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Harbourstone

3.3 (28 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

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Short rib ravioli with tomato jam.
Murray W.

After heading in this direction to discover that Gahan House was closed for a private booking (which should have been noted on their social media, and wasn't), my fiancee, a friend of ours and myself headed back to the Marriott to have a bite and a drink at the Harbourstone instead. Located just off of the central lobby of the Harbourfront Marriott, the Harbourstone is one of the products of the complete renovation of the main floor here. Slightly raised up a few steps from the rest of the floor, it has a very modern feel without being too flashy or in your face. The nicely back-lit bar is quite prominent, running the length of most of the restaurant, while the dining area is filled with a mix of high top tables, regular tables and some more lounge-like set ups with comfy looking chairs and couches arranged around low lying tables. The colour palate is very much fall colours, with bold oranges accenting browns, with a splash of yellow here and there. It's pleasantly warm, with a retro vibe. It can be modern and retro too, right? We were seated quickly, and as it was a bit late for the supper crowd there were only a few other tables occupied, with a couple of them seeming to be people taking breaks from some of the holiday staff parties that were going on across the hall and upstairs. Their menu is divided into four sections - appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrees - each with a sea-themed name and you'd have to be a hardcore fan of puns not to shake your head at some of them. Apps like the crispy duck, Harbourstone poutine (with their Newfie chef adding dressing to it, naturally) and short rib ravioli were all quite tempting. On the mains side of things, their burger sounded good, as well as their souvlaki made from local lamb, and the house-made fried chicken. In the end my empty belly went for an order of the short rib ravioli to share and the fried chicken for myself. Tomato jam and fried potatoes count as vegetables, right?.... Our appetizers came out fairly quickly while we chatted and enjoyed our North Brew beers and Bulwark cider. My friend ordered the crispy duck, which was a bit short on description on the menu, so it was surprising to see what amounted to two good-sized, square egg rolls. The flavour of the duck was not as prominent in the filling as I would have liked, but they were crispy and delicious nonetheless. My short rib ravioli came plated nicely on top of the chunky tomato jam, with shaved Parmesan on top. They were rich and beefy, but the standout for me was actually the tomato jam - sweet, but not too sweet, and with just a bit of acidity; it was a fantastic condiment. My only suggestion would be to remove the tomato skins before making the jam, as the little twirled up bits of skin that result aren't good in any type of tomato-based sauce. My fried chicken likely held up our main courses from arriving as quickly as they might have otherwise, however it was very much worth the wait. Two hefty pieces of breast and thigh meat were covered in a crisp breading, with just a bit of kick from some hot sauce that was likely in the buttermilk marinade. Both were moist on the inside, and crispy until the very last bite. On the side were some equally well-executed baby potatoes which were butterflied and then deep fried. Golden brown on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they were some of the best tater-like fried potatoes I've ever had. For dessert we got the dark chocolate and mint mousse, and the pear and raspberry crisp. The crisp was hot and tasty, with the raspberries taking the driver's seat for flavour, while the pear and the chai anglaise cream that you could pour on top didn't really register much. That said, it was still very enjoyable. The mousse had the right balance of being light and airy, but still dense enough that it was pleasingly smooth. Not to mention that it was chocolate and mint, a tough combination to beat in the dessert realm. If you want an After Eight in a rich, smooth format, get this. Service was quite attentive and friendly throughout our meal. Harbourstone may have been our second choice that night, but between the great atmosphere, food and service, it's bound to be a first choice in the future.

Amy F.

It's inside the Marriott hotel and we checked in at 10pm - this is about the only place that was still open to get a bite to eat. At that time of night there is a smaller menu and less serving staff. We were very surprised at how good the food is - hubby loved the 9 locks porter beer on draft, nachos were delish, bacon cheese burgers hit the spot, and the fish and chips looked great.

sweet potato omelet
Rachelle B.

