The Canteen on Portland

4.7 ( 1229 reviews )
Checking... 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM See Hours
$20–30
22 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1G9, Canada
+1 902-425-9272
The Canteen on Portland, nestled in Dartmouth, NS, presents a vibrant Canadian dining experience that marries quality food with a welcoming atmosphere. Patrons rave about the stunning decor and the delightful service, elevating the overall experience. The menu is well-rounded, showcasing an impressive array of seafood options alongside diverse choices like the two all-beef patty Canteen Burger, praised for its robust flavors and fresh toppings. Highlighting customer favorites, the Seafood Chowder stands out with its beautifully balanced flavors, while the Haddock Burger, despite some minor critiques about the bun, remains a crowd-pleaser. Guests like Justin Rahme appreciate the dedication to quality, while others, such as Meg Lizabet, commend the knowledgeable bartenders and the selection of local beers and well-crafted cocktails. With a commitment to culinary excellence, The Canteen has earned a loyal following among both locals and tourists. Whether indulging in the thoughtfully curated salads or savoring the decadent Pavlova for dessert, each visit promises a memorable dining affair. For those seeking a delightful meal complemented by a charming atmosphere, The Canteen on Portland is certainly a must-visit.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great wine list
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves healthy options
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
    • Upmarket
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Brunch reservations recommended
    • Lunch reservations recommended
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
    • Usually has a wait
  • Payments
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Paid parking lot
    • Paid street parking
    • Somewhat difficult to find a space

Reviews For The Canteen on Portland

Justin Rahme
Jun 1,2025
Finally, after years of discussing the Canteen with a friend, we finally made it. Usually I was just down to Halifax visiting, but now living here made this easier. Also there was only two days left to get the Crobster and my friend really wanted one, so we crossed the bridge and stopped in! What a beautiful looking restaurant. Bright colours and decor, although at night during winter it’s a little dim. But still felt bright and welcoming. I ordered up the burger as I am a weird person and don’t enjoy seafood. It was fantastic! Double smashed patties and amazing fresh toppings. The fries were great too! Had a wonderful experience. The service was excellent and I will definitely be back to try the steak dish and probably the chicken! Clean plate club!
Kat L
May 30,2025
Easily one of my favorite restaurant here in HRM! Quality food and dining experience. Always recommend this place for tourists and locals looking for a great place to eat. Have not tried anything that I didn’t like so far. Can’t wait for the summer menu!!
Meg Lizabet
May 19,2025
Came here for date night and had a really great time sitting at the bar. The bartender was experienced, attentive and well informed to make good suggestions. The menu has a lot of seafood options (which I love) while still offering a variety of other dishes. Nice local beer list, well made cocktails and decent but small wine selection. Will definitely be back to try more.
Nicole Girard
May 10,2025
We decided to try the canteen for our last night in the city, and we are so glad we did! We ordered the radicchio and apple salad, oysters, seared scallops, pan-fried haddock, and seafood chowder. The food was beautifully presented, the flavors were perfectly balanced, and there was absolutely no grit! Drinks were great. Before visiting, we checked out some reviews and were curious about the chowder, given some mixed feedback. It’s clear that those who were disappointed were expecting something like a canned seafood chowder. Don’t let the negative reviews deter you from this fantastic spot! One minor piece of feedback: when we arrived, the maitre d’ asked what brought us in and then inquired about our Prosecco preference, but there wasn’t any follow-up. It left us wondering if there might have been a special touch in store. Overall, we had a lovely experience.
Margaret Benham
Apr 14,2025
Went there today with 5 friends. We ordered Haddock burgers with fries and 2 friends had the special which was an open face beef sandwich with mushrooms and cheese. We all enjoyed our meal and agreed that the bun didn’t really work with the haddock. It was a bit soggy at the end. The fish was excellent and I ate mine without the bun. For dessert I ordered the Pavlova since it’s my favourite and I’ve never seen it on a menu. Delicious. Did not disappoint. Another lady ordered the carrot cake as it’s her favourite. (Not the first time here for her). When I visit Dartmouth again, I will definitely stop in again.
Melanie Lowe
Apr 12,2025
I’m a bit mad at myself for not coming here sooner. The food was absolutely spot on, spectacular. Local ingredients, beautiful scallops, and the bun on the Crobster roll was as memorable as the filling. Our server Eva was awesome! Great to be around, so nice. We felt totally spoiled. If you want great NS seafood, creative classic dishes, and an all-round impressive experience, you gotta come! Can’t wait to go back.
Aicon Rachel Bagsican
Mar 25,2025
Perfect spot for brunch! Our server was so friendly and well-informed, making our visit even better. We savored their special sandwich for the week- tuna melt with a side of crispy fries! We also had the soup of the day and the beef hot bowl noodle soup. Really perfect for the cold weather. Their mussels were delicious. And of course, I had to sip on a refreshing mimosa to complete the experience. I’d love to return to explore more of their menu options!
peggy lou
Feb 27,2025
Walked past this place and got lucky with a spot without a reservation. The cocktails hit the spot and every dish of seafood was packed with flavor. Loved it!

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