Best Gravenhurst Restaurants in Muskoka

Looking to dine out at the best Gravenhurst restaurants in Muskoka?

Our comprehensive guide to Gravenhurst restaurants features the best fine dining rooms, cafes, bakeries, ice cream parlours, patios and pubs in Ontario’s favourite cottage country community.

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Best Gravenhurst Restaurants

Are you a Muskoka local looking for a tasty date night idea? Or perhaps you’re a tourist keen to eat your way through Ontario’s most luxurious cottage country community. Our comprehensive guide to Gravenhurst restaurants features the best places to eat in Muskoka’s most southerly city.

When I was a kid growing up in Muskoka there were only a handful of fancy restaurants. We mostly ate at roadside burger joints, family-friendly Italian restaurants and iconic diners like Huntsville, Ontario’s foot long hotdog dream, Tasty Cream (RIP). Thanks to the boom of the real estate market, as well as the development of world-class luxury hotels and resorts, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in a memorable meal in Gravenhurst.

The population of Gravenhurst is just over 13,000 residents. That number booms in the summer months when city slickers and holidaymakers arrive in droves to enjoy the scenic lake district at luxury hotels and cozy cottages. For boat lovers, the friendly city is conveniently located between Gull Lake and Lake Muskoka.

We spent 12 months tasting our way through the best Gravenhurst restaurants, exploring creative dishes that utilize local ingredients such as cranberries, maple syrup and plenty of Muskoka craft beer. The majority of the Gravenhurst restaurant scene is located downtown along Muskoka Road or by the Wharf overlooking the historic Muskoka steamships.

If you’re driving from Toronto to Gravenhurst you’ll likely want to take a break en route to refuel. Those familiar with the cottage country drive regularly stop for a hamburger at Weber’s in Orillia. An excellent alternative is making a pitstop at one of three award-winning breweries in Barrie.

Read through our cottage country culinary guide to learn about the best Huntsville restaurants, Bracebridge restaurants, Port Carling restaurants and Muskoka restaurants.

Best Muskoka Hotels

Stay at one of our favourite Muskoka hotels when eating through the Gravenhurst restaurant scene.

• JW Marriott Muskoka: Overlooking Lake Rosseau, this upscale hotel offers a chic bar, 3 restaurants, luxury spa and scenic waterfront. Check Reviews
• Deerhurst Resort: This upscale lakeside resort in Huntsville offers chic guest rooms, award-winning golf club, restaurants, spa and family-friendly activities year-round. Check Reviews
• Touchstone Resort: Overlooking Lake Muskoka, this modern resort near Bracebridge offers luxurious suites and villas, onsite restaurant, spa with infinity pool, family-friendly beach and fun outdoor activities. Check Reviews

Join Dobbernationloves founder Andrew Dobson in the kitchen by signing up for a fun virtual cooking class! Classes begin with a cocktail that you can sip while preparing 2-3 recipes that are curated around a unique culinary theme. Check out our current Cooking Class Schedule!

Boathouse Restaurant at Taboo Muskoka

1209 Muskoka Beach Road in Gravenhurst, 705-687-2233

Taboo Muskoka has been welcoming guests to the shores of Lake Muskoka since 1926, first as the Muskoka Beach Inn, when guests mainly arrived by horse and buggy from the Gravenhurst railway station, then from 1959, as the Muskoka Sands, and in 1985 as the Taboo we know today.

The luxurious Muskoka resort features 59 spacious suites and 93 condos designed in a modernist style by Anna Simone. Guests can relax at the pool, go for a dip in the lake, enjoy a paddle via kayak or canoe, mountain bike through forest trails or golf at a Ron Garl designed course.

Taboo Muskoka’s signature eatery is Boathouse Restaurant, which sits perched over Lake Muskoka. The cottage country inspired restaurant concept is popular with hotel guests as well as locals who often arrive on their motorboats to tuck into an al fresco lunch.

After completing a successful stint as a professional football player in the CFL Chef Adedeji Oduwole pursued his passion for cooking. Upon completing his culinary diploma at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver he traveled to Spain to work at the 2 Michelin Starred Atrio Restaurant. After returning to Canada he worked in top notch kitchens at the Vancouver Club and Bymark before helping craft the food program at Taboo Muskoka. 

Highlights from the Boathouse Restaurant menu include beefy burgers, crispy fried fish tacos and epic Mediterranean Platter featuring hummus, tabbouleh, pickled eggplant and baba ghanoush.

