Top Takeout to Put Your Tastebuds in Gear

Cobourg and Port Hope are home to me. I moved to Cobourg in grade 6 with my mom; and my dad, brother and sister lived in Port Hope. My family calls Port Hope home now, but almost all of our collective, immediate family lives between these two wonderful towns.

This is the most populous area in Northumberland. Hopping with tourism and cultural events, this area has great vistas of Lake Ontario, historic architecture, plus a vast and interesting food scene. 

In this western-most region of Northumberland County, here are my top picks for a great take-out food experience, relaxed drive, and way to support local business.

When thinking about a day on the road when it’s cold, it’s my opinion that you should always start with a warm beverage.

In Port Hope, stop at the Happenstance Bakery and Coffee Roastery. They have easy, drive-thru service. My vote is for a Bee’s Knees Latte made with Happenstance espresso, whole milk and creamed chocolate honey. If you’ve got a kiddo in the car, you can order a warm hot chocolate, complete with latté art. (My 3-year-old passenger can’t get enough.) 

In Cobourg, start out at Rustic Bean Coffee Co. with a sweet and steamy Caramel Hot Apple Cider. Or, if you want something with a bit more lift-off, they serve great Propeller espresso-based coffees. You can also choose from a selection of pastries, including the most indulgent indulgence, their signature butter tart.

If you’ve managed to hold off on the butter tart, you might be getting hungry. While in Cobourg, head to Cucina Urbana. Defined as an “Authentically Italian” Kitchen and Wine Bar, Cucina Urbana has Cobourg foodies buzzing with praise. Contemporary comfort food sums up the menu. Their Chicken Pizza is popular for good reason, lovingly layered with pesto, buffalo mozzarella and red peppers. The Grilled Calamari and Spicy Sausage is my personal favourite. It offers just enough heat to get my palate fired up.  

Back in Port Hope, you’ll find upscale comfort and a great menu at Trattoria Gusto. In my opinion, they offer the best bistro-style fare in town. The Short Rib al Bucco will soothe your soul with beef braised to perfection. The Brussel Sprouts Fritti has been a favourite of mine for as long as I can remember. It’s just lightly fried with lemon and parmesan. I try to recreate this dish every Christmas, but fail. Simplicity is a wonderful tool (direct from the Trattoria kitchen). 

Finally, if you’re looking for a cold one (or two) to take home, here are two Cobourg breweries I highly recommend. 

You can grab and go at Northumberland Hills Brewery. My favourite here is their flagship Super Continental Ale. But I’m also a big fan of their Oxy Moron Black IPA. I suggest a large bottle of each for sharing back at home. 

William Street Beer Co. is also a great place to stock up. Cliff Top Pale Ale and Farmstand Lager are two big-sellers. Their beautiful cans and bottles also look great on the table. If you don’t stop in on the drive, you’ll be happy to know that William Street beer can be delivered to your door.

Once you get home, lay everything out on the dinner table. Light some candles. Turn on a Cultivate playlist in the background. Feast, and send me your thoughts on every taste.

Please note: While I have done my research to confirm that these businesses are open and offering safe and considerate options for curbside pick-up or take-away, it’s still in your best interest to check that they will be open when you plan to visit.

By Jeff Bray