Vines Pasta Grill is an elegant, inviting, and delicious Italian restaurant located in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. Owned and operated by Tina and Hans Gerstenecker, the heart and soul of Vines, our restaurant has become Cole Harbour's best-kept secret owing to our succulent sauces, superb service, and delectable desserts!
Come and see why Vines has become a fixture in the Dartmouth & Cole Harbour dining scenes! And if you're looking for a quick fix, be sure to stop in to our Take Out service area located at the front of the restaurant building. Please note that our buffet is closed until further notice due to the ongoing pandemic.
Come and see why Vines has become a fixture in the Dartmouth & Cole Harbour dining scenes! And if you're looking for a quick fix, be sure to stop in to our Take Out service area located at the front of the restaurant building. Please note that our buffet is closed until further notice due to the ongoing pandemic.
Reviews (29)
Rodrigo Christie
Jan 30, 2022
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Heather Mizzi
Nov 27, 2021
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Jeremy Godfrey
Oct 03, 2021
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Sue White
Sep 29, 2021
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Colin Meredith
Sep 26, 2021
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Natasha Munroe
Sep 11, 2021
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Jono C.
Jun 25, 2021
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Have always loved it here, from dine in to take out. Vines has looked after us for years. Awesome food choice, quality and portion. Their known for their dinners, but they have amazing breakfasts as well. How about this? Stop reading my review and order something for yourself. You'll be glad you did.
Marie M.
Apr 13, 2021
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Don't go unless you've made a reservation.
I love pasta. I love GOOD pasta. This place definitely has decent pasta, but it's nothing to write home about. I'm not sure why people are so obsessed with it as I have had much better pasta at much cheaper and nicer places in HRM.
It's very dark inside, the tables are wobbly, and the seats are uncomfortable. The prices are high for the quality you get, and the portion sizes are average. It seems to be trying too hard to be a fancy restaurant, but is failing in my opinion.
I've been a few times now, mostly for birthdays
I love pasta. I love GOOD pasta. This place definitely has decent pasta, but it's nothing to write home about. I'm not sure why people are so obsessed with it as I have had much better pasta at much cheaper and nicer places in HRM.
It's very dark inside, the tables are wobbly, and the seats are uncomfortable. The prices are high for the quality you get, and the portion sizes are average. It seems to be trying too hard to be a fancy restaurant, but is failing in my opinion.
I've been a few times now, mostly for birthdays
Kaity L.
Apr 04, 2021
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Really sucks when you leave a restaurant feeling ripped off. I DEEPLY regret the time and money I spent on this dining experience.
It was our first time at Vines, we came because I saw their Easter brunch advertised on Instagram. I expected them to wow me with their brunch dishes but the food was unimpressive. I can easily make a better egg frittata and eggs benedict at home, 100%.
The food wasn't the worst part though. Their service was ter-ri-ble. Our reservation was for 1pm and we were on time. We did not order drinks or apps, yet we were only served after 1:30. (And there were many
It was our first time at Vines, we came because I saw their Easter brunch advertised on Instagram. I expected them to wow me with their brunch dishes but the food was unimpressive. I can easily make a better egg frittata and eggs benedict at home, 100%.
The food wasn't the worst part though. Their service was ter-ri-ble. Our reservation was for 1pm and we were on time. We did not order drinks or apps, yet we were only served after 1:30. (And there were many
Paula Fredericks
Nov 16, 2019
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Dan B.
Oct 27, 2019
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Vines was on par.
Service was good.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Low ceiling. Lighting is on point. Music at perfect volume.
Caeser salad was good.
Soup of the day looked good. Others in our party liked it.
Main course, spaghetti with meatballs, was lacking. Meatballs were too dry. Big portion. However, once again, lacking in quality. As an amateur home cook, I can make better spaghetti +meatballs at home.
Overall, decent experience. Would go back to try other dishes. Having said that, there are better options for pasta.
Service was good.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Low ceiling. Lighting is on point. Music at perfect volume.
Caeser salad was good.
Soup of the day looked good. Others in our party liked it.
Main course, spaghetti with meatballs, was lacking. Meatballs were too dry. Big portion. However, once again, lacking in quality. As an amateur home cook, I can make better spaghetti +meatballs at home.
