Best Niagara on the Lake Restaurants

Looking for the best Niagara on the Lake restaurants?

Our guide to the best Niagara on the Lake restaurants features everything from fancy fine dining to cozy pubs and cute cafes.

Save this story to Pinterest so you can look at it later!

Best Niagara on the Lake Restaurants

The historic town of Niagara on the Lake is one of Canada’s most prestigious food and drink destinations. Long before vinis vinifera grapes from Europe were planted here, Niagara region was famous for farming pears, peaches and cherries.

Today, the region has exploded as a world-class destination for wine tourism. Paired with the downtown’s charming historic architecture and nearby fort, its one of the best weekend getaways from Toronto.

The most romantic Niagara on the Lake restaurants can be found inside the tiny town’s clutch of luxury boutique hotels. Farm-to-table dining is the norm here as local chefs are spoilt for choice when it comes to fresh local produce, cheese and charcuterie.

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!

If you’re in the region for a wine tour, we’ve created a helpful list featuring each of the Niagara on the Lake winery restaurants. There’s really nothing more romantic then enjoying a decadent dinner while watching the sunset over a verdant vineyard.

The region draws plenty of luxury travellers keen to splurge on helicopter rides over Niagara Falls, VIP winery tours, soothing spa treatments and award-winning restaurants.

But you don’t have to feel like you have to break the bank when searching for Niagara on the Lake restaurants. There are plenty of affordable local dining options from sushi bars to cozy pubs and cute cafes.

Niagara on the Lake Hotels

If you’re in Toronto and looking for nearby vineyards to visit, Niagara on the Lake offers Ontario’s best wineries. While many wine lovers visit the region on a day trip, we suggest spending a few days to explore all that Niagara has to offer.

Accommodation options in Niagara on the Lake include luxury boutique hotels, handful of chic bed and breakfasts.

Looking to enjoy a winter weekend getaway to sip through Niagara on the Lake’s best wineries? We suggest spending 2-3 nights in Niagara on the Lake wine country. A weekend will give you enough time to enjoy the village’s historic main street, gourmet restaurants, and award-winning wineries.

We’ve included helpful links to the best hotel booking sites so you can compare prices and availability.

• Pillar & Post: Pillar & Post is a charming country inn offering guests luxurious suites, fine dining restaurant, gorgeous gardens and Niagara on the Lake’s largest spa.

HotelsCombined | Booking.com |TripAdvisor | Agoda

• 124 on Queen Hotel: this resort-style hotel sits perched over Niagara on the Lake’s main street. It offers unique villa suites as well as a boutique spa and award-winning restaurant.

Expedia | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com | Agoda | HotelsCombined | Booking.com

• Somerset Bed and Breakfast: is the only accommodation in Niagara on the Lake located on Lake Ontario. The properties 3 luxurious suites enjoy views of nearby Fort Niagara. Ranked as the best B&B in Niagara for a romantic getaway.

Expedia | TripAdvisor | HotelsCombined | Hotels.com

• The Charles Hotel: is our favourite boutique hotel in Niagara on the Lake. The historic property offers antique adorned suites, fine dining restaurant and a popular verandah that sits perched over North America’s oldest golf course.

Expedia | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com | HotelsCombined | Booking.com

Niagara on the Lake Tours

There are plenty of great ways to explore the Niagara on the Lake wineries. Local hotels and tourism offices offer handy Niagara on the Lake winery maps so you can easily plot out your tasting route.

For those looking to get some exercise, it’s easy to hike or bike between the Niagara on the Lake wineries. Many of the Niagara wineries offer racks so you can easily lock up your bike while taking the time to enjoy a tour and tasting. If you’re staying over night, check with your hotel as many offer guests complimentary bike rentals in Niagara on the Lake. There are also several bike rental companies in Niagara on the Lake and guided winery cycling tours.

During the warmer months of the year, the Go Train offers a bike-friendly service, so you can easily explore the Niagara on the Lake wineries by train and then bike from Toronto, Oakville and beyond!

Keen to book one of the best Niagara on the Lake wine tours? Leave the trip planning to local experts and enjoy an unforgettable adventure in Ontario wine country!

• Niagara Falls Day Tour: this Niagara Falls day tour features a cruise, lunch and “journey behind the falls.”
• Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour: enjoy an unforgettable flight over Niagara Falls by helicopter.
• Niagara on the Lake Winery Tour: enjoy a private tasting tour of Niagara wine region featuring tastings and lunch in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.
• Niagara on the Lake Wine Tour and Icewine Lounge: this 6 hour tour visits a local chocolate factory, award-winning wineries and special stop to Peller Estates 10 Below Icewine Lounge.
• Niagara Wine, Cider and Brewery Tour: this 5 hour tour showcases Niagara’s best liquids in style. Travel in a Mercedes Benz to sample local wine, cider and craft beer.
• Niagara on the Lake Foodie Tour: this 3 hour small group tour showcases Niagara’s multicultural culinary flare.
• Vine and Dine Bicycle Wine Tour: this 5 hour Niagara wine tour by bike stop at 4 award winning wineries at a relaxed pace. Enjoy a break half way for a gourmet lunch.
• Private Wine and Chocolate Tour: this private tour accommodates up to 6 people and stops at 9 Niagara on the Lake wineries and a chocolate factory.
• Niagara on the Lake English Cab Tour: this 6 hour Niagara on the Lake wine tour is offered in an authentic black British taxi. Perfect option for a romantic couple, this private tour includes wine tastings and fine dining dinner.
• Indoor Baby Goat Yoga and Cider Tasting: for a truly quirky experience, Small Talk Vineyards offers goat yoga followed by a cider tasting.

