Get directions

thepressgang.ca
@thepressganghfx

CA$100+ · Menu

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5218 Prince St, Halifax, NS B3J 3X4, Canada Get directions

+1 902 423 8816
thepressgang.ca
@thepressganghfx
𝕏
@thepressgang

CA$100+ · Menu

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Aug 13, 2025

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The Best Restaurants in Halifax, Nova Scotia | Eater Montreal

"When on the East Coast, shellfish is at the top of the must-eat list, and Press Gang offers a wide variety— at least a dozen types of oysters are on offer daily from New Brunswick’s Beausoleils to PEI’s Malpeques — served right at the bar. Not in the mood for oysters? No problem. Atlantic halibut, salmon, and lobster are available, along with steaks and the restaurant’s sought-after peanut butter pie." - Gabby Peyton

https://montreal.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-pubs-bars-halifax-nova-scotia-canada
View Postcard for The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Marie Kang-Scott

Google
The Press Gang was our favorite restaurant during our two-week trip to Nova Scotia. Housed in one of the province’s oldest buildings, dating back to 1759, it offers a unique and memorable dining experience. We shared the oysters, the 'Bulkeley' Salad, and the Beet Salad to start. For our mains, we had the Tide and Stride and the Lobster Boil—both were outstanding. Our server was warm, attentive, and made the experience even better. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Ray Lim-Ng

Google
Food is not bad, just too much butter and cream for my taste. Price is high for what you get. Service was good, although the mains took longer than expected to come out. Uniquely designed restaurant in a historic building.

Steve A

Google
Dined solo at the bar. Sampled a dozen oysters and they were fantastic. Fresh, briny, sweet and tender. Also had the Seafood Risotto which was excellent. The seafood is placed on top of the risotto so it’s cooked fresh and retains its flavor and texture. Both bar tenders were wonderful. Could not ask for a better meal. Will bring my wife next time I’m in Halifax.

John Yap

Google
Just enjoyed a superb dinner of the signature seafood risotto along with tuna tartar, raw and baked oysters. The dishes were well presented, fresh tasting, and flavourfully delicious. Solid and professional service from our server Leandre. The ambiance of a historic tavern dating from the 1750's along with fun Nova Scotian music from a live duo, made for a wonderful 5-star experience. Highly recommended.

MTPCR

Google
When I come to Halifax I always look for new to me restaurants, especially those that have seafood as live in the interior of BC where other than lake trout, the vast majority of fresh seafood is out of the question! I stumbled upon The Press Gang Restaurant strictly by accident as I was looking for another restaurant that was closed that day and looked on line and saw this place had seafood. Upon entering the restaurant, you can't help but be taken back to an older time with all the wood and trim in the place. The setting was intimate and is a great place to take a date, business client or just go by yourself as I did. I ordered the Seafood Risotto and if you read the picture of the menu I attached, you will see all the goodness that goes into that dish. It was very filling and very delicious. Since I am still on the wagon I didn't pair it with my usual wine that I would have accompanied it with, but the wine selection at the restaurant looked vast enough to accommodate most anyone's wine desires. The staff was friendly and the service outstanding with everyone pitching in to make sure my experience was a good one. The rest of the dishes that came past my table heading to other tables looked as good as mine and would like to next time I am in town. Look forward to coming back!

Becky C.

Google
Absolutely outstanding meal. I loved the restaurant from the moment I walked through the doors. The decor and ambiance was perfectly themed, my fiance and I couldn't stop looking around at all the little features and nautical decor. We went for oysters, but stayed and had the duck and the swordfish. Both were absolutely amazing. Our server was also great. She gave us a bit of history on the building, and made the evening even more enjoyable. And dessert being on the house, since it was my fiancé's birthday, was a lovely surprise. Would highly recommend. We cannot wait to come back!

Clancy O'Neill

Google
Extraordinary restaurant, the walls were stone light with candles with thick wood beams on the ceiling. The service staff was fantastic checking in to make sure everything is going well, but not too frequently. We got "The Drill" a chef custom made four course meal. All the courses were delicious. If you want a nice night out I highly encourage trying it out.

Robert Martel

Google
Top notch place to visit. We have nothing to complain about. Oysters rock ( so much I forgot to take photos). Food was amazing. Check this place out! 5/5 all around!!!!!!

