Black Dog Tavern

Gastropub · Kingston

Black Dog Tavern

Gastropub · Kingston
69 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 1R8, Canada

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Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null
Black Dog Tavern by null

Highlights

Nestled in the heart of Kingston, the Black Dog Tavern offers a delightful twist on French cuisine in a cozy, brick-lined setting, featuring a charming patio and an inviting ambiance perfect for brunch or date night.  

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69 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 1R8, Canada Get directions

bdtavern.com
@blackdogtavernygk

$$$ · Menu

Reserve

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69 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 1R8, Canada Get directions

+1 613 549 5635
bdtavern.com
@blackdogtavernygk

$$$ · Menu

Reserve

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reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 24, 2025

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Rouse RD

Google
If you're looking for a delightful dining experience in Kingston, Ontario, look no further than the Black Dog Tavern. My recent visit was nothing short of fantastic! The atmosphere is inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, and efficient, ensuring that every aspect of your meal is enjoyable. One standout for us was the onion soup, which was rich and flavorful – truly a must-try! We paired it with their delicious hummus and crispy fried calamari, and we couldn't have been happier. For those with dietary restrictions, the Black Dog is a great spot for gluten-free options as well! We'll definitely be returning on our next trip to Kingston. Highly recommend this gem!

Katy Potvin

Google
Our server, Taylor, was amazing! I can't believe all the food is gluten free. It's so good that people who don't know the kitchen is celiac safe are eating it and they're totally unaware. We had calamari 😍 breaded cod with fries, and a steak. It's the most comfortable I've felt eating at a restaurant in a long time. Taylor shared the head chefs gluten free experiences and how the kitchen came to be that way. We'll definitely be coming back!

Sweet Bliss

Google
We visited Kingston this past weekend for Family Day, and despite the snowstorm, we had an amazing time! We had the pleasure of stopping by this wonderful restaurant, and it truly made the day special. The atmosphere was fantastic, and we were warmly welcomed. The bartender, whose name I unfortunately can't recall, was incredibly kind and attentive. She made our experience even better with her helpful service. We enjoyed a few drinks before heading to their sister restaurant for dinner. Overall, a great spot with a great vibe — we’ll definitely be back!

Ben Chang

Google
Formerly Chien Noir, this Bistro is still great. The food is spot on with french flair. First discovered it over a decade ago and always drop by when we're in town. Highly recommend to anyone looking for something more refined than The Keg I wish they kept the Chien Noir name. Black Dog Tavern undersells to food.

Kim Purcell - Kingston Real Estate Agent

Google
Black Dog has one of the best atmospheres in Kingston as far as I'm concerned. It's a perfect place for happy hour drinks or a date night out. The food is consistent and delicious and service is top notch. Worth a stop if you're visiting Kingston!

Roxy Adam

Google
This place is most likely my favourite dining experience in downtown Kingston. We ordered the french onion soup, escargot, mussels and fries, and lamb bourguignon. Everything tasted fresh and was seasoned well. The service was fast and friendly. Great atmosphere and interior too. 100% going back, couldn't recommend this place more.

Catherine P

Google
Our group of six ladies really enjoyed the lovely heated back patio! What a great idea. The food was awesome too. We really appreciate having a heated patio option because one of us works with extremely vulnerable patients. The server even let her unzip the patio cover nearest her to let fresh air in. We will be back! Posting an update to this review in the hope that someone will either adjust the menu descriptions, or provide what is described. We eat here almost monthly. Just a heads up that the "berries" with the creme brule was actually a single strawberry, and that the herb roasted "half chicken" was actually two legs and thighs with almost nothing else. My friend had the crepes for desert, which were hard and cold. They are supposed to include "dark chocolate". That turned out to be dark chocolate baking chips served on the side! I'm glad I ordered my reliable choices of the French onion soup and seasonal salad. On the plus side, the waiter was awesome!

