As soon as we arrived to Halifax, we called them. They would close in less than 30 minutes and we had to drive from Halifax to Darmouth. The girl on the phone said we had plenty of time. One of our friends had recommended this place as "lots of seafood and not expensive at all"...seafood is my middle name!! We got there and hesitated with the menu...ended up ordering a seafood platter, a combo w calamari and haddock tips an digby scallops...3 plates!! We told the girl on the window (I wish I could remember her name) that a friend had recommended the place, we were from Ontario and loved seafood and had also read reviews saying this was a must place when in Halifax!!! She was funny and said we would not regret and joked with the other staff, adding she would throw "something else" in one of our plates. We sat outside in a kind of tent they have and a lady approached us and started a nice friendly conversation, said she has been going there for many years now. When we got our food we were shocked! So much food and sooooo tasty!!! I thought it was too much but we ate it all except the fries. We could not find room. Best part of the story is the server gave my husband 2 hats...one for him and one to take to the friend who had recommended the place. Hands down best food, best service and better yet...awesome people!!! We will be back...save me some scallops!!

John's Lunch came highly recommended and definitely lived up to expectations. The location is great with ferry and bus access at Woodside and easily accessible regardless of where you're coming from. The service was prompt and really friendly. They know they're good but they are humble about it, and this is probably what makes them the best. The haddock was probably the best I've ever had and the rice pudding was great, too. I will definitely return in the future and I think you should too.

Haddock tips were AMAZING, lightly dusted, fries were good, portion was great! Very satisfied customer!

Finally got back there this weekend. And didn't I really miss their Haddock Tips, Wow! It is takeout only, currently oh, but they have a gazebo style enclosure beside the restaurant, with your hot fresh order coming out a side window as they call your name when your order is completed. Then sit down and enjoy the best there is!

Amazing seafood! Definitely recovering this restaurant iconic. Every community has that amazing restaurant that has lasted for many, many decades. John's lunch is that place. Testimonials on the wall and printed on the place mats. Very large servings, very good quality. My go-to items are the scallops, fried clams and haddock fish and chips.

Had a great experience visiting them over the weekend. Its a nice little food shop with varieties of items. We ordered fish and chips and the fish provided was very crispy and juicy, and the amount of chips provided with it was more than we ever expected. Will definitely be visiting again.

I went into this with high hopes. I was excited to try the fish and chips as they’re “the best around”. The staff were extremely friendly and it seemed like a very small town local spot. The coleslaw was very good, 5/5. But unfortunately that’s we’re the good reviews end. The fish and chips were visually appealing but under the nice crisp was a layer of gooey dough and overly greasy fish. I suspect they are par-cooked before being served. The fries were very clearly frozen before as they had no potato flesh. Just a crust. Overly crispy and no substance to them. It’s a shame since they have such high ratings overall. That being said, the meal was $15 all in and the food came out extremely fast and hot. I don’t think I’ll be back.

Friendly service. I'm so happy I got my lunch before the rush. I ordered the seafood platter. The scallops are AMAZING. Also the way they call your name for your order took me back to childhood.

Went here when we travelled from Toronto to Halifax. Best fish and chips I'd ever eaten! Took out two medium fish and chip. Each set has two very large pieces of fish, lots of fries. Fish is very lightly battered, perfectly seasoned. One piece of fish and half of the fries are more than enough for a lady.

Absolutely horrible. No wonder the haddock tips were on a special (extra 25% off) no one wanted them. Grey dried up rubber and served with horrible frozen fries that were overcooked. I thought that a side gravy would help, nope not at all....had to add 3 salt, 2 pepper and some hot sauce to make it somewhat tolerablish. Someone else had the platter, 3/4 of it was completely overcooked as well. Never going again

Good food, gravy is terrible I'm not sure if they use nutmeg or Cinnamon but it is the most disgusting gravy. Dirty cups, dirty forks. Great service, very friendly, They need to change there gravy I can't stress that enough. Pleasant street uses the same recipe I think it's absolutely terrible. I come from a family of Cooks so I know good gravy. Fast service , food was nice and fresh, hot.

