Dear Darling

What is Dear Darling? Perched at 612 Richmond Street West just east of Bathurst, Dear Darling is Queen West's sleek hybrid of an intimate cocktail lounge, kitchen, and dynamic neighbourhood third space. The room is dialed into a moody, low-lit aesthetic framed by plush velvet seating, polished stone, and a soundtrack oscillating between curated deep house and live saxophone jazz. Seating spans an illuminated front bar counter for drop-in sippers to intimate tables designed for multi-course evening hangs.

Dear Darling Menu & What to Order The kitchen moves well beyond standard tavern bites, offering a focused lineup of shared contemporary plates calibrated to pace alongside multiple rounds of drinks. The crispy ahi tuna and house steak tartare are mandatory starters, leading naturally into the high-demand Wagyu steak frites and tender kalbi short ribs glazed in pineapple teriyaki BBQ. Pair the savouries with signature house libations like the Love Bomb or seasonal craft pours, while the fresh strawberry and goat cheese salad provides a balanced vegetarian counterweight.

Know Before You Go Reservations through their website are essential for prime Thursday-to-Saturday slots between 9:00 p.m. and midnight when the DJ sets draw lively date-night and group crowds. Walk-in bar seating is your best bet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or during early evening hours before the after-dinner rush. Paid street parking along Richmond is scarce, so taking the 501 Queen, 504 King, or 511 Bathurst streetcar makes arrival seamless.