Alteregos Cafe & Catering

A staple in the neighborhood. Great food and coffee. This place represents the area well and I couldn’t support a north end establishment more.
Free wifi and is a very comfortable place to hang out and work or meet a friend.
They also have great music on weekend nights.

This café is in front and below a youth hostel called Halifax Backpackers. The hostel that was open on Christmas eve when I was thrown out of my house. Because it was nighttime, December and I was a young, lone female I believe this hostel saved my life that night.
But I’m not reviewing the hostel, I’m talking about the Café. If you have been you have had the Buddah Bowls. The people working there are just real, genuine people. The owner of both café and hostel and she is a saint.
There is a bookshelf with an array of delightfully odd and obscure books and a sunny window seat where it can be just you… or just you and someone else, the bookcase tucks you into that sweet, little warm space~but it’s always hard to get because most want to sit there!
I think this place is great.

They actually have a free book exchange! Outside there is a cozy patio for catching the bene rays. I like it!

I must say, I’m kind of a newb when it comes to Gottingen. While searching for good and hearty café goodness, Alterego’s seemed inviting enough from the outside. Upon opening the door you become immediately overwhelmed with coolness. From chalk boards, to books, to horoscopes… it’s a pretty jammin’ spot.
Although the majority of the seats were taken up by book readers and finger twidlers, I did manage to squeeze a spot to sit. I was in a hurry so I only got a bagel with cream cheese but it didn’t disappoint. The guy behind me (who was clearly a regular) ordered a alter veego sandwich with extra cheese (WANT). I was also highly jealous of the broad beside me which her cappuccino.
So alterego, I will be returning for some caffeine goodness.
Not to mention, their music? Stellllllllllar.

If you aren’t looking for this place, you’re going to walk by it a gazillion times and think to yourself «self, I really need to come back to this place and check it out» and then forget that you wanted to check it out.
Dear Alter Ego Café: I’m sorry I walked by almost every day the first 6 months that I lived on Gottigen street and never came by for your delicious coffee, your kick ass baristas and that bumpin music I always hear coming from inside.
As luck would have it a few weeks ago Meegan and I had to stop in at our local MP’s office that sits almost next door to Alter Ego. Had we not been so eager (read early) to get there we might have missed another opportunity to see what alter ego had to offer. MP’s office was still closed but Alter Ego was open and thank the universe for that because people this place is about as awesome as it gets.
I do love my Starbucks and am grateful that it’s literally a stone’s throw away from my front door but even I get bored with the cookie cutter atmosphere and am in need of something not only pleasing to my coffee palate but something so down right funky my eyes have a field day as well.
Alter Ego is just the place. So much to look at you’ll forget that you came in for coffee. Books line the shelves for your reading pleasure, art lines the walls (and by art I mean pictures, postcards, chalk drawings oh my!).
The music was a mix of reggae and hip hop that made me want to shake my booty and dance around like I was the only person in a bright spot light on the middle of the dance floor (okay that might be an exaggeration but not much). Definitively not your regularly scheduled XM satellite station.
The place is small up front but if you can snag a window seat, I promise you you’ll want to stay all day. I didn’t have any food but it looked really good and the prices on the hand written chalk board were very reasonable.
Here’s a little something I didn’t know until I walked in; it’s also a Hostel. People this place is like a beacon in the night…

My go-​to for «damn fine coffee» in the heart of Halifax. I love this spot. It’s a weekend tradition of mine to go there, read the newspaper (how vintage!), and have a coffee with a bit of breakfast.
They have a bunch of different breakfast sandwiches that are relatively cheap and very tasty. It’s not Tim Horton’s, so you don’t get your food in two minutes, but it’s totally worth it.
On Sundays you can order a full breakfast which takes a bit longer but is pretty delicious. Your plate will be heaping with fresh fruit, fried potatoes, and other goodies.
Great food, amazing coffee, and, bonus, SUPER NICE STAFF! Sometimes coffee shops attract surly folk to work the counters, but not these guys. They are super sweet, very chatty, and extremely fast.
Je t’aime, Alteregos.

Um what? I have literally driven past this place hundreds of times on my way to just about anywhere else and never even gave it a second glance until curdled milk, a temperamental espresso machine, and running late for a meeting practically shoved me into their front door.
And guys? Please let this review be the catalyst to get you in there. It’ll be much easier than that morning was for me and you really should check this one out.
Probably under the local radar based on the outdated stereotypes about their location, Alteregos is a equal parts a local hotspot for in-​the-​know North Enders, and a first impression for visitors staying in the connected hostel. Definitely a strong alternative feel, perhaps even bordering on grunge, this café might actually be one of the hippest that we’ve got and I can’t help but feel like people still don’t know about it.
The staff behind the counter were friendly and efficient even after I ordered three lattés to go at the front of a growing line. They made great coffee with smiles on their faces and even stopped me on the way out to thank me for leaving a tip. Uh guys? YOU DESERVED IT.
I didn’t manage to try any of the food (again…I was running late) but the menu ranges from bagels to burritos with local ingredients, vegetarian alternatives, and unique combinations that I can’t wait to go back for. Plus? The prices look like they have some of the best deals in the city — so as long as the food measures up, I may have found a new favourite!

