20 Great Places to Eat and Drink in Dartmouth Nova Scotia
Downtown Dartmouth has a lot to offer when it comes to food and drinks. Whether you’re looking for a casual dining experience or just want to grab some quick takeout, there are plenty of options available in the downtown area.
Often overshadowed by the more well-known food scene in Halifax, Dartmouth has its own unique culinary culture that is definitely worth exploring. The downtown area is up and coming, with a vibrant arts scene and a growing number of independent businesses, including quite a few trendy new restaurants.
And with so many great restaurants and pubs, it can be hard to decide where to go first!
To help you out, we’ve listed some of the best places to eat and drink in downtown Dartmouth Nova Scotia.
The Best Coffee and Cafes in Downtown Dartmouth
Two If By Sea
📍 66 Ochterloney Street
🌐 https://www.twoifbysea.cafe
Hours: 8 am – 3 pm, 7 days a week
Located in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth, Two If By Sea is known for its baked goods and amazing coffee.
Serving up mouth-watering croissants and super-sized scones, as well as muffins and cookies, it’s a fantastic place to grab breakfast or a snack!
Be sure to pair those baked goods with a coffee or espresso-based drink that’s roasted locally (right next door!).
Café Good Luck
📍 145 Portland St
🌐 http://www.manualfoodanddrinkco.com/goodluck/
Hours: 8 am – 3 pm, 7 days a week
A neighbourhood cafe in downtown Dartmouth, Cafe Good Luck serves breakfast, lunch and brunch.
They are licensed and offer coffee, pastries and home-made ice cream pints!
Using fresh local ingredients, they serve simple egg-based breakfast sandwiches and quiche to sandwiches, shrimp rolls and German potato salad for lunch.
Port City Coffee
📍 Alderney Landing, 2 Ochterloney Street (Dartmouth Ferry Terminal)
🌐 https://portcitycoffee.ca
Hours: 7 am – 2 pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday
Conveniently located in the Ferry Terminal at Alderney Landing, Port City Coffee serves excellent coffee and espresso based drinks.
Add a delicious cookie, baked treat or breakfast sandwich to your order for a quick snack while you explore downtown Dartmouth! Or if you’re taking the ferry over to explore Halifax, pick up a coffee and treat for the ride over.
They also have dairy-free (oat/almond) milk options available. And they serve one of the best almond milk cappuccinos I’ve had – if you drink almond milk, you know it’s hard to find a good frothy drink.
Coffee Matters
📍 33 Alderney Drive
🌐 Coffee Matters
Hours: Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 4 pm, Sat- Sun: 9 am – 2 pm
Featuring down-home Newfoundland hospitality, Coffee Matters is located right on the corner across from Alderney Landing.
It’s a comfortable place with free wifi and plenty of room to sit, work or enjoy a snack.
You’ll find homemade soups and sandwiches on the menu, and some delicious wraps, salads and flatbread pizzas. Gluten-free bread is also available.
Portland Street Creperie
📍 55 Portland St
🌐 https://www.portlandstreetcreperie.com
Hours: 8 am – 3 pm, 7 days a week
The Creperie is another of our personal favourites! They offer a wide variety of sweet and savoury crepes as well as coffee, tea and smoothies. Plus they have gluten-free crepes!
There are always new and unique crepe creations – including a Halifax favourite – the Donair crepe, although my kids prefer the Nutella crepe.
Best Pubs and Places for Drinks
Battery Park
📍 62 Ochterloney Street
🌐 https://batterypark.ca
Hours: Mon – Wed: 11:30 am – 11 pm, Thurs – Sat: 11:30 am – 12 am, Sun: 11:30 am – 11 pm. Closed Tuesday.
Battery Park Beer Bar features 20 rotating taps of local East Coast beers, as well as a selection of delicious snacks and meals to go along with them.
Burgers are on the menu here, with a variety of options from the classic to fried chicken or lamb, or even the Dartmouth style burger. There’s also a wine menu and a courtyard patio in the summer to sit and enjoy your beverages.
Lake City Cider
📍 35 Portland St
🌐 https://lakecitycider.ca
Hours: Mon – Wed: 11 am – 8 pm, Thurs – Sat: 11 am – 9 pm, Sun: 11 am – 7 pm
Lake City Cider crafts beautiful ciders in the heart of downtown Dartmouth.
The fresh pressed cider uses apples from Nova Scotia’s famous Annapolis Valley, but it’s fermented, filtered and bottled on site.
Try some ciders in the tap room, or grab some bottles to go! And when I say bottles, they’re the same size as wine bottles, perfect to enjoy on a hot summer weekend.
Brightwood Brewery
📍 35 Portland St
🌐 https://www.brightwoodbrewery.com
Hours: Mon – Wed: 12 – 8 pm, Thurs: 12 – 11 pm, Fri and Sat: 12 pm – 12 am, Sun: 12 – 7 pm
Originally starting as a basement brewery, Brightwood now boasts its own taproom and brewery in downtown Dartmouth.
