Mouthwateringly delicious. This rather small restaurant in downtown Dartmouth has a big reputation for excellent cuisine. Prices are in line with other dining establishments in its genre. On to the food -- My spouse ordered seafood chowder and said the broth in particular had tremendous flavor. It was filled with haddock, 2 scallops, 4 mussels, and a bit of lobster along with potatoes, carrots, celery and onions. A tiny biscuit came with the chowder, which was a little disappointing. I ordered the scallop and pea risotto which offered an explosion of flavor in every bite. The creamy risotto came fused with mint and a dotting of fresh peas, and the 5 scallops topped with crème fresh and mini radish sticks and fresh pea pods added texture. Service was spot on, and since we did not have reservations yet were the first to enter when the establishment opened in the evening, the staff graciously gave us a 90-minute window to enjoy our meal. If we vacation in this quaint town again, The Canteen definitely will be among the first eateries we visit. read more

The Canteen - Seafood chowder - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

See all

The food in this place is amazing. Every single person in my party enjoyed their dish. I order the eggs Benny. It had the perfect balance of flavor and amount of food. The egg was perfectly yolkie, and together with the ham and seasonings, made it a fantastic savory dish. The servers was phenomenal. She had a wonderful smile, was kind, quick, and made pleasant jokes/small talk. The place is small, but was pretty busy on a Sunday afternoon. Highly recommend this place if you are in Halifax. read more

See all

My cousin made reservations for brunch at this place, and it definitely did not disappoint. Our server was amazing! friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. The restaurant itself is small and always packed, which really shows how much people love this spot. We ordered their famous crobster roll, and it was hands down the best crab/lobster roll I've had so far. Overall, we had an excellent experience and I would absolutely come back again! read more

See all

While this spaghettini may look unassuming in the photo, it was hands down one of the best plates of pasta I've ever had. I arrived in Halifax late tonight for work and had my heart set on a lobster roll. The Canteen popped up on the map with glowing reviews, so I swung by hoping to grab one before they closed. When I arrived, I learned that lobster rolls are only served in the summer. Disappointed but undeterred, I decided to treat myself to their lobster spaghettini instead--after all, a business trip still deserves a good meal. Since they were about to close and I wanted to eat in my hotel room and rest, I got it to go (though I was quietly a little sad--the restaurant is spotless, beautifully designed, and has an open kitchen you can watch). I brought the pasta back to the hotel without much expectation. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary take-out pasta. But that couldn't have been further from the truth. This dish was divine. Every bite was rich with buttery sweetness from the fresh lobster and nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano--two of my absolute favorite ingredients--perfectly balanced by the bright tang of roasted tomatoes. The flavors danced between umami, acidity, and indulgent richness in a way that felt effortless and refined. God, it was good. I can't wait to come back to The Canteen. If this is what their lobster spaghettini tastes like, I can only imagine how incredible their summer lobster rolls must be. read more

See all

The gentleman working the Dartmouth side of the ferry information booth referred us to this great place to grab a bite! The entire service staff (especially Liz) were very welcoming. Liz even helped me celebrate my birthday by taking some fun photos! The Haddock Burger & the Toro Verde (with a side kale caesar salad) were delicious. The dessert was heavenly! Even though it was a busy mid-week lunch time, the Canteen had a relaxing vibe which was very nice. Thank you again and we sure enjoyed our visit to The Canteen. read more

The Canteen - Chocolate Sesame Brownie = Yummy! - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Dropped in for brunch this weekend with no reservation. The 3 of us took a seat at the bar and ordered drinks. Especially tasty Caesar's and a refreshing glass of Pinot Grigio. Then I ordered the grain bowl. Loved it. Lots of rice, quinoa and deep fried tofu on that delicious tahini with a sunny side up egg. One friend ordered the standard breakfast with the most delicious sour dough fried toast and the other ordered the fish cakes. The food, as always is excellent. Service at the bar was prompt. The place is perfect for that special day out. read more

If you live in Dartmouth, Halifax, NS then treat yourself to what might be your best eating experience ever!! Renee Lavallee owner/Chef, know for Top Chef Canada and Wall of Chefs has THE CANTEEN at 22 Portland Street, Dartmouth. It is amazing and fairly priced. We ate to the smell of fresh baked bread and carrot cake. The decor is awesome but the food is a real hit. I had the lobster roll which I believe has a whole lobster, delicately herbed and seasoned to perfection...no fillers, served on a freshly baked long bun. Don't get me started on the carrot cake which is I hear, famous. A dining delight nobody within driving distance should miss out on!! read more