Niagara on the Lake Winery Restaurants

If you’re planning a tour of the Niagara on the Lake wineries, you’re likely keen to enjoy a tasty meal or two. Many of the Niagara on the Lake wineries offer onsite restaurants, perfect for those who want to tuck into a feast after a tour and tasting.

The best Niagara on the Lake winery restaurants for a romantic dinner can be found at Ravine Vineyard, Trius, Peller Estates and Two Sisters Vineyards.

We suggest enjoying a hearty lunch at Caroline Cellars Farmhouse Cafe or Oliv Tapas at Strewn Winery. Wayne Gretzky Estates offers a whisky patio bar during the summer and winter, which serves craft cocktails, poutine, pretzels and gourmet hot dogs.

The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates

290 John St E, 1-888-673-5537

The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates is one of the most elegant dining rooms in Niagara on the Lake.

The Niagara on the Lake winery’s restaurant interior features golden carpets, dangling chandeliers that appear like floating vine roots and handsome white tablecloth wrapped tables. A choir of friendly sommeliers and servers are dressed in dapper ties and spiffy white and black uniforms.

The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates fills with natural sunlight during the day, offering a warm interior for hose looking to wine and dine while enjoying views over the vineyard. During the warmer months of the year, the restaurants doors pop open and splash onto an al fresco patio.

Chef Jason Parsons FeastOn approved menu ebbs and flows with the bounty of each season. The kitchen sources 50% of its products from Ontario and 98% from across Canada. Chef Parsons also takes trips to the winery’s own farm, a small organic outfit just 3kms up the road, allowing his culinary brigade to swap out freshly plucked fruits and vegetables for signature dishes based on what’s ripe and ready. One week the creamy house made ricotta may be adorned with snap peas, while later in the season you might encounter a ruby red beet.

During the winter Chef Parsons culinary team host an annual Icewine Maker’s Dinner, an unforgettable feast that takes place in the winery’s underground barrel cellar.

• Foie Gras Torchon: puff pastry, caramelized shallots, rosemary roasted apples
• Signature Lobster Linguini: black truffle pasta, icewine poached lobster, smoked bacon, chardonnay cream
• Pan Seared Sablefish: roasted spaghetti squash, spatzle, baby carrots
• Spiced Duck Breast: celeriac puree, braised cabbage, crispy shallots, beet merlot reduction
• Leek Risotto: bell peppers, kale, broccoli, goat cheese

Trius Winery Restaurant

1249 Niagara Stone Rd, 1-800-582-8412

Looking for a romantic restaurant to enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner at a Niagara on the Lake winery? Trius Winery Restaurant features an upscale dining room, Trius Brut Bar and special dining events throughout the year.

Skip inside the Trius Winery Restaurant and you’ll find luxurious hardwood floors, dangling orb chandeliers and warm yellow and rich red upholstered furniture. The restaurant’s dining room fills with elegant natural light thanks to floor to ceiling windows, which open onto an outdoor Wine Garden during the warmer months of the year.

Chef Frank Dodd has been acting as the executive chef at Trius Winery Restaurant for over a decade, “Niagara is, without a doubt, one of Canada’s most prolific regions for really fantastic farm-to-table ingredients, and we’re seeing amazing new things every season. Add to that getting to work closely with a winemaker who really understands food and is making a world-class portfolio of wines for me to cook and pair dishes with,” says Dodd.

In addition to multi-course tasting menus with wine pairings, Chef Dodd also offers themed dining events, including blind tasting dinners and collaborative cooking classes. On Monday nights Trius Winery Restaurant hosts “Monday Night Date Night,” where guests can enjoy a prix fixe 3-course menu for just $99 a couple.

