Dave’s Fruit & Vegetable Market

Love this place!
It is a small location but is packed full of deals.
In addition to good selection of fruits and vegetables, there are great deals in luncheon meats, frozen desserts, as well as a selection of desserts made by Dave’s.
They make the best pecan pie I have ever purchased at a store. (In the freshly made desserts section, not the freezer.)
There is always a lineup. There is generally a long lineup. What I can say is that the cashier team is fast… really, really fast… and the deals are worth it.
Plus it is a local business and I love supporting local.

Unfortunately found chewy fish pieces in the creamy potato and bacon soup which is not an ingredient on the label. I am hoping it is not scallops because my husband is allergic.
I called the store and the clerk tried to put me through to the kitchen twice without success, did not seem concerned, did not apologize and did not take down my contact information. As it was my first time there, I will definitely not return.

Dave’s offers fresh fruit and veg, yet the customer service has long expired.
I’m not trying to defer you from going because you will get good foods at a decent price yet in all occasions I’ve visited, the customer service from staff is equivalent of a downtown DMV.
My latest experience at Dave’s has me casually browsing through the broccoli and a manager comes up to me and grabs my basket and moves it off the case claiming I was squishing HER cauliflower. I made sure I wasn’t as I like to consider myself «considerate» but whatever I brushed it off and carried on.
When I get to the check out counter the cashier says hello, starts scanning my things and then starts talking to the customer behind me as if I don’t matter anymore. Then when she’s done she gives me a smirk and tells me to bring my basket back to the front. I know what you’re thinking, «Not a big deal.» but to me it is a very big deal. They have paid employees to do this kind of thing. Not only that, but the manner in which she says it to me was almost to say, «Yeah, you do what I say.» Didn’t give me the impression that they appreciated my business. I get this impression from all the soulless staff, as if they all have a chip on their shoulder and they don’t have to take crap from anyone. Who’s giving them crap?! I was just paying for my stuff.
I like the food, and I like the price, it’s just a shame that the poor customer service has to sour what should be a sweet experience.
My advice, go to Gateway. It’s down the road and the prices are just as fare, if not better.

I have been rather disappointed the last couple times in Dave’s. They haven’t gotten those delicious vegan spring rolls back in, the produce prices are still good but I don’t have a lot of desire to return since they don’t offer much else in the way of vegan products.

Great prices! Sometimes this place is beyond busy, so you do your shopping ‘while in line’ which works out fine for me, but might be annoying for people that get frustrated by slow moving situations. The fresh fruits and veg– the selection and prices are the best in town. They have a lot of specials for deli meats and frozen foods too. I can shop there and totally avoid the grocery stores until it is time to restock the pantry! Close to the checkouts there are lots of homemade treats, so be careful because they are yummy!

I will write this review to reflect the spirit of this place. Good selection, great prices, quality products, friendly staff. Did I mention great prices?!

Dave’s is the place to go if you’re looking for fresh, local produce at very reasonable products. This tiny store is PACKED with fruits, veggies, and homemade baked goods. It’s even got an appreciable selection of pre-​made meals in the refrigerated section.
So why only 4 stars, you ask? Well, I’m a stickler for stress-​free shopping and it’s hard not to get a bit frustrated over certain aspects of Dave’s:
— The parking lot is a nightmare: tiny, hard to get into and out of, and always busy. As others have mentioned, weekends are the worst for this.
— The store itself is quite small and, given the large volume of customers, almost always cramped.
— The hours aren’t great — they’re closed by 8 pm on weeknights, which is simply too early for me.
Otherwise, Dave’s is a great little spot that deserves the praise it has received from other Unilocalers. Drop by (preferably during a weekday!) to have a look.

