Article by media partner Cuisine Noir, the country’s first Black culinary lifestyle outlet since 2009 dedicated to connecting the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.
The flavors and variety of African and Caribbean cuisines have found a home on Canada’s east coast. In the city of Halifax, the capital and largest municipality of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, thrives a culinary scene worth exploring.
“Nova Scotia is at the heart of Black culture and heritage in Canada, and the largest Indigenous Black community in the country is here. There were about 30,000 Black Nova Scotians across the province in 2021, three-quarters of whom were in Halifax,” notes Clare Tidby, vice president of Marketing and Visitor Experience for Discover Halifax.
“As Halifax’s population grows and diversifies, our collective palate has broadened and improved.”
Tidby pinpoints downtown Halifax as the place to find the largest concentration of restaurants. “In this area, several restaurants with African or Caribbean cuisine thrive,” she shares.
Here’s a spotlight on four foodie destinations worth exploring while in the city.
Mary’s African Cuisine
The goal for Mary Nkrumah, founder/owner of Mary’s African Cuisine is to serve authentic African fare. The Accra, Ghana, native has been doing just that for the past five years with her full-service restaurant. Dishes from all over Africa—like Senegalese chicken yassa, Nigerian egusi soup and Ethiopian injera bread—have a spot on her menu.
What’s most requested by diners? “Stewed oxtail with its deep and rich flavor. People say it is West Indian, but we have been eating it in Ghana forever, much the same way with all of the deep umami tones,” she shares. “And egusi with pounded yam. This is a dish that fills your mouth with flavor and texture.”
As for upcoming plans for the eatery, Nkrumah reveals, “We are working on a cookbook and want to take people for culinary tours of Ghana over the Christmas break. We also want to expand … at the right time.”
Efty Dishes Restaurant
“The vibes I want my customers to feel is having a delicious and beautiful meal … a home away from home,” explains Efty Dishes Restaurant owner/manager Fatimah Ogunsanya. “There was already a Nigerian community established in Nova Scotia, but I also wanted to introduce our food to local Nova Scotians. I saw a need for authentic, homemade tasty Nigerian meals,” she shares.
The Nigerian restaurateur says jollof rice, egusi soup and ayamase are repeat-order dishes by customers. If trying Nigerian cuisine for the first time, Ogunsanya offers, “I would recommend our popular jollof rice and barbecue chicken.”
By Jocelyn Amador