Jason K.

Yelp
This was an excellent meal with such care and attention without being pretentious. Had the oyster baked, incredibly delicious, also a few raw, also delicious. Ordered the surf and turf, perfectly done. Had the peanut butter pie, not sure how they did it but it was of the best deserts I've ever had, and I'm not a big fan of sweets. Service was also some of the best I've ever experienced.
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Jagdish N.

Yelp
A wonderful Halifax institution, I came here after again after many years. The food and wine did not disappoint. I had the scallops and my partner had the seafood linguine. Both were presented, served well and hit the right notes. The service was friendly, intimate and efficient. The ambience of the place befitted the fine dining experience. Highly recommended.
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Augusto R.

Yelp
The oysters are insanely good The freshest most tasty ever... once you try them you will know I am not exaggerating at all...

Visa3F91 A.

Yelp
ya....no. -lobster was on website but not on menu (but we probably dodged a bullet there) -fish over cooked -salmon dinner with knorr swiss soup and curry on it was weird and salty -risotto sub par -full of loud uncles -weird ya.....no
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Antoinette S.

Yelp
Our last nite in Halifax we had to finish w a bang n sure enough we picked Press Gang Restaurant n had a great dinner. Nice quaint restaurant. Was told it was one of the oldest buildings in Halifax. Very friendly staff. We ordered the calamari, torched oysters n bulkeley salad. The calamari was v good w dipping sauce n a large portion. The salad was very good w an apple ginger gastrique dressing. Delicious n crunchy. The torched oysters great too. Never had raw oysters before before so thought I'd try it. Very good choice. We had the seafood risotto w very generous amounts of lobster, scallops, shrimps n halibut. Tasted yummy. The Atlantic halibut was good too w cilantro lime quinoa and sun dried tomatoes. The spaghetti aglio was delicious w a lot of shrimp n scallops. And the beef tenderloins w tomatoes and potatoes was b juicy n tasty. We finished our meal w mixed berry trifle n the cheesecake of the day w stewed caramel apples n nuts . The trifle was heavenly w sliced berries, lemon soaked ladyfingers, amaretto whipped cream cheese n candid lemon peel. Was a 'to die for' desert. Never seen / had it before in restaurants. The cheesecake was delicious too n different from the regular cheesecakes. The crème brûlée was v good too. Tx u 4 a great dinner Press gang club. If ever u r in Halifax u should try this restaurant.
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Agnes W.

Yelp
From the get go the host was very welcoming. I was seated by the oyster bar and might I say the best table in the house. The bartenders were attentive and didn't mind all my questions about oyster shucking. One of them was even showing me in steps and details on how to shuck an oyster, how to tell oyster's age, and the anatomy of it. It was an experience! When it comes to the food, I started with 3 freshly shucked oysters: lucky line PEI, Northern's Nova, and Pristine Bay. Since I know nothing of oysters, these were the bartender's top 3, and he delivered. The Seafood Risotto was something else, the risotto itself was just creamy and not too overpowering while all the toppings: Digby scallops, lobster's claw, shrimps, and seared halibut were cooked just right. As for dessert, the peanut butter pie was a wise choice, especially if you like peanut butter, it was rich and well balanced with the berries and sauce. The presentation was a nice welcomed surprise. Overall, highly recommended!

C M.

Yelp
Super good food and value. AGreat atmosphere. Will go back next time I am in Halifax.
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Jim S.

Yelp
This was my first time here and it was amazing, highly recommend the seafood risotto and the fresh oysters for a starter! You will not be disappointed

Mark W.

Yelp
Old school all the way! The oysters were delicious,, as were all of our entrees. I will return if I'm ever in town again. Service and ambience were excellent too.

Wendy P.

Yelp
This place is amazing. They have four types of oysters to try. My personal favorite was Newfoundland puffins. Followed by their award winning seafood chowder. Beet salad and calamari. We were sitting at the bar and everyone was loving their food. A true gem. I'm very jealous of the people who live in Halifax who have access to this place. And friendly people. Just the best.

Nessy N.