See all

The Canteen is easily in my top 3 restaurants in the HRM. I have never had a meal that was nothing short of exceptional. I'm so happy they're now open on Sundays, and I got to have my brunch fix. The Crobster Roll was, as always, amazing and we tried the carrot cake - easily the best I have ever had in my life. I wish I had the recipe! Our server (whose name I can't remember for the life of me, I'm so sorry) was so friendly and attentive. He gave us some neat insider knowledge about the team at The Canteen :) We got to sit on the patio, and what a treat that was. Can't wait to be back. read more

The Canteen - Carrot cake - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

See all

My favourite lobster roll in Halifax! I visited Halifax for 4 days, and had a lobster roll everyday from a different place. This was by far my favourite. Very flavourful and a nice crunch bun to accompany it. Food: Overall: 4.5/5 Oysters - 4/5 - fresh and from the east coast! Lobster Roll - 4.5/5 Steak & Salad - 3.5/5 Mussels - 3.5/5 (mind you, I'm not a mussels person) Service - 5/5 - very friendly and checked up on us! Ambiance - 5/5 - nice boutique restaurant with a nice vibe! Highly recommend visiting here if you're feeling a lobster roll! read more

See all

We had the famous crobster roll. It was tasty, a great way to taste both the Nova Scotia snow crab and lobsters. Ambiance is the typical relaxing coastal vibe. Service is great, every staff is friendly and provides answers to all our questions about the area. read more

Came here 2 nights ago and had such a wonderful meal that we decided to return again tonight! Crobster roll was amazing! Eva (our server) was the sweetest and just adorable! Please open in the U.S.! read more

The Canteen - Crobster roll, kale salad French fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

- very fresh oyster! Sweet with a pinch of saltiness - crobster roll and fries are yummmmy - fresh lobster and crabs, not overly immersed with sauce - fries are perfectly seasoned - service was okay - it's pretty packed, so make sure to book ahead or come earlier to secure seats read more

The Canteen - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

See all

Our family flew in from Portland, Oregon to attend our daughter's graduation from SMU. I did some research for a good place to eat. We invited guests from the area -we had people that loved seafood and some not so much. The Canteen was perfect! We ended up eating there a total of 3X and if I had my way, we would have 4X. The ambiance was really nice. It's a small place but not too small. It handled a full house and we were a party of 8 one of the nights. I noticed a large party came in the same time we did as well. Between all of us we had many dishes: halibut, steak, rigatoni, beet salad, brussel sprouts, hamburger, carrot cake. Even the coffee was delicious! The lunch waiter was a bit salty when I asked if they served ice tea. He very abruptly said "No." and pointed to the menu where it listed drinks (one of them being tea!) Just add ice! That was a missed opportunity to provide great service without much effort. He was the only blip in our interactions... the other waitresses were great. So friendly and welcoming. I had arranged for a cake to be made by a local bakery called Layers and for a fee, The Cantina will slice and serve it (one of the photos is of that cake.) It's a great restaurant-excellent food, beautiful ambiance, great staff and my new favorite place when we come back to visit. I would suggest making reservations-they are busy and for good reason! read more

See all

The food was vey good. The service was excellent. The waitress was friendly and attentive. The ambiance was loud. It was hard to hear what our party was saying. read more

Its been awhile since we ate there as a takeout, so a review request is only my top of mind. The burger & fries, burger was so tasteful (would order again). The lobster-crab roll was ok, its definitely a poor man's version of a lobster roll. The kale caesar salad was tasteful and the right portion for the use of kale. read more

Just amazing all around! The vibe, the service, drinks and food were all excellent. Jen was fantastic, anticipating every need our son had. Will be back for sure. read more

