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Dear Friend, Dartmouth, NS

Dear Friend

4.9 (407)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
67 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

  • 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
  • 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
  • Neighborhood
    Dartmouth
  • 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)
  • 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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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 407 people are saying

Dear Friend reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.8Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Overall

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Service

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Ambiance

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Value

  • Atlantic Canada

    Innovative

  • Atlantic Canada

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Atlantic Canada

    Neighborhood gem

  • Atlantic Canada

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Atlantic Canada

    Lively

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Overall

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Food

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Service

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Ambiance

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Value

  • Nova Scotia

    Innovative

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Nova Scotia

    Neighborhood gem

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Nova Scotia

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Nova Scotia

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Dear Friend offers an exceptional dining experience with "fantastic food" and a "great cocktail experience." Guests appreciate the "knowledgeable, friendly" staff and the atmosphere. The restaurant is praised for accommodating dietary needs, offering a "3 course menu," and serving "excellent, creative" dishes. Patrons highlight the "award-winning cocktails" and "lovely ambience."
407 Reviews

  1. Michael

    Philadelphia County10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful time with the tasting menu. The food was good, and it was much more reasonably priced than most, especially considering that some of the courses had more than one item so that it was more like a 6 course tasting menu. The drinks were also fun, and don’t forget to order the desserts. Finally, the staff were quite friendly.

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  2. Andrew VIP

    Atlantic Canada10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food, great cocktails and wine selection and excellent service.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Brian VIP

    Atlantic Canada22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to experience the cocktail experience. Tip--pick your food and then let the bartenders select/create a cocktail to compliment the food.

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  4. Joanne

    Atlantic Canada2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My husband and I frequent Dear Friend regularly. We love the cocktails, the food, the atmosphere, everything about it. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. I made a reservation for a party of six that was to include our adult son with Down Syndrome. He has many dietary restrictions and I messaged the restaurant to ask if it would be possible for a specific item be made available for him. They contacted me back immediately and said they could accommodate the request. It is not very often that he is able to join us when we go to an upscale restaurant to dine. I cannot thank the staff enough for accommodating the request and making the night perfect ❤️

    Is this helpful?

  5. Sue

    Atlantic Canada3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It was a quiet night so we received individualized attention. Food was excellent, creative and flavorful.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kevin

    Vancouver / British Columbia6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A really wonderful spot a quick ferry ride away from Halifax proper. The cocktails are top notch with friendly staff and delicious bites to snack on while navigating the menu. Shout out to the bartender Patrick who I challenged to make his take on a rum forward cocktail. He made an Ube and Whey cocktail with many rums that; I think, should be the next addition to the menu. Truly delicious.

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  7. Ben

    Tampa / Central Florida West2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a great experience! The Dear Friends Bar has nice vibe and feel to it. We had first class food in a very casual atmosphere. You have to try the “Let the chef cook for you” option. It’s no doubt the best deal for your money and the chef selects his favourites . And you get lots of it. I loved the attention given to allergies and how he came to our table to explain what we were about to eat. I didn’t know carrots could taste so good and the seafood….amazing . AND they have great cocktails too!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Janice

    Atlantic Canada22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good service and we enjoyed the patio. The entrees of rutabaga and duck were very tasty.

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  9. Tammy VIP

    Toronto / Ontario2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Chef is amazing!! One of the best meals we have ever had. We had $50 open dinner where chef surprises you with courses. So fresh and everything was excellent!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Leslie

    Atlantic Canada3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful cocktails and atmosphere! We'll be back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dear Friend is rated 4.9 stars by 407 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Atlantic Canada
  4. Nova Scotia
  5. Dartmouth

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 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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