Ahhh Alterego’s!
One of my favourite spaces, north end or otherwise. I dig that it’s filled with books for the perusing and folks from all over the neighbourhood/​country/​globe. I never know who’ll be parked on the sunny street-​side patio or what language I might overhear.
I love the breakfast sandwich — egg and cheese and sprouts/​greens on a bun that is english muffin-​ish and delish. Their mochas are generally spot-​on, the staff is too.
Great music in the background, funky paint job on the walls and an owner that makes a habit of supporting small businesses and community involvement on Gottingen Street … all that and they offer catering too!

Alteregos was a lovely stumble-​upon for my sister and I during a recent venture. At this stage in the season, patio dining still registers as a foreign concept for me; thus, every new siting is accompanied by an overeager tinge of bliss. On this day, Alteregos is all decked out and calling my name.
The vibes of this café are set amongst the colorful happenings of Gottigen Street. There is a definite warmth here, as it embraces low-​key reading, and the appetite for conversation all the same. Its a common spot for both locals and travelers to grab a bite, a read, a coffee, a convo. Everyone seems welcome and coexisting in a neutral state of flux.
The menu’s vegan and vegetarian options were a nice surprise, along with the regular bevvie and baked goods assortment. For my first visit, I opted for a straight-​up strawberry and banana smoothy– which was delicious. Katie went for a muffin and coffee, and was fully impressed.
This is an all around neat spot. Alteregos does its own thing, and it works very well. Great energy, yummy bites, good crowd.

I’ve been back to Alteregos a couple times recently and have been even more impressed!
Delicious breakfast options and generally a little something no matter what you’re feeling like. I had to stop in at work on my day off a couple weeks ago and ended up skipping lunch. The berry smoothie and Alteregos was more than enough to compensate for and definitely on par with some of the fancy smoothie places around town ie: pete’s and booster juice.
Great ambiance too!

In the summer on a hot sunny day, my mother and I ended up at Alteregos. We were greeted by friendly folk and good music. We order iced coffees and sat on the patio, watching the Agricola traffic pass us by.
This café/​hostel is a really neat spot. They have a friendly staff, good eats and good coffee. The space is lovely, with lots of literature to peruse while you enjoy a bevie or a snack.
Just last week, I attended an event that was catered by Alteregos. The food was lovely — little berry muffins, squares and sweets, as well as coffee and tea. If you feel like a read but don’t have your book, or are simply craving a cup-​o-​joe, give Alteregos a whirl.

It was by pure happenstance that I wandered in here. Being a little new to Halifax I was off on a venture when I got a little turned around. I had initially gone into Alteregos to ask for help on getting home. Once I was pointed in the right direction, I actually didn’t want to leave the store.
I bought myself a coffee and grabbed one of the books they have for patrons to read. It took me a while to choose something interesting since they certainly had quite a bit to borrow. The coffee was nicely brewed and certainly warmed my insides. I liked the menu they had because it was vegetarian or healthy choices.
I enjoyed sitting there for a while just reading my literature and watching the people walk by. It seemed like quite a popular place, and I think I can see why. It’s cozy, quaint, and very welcoming.

I happened upon this place the other day strolling along Gottingen Street.
Since I was freezing this day, I popped in for a coffee. What a surprise I had. The place was packed. It is not a large spot, but a really nice atmosphere. It is for the artsy people and backpacker’s of the world.
The staff is great though, and know how to make a great cappuccino. The menu looked inviting and a lot of variety. I will go back for a lunch.
There is a few tables and one in the window for people watching. There is an area towards the back with a couch and computer.
You can rent a Dorm Bed from them for $ 20.00 a night. They have been here for 9 years.

A cozy and kind of grungy (in a good way) café off the beaten path and on ‘the wrong side’ of Citadel Hill. They have vegetarian and vegan options on the little menu and will make your drinks with soy. The Backpackers hostel is just above for the budget traveler. This is no Starbucks, bring your own mug to fit with the backpacking crowd.

Alteregos is a very relaxed, sweet little spot on Gottingen, the perfect place to drop in for a quick bite or for some down time with a coffee and a book. I first checked it out when trying to escape from an August heat wave, and although they have no AC (bummer) I was at least able to cool down a smidgen with a Propeller root beer. Samosas and hummus plates are always on offer, as is a daily soup and similar small fare. Prices are good, atmosphere is nice, and you can even opt to sit up in the window if your inner exhibitionist needs some time to play.

I have to admit that I am a bit biased as I used to be part owner of this little café, but I still have to say that it is one of the best kept secrets of the North End of Halifax. It is a great way to get away from Halifax and experience the world in your backyard. Take advantage of the international company and enjoy a fairly traded coffee or espresso.