About The Canteen

Chef Renee Lavallee's seasonal dining room at 22 Portland Street in Dartmouth, a block from the ferry terminal, applying French and Italian technique to Nova Scotia ingredients.

Features & Highlights

🍽️ Dartmouth

Detailed Information

At 22 Portland Street, a block from the Dartmouth ferry terminal, The Canteen draws diners from across the harbour — many of them Halifax residents who ride the ferry over specifically to eat here. The kitchen belongs to Chef Renee Lavallee, a Top Chef Canada alum and three-time local "Best Chef" winner, whose seasonal menu fuses classic French and Italian technique with Nova Scotian ingredients. Reviewers regularly call it "your best eating experience ever," and the room backs that up with the smell of fresh-baked bread and carrot cake the moment you walk in.

The room matches the cooking: polished but relaxed, with the day's bake on display and a patio that catches the afternoon sun. Lunch leans on the house bread and the lobster rolls that made the place famous; dinner stretches into the French- and Italian-inflected cooking Lavallee is known for. It is Dartmouth's most dependable special-occasion room and the standard answer to 'where should we eat before the ferry.'

Practical Information

Address & Contact:
The Canteen is located at 22 Portland Street in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth. You can reach them at (902) 425-9272 or visit their website, www.thecanteen.ca, for more information.

Operating Hours:
Plan your visit accordingly, as the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

  • Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Lunch: Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
  • Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Friday & Saturday: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Reservations & Pricing:
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made via OpenTable, where The Canteen holds an impressive 4.8-star rating. Walk-ins are welcome but should expect potential wait times during peak periods, especially for weekend brunch and Friday/Saturday dinners. The restaurant offers an affordable, quality dining experience with most menu items priced under CAN$30.

Essentials to Know:

  • Cuisine: Chef Renee Lavallee's menu features seasonal, chef-inspired fare blending classic French, Italian, and traditional Nova Scotian influences.
  • Atmosphere: The vibe is casual yet stylish and approachable.
  • Additional Features: Takeout is available by phone, and the restaurant offers a patio, gluten-free options, and is kid-friendly. Payment is accepted by AMEX, Mastercard, and Visa. Street parking is available.

The Canteen makes the ferry part of the plan rather than the obstacle. The bread comes out of the oven all day, the lobster roll sets the standard other Dartmouth kitchens chase, and the menu keeps moving with the seasons. Around holidays and weekend brunch, reservations go fast — book ahead.