Stop by the taproom to sample one of their beers that are brewed on-site and grab a bite to eat.
Brightwood shares the space with Lake City Cider, mentioned above. They also have a beer garden at Alderney Landing that’s open seasonally.
New Scotland Brewing
📍 16 Portland St
🌐 https://www.newscotlandbrewing.ca
Hours: Tues – Wed: 12 – 10 pm, Thurs – Sat: 12 pm – 1 am, Sun: 12 – 10 pm. Closed Monday.
A community-based microbrewery, New Scotland Brewery is in the heart of downtown Dartmouth overlooking the Halifax harbour.
Using local ingredients, they produce small batch mead and beer. While they don’t offer cider, they do have different flavoured vodka sodas, wine and non-alcoholic options.
Stop in for a beverage or order some to go. You can also enjoy live music every Thursday and Friday.
They also have appetizers, burgers and other options, including several gluten-free options, and a kids menu.
North Brewing Company
📍 899 Portland Street (Main Location), North-to-Go: 62 Ochterloney Street
🌐 https://www.northbrewing.ca/portland-menus
Hours: Mon (retail only, taproom closed): 12 – 7 pm, Tues: 12 – 9 pm, Wed-Tours: 12 – 10 pm, Fri – Sat: 11:30 am – 10 pm, Sun: 11:30 am – 9 pm
North Brewing Company is another Dartmouth micro-brewery. Although their main location is just outside of Downtown Dartmouth (it’s actually near Cole Harbour), we’re adding it to this list because it’s worth stopping by! Or you can pick up some beverages to go at their downtown location
It’s also conveniently on the way to Lawrencetown or Rainbow Haven Beach if you’re looking to get out and explore some of the best beaches in the area.
Stop by their full-service taproom and retail shop for some great beer or cider. If you can’t decide, why not try a flight?
They also have a unique menu with plenty of sharing plates available. You’ll find the usual nachos and fries, although their nachos are unlike anything I’ve ever had, and the fries options include uniquely flavoured masala fries or chaat fries supreme.
There are also hamburgers and other handheld sandwiches, as well as a kids’ menu. Their wings are excellent and my favourite is the Behl Salad, with pomegranate and sumac.
Most of the menu is gluten-free, and there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Best Restaurants and Take Out
Evan’s Fresh Seafood
📍 Alderney Landing Ferry Terminal, 2 Ochterloney Street
🌐 https://www.evansfreshseafoods.com
Hours: Tues – Fri: 11 am – 7 pm, Sat: 8 am – 7 pm, Sun: 11 am – 5 pm. Closed Monday
Evan’s Fresh Seafood is a completely gluten free fish restaurant and take out bar. Fish and chips is the specialty, but the chowder is also amazing!
Grab some frozen crab cakes or choose from the impressive selection of fresh seafood to take home.
The Wooden Monkey
📍 40 Alderney Drive #305 (Alderney Ferry Terminal, Level 2)
🌐 https://www.thewoodenmonkey.ca
Hours: 11:30 am – 9pm, 7 days a week
The Wooden Monkey is a popular restaurant with two convenient locations – one in Halifax and one in Dartmouth on the top floor of the Alderney Landing Ferry Terminal.
Using locally grown produce, as organic as possible, the Wooden Monkey serves quality food and supports local farmers and businesses.
You’ll find sandwiches, salads, pizzas and pasta on their menu and a large selection of local craft beers and locally produced wine. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options as well as a kids’ menu.
Celtic Corner
📍 69 Alderney Drive
🌐 https://www.celticcorner.ca
Hours: 11 am – 10:30 pm 7 days a week
Downtown Dartmouth’s local pub, the Celtic Corner has traditional maritime music with traditional pub food.
The rooftop patio has great views of the harbour, there’s Guinness on tap and a traditional Irish brunch served on weekends until 3 pm.
Vines Fusion & Grill
📍 73 Alderney Drive
🌐 https://vinesfusion.ca
Hours: Tues – Sat: 5 – 9 pm. **12 – 2 pm from June 1 – August 31** Closed Sunday and Monday.
Based on the fusion of Italian and Indian cuisine, Vines Fusion & Grill offers take-out or dine-in options.
Dine on the outdoor patio overlooking Alderney Drive and the harbour or indoors in the quiet dining room. Entrees vary from seafood to lamb and steak or choose from a variety of Indian main dishes.
We went in with the idea of having an Italian dinner, but ended up ordering Chloe (simmered chickpeas), chicken korma and a few other Indian dishes to try.
They also have a decent wine list and offer some interesting cocktails as well – the Raspberry Limoncello was excellent. There’s also beer, cider and non-alcoholic options on the menu.