Overall, decent experience. Would go back to try other dishes. Having said that, there are better options for pasta.
Joy M.
Oct 13, 2019
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This is one of my cousins go to places for pasta. She loves it and I was excited to try it. Made a reservation, which apparently, is a must. But despite how busy it was, the service was prompt and kinda fun. I'm pretty sure our waiter wants his next stop to be Broadway.
Ordered the daily soup which was curry carrot with honey. It was excellent. Hot and creamy with a touch of sweetness.
My cousin ordered the Caesar salad, her favorite. I tried it, I'm afraid I didn't find anything exciting about it. I much prefer a heavy creamy Caesar salad. This was light and garlicky.
Our mains
Ordered the daily soup which was curry carrot with honey. It was excellent. Hot and creamy with a touch of sweetness.
My cousin ordered the Caesar salad, her favorite. I tried it, I'm afraid I didn't find anything exciting about it. I much prefer a heavy creamy Caesar salad. This was light and garlicky.
Our mains
Cyn B.
Sep 24, 2019
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Rob B.
Jul 26, 2019
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Susan C.
Jul 21, 2019
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My guy and I wanted Italian food one evening so we wondered into The Vines and we absolutely love it !
We are regulars and always ask for Emily to serve us.
She is so knowledgeable and friendly and just plain sweet that we ask to sit in her section every time we go which is often !!
The bread, caesar salad pasta and well...everything weve ordered has been perfect!
Thank you to The Vines for all the great food and service. You are now" our place"
Susan and Lorne.
We are regulars and always ask for Emily to serve us.
She is so knowledgeable and friendly and just plain sweet that we ask to sit in her section every time we go which is often !!
The bread, caesar salad pasta and well...everything weve ordered has been perfect!
Thank you to The Vines for all the great food and service. You are now" our place"
Susan and Lorne.
Sabrina L.
Nov 20, 2018
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Ordered the lasagna with a side house salad and my friend ordered the tagliatelle with chicken and mushroom but changed his noodles to penne. (For takeout)
Both pastas were great. However, the beets in my house salad had gonna bad... As if they were sitting out of the fridge too long and put back. (Which is why I have a 3 star)
Last time I had takeout here, I had 0 complaints. The only thing I would have suggested it to just to have more butter in the takeout bags as the rolls are pretty big!
Both pastas were great. However, the beets in my house salad had gonna bad... As if they were sitting out of the fridge too long and put back. (Which is why I have a 3 star)
Last time I had takeout here, I had 0 complaints. The only thing I would have suggested it to just to have more butter in the takeout bags as the rolls are pretty big!
Kevin S.
Aug 14, 2018
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G. O.
Aug 08, 2018
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Leah H.
Jul 23, 2018
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Tyler B.
Jun 28, 2018
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Every time my wife and I dine at Vines Pasta Grill--and I mean each and every single time--we ask each other why we don't go more often. We have gone to Vines about once per year every year since we moved to Cole Harbour about a decade ago. It was a wonderful surprise then, and it continues to be a fantastic place for a nice meal today.
We still ask each other why we don't consider Vines right away when we want to go for a fine dining experience, because we should. Okay, it's not downtown, and that's where people think of when they go to a nice restaurant, and it's not
We still ask each other why we don't consider Vines right away when we want to go for a fine dining experience, because we should. Okay, it's not downtown, and that's where people think of when they go to a nice restaurant, and it's not
Evan A.
Apr 29, 2018
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Me and my girlfriend went there and had an amazing meal! Rice balls were delicious, followed by their famous caesar salad, and we both had our own pasta dishes. We were both stuffed and couldn't finish our main meals so we got them packed up.. next morning we were trying to dig in, and I came across a meal that wasn't mine(people make mistakes, it was busy and must have got mixed up), so I called in (during their brunch hours when they don't cook pasta) and they cooked up fresh entree for me as well as a massive Caesar salad AND a box of fresh desserts free of charge! I'm happy
Chris H.