Yelp
Beautiful interior and delicious food. The service was also very friendly. We ordered their unique "the Drill", which is a 5 course dinner that changes daily. We got a variety of dishes such as mussel stuffed salmon, grilled scallops, duck, sorbet and much more. The dessert was way too sweet for us but everything else hit the spot.
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Patricia H.

Yelp
Delicious food, excellent service (don't even know your plate was cleared and water glass filled). The ambiance is charming and cozy. I come here once a year with my kids, never disappointed .

Micky W.

Yelp
Most amazing oysters and service!!! Minors must leave by 10 which isn't an issue except when there is a time change between regions and you are travelling with older teens. But the restaurant worked to accommodate us. Also lovely risotto.

Steve N.

Yelp
Atmosphere and cuisine were excellent! At our server's suggestion, we shared the seafood risotto followed by the halibut. A very relaxing evening ...
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Peggy O.

Yelp
Such an interesting restaurant- first off, order the margarita shooters. This was a first for all of us.. oysters served in a shot class with margaritas.. you get 4 of them and this is so different. All of us loved this - Bread served was with honey and cinnamon butter- cane to the table hot.. always impressive. Enjoyed the seafood risotto - plenty of different seafood... lobster, shrimps, scallop and other. But the old architecture is special. The second oldest building in Halifax, this was building in the mid 1750s - we ate in the room with the bar, which formerly was the barn and the rooms were upstairs. Really worth it to eat here to experience this alone, but you are getting a delish meal with great service.
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Alexander B.

Yelp
Went for dinner at this over 200 year old restaurant and gastro pub. Awesome old school maritime decor, knowledgeable staff and excellent food. We had a few dozen of the freshest oysters I've ever eaten. It felt like they had been plucked for the ocean minutes prior to being shucked. The pineapple mignonette and wasabi caviar were inspired and delicious. I had a flight of scotch and added a few drops to my oysters....game changing. The ribeye I ordered Chicago style was perfect, zero complaints. The seafood chowder and calamari were excellent as well. Staff were welcoming and gave a low key fine dining experience I'll remember for ever. I'll be back for sure.
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Joe B.

Yelp
Just didn't care for it. It's a hot and cold. Apparently of you like it, you love it. I did not

Dillon D.

Yelp
Very strange experience and can't recommend this place. We were seated literally in a closet. I get that it's an old building with quirks but we felt very uncomfortable the whole time. No bread served and the torched oyster appetizer took 40 minutes!! And was not worth the wait. We were so hungry and the server never came to check on us. When she finally did, her excuse for late food was that the chef was "confused" by the sesame allergy in one of our party. Really?! Main courses were nothing special. Beef short rib was tender but sauce was from a bottle. You can find better with all The great choices in Halifax.
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Graham K.

Yelp
Wow. Really impressed with this place. I was in town on business and stopped in by myself and sat at the bar. The interior is full of dark wood and the bar itself has a large ice tray for shucking fresh oysters. After a conversation with the bartender, I ordered a cocktail and a couple small plates of seafood. They were amazing. The shellfish was fresh, bright, scallops wrapped in smoked salmon, plated with a beet puree and carrots. The plating was gorgeous. The fish stew was very rich with cream and sherry and full of big chunks of seafood. After the scallop dish it was nearly impossible to beat. The Press Gang had been recommended by a number of people in the office and other restaurants and I can see why. 10/10 would go back.
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Greg R.

Yelp
All things good at this place.. great history, apps and drinks, dinner before the gold medal WJC .. 3-2 Canada,
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I Luv Kimche E.

Yelp
Possibly my number 1 reason to go to Halifax. Try the Drill- 4 course chef's menu. Had it in the past and it was amazing. You need to order it for 2. We had oysters that were superb and then had some more. Also had beef tenderloin and seafood risotto. Both delicious and high end. Will return again.
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Ashlee F.

Yelp
Halifax Burger Week brought me to the Press Gang. They had a kangaroo burger! I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to try kangaroo? The restaurant itself was lovely, the service was great too. But, the burger was bland. Both of us agreed that it just needed a little something else; maybe a more flavorful sauce. The fries were also just okay. For anyone wondering, kangaroo tastes gamey; similarish to venison. I would actually give it a 3.5, but I'll do 4 as 3 doesn't seem fair. I did really enjoy their cocktails, and I look forward to going back and trying something from their normal menu!
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Randall F.

