Pavia Gallery

Reviews

• Jodi B.

  star star star star star 17 July 2026

  Since the addition of the art upstairs, Pavia has become one of my favourite places in the city. The art currently displayed is beautiful work done by a local artist of local landmarks - the central library featuring heavily in them. Combining the views of the art with the views of the ocean and city outside the windows and it's almost like heaven.
  
  It can get very busy - it's quite a popular lunch spot for people working in the area and for students - but it's worth it if you can nab a table. Night has become my favourite time to work at Pavia. It's very nearly empty, so it's quiet, but the views are even more spectacular when Halifax is dark. The lights! They're so beautiful.
  
  I still love the coffee, love the ginger cookies and I feel the staff have gotten even better lately.

• Eric T.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 July 2026

  Pavia came up when I was doing a google search for cafes in Halifax, this was before I went there. I had decided to skip it because it seemed a bit out of the way from where I was staying but I sort of happened upon by it chance when I was checking out the Spring Garden area.
  I was again in-need of a caffeine fix by mid-morning and suddenly saw the Halifax Central Library while I was looking an inviting-looking cafe. And I saw that Pavia was located right beneath it so I quickly headed in its direction. It was a Sunday so the library was closed until 12pm but the cafe was opened so that was all that mattered to me.
  The coffee here is also not bad or maybe I got a latte for a change. Either way, it was good enough. I sat there to rest my legs from the walk while slowly savoring my cup and not before looking around inside the library.
  The area for the first floor of the cafe is moderately space but I've seen pictures of a second floor with a large space. I just wished I had found out about that on that day because I had no idea how to get to it.
  But I still recommend coming here for their coffee before or after spending some time inside the library.

• Sandi L.

  star star star star star 2 July 2026

  This review is for the Pavia downtown. I thought the staff were friendly and provided great service; a pretty good selection of pastries and bevies; lots of seating downstairs and upstairs.  A wonderful establishment to meet with business associates, friends to sip and chat. My London Fog was toasty hot and frothy the way I liked it. Parking underground or on the street. I Will definitely go back and try something different. :-)

• Isabel P.

  star star star star_border star_border 30 June 2026

  The cafe looks amazing and matches my style completely. I went in the lower level location at the library and unfortunately was disappointed by the service. I understand why Starbucks will always make more $ than local shops.  I asked for a hot water and was asked to pay 50¢.  I would have bought a cookie and possibly something else, but that request was so absurd to me that I decided to walk one block.   I ended up at David's tea and gave them my business. I know they don't sell goodies, but I wanted something to settle my stomach and they have an excellent ginger tea.
  I can't give a proper start rating because I didn't have anything. The ambiance gets 5 stars.

• Tim D.

  star star star star_border star_border 28 June 2026

  These library cafes are beautiful and well-lit, bring alongside glass walls in the Central Library. The coffee is quite good. I find the pastries average and small, and a bit expensive, so not the best value for money. But very convenient before or after browsing the stacks, or for meeting someone.