EDIT: if you are in Dartmouth and need a home cooked meal — go here! Went last night and picked up an amazing meatloaf for $ 7.50 fed two people for two dinners and lunch! All homemade food like Mom’s … just go. now. After reading some great Unilocal reviews, I decided to give this place a go! I did however make the mistake of going on a Sunday Afternoon, which was quite the adventure! Very busy but most of the shoppers were friendly. I would recommend going a different day if possible the prices are AMAZING! totally work it! I picked up some bananas for 55cents a pound (they were good bananas, not the super ripe in a bag ones for 50 cents!) There was lots of homemade goodies — even sex in a pan and everything was fresh and easily available. I do recommend bringing a friend and shopping on the «buddy» system. You get in a line when you walk in, the store is layed out in a conveyor belt sort of style, the fruits and veg are sort of lined up in one big isle. However, if you bring a buddy you can trade off so when it is super busy you don’t loose your spot in line! :) I love that this place has the charm of a market, and also very affordable prices. I find a lot of farmers markets have gotten to posh and lost the essence of sustainability and affordability… Dave’s is a great spot in the area that maintains value ! (Also… they sell this desert called sex in a pan… really the name says it all but it is DE-​LICIOUS :)

If you live in the Dartmouth/​Cole Harbour area, Dave’s is really the place to get fresh produce among other grocery items. As someone who has walked through the doors many a time, here is a little piece of advice: Do not, I really mean it, do not, come on Sunday afternoon!!! This place is a nut house! Full to the brim with crazy produce lovers trying to get the best deal on a melon. You basically have to walk in, join the line and gather your selections as the line moves along. I only come here through the week, when it is nice and quiet.
The prices at Dave’s are really the best you’ll find on fresh produce. I have also picked up some deli items here as well at shockingly good prices. They sell these yummy breakfast sausages for $ 2.99 that are $ 5.99 at Sobeys. They also sell other staples like milk, eggs, baked goods, frozen foods and some pretty tasty fudge.
Staff is friendly, and when it is really busy, the lines tend to move at a pretty good pace. I just prefer to avoid it, when it gets that way.

Every time I’ve driven by Dave’s I’ve wondered what it’s like inside. I’ve heard rave reviews, but since I don’t live in the area, I’ve never gone out of my way to check it out. (And it would be really, really out of my way). But, this past week I was blessed with the opportunity to house-​sit in this neck of the woods, so I made a quick stop in to check things out and pick up a few odds and ends.
The vibe is totally local and the staff who were stocking the shelves were really friendly. The set up is «conveyor belt» so you wind the maze from the entrance to the cash on the way out. It’s very organized and logical.
The first thing that surprised me were the prices — I’ve never seen so many things that didn’t look like they were injected with growth hormones be so affordable! Pretty much I wanted to buy everything I saw. I held back but for what I decided to buy, I was shocked at the final tally.
If I lived anywhere within the area, this would for sure be my default grocery option.

Dave’s Fruit and Vegetable Market is a great place for your need of veggies and fruits, as well as a few other groceries like frozen pies, milk, and sandwich meat.
I often come here only for my vegetables because they are a lot cheaper than at Sobeys and such, and they are always fresh. It’s a fairly small place so during busy times it can get crowded, and the parking lot is a bit cramped but it’s worth it for the prices. Near the cash register is a good selection of baked goods from oatcakes, cookies, and muffins to turnovers, huge cinnamon rolls, and danishes.
All in all if you love your F’s and V’s, and are in around the Dartmouth area you should definitely check Dave’s out if you haven’t and get some.

My colleague kept telling me about a place in Dartmouth with cheap fruit. I’m a health nut and buying fruit & veggies at my local grocery store can sometimes get expensive, so I decided to venture over from Halifax.
The store is very well laid out, and there are many fruits & veggies available. I even picked up a different kind of mango I’ve never heard of before.
I spent $ 20.26 which included grapes (2.39 lb), strawberries, mini carrots, 2 pears, a head of broccoli, a mango, a bag of 6 kiwis, 4 bananas, a whole honeydew melon, 12 oranges, and a large package of bologna for my bf. Anywhere else (sobeys, superstore), this would have cost an arm and leg, so I’m impressed!
The only down side to Dave’s is their staff. They seem to hate their jobs. While the cashier was ringing through my items she was just complaining to the cashier next to her how badly she wanted to go home and how annoyed she was that there was a line up… but whatever, I got my cheap fruit!
There is a bens bakery outlet directly next door so it makes it a little more worth while driving from Halifax for some great bread costs! As for the parking lot it seems that they have tried to inforce some signs to make it easier for customers to get in & out. I got out easily, but at 5:00pm it may be a little more difficult if you’re heading back to Halifax.