Yelp
Our best dinner in Halifax. Wonderful drink selection, exceptional food, live music on Fridays and Saturdays... all in the eccentric rusticity of one of the city's oldest stone buildings.
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Tom K.

Yelp
Summer on a Saturday, get reservations. Our server, Liam was very helpful. We started with a dozen oysters and a bottle of Santa Margherita PG. Both were very good. Two of us had the Seafood Risotto, one had halibut and one the lobster. All were very good. I had the risotto and it was as good as I hoped. The Peanut Butter Pie was very rich and very good. We had a long dinner and a very good time.
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Brittany A.

Yelp
We enjoyed an incredible meal here while visiting Halifax on our honeymoon. I booked online in advance and added a note to say we were celebrating. To our surprise, we were ushered into a private (!) room for our dining experience. We were also offered a welcome glass of champagne which was oh so lovely. Our server (sadly I forget her name!) was so so awesome. She was excellent at explaining various dishes on the menu along with recommending fabulous wines for pairing with our meals. She also recommended a few other amazing local spots for us to try while in town. We opted for the Henry's Feast to split and it was absolutely fantastic. The platter was very impressive and all of the morsels on the plate were deliciously seasoned plus cooked perfectly. The blackened halibut was out of this world delicious, my hubby said it was the best fish he had ever tasted. We didn't think we had any room for dessert but somehow devoured the entire complimentary flourless chocolate cake they brought us to share. Highly recommend when looking for a memorable fine dining experience!
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Keith P.

Yelp
We enjoyed our final night in Halifax here. It was a gift from God to decide to eat here! The atmosphere is so charming and inviting. We had a wonderful server that made the night a blast and knew her menu and restaurant well. The cocktails and wine were awesome too. We had the "Drill" - a 5 course Chefs meal for two. Great choice! The food was some of the best I have ever had anywhere. If you are from Halifax I am jealous you could eat here ever day. You can see the progression of the night in our pictures. It was an experience my co-worker foodies were jealous of. Please do yourself a favour and try this at least once. Great value for the flavours presented. I would fly back just for this! A gem of a restaurant in Halifax - easily the best seafood there.
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John R.

Yelp
The service was great. We sat at the bar and they took very good care of us. We ordered a salad to start which was good - how can one go wrong with a salad? We then ordered the seafood risotto. The risotto was disappointing. The rice was well cooked, but had no flavour and there was not as much seafood in the risotto that you could find at a neighbouring restaurant.

Christine B.

Yelp
My husband and I went here and had the "The Drill". It was expensive, but amazing--we still talk about the meal. In addition to the outstanding food, there was live music and an interesting history behind the building--the chef came out to tell us the story about the "press gang". Excellent experience.
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Kristian U.

Yelp
Definitely one of the fancier dinners we enjoyed during our recent stay in HFX. We'd read the reviews, and had been referred here by both hotel and other restaurant staff so we knew we had to try them out. We came on a Sunday, so reservations were east to come by, as was a great table by the window. Admittedly, we were both feeling a little stodgy from several days of rich dining so it made making a selection a bit more difficult. We each started with a glass of House red wine which was fruity and slightly dry. For my appetizer I went with the Digby Scallops which were amazing. I honestly could have just had 2-3 orders of this for dinner and been 100% A-OK. They were seared to a Gordon Ramsay perfection and the caramelized scallops paired perfectly with the puree they were resting on - I might have used my finger to wipe up the excess when no one was looking! For my main I wanted something a little more simple so I opted for the Chicken Cordon Bleu. This was a absolutely massive portion of chicken and the cheese and ham (may have been prosciutto) was tender still and delicious. I'd like to come back here and order the drill which is their Chefs choice 4 course tasting menu (no special requests) for $160 - it sounds incredible!! Press on Press Gang, you're doing good things for the Halifax food scene! Eatcrest Out

Trish D.

Yelp
Absolutely amazing experience while visiting Halifax. Service was excellent and the food was beyond amazing. We had a selection of oysters, the beef, bacon and blue appetizer to start. For dinner we had the beef tenderloin and seafood risotto. Absolutely to die for! Highly recommend!
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Michael N.

