WE’VE GROWN
A COMMUNITY
AROUND GREAT
FOOD

Meet The Team

Behind every dish and pour is a team of real people who care deeply about what they do. From the kitchen to the floor, Morris East is powered by passionate chefs, bartenders, servers, who believe good food brings people together.

Jennie Dobbs

OWNER

When I was 29 years old, I bought an Italian wood-burning pizza oven and had it shipped over to Halifax to open a gourmet pizza restaurant showcasing Nova Scotia ingredients.  Our first menu offered handcrafted food, thoughtful drinks and a lot of fun.  Nearly two decades later, I am so proud to say that Morris East has become a local favourite — served by a team who cares deeply about every guest who walks through the door.  We now count so many lovely regular customers as friends. 

For me, hospitality is about how we make people feel. It’s the energy in the room, making your day bright with delicious food and drink, the gathering of friends, the celebrations that happen.  My hope is that you wish your meal could go on forever.

Laura Gates

MANAGER - HALIFAX

Over the years of working in many establishments from casual dining, family-style, to fine dining, I have had the opportunity to make relationships with so many amazing guests and cultivate a special experience for everyone. For me, Morris East has always felt like home, and a restaurant I am proud to be a part of. A place where the community can gather and have great service, awesome food, and an overall fun atmosphere. Favourite pizza? The Mediterranean!

Tim Andresen 

HEAD CHEF - HALIFAX

With years of tossing dough and dreaming up new flavours, I’ve turned my passion for pizza into a profession I absolutely love. Whether it’s stretching the perfect base or adding those final, creative touches, I thrive on making every bite memorable. Nothing beats the joy of serving up amazing food and seeing guests leave happy. For me, great pizza is all about fun, quality, and sharing good times around the table. Fav pizza? Margherita!

Axel Hervé

HEAD CHEF - BEFORD

I am a hands-on culinary professional with a deep love and passion for Italian. My experience spans kitchens in countries such as England and France, shaping a refined yet approachable style. When choosing from the menu, I will be forever torn between the Classic Chicken Parm and the crowd favourite ‘Summeroni' feature pizza, chasing it all down with an ice cold Sprizzi Gin Fizz. 

OUR STORY

One of Halifax's most beloved restaurants, Morris East has welcomed guests to enjoy its delicious handcrafted pizza, warm hospitality, and wonderful service for almost two decades. Chef Tim Andresen and  Chef Axel Hervé’s ever-evolving seasonal menu showcases some of the best pizza in Halifax and the restaurant's relationships with local purveyors.

Opened in 2008 by restaurateur Jennie Dobbs and now operating at 2 locations in downtown Halifax and West Bedford, the restaurant and  Jennie have earned several awards, with the most fun award being when Chef Tim placed third at the International Division of the 2014 World Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas. 

GIFT A SLICE

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GIFT A SLICE •

Several pizzas on plates, one with pepperoni and sausage, another with mushrooms and greens, and a third with mixed greens, along with a glass of beer on a table
A glass of pinkish-red cocktail with ice and a lemon wedge, placed on a dark green surface with green leaves nearby.
A pizza topped with bacon, ham, cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh green arugula and basil leaves on a round metal tray, placed on a wooden surface.
Interior of a busy restaurant with booths and tables filled with people dining, decorated with modern lighting fixtures and wood accents.
A meal including a pizza with arugula on top, a bowl of salad, a glass of white wine, and some water glasses on a wooden table in a restaurant setting.
A person at a bar holding a tall glass of cocktail with a black straw, garnished with a lemon slice and a sprig of herbs.
Group of people dining and laughing at a restaurant with brick walls and candlelit ambiance.
Two pizzas on white plates; one with bacon, sausage, mushrooms, and pepperoni, the other with prosciutto, cheese, and greens, on a wooden table.
Person in a white shirt and apron carrying two plates of pizza, one with salad, in a busy restaurant.
Slice of pizza with yellow bell peppers, crumbled white cheese, prosciutto, and fresh greens on a white surface.
An orange-colored cocktail garnished with a slice of grapefruit and a straw in a faceted glass, on a wooden surface with blurred warm lights in the background.
Person pouring red wine into a glass at a bar, with a server taking notes nearby.
A woman serving a salad to a man in a restaurant, with other diners in the background.
A man wearing a cap and apron throwing a pizza dough in a commercial kitchen.
Three pizzas on a wooden table with plates, forks, glasses, a bottle of hot sauce, and salt and pepper shakers, in a restaurant setting.
Server holding plates with pizza and salad at a restaurant.
A woman standing and smiling while holding a birthday cake with lit candles, surrounded by seated guests in a cozy indoor setting with warm lighting.
A Margherita pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves on a wooden pizza peel.
Multiple small white plates and bowls each with a piece of sliced cured meat, topped with a small green leaf, arranged on a black table
Group of people sitting at a wooden table in a restaurant, smiling and having drinks, with exposed brick wall and framed pictures in the background.
A person at a bar holding a tall glass of cocktail garnished with a sprig of thyme and a lemon slice, with various bottles and bar equipment in the background.