• Creamed Ontario Butternut Squash Soup: pumpkin cake, maple squash, cinnamon spiced goat’s cheese, candied walnut, pumpkin seed.
• Homestead Farm Fried Duck Egg: burrata cheese, smoked duck breast, icewine onion jam, cremini mushroom, brioche
• Icewine Pulled Pork and White Bean Cassoulet Poutine: russet fries, thornloe dairy cheese curds, spring onion, pickled chili, peanut crumble
• Trius Crispy Falafel Cakes: acorn squash, golden beets, fried brussels, pickled red onion, zucchini jam, sour cream, salsify chips, balsamic dressing
• Steak & Frites: 12oz bar five farms beef ribeye steak, icewine onion jam, portobello mushroom, homestead farm fried duck egg, truffle fries

Ravine Vineyard Restaurant

1366 York Rd, 905-262-8463

Ravine Vineyard is located on a fifth generation family farm near the historic village of St. Davids. The Lowrey-Harber vineyard is home to an award winning organic winery, restaurant and grocery store.

To the right of the winery’s historic Woodruff House is the packing shed, which has been transformed into a farm to table fine dining restaurant by Chef Matt Payne. Skip inside the Ravine Vineyard Restaurant and you’ll find a farm-chic interior. The walls around the bar are covered in colourful Lowrey Brothers preserve jars while antique chairs are found tucked under rustic wooden tables.

Beginning in the Spring, Ravine Vineyard’s garden offers a cornucopia of fresh, organic produce. Early season sprouts give way to mixed salad greens, asparagus, spring onions, rhubarb and berries. During the hot summer months Chef Payne’s team pluck hot peppers, heirloom tomatoes, patty pan squash and plump melons.

Enjoy a true farm to table experience at Ravine Vineyard Restaurant in Niagara on the Lake while catching up with friends over weekend brunch or over a romantic dinner for two.

Ravine Vineyard Restaurant is best known for its seasonal wood-fired pizza oven, which becomes the vocal point of the space during the warmer months of the year. Overlooking the Chardonnay vines, Ravine Vineyard Restaurant’s cooks bake wood oven pizzas using fresh produce from the garden and locally cured charcuterie. The outdoor bar pours local craft beer and Lowrey Brothers hard cider alongside Ravine wines. Ravine is one of the most popular Niagara on the Lake restaurants for locals, as it offers a lineup of talented musicians who provide a lively entertainment.

• Ravine House Made Charcuterie: toasted baguette, chicken liver parfait, preserves
• Mushroom on Toast: wild and cultivated mushrooms, mushroom béchamel, house made sourdough, sunny side up egg
• Pumpkin Gnocchi: confit quail, goat cheese, crispy sage, pickled pear
• Duck Duo: aged duck breast, white bean and lentil, mustard vinaigrette, pulled duck confit, chimichurri, turnips, jus
• Beef Short Rib: blue cheese gratin, celery root puree, confit celery root, roasted pearl onions

Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards

240 John St E, 905-468-0592

Niagara on the Lake’s Two Sisters Vineyards first opened its doors in 2014. The stunning estate was inspired by Italian Renaissance design, specifically 16th century architect Andrea Palladio. The landmark building is reminiscent of a grand chateau estate and boasts original art from the Italian Marotta family’s private collection.

Two Sisters Winemaker Adam Pearce has a penchant for producing Bordeaux-style wines; Cabernet Franc with its earthy structure, Cabernet Sauvignon for its rich, muscular presence and Merlot for its perfumed, elegant and harmonious synergy of red and dark fruit.

For those looking to sample the winery’s finest bottles, hop up on a stool in the tasting room for a swish, sniff and slurp. Once you’re feeling peckish skip down the hall to Kitchen 76, the winery’s signature restaurant which celebrates rustic Italian dishes inspired by the family’s favourite recipes.

The Kitchen 76 mascot is the honourable hare, and a choir of rabbits greet guests as they step into the warm glow of the dining room. In the cooler months a booming fireplace offers warmth as hungry guests twirl pasta and dangle stringy cheese from pretty pizza pies. In the summer the restaurants coveted patio offers a sublime setting for wine sloshed romance, perched over row after row of lush grape vines.

• Arancini: sicilian rice balls with smoked mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil
• Fagioli Toscani: braised white beans, pancetta, swiss chard, fried pork belly
• Dolce e Salato Pizza: mozzarella, gorgonzola, pear, prosciutto di parma, toasted walnuts, arugula, honey drizzle
• Paccheri: white rabbit ragu, soffrito, mushrooms, sage, parmesan
• Agnolotti: chicken liver stuffed pasta with celeriac and apple puree with brown butter and walnuts 

The Farmhouse Cafe at Caroline Cellars

1010 Line 2 Rd, 905-468-8814

Caroline Cellars is a Niagara on the Lake winery managed by the Lakeit family. It opened in August 2002, offering visitors a casual barn vibe that incorporated the families love of knotty pine. The rustic wood used throughout the space is complimented by a fireplace in the wine boutique surrounded by fieldstones that were sourced from the vineyard.

In June 2012 Caroline Cellars opened an onsite restaurant concept, which serves lunch daily, year round. The families German roots are expressed through the wineries stellar Riesling and Gewurztraminer. The Farmhouse Cafe also features German classics like schnitzel and spätzle.

