Welcome to Dear Friend Bar
Located at 67 Portland St in Dartmouth, NS, Dear Friend Bar invites you to indulge in a memorable gastronomic experience. This cozy establishment combines a speak-easy vibe with an upscale snack menu, showcasing delectable seafood and inventive cocktails. Guests rave about the ambiance, perfect for intimate dates or lively gatherings. Highlights include fresh oysters, creatively crafted drinks, and an engaging staff that enhances the overall experience. Whether you're enjoying a six-course tasting menu or casual bites, every visit promises quality and warmth, making Dear Friend Bar a must-try destination in the Halifax-Dartmouth area.
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67 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1, Canada Hotline:
Welcome to the world of culinary delight at Dear Friend Bar, located on the vibrant 67 Portland Street in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This hidden gem beautifully blends a cozy, inviting ambiance with an upscale snacking experience that leaves guests enchanted.
From the moment you step in, you’re enveloped in a warm atmosphere reminiscent of a speakeasy, yet devoid of pretension. As Meg Lizabet aptly described, it’s the ideal date spot, offering high-top rails for intimate conversations while indulging in expertly crafted cocktails and refined small plates. The relaxed vibe is matched by carefully selected music, making it a perfect backdrop for both casual outings and special occasions.
The menu at Dear Friend Bar is a showcase of culinary creativity, drawing rave reviews from patrons. Whether you’re navigating their exquisite tasting menu or simply enjoying fresh oysters on the back patio, each bite tells a story of quality and thoughtfulness. Samiah A, a fan of their oysters, couldn't get enough of the freshness at an unbeatable price of $1.50 each—the taste was as remarkable as the service, which is consistently praised across multiple reviews.
Among the standout features is their signature cocktail menu. Each drink is a testament to the bartender’s skill, elevating the overall dining experience. Reviewers have noted the bartenders’ willingness to engage with guests, offering personalized recommendations and sharing tales behind each concoction. This level of service creates a connection that enhances every visit, ensuring that you leave not just satisfied, but with a memorable experience.
Monica Labrador highlights this sentiment beautifully, sharing her delight at having the chefs personally deliver dishes to their table. This intimate touch, combined with the outstanding flavors of dishes like clams and turnips, showcases the commitment to quality that Dear Friend Bar is built on.
As food lovers flock to Dartmouth, Dear Friend Bar is positioning itself as a must-visit destination, setting the bar high for both local and visiting diners. With a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and an atmosphere that invites you to linger, it’s easy to see why customers leave raving about their experiences. Whether you're curious about their daily oysters or yearn to explore inventive cocktails, every aspect of your visit promises to be delightful.
For a dining experience that is both intimate and delectable, make your way to Dear Friend Bar—a place that feels like a welcoming nod from an old friend, yet dazzles like a new discovery.
Great date spot! My partner and I liked the vibes here. The high top rail area is a nice spot for cocktails, small plates and intimate conversation. The music and ambiance are cozy and cool. Has a speak easy vibe without the snobbery or cheesy passwords. Food is more upscale/refined snack bar type menu. Great seafood options. Delicious cocktails. Server/bartender was well experienced and fun. (Didn’t take many pics)
Cozy area for some nice food and drinks. We tried their 6 course tasting menu and had a great time. Well worth it for the price.
The oysters on their back patio was a highlight of the Dartmouth Food Crawl. The oysters were fresh and for 1.50 each. The service was friendly and fast so we had a good experience. My only regret is not getting more of the delicious oysters.
This is a must try in Halifax. This place features amazing cocktails and seafood dishes, and the atmosphere is warm and engaging. Our bartender Mona was exceptional. We really appreciate his creative takes with dealer’s choice cocktails after we ordered many items from their meticulously crafted menu, and his conversations at the bar really elevated our experience. We will definitely come back to Halifax just for Dear Friend!!
We were passing by and staying a night near Halifax and we sort of randomly went to have dinner here. The food was really amazing and it was overall such a great meal. Our bartender Lingjie was also very fun to chat with so we really enjoyed our time here!
Had the tasting menu and some drinks. Would highly recommend. Still thinking about the raw seafoods till this day.
This was our first time visiting Nova Scotia, and this was the very first restaurant we tried & it set the bar high! The food and drinks were exceptional, with the clams and turnips being our absolute favorites. The service was outstanding! We especially appreciated that the chefs personally delivered the dishes to our table. Huge shoutout to Patrick for providing top-notch service and taking the time to recommend other great spots to check out in the Halifax-Dartmouth area. Highly recommend visiting this place!
Visited on two occasions so far in summer 2024; once on the patio and once inside - both with a reservation. On both visits, we had great seating as we were reserved for open. The service was attentive on both occasions as well, with the bartenders/server making sure to let us know about the oyster happy hour (which we were there for both times) and any daily drink options. We enjoyed the oysters on both visits, which were excellently punctuated with the house hot sauce. We also enjoyed the marinated olives on both visits, and the sourdough with mascarpone and shiitake mushroom on our first. The food quality was all-around great, and I suspect anything else on the menu is equally delicious and enjoyable. Of course, the cocktails were all excellent. Each of the drinks we tried were well crafted, with unique and interesting ingredients and flavours. It's hard to pick a favorite of the bunch, but your best bet is to choose a cocktail with a spirit you're familiar with, or ask the very helpful folks working to help you narrow down a choice!