20 Ways to Warm Up To Winter
Here are some great places to dine in – local favourites with delicious written all over the menu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or something in between? Take a look. Find what you crave most. (Click each link below to check hours.)
Rhino's Roadhouse
5078 Rice Lake Drive, Bewdley
(905) 797-2744
facebook.com/RhinosRoadhouse
Stop by the legendary Rhino’s, a favourite, relaxed and friendly motorcycle pit stop – and also great for road trippers all over. Tackle their whopping Big Horn Burger or hot roast turkey sandwich piled high. If your shopping day starts early, fuel up with steaming coffee and Rhino’s egg and peameal breakfast with baked beans.
Hotel Carlyle & Restaurant
86 John St, Port Hope
(905) 885-5500
www.hotelcarlyle.ca
Call ahead to make a reservation so you can enjoy lunch or dinner in the historic Carlyle Hotel (c. 1857). It was originally built as a bank. Try some fresh, locally-inspired food. Experience dining in this unique space, which was, in fact, the building’s former bank vault. (Open Thursday-Sunday; please check hours.)
Jim's Pizza & Pasta
22 Walton St, Port Hope
(905) 885-6313
jimsporthope.ca
Try this local landmark in Port Hope, known for serving up delicious pizza for 40 years. The pizza dough is homemade and still hand-tossed. The tomato sauce is a family recipe. All the fresh ingredients are prepped in house. And, the cheese has the perfect amount of “gooey-ness and goldenness”, after being baked in the restaurant’s trusty pizza oven.
Olympus Burger
55 Mill St S, Port Hope
(905) 885-4637
olympusburger.ca
Taste one of the “10 Best Burgers in the Nation” – also featured on the Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here. It’s really hard to try and pick just one: all burger names and toppings are inspired by the gods of Mt. Olympus. And the other yummy piece of news: Olympus burger also wins the title of being the first restaurant in Canada to be Carbonzero-certified. (Closed on Tuesdays.)
The Social Bar + Table
26 Ontario St, Port Hope
(905) 800-1152
thesocialph.ca
Local, local and more local is on this inviting menu – in an equally inviting, hip and historical location. You might see Chef Liam there, preparing a savoury braised brisket with polenta, pickled onion and gremolata. (He creates mesmerizing foodie experiences at The Social’s dinner lounge, Twenty-Six, next door.) Also stop over there to try a recommended holiday cocktail or mocktail.
Trattoria Gusto
1 Walton St, Port Hope
(905) 885-1198
thewaddell.ca/trattoria-gusto
If you don’t have time to overnight at The Waddell, then take a break to enjoy an excellent lunch or dinner in its welcoming dining room. Savour a glass of wine over the artichoke fritti. Try one of the many authentic pizza, pasta or panino offerings, thoughtfully created by Executive Chef Darryl. Finish off with a festive Tiramisu. (Gluten-free menu options.)
Harbourview Marina & Restaurant
5 Bay St W, Brighton
(613) 475-1515
harbourviewmarinacafe.com
Ease into some delicious home-cooked food. Warm up with a steaming hot bowl of the Harbourview’s soup of the day, followed by their bacon-wrapped scallops. The Harbourview is also known for its own homemade cheesecake, with favourites like coconut cream. In the area to shop early? Watch the sun take its spot over the bay. Enjoy breakfast, served 8-11 am.
The Gables
14 Division St N, Brighton
613-475-5565
www.thegablesrestaurant.net
A Traveller's Choice Award Winner, The Gables (c. 1872) is a welcome, fine dining destination in the County. Try Chef Jey's Wild Mushroom Crostini or Risotto Funghi with truffle oil, paired with a chardonnay or pinot. The fish of the day at market price is always a nice surprise for all clientele here. "(Reservations recommended. Take Out also available.)
Antonia's Bistro
28 Doxsee Ave S, Campbellford
(705) 632-0505
antonias-bistro.com
Relax in Antonia’s soothing café atmosphere. Choose from a variety of mouth-watering specials for brunch, lunch or dinner. Tuck into their classic French onion soup topped with aged Gruyere, or a crispy Maryland crab cake with a generous dollop of chipotle aioli. Antonia’s also offers house-made chocolate truffle cake, Grand Marnier crème brûlée, and salted caramel milk chocolate euro tart – each, pure perfection. (Reservations recommended.)