Yelp
We were recommend this place by the locals. One told us we would be doing ourselves a great disservice if we left Halifax without checking out the Press Gang. Good enough for me. The Press Gang is a great little place with excellent service. On some nights there is a jazz singer but on all nights, a ghost haunts the place. Or so we have been told. Sadly, I didn't encounter and spooks, but I did encounter the Local halibut and it was frightfully good. It was caught that day so we had to try it and we were not disappointed. Legitimately the best halibut I've ever had, served with seasonal vegetables and a lot of flavor. Do yourself a favor and try it. The servers are great and the ambiance is perfect.
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Rachelle B.

Yelp
I'd give here a 4.5. Waited years to try it and finally got to experience it this past Saturday night as a surprise dinner from a friend who'd made 6:15 reservations. The place was about half full at that time. Love the dark atmosphere of wood, brick & stone, British touches, and especially that there are various small rooms. We were seated far in the back in a room all to ourselves for most of the first hour, and then a couple was seated by us toward the end, but due to covid and I assume more spacing between tables, it gave lots of privacy. Friendly service. We split the Cheese & Charcuterie board (23) which was excellent. A duck pate and another beef item, a blue cheese, a brie, a hard sage Derby, wrapped olives, berries, a fig compote, a grainy mustard, pickled carrots, greens and of course the crostini. I was almost full from this and a glass of Zenato pinot grigio, before my meal arrived. The Press Gang Bourbon Ribs (34) were very good, divided in advance so no cutting required, lots of flavor, a teensy on the dry side, topped with chives, but plentiful where I had to take half home. Seasonal veg included bok choy, roasted red pepper & carrots, creamy garlic mashed potato. My friend's Seafood Risotto (39) was excellent, very creamy & cheesy, the scallops cooked to perfection, a decent sized portion, he found the halibut tasted more like haddock, but that was not a concern. For dessert I had the key lime pie, which was served in a tart similar to creme brulee, topped with roasted marshmallow and fresh berries. Very tasty and tart. His Crepe Suzette did not have a dominant orange flavor but was still quite good. Overall, I was very satisfied and look forward to getting back ASAP.
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Jennifer W.

Yelp
In town for a conference and we stopped by the Press Gang for a late dinner. Parking is nearly impossible to find, so we ended up circling the area for a good 20 minutes, effectively missing our reservation. When we called, the restaurant was very understanding and agreed to hold our reservation until we got there, and even provided tips on the best places to find parking. The atmosphere inside is both rustic and classy. You can tell when you walk in that it's a relatively high tone restaurant. Our server (the same person who answered the phone) was extremely friendly and attentive (bonus points for also being hilarious). We weren't super hungry, so we opted for the charcuterie board, the seafood chowder, and some fresh oysters. The seafood chowder was AMAZING. Unbelievably creamy and full of large chunks of seafood. You can really tell that there is fresh seafood in there, because each piece was fully distinguishable and you know exactly what you're eating. The oysters were also incredible - at ~$3 each, they came with cocktail sauce, vinaigrette, horseradish, and caviar on the side. Extremely fresh and very, very tasty. The prices were steep, but for the quality, definitely worth every cent. My colleagues and I couldn't stop thinking about the oysters and were disappointed we didn't get another chance to stop by before flying out. If you're in the area - visit the Press Gang. You won't be disappointed!
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Sack S.

Yelp
Halifax knows food. The location: built 1759 The 2nd oldest building in town and a former brothel adds to the experience. Came on a Tuesday evening with a nearly full restaurant. Party of 6 was easily covered by our experienced server. Atmosphere amazing, old and charming. We sat in the lower level, warm and cozy just what we all needed after a cold day. The oysters just taste better when it was caught just down the street. My second starter was a trio of lobster that was creative and tasty. My main was scallops and lobster which was sublime. Yes, going a little lobster crazy but hey you are in Nova Scotia. A great choice for a fine dining experience. Well worth the $700 for 6 people.
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Meredith O.

Yelp
I love this spot and you ll come to see I can t be pleased easy when it comes to good food and great service here in Halifax so thank you for giving me a good meal and great service however can be pricy but at least I m not disappointed I love this spot and you ll come to see I can t be pleased easy when it comes to good food and great service here in Halifax so thank you for giving me a good meal and great service however can be pricy but at least I m not disappointed
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Tara N.