The Canteen - Spicy Margarita - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Excellent spot for lunch or dinner right along Portland Street in Dartmouth. I advise reserving especially during the busier summer months as the dining room/patio does get busy. They use fresh, seasonal ingredients so the menu does change every so often. The Canteen chowder is filled with seafood and a delicious biscuit on the side. The mussels and frites has a nice broth using Lake City cider that I would drink if I could. (I've had them run out of mussels a couple of times due to popularity, so order it and don't second guess). It's also served with thin cripy fries and a nice aioli (in case you were thinking of switching your side, you shouldn't) The crobster roll is served on a nicely buttered bun and lots of seafood. Overall, great place especially if you're ever in the Dartmouth area (or even in Halifax, take the ferry or drive across the bridge, well worth your time). read more

See all

Decided to check out this brunch spot on our last full day in Halifax. It was just a stone throws away across the harbour in Dartmouth. It was a Saturday so they had the brunch menu going. We ended up getting the Crobster sandwich and the lobster eggs Benny. Crobster sandwich was super fresh. There was very subtle truffle and dill flavours but they did a good job to let the lobster and crab shine through. The lobster eggs Benny was also quite tasty. The buttermilk biscuit that they use (instead of the normal English muffin) was a gamechanger. Good amount of lobster as well. Service was ok as it took a bit until they came around to check in on us. Worth to check out if you're in the area. Make sure to get reservations as it seems to get busy here. read more

The Canteen - Crobster sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

See all

Great spot. The Crobster Roll will change your life! Not a Kale fan, salad was excellent. Service was outstanding and the interior of restaurant is done well. They bake their own bread which you can see in open bakery and also a glass wall to view main kitchen. Great Spot! read more

See all

Love this restaurant! My co-workers recommended this place and it was awesome! The food, drinks and ambiance were fabulous! The staff were extremely friendly and as a party of 1, they were able to squeeze me in, last minute too! The wine selection is superb and on par with what we offer here in California! read more

Seriously good food! The chowder is full of seafood in a thin base. The side biscuit tastes great but served cold which encourages you to eat it with the hot soup. The Veggie Sandwich is a filling sandwich that is crafted well. The carrot salad tastes great with quinoa crunch and cheese. I would have liked more carrots but oh well. read more

The Canteen - Carrot Salad. - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Excellent brunch. Fun and funny server, extremely tasty Huevos Rancheros. Highly recommend

The brunch on Saturday is very good. I really liked the eggs Benny and lobster. As well their French toast was also very good. The service is also top notch. read more

As a huge food fanatic and a top chef fangirl, I was very excited to try the Canteen. I made a trip to Dartmouth specifically for their crobster roll. Decor was minimalist and trendy. Reservation was simple as you can book through opentable. The hostess was super friendly. The crobster roll itself was light with loads of chunky meat. Why the 3 star review? The service from my server was non-existent. Yet, the server did not have issues checking in with the table beside me on multiple occasions. No follow-up and the only interaction I had with him was when I asked for the bill. Disappointed overall as I felt like I was treated differently as everyone else being served were Caucasian. I have travelled a lot and rarely experience any differential treatment. As a result, I will not be returning. read more

Outstanding! There were four Crobster Rolls and salads ordered and they lived up to our expectations. We heard about them on YouTube with Samuel and Audrey, good choice. We also split an Olive Oil Loaf for dessert and it was also very good. Make sure you get reservations! We saw other items we would like to try but we're from Southern California so it's not likely. Our server, Marc, was very good. We had a very good lunch and highly recommend you visit here. read more

The Canteen - Delicious Crobster Roll and salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

We didn't have a reservation so wait time was around 40min for the patio. We ordered the Crobster Roll and Flat Iron Steak. The roll was reaaaally good. First time I tried lobster roll with crab, and i found that it added a lot of flavour. The steak on the other hand did not have much flavour. It was cooked well, but pretty plain. Service was amazing. Would come back to try the other dishes! read more

The Canteen - Flat Iron Steak - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

See all

Arrived at lunch on a Thursday and only had to wait around 5-10 min for a seat. The crobster roll was good - slightly more crab and sauce than lobster and the fries were crispy. The stand out was the chowder, it was filled with mussels and had great flavour. The service was also so friendly and fast. read more

The Canteen - four plates of food on a table - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Love the crobster roll! It is fresh and delicious. I recommend making a reservation to save the waiting time. read more