The wineries front of house manager Justine Lakeit explains, “Our menu is upscale cozy and casual, with most items being made from scratch, in-house, using local ingredients wherever we can. In season we have our own herb garden, as well as a large garden, where we grow various veggies for the restaurant. We want guests to feel like they’ve sat down to eat in a farmer’s kitchen – where the meals are hearty, home cooked and warm the soul.”

• Charcuterie Plate: Prosciutto, Genoa salami, capicola, bocconcini cheese, pepperoncini peppers, olives and grape tomatoes with housemade crostini and fresh baguette.
• Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich: crispy marinated chicken breast, tangy cabbage slaw, pickles, garlic aioli on a Kaiser
• 40 Creek BBQ Pork Ribs: half rack of tender pork side ribs with 40 Creek BBQ Sauce, served with coleslaw and fries.
• Mushroom Schnitzel: crispy breaded pork cutlets topped with a creamy mushroom sauce.
• Baco Braised Beef Ribs: with housemade spätzle.

Oliv Tapas at Strewn Winery

1339 Lakeshore Rd, 905-468-1222

Oliv is the on-site restaurant at Strewn Winery. The casual farm-to-table concept focuses on serving tapas-style small plates over lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

The Niagara winery restaurant is located between Strewn’s tasting room and popular cooking school. The light-filled 65 seat dining room overlooks Four Mile Creek and offers outdoor seating on its patio in the summer.

The Oliv Tapas proprietor also owns an oil and vinegar business, which are flavoured locally and sold at an onsite retail shop. Olive oil flavours include basil, parmesan and roasted garlic, while popular balsamics are infused with blueberry and black walnut.

Chef Alex Mahamuni is responsible for crafting Oliv Tapas’ seasonal menus. The kitchen creatively make use of the restaurants signature extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The menu offers a selection of vegetarian and vegan options served alongside creative dishes featuring everything from fresh seafood and succulent steak.

• Oliv Platter: marinated olives, paprika spiced almonds, feta cheese, Oliv lemon evoo and cask 18 balsamic
• Lobster Coquilles St Jacques: atlantic lobster, white wine cream, button mushrooms, shallots, mashed potatoes, gruyere
• Camembert Frit: breaded camembert cheese, fruit chutney, bread, Oliv butter evoo and strawberry peach white balsamic
• Port Tenderloin Fettuccine: seared pork medallions, calvados, white wine, onions, wild mushrooms, apple slices, cream
• Indian Fish and Prawn Curry: tomatoes, tamarind, cod, prawns, coconut cream, cilantro

The Whisky Bar Patio at Wayne Gretzky Estates

1219 Niagara Stone Rd, 1-844-643-7799

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s self-titled Niagara on the Lake winery offers a seasonal restaurant for visiting wine and whisky lovers.

The Whisky Bar Patio at Wayne Gretzky Estates is open during the winter and summer months. Enjoy a sip and nibble on the winery’s outdoor patio during the warm summer months or a festive cocktail while cozying up under a patio heater during the winter.

Chef Dodd’s casual comfort foods showcase the region’s farm to table flavours, each bite best enjoyed by pairing with a muddled whisky libation or award winning wine. During the winter months The Whisky Bar Patio serves gourmet hot dogs, soft baked pretzels and a selection of jazzed up poutines.

Niagara on the Lake Restaurants

There are also plenty of popular restaurants in Niagara on the Lake outside of the winery scene. Many of the best Niagara on the Lake restaurants can be found inside the historic town’s boutique luxury hotels. You can also enjoy delicious meals at local craft breweries, lively pubs, sushi bars and sweet-smelling bakeries.

You May Also Enjoy Reading…

• Niagara Breweries: Best Craft Beer From Falls to Fort
• Best Niagara on the Lake Wineries
• Best Niagara Winery Restaurants
• Best Niagara Wine Tours
• Best Niagara Wine Festivals
• Best Niagara on the Lake Hotels & Resorts
• Best Niagara on the Lake Spas
• Beamsville Wineries: Best Vineyards Near Toronto
• Things to Do On a Winter Weekend in Niagara on the Lake
• 5 Wineries to Cycle and Sip in Niagara on the Lake
• Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara
• Best Wineries in Prince Edward County

Treadwell Restaurant

114 Queen St, 905-934-9797

Treadwell Restaurant first opened in 2006, relocating from its original Port Dalhousie location to Niagara on the Lake in 2013.

The award-winning 60 seat fine dining restaurant in Niagara on the Lake is co-owned by Chef Stephen Treadwell and Sommelier James Treadwell.

“We’ve always wanted to showcase our interpretation of hospitality, based on training throughout Europe, as well as a venue to showcase the many amazing suppliers and ingredients from the Niagara Region and beyond,” said James Treadwell.

The romantic restaurant in Niagara on the Lake offers a pretty patio during the warmer months of the year. Skip inside the chic dining room and you’ll find warm orange and gold tones and an intimate Kitchen Bar designed by Moncor Design Associates.