Excellent fish. Thin batter and generous cuts of fish. Asked for extra crispy chips - they were perfect. Coleslaw is made in house and nice and tangy. Service is fast and friendly. Johns is closing on Oct 31 so go there. Now.

Always has been and continues to offer amazing service and food. Window order and enjoy a heated deck while you wait or in the summer months a little shade. The portions are amazing and their fish is to die for. Larger than your hand and no holding back you won't be hungry after you eat here

Clams were good but expensive. We ordered a large shareable order of clams. There was enough fries for 4 people to share. Should of got clams only might of been cheaper.

Myself and sister went for dinner I had the 2 piece fish and chips which was delicious, each fish was a great portion and the batter was crispy , some of the best fish I have had . The fries were very good as well. My sister had clams and a poutine . The clams were great as well I had to try them and the poutine , the poutine had lots of cheese and gravy, the gravy had a bit of spice flavor to it reminds me of a slight cinnamon taste , was not fan of it but would not have stopped me from eating it . Will definitely be back to try other items next time I'm in the area

The best place to get a literally-award-winning fish and chips—period. Humungous portion and worth the visit! 💯 Quick service and the lady at the front counter Cathy was superrrr friendly. Indoor seating is currently closed but there are picnic tables by the side of the restaurant with a decent lunch-preferred atmosphere to sit in. If you have never visited John's Lunch, well, you're missing out on one of the best fish and chips in town!

Food was served fast and freshly made. Service was attentive and friendly. The fried whole clams meal is what brings me back to visit again and again. Cannot say enough about the cleanliness of the diner. And the amazing deliciousness of the food!

Our first lunch in Nova Scotia and it was delicious. Simple and unpretentious fish and chips. The portions were very generous and quick service. The only thing that can make it better was the fries. It’s the frozen cheap fries. If these were home fries, this would be the best I’ve ever had. At $17.50 for 3 pcs, we shared it between the 2 of us and was stuffed. Don’t forget about the vinegar based coleslaw as it was needed to break up the fried taste. Highly recommend this place. We tried to go back again but it was closed on our last day in town.

The old 60s vibe with amazing Fish and Chip! I have travelled sooo many countries and always had Fish and chip but nothing compared to this place also try their coleslaw! Their batter is made with beer! It's a family owned business, and the current owner, Rene (may be not correct), was there serving her customers and making sure they leave happy! Very polite, friendly staff. They have indoor and outdoor cute setup! This place is in Dartmouth 20 mins from Halifax City.. worth the visit if you are in Halifax or in Nova Scotia. They have a wall tiped with different currencies. I didn't have a note, so I gave them UAE coin 1 dhiram, and the owner immediately taped it on the wall with other currencies felt sooo special. Forgot to take a pic. If anyone visits this location, please take a pic and send it to me.

I so very disappointed in this visit. I have been coming here my whole life and have never been this disappointed. 1st of no ice. It’s 37• in there and there is at least 87 flies your fighting off to eat your food. Next I order a cheese burger with fries and xtra gravy. Because your gravy is to DIE for. But the gravy came and the color was different it was spicey and light in color. It was so terrible I could not eat it. Then I went to get pepper and the shaker had tape on it ?! Like why? This place had pride. Above everything and everyone else. The whole experience,crooked fork I had to straighten out before I could use it ,to spicy wrong gravey to no napkins and having to ask the server to bring extra napkins.

So glad I got to come here less than a week before it closed forever. I had never visited Dartmouth before - this was my first time in Nova Scotia even - and I knew that this place would be right up my alley. Had a box of haddock tips, fries, slaw and they were all excellent. If you're reading this before October 31st, 2023, you should get down there and get yourself something.