Abigail Jackman

Google
5/5 Stars – A Safe Haven for Gluten-Intolerant Diners As someone with a severe gluten allergy (celiac), finding a restaurant that takes food allergies seriously is always a challenge. But I recently dined at Black Dog Tavern, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their commitment to providing a safe and inclusive dining experience. First off, their dedication to safety was immediately clear when I asked about gluten-free options. Not only do they have a separate fryer for gluten-free items, which made me feel incredibly reassured. The staff were well-trained and knowledgeable, answering all my questions with confidence, and I felt completely comfortable knowing they take cross-contamination seriously. For the first time in over two years, I was able to indulge in calamari again — something I never thought I’d be able to enjoy due to my gluten sensitivity. The calamari was perfectly crispy, tender on the inside, and full of flavor, all without a trace of gluten. It was a true moment of culinary joy after such a long hiatus from one of my favorite dishes. Overall, Black Dog Tavern has earned my highest praise. Their attention to detail, dedication to allergy safety, and ability to deliver a fantastic dining experience make it a must-visit for anyone with gluten intolerance or allergies. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their delicious offerings, knowing I’ll be in safe hands. Highly recommended!

Steve H.

Yelp
Hidden and secret in Kingston, nice local, authentic and exceptional food, and service

Csma C.

Yelp
After not visiting for a month or two we returned to black dog, previously one of our local favorites. Typically we would get an order for fish and chips with two sides of shrimp for our kids and the plant based pasta for us. Well they've removed the plant based pasta, the fish and chips size has been halved (for the same amount of money), and they no longer allow us to order extra shrimp for our kids all of which make the meal less pleasurable, with far less food, for more money! Add all the to their persistent problems with attending to our allergens and I doubt we'll be returning.
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Natalie W.

Yelp
what was ordered and what was received was day and night. Refused to make it right. Gravy instead of hollandsise mixed with soggy mushrooms and god knows whatelse. bread was soggy and not englishmuffins. No sausage and no home fries. The smell was awful.
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Bosco H.

Yelp
Decent enough. This place is right beside Atomica, I think they're under the same umbrella of restaurants. Place is nice and cozy overall, really nice atmosphere for dinner. Ordered the Tavern Mac N Cheese ($17) and its a super cheesy, mushroom, spinach dish. It's decent. Was looking to order the fish n chips or the fried chicken but they were surprisingly sold out of both that night. In hindsight, should have added some protein along with the pasta as you can add some chicken breast or grilled shrimp with the dish which definitely would've added some more flare. Quantity-wise quite good and filling. Would have been 4 stars but I felt the Mac N Cheese was just decent, nothing really great about it but just good overall. Good spot I think, and would try some other dishes which hopefully warrant a 4 star review here.

Amy W.

Yelp
Where to start-the food, the service, the location-all top notch! We met a couple on the street as they were leaving the restaurant and they raved about the food and staff. On their recommendation we took a chance and were extremely impressed. We had drinks, soup,salad, poutine and dessert for a very reasonable price especially since everything was so fresh and flavorful. The staff also went above and beyond to make a special treat for our son. We almost missed this place because the hours listed on Yelp were not current and it was as filtered out of our search. After dinner we took a walk along the harbor which had a vibrant atmosphere. What a lovely town just a short stop off the interstate.

Ella S.

Yelp
The food was quite tasty, but it took nearly 90 minutes before we received our meal. The staff were fantastic and brought us a salad to tide us over, as well as complimented our beverages. It would have been a 5-star experience except for the delay in getting our meal.
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Joseph S.

Yelp
Honestly, it doesn't matter if you come here for dinner or for brunch, you will thoroughly enjoy your meal. The quality of the food here is top notch and tasty. The dinner is excellent. Through multiple vists, I've had the chance to try many of their menu items, including the fried chicken sandwich, duck poutine, fried chicken pieces, mac and cheese, and eggplant dip. The duck poutine was my personal favourite, but all the dishes are flavoured excellently and will certainly leave you satisfied. That being said, the brunch is on an entirely other level. Whatever you do, make sure you get their home fries. They're insanely crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They're the perfect encapsulation of what potatoes should taste like. Make it the side to your eggs benedict (my go-to order here), and you'll fuel yourself well for the day ahead. The brunch here rivals Toast and Jam for best in the city. Oh and be sure to end your brunch with the French Toast. This is a spot that every Kingstonian has to cross off their list, and every visitor needs to try if they can. Check out @foodpharaoh on Instagram for more food!

Koedeann K.