Chef Stephen Treadwell’s culinary philosophy focuses on celebrating farm-to-table cuisine. James explains, “we showcase the many artisanal ingredients, wines and individuals of Southwestern Ontario to our guests.” The kitchen sources quality products from Cumbrae Farms, Pingue Prosciutto, Monforte, Kozlik’s Mustard and Quiet Acres Farms.

Flip through Treadwell Restaurants beverage menu and you’ll find one of the largest selections of Ontario wines. Wag your finger down Chef Treadwell’s culinary creations and you’ll find popular dishes such as handmade gnocchi, tender beef short rib and seared scallops.

• Seared East Coast Scallops: crispy Cumbrae Farms pork belly, beetroot hummus, dukkah, piccalilli
• Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Tartare: soy sesame vinaigrette, toasted lavash cracker, crispy nori
• Housemade Potato Herb Gnocchi: Marc’s mushrooms, spinach, shaved Monforte toscano
• Roasted Cumbrae Farms Pork Chop: roasted brussels sprouts, bacon braised red cabbage, red wine reduction, sweet potato puree
• Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast: white bean cassoulet, brown butter crumb

The Gate House

142 Queen St, 905-357-2038

The Gate House is a Niagara on the Lake restaurant collaboration owned by Treadwell Restaurant and 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa. The restaurant opened in the summer of 2019 as a casual alternative to Treadwell’s award winning fine dining cuisine.

The building dates back to the late 1700s and was the first location of the Law Society of Upper Canada. The Gate House is considered to be one of the oldest building in Niagara on the Lake. Guests can spot remnants of the original cottage by spotting old stone on the main floor.

The Gate House can seat 30 during the winter months and 60 in the summer, thanks to an outdoor terrace. James Treadwell described the restaurants interior design, “Originally, we wanted to open up the space completely but changed when we found the original 1700s cottage stone behind the existing drywall. While the space remains open, the stone now takes centre stage and is the focal point of the restaurant and private dining space. Our interior designer was Sandra Kenny from Roxborough Design in Toronto and our theme was neutral colours with maximum use of natural light.”

Overnight guests at 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa enjoy breakfast each morning at The Gate House. The restaurant opens to the public from 11am-8pm. Treadwell described the most popular dishes on the menu for first time visitors, “Our pizza with sopressata and honey is very popular, as well as braised lamb shank with whipped potato and Kozlik’s mustard. During breakfast, the winner is our delicious free range egg sandwich on housemade english muffins with red pepper and sausage.”

Ruffino’s Pasta Bar & Grill

242 Mary St, 289-272-1242

Backhouse was ranked as one of the best Niagara on the Lake restaurants, which opened in July, 2015. The restaurant rebranded from its formal tasting menu to offer a more casual bistro called Ruffino’s Pasta Bar & Grill. We experienced Backhouse during our visit but highly recommend visiting Ruffino’s as it is managed by the same talented culinary team.

Ryan Crawford is Backhouse Restaurants chef, farmer, sommelier and proprietor. Crawford opened the restaurant in an unassuming strip mall. Chef Crawford said, “Its all about the surprise when you walk through the front door!”

Skip inside Backhouse Niagara and you’ll find a warm and inviting interior. Crawford explains his design inspirations, “Warm and inviting with a modern wood vibe. We sourced reclaimed lumber from winery barns around Niagara. All of the tables and bar top were crafted by a local carpenter. We also have a hand built brick oven and grill, all wood fired.”

Chef Crawford describes his menu as, “integrated cool climate cuisine.” Backhouse grows its own food on a 4 acre farm. All ingredients are local, from fresh produce to VQA wine list and craft beer. Dairy dreamers will also appreciate Backhouse Restaurant’s large selection of 30 + Ontario cheeses.

If you’re looking to treat yourself at a romantic Niagara on the Lake restaurant, let Chef Crawford take the wheel via Backhouse’s award-winning tasting menu.

• Root Cellar Squash Puree: prosciutto, creme fraiche
• Handmade Pasta: dino kale & black walnut pesto
• Grilled Leg of Lamb: braised escarole, gnocchi, mole
• Heritage Chicken: wood-fired brussels, smoked potato
• Kolapore Springs Trout: kalette, sauce from smoked fish bones, horseradish

BarBea Wine Shop & Snack Bar

242 Mary St, 289-272-1242

Ryan Crawford and Martha Brett Rumble first opened BarBea in Niagara on the Lake in July, 2021. 

“Bea is short for Beatrice, who is our youngest Italian Spinone. We named Ruffino’s Restaurant next door after Ruffino, our oldest Italian Spinone,” said Chef Ryan. 

The duo saw there was a need for a great wine bar in Ontario wine country. Inspired by Ryan’s travels, the concept is a one stop shop for everything VQA. 

Skip inside BarBea and you’ll find an intimate dining room that seats up to 65 people. 