Still give here 3.5. My last few visits for breakfast have been quite enjoyable, especially weekday mornings earlier when it's quiet and peaceful. Very friendly staff. The spanish sweet potato omelet (caramelized onion, chives, Canadian aged cheddar, sweet potato, Yukon homestyle potatoes $14) is delicious. the Italian Frittata (pomodorini confit, proscuitto, basil ricotta, Yukon potatoes $17) is also great. My favorite is the huevos rancheros (poached eggs, black beans, stewed tomato, tortilla, house pico de gallo, avocado $15). Basically there is a lot of variety here that you often don't get at other hotel restaurants, which I love. A whole pot of coffee tops it off for perfection.

Tarah F.

I walk past this restaurant twice a day during the week as I take the ferry and work in Purdy's Wharf. Ever since the hotel renovations, I have been wanting to try this place, but with a 1/2 hour lunch it was not feesible. However, I recently took an extended lunch with two family members and we chose to give it a try. First impression is that it is very comfortable looking with the chairs and the overall layout. However it also feels a tad upscale (maybe because 90% of the people dining are in suits). We sat in a table towards the back area and I found the water glasses very odd. They look dirty, like really dirty, but apparently it is how they're made, with little tiny bubbles throughout the glss. The water is served in a large corked glass bottle and left at the table, which was convienient. Our server was friendly, but he seemed new because he was slow. It took a very long time for our orders to be taken. The menu itself doesn't really match the atmosphere, based on the options and the cheap prices. I opted for a safe turkey club, as did my brother, and my cousin got the lobster mac & cheese. The food came out relatively quick, and was very good. You cannot really go wrong with a club sandwhich, but the fries were seasoned well. My cousin loved her lobster mac & cheese and said it was the best she has had. And then we waited.... ...and waited. There was a lot of waiting. When our bill was eventually brought, we were given the wrong bill, which was for the table in front of us. So we waited some more. When our bills arrived, the server (who was different than our original server)did not advise what forms of payment they accept (no "we can take cash at the table, credit/debit up front" kind of deal). I was under the impression that they only accept credit based on how our receipts looked. So we all used credit and they take your card away and bring it back, which is a huge pet peeve of mine...chip cards have chips for a reason and someone could write down your card # and scam you later on. I understand that some diners are guests of the hotel and have the food charged to their rooms, but I would expect there would be a lot of outside diners as well. Anyways,I give the service 2 stars, and food 4 stars, overall being 3 stars. I would try it again and go for something less lunch-like as the prices are decent. If you are in a time crunch during lunch though, go somewhere else.

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Our family has frequented this restaurant many of times - for supper and brunch. Good food, good service.

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Dear Friend - Party Mix - Dear Friend style

Dear Friend

(8 reviews)

Downtown Dartmouth

Decided to check out one of the top bars in Canada in my hometown of Dartmouth. Downtown…read moreDartmouth had changed so much since growing up - it's now the cool place to eat and drink as opposed to somewhat sketchy in the past. Located mid way up Portland Street. Very cozy, intimate environment with an energetic crowd the night I went. Mostly bar seating although there are about 4-5 tables - the most you could probably seat are four people. Had a couple of cocktails - amazing. Food was mostly seafood and extremely fresh, prepared well and innovative - see pictures. Price was reasonable for food of this quality. Will definitely return. Tip - you should probably make reservations. There's a patio in the Summer as well

