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Dear Friend, Dartmouth, NS

Dear Friend

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

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Jason McKenzie
  • Neighborhood
    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

What 362 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

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Dear Friend is a neighborhood gem in downtown Dartmouth, celebrated for its "exceptional" cocktails, "amazing" service, and cozy, intimate atmosphere. Guests rave about the chef's tasting menu and the creative, delicious dishes. A lively yet inviting spot, it's a must-visit for cocktail enthusiasts and food lovers alike.

362 Reviews
  1. 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!!!

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  2. Keith

    Calgary

    315 reviews

    5.0

    315 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.

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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

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  6. Nathan

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    LJ was fantastic; great pairings - wonderful flavouring and just a wonder experience overall. I've been told by friends and family to go here and finally found a moment to go! My biggest regret was not going here earlier! Highly recommend the espresso tiramisu, the duck and the squash; especially the squash. It was easily the best squash I've ever had.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The cocktail program is varied with lots of intriguing options making it tough to decide in the best possible way. The food was impeccable. We tried the tasking menu option and were pleased to see many of the things we planned on ordering included in what we got in addition to some delicious surprises that didn’t appear on the menu. Mona was our server; a warm and engaging enthusiast who was so helpful and informative. Jerry was behind the bar and tipped us off that we could order the cocktails in half sizes which was helpful as we needed to be able to drive home. In addition to these two lovely gents a host of other staff delivered our food to the table and each was as personable and accommodating as the one before. This is our 6th or 7th time at Dear Friend as we were delighted to find it as marvellous as it’s been every other time, while also presenting many new experiences at the same high level we have come to expect. Bravo!

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  8. Steve

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    How didn’t Dear Friend place higher on Canada’s 100 list? So good.

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  9. Jim

    Vancouver

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food Service Fun for the four guys and myself ...... We'll be back !

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  10. Rosie

    New York City

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always have a great time at Dear Friend! We love taking our friend there for the sharing menu - always so much fun!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dear Friend is rated 4.9 stars by 362 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Google Map for Dear Friend

67 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    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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