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Jeff Bray, foodie and Cultivate’s founder, reviews some of our local food, restaurants and breweries. Please contact individual businesses for up-to-date hours of operation and offerings as well as COVID-19 safety policies.
Restaurant Reviews from a Local Foodie
Black Cat Café
4 King St W, Cobourg
Black Cat Café has the best coffee in Cobourg! I’m obsessed with coffee and this is my favourite place to indulge. I keep it simple with an Americano, grab a table and count my blessings. The coffee alone is probably enough, but it doesn’t have to be. House-made focaccia paninis, fresh salads and a sweets spread second to few. The blueberry scone is gloriously buttery with a bit of crunch and just the right amount of sweetness.
McGillicafey's Pub and Eatery
13 Bridge St S, Hastings
McGillicafey's Pub and Eatery is a feel good pub for the whole family. In the summer, sit on the patio and watch the boats go by. It’s all about the meat at McGillicafey’s and I recommend the House Smoked Beef Brisket. So tender and juicy! Thirsty? Have a saffron infused cocktail! Partnered with Ontario’s only saffron farm, they are mixing up some interesting takes on old classics.
Happenstance Bakery & Coffee Roastery
135 Peter St., Port Hope
Happenstance is treating Port Hope to a fresh roasted coffee game that this town hasn’t seen before. They offer baked goods, and fresh bread that will have your mouth watering. I know someone who is hooked on their ginger molasses cookies. They also have a great lunch menu, including a chickpea salad sandwich that you'll love. And, their specialty beverages are the best around.
Craft Food House
201 Division St S, Cobourg
Stop into Craft Food House's cozy, inviting space for locally sourced food that is simple and fresh. The Check Your Pulse salad is a large bowl, packed full of beans, hummus, kale, chickpeas, egg and more. A meal you’ll feel good after eating. This is a delicious lunch or brunch spot with a nice little patio for outdoor eating when the weather is right.
Dooher's Bakery
61 Bridge St E, Campbellford
Voted Canada’s Sweetest Bakery in 2018, Dooher's is famous for donuts. Interesting fact - their record is over 4000 of them sold before two in the afternoon. That’s good business. Last time I went, I bought a dozen and ate four in one day. If you get one, get the cream filled classic. But get two, and add the maple dip. You can thank me later.
The Whistling Duck
Temporarily closed due to a fire. Check Facebook for updated information.
Named after a murdered indigenous man whose killer was never tried, The Whistling Duck does a great job of celebrating the bay’s history as well as its namesake’s story through art, culture and food. It’s a fascinating story! The restaurant has a down home vibe and the service is charming! Although the menu is vast, I could narrow it down to one suggestion – Honey Balsamic Brussel Sprouts, fried quickly to create a subtle crunch with a great balance of sweet and savoury.
Lola's Coffee House
74 Main St, Brighton
Lola's Coffee House is a bright, welcoming spot in the friendly community of Brighton. Tracy (who manages the front of house) is a farmer and Dave uses all of her produce whenever possible. Focused on vegan and gluten-free offerings, the soups change daily and the sweets go fast. The Grilled Cheese with Apple (we’re in Apple Country after all) is bang on. Homemade spelt bread, gooey cheese, tomato onion jam and crisp apples you could literally pick off the trees down the road.
Villa Conti
337 Covert Hill Rd, Warkworth
The location of Villa Conti is flawless with a view of Northumberland’s rolling hills and 35 acres of vines. Owners Tommaso and Bambina’s Italian traditions here are strong. Simple food. Simple ingredients. Simple life. Chef Tommaso knows pasta and he wants you to eat it. In fact, he’s not happy until you’ve eaten pretty much everything. Tell him what you like and let him make something for you. He’s easy going and loves to please.
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
990 Ontario St, Cobourg
The burger at The Mill Restaurant and Pub is an absolutely delicious, house butchered beef on brioche. The Steak-Frites is great – 8oz flat iron steak with hand cut frites and red wine demi-glaze. For a next-level winner, try the Beef Cheek Pappardelle – house made noodles, fall apart cheek, demi-glaze cream sauce and local mushrooms. Decadent and delightful. Also, the salmon is served with a saffron cream sauce sourced from Ontario’s only True Saffron Producers, right here in Northumberland.
Olympus Burger
55 Mill St S, Port Hope
Voted Best Burger in Canada by Canadian Living, Olympus Burger takes burgers seriously. For me, it’s all about the Ares burger – peppercorn beef patty, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onion and house made BBQ sauce. A side of Olympus Fries is the perfect accompaniment. Beautiful hand cut fries are the perfect conduit for the Greek dressing and crumbled feta. Wash that down with their Olympus Ale.
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