EAT
A pioneer of HRM's gourmet burger scene, Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie opened five years ago and has changed the way Metro looks at burgers. Bill Pratt's shops offer a wide variety of burger combinations, including The Legendary CC Porker: A double-patty burger with bacon, cheese curds, fried onion ring and CC sauce.
A native of Dartmouth, Pratt chose to open Cheese Curds where he calls home, because the community craves something more than processed food. For that reason the staff at Cheese Curds prefers to cook their burgers fresh in front of you, and dress them exactly how you want it!
Visit Cheese Curds in Woodside at 380 Pleasant Street, and in Burnside at 600 Windmill Road
It's been nearly four years since Humble Pie Kitchen began teaching Dartmouth—and HRM—about what a meat pie really tastes like. Mike Noakes, a native New Zealander now transplanted to Dartmouth, has brought traditional New Zealand pies into regular Nova Scotian conversations when looking for the perfect snack.
They began at the Alderney Landing Farmers' Market, and opened their own shop in May 2015. These aren't big hearty meals that you have to sit down for, like the classic frozen pot pies many of us are accustomed to. A Humble Pie is something you can eat on the run, as each pie has a thicker sauce and is loaded with meat. All that's left after are a couple of crumbs and a happy stomach.
Try the classics—steak, chicken or mince and cheese—or have a gourmet pie: Chicken, cranberry and brie; pepper steak; donair pie or even seafood chowder. The possibilities are deliciously endless!
Get a taste of Humble Pie at 77 King Street
After firmly entrenching itself as one of Dartmouth's favourite muster stations, Battery Park Beerbar & Eatery is expanding its service even more. After the recent daytime success during Halifax Burger Week, George and Leo Christakos have decided that Battery Park will now offer lunchtime service.
Bringing their popular Ace Burger into the fold, there will be both table service and a takeout counter available, much like the Halifax location within Gus' Pub—with plenty of food-friendly beers ready to pair with. Even more exciting is that Battery Park is now open seven days a week, so you can satisfy your cravings regardless of what day it is.
Recharge at Battery Park, 62 Ochterloney Street
A classic Irish pub, Celtic Corner is celebrating 12 years as a member of the downtown Dartmouth community. Still going strong as one of Dartmouth's most popular gathering places, Celtic Corner—like its customers—meets, greets and breathes Dartmouth!
Whether it's a momentous occasion such as a wedding, or just a social night out, a trip to Celtic Corner is sure to involve trivia, great tunes and tall tales. Join them every Sunday for Fiddles & Fish (2-for-1 pan-fried haddock), and keep your eyes peeled for massive events happening this summer, including Canada Day weekend!
Turn into the Corner at 69 Alderney Drive
There's no preconception for what a night at Staggers Pub & Grub entails, other than good food, great fun and a true neighbourhood feeling. Whether you're a student, working professional, retired or somewhere in between, you're welcomed at Staggers. And it won't take long to become part of the family.
With live entertainment seven days a week—whether it's karaoke and half-priced appetizers, trivia night, games night, live music or open mic—there's always a reason to say hello to familiar faces at Staggers.
Opened in November 2013, Staggers also loves being part of the Dartmouth community. Between hosting fundraisers, providing meeting space for non-profit groups and events and helping volunteer time (such as delivering Christmas meals in partnership with the Rotary Club), Staggers truly embodies what it means to be a community member in Dartmouth.
March right in to Staggers at 26 Portland Street
A cornerstone of the Burnside area, Parkside Pub and Smokehouse has spent 18 years providing Dartmouth with incredible food and a lively atmosphere. Parkside also boasts fantastic service (including many staff that have been involved since day one) that owner Dan Latter attributes as the backbone of the pub's success.
Behind Latter's three decades of restaurant and bar experience, Parkside Pub has weekly entertainment, screens to watch the biggest sporting events, plus they play host to numerous community fundraisers—a testament to Latter's desire to give back to the community as much as they receive.
Offering weekend brunch and fantastic lunch specials, Parkside Pub also doubles as a smokehouse. Using smokers brought in from Tennessee, the pub smokes their own delicious pulled pork, chicken and ribs.