The space is moody and romantic, featuring large plush round booths that offer the perfect perch for couples to enjoy long candlelit dinners. 

Niagara’s favourite tapas bar is inspired by Catalan cuisine. Each dish utilizies fresh local ingredients harvested from the restaurants own four acre farm. Guests are encouraged to order a selection of small plates, paired with a glass of locally made Niagara wine. 

Oenophiles will be giddy with glee when wagging their finger down the 700+ wines on the menu at BarBea. The trendy concept has become the industry favourite in Niagara on the Lake. On Sundays and Mondays you’ll find local chefs and winemakers nibbling on tapas in search of their new favourite bottle of wine.

Highlights from the BarBea menu include Dip-Dip Egg, 24 month house cured Jamon and Churros with PawPaw Caramel.

HobNob at The Charles Hotel

209 Queen St, 905-468-4588

The Charles Hotel is a historic manor house built in 1832 in Niagara on the Lake. Located perched over the town’s main street, The Charles Hotel sits conveniently across North America’s oldest golf club.

The hotel’s signature white-washed exterior and breezy verandah offers an air of old-fashioned pomp to this Georgian gem. Windows are flanked by black shutters and gorgeous gardens and ancient trees offer inspiration for horticulture fans.

The Charles Hotel features 12 luxurious guest rooms, award-winning fine dining restaurant, lounge and verandah.

HobNob is the hotel’s signature restaurant and lounge. Meals can be enjoyed in the Dining Room, located in the historic parlour of the house, with its original chandeliers, fireplaces, timber floors, windows and doors. During the warmer months of the year, guests can dine on the verandah, with romantic garden and golf-course views.

HobNob’s chef prepares locally inspired cuisine with a French influence. Guests can tuck in to a meal at HobNob during breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Charles Hotel’s restaurant also offers a daily tasting menu and specials on Date Night (Sunday, Monday, Thursday) and Industry Night (Tuesday and Wednesday).

• Braised Octopus & Smoked Chorizo: steamed PEI mussels, couscous, tomato gazpacho
• Chicken Liver & Foie Gras Tart: mousse, brule black mission fig, agrodolce, candied nuts
• Rainbow Trout: smoked ham broth, celeriac puree, roasted root vegetables
• Kale & Salsify Risotto: kale and fermented ramp pesto, confit salsify, kale chips, asiago
• Duck Confit: braised white beans, root vegetables, jerusalem artichoke puree

The Irish Harp Pub

245 King St, 905-468-4443

The Irish Harp Pub is located in the heart of Niagara on the Lake’s Old Town. The lively restaurant and bar is regularly ranked as the best pub in Niagara.

We suggest planning your visit to The Irish Harp Pub around the restaurant’s entertainment calendar.

Looking to enjoy live music and entertainment in Niagara on the Lake? The Irish Harp schedules local musicians to perform at 8:30pm on Friday and Saturday night. Visitors can also enjoy a live fiddler at 2pm on Sundays. During the winter months, the pub hosts Trivia nights featuring specially priced menus and evening prizes.

The Irish Harp Pub’s founder Trevor Smyth is originally from Northern Ireland. In 2005 he took over the heritage building on King Street, spending 14 months transforming the space into the likes of a friendly pub you’d find anywhere in Ireland.

The restaurant’s bible-sized menu offers all the Irish dishes and drinks you could crave. The beverage list includes Irish beers such as Guinness and Smithwick’s, served alongside popular whiskies Jamesons and Bushmills.

• Fat Stout Potato Leek Soup: potatoes, leeks, Guinness, butter, cream, potato scallion bread
• Fish & Chips: haddock or cod dredged in Harp lager batter and fried or baked. Served with coleslaw and tartar
• Chicken Curry: chicken, apple, curry cream, jasmine rice, mango chutney, potato scallion bread
• Dublin Steak and Guinness Pie: braised beef, button mushrooms, gravy, puff pastry, vegetables
• Corned Beef & Cabbage: Guinness roasted corned beef brisket, braised cabbage, gravy, vegetables

Masaki Sushi at Moffat Inn

60 Picton St, 905-468-1999

Moffatt Inn is centrally located on Picton Street near the Prince of Wales Hotel. The historic 1835 two-story stucco inn features original fireplaces, outdoor patios, brass beds and wicker furniture.

The Moffat Inn’s interior design adds a homey British-country-inn charm for loyal guests who return here year after year.

The Moffat Inn’s basement plays home to Niagara on the Lake’s best Japanese restaurant. In June, 2017 Masaki Sushi first opened its doors. The elegant dining room features table and bench seating configurations as well as a parade of chairs, which sit perched over the sushi bar.

Flip through the Masaki Sushi menu and you’ll find fresh sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, sake and sparkling Japanese rice wine.