I'd been living in Dartmouth for a couple months before I finally made my first visit (cut me some…read moreslack, unpacking takes time!), with my wife and I stopping by after work on a Friday. I'd call it happy hour, but Dear Friend is too popular and upscale to bother offering a happy hour, so let's go with the Quebecois term, cinq à sept. I began my weekend wind-down with one of their house creations, All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down). It seemed fitting giving my age demographic, and it was one of the few specialty cocktails with whisk(e)y in it. With an ingredient list even longer than its irreverent title, it combines Jim Beam rye, Hennessey VS cognac, beef tallow (!!), cedar and bayberry leaf. After an impressive rundown from the bartender on the work that went into creating this drink, I thoroughly appreciated it's warmth and depth of flavour on a cool fall evening. The beef tallow made for a velvety smooth mouthfeel, without having globs of fat floating in the drink, and the cedar and bayberry added herbal undertones that contributed without overpowering. For some solid sustenance, we stuck to the bar bites section of the menu, although they do have bigger apps and full-size entrees. Marinated olives were an easy choice, while the falafels beckoned with their deep-fried crispness. To round out our trio, we had to go with the house Party Mix. The Party Mix came out first, and deviates from the classic chip mix by combining sweet and savoury, with caramel popcorn, spiced cashews and mini chocolate truffles. It was endlessly snackable, and great for having a drink at the bar over great conversation with your significant other. I'm not one for the standard black or green olives that come out of ungodly large food service containers, but I've been slowly warming up to higher tier olives, and Dear Friend's very generous bowl was a great bar snack, bordering on small meal. The dish that disappeared the quickest was the falafels. This was partially because they were so damn good and there waere four pieces, as opposed to the other two dishes. They came in finger-form, as opposed to the small pucks/balls that are more commonly seen, and the extra surface area allowed for an even crispier bite, while a delicious cashew tahini cream that lent to the familiar falafel flavour, but with a certain je ne sais quoi. That's right, French twice in one review - I'm fancy AF! Small bits of pickled cauliflower and a delicate layer of microgreens brought brighter flavours to play off the richer note of the falafel and tahini. It's now a local cliché to talk about how much downtown Dartmouth has changed over the past decade or so, and Dear Friend has been one of the standard bearers of that continued change these past few years with their thoughtfully crafted beverages and shareable bites.

Field Guide - Beef tartare

Field Guide

(43 reviews)

$$

North End

Hipster spot that has small plates and larger plates and great drinks. My whiskey sour was just how…read moreI like it--shaken a lot. I wasn't that hungry, so I got two bao buns. Holy moly was that mushroom bao bun delicious. An explosion of flavor. Husband's scallops were delicious as well.

All around AMAZING! Im quite particular about my food and drinks, and this place did a fantastic…read morejob of creating a summer fresh, delicious and creative menu (with great service). I had minor critiques, but overall was in love and would return and recommend to anyone. Food: We started with the bread and mussels. Best mussels we've ever had, as they were cooked perfectly (and fresh) and the broth was heaven. The bread pairing was perfect to soak up all the buttery broth goodness. Next was the Shrimp Bao. The bread was fluffy and light, and shrimp was at chilled room temperature, perfect for a summer day. A good flavour of celery in case you dislike that, but I'd still suggest you try it! Finally we had the Zucchini and Beef Tartare. Zucchini didn't wow, though still fresh and summer minty vibes. Beef Tartare...hands down best we've ever had. The Asian fusion incorporated was perfect. Closed it out with a Strawberry & Cream, which albeit simpler was well done. Drinks: Go for them all. Very creative and they can walk you through tasting notes perfectly. Milk Punch (method; not actually milk; recommend), Strawberry Basil Negroni (strongly recommend; not traditional negroni alcohol forward), Eucalyptus Sour (subtle, calm and collected; recommend), Corn Star (be adventurous, as the chipotle is super subtle; worth the risk; recommend), Vesper (again, not alcohol forward; recommend). Atmosphere: Cozy and charming, yet the accents are vibrant and energizing. Indoor volume is medium, and great for a family, cocktail, date or a "i want a nice drink/bite" any day of the week.

Side Hustle - Mac fries again!

Side Hustle

(5 reviews)

Downtown Dartmouth

One of the hipster restaurants in downtown Dartmouth on Portland Street. Huge interior with plenty…read moreof table and bar seating. Wasn't terribly busy the Saturday night I went - probably because between Christmas and New Years. Tried a variety of appetizers and shareable. The chicharron and Brussels sprouts were stars. The Mac fries weren't bad. Had the Hustle Fried Ride with pork belly. Beautifully presented with good flavour - rice was a bit saucier than I would have liked. Great service, nice ambience. Will go back to try their Sunday brunch!!!