Apollo's Pizzeria
92 Bridge St, Campbellford
(705) 653-1414
apollos.ca
This well-known family restaurant is about far more than pizza – though the pizza stands on its own, too. It’s a great place to catch up with a few friends over a plate of nachos, deep fried pickles and steak poutine. From striploin steaks to souvlaki dinners, there’s a lot of flare with traditional comfort food here.
Capers Tap House & Casual Dining
28 Bridge St, Campbellford
(705) 653-5262
caperstaphouse.ca
Stop by this 1890s heritage home, nicely situated back from the main street in Campbellford. Dorset Mitchell, Caper’s owner and chef, serves up some memorable signature dishes like smoked duck breast poutine and coconut shrimp. There’s a great assortment of appetizers to warm you up.
Riverview Family Restaurant
6 Front St, Campbellford
(705) 653-4444
facebook.com/riverviewfamilyrestaurant
Comfort food done right. These four words sum up the Riverview. This is a local favourite for hearty soups and generous sandwiches. The fish and chips are hand battered, and cooked until golden brown. Big breakfasts get high marks – as do the strawberry milkshakes.
Tap & Tonic Pub & Bistro
18 Bridge St W, Campbellford
(705) 947-2333
campbellford.tapandtonic.ca
Sideways is a spot where you can lean into food that’s fresh, satisfying and tasty. With a menu grounded in Greek specialities like Spanakopita, you haven’t done local until you’ve tried their Trail Town Hot Dog Poutine. Sideways burgers come as doubles, not singles. Their special Megabite Burger is served on a triple bun. Enjoy it with a local Church-Key beer.
CJ's Tap & Grill
1 Strathy Rd, Cobourg
(905) 372-9784
www.cjtapgrill.com
CJ’s, just off the 401, has some nicely seasoned starters like the Coconut Shrimp with sweet Thai chilli. Cobb, spinach and Greek salads can be topped with grilled chicken, shrimp or steak. The Club House Trio, which can come as half a club, salad and red pepper soup, is one of our favourites. CJ’s also offers some of the best cheesecake around.
The Buttermilk Café
44 King St W, Cobourg
(905) 373-7247
buttermilkcafe.com
You'll feel all warm and toasty here. The Buttermilk Café bustles with fun as staff (and family) serve up food from scratch. Favourites include fluffy buttermilk pancakes, veggie eggs benedict, the blue cheese burger, and their house salad with toasted pecan dressing. Order a slice of fresh lemon pie and Nan's carrot cake. Extra forks are available for the table.
The El
74 King St W, Cobourg
(289) 252-2282
theelcobourg.com
The EL has a vibe that’s fun, welcoming and eclectic. Check out their Black Bean Veggie Burger and other veggie options – or go for their Italian Burger smothered with garlic aioli, smoked gouda, crisply salami and mixed greens. The EL is known for its creative dishes paired with a recommended wine or specially-selected beverage.
McGillicafey’s
13 Bridge St N, Hastings
(705) 696-3600
mcgillicafeys.com
This is a great spot to relax and really dig into a fun menu. Try McGillicafey’s own creations like Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza, or Cajun Chicken Poutine with pulled chicken and lots of real curds over Cajun seasoned fries. Guests here also love the Lock 18 Fish & Chips. And you can wash it down with McGillicafey’s own Lock 18 Lager or Trailtown IPA.
The Captain’s Table
8 Front St E, Hastings
(705) 696-3993
facebook.com/pages/category/Seafood-Restaurant/The-Captains-Table
Definitely make a stop here for the “best fish and chips ever.” Rave reviews go to the halibut with its light and crispy batter, and the special, homemade tartar sauce. Wings, burgers and satisfying breakfasts round out the menu. Take away some coconut cream pie or cherry cheesecake. (And don’t forget to ask about the talent behind their amazing miniature Christmas village display.)
Jeannine’s Backtalk Café
9 Main St, Warkworth
(705) 924-2166
facebook.com/Jeannines-Backtalk-Cafe
Jeannine’s is a great place to warm up over a big pot of tea. Open 10am – 2pm, one local guide says “the pancakes are to die-for”, whipped up from scratch and served with real maple syrup. Every small nook in Jeannine’s is packed with nostalgia. It’s comfortable and welcoming, like the rest of Warkworth. Take your time to slow down and browse in this cool little town.
Looking to spend a few days in the area? Visit our business directory for a listing of local accommodations.
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