Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Atlantic Canada
  4. Nova Scotia
  5. Dartmouth
The Canteen Bar - The Canteen on Portland, Dartmouth, NS
The Canteen Patio - The Canteen on Portland, Dartmouth, NS
The Canteen Exterior - The Canteen on Portland, Dartmouth, NS
Mussels & Frites - The Canteen on Portland, Dartmouth, NS
Fresh Shucked Oysters - The Canteen on Portland, Dartmouth, NS

The Canteen on Portland

4.8
4.8
2719 Reviews
CAN$30 and under
Farm-to-table
Top tags:
The Canteen is a full-service neighbourhood restaurant in Downtown Dartmouth, serving up chef-inspired seasonal fare for lunch, brunch and dinner. At the helm in the kitchen is award-winning chef and co-owner Renee Lavallee. Her seasonal menus are influenced by classic French, Italian and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine – with a little bit of Renée’s magic thrown in. Signature items include The Canteen Burger, The Crobster Roll, Seafood Chowder and more.




Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 45 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Seafood, Canadian
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (902) 425-9272
  • Website
    http://www.thecanteen.ca/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Renee Lavallee
  • Location
    22 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1G9
  • Neighbourhood
    Dartmouth
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,719 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Food

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Service

  • Atlantic Canada

    Best Value

  • Atlantic Canada

    Great for brunch

  • Atlantic Canada

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Atlantic Canada

    Most Booked

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Overall

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Food

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Service

  • Nova Scotia

    Best Value

  • Nova Scotia

    Great for brunch

  • Nova Scotia

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Nova Scotia

    Most Booked

2,719 Reviews

  1. CherylM

    Toronto

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Had brunch here with a friend. The lobster Benny was very, very good. She had the Crobster roll and really enjoyed it. Service was prompt and polite, ambiance is charming. A lovely spot for a meal in Dartmouth.

    Is this helpful?

  2. crys

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Looked forward to our yearly visit and the Crobster Roll. The Canteen never disappoints. See you next year 😀

    Is this helpful?

  3. JSauce

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always Amazing. Staff, Food, Drink are consistently spot on.

    Is this helpful?

  4. jenlea

    Toronto

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Can’t wait to come back! Worth the drive to Dartmouth from Toronto!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Matthew

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best brunch locations in the HRM for sure. Great service and amazing food.

    Is this helpful?

  6. JasonG

    Caribbean

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    The the experience we had hoped for. The service was really bad, upwards of 40 minutes for my wife to get a drink, an incorrect order was taken for one of the other guests and 20 minutes to get the correct bills. A tad noisy as well but the food was good.

    Is this helpful?

  7. MartineC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Nous étions quatre convives, nous avons tous aimé notre repas. C’était excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  8. PeggyV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and atmosphere were fantastic best lunch I’ve eaten in a long time We will be back!!

    Is this helpful?

  9. ClaudeR

    Atlantic Canada

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Good service as we started before the restaurant got full. Noise level was not too high. Products were excellent taste and presentation.

    Is this helpful?

  10. BobB

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Always love going to the Canteen. Food is always fabulous and exceptionally presented. Found the noise level very high and difficult to have a conversation. Nice to see the restaurant busy and a good vibe but noise was a distraction. Also relaxing after dinner and still chatting but politely asked to leave to accommodate another late reservation. That was disappointing

    Is this helpful?

  11. ValerieB

    Atlantic Canada

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food4service4ambience2
    Food was great but the restaurant was very noisy. A bit of decoration could help lesson the noise level.

    Is this helpful?

  12. JaneM

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Food was terrific and waitress was really, really good. It is a noisy restaurant and that discourages us from going there more often. Altogether however it was a great dining experience. Thank you.

    Is this helpful?

  13. DavidK

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great knowledgeable wait staff. Attentive and courteous. Food was great!

    Is this helpful?

  14. goDining

    Toronto

    46 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent dining experience at The Canteen again! They always hit the mark with a great combination of great food, service and ambience. Would definitely recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  15. Willowbear

    Atlantic Canada

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    LOVE everything about The Canteen, service is OUTSTANDING and so is the food. PLUS I love to support a place that is such an amazing supporter of their community!!

    Is this helpful?

  16. NORM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    All choices were delicious. Potato soup of the day was presented well and tasted delicious. Crobster was tasty and not overpowered by added mayo etc. We also tried the falafel and a fish sandwich. All tasty. If I lived near here I think I would try the whole menu. Yum!

    Is this helpful?

