Au Liban — Restaurant in Halifax

Thursday August 22 630PM #000015307511

Before I start, I want to mention that the food was a 10 out of 10.

Coming from a Lebanese background, I found it to be very authentic, and this restaurant stands out as a fine dining spot compared to other Lebanese restaurants in the city.

However, despite the fine dining atmosphere and price tag, we did not receive a fine dining experience from our waiter, Allan.

At one point, we might have thought this was just his personality, but the service the table next to us received was completely different. I’m not sure if it was because the three girls next to us were dressed differently and we were more covered, but it felt like he was more engaging with them MOST DEFINITELY FLIRTYYYYY!

From a customer’s viewpoint, you would think he’d be more interactive with those girls, perhaps because they weren’t wearing hijabs, but that’s how my friend felt.

I’m not assuming that’s what he thought when we received different service, but if you’re going to work in a Middle Eastern restaurant, then start treating people with Middle Eastern attributes fairly. My friend did not receive this; instead, he talked to her as if she was clueless. He was not warm.

We asked twice for the bill, but it didn’t come until my friend requested it a third time. Even when she mentioned our previous requests, he did not acknowledge it or apologize for the delay. We understand things happen, people forget - but acknowledge your mistakes.

Additionally, he didn’t return to refill our water, and I ended up using my own water bottle from my bag. While I could have flagged him down, it’s his job to check on the tables.

When my friend's payment was declined due to her card’s tap limit, the waiter made it seem like she didn’t have the money to pay. His facial expressions, body language, and tone were condescending, which was frustrating. As medical professionals, we are not unfamiliar with such attitudes.

My friend's bill was over $200 and we were fine with that because the food was worth it. However, I was disappointed when he asked my friend to go inside to use the payment machine without accompanying her. The service felt incomplete when he handed her off to someone else, and I noticed that the person who handled the payment came back out to give him the receipt personally. If I had paid, I would not have given the 18% tip, which amounted to $38. We tipped accurately, but my friend is very generous.

At the end of the transaction, there was no "Have a good night" or "Thank you." I’m not looking to be babied, but I do expect the fine service that matches the restaurant's price tag. There are many people like my friend and me who want a fine dining experience and expect fine dining treatment.

The point of this review is to suggest that the team address the need for improved service, particularly from this specific waiter. The level of service we received was more akin to Boston Pizza.

We will definitely return to this restaurant, but if we get the same waiter again, we will request a different server to ensure we receive the fine dining experience that the restaurant’s price suggests.

This review is not meant to deter anyone from visiting the restaurant, as the atmosphere was beautiful and the food was excellent. I believe this was an isolated incident, especially considering the lady who seated us—who I believe was French—was absolutely incredible from the moment we arrived.

I truly mean this in the most humble way possible, but there are many people like my friend and me who have the money to spend on fine dining experiences. Many people who WILL visit this restaurant will be international guests with money to spend, and they will expect nothing less than exceptional service. I genuinely believe this will become a problem if the service doesn't improve - not just for this restaurant, but for any fine dining establishment.

I hope this feedback helps improve the service from Allan...

If you’re searching for an exceptional meal in Halifax, Au Liban is a must-visit. This Lebanese restaurant delivers not only incredible flavors but also unparalleled service and a bold commitment to ethical dining choices.

Authentic Lebanese Flavors Done Right

From the very first bite, Au Liban impresses. The hummus is rich and velvety, the baba ganoush has a perfect smoky depth, and the toum (garlic sauce) is a garlicky dream—a must for any food lover. Paired with warm, fresh pita, these appetizers alone are worth the visit.

For mains, the mixed kebab platter is an absolute winner. Juicy, perfectly seasoned beef, lamb, and chicken skewers come with beautifully grilled vegetables and crispy batata (potatoes), showcasing the deep, authentic flavors of Lebanese cuisine.

A Bold Stance on Wine Selection

What truly stood out during our visit was Au Liban’s principled approach to their wine list. On the same day that the U.S. government imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods, the restaurant removed all American wines from their selection, replacing them with a diverse and thoughtfully curated international offering. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about supporting global diversity in wine and making a stand for independent producers.

Going Above and Beyond for Guests

Service at Au Liban isn’t just good—it’s exceptional. When they learned that my wife has a dairy allergy, they went out of their way to source a dairy-free chocolate torte from another restaurant to make her birthday celebration truly special. That level of care is rare, and it makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts

With its authentic Lebanese cuisine, bold values, and next-level hospitality, Au Liban is easily one of the best dining experiences in Halifax. Whether you’re a foodie, a wine lover, or just looking for a place that genuinely cares about its guests, this is a restaurant...

The atmosphere is great. The decor, music and overall vibe is very appealing. The acoustics are a bit off so it's hard to hear at the other end of the table.

Started out with the Garlic Lebneh, very refreshing and you got quite a bit of it. Also got to try the grape leaves and I liked that as well. Others had the Baba Ganoush and Hummus and really enjoyed those.

For mains a few at the table got the Kefta kebab (myself included) and chicken tawok. There were mixed reviews, with some enjoying it and others being extremely underwhelmed. I was thoroughly disappointed at the lack of flavour. Nothing about anything on that plate wowed me at all and I've had my fair share of Middle Eastern cuisine. Sad to say that it was barely a step up from Mezza, and for $36 I expect more than just 2 kebabs, 1/2 an onion, 1/2 tomato and 2 jalapeños. Some of us couldn't have the fries because we needed gluten free and there would be cross contamination and there was no real effort to supplement the portion with additional veggies, which really didn't matter in the end because they didn't taste of anything. Two of those who ordered the chicken Tawok expressed severe disappointment in how lacking in flavour their meal was.

Regarding drinks, one friend tried the mojito and thought it was disappointing. Another had a glass of wine and loved it.

Service was ok; the staff was very friendly but things did get a bit slow. It was almost an hour and a half before we got our mains.

I have no problem paying for quality meals, and this just did...