Yeah Yeahs Pizza
📍 66 Ochterloney St
🌐 https://www.yeahyeahspizza.com
Hours: Tues – Sun: 3 – 8 pm. Closed Monday.
Keeping it simple here, there’s only pizza on the menu at Yeah Yeahs Pizza.
Pizza is available by the slice or can be ordered as a large 18” pizza. Garlic fingers, salad or a slice of cheesecake can be added as side orders. Gluten-free crust is also available – and it’s good!
Stone Pizza
📍 79 Alderney Drive
🌐 https://stonepizza.ca
Hours: Mon – Wed: 11 am – 8 pm, Thurs – Sat: 11 am – 9 pm, Sun: 11 am – 8 pm
Starting with a homemade pizza crust, delicious sauce and fresh, local ingredients, Stone Pizza will build your pizza order right in front of you.
All of the pizzas are cooked on traditional pizza stones using fresh, high quality and local ingredients.
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and keto diets can be accommodated.
The Canteen
📍 22 Portland St
🌐 https://www.thecanteen.ca
Hours: Lunch/Brunch: Tues – Fri: 11 am – 2:30 pm, Sat: 10 am – 2 pm;
Dinner: Tues – Thurs: 5 – 9 pm, Fri – Sat: 5 pm – 10 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Conveniently located on the lower end of Portland Street, only steps away from the Alderney ferry terminal, the Canteen offers lunch, brunch and dinner menus.
Influenced by classic French, Italian and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine, the seasonal menus feature a variety of sandwiches, salads and soups, including favourites that kids will love.
Chef Renee Lavallee is a Top Chef Canada contender and adds her own flair to the menu.
Be sure to try some of the seafood based dished, like the haddock burger or canteen chowder. The crobster roll is also delicious!
There are also veggie options, like the falafel bowl or chickpea and coconut curry. But really, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!
Millstone Public House
📍 102-67 King’s Wharf Place
🌐 https://millstonepublichouse.com
Hours: 11:30 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week
A public house is a spot where friends, family and community naturally gather to share a meal and have a few drinks, and this is what Millstone Public House is all about.
They’ve got a good selection of apps, plus burgers, wings and craft beer to wash it down.
We’ve visited the location on Baker Drive in Dartmouth, and while it can be busy on the weekend, the wait is worth it! I’m a big fan of their mussels, but the chicken club also had rave reviews.
The downtown location is at King’s Wharf and easily within walking distance from most places downtown, or if you’re driving, free parking is available across the street – just ask inside for the code.
Jukai Japanese & Thai
📍 9 Kings Wharf Place #103-104
🌐 https://jukaidartmouth.com/
Hours: Mon: 11 am – 9:30 pm, Tues – Wed: 4 – 9:30 pm, Thurs – Sat: 11 am – 9:30 pm, Sun: 11 am – 9 pm
Voted the best sushi in Dartmouth, Jukai Japanese & Thai is located right on the waterfront at King’s Wharf.
Choose from a large selection of freshly made sushi or the popular all-you-can-eat options.
Dine in, where you’ll be treated to great views of the Halifax harbour or take-out is also available. Come hungry!
Humble Pie Kitchen
📍 77 King St
🌐 http://www.humblepiekitchen.ca/
Hours: Tues – Fri: 11 am – 6 pm, Sat: 10 am – 4 pm
New Zealand style savoury hand pies are what you’ll find at Humble Pie Kitchen. Buy them hot and eat in the café or take a few to go and cook at home.
The pies are baked several times throughout the day, so whether you stop in for lunch or dinner, they’ll be fresh!
Steak and cheese or turkey and brie are the most popular, new fillings are added seasonally.
Ol School Donuts
📍 Dartmouth Crossing, in the Canadian Tire parking lot
🌐 http://olschooldonuts.ca
Hours: Sat – Sun: 12 – 4 pm
While this recommendation isn’t in the downtown area, if you’re heading out to Dartmouth Crossing for shopping or weekend errands, be sure to stop at Ol’ School Donuts.
Located in the Canadian Tire parking lot – only on weekends – this big red school bus serves old-fashioned donuts, just like Granny used to make – but with unique and decadent toppings.
Pick up a box of ten mini donuts with the choice of two different toppings, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Final Thoughts: Best Food & Drink in Downtown Dartmouth
Whether you’re visiting the area and looking to check out the best places to eat and drink in Dartmouth Nova Scotia or you’re a local looking for somewhere new to try, there’s plenty of great pubs, cafes and restaurants in Dartmouth to choose from.
More Inspiration for Your Nova Scotia Bucket List
10 Best Beaches Near Halifax
25 Awesome Things to Do in Nova Scotia in the Summer
11 Fun Things to Do in Nova Scotia in July
9 Best Things to Do in Lunenburg
11 Prettiest Small Towns in Nova Scotia
