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Dear Friend, Dartmouth, NS

Dear Friend

4.9
4.9
367 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 3 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
Dear Friend is Downtown Dartmouth's cocktail & wine bar. Join us in our cozy, European style cocktail bar or on our vibrant patio for great food, amazing cocktails, attentive service and awesome music. Located in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth on Portland Street, we are steps away from the Dartmouth Waterfront and Alderney Ferry Terminal. Our small plate food menu showcases Chef Bradley George's take on fresh Nova Scotian seafood and cured meats, as well as small plates with Asian and Spanish influences. Our bar team features some of the best the country has to offer; always creating new flavours and perfecting classics. Join us for our Oyster Happy Hour, everyday from 4pm-5pm, or book a table with friends to imbibe. We have lots of space for walk-ins as well!

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Cocktail Bar, Dining Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Wed 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Website
    http://www.dearfriendbar.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Jason McKenzie
  • Location
    67 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1
  • Neighbourhood
    Dartmouth
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Alderney Ferry terminal is a five-minute walk down the street from Dear Friend.<br />Bus Routes nearby are: 62, 55, 5, 6 (A,B,C)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve

    $150.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Join us for a cocktail pairing dinner where we blend together the minds of our talented chefs and bartenders for an unforgettable end to the year. Dinner includes 6 creative courses paired with bespoke cocktails. Oyster & Champagne Happy Hour from 5pm to 6pm with one dinner seating at 6pm.

Menu

At present, we do not have menu information for this restaurant. Please see their website or wait to visit the restaurant to learn more.

What 367 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Overall

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Food

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Ambience

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Value

  • Atlantic Canada

    Innovative

  • Atlantic Canada

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Atlantic Canada

    Hot spot

  • Atlantic Canada

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Atlantic Canada

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Atlantic Canada

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Atlantic Canada

    Lively

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Overall

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Food

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Ambience

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Value

  • Nova Scotia

    Innovative

  • Nova Scotia

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Nova Scotia

    Healthy

  • Nova Scotia

    Hot spot

  • Nova Scotia

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Nova Scotia

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Nova Scotia

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Dear Friend is a must-visit in Halifax, offering "amazing vibes" and "killer cocktails." It's renowned for its inventive menu, exceptional service, and cozy atmosphere. Patrons rave about the "fantastic drinks and food," making it a favorite for both locals and visitors alike. Experience top-notch hospitality and creative dining.

367 Reviews

  1. Andrew

    VIP

    Atlantic Canada

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    No better place in Dartmouth. Great food and great service and interesting drinks.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Harold

    Montreal

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great evening with friends. Amazing food and drink.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jeannine

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing spot! My first time but definitely not my last. It’s a small, intimate atmosphere. Food is next level- so flavourful and delicious. Cocktails are very creative and so yummy.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ashley

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing drinks and food, and even better service every time we visit!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Katie

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our experience at Dear Friend is always lovely. Unique food and drinks to try that are delicious. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Meredith

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    I love Dear Friend. I still have my espresso martini touque I wear all the time! I was really excited to go with my boyfriend, who’d never been. As always the food was incredible as were the drinks - plus this place always has the best vibes. Kind of disappointed in our service though. Of the times I’ve been before, service was excellent - part of why it’s one of my favourite restaurants. Last night started great as usual, ordered two light items + drinks, all great. Got another drink. Then we waited, and waited. To be fair it was super slammed on a Friday, but it did thin out while we waited. We were hoping to grab another light item + a main but we decided to call it after awhile. Bummer that was his first experience but, it’s still in my top 5 in the HRM! Food, vibes, drinks, all incredible - & to be fair maybe just a fluke night for service! I’d still say 100% come here!!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Keith

    Calgary

    316 reviews

    5.0

    316 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow, it was my first and wont be my last. The menu is just the right side with flavorful options and fantastic plates. The Staff are top notch, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Also, the cocktails are amazing, a must try.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Amazing dinner, the tasting menu was outstanding! a hiccup was delt with both professionally and quickly. Our friends from out-of-town were really impressed.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Katie

    Toronto

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    New menu items were delicious and cocktails were great as per usual. It can get very loud due to the small space.

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is a gem. Loved the atmosphere, the food and drinks. Service was outstanding

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dear Friend is rated 4.9 stars by 367 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 3 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Dear Friend

67 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Dartmouth
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Wed 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Cocktail Bar, Dining Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Alderney Ferry terminal is a five-minute walk down the street from Dear Friend.Bus Routes nearby are: 62, 55, 5, 6 (A,B,C)
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Jason McKenzie
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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