Muskoka Steamships Dinner & Cruise

185 Cherokee Lane in Gravenhurst, 705-687-6667

No trip to Muskoka is complete until you’ve strolled onto the iconic RMS Segwun.

Muskoka’s steamship heritage is older than Canada itself! The first ship steamed Lake Muskoka in 1866. In 2017, locals celebrated the RMS Segwun’s 130 year anniversary. She is North America’s oldest operating mail steamship!

Splurge on your sweetie by grabbing tickets for the sunset dinner cruise and you’ll romance the night away as you putter along Lake Muskoka in style. The leisurely 3.5 hour cruise departs from Gravenhurst Wharf and features a three course dinner served in the ships vintage dining salon.

The Segwun’s romantic sunset diner features fresh rolls and baby kale caesar salad. Guests can select from a variety of entrees including roast turkey, poached salmon, chicken supreme or bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin.

Tastebuds Ice Cream & Poutinerie

291 Phillip Street East in Gravenhurst, 705-687-8478

Leave your calorie counter in the car! Tastebuds in Gravenhurst is a friendly family-owned business and our go-to for a guilt-free fatty sugar fix in Muskoka.

Skip inside the fast food restaurant and you’ll find a selection of Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream flavours, cheesy poutine, pulled pork sandwiches and freshly baked butter tarts and Nanaimo bars.

You May Also Enjoy Reading…

• Best Muskoka Spas
• Best Restaurants in Muskoka 
• Best Muskoka Hotels & Resorts
• Best Bracebridge Restaurants
• Best Port Carling Restaurants
• Best Huntsville Ontario Restaurants
• Muskoka Breweries: Best Craft Beer in Ontario Cottage Country
• JW Marriott Muskoka: Luxury Resort on Lake Rosseau
• Lake of Bays Brewing: Muskoka Craft Beer in Baysville
• Muskoka Brewery: Enjoy a Tour and Craft Beer Tasting in Bracebridge
• Best Things to Do at Taboo Resort in Muskoka
• 10 Tips on Hosting the Ultimate Cottage Weekend
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• Best Luxury Boutique Hotels in Ontario
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The Oar Restaurant

530 Muskoka Rd N, 705-687-8618

The Oar Restaurant in Gravenhurst first opened its doors in 2007 as North Restaurant. The business began as a high end fine dining concept featuring white linen topped tables and an extensive wine menu.

In 2014, owners Robbie and Alain Irvine rebranded the concept to The Oar & Paddle. The reimagined Gravenhurst restaurant features a more casual interior and consumer friendly prices.

Robbie shared, “Alain was an Executive Chef for brands such as Four Seasons, Marriott, Delta and Wyndham for 30 years. After many years of moves and transfers, our family welcomed the opportunity to settle in Muskoka where our family cottage was.”

Visit The Oar and you’ll find a main dining room with seating for 64 guests and The West Wing, which seats 36. The restaurants interior features floor to ceiling windows, artwork by Linda Potts and an inverted canoe, which floats below the ceiling.

The Oar’s bar features 14 taps, 10 of which are dedicated to local Ontario craft breweries. The menu offers elevated pub favourites such as nachos, poutine, calamari, wings and burgers.

Of all the Gravenhurst restaurants, The Oar is probably the favourite for local vegan and gluten-free diners. Fresh salads and cauliflower crust pizzas offer plenty of healthy options during lunch or dinner.

• The Oar Cobb: rainbow kale, shaved radish, hard boiled egg, basil bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, crispy chickpeas, green goddess dressing
• Famous Beef Burger: crispy onions, aioli, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, aged cheddar, toasted bun
• Seafood Pasta: scallops, shrimp, mussels, angel hair pasta, roasted garlic pesto
• Mussels: tomato sauce or white wine cream sauce with baguette slices
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich: buttermilk drizzle, coleslaw, smoked gouda

Well Fed Inc

150 Hotchkiss St, 705-684-9355

Well Fed Inc’s owner and operator Annette Gillan first opened the Gravenhurst restaurant in May, 2011.

Gillan explains the businesses name came to her in a dream, “I was trying to explain my business plan and I remembered saying to someone, ‘I just want people to be well fed.’ I woke up, Googled the name and nothing trademarked came up. So I woke my husband and said I have a name for my store!”

Well Fed Inc is known locally as a popular take out joint, but they also offer cafe tables on the sidewalk during the warmer months of the year.