The Canteen - Crobster roll and mussels - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Rising like a hip phoenix from the ashes of an old Chinese restaurant (yes, that old chestnut), The Canteen is more than just back in action in its new Portland Street digs. With a bigger space and bigger menu, it's more like a delicious lobster that molted out of its too-small shell for a more accommodating upgrade. Popping by at noon (the Citadel's cannon is surprisingly noticeble on Portland), the place was packed to the gills, even on a Tuesday afternoon. The new space is bright and cool, but doesn't seem like it's trying too hard. A painting of Ron Burgundy and Baxter seems right at home here. We caught a table after a couple minutes, and got some drinks while we perused the larger-than-it-used-to-be menu. I had to try the house beer brewed by North Brewing, called White Lightning, after the owner's nickname. Light, citrusy and slightly hoppy, it's a refreshing pint. Their menu is still fairly compact, with a handful each of salads, sandwiches, and other items like chowder, a burger, and mussels and frites that didn't have a place in the limited confines of the old location. My wife went for the fancied-up chicken club that was on special, while I had my sights set on their brisket sandwich, which has frequently tantalized me on their Instagram account. Their side salad options are limited to the kale salad, so I opted to tack on fries instead. Our food came surprisingly quick considering that there was a line up to the door, but I suppose sandwiches and fries aren't the most work-intensive things to assemble. My brisket sandwich lived up to its digital version, with a pile of frizzled onions on top of creamy kale and hunks of pulled brisket. There's no way you're picking this sandwich up to eat, so it was a knife and fork job. The meat was tender, juicy and nice and beefy. The "Dartmouth BBQ sauce" seemed to blend in with the dressing on the kale, and I was glad that it wasn't one of those overly sweet ones, instead adding a mild kick to the 'wich. The so-called frites were just regularly-sized fries, but were tossed in some herbs and maybe parm, which made them healthy (yay, green bits!) tasty. Hand-cut, of course, they were crispy and golden brown, putting the soggy fries around the city to shame. My wife's club came on an impressively tall focaccia, but it also had an equally impressively light and airy crumb that made it easy to chew. The roasted chicken seemed a bit sparse, but it was a massive sandwich, and was generously filled with goat cheese, an avocado spread and all the club fixins. Service was friendly and attentive, even with the insanity that they were putting up with that day. Unsurprisingly, The Canteen is still putting out some killer food, while continuing to transform both themselves and downtown Dartmouth. read more

The Canteen - Brisket sandwich and fries. - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

See all

Best mussels and frites I have EVER had. Huge mussels (from Newfoundland) and so perfectly cooked. We were there for lunch. The service was excellent and I highly recommend this place! read more

This is one of our favourite Dartmouth places to eat! We ordered a delicious pick up supper of fish, potato salad, coleslaw and apple/pear crisp. The food was packaged well, hot when we arrived home and so tasty! There were nice little touches on the packaging, most of it is recyclable or reusable. Thank you for the little touches! read more

The Canteen - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

My first time at the Canteen last night for supper. My daughter told me about the place and tried a few times to get us in but they book up early. I had the Scallop Risotto and it was delicious! My friend had the Mussels & Frites which were also very good. I will definitely come back. Word to the wise, if you don't see any spots available on the online app, it's worth calling the restaurant directly. That's how we managed to get a spot last night. read more

Lost in the Middle of Dartmouth, on the other side of Halifax, after quite a lot of disapointing breakfast and dinner, i found this little restaurant, recently opening an extension with this trendy, hispters, toronto-esque decor that would attract any foodie from miles away. After contempling their pineapple wallpaper, bartender wearing etsy apron and yellow and pastel decor. I order a Crobster Roll (Lobster + Crab Roll) and a Burger. Obviously the Crab and Lobster was simple and great. Served with a side of Parmesan Fries and a mediocre bread, even so it was great. Seafood in a city by the food is a sure bet. And i couldnt wait to try the burger The burger, if done right, is a crowd pleaser and an essential for any restaurant nowadays. Get your burger right people. Well. The canteen didnt. This blend, saggy, oily burger was nothing but delicious. No seasoning, no flavours, the cheese in the meet doesnt add value even if they keep on talking about it, and the burger overall is quite repulsive. One advice for this is instagram worthy little spot. Stick to the Seafood or walk away. read more

