Great Eats off the Highway

Great Eats off the Highway

What’s the best part of a road trip? On-the-go snacks and new restaurants to discover of course! Northumberland County has great places, not far from the highway, to pick up healthy snacks or decadent sweet treats for the road. We’ve also got you covered if you need a break from the car and want to enjoy dining inside or on an outdoor patio with great atmosphere and friendly locals. 

Port Hope

Starting in Port Hope, stop in to Suntree Natural Foods Marketplace to pick up healthy snacks, homemade breads, and local produce. They have options that work for those with diet restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, etc) so everyone can stay energized on the road.

Food Inspired is a must-visit in Port Hope. Not only will you find some great kitchen items in the shop, you’ll also be able to pick up daily lunch specials and to-go items that you can eat in the car, at the hotel or even at your campsite. Check their Facebook page for what they’re serving daily.

If you’re looking for a patio with a casual atmosphere, in the historic downtown core and – of course – delicious, family-friendly food, check out The Beamish House in Port Hope. Classic pub fare is served in a relaxed environment and there’s an extensive selection of pints on tap. Perfect for the end of a long day. If you are planning on enjoying a few pints, check out our local accommodations as well so you get the full Port Hope experience.

Cobourg

In Cobourg, you’ll want to stop at The Market & Smor where you’ll find fresh produce and baked goods including decadent treats and mouth-watering breads. You’ll also luck out with Chef Sean’s to-go items that change depending on the produce and products that are in season. They also carry beautiful bouquets from Quinn’s Blooms & Greenery (another Cobourg icon) so you can pick up treats and a hostess gift if you’re visiting friends or family.

A welcome addition to Cobourg’s food community is Prep Food Co. Zack and his team prepare delicious lunches on weekdays. Order ahead on their website for unique meals like Poké bowls, Vegetarian Foccacia or sandwiches like Cuban or Jerk pork. The menu changes periodically so check the website’s order form for what’s currently available. They also offer catering services so touch base with them if you have an upcoming event in the area and you’re looking for some delicious food.

Cobourg is well-known for its beach and marina. If you want to stretch your legs, take in the view and park the car for a bit, you can park right by the marina and enjoy a delicious Italian meal at Cucina Urbana. With the only patio in Cobourg that has a full view of the marina, this is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. If you need a little temptation, we’ll just say things like: lobster dip, truffle mushroom arancini, Margherita pizza (or a margherita, hold the pizza), and seafood linguini. Leave room for some New York style cheesecake or house-made tiramisu too. One extra bit of good news? You can walk off all this delicious food with a stroll along the beach afterwards.

Grafton

Grafton may be small but it’s mighty, and there’s more food here than you might think. If you go north off Highway 401, you can head to Ste. Anne’s Bakery. At the only certified gluten-free bakery in the area, you’ll find a variety of breads, baked goods (if you’re getting macarons, get some for us too, they’re SO good) and lunch meals. You can eat on their back patio or take your treats with you on your explorations.

Head south off Highway 401 instead and you’ll end up in the village of Grafton where you can stop at The Lass & Ladle. As we write this, we're thinking about the Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich with a side of fries and now we really need to finish this article and go get one! In the shop you’ll also find sauces, baked goods, soups and other to-go options. They also carry Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream so really, you have no reason not to stop here.

Colborne

A little further down Highway 401 is Colborne. This quaint village features a few options for road trip snacks. Lofty Butter Company Market features decadent hand-churned, artisan butter as well as pre-packaged foodie items, locally made bread and produce in-season. Across the street is Heath Vintage – a mid-century modern furniture emporium that also makes and sells baked goods that are perfect to keep the kids (and yourself) happy for the rest of the day. If you want to get out and stretch in Colborne, Victoria Square has picnic tables and a lovely gazebo with a great view of the downtown shops – make sure you leave time to explore them, there are some great hidden treasures here. If you want a little nature with your meal, check out the Cramahe Ecology Garden on Rotary Park Drive. There’s even a playground for the kids. Or in case the adults want to work off their lunch on the monkey bars.

Of course, we can’t talk about road stops off the 401 without mentioning The Big Apple. You can’t miss it, just look for the big smiling apple. This stop includes a petting zoo, mini-golf course, a giant apple (go inside and climb to the top for a great view), a large candy shop, food truck and, of course, homemade apple pies and other apple treats. There’s even a dog park so your fur baby can get out and stretch their legs too. You can easily spend a couple of hours here.

Brighton

Brighton is a little bit further off the 401 but it’s worth the drive to Tin Roof Dairy Bar to get a giant Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream. If the troops are really hungry, head just down the road to Vito’s. This is a great stop for gourmet pizza or traditional Greek dishes. Or, if you’re looking for baked treats (did someone say butter tart? Date square?), visit Lola’s on Main Street. So good.

Take the opportunity to stroll downtown Brighton and enjoy quaint shops, unique products and even a bit of green space at the park right downtown. A perfect place to enjoy a picnic or maybe even some live entertainment in the summer time.

Wherever you stop in Northumberland County you can enjoy delicious food, friendly locals and beautiful views. Start the car!

Looking for more great eats in Northumberland? Check out the links below for our Eat & Drink section and our business directory listings.

Eat & Drink in Northumberland

Restaurant Business Directory