The freshest cheapest fruit and veg, and some interesting health food stuff too. Also the place to get large quantities if you are canning/​freezing or have room for giant bags of root vegetables. The freezers have some pies and some of the usual frozen rubbish (don’t know why they waste the space — would be nice for them to continue with some frozen healthy options)
All in all worth the visit! Prices always below grocery store.

I often drive over from Hali just to hit up daves (and further down the road, Gateway Meat Market). Such good deals, I eat the bananes like crazy and they are much cheaper than in the grocery store. Everything is fresh and tasty and cheap. CHEAP!

As much as I love going to the farmer’s market on the weekend, it’s usually not convenient for me. I live in Cole Harbour and don’t drive, and I love sleeping in on Saturdays more than anything in the world.
I can now rely on Dave’s to hook me up with fresh Valley produce. Their prices are better than the grocery store’s, and their quality is unmatched. I don’t feel guilty walking out with $ 40 worth of groceries because I know it’s all healthy noms. But hey, if you really need something salty and sea-​salted roasted cauliflower florets just won’t cut it, you can pick up a bag of chips from the front display.
It’s also a great spot to run in and grab some pre-​made meals that aren’t entirely made of sodium and fillers. If I’m feeling lazy and can’t be bothered to cook dinner, I know that I can just pick up a sheppard’s pie or chicken pot pie with my fresh fruit and eggs, and throw it in the oven when I get home. It’s convenient, cheap, and way more satisfying than a greasy meal from a certain red-​headed siren. Plus, if it’s your turn to pick up dessert for the family dinner, you know you can bring home a delicious homemade pie or cheesecake from Dave’s.
Luckily, I don’t drive, so all I need to worry about is how many ears of corn I’m going to buy, and not on the sometimes dare-​devil driving it takes to get in or out of the parking lot. But if you’re the one at the wheel, take a deep breath and gun it. Don’t worry, Dave’s wares are worth the risk.

If you live on the Dartmouth side of the harbour, you would be foolish not to get all of your produce at Dave’s. While the parking lot is a little bit manic with yuppie SUVs left, right and center, the reward once you’re in the doors is incredible.
From the freshest produce that far outlasts any I’ve picked up from grocery chains, to unique local finds like specialty spices and seemingly homemade baked goods, your dollar will go far with the incredibly competitive prices. After two visits, we resolved to always get our produce here even if it means making two stops on our usual grocery runs.

I am very appreciative of dave’s. their produce is the best in town. Quality and cost.
I am somewhat disappointed with most of the staff. i bring my own bags, and will bag my own food. each and every time, i am met with a disgruntled and dis approving look from the checkout staff. I find this somewhat discouraging, most particularly in this day and age.
this is a practice that should be appreciated. other than that. great place.

Dave’s is a great location on the main drag of Main street in Dartmouth. I actually had no idea that this place existed until I was making supper one day and ran out of some veggies. Honestly I find the average grocery store prices to be steep sometimes. SO the BF told me about this little market and off I go.
BOY I was pleasantly surprised with all the fresh produce in this place. The fruit was amazing both lose or bagged. I like going to buy apples here a 10 poud bag for $ 5 bucks you can not beat that. The veggies were fresh and were just putting out some new string beans yum.
As well they also have a frozen section packed with home made pies which I bought the Apple and came home and threw it in the oven and presto I baked that from scratch I told them. Oh the hash browns tatters are delicious and ALOT cheaper then the grocery store as well tripple the amount. Ice cream and tasty treats as also staring at you while you wait in this sometimes very long line up but it is worth it.
This location is almost like a one stop shop the only thing missing is it would be great to see a meat section put in but hey they have beef jerky.
Go check out Dave’s as they selection is always plentiful, fresh and tasty. Enjoy!

The other day I was back in at Dave’s, and as always, was quite marvelled by the terrific prices. On this particular trip, I bought a large head of romaine lettuce, some alfalfa sprouts, a small crown of brocolli, a red pepper, a bunch bananas, a large bag of apples and a cucumber all for under $ 10.
For payment, Dave’s now accepts both credit and debit, but for debit payments, a mininal purchase of $ 10 is required.