See all

I remember Portland Street way back when. You've come a long way baby! The first time I tried the canteen they were a little spot above Two if By Sea, loved the sandwich options and with the move, the menu has expanded. The new restaurant space is modern without sacrificing a great atmosphere. The food is solid, so much so, I have since been back three or four times. I seem to indulge in brunch more than dinner, as of late, but I am looking forward to tasting their dinner menu and perhaps having a few drinks at this lovely downtown Dartmouth gem. Every time I have ventured to the canteen there has been a long line out the door, but no problem. They take your number and give you a call when a spot opens up. Providing the opportunity to explore Portland Street and check out some of the other great little shops along the road. From my perspective, a welcome treat to waiting in line for brunch. Downtown Dartmouth keeps changing, growing and producing some great spots to eat and drink. Whether you are a visitor, resident of Halifax or a Dartmouth native, take a trip down to The Canteen and indulge. read more

The Canteen - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

It's all about the bun, baby! Tried the infamous crobster sandwich today and was not disappointed! This gem that we saw on The Food Bucket List is a tasty combo of crab and lobster on a grilled bun. The buttery goodness of the bun was the perfect foil for the lobster and crab bound together in a tasty aioli. Only real issue is that on the show it was huge-in person the crobster is a more modest sandwich. Still, we'll be back here on our next visit to Nova Scotia! read more

Update...we came back for our last meal here and the chowder gives back that lost star from my initial review. Best ever. Packed with lobster and mussels and a fresh baked biscuit, this is the best you'll have on the east coast or anywhere else. Perfect broth with just enough cream and a hit of dill...try this soup! Original review below... It's clear the "You Gotta Eat Here" effect works, as this place was packed on a Wednesday at 5:30. The food really is great, but the portions were on the small side. The scallops with lobster risotto was good, but only came with 3 scallops instead of the "4 or 5" promised. The lobster pasta was very tasty and seasoned well with dill and fennel fronds (both tricky to get right and awful when wrong), but the overall portion was small. The ratio of lobster meat was fine, but the kid and I both had it and were both hungry soon after. We spilt one of the salads and it was fantastic...fresh ingredients and dressed perfectly. The service was excellent and the vibe and neighbourhood are cool. We only knocked off a star because of the portioning issues...besides that, it was a great meal read more

First impressions are very good. Take the precaution of making a reservation. Our food was good, the service rapid and pleasant. I took a star off because I feel we got short measure on our glasses of wine, compared with other diners. The price is $8-$10 per glass, but the quantity is not stated. When we left, I noticed the bartender "eyeballing" a wine glass fill. There must be a better way...caveat emptor. read more

The food here is completely delectable. I was with a table of four and so I got to see the seafood chowder (full of sea creatures and well-received), the crabster roll (over-stuffed and tasty). I had the special, a meatloaf melt with the most delicious gravy!! Yummy. Prices are within the normal range, coffee was good. One star lost because the restaurant is too loud when full. It was almost impossible to hold a conversation, and my older friends gradually subsided into a chewing silence. I wish more sound baffles would be installed to make this wonderful spot more comfortable. read more

Omg! The crawbster! This place is just adorable, the service is impeccable and the food is to die for! This was recommended by 3 different people and I'm glad I came! read more

The Canteen - Sandwiches Near Me - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

LOVE the canteen. Definitely a favourite in HRM, not just Dartmouth :) Went to the little C yesterday as lunch was pushing with time & ordered the Rachel (which I've been dying to try!!) - just as expected, delicious! The sandwiches can be quite messy so grab a few extra napkins. I got a side of root vegetable soup & that was also very tasty. My guest got the brisket sandwich, had a bite, same thing.. delicious! A few other things I've tried that I love there: tuna melt (the best I've ever had!), Crobster roll (same, but I think they got smaller this year according to pictures online..), seafood chowder, lobster toast? (This was AMAZING but I forget the name), ramen, burger (messy so extra napkins again..), haddock dish? (This was when it just opened and the recipe changed but at the time it was the best fish dish I ever had, with celery purée and kale, mm), hangover sandwich, haddock burger (messy but MM), pork banh mi sandwich, Reuben sandwich. Anyways, point is, I've had A LOT there and it's never really disappointed. I've tried dishes I didn't like, but it's the dish itself I was exploring not the flavours specific to the restaurant; ramen (I don't like ramen ‍), rare steak sandwich (forget the name but rare is not for me) & expected the grilled cheese and tomato soup to be more special but that's just expectations from everything else. read more