• Tuna Avocado Tartare: red tuna, avocado, yuzu ponzu sauce, house garlic oil
• Masaki Roll: seared salmon and scallop on top of a california roll with tobiko, spicy mayo and unagi sauce
• Ebi Mayo: battered tiger shrimp, sweet chili sauce, kewpi spicy mayo, tartar sauce
• Yaki Niku Don: honey soy marinated beef on top of rice
• Nabe Yaki Udon: seasonal seafood, vegetable noodle soup serve in a hot pot

Willow Cakes & Pastries

242 Mary St, 905-468-2745

Willow Cakes & Pastries first opened its doors in 2004 by mother and son team Catherine and Sean O’Donnell.

The popular cake and pastry shop in Nigara on the Lake is located in a historic building that was once Pepe’s Corner. It was a beloved local general store with the owners living upstairs.

Catherine O’Donnell explained her passion for opening up a pastry shop, “My late husband Frank F. Wieler was a builder of wineries and loved traveling to England. On our honeymoon we went to London and visited many bakeries and cafes and were so inspired. We renovated the shop 4 years ago to give it a more modern and contemporary look. We also removed a quarter of the kitchen to make way for more seating.”

Willow Cakes & Pastries serves Pillitteri Estates wine and sources fresh produce from Quiet Acres. The popular cafe serves Seattle’s Best Coffee, speciality lattes, Lindtt hot chocolate and savoury snacks like quiche, goat cheese tarts and croissant sandwiches. You’ll also find scones, tea biscuits, muffins and breakfast loaves, baked fresh each morning.

Zees Grill at Shaw Club Hotel

92 Picton St, 905-468-5715

Zees Grill is located in the luxurious Shaw Club Hotel in downtown Niagara on the Lake. The popular restaurant is located directly across from the Shaw Festival Theatre, making it one of the best Niagara on the Lake restaurants for a pre-theatre sip and nibble.

Skip inside the dining room and you’ll find sky-high ceilings, plenty of natural light and a mix of table and cozy booth seating.

Executive Chef Matt Tattrie manages the menu at Zees Grill, which he described as, “an inspired array of classic nostalgic food updated with a creative and whimsical twist. This is serious food with a sense of fun!”

The beverage menu at Zees Grill features over 100 bottles of wine from Niagara region, including Niagara on the Lake and Jordan Bench. Keen to sip a craft cocktail? The Shaw Club Hotel’s bartender mixes and muddles classic and contemporary libations that reflect the seasons. Enjoy a Peach Crush in summer or Mistletoe Margarita during the holidays.

If you’re visiting Niagara on the Lake during the warmer months of the year, enjoy breakfast or dinner on the restaurant’s covered verandah.

• Asian Shrimp Cocktail: soy ginger poached shrimp, sesame sambal cocktail sauce
• Coffee Crusted Beef Carpaccio: beef tenderloin, pickled heirloom carrots, parmesan, arugula, mustard greens
• Lobster Duo: herb butter poached lobster tail, arugula, roasted red pepper, lobster risotto, parmesan
• Truffle Gnocchi: spinach and wild mushroom cream, grana padano
• Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin: sage butter, double smoked bacon, bean cassoulet

Cannery Restaurant at Pillar and Post

48 John St W, 905-468-2123

Pillar and Post is a charming country inn offering guests a relaxed elegance, highlighted by an abundance of fresh flowers, sunshine streaming through skylights and pretty terra cotta tile floors.

Originally known as Factory 13, a canning factory in the late 1890’s, the company was regarded as one of the foremost producers of quality peaches and tomatoes in the Niagara region for over 20 years. In 1972, it was lovingly transformed into a fine hotel.

Pillar and Post’s signature restaurant is managed by Executive Chef Mark Longster, who combines old-country charm with the next generation of cuisine. Everything from perfectly grilled steaks to fresh seafood are served in surroundings that reflect the era of early Upper Canada. Romance yourself at dinner with an ambiance featuring exposed wood beams, rich red brick and cozy fireside dining.

An open-hearth oven is the heart of Pillar and Post’s Cannery Restaurant. The classic brick oven is where thin-crust California pizzas are made. It also doubles as a serving station, omelette bar during breakfast and a pizza and pasta bar during the lunch hour. During the warmer months of the year, guests are encouraged to dine al fresco at the Pillar and Post poolside patio.

• Duck Confit Bruschetta: toasted walnut crostini, peach chutney, cambozola, golden frisee
• Crab Cakes: blue crab, golden mango salsa, smoked jalapeno aioli
• Beef Stroganoff: tenderloin, potato gnocchi, pickled shallot, foraged mushrooms, creme fraiche
• Braised Pork Hock: black eyed pea cassoulet, maple and grainy dijon glaze, collard greens, crispy onion
• Sea Scallop Risotto: sundried tomato risotto, parmigiano grana padano, wilted rocket, double smoked bacon onion jam, parsnip crisp

The Drawing Room at Price of Wales Hotel

6 Picton St, 905-468-3246

The Prince of Wales Hotel is one of downtown Niagara on the Lake’s most iconic buildings. Built in 1864, the property has been renamed several times over the years. Its current title pays homage to the royal visit of 1901, when the future George V and Queen Mary were guests.