The restaurant in Gravenhurst is located in a 100 year old building that was originally a livery stable for the house next door. Skip inside Well Fed Inc and you’ll find a grab and go counter and wall decorated with an old horseshoe and vintage square head nails that were found in the walls during renovations.

Signature dishes at Well Fed Inc include Roasted Turkey and Swiss on Multigrain with Homemade Cranberry Mayo, Take and Bake Lasagna and Carrot Pineapple Cake. The kitchen recently created a chicken soup called, “Cure What Ales You,” which is prepared with Sawdust City Brewery’s Golden Beach Pale Ale.

If you’re driving up to Algonquin Park for a camping trip or looking for a quick grab and go lunch pop by Well Fed Inc in Gravenhurst for one of their popular boxed lunches.

Blue Willow Tea Shop

900 Bay St, 705-687-2597

Blue Willow Tea Shop has been serving the town of Gravenhurst since 2006. Owners Pam Harris and Alison McKinnon purchased the business in 2019 and launched the new restaurant after a makeover in March of that year.

Pam and Alison shared, “We worked together in hospitality previously and one day decided we should be doing this for ourselves. We saw Blue Willow Tea Shop was up for sale and thought it was a perfect fit for us. The name of the the shop comes from the famous English china pattern Blue Willow, which we use for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea service.”

The 36-seat Gravenhurst restaurant offers an intimate interior for tea lovers. The duo’s vision was to create an elegant yet casual and quirky look. They sourced a variety of old and new chandeliers as well as vintage furnishings that have been custom painted and reupholstered. 

During the warmer month of the year a 12 seat patio offers guests an opportunity to sip in the sun. Blue Willow Tea Shop looks out over scenic Lake Muskoka and offers a direct view of the famous steamships. Pam and Alison added, “The Segwun is the oldest operating steamship in North America. Definitely worth booking a cruise and experiencing high tea aboard the ship which we cater.”

The Blue Willow Tea Shop offers breakfast and lunch menus which provide guests with British meals served as hearty portions. The restaurant’s popular High Tea features traditional tea sandwiches, miniature scones and desserts, accompanied by a pot of tea.

“We feature a selection of 27 teas on our menu but we also bring in special seasonal flavours throughout the year so usually more than 30 flavours of tea on hand at any time. Since we are an English-style tea shop, we also feature beverages from the United Kingdom such as Guinness, Strongbow and Pimm’s,” said Pam and Alison.

Relish

240 Muskoka Rd N, 705-826-3968

Emily and Jessica Dursley first opened Relish, a restaurant in Gravenhurst, Ontario in November 2016.

The duo at Relish restaurant and cafe create food that not only fuels the body and soul, but tastes great too! Their motto is, “Real food, served fresh.”

The Gravenhurst restaurant’s name comes from the definition of the word “to relish in, or enjoy greatly.” The 24-seat restaurant offers cafe and bistro-style seating and mini food market.

The Dursley’s explained, “The building was previously a Salvation Army church. Within the town of Gravenhurst there have been many fires, the building where Relish resides is one of the only ones that survived. Making it a unique heritage building.”

The Dursley’s describe the open concept restaurant’s interior as minimalistic-boho. You’ll find lots of plants, black tables, old chairs and retro pieces turned into permanent fixtures.

Hop in line and you’ll find a glass display case featuring fresh baked goods (muffins, cookies, squares) and fresh salads, pizzas and sandwiches.

Relish Gravenhurst’s owners shared, “Our goal is to create nutrient dense food, with options for every dietary restriction. Gluten free, Keto, Vegan – we can make it happen.”

• Falafel Bowl: lettuce, tomato, cucumber, hummus, pickled turnips, baked falafel
• Chicken Caesar: mixed greens, kale, pesto roasted chicken, croutons
• Tofu Miso Bowl: brown rice, greens, kale, purple cabbage, carrot, edamame, red onion, baked tofu
• Chicken Club Quesadilla: chicken, bacon, spinach, tomato, caramelized onion, cheese
• Tasting Plate: samosa, spanakopita, soup or salad

Sawdust City Brewing

397 Muskoka Rd N, Gravenhurst, 705-681-1100

Sawdust City Brewing Company is dedicated to the art and science of creating exceptional craft beers. Brewmaster Sam Corbeil and his talented team create award-winning beers that expand the borders of traditional flavour profiles from their 20,000 sq ft facility on the main street of Gravenhurst.