Park yourself at Parkside at 14 Highfield Park Drive
Designed to be a relaxing and regenerative experience, Seventy3 Canadian Fusion restaurant is a place where you don't hear the kitchen, or the loud chatter of a local pub. The food, like the atmosphere, is warm, comforting, calm and casual—but it also offers something a little more than what you would expect. Armed with a new panini menu (available at lunch from Tuesday to Friday), come see why Dartmouth has warmly embraced Seventy3. Or spend your evening with a relaxing drink on their deck, enjoy some smooth piano music and indulge in a meal, or even a snack. Calamari anyone?
Catch Seventy3 at 73 Alderney Drive
A taste of Italy right in downtown Dartmouth, Il Trullo is primed for another incredible summer! The patio has been revamped, making it even easier to enjoy a glass of wine and an authentic Southern Italian meal, while taking in the sounds and atmosphere that come with dining right on the water.
Il Trullo's menu is always evolving, and right now promotes local and sustainable food: Ocean Wise sustainably caught seafood, meats from local butchers and herbs grown right here in Nova Scotia. Experience the flavours of Il Trullo for yourself, especially their sustainable salmon, cured in-house with orange (winner of first place, cold plates at the Savour Food and Wine Festival) and their chocolate ravioli (second place, desserts).
Be transported by Il Trullo at 102-67 King's Wharf Place
LIVE
Better described as an urban village, downtown Dartmouth has the best of both worlds—unique shops and restaurants that garner national (and international attention), yet still retaining the cozy, walkable friendliness that is a calling card of Nova Scotia.
The Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission plays a big part in that, whether it's promoting new shops in the area (such as The Canteen, which recently moved to Portland Street), or hosting a wide range of events, including the May Food Crawl, Dog Days of Dartmouth, Switch Dartmouth and the first-ever Picnic in the Park (all set to happen early this summer).
The DDBC continuously strives to add even more attractions to the area, and with each and every new face—local or visitor—they come across, it's clear their efforts are working for the better.
Drop in on the DDBC at 163 Portland Street
King's Wharf continues to elevate what it means to have waterfront living, as now not only do you live in ultra-comfort on Halifax Harbour, you're going to eat even better as well! La Marche at King's Wharf recently launched its own brand of luxury olive oils and vinegars, along with hand-crafted olive soaps, olives imported direct from Lebanon and local jams and preserves.
Add in soups to-go from Satisfaction Feast and incredible breads from Stone Hearth Bakery and Boulangerie La Vendéenne, and you have the perfect setup for a picnic on Georges Island...which will be accessible via the King's Wharf Water Taxi beginning in May.
Make yourself at home at King's Wharf, 50 Kings Wharf Place
SHOP
The embodiment of the phrase "strength in numbers," B'Y LOCAL is a marketing co-op between 12 businesses in the downtown Dartmouth area. Providing news and information, as well as runnings events, B'Y LOCAL not only supports the businesses that make up the coalition, but works hard to support the entire neighbourhood as a whole.
Driven from a desire to create an accessible resource for the community to stay informed on what's happening in Dartmouth, B'Y LOCAL will officially be launching in May with pop-ups, workshops and much more to show off everything Dartmouth has to offer.
You walk through the door, and feel a warm, welcoming energy envelope you. The fast-paced, non-stop stress of everyday life suddenly halts, as you've seemingly escaped to a calm serenity, where relaxation is of the utmost importance. Welcome to Interlude Spa Dartmouth.
Family owned for 41 years, Interlude Spa creates an atmosphere where you disconnect from your daily tasks, and connect to what's most important—your personal well-being. Interlude offers more than 50 services, ranging from Registered Massage Therapy to fitness and pilates classes, as well as their hair salon (which offers custom cuts, creative colours and specialty finishes) plus half- and full-day spa packages.
By sponsoring many local groups and sports organizations, Interlude is more than just a destination, Interlude is a part of the Dartmouth community. Interlude is home.
Find your way home to Interlude at 58 Ochterloney Street