Yelp
the food was incredible, the cocktails are made with 2.5oz for a reasonable price which I can appreciate. the service and overall ambiance was good. felt really comfortable eating here and the food surprised us with how good it was.

Andrawism A.

Yelp
I was shocked I made a reservation for my wife and I to have a nice date night. We arrived a bit early, we were received nicely by the waitress and were guided to the table. After I had a sip of the water that was served to us . I see this man coming to the table asking us to leave and take a walk and come back on time. I thought he was joking or something but he confirmed that he was asked by management to ask us to leave. So rude!!! Not kind, not respectful, not professional. The place was not busy. They could have handled it in a nicer and more elegant way such as getting us to the bar or asking us to get a drink or whatever. I have been to the best restaurants all over the world and I have never experienced something like that. Never back again.
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Jim F.

Yelp
I try not to write a review on just one visit, good or bad, it's hard to tell with just one data point. Over the course of 9 days in Kingston for the 2020 Brier we had 3 meals here: two with reservations and one ad hoc (we ate corn dogs at the bar). Service was top notch, no constant disturbances of "is everything OK" but waitstaff were always available if needed. Food was fantastic -- roasted beet salad, multiple orders of Fr Onion Soup, the Cassoulet is to die for!, Mushroom Risotto, Beef Short Ribs Bourguignon and, of course, the corn dogs! Well stocked bar and mixologists were quite skilled; we quite enjoyed the Chien Caesars and Dee's Fig Fizzes. I need to figure out another reason to come to Kingston, just to return here for a meal...

Lori P.

Yelp
My husband and I stopped in without looking at the reviews and had a meal of just appetizers; tenderloin steak tartare, escargots and mushroom toast. All were exemplary but my personal favorite was the escargot which was served without the shells. I'm sure even 'anti-escargot' people would love it. Delectably good. If the appetizers are as good as the entrees, Kingston has a winner with this place, at least in our book.
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Oshynne L.

Yelp
The brunch menu available online is not the same as the menu in restaurant, so some of the items were not available. Of the food that was ordered, everything was very good! The standout item was the soup du jour which was a roasted carrot curry soup; it was so delicious that we ordered a second one. The service was friendly and attentive. The back patio is also a great place to eat if you want to be outside but also out of the sun! We were the only ones seated outside for most of our meal so it was quite quiet.
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Nicole L.

Yelp
Just an FYI- I believe they've officially changed their name to black dog tavern. Regardless of the name I loved it here. The place is nice with brick walls and an embossed tin ceiling. They've put plexiglass in between the booths and tables for Covid and a sanitizer dispenser at the door. I had oysters and some fabulous fried chicken that came with an in-house made sweet hot sauce that was sooo good. Our server was nice enough to tell us what the ingredients were so I'm going to attempt to duplicate it. I did have to send back the potato salad because the potatoes were still rock hard. They replaced it with some (frozen type) fries that were fine but didn't compare to the chicken. Service was great and I'd definitely come back.
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Riley D.

Yelp
Pretty great, and doing a great job during Covid. The duck confit was especially perfect.
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Ape L.

Yelp
First time here since moving to Kingston. Should of done it sooner! We had Taylor as our server and honestly he is the main reason I am making a review. Working with the public can be really hard, especially in a fast paced industry where you need to be 'on' a lot. Taylor was so genuine and made the entire party feel like we were in the right place. There wasnt a bad meal based off his recommendations and tips (like how you'd want your oysters depending on where in canada you were from) and my husband even got to try a special play on an old fashioned which he very much enjoyed. I'm pretty sure my friend saw god after eating the duck poutine and my french onion soup hit the spot. Bonus it wasnt burning hot when it arrived which tends to be the case. Hubs also tried bone marrow for the first time and cleaned the plate. We had some east coasters with us and they gave the oysters and scallops two thumbs up.

Sean M.

Yelp
Amazing food and drink. The servers have a passion for what they serve up. A jewel of Kingston!
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Jess F.

Yelp
TLDR: get the striploin. You won't be disappointed!! Enjoyed dinner here while staying in Gananoque. We were a party of 5 and they managed to squeeze us in despite the crowds from convocation. Everyone enjoyed their meal, but those who ordered the steak frites were particularly impressed!
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Shiyue X.

