Places to eat in Southwestern Ontario

Farmers’ markets

Wander the indoor and season outdoor areas of the historic Covent Garden Market, downtown London’s foodie hub filled with vendors showcasing the freshest seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and locally made good and goodies.

The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market runs from late March until December and brings the all fresh goodness from the countryside to the centre of the city.

Maple syrup

This Canadian staple is harvested each spring and enjoyed year-round on a variety of foods, including pancakes, French toast and waffles. Maple syrup can also be infused with different flavours and added to all kinds of delicious products and menus.

Visit Richardson’s Farm & Market in Haldimand County’s Dunnville for sugar bush tours during the tapping and sap boiling season and for piping hot pancakes, sausage, apple sauce and sweet maple syrup.

Just southwest of Woodstock, Jakeman’s Maple Farm has been producing pure maple syrup from tree to  bottle for almost 150 years.

Dairy and cheese

Oxford County is renowned for its dairy industry, so much so it’s been coined the Dairy Capital of Canada. Not surprisingly it’s also where commercial cheese production first began.

Celebrate its cheese heritage along the Oxford County Cheese Trail and visit shops, factories, restaurants and a cheese museum. And that’s just the start—discover cheesy artisanal delights in Port Dover’s The Dover Cheese Shop and Windsor’s The Cheese Bar.

Lake to plate perch

Lake Erie yellow perch is a local favourite. This versatile fish often features on menus across Southwestern Ontario, deliciously fried, grilled or baked.

The Lake Erie perch sandwich at Wolfhead Distillery in Amherstburg is flash fried and served with homemade caper tartar sauce. 

Fish Fridays is a tradition at The Clock Tower Inn bistro in Strathroy with fresh pan-fried Lake Erie perch, mini wedge roast potatoes and creamy coleslaw. 

Bring your appetite for the perch platter at Buccaneer Bar and Grill in Port Stanley or perch tacos at The Boathouse in Port Rowan.

Farm-to-table menus

Fresh and seasonal is way of life in Southwestern Ontario.

The tasting menu at sixthirtynine in Woodstock changes seasonally, but what stays constant is the farm fresh ingredients and friendly service.

Abruzzi Restorante, an upscale Italian inspired eatery, collaborates with local organic farmers, growers and winemakers to create exciting seasonal and sustainable dishes.

For modern Canadian cuisine and artful plating, check out Grace Restaurant in London.

Get your plant based fix at Plant Matter Café in London’s Wortley Village, serving up organic, locally sourced vegan food. Green’s Café in Sarnia has an extensive selection of plant-based meals and kombucha cocktails, and The Edible Journey in Port Stanley has organic fresh-pressed juices and vegan desserts.

Classic comfort food

We all have that one guilty pleasure for nostalgic, feel-good food!

If pizza is your happy meal, you’ll need to sink your teeth into the famous Windsor-style pizza. Whether it’s the shredded pepperoni, local Galati mozzarella or canned mushrooms, Windsorites are fiercely passionate about their pizza.

Learn about the history of the Windsor style pizza and treat yourself to a delicious slice of this tradition at Armando’s, Walkerville Eatery or Capri Pizza. Embrace food fusion with Arcata Pizzeria’s popular chicken shawarma pizza, or build your own pizza creation at one of Oven 360’s nine locations.

The Church Key Bistro-Pub on London’s Richmond Street does a flavourful lamb curry, an unbeatable duck confit salad and mouth-watering house-smoked corned beef brisket.

Choose from a wide range of patties, beef, prime rib, turkey, wild boar, tuna, salmon, portobello or Beyond Meat. Then, pick from a selection of cheeses and load your burger with toppings like pineapple salsa, wasabi aioli or cranberry-Dijon delish.

Love brunch? Check out the all-day breakfast menu at The Early Bird in London featuring chicken and waffles that comes with crispy onions, bacon jam and syrup or hot honey. Late risers will love the brunch spread at Walkersville’s The Twisted Apron.

Global flavours

Satisfy your craving for Caribbean jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, fried plantain or curry roti from London’s Irie Bites Café or Indulge Cuisine or St. Thomas’s Caribbean Stove PickUp.

