Looking for the best study spots in Halifax? Here are 5 fabulous locally-owned places to study or to work remotely from, in Halifax, NS!
With three universities in the city, Halifax is rich with student life! Each summer, the students clear out and the tourists come in, and the vibe of the city experiences a significant shift. What doesn’t change, however, is the impressive offering of fabulous places to spend the afternoon studying or working out-of-office.
Some criteria: each of these places has free wifi, are accessible by public transit, and allow laptops (not all cafes in town do). All addresses are true and businesses operational as of January 30th, 2023.
Halifax Central Library
Honestly, no list of Halifax study spots could start anywhere but the central library. Built in 2014, it has won awards for its eye-catching design and architecture; and features five expansive floors filled with study pods, couches and armchairs, free-use printers and computers, tons of windows, two cafes, and even a rooftop outdoor seating area! This library was designed with sustainability in mind, and you can read about its certified green design here.
Address: 5440 Spring Garden Rd.
Hours: 9am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday.
Cafe Lara
I, personally, am obsessed with Cafe Lara. It’s located just outside of the downtown core, at the bottom of Halifax’s super trendy North End. With tons of windows and a cozy but airy vibe, this cafe shines brightest in summer, when the entire wall of windows that make up the front of the cafe are lifted to usher in the warm weather!
Address: 2347 Agricola St.
Hours: CLOSED on Monday, 8am to 4pm from Tuesday to Friday, and 8am to 5pm on Saturday & Sunday.
The Bread Lounge
Venturing a little further into the North End is The Bread Lounge, the perfect spot for those who want to escape the crowds of downtown! It’s almost always quiet in the Bread Lounge, and they have lots of cozy tables to choose from. They sell the most delicious breads and pastries (all made in house) but be warned — they often sell out by mid-day. My personal favourite are the cheese croissants, but can you really go wrong with any kind of fresh pastry?
Address: 5880 Demone St.
Hours: 7am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.
The Wired Monk
The Wired Monk wins my vote for best standalone cafe to study at in the downtown core. It’s a no-fuss, cozy cafe with big windows, excellent coffee, and a laid-back atmosphere. I’ve spent many hours working in here, and have never felt rushed — the staff are super friendly and it’s not too busy, so it’s easy to get in the zone.
Address: 5147 Morris St.
Hours: 7am to 5am from Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Pane e Circo
Where do you go if you’re looking to treat yourself? Pane e Circo is my answer! As they explain on their website, Pane e Circo translates to “Bread and Circus” in English, and was coined by an early Roman poet who observed that “nothing made people happier than fresh baked bread and the circus coming to town”! Cute, right?
There are two Pane e Circo locations, but the Queen St. one is the better option for studying. Like the library, the architecture is absolutely gorgeous — the whole cafe is built in a circular shape, with the booths surrounding the counter on 3 sides. The windows are huge, there’s always lots of people there (great for people watching) and the food and drinks are excellent… although they’ll cost you a pretty penny. Save this one for when you’re feeling like a splurge, or when you just NEED the best caffè mocha in town.
Address: 1515 Queen St.
Hours: 7 am to 8pm every day.
Two big Halifax student favourites are also Cobourg Social and Seven Bays Bouldering & Cafe! Both are often a bit crowded, but are undeniably hot spots for students in the city. Cobourg Social is just a block away from the Dalhousie University campus, and Seven Bays is not just a cafe, but a popular bouldering gym — meaning you can workout and study in the same spot.
This post was all about the best study spots in Halifax. Looking for more Nova Scotia posts? Click here.
Did I miss your favourite study spot in the city? Let me know which space has your heart!