Yelp
Came here a couple of times and each time was a different experience. I've had the poutine quite a few times and it's very good except for the time there was basically a pool of water in my poutine instead of a nice sauce. They sometimes have pretty cool promotions during their off hours. A few years ago, everything was 50% off during off hours I believe! They have a nice variety of oysters that come from all over Canada and the staff is very good at helping you choose if you've never has some before. They range from 0,75$ to 3$. I've tried a couple of their desserts and I was never really blown away. Overall, it's usually a pretty decent place, but it's 2 hits:1 miss
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Stefan L.

Yelp
Common theme seems to be waiters forgetting drinks. We only got my beer and my wife's tea after we got our food. Two reminders needed. There were only 2 people in the restaurant eating with us - summer brain? Duck waffles 7 out of 10 Steak tartare - ok Shrimp Pernod 10 out of 10 Sterak/frites 7 out of 10 (musrhooom/fries good but steak a bit tough I found) Would not return unless given a gift card. Waiter asked me if I wanted the beer in a can. Bistro pub? Glass of course please.
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Erin N.

Yelp
My husband and I stopped in for an early dinner on a weekday. The restaurant was quiet and service was prompt. We decided to share four appetizers - the poutine, duck wings, tuna tartar, and fish soup. The tuna tartar was absolutely delicious! The fish soup and poutine were good (I did like the brie used in the poutine) but not remarkable. The duck wings seemed to taste more middle eastern than "a l'orange" but were tender and good with the cilantro-lime crema. The wine list was nice and the prices reasonable. Overall, a nice meal but I'm not sure we will be back when we want to try so many other places in the area.
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Zou Y.

Yelp
Tried the brunch: Benedict eggs with smoked salmon. The taste is just average. So was the environment and service.
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Julia L.

Yelp
Fun fact: I studied this business as part of my school work for Marketing, and so I decided to try it out with my friend. I loved the atmosphere, although it was a bit dark in the restaurant. The food was delicious, but a little bit on the pricey side. One of my friends ordered a drink, and the server forgot to bring it out until she asked. It was a bit annoying, but the server didn't end up charging her for the drink. Overall, I would recommend this place to eat!
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John O.

Yelp
This is a dog for sure. Made reservations, Ordered drinks, got them and we ordered an appetizer and two mains. 5 minutes later our main courses were delivered, except mine was wrong. Were able to flag down a server after a minute or two who promptly scooped up the plates and delivered them to the correct table. Our appetizer came out. After that, we waited for our main. I was able to order a glass of wine off the hostess who cleared the app plate, as our server didn't come by. then we waited some more. Finally a server with our plates came out, but those were not for us either, as the servers walked right by us and delivered them to a table of four. We waited a long time. In the meantime, someone came by with a large dog. seemed to know everyone who worked there. As one by one, or two by two all the staff came out and played with the dog and chatted with this guy who posted up at a table on the far end of the patio with the dog, and was fed beer. I like dogs and have no problem with staff petting a friendly animal, getting their hands licked and tussling its fur - and then going back to the kitchen or waiting tables... I only mention this as we were still waiting for our food. Full one hour and 30 minutes wait.. (hour since our app was finished). Gave up. Server didn't bat an eye at my request for the bill. We paid + tipped. Please note, we were not told "the meal takes a while to cook" like another recent poster wrote, No excuses or apologies. We were just abandoned and made to feel like getting the bill minus our mains that never came was a favour? On our way out, I used the washroom, and heard someone talking about how a table earlier waited 110 minutes for their food, and then it was delivered to the wrong table.... AMAZING! Waste of what we hoped would be our night, we got snacks at mac's and went back to our hotel.
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Lori H.

Yelp
Great experience at Le Chien Noir! We went there on a Sunday morning around 11am. Sat in the sunny table in the window. Baby and I split the Brunch Burger which was amazing. Fries were thin and crispy (my fav). We also split the baby spinach salad which I liked, but it needed a bit more dressing. Ali had the Chien Caesar - with artisan Clamato and loved it. Service was attentive and friendly - took a bit longer than expected, but the results were worth it (and we weren't in a hurry). I'd definitely go back!
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Kimberley M.