Head to Vas Cuisine in London for homemade Nigerian rice, stew and soup dishes or book mini African cuisine tasting experiences at HANAK Foods. If you’re craving the mouthwatering flavours and spices of Ethiopian cuisine, World Marathon Ethiopian in Windsor is great for tasty Ethiopian injera combination platters. 

Yaya’s Kitchen in London hosts private, curated culinary events showcasing the cuisine of Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region with multi-course tasting menus.

Try the bestselling Firecracker roll and other Japanese delights at Koi Sushi in Kingsville or LaSalle. Visit Royal Spice in Tecumseh for tantalizing flavours of Indian cuisine or look for Tikka Tomato, an Indian fusion food. Satisfy your cravings for pupusas and tamales from Salvadorian El Comal and authentic Mexican fare from Taco Tony or Salsa Caliente in Leamington.

Choose from European specialties such as schnitzel and goulash at Marienbad Restaurant, housed in a historic 1854 building on London’s Carling Street. And tuck into handmade gnocchi at Nico Tavern on Erie Street in Windsor.

Sweet treats

Always save a little room for dessert in Southwestern Ontario.

London Ice Cream Company serves scoops of innovative ice cream flavours. Surprise your taste buds with the unconventional savoury Sweet Dilly of a Pickle or choose from winning flavours such as Moosetracks, Happy Birthday and Peanut Butter Mudpuddle.

Indulge your sweet tooth in the old-fashioned ice cream parlour at Here’s the Scoop in Harrow.

East of London in Thorndale, the bakery at Apple Land Station farm is known for its signature “mile-high apple pies,” prepared daily. Even the mouth-watering fruit filling is made from scratch.

Enjoy the delightfully decadent goodness of Annie’s Chocolates. This family-operated business in London offers handmade creations from a special blend of chocolate.

If you enjoy Indian cuisine, the delicious flavours served at Spice n' Ice in Sarnia will not disappoint.

Food and lodging

Don’t dine and dash! Stay awhile at these boutique digs with scrumptious onsite eateries.

Elm Hurst Inn & Spa

A Southwestern Ontario landmark since 1872, the Elm Hurst Inn & Spa embodies Ingersoll’s historic charm. The Gothic Revival mansion restaurant offers fine dining, headed by Executive Chef Philippe Coeurdassier.

Location: 415 Harris Street, Ingersoll

The Clock Tower Inn

The Clock Tower Inn stands proudly in downtown Strathroy. It was constructed in 1889 by renowned Canadian architect Thomas Fuller, who also designed the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. During your stay, check out the thoughtful menu carefully crafted by executive chef and owner Mark Graham and his team.

Location: 71 Frank Street, Strathroy

The Windjammer Inn

With breezy, waterfront vibes, stay at The Windjammer Inn and dine at their restaurant for freshly prepared local food.

Location: 324 Smith Street, Port Stanley

Idlewyld Inn & Spa

The Idlewyld Inn & Spa has charmed generations of visitors since 1878. It has an upscale restaurant that serves your meal in the sun filled dining room, the front porch or in the secluded garden courtyard.

Location: 36 Grand Avenue, London

Retro Suites Hotel

Retro Suites has a vibrant and eclectic décor and a restaurant where you can enjoy theme nights such as Past Wednesdays, Thursday Date Nights and Friday Fish and Chips special.

Location: 2 King Street West, Chatham

The Grove Hotel

With the perfect blend of hip and historic, this intimate and whimsical hotel’s in-house café, JOE. Hot+Cold, serves breakfast items and a selection of wine, beer and cocktails for any pre-dinner festivities.

With the perfect blend of hip and historic, the Grove Hotel has an intimate and whimsical in-house café, JOE. Hot+Cold, serves breakfast items and a selection of wine, beer and cocktails for any pre-dinner festivities.

Location: 12 Main Street East, Kingsville

Find more culinary experiences

Looking for more culinary inspiration?

Next Stop Taste is a video food series that showcases local food, wine, craft brewery and farm-to-table experiences across the region. Or explore wine inspired cuisine in the Lake Erie North Shore wine region.