If you’re taking the ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth, Evan’s Seafood is a great lunch location. The restaurant’s patio is visible as you reach the ferry terminal and once you see their food it’s difficult to continue without stopping.

Evan’s Seafood uses a fast-casual operation model where you order and pay at the register, obtain a number, sit down, and they’ll bring you the food. Their ‘taste of everything’ platters are a great way to sample the menu. The platter for two ($35) comes with two pieces of fish (we added an additional piece for $6), clams, scallops, fries, and salad.

The fried fish was exactly how I like it prepared. Very lightly battered so there’s a delicate crispy crust encapsulating flaky fish. The moist fish was delightful and made even better with some of the zesty creamy tartare sauce, which arrives two to an order.

Similarly, the fried scallops are lightly breaded, so the scallops’ sweetness stands out and is best enjoyed au naturel. They were addictively delicious; I could easily have a full order of these on a return visit.

Only the clams were something I could have lived without. They’re a bit “fishier” tasting and greasier since it’s more battered. Still, with a squeeze of the lemon and hot sauce the flavours improved.

The fries and salad were a decent portion for sharing. And while the fries were a bit soft, they were made from cut potatoes and tasted fresh.