Yelp
I've loved Le Chien Noir for a long time, and have always had great experiences here. Most recently, I visited over lunch and enjoyed the daily omelette special, which was a maple infused omelette with bacon alongside the famous frites. I'm not doing the dish justice with such a basic description, but it's typical of Le Chien to do really simple food in a french style that is extremely tasty and enjoyable. I love the vibe of the place; from the decor to the long bar and the back patio, there are so many ways to enjoy this space. Service is attentive and very down to earth. It's a great place for small groups, celebrations, or just lunch on a weekday. (Frankly, I'll take any excuse to dine here). As always, I'm looking forward to my next visit!
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Elle G.

Yelp
If you love French food and some interesting (read Canadian) twists on French food look no further. We had a wonderful mean at Le Chien Noir. The one thing that hands down I recommend is the Duck Poutine. OMG -- I absolutely crave this now (and being from Toronto -- well -- need I say more - I can't run around the corner to get it). The decor is nice too -- brick wall on one side - tin ceiling -- nice touches with the french posters and also a patio out front. It is close to many of the downtown hotels (read walkable). I also had a fish of the day for my main meal (the poutine being an appetizer). It was wonderful lake pickerel and was done in a light manner so it actually complimented the fish instead of over-powered it. So -- bottom line -- don't be afraid to try this place -- you won't be sorry!
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Victor C.

Yelp
I made reservations online and the only times were at 5:30pm or after 9:00pm. There's a reason for that... this place is a gem and a LOT of people already know about it. We started with the steamed PEI mussels. It was really good with the perfect amount of spiciness to it. Probably the least favourite dish of our evening, and IT WAS AN 8 out of 10!! The Escargot au Gratin was a generous portion with melted gruyere cheese on top. If you're expecting the 5 measly pieces of snails drowned in garlic butter (ie. from The Keg), then you'll be sadly disappointed. This was the REAL DEAL and once again... a very generous portion! The Tuna Tartare was a 10 out of 10. It came with crispy fried flat won ton and it was the perfect marriage of crunch and mush! :) We ordered the selection of 3 from the Charcuterie & Artisan Cheese and that was the absolute highlight of the night. A 12 out of 10... hence the perfect overall score. Will be excited to come back to visit Kingston and dine at Le Chien Noir again.
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Anne L.

Yelp
Good food service painfully slow. A bit expensive. We've been going there for years but it seems to be going downhill
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Mike W.

Yelp
Le Chien - NOT! Let me start by saying that we truly enjoyed our last two experiences here over the past year. Sadly, something has changed! Each time, we have been here on a Saturday evening. Twice, the place was packed to the gills with a line of eager patrons waiting at the door. This time, on a beautiful warm evening, there were at most 10 diners in the restaurant and only 2 on the patio. We should have bailed at that point! In the past, our favourite dish was their steak frites -- a beautiful 10oz black angus NY strip with sautéed mushrooms, balsamic butter and frites with herb salt and aioli. Not one to mess with perfection, I once again ordered it (even though the price has jumped from $28 to $33 in the last few months -- a little pricey but I figured it would be worth it). My wife ordered the fried ginger chicken. After 45 minutes, as our wine ran out, the waitress approached us to assure us that our food would be only a few more minutes. Apparently, the ginger chicken takes that long and no, we were not informed of this when we ordered it. When our food arrived 10 minutes later, I was greatly disappointed. The steak was nothing like I remembered. The meat was sinewy and tough to cut, even with a sharp knife. The meat I was able to extract had been far too generously salted -- totally inedible. Turning my attention to the generous mound of fries, I was even more disappointed! The fries were a soggy, salty mess. Their consistency was that of cooked spaghetti. They were greasy and once again, tasted as though the salt shaker had accidentally spilled open over the plate. After one bite I had to stop. I can only assume that there was a mix-up in the timing in the kitchen and that perhaps my order had been prepared quickly, only to languish under the heat lamp until the chicken was ready. I called the manager over. She was very accommodating and relieved me of my plate. On a good note, the ginger chicken was quite delectable! However, the heavy handed salter was clearly also involved in the vegetable preparation. As always, the wine selection here is excellent and despite my dissatisfaction with the food the service was very attentive and friendly. Thanks for the memories, but we won't be back.
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Vishal K.

