Mates on Crates Feat. Vanni Sartini
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Vanni Sartini, Head Coach of the Halifax Wanderers. Founded in 2018, the Halifax Wanderers were amongst the first members of the Canadian Premier League. Since then, the team has helped build professional soccer culture on the East Coast. Their home, the historic Wanderer’s Grounds, has been a gathering place for sport and community for more than a century, with match days offering passionate support from The Kitchen, food trucks, and bar tents, all set amongst a true downtown Halifax atmosphere. Vanni Sartini was born in Florence, Italy, and spent seven seasons in Vancouver with the Whitecaps - first as an assistant, then as Director of Methodology and U-23 Head Coach before becoming Head Coach of the Whitecaps. During his time with Vancouver, Vanni led the club to three consecutive Canadian Championships and MLS playoff appearances. He joined the Wanderers in late 2025 to lead a new three-year project aimed at building the club into a championship contender. Sartini is known for his deep knowledge of the game, his passion on the touchline, his coaching education background, and his ability to bring people together through football.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Vanni to chat about his move from Vancouver to Halifax, his love of both cities, the passionate Wanderers supporters, his new project with the club, and all of Vanni’s favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
Vanni’s favourites at The Wanderer’s Grounds:
Food Truck: Bud the Spud
Pairing: Sartini Spritz
The FULL LIST of Vanni’s Local Favourites:
Brunch: Daryâ
Coffee: Apartment 3 Espresso Bar and Espresso 46
Dying to Try: Au Liban
Hidden Gem: Real Fake Meats and The Italian Market
Italian: Via Condotti
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: The Bicycle Thief and Via Condotti
Local Winery: Grand Pré Wines
Pasta: Via Condotti
Pizza: Ristorante a Mano, Morris East, Salvatore's Pizzaiolo Trattoria
Thanks for joining us, Vanni!
Watch Vanni’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