  17. JudyS

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service from all members Great tasting food

    Is this helpful?

  18. PeggyB

    Ottawa

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Delicious, good service and ambience, and good value.

    Is this helpful?

  19. FaithS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Scallops & pea risotto and pad fried halibut were superb! Maddie(sp?), our server and bartender was charming. Fun to sit at the bar and watch her master the cocktails.

    Is this helpful?

  20. Shila

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love it, always a 10. Service staff are friendly and professional. Food is always an absolute win.

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, service and atmosphere. We went for brunch at 10:30am and it was surprisingly quiet for what I’m used to here, I recommend going around this time.

    Is this helpful?

  22. AlexM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a great experience! It was mine and my partner’s first time eating at the Canteen and it exceeded our expectations. Our waitress was excellent and gave us the best advice on what to order. Service was prompt and the food was so good. Will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  23. JOSHP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Good food. Servings seemed slightly undersized but still satisfying. Well prepared dishes. Dessert was excellent. Great service. Prices are fair.

    Is this helpful?

  24. GrantG

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    I didn't want to write a review but this site insists. Thursday night. Too many ball caps in the room. Gentlemen, ffs, take your hat off when you sit down. Everything else was great.

    Is this helpful?

  25. Leep

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service, a bit loud at times though which makes it hard to hear each other.

    Is this helpful?

  26. Nich

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Tasty food, burgers were just too much- couldn’t get your mouth around it so ends up spilling out all over the place. Excellent service and value.

    Is this helpful?

  27. AdrienneP

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I’ve been to The Canteen twice and the food has been above par both times. The atmosphere is breezy, open and friendly - the service attentive and courteous.

    Is this helpful?

  28. JennK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great spot to celebrate our anniversary Can't wait to return

    Is this helpful?

  29. TDiggerman

    Atlantic Canada

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious. Three of us had the haddock burger and the fourth person had the beef burger. Both burgers provided more than enough for lunch. Service from Mark was excellent

    Is this helpful?

  30. BPMohan

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Communication between servers was not up to the mark, absence of sides was told 20 mins post giving the order and substitutes were also not fresh.

    Is this helpful?

  31. PaulaB

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As per usual another fabulous evening at The Canteen. The best food , cocktails and service you could ever ask for!! Thanks again!! 🥰

    Is this helpful?

  32. LisaB

    Atlantic Canada

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went for Saturday brunch and the noise level did not seem to be as high as it is at dinner. The food was delicious as always and the service was perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  33. PamelaT

    Edmonton

    46 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first dining experience at this restaurant and it was excellent! The food was amazing, delicious and prepared perfectly for me. I would definitely eat here again and again but I’ll have to wait until my next visit to Halifax! Definitely recommend to friends and family that live here💕

    Is this helpful?

  34. Claire

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food to rival any place in Halifax! Some of the best seafood chowder I've ever had!

    Is this helpful?

  35. PatsyP

    Atlantic Canada

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was not my first visit to the Canteen, and it reminded me what an exceptional restaurant it is. The food is fresh, delicious, a complete treat.

    Is this helpful?

  36. barman

    Las Vegas

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    We had three items. 1) Mushroom toast: tasty, but quite rich, OK for sharing; presentation, 6/10 2) Halibut: Fish perfectly cooked with nice sear, moist and tender; served in bowel on a bed of Israeli couscous, tomatoes, onions, mild peppers, roasted garlic and green onions, also very good 3) Olive oil cake for dessert: large slice of loaf, topped with sour cream and strawberries; for us, too much for one, but OK for sharing; again tasty, but quite rich. Menu fairly limited

    Is this helpful?

  37. RobinF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    After hearing about The Canteen from friends and colleagues, I knew it was the perfect place to meet with with a dear friend from many years ago. Our server was amazing and our meals were absolutely incredible. There was no sense of being rushed and while there was background music, it was easy to chat without straining to hear. Thank you for this lovely experience.

    Is this helpful?

  38. JoJo

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Consistently great service and fabulous food. One of the best.

    Is this helpful?

  39. SharonM

    Atlantic Canada

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Our only issue was the noise level. They did their best sitting us in a corner so that the sound levels were less.

    Is this helpful?

  40. KellyC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyable business lunch. Food was exceptional - highly recommend the kale caesar salad.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Canteen on Portland offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (902) 425-9272.

The Canteen on Portland is rated 4.8 stars by 2719 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 45 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Canteen on Portland

22 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1G9

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Dartmouth
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Seafood, Canadian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Renee Lavallee
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Open for Business Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo