The days may be getting shorter in Ontario, but there’s still plenty of summer left, and what better way to spend it than on a road trip?

Road trip eats in Ontario may, at first, conjure up images of Webers burgers in the back seat or a turkey leg the size of your head at the Big Apple — both of which are also must-tries, in their own right — but the province is also home to an army of exceptional restaurants that deserve to be the destination, rather than just a stop on the way.

Whether you’re gearing up for a summer vacation (or staycation, if that’s more your style) or starting to build your itinerary for the Labour Day long weekend, we asked our readers to tell us which restaurants in Ontario are worth a couple of hours on the highway, and they did not disappoint.

From Michelin-starred fine dining experiences to criminally underrated hidden gems, these are some of the Ontario restaurants that are worth the trip, according to our readers.

Cambridge
Langdon Hall Dining Room

Chef Jason Bangerter has headed up the kitchen at the stately Langdon Hall Hotel for the past 12 years, landing it a spot on Toronto’s Michelin Guide despite being located about 100 km outside of the city, in Cambridge.

A manageable hour-and-a-half-long drive is all that stands between you and elegant French cuisine at 1 Langdon Dr., Cambridge.

Elora
Elora Mill Restaurant

Located in one of Ontario’s most breathtaking towns (if not the most), you can dine on a thoughtful, seasonal menu that includes wood-fire grilled meats and fresh pastas while taking in one of the best views in the province: the Elora Gorge. The Mill can be found at 77 Mill St. W., Elora.

Grey County
Bruce Wine Bar

Bolstered by the tagline “feed your curiosity,” this wine bar at 8 Bruce St. S., Thornbury serves a whole lot more than just small plates, although it does offer a seriously impressive selection of appetizers, too. Choose between vaguely named mains like “Plant,” “Noodle,” and “Fowl,” and your curiosity, much like your appetite, will certainly be sated.

Down Home Farmhouse

Another Ontario Michelin Guide entrant can be found in Markdale, about a half-hour drive southwest of Blue Mountain. Created by Sumac & Salt founders, Chef Joel Gray and Hannah Harradine, this farm-to-table restaurant sits right on a farm at 135299 9 Line, Markdale, and uses many ingredients foraged from or grown on the farm itself.

Naagan by Zach Keeshig

Ranked as one of Canada’s 100 Best New Restaurants in 2025, this intimate 17-seat restaurant is a true one-of-a-kind in the province.

Centred around education, art and, of course, an unbelievable meal, chef Zach Keeshig serves 12-course meals based on Indigenous cuisine and culture, which also means every single ingredient used comes from local farmers, fishers, and hunters.

It can be found at 279 10th St. E., Owen Sound.

Haliburton County
Rhubarb

Ontario cottage country isn’t all about hot dogs and s’mores, and this upscale dining spot at 9201 ON-118 in Minden is living proof of that fact.

A menu of sophisticated crowd pleasers like Wedge Salad, Escargot, Steak Frites, and Arctic Char is joined by a comprehensive rotation of daily specials so that, whether you’re a cottager, a year-round resident or a visitor, you’ll never have to eat the same thing twice.

Kingston
Chez Piggy

This tucked-away spot at 68 Princess St. in the heart of downtown Kingston is the textbook definition of a local legend, having held court in its historic limestone digs for nearly 50 years.

Here, you’ll find a selection of eclectic yet accessible dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner, best enjoyed from their peaceful courtyard patio.

Niagara
Bench Brewing Company

Sometimes the best meals require little more than great scenery and a cold beer, and that’s exactly what you can expect when you stop by this Niagara Region brewery that just so happens to grow all of its own hops on the estate. It’s located at  3991 King St., Beamsville.

Restaurant Pearl Morissette

Sublime barely begins to describe this breathtaking 42-acre winery, bakery and restaurant that, in 2024, earned one Michelin star and a Michelin green star thanks to its refined, ever-evolving menu and chef team Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson’s commitment to sustainability, from ingredient sourcing to cooking methods.

 Visit it at 3953 Jordan Rd., Jordan Station.

Rizzo’s House of Parm

It wouldn’t be a proper celebration of Ontario’s food scene if at least one property by celebrity chef Matty Matheson didn’t make it on, and his Niagara Region Italian comfort food spot is generally agreed upon to be one of his best.

Matheson’s bias towards creating simple, nostalgic dishes with an upscale edge really works when it comes in the form of dishes like beef, veal and pork Tagliatelle Bolognese, and Garlic & Parm Focaccia.

Find them at 2 Ridgeway Rd., Ridgeway.

Orillia
Common Stove

Owned and operated by the power duo of Simon MacRae and Darcy MacDonnell, the latter of whom previously owned and operated Toronto’s Farmhouse Tavern for its first eight years in business, it’s safe to say this Orillia eatery was built on a sturdy foundation. 

It was also built around an enormous wood-fired grill, which does a fair amount of the heavy lifting when it comes to meat and vegetables on the menu at 27 Mississaga St. W., Orillia.

Prince Edward County
Bocado

Seasonal and Spanish-inspired cuisine are at the heart of this groovy spot at 252 Picton Main St., Prince Edward, where the dishes are as colourful, diverse and unique as the extensive wine selection — which, we might add, is broken down by tasting notes, as well as just type.

Sauble Beach
Heydays at the June Motel

The sister location to a beloved Prince Edward County boutique motel happens to have its very own indoor-outdoor restaurant on-site that serves up exactly the type of cuisine you’d find yourself craving poolside at a retro-inspired motel.

Think steaks, seafood, and comfort food classics, all at 11 Sauble Falls Pkwy., Sauble Beach.

Simcoe County
The GoodHawk

“Honest, approachable, ingredient-driven” food is the promise at this Adjala-Tosorontio eating house that strives to incorporate locally grown produce from nearby farms and fresh bread made in-house.

Expect an intimate meal featuring a rapidly rotating selection of seasonal eats at 9435 Simcoe County Rd. 1, Adjala-Tosorontio.

The Pine

Another 2024 Michelin star recipient, this time located in the heart of downtown Creemore, but don’t let the word “downtown” fool you: as far as intimate and serene go, this restaurant and the town that surrounds it are about as good as it gets.

Here, at 7535 County Rd. 9, Creemore, Chef Jeremy Austin and his wife, Cassie, serve an Asian-inspired menu amid minimalistic interiors.

Poppy’s French Bistro

Located in the historic Tremont Studios Building, which had a past life as a luxury hotel, this charming French bistro serves up all of the classics with tact and taste. With three distinct menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, you’re certain to find something that hits the spot. Located at 80 Simcoe St., Collingwood.

St. Catharines
Fat Rabbit

A mainstay on both Ontario’s Michelin Guide and Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, this restaurant-meets-whole-animal butcher is on the rapid ascent towards being reputed as one of the province’s favourite eateries, thanks to its decidedly unpretentious air and exceptionally impressive lineup of meats and cheeses.

Find it at  34 Geneva St., St. Catharines.





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