Feb 7 & Apr 18…read more Side Hustle's move to downtown Dartmouth from their original location in Cole Harbour was only just before my wife and I moved back to Nova Scotia. So unlike many places that opened during our exile in Ottawa, when we tried it out, it still felt like we were getting in on the ground floor, rather than playing catch-up to an established local favourite. The interior is sleek and modern, with warm tones of wood contrasting against a very black and white colour palette, and the pops of verdant green from the many plants are a literal breath of fresh air. Like many of its contemporaries, the menu at Side Hustle is casual but chef-ed up - a smash burger and fried chicken are approachable items, while a good chunk of the rest of the menu is either overtly Asian, or gets a dash of Asian ingredients - beef udon, fried rice and chicken wings with a fish sauce caramel, garlic and Thai chilis. The drink list has a little bit of something for everyone, but not so much that you're going to get analysis paralysis. There's several local beers and ciders on tap, plus some cans, specialty cocktails, and an assortment of local and imported wines, as well as an impressive selection of non-alcoholic drinks and NA cocktails too. Everything sounded so good, we decided to go with a handful of smaller dishes - dumplings, cucumber salad, Brussels sprouts and the Mac fries. The dumplings stayed with the classic ingredients of pork and chives. The meat was tender and juicy, with supple and pliable wrappers. A pleasant mix of lightly tangy black vinegar with the heat of chili oil added layers of flavour to the already delicious dumplings. The Brussels sprouts weren't a big serving for the price tag, but they packed in *tons* of flavour and textures with crispy shallots, mint, a smattering of Thai chilis (you don't need a lot!), and their "funk sauce". It was a little funky, a little fruity, and it did take away the crispness of the charred sprouts, but it definitely tasted good! The cucumber was a surprise hit - your taste buds get livened up with crispy shallots, chili oil, and maple tahini, while getting bursts of freshness from the bites of cuke. If I recall correctly, the Mac fries have been a mainstay of Side Hustle's menu since before their days in downtown Dartmouth, and they absolutely deliver! It's got a couple chopped up smashburger patties, cheese, special sauce that you'll get sued for if you give it a certain name, onions, pickles and good ol' shreduce. All of this was heaped on top of incredible, hand-cut fries that somehow stayed crisp to the last fry. It's a decadent dish that's shareable, but that doesn't mean you have to! On a return visit on a bustling Friday evening, we stuck to portions that were better suited to two people, although the veg was a bit more scarce this time around. I opted for the beef udon noodles, while my wife tried to resist the temptation, but succumbed to the Mac fries again. The composition of the beef udon came together fantastically. The shredded beef had the warmth of its five spice seasoning paired with a subtle but noticeable tingle of Sichuan peppercorns, some heat from chili oil, crunch and a mild funk from pickled daikon, and the thick, slurp-able udon noodles that got wonderfully coated in the aforementioned ingredients, as well as a savoury sesame sauce. Some bok choy and green onion kept this from being solely meat and carbs, but we know who the stars of this dish were. The Mac fries were once again familiar perfection, and really are much better than their namesake inspiration, as they're cooked with much more skill and don't make you feel gross afterward. Side Hustle is quickly becoming a go-to spot for us for quality casual food, and it's one of the many reasons we're loving our new Dartmouth digs.

The Drawing Room - Love coming here. It's classy, dim & cozy. Feeling nostalgic? This is your spot. Instantly step into the 1920s,with 2015 prices.