Yelp
Awesome pub!! Old school and maintained in what seems its original condition. Beautiful stone walls and wooden beams. Just a piece of history. Bartenders were super friendly and made me a great dirty martini... We also got to enjoy a bit of live music. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would go back again.
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Roxy M.

Yelp
WOW. This place is beyond words. I love history, character and amazing food. This place has it all. From when you walk through the doors are your instantly taken back to the early 1920's with Jazz music and real rustic walls, The Press gang is one of my top favorite restaurants in Halifax. The drinks are classy and tasty, the food literally melts in your mouth. Defiantly recommend for a first date or for a girls night.
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Jonathan N.

Yelp
Worked out in Halifax and stayed downtown. There is a wide variety of options to choose from that is all walking distance. I found this place through yelp and was not disappointed. Sat at the bar and the bartender was very attentive without hawking over me. I started off with the oysters and they were delicious. Fresh, juicy, flavorful and all a great size. Although they don't look big, the oysters have a big/bold flavor. It is served with fresh horseradish and I can always appreciate a place that gives everything fresh. Main course was the special Halibut of the day. It was cooked quite well and the portion was perfect. The couscous wasn't spectacular and the veggies were a little overcooked, but overall it was a good dish. It is quite pricey but it is definitely worth it. It does not seem to get busy for dinner, but I was there on a Tuesday so it might be a different story on the weekends. All the oysters in the area are good because they are so fresh but The Press Gang also delivered on the entree.
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Murray W.

Yelp
Earlier this year, I went out with a few friends for a belated birthday dinner, going out to a much fancier spot than I expected, The Press Gang. This place's sterling reputation and matching price tag has meant that it hasn't even been on my list of places to try, as I can get through The List more quickly leaving this until the end. Being that is was my first time here I was really looking forward to it. Upon entering, you could feel the history of one of the city's oldest buildings - the wooden beams, the stone foundation which comprises their walls and all of the nautical themed decor. Now this isn't your typical fish nets and lobster traps from your everyday fish and chip joint. We're talking model warships and oil paintings, hearkening back to the time when the namesake press gangs were used by the Royal Navy, a time that pre-dates the formation of our country.  We took a gander at their huge Scotch list, before settling on drinks to have before our appetizers of calamari and a dozen oysters. The bed of half-shell oysters came from four or five different areas in the Maritimes and I'm not enough of an expert to say which was best, but they were all quite good if you're an oyster fan. They had their trademark rich and salty taste, and the house-made sauces which you could add made for more depth in the flavour of each bite, or should I say slurp. The calamari had a nice crisp batter and tender meat, showing a deft hand at the fryer. For my main I went with one of the specials that day - Swordfish with tarragon rice and a yellow pepper emulsion. The swordfish was lightly fishy, in a good way, and flaked easily with just my fork. The rice had a mild, herby flavour that didn't overpower anything else in the dish, and the yellow pepper emulsion made for a rich, delicious sauce. I'm not sure why it was emulsified, or if it actually was, as that is mixing of oil and water with a binding agent to get something like mayonnaise. My guess is that it was just a regular puree and that it was suffering from Fancy Restaurant Menu Adjective Syndrome (FRMAS).  We finished off the meal with continued class - a couple of cheese plates and another round of Scotch.  Service was spot on throughout, even taking into consideration the expectations for a place like this, with the courses and the timing that it all requires, and it was pulled off with professional ease. All in all, it was a killer meal in a great location, one that I didn't expect to have, so it's one for the books.
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Don F.

Yelp
Ambience, Service, and food are amazing. We had the good luck to be served by Ben who had the perfect combination of menu knowledge, service acumen, and the ability to be present every time we needed anything, without ever seeming to hover. The live music by the Mike Cowie Trio added a fantastic old school feel to the experience, as did the gorgeous room with its exposed brick, beams, candelabras, and hardwood floors. We had 'The Drill' - the chefs tasting menu, and added wine pairings which Ben was able to describe effortlessly, and which enhances each of the four courses perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better dining experience for our first night in Halifax, and I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. Kudos to Ben and the entire team at The Press Gang for a perfect evening.
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Alex W.

