Eat, drink and be merry on a foodie trip across South Eastern Ontario! From harvest-inspired feasts to brewery tours and farm visits, unique experiences help connect farm to table effortlessly. Sip on a cider, savour a spirit, and beckon for a beer during a visit. Don’t forget to take in the bounty from boonies directly from local farms. South Eastern Ontario is a region like no other – explore and reward those taste buds!
If You’re Coming From Toronto…
Day 1
Start your gastronomic adventure in the Bay of Quinte where hundreds of years of agriculture tradition connect to creativity on the plate and inspiring forward-thinking. Stop at an early morning farmer’s market or roadside stand to start your journey.
Find out what all the fuss is about and witness the passion that goes into craft brewing. Meet the makers before finding your favourite flavour at places like Wildcard Brewing. Dig into some seriously mouth-watering food for lunch. Look here for a list of outrageously great places to eat in Bay of Quinte!
Day 2
After a rest, it’s off to Prince Edward County – where the toughest decision of the day is which winery to visit! With more than 40 to choose from, sipping award-winning wines in rustic barn spaces or on patios overlooking vineyards is a way of life. Tours are available ranging from driving to cycle tours or go at your own pace. Be sure to stop at a lavender field, do yoga with some friendly alpacas at a local farm or even head over to Campbell’s Orchards in fall to pick your own apples or visit their market.
Taste the bounty from the County – artisanal foods and master chefs are peppered among the award-winning wineries of Prince Edward County. Seasonal menus will have you eating your way through The County year-round, with restaurants drawing from many local farms that provide pure dairy for artisanal cheeses, excellent cider apples and barley for distinctive breweries. It’s no wonder that Prince Edward County has been declared the gastronomical capital of Ontario!
Day 3
Hit the back roads and discover good-for-you food around every corner, like Seed to Sausage, The Cheesecakery, and even fine chocolate! Frontenac’s long history of traditional farming is merging with modern innovation and artisanal skills.
Make the next stop Kingston for the love of food! How can you feel guilty if you are walking between bites? The Kingston Food Tour is a walking tour of the Limestone city’s beautiful downtown hub. Blending drool-worthy food with sightseeing and insider secrets about the historic culture and thriving community will have you ramped up for a fun night on the town. With food so delicious, people come from hundreds of miles away to explore their taste buds, you can expect to try some mouthwatering fish tacos, creamy gelato, and aromatic sauces at each of the many locally-owned restaurants featured on this tour.
Next, on your outing, check out the Kingston market. Since 1801 farmers from the area surrounding Kingston have congregated in Market Square for the Kington Public Market. Friends and neighbours continue to gather here today, in the city’s historic downtown. Grab a bouquet of sunflowers, a tin of maple syrup or anything that strikes your fancy. Finish the day off by hitting up one of many Kingston patios!
If You’re Coming From Ottawa…
Day 1
Savour the flavour of the 1000 Islands! Gananoque offers everything from being wined and dined to casual goodness; from pub fare to unique cafes this town on the St. Lawrence has exciting dining options. Watch the river wake up with coffee on a waterfront patio and plan your day. The Thousand Islands Playhouse hosts dinners on their docks throughout the summer season, but a brewery visit makes for a great bonding time that can easily extend the day though, like time spent at BUSL cider house near Mallorytown.
Finish the day by tasting the area’s produce, meat, and baked goods at the Gananoque Farmers’ Market; meet locals and farmers, and enjoy a picnic supper every Thursday evening, June through October.
Day 2
Take the drive up the Rideau Canal to Lyndhurst, where you’ll find Berry Homestead Farm – and donkey therapy. Experiential services like donkey training, hiking, off-grid workshops, and farm tours showcase the unique animals and let visitors visit the donkeys. Another five minutes near Delta is Mensen Farm, which grows strawberries, sweet corn, seasonal veggies, and even Christmas trees! From there, either diverge to more Rideau Canal wandering and experience Westport Brewing Company and Scheuermann Vineyard.
Day 3
Now is the time to treat yourself in Brockville! Find the perfect spot to tempt your taste buds and discover many tastes from homestyle food to historic restaurants and from fine dining to bakeries, bistros, pubs, and even tearooms. The Brockville Farmers’ Market offers local wines, cheese, homemade bread, produce, and preserves – as well as artisanal goods. Apple orchards and berry farms border the city, so seek out Halls Apple Market or Tincap Berry Farm for down-home fun on the farm, depending on the season. Hit the road to Prescott as you continue east, to indulge in refreshing locally crafted spirits. That’s right – organic gin, vodka, and whiskey are made just down the road along the St. Lawrence River at King’s Lock Craft Distillery.
Continue to Cornwall where family time is all the time at Avonmore Berry Farm. The farm welcomes apple and pumpkin pickers of all ages with wagon rides, picnic areas, and numerous play areas to explore including a haymow, swings and a sand area. Be sure to stop in at the Rurban Brewing taproom in downtown Cornwall to savour this independent, family-owned, small-batch brewery, producing premium quality beer served with good, old-fashioned service. Discover fantastic food dens here to cater to every whim of culinary delight!
No matter how long you stay in South Eastern Ontario, bring your appetite and prepare to please your palette – discover delicious on your own terms!