The Drawing Room

(22 reviews)

$$$

South End

The Drawing Room has become almost a regular piece of conversation and an assumed destination for…read moreme lately, thanks to the discovery of this secret bar on Yelp a month ago. Not yet is known about the upstairs-from-the-Henry-House bar yet other than it's wonderful decor and fancy drink menu. This isn't a beer-drinking spot, folks. This is where you go to feel important, share some drinks with a few friends and enjoy a couple hours of elegancy without feeling out of place. The Drawing Room has a timeless feel to it. You could be having a flashback to any period over the last hundred years and know that no matter what year you're in, you're enjoying it like royalty. The drink menu offers martinis, wines, and drinks of all sorts. I ordered a Burie'd Mojito, which was white rum, an assortment of berry juices and mint leaves. It was fantastic! My second drink was a vodka-based green lime drink that was just as delicious. Mind you, the drinks are $10+ so unless your wallet is loaded, don't come here to join it. Of course, the Drawing Room isn't the type of environment to get drunk but the drinks are made strong so be wary of your perception because you may be surprised once you stand up.

This place really is as good as it gets. You walk into the Henry House and there are no signs to…read morelead you in the direction of this hidden upstair gem. Either go through the front door and keep going up or walk through the main dining room and go to the left to the staircase and go to the top and you are there. The room is dark, atmospheric and filled with exposed beams, dark leather chairs, a cozy fireplace and a menu inspired by different time periods. The bar staff is friendly and know their drinks. My favourite is a Negroni, a delicious blend of campari, gin and vermouth. A perfect place for a date night or a few drinks with some close friends.

Toridori

Toridori

(5 reviews)

Waterfront

Located amongst the swath of restaurants at the Queen's Marque, the intriguing pan-Asian offerings…read moreat Tori Dori (including a surprising handful of gluten-free dishes) caught my eye for a pre-concert dinner with friends. It's a moderately-sized space, certainly smaller than many of its Freehand Hospitality peers at Queens Marque, but the closer, almost communal seating allows for a good number of people to dine here. The decor is quite reserved, with the ceiling actually being the show piece, as the layers of boards giving a scaled effect and a gradient of charring lending a really cool (hot?) look to the space. The menu is comprised of fancied-up twists on familiar cuisines from across East Asia, with dishes giving nods or deeply tied to countries like Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, and China to just name a few. Some of their smaller dishes were catching my eye, so I ordered the chicken and black garlic dumplings, and the mango salad, while my wife got the pho with spent hen broth. Ever since I first tried one, I've been a big fan of mango salads. The mix of flavours, colours and textures is top tier, and all in one, easily-chopsticked salad! Tori Dori's doesn't stray far from the template, with julienned mango, carrot and red onion that got a mix of heat, freshness, and savoury sweetness from chilis, mint, cilantro and a tamarind sauce. Anything with black garlic in it is bound to get me to order it, and while that unique preparation of garlic didn't feature as prominently on my taste buds as I would have liked, it did lend to a more savoury depth than chicken dumplings usually have. The tender and pleasantly toothsome wrappers held up well to their soy and vinegar dressing. The pho had a slightly more subtle broth than the beef ones that tend to be more common, but it was just as aromatic and satisfying as a good pho should be. Tender slices of chicken breast accompanied the typical pho accoutrements. The understated Tori Dori avoids the Instagram-bait vibe of some of its siblings, and delivers flavourful East Asian dishes with splashes of contemporary flair.

I came in feeling under the weather and craving something hot and spicy to fix me up--this place…read moredelivered. The chicken pho was excellent: flavorful, comforting, and exactly what I needed. I asked for extra red chilies and soon found myself sweating, tearing up, and convinced that all this spice was curing my itchy throat. I was the only one in the restaurant at the time, so I hope nobody caught me blowing my nose and sweating it out at my little table--but honestly, I was in the zone, healing myself with every bite. Service was very attentive, and the staff were genuinely kind. The space itself is beautiful, modern, and welcoming. I'd absolutely recommend this spot if you're looking for great Asian food along the waterfront.

Harbourstone - seafood - Updated May 2026

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