Food & Cooking
Some years ago, you might have walked into a library with a snack and have been told to “put it away,” or “throw it away.” Today, we’re serving up a much different story.
We know that food brings people together, and so do free and welcoming public spaces like our libraries. At Halifax Public Libraries, one part of our vision is “A resource for everyone.” Resources come in all shapes, sizes—and yes, even tastes. We are proud to offer free snacks, workshops, resources, and tools for local food lovers and changemakers, year-round.
Community Cafés at the Library
Multiple Dates | Multiple Times
Multiple Locations
At the heart of every great conversation, friendship, and connection, is a warm cup of coffee. Browse events to fill your cup!
Author Talk: We Use What We Have Recipes, by Alex MacLaren
Aug 27th | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Discover simple, affordable weeknight cooking with Alex MacLaren in conversation with CBC's Adam Walsh. Followed by book signing and Q&A.
Community Cafés at the Library
Multiple Dates | Multiple Times
Multiple Locations
At the heart of every great conversation, friendship, and connection, is a warm cup of coffee. Browse events to fill your cup!
Author Talk: We Use What We Have Recipes, by Alex MacLaren
Aug 27th | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Discover simple, affordable weeknight cooking with Alex MacLaren in conversation with CBC's Adam Walsh. Followed by book signing and Q&A.
A Cookbook of the Halifax North Branch Library Women's Group
In 1994, the Halifax North Branch Library Women's Group compiled recipes and memories from the North End. Browse recipes from community!
Halifax Public Libraries Welcomes East Cup Café and Roastery
Aug 10, 2026
Meet our new café service provider, East Cup Café and Roastery, now open at Central Library and Keshen Goodman Public Library.
Nova Scotia Archives: What's Cooking?
This online treasury features approximately 1,000 old handwritten or early printed recipes from Nova Scotia's past.
East Coast Recipes
Get cooking: explore thousands of recipes from 40+ local cookbooks.
A Cookbook of the Halifax North Branch Library Women's Group
In 1994, the Halifax North Branch Library Women's Group compiled recipes and memories from the North End. Browse recipes from community!
Halifax Public Libraries Welcomes East Cup Café and Roastery
Aug 10, 2026
Meet our new café service provider, East Cup Café and Roastery, now open at Central Library and Keshen Goodman Public Library.
Nova Scotia Archives: What's Cooking?
This online treasury features approximately 1,000 old handwritten or early printed recipes from Nova Scotia's past.
East Coast Recipes
Get cooking: explore thousands of recipes from 40+ local cookbooks.
Coffee Lover's Bookshelf
From cozy novels set in charming cafes to educational books about brewing your own perfect cup of coffee, we've picked a mix for you.
Going on a Picnic
Summer is here and the weather is just right for picnics. Eat up these great picture books about food and outdoor eating adventures.
Salad Days
Eating your greens doesn't have to be boring. Enjoy the summer bounty with an abundance of salads.
East Coast Cooking
From pies to chowders, jams to pancakes, there's something from the Atlantic provinces here, for every mood and occasion.
Coffee Lover's Bookshelf
From cozy novels set in charming cafes to educational books about brewing your own perfect cup of coffee, we've picked a mix for you.
Going on a Picnic
Summer is here and the weather is just right for picnics. Eat up these great picture books about food and outdoor eating adventures.
Salad Days
Eating your greens doesn't have to be boring. Enjoy the summer bounty with an abundance of salads.
East Coast Cooking
From pies to chowders, jams to pancakes, there's something from the Atlantic provinces here, for every mood and occasion.
(Video) 2023: Learn to Make Fufu with Mary
Millions of people eat fufu every day in West and Central Africa. Mary Nkrumah of Mary's African Cuisine demonstrates how to make it.
Watch Now: Learn to Make Okra Stew
Mary Nkrumah of Mary's African Cuisine shows how to cook okra properly as a stew, served with corn dough (akpele/banku).
Watch Now: Learn to Make African Yam & Cocoyam Leaf Stew
Learn how to make boiled yam and plantain with nutritious cocoyam leaf stew (kontomere) with Mary Nkrumah, Mary's African Cuisine.
Teens in the Kitchen: Black Bean Burgers and Sweet Fries
Join Andy from East Coast Kitchen (and MasterChef Canada!), as he makes easy 20minute black bean burgers and sweet potato fries.
(Video) 2023: Learn to Make Fufu with Mary
Millions of people eat fufu every day in West and Central Africa. Mary Nkrumah of Mary's African Cuisine demonstrates how to make it.
Watch Now: Learn to Make Okra Stew
Mary Nkrumah of Mary's African Cuisine shows how to cook okra properly as a stew, served with corn dough (akpele/banku).
Watch Now: Learn to Make African Yam & Cocoyam Leaf Stew
Learn how to make boiled yam and plantain with nutritious cocoyam leaf stew (kontomere) with Mary Nkrumah, Mary's African Cuisine.
Teens in the Kitchen: Black Bean Burgers and Sweet Fries
Join Andy from East Coast Kitchen (and MasterChef Canada!), as he makes easy 20minute black bean burgers and sweet potato fries.