Yelp
Pretty good food. Enjoyed the charcuterie. The service was pretty bad though. The server was in his own world, I had to call him over every step of the way to order. He was too busy talking to his friend at the bar.
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Mr Y.

Yelp
Another phenomenal meal at Le Chien Noir. Delicious oysters, mussels, crokets, and steak cooked perfectly. A must eat thats worth the price!!

Rachel F.

Yelp
Great food and waiters but the manager was horribly rude. Would not return. I made a reservation and they claimed I did not and blamed me. They didn't feel bad at all and made us sit outside in the winter on the cold patio. It's a shame because the food was good
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K. R.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant with a romantic ambiance. Staff was friendly too. When we walked in for our reservation, we were a few minutes away from happy hour deals ending, so our waiter asked if we wanted to order drinks/apps right away to get the deals. He also said he would extend it a few minutes while we look over the menu and made a choice. I thought that was a nice touch. My husband ordered the escargot and he said it was divine. I ordered the Carbonara (with shrimp), but unfortunately I was disappointed. It was WAY to salty to enjoy. I know this pasta dish has pancetta, which is a salty cured meat, so I obviously knew it would have some salt. However, it was so salty that my tongue actually kind of burned after I was halfway through the meal. I could not enjoy the pasta, or finish it. I would return, but choose something different. My husband ordered steak and said it was phenomenal. I want to try brunch here soon!
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Joshua S.

Yelp
Wow. This was some great stuff. Not entirely sure where to start. Ok. Deep breath. Let's go. I was in Kingston, Ontario. It's a quaint little town. Reminds me of Boston mixed with Gainesville. It was last Friday night, and pay day at that, so I decided to treat myself. Le Chien Noir means "The Black Dog". I found this out halfway through my meal. I don't know why I liked that so much. The name of a place literally doesn't matter and does nothing to change my opinion of the food. It could be called The Dog's Fart and it would still taste the same. Actually I'd probably go to any place that had "fart" in its name, because that's always going to be funny. But whatever, I liked "The Black Dog". It was a pretty busy night. The only open seat was at the bar. It's a good thing I'm always alone and like to get my drinks fast. The bartender's name was Josh. But of course I knew that already from the bi-annual Josh meetings. I may have said too much. I ordered a Sazerac from the bartender whom I did not know at all. I noticed he didn't use Peychaud's bitters, but I also think it might be more difficult to get in Canada, so I guess I can give a pass on that one. Still tasted good, albeit on the sweeter side. It took me a while to order anything. There was a lot that I wanted. Namely all of it. Especially the oyster selection. Hell, I could have just gotten 6 of each kind of oyster and still spent a pretty penny (Do they have pennies in Canada? I bet they have 1 cent and 2 cent pieces. Canada's weird.). I settled on some Irish Point oysters, as I'd never had them before, and you can't go wrong with PEI oysters really. Delicious on their own, but in the accouterments that came with, there was this house-made jalapeno and granny smith apple puree. Now I generally like just a squeeze of lemon and a little horseradish or something, but this stuff was something else. So...do that. Get some oysters. Eat that stuff. At this point I'd like to give a shout out to my main man Michael who was sitting next to me at the bar. He owns a cool nerdy/game store around the corner from El Chien Noir. I visited there probably 3 separate times. He and I started chatting, first about the food, then about nerdy stuff we like. And I still think the new Star Wars movies will be just fine! (Check out Michael's shop Minotaur. Very cool place. I got chlamydia there. By that I mean this http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/chlamydia.html ) But Michael recommended the "Grilled Pacific Octopus" appetizer. Menu says it comes with, "charred jalapeno, mint & cannellini bean salad, smoked paprika-orange vinaigrette". And that was a real treat. I will say this about it, however. It's difficult to eat. The pieces of octopus are a little large, and octopus is difficult to cut, especially with just a butter knife. So just stick that chewy bitch in your mouth and get to chomping. That was a fun sentence to type. Now there must be something said about the real MVP of the night. The beautiful waitress with the cleavage and the perfect dress to show it in. We did not speak one word to each other. Thank you for everything. I couldn't decide on what to get for my main course. Josh recommended one of the most expensive things on the menu, like I would expect any good Josh to do in his position. Michael said go for the Wild BC Halibut because it's difficult to get good fish in Kingston. But I settled on the 'Willow Grove' Pork Rib Chop. It was a huge piece of meat. Beautifully done. And the rhubarb-ginger chutney on top really set the whole thing off. I would eat this every day of the week if I could. I debated desert because the special that night was a Bleu Cheesecake which seemed really interesting to me. But then I remembered I don't like cheesecake. I don't know what it is. It's one of those things I'll try every 6 months or so just to see if I still don't like it. All these years, still not interested. Oh well, I was stuffed anyway. So I ordered a glass of port. I still don't understand port, by the way. It's an interesting enough flavor, but I don't understand the point of it. And why does it come in what is basically a thimble? I think I'll look it up on Wikipedia after this. Seems like the best use of my time. So in the end, I spent a small Canadian fortune, which isn't that bad because that's only like $16 US anyway, so who gives a damn, right? Plus I got a great experience out of it. And if the cleavage girl ends up reading this, call me!
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Margret L.