Aug 31, 2017
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Pasta is in the name but they do so much more. With a wait staff that is as friendly and knowledgeable as any restaurant in the city. A select menu both food and drink that allows them to perfect each dish and on the last Thursday of each month do a tasters menu of delights no normally found on the menu. If I could I would give this place double the 5 stars.
James C.
Mar 16, 2017
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Donna M.
Nov 23, 2016
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I was a customer way back in 2001 when you first opened, cant even remember if it was good but I thought if they are still open must be good
you restaurant was dark and cold so cold I held my hands over your candles
your waitiress told me your meatballs were not good ..I thought and Italian menu and cant do good meatballs but I went for it anyway..with a meatball in I couldn't stay in your cold restaurant so I order the rest of my dinner as a take out..oh and I have an allergy to cheese which was not told it was on my plate as it arrived 40 minutes after I arrived and waited 25 minutes to
you restaurant was dark and cold so cold I held my hands over your candles
your waitiress told me your meatballs were not good ..I thought and Italian menu and cant do good meatballs but I went for it anyway..with a meatball in I couldn't stay in your cold restaurant so I order the rest of my dinner as a take out..oh and I have an allergy to cheese which was not told it was on my plate as it arrived 40 minutes after I arrived and waited 25 minutes to
Shawn L.
Feb 03, 2016
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We went here for my fiances Christmas staff party I was super excited as I always love fresh pasta that why I was so sad when my dinner came and the pasta was overcooked try getting your servers attention when she is serving 30 other people the dessert was ok we had some kind of chocolate cake not too sure what it was the best part of the night was my bottle of red wine I just don't think I would recommend this place to anyone it's too bad because I really wanted to like it
James M.
Apr 16, 2015
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This was my first experience at the vines. I went with my girlfriend on a Wednesday night at 8pm. It was a happening little spot. . Parking is a little to be desired... But it works.
We were seated menus in hand. We both started with the award winning ceasar salad. I had the large, she had the small. I loved it. The large was enough on its on as a meal... HUGE!
for my main I had the currie chicken vegetable penne and my gf had the manicotti.. She loved hers. Mine was good. . The sauce was a little dark and watery and not a huge Curry flavor to it. I thibk I'll let the Indian restaurants
We were seated menus in hand. We both started with the award winning ceasar salad. I had the large, she had the small. I loved it. The large was enough on its on as a meal... HUGE!
for my main I had the currie chicken vegetable penne and my gf had the manicotti.. She loved hers. Mine was good. . The sauce was a little dark and watery and not a huge Curry flavor to it. I thibk I'll let the Indian restaurants
Celine F.
Jan 09, 2014
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I'll admit, until last night, I hadn't even heard or known of this place. My boyfriend had planned a date for us, made reservations and I love trying out new places (especially pasta!!) so I was hopeful. The parking is only slightly confusing at first; you enter on the right side and exit on the left. I was reading some reviews prior to my experience and a lot of people have said parking is limited. Which, ya it kinda is, but I feel that's more the customers fault and not necessarily the restaurant's. Honestly, my boyfriend and I found a place right away but noticed that a lot
Ellen B.
Jun 17, 2013
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Last update, I swear!
We made another trip out to Vines ... and it was fabulous. Incidentally, they have new chairs, new linens and new staff so it was an extra-great experience. Food was excellent and we had a new server named Kevin, who was probably the most personable and charming server we've ever had. Vines is definitely back on our go-to list of restos in Dartmouth!
We made another trip out to Vines ... and it was fabulous. Incidentally, they have new chairs, new linens and new staff so it was an extra-great experience. Food was excellent and we had a new server named Kevin, who was probably the most personable and charming server we've ever had. Vines is definitely back on our go-to list of restos in Dartmouth!
Krista L.
Sep 22, 2009
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Perhaps one of my favorite restaurants in Dartmouth, Vines offers a cozy and intimate environment and a scrumptious menu selection. Specializing in pasta (with their own special Pasta Menu), other restaurant favorites include lasagna, beef tenderloin, and the grilled-veggie pizza.
Vines is the perfect place to go for a date or a special occasion. While their prices may seem a little cher, you certainly get what you pay for.
Vines is the perfect place to go for a date or a special occasion. While their prices may seem a little cher, you certainly get what you pay for.