Yelp
Great spot for oysters! They are fresh and delicious. Everything that comes with them is tasty as well. Great place for a rest and a good feel for Nova Scotia! Highly recommend!
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Michelle S.

Yelp
Awesome Musicians every Sat. Night! Great desserts. Peanut Butter Pie is crazy rich! Could even finish it shared! Part of Taste of Nova Scotia!
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Looloo M.

Yelp
My favourite aspect of this restaurant is the atmosphere. It has a very historic, cellar-like quality, with exposed stone/brick and candlelight. It's a great place for a romantic dinner! Fresh oysters served on ice and plenty of other items to choose from for those who are not seafood fans. The food was tasty and service was excellent. Parking was a bit of a chore, but I guess that's to be expected in this location.
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Jackie S.

Yelp
Though the decor is a bit strange (a mix of boudoir, kitsch and classic) the food was awesome. We had the "Henry's Feast" platter which included an assortment of different dishes including, my favorite, the lobster gnocchi. The platter wasn't overwhelming either (for two people) in terms of quantity. Some of the dishes were a bit dated but overall everything was well prepared.
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Sofia L.

Yelp
Dear yelp friends, If you think the press gang is your place to go for dinner tonight, think twice. My previous review was deleted by the press gang in fear of me telling the truth about the quality of the food, however, since I was notified that my review has been deleted, I have reported this restaurant to Restaurant and Food Inspection Services of Canada, Nova Scotia Food Safety Department, and the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia. You deserve to know what is happening with this restaurant and the food they serve. It was back in May when my father, mother and I went for a happy dinner and we ordered a dozen oyster and three lobsters. The oysters were fine, they weren't fresh, but they are okay. My father and I had moldy and mushy lobsters that smells like chlorine and other chemicals, and it is very apparent these lobsters were dead from the tank. The reason being, my mother got a very fresh lobster and the contrast was clear. My family did not talked about our food to each other until the day afterwards, when my dad and I couldn't stop complaining about the lobster we ate at the restaurant and my mother was confused. Since she got a perfectly good lobster, and she took a part of it home to us. After we ate my mum's lobster left over, we realized what a stark contrast this fresh lobster is compared to the mushy lobster we ate last night with strong chemical smells. If you care about your body or your health, please do not go to this restaurant! And just be aware other reviewer's reviews might have also been deleted for the same reason as mine. Wish you all a lovely day!
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Phil G.

Yelp
We made a reservation after a foiled walk-in attempt the prior day. This is a classic seafood, bar and lounge with live music. Fun decor from back in the day with English influence. Food was excellent with call out on the double order of Oysters Rock! Also liked the mussels - one of the party who doesn't normally like mussels said she liked them. I enjoyed halibut while others took down lobster and scallops. Good wine list that doesn't require a mortgage. Our favorite drinks (Sazerac, Vesper) were known by the bartender (which is a good sign). Quality service kept things moving without hovering.

Adam C.

Yelp
An amazing spot in Halifax to eat. Oyster bar is amazing with tasty fresh local oysters all around the Atlantic. Live music is a regular addition to make for a lovely evening, and the food is spectacular. Steaks and juicy and tender with no room for improvement. The ambiance is old and rustic but perfect for a place like this. Absolutely love it!
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Nueve M.

Yelp
4 stars coz taking too long to get our dishes The press gang serves good dishes!!! I had half dozen oysters( 3 nsq local, 3 From NB). I love ns local ones. They taste so good. I also had tuna carpaccino. Tuna is cooked by three different ways and serves with crisp bread. It's amazing! Don't miss it! I ordered lamb rack as my main course. I haven't tried raw lamb before. It's my first time to try them. It's great! I enjoyed it! Dessert : strawberry and black pepper napoleon ( good too)
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Janis S.

Yelp
I had a fantastic experience here on my birthday. The atmosphere is fun and the wait staff are great. It felt like we had a personal waiter for the evening. I found the prices to be on par with most other 5 star restos in the city, but found the portions to be larger. They had a great selection on the menu. I got the seafood risotto and it was beyond delicious as well as jam packed with seafood. The oysters were the best I have had in the city. With fantastic mignettes and sauces that went just right, these oysters were a hit. The wine list was nice and fairly priced and the waiter was well informed. Over all this was a fantastic experience and I'm looking forward to my next visit.