Yelp
Came here on a whim and the ambience was absolutely amazing! If you're looking for good French food, a nice atmosphere, and a cozy spot to spend a nice evening with someone in Downtown Kingston, this is the place to go. It is a bit expensive for those on a student budget, but it is worth a try! The food is delectable, and it has good portions. Service is very friendly and the patio is gorgeous! I got their bistro burger and the meat was very juicy and tender, and perfectly cooked! Would definitely come back!

Jessica L.

Yelp
Like many of the restaurants downtown, space is a little limited, so keep that in mind if you are eating in large groups (I'd say 6 people per table, max). I ordered the duck confit as I was told it was one of their specialities and the recipe has been around for 10 years. It was good; tasted fresh, but I have had better meals for less. Some parts of the duck were a bit dry. Service was friendly but a bit slow.
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Bill B.

Yelp
Le Chien Noir is arguably the best restaurant in Kingston. Steak tartare, fried quail, steak frites, duck confit, quality oysters, and a number of other french dishes are cooked at a high level. The kitchen is stellar. The wine list and cocktails are fantastic. However, the front of house is chronically understaffed. The servers are knowledgeable and friendly, but can't keep up with the amount of guests they are expected to serve. So...the entire restaurant suffers. We have eaten there several times where our wine showed up after we had finished our meal. Before dinner cocktails were served as the food showed up.....etc. If the service wasn't lacking Chien Noir would be our favorite restaurant in Kingston hand down. Still a great choice, but don't expect orders to arrive timely.
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Jonathan W.

Yelp
I'm truly sold, this place is the best dinner in Kingston. Tell your relatives, your friends, I've been hitting up places around town for a few years and the best meals come from here. What can I say to convince you, a great atmosphere with the option of a beautiful patio in the back for brunch. Excellent selected wines and cheeses, with great service staff. Recently updated menu with an excellent duck and ribeye. If you're in town, plan to make it here one night and Woodenheads another and you're set for experiencing the best dining in Kingston.

Siff Z.

Yelp
This is my favourite restaurant. I used to live in Kingston and me and David will come here almost whenever we have sth to celebrate. So for our 5th anniversary, we decided to come back to Kingston, and have dinner here to conclude our trip. I made a reservation almost a month ago, a very easy process. And when we got here, they have a nice booth prepared for us. They change menu every so often (seasonly I think). The ingredient stays pretty much the same, but method and style of the dish will change. Usually, the menu for the main course will be some kind of duck confit, lamb, chicken, steak, and always PEI mussels and fries. For the dinner today, we got a dozen of oyster (so fresh), duck confit and mussels. The meal started with some bread and butter. I love their butter, because they always have changing artisan ones. For a period of time they have a spice infused one, which was my favourite. And later on an orange marmalade one that David likes a lot. That day was lemon and thyme, which is surprisingly refreshing for butter. It was soft and fluffy. The duck confit was served on top of a tomato based chickpea and lamb sausage stew with olives and clementine circling the dish. The duck confit was crisp and masterly done, albeit a bit too salty. The clementine was perfect and refreshing for the heaviness of the dish. Mussels was made in a white wine based broth with some shallots and cured meat. This has always been one of our favourite, because their mussels are consistently fresh and tender and never fishy. It almost has a mild sweet oyster texture. For dessert, I had coffee and David had their flourless chocolate truffle cake
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Lynette P.