The Canadian-made brewhouse includes a canning line, barrel-aging room, large retail store and Tap Room where live music entertains sud-sloshers every Friday and Saturday night. The Tap Room features a 24-foot live-edge bar milled from a 100-year-old naturally felled pine tree, honouring the long history of logging in Muskoka. Hop up on a bar stool here and you’ll find 12 draught lines and friendly bartender keen on walking you through a tutored tasting.

In addition to Sawdust City Brewing’s six year-round core brands, they brew exceptional seasonal offerings, exciting limited batch brews, barrel-aged and experimental beers.

Are you a craft beer lover looking for the best Gravenhurst restaurants for a sud-sloshed feast? Sawdust City Brewing typically offers food truck treats during the warm summer months. During the spring, winter and fall, the brewery’s Saloon serves up a BBQ-inspired menu popular with beer loving locals.

• Pulled Pork Sandwich: smoked pulled pork, Buster Rhino BBQ sauce, warm pretzel bun, coleslaw
• Brisket on a Bun: smoked brisket, Buster Rhino BBQ sauce, warm pretzel bun, coleslaw.
• BBQ Brisket Pizza: BBQ sauce, smoked brisket, green peppers, mushrooms, red onions, provolone cheese
• Loaded Nachos: corn tortilla chips, monterey jack cheese, tomatoes, red onions, sweet peppers, BBQ, sour cream, salsa
• Smoked Chicken Wings: smoked and baked chicken wings served with your choice of sauce: Original BBQ, Bourbon BBQ, Georgia Mustard or Holy Habanero

Shelby’s Chipwagon

191 Sharpe Street East, 705-646-8372

Sherry Martin has owned and operated Gravenhurst’s beloved Shelby’s Chipwagon for over 21 years.

In 1998, Sherry had heard about a local chipwagon that was for sale. At the same time she found out that she would be losing her current job, managing a sports bar, as the current owners were selling the business. 

Something about the idea of a Chipwagon really caught her eye and the rest is history. She named Muskoka’s best Chipwagon after her daughter Shelby, who was 4 years old at the time.

Today, Shelby’s Chipwagon is the most popular of the Gravenhurst Restaurants offering affordable al fresco dining. The food truck is best known for its poutine menu but also offers hot dogs, Oktoberfest sausages, burgers, fried pickles, chicken fingers and onion rings.

Sherry shared, “A lot of our customers take their food back to their homes or cottages but we do have picnic tables set up outside for the ones that want to sit outside and enjoy their meals.”

Dock of the Bay

1110 Bay Street, 705-687-7723

Dock of the Bay is the most romantic restaurant on Gravenhurst’s scenic wharf.

Owner Wayne Laio first opened Dock of the Bay in 2010, naming the fine dining concept after a favourite song which serenades, “sitting on the dock of the bay.”

The award winning Gravenhurst restaurant offers seating for over 180 diners, including an always bustling 80 seat patio. Ranked as Gravenhurst’s best patio, Dock of the Bay guests can enjoy al fresco dining at sunset overlooking Muskoka’s iconic steamships.

If you’re looking to host a corporate event or special celebration like an anniversary or intimate wedding, Dock of the Bay’s private upper deck is your best bet.

Executive Chef Darren Hehir has over thirty years experience tending kitchens in Toronto, Mississauga, and the Caribbean. He was formerly the chef at Muskoka’s luxurious Windermere House Resort. Dock of the Bay’s creative chef offers a menu featuring plenty of pasta, steaks and seafood. The overall culinary theme is best described as global culinary fusion.

• Caesar with a Twist: romaine, prosciutto, fried capers, cornbread crouton, creamy lemon garlic dressing
• King Crab Cakes: alaskan crab, mango red onion slaw, chipotle ranch dressing
• Udon Pork Hotpot: asian noodles, slow roasted pork rib, seasonal vegetables, sesame soy onion broth.
• Atlantic Salmon: seared salmon fillet, rhubarb miso glaze, cucumber noodle globe, edamame spring rolls.
• 38oz Prime T-Bone: soy onion mushrooms, cabarnet demi

Pizza One

480 Muskoka Road South, 705-681-1122

The best Gravenhurst restaurant for pizza lovers is the simply titled Pizza One.

The popular Italian / Mexican restaurant features a spacious front patio deck out with picnic tables and fresh flower pots.

The organic stone baked pizzas are the star of the show, featuring creative flavour pairings like Buffalo Chicken, Philly Cheese Steak, Ocean Delite and East Coast Donair.

Pizza One also serves wraps, burritos, quesadillas, salads, bread sticks and chicken wings.

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