Yelp
I think I found this place through yelp.. or word of mouth.. not sure which came first. But it was such a disappointment! It would have been fine if I came in off the street but I found it overpriced with small portions for all the hype. The chicken breakfast sandwich was greasy and not appetizing at all. I would say the meal didn't stand out, but it did, unfortunately in the wrong way :(
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Elisabeth J.

Yelp
Spurred by gift cards at Costco we gave this a try. Mussels were great. Poutine with Duck Confit very nice. We had pork belly sand which, not great pork was bland, two burgers, two pulled pork sandwiches and a po' boy. All was good, not great but solidly good.
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Kath B.

Yelp
Enjoyed the gazpacho and halibut; and + fish tacos and steak/frites. Food was delicious. Service was discrete and perfect. We will be back. Not for the faint of wallet, but worth every penny. :)

Dana V.

Yelp
This place never disappoints. We have been eating here for several years now and is always our go to when we have people visiting us from out of town. Staff is always friendly and very accommodating for dietary restrictions.

Bud H.

Yelp
We are from the US and visiting Canada. Le Chien Noir was a pleasant surprise. Instead of full meals we ordered appetizers. The fried duck wings and tuna Tartare. Burn were excellent. Would highly recommend trying this place.
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Charles G.

Yelp
I always ate here for their Thursday midday special pricing. Unfortunately, I guess it was too good a deal for them to keep doing it. It was 35% off, making their extremely tasty and expensive dishes an affordable treat for a student budget. What have I eaten here? Just about everything. It's all delicious. And when they come up with something new (which they love doing) it's great. Generously portioned. Some of my regular favourites: bistro burger, duck confit poutine (it's surprisingly humongous), and charcuterie plate. The funk music they sometimes play is also bangin'.
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Samantha N.

Yelp
Overall, a very good place for French cuisine. Good service, great ambiance and the food was delicious, albeit slightly pricy. I went with a party of 10 people to celebrate a friend's birthday. The majority of my friends chose the prix fixe, most of whom ordering the steak frites with the black-bean and coconut soup topped with daikon and pineapple salsa. Sure, the combinations of ingredients sound strange at first, but (after stealing a spoon of my friend) I was pleasantly surprised by the tropicalness of the coconut mixed with the earthy-ness of the beans. Their streak frites were a huge hit; the mushrooms were apparently amazingly done and the steak was nicely grilled. To be different (and maybe because I was craving seafood), I went with the P.E.I. mussels in a white wine reduction. I find it's hard to go wrong with mussels, but they were particularly well cooked and I finished them fairly fast. The giant bowl of fries with mayo were great for snacking with everyone (although the table had an abundance of fries after the night was over). For dessert, I went with a double chocolate cupcake with a raspberry coulis; a bit on the dry side, which makes me question how long it's been since it was baked. I wished I had went with the creme brulee; again, after sneaking a few bites from my friend, I fell in love with its creaminess and light flavour. Definitely will go for that when I go back. Service was decent for a Kingston restaurant (where the overall level of service is... a bit lacking). Prices are fair to slightly expensive (relative to quality and value). The atmosphere is welcoming enough, although I suppose 10 university students might be intimidating for any restaurant. Definitely a spot on the list of Kingston restaurants to visit!
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Claudia A.

Yelp
My hubby took me for my birthday last year and the steak frites was honestly one of the best steaks I've had in a while. I think they use a Sous vide for a lot of their preparations. We ordered the special chicken wings a few days ago and the meat was fall off the bone. Sadly I'm a bit disappointed in their snowdelicious menu this year. It seems that last year it was wayyyyy better!!
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Aran O.

Yelp
One of my favorite Kingston restaurants. A wide ranging menu, very well executed. Consistently excellent service. Lovely intimate decor. Beautiful bar. Relaxed summer patio out back.
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Jim E.

Yelp
Pleasantly surprised.. Nice eclectic atmosphere in downtown Kingston, the perfect place to dress up or go casual. Great decor, service and great food!!! I had the Chicken and it was done perfect for me.