Skip inside The Prince of Wales Hotel and you’ll find a refined oasis of Victorian elegance. The property plays home to three dining concepts managed by Executive Chef Chris Smythe. Looking for a fine dining experience at the Prince of Wales Hotel? We suggest booking a romantic dinner for two at Noble Restaurant featuring a Tuscan inspired interior.

The nearby Churchill Lounge offers a more relaxed vibe in a library setting. In the warmer months it opens up onto an outdoor patio, which sits over Picton Street and acts as an excellent perch for people watching.

The Prince of Wales Hotel’s most famous restaurant concept is The Drawing Room. The elegant dining room serves Niagara on the Lake’s best Afternoon Tea. The British tradition of enjoying a leisurely midday tea service is a nice way to break up a day spent hopping around Niagara on the Lake’s wineries. Guests chose from a selection of premium teas and share a three-tiered service featuring freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, crustless dainty sandwiches and pretty pastries.

Brushfire Smoke at Oast House Brewery

2017 Niagara Stone Rd, 289-868-9627

Oast House Brewery is a cozy microbrewery featuring a tasting bar, petite restaurant and ping pong table for those looking to bat around balls with a fresh pint in hand.

Oast House Brewery offers a drool-worthy collection of premium farmhouse ales (the Saison and Dark’ass Ale are faves), which pair perfectly with its smokehouse barbecue menu.

The Niagara brewery’s Brushfire Smoke concept is the brainchild of Chef John Vetere. His menu offers a fusion of North American smokey BBQ with South East Asian flavours. We suggest pairing a pretty pilsner with smokey Chinatown Ribs and slurp-worthy Malay Noodle Bowl.

• Wonton Nachos: smokey brisket, pimento cheese, house pickles, birds-eye chili, mozzarella, Texas Hot BBQ sauce, scallions
• Malay Noodle Bowl: crispy brussels, miso glazed kabotcha squash, malay pickle, trinity herbs, smoked peanuts, rice noodles, laksa broth
• Smoked Icelandic Cod Rice: gochujang glazed smoked cod, sushi rice, ginger scallion, crispy poached egg, trinity herbs, house pickles
• Chinatown Ribs: half rack of pork ribs, Beijing BBQ sauce, toasted sesame seeds, scallions
• Brushfire Caesar Salad: artisan gem lettuce, bonito and nori dressing, garlic wonton crouton, pecorino, watercress, black pepper

Oban Inn Restaurant

160 Front St, 905-468-2165

The Oban Inn is a timeless property officially designated as a significant heritage resource. Niagara on the Lake’s first and original country inn overlooks Lake Ontario and the oldest golf course in Canada. 

The landmark property was built as a private home in 1824 by Captain Duncan Milloy of Oban, Scotland. A devastating fire on Christmas Day 1992 completely destroyed the inn leaving only the foundation. Re-created as an exact replica of the former building, The Oban Inn again opened its doors in November 1993, proudly welcoming guests back to its grace and understated charm. 

Today, The Oban Inn is ranked as one of the most luxurious Niagara on the Lake hotels. It features 26 luxurious guest rooms, full-service spa, gastronomic restaurant surrounded by a pond and lush English gardens, fitness studio and outdoor swimming pool.

The restaurant at Oban Inn offers lunch and dinner menus in a luxurious setting. The romantic dining room overlooks the hotel’s lush garden, while portraits of famous actors who have performed at the Shaw Festival hang on the walls.

The restaurant’s chef showcases modern gastronomy, focused on celebrating fresh Niagara ingredients paired with local VQA wines.

• Seared Tuna: ahi tuna, micro greens salad, mango and passionfruit puree, piri piri sauce
• Roasted Pork Belly: broccolini, jasmine rice, nuoc cham, roasted peanut, sesame oil
• Red Curry Cod: warm white bean salad, thai red curry sauce
• Lobster Spaghetti: tarragon, fennel, mascarpone cream, chives
• Braised Lamb Shank: sage smashed potato, buttered peas, cabernet lamb jus

Tiara Restaurant at Queen’s Landing

155 Byron St, 905-468-2195

Queen’s Landing is a Georgian-style mansion known for its elegant decor, attentive service and breathtaking waterfront setting. Built in 1990, Queen’s Landing was erected on the site of the Old Niagara Harbour and Dock Company, incorporated in 1831. Its architecture reflects the Georgian Era, a significant period in the development of Upper Canada.

Queen’s Landing offers a signature fine dining restaurant, located on the hotel’s main floor, overlooking the meeting point of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. During the warmer months of the year, diners at Tiara Restaurant can enjoy panoramic views while dining alfresco on a sunny waterfront patio. Skip inside the Niagara on the Lake restaurant’s dining room and you’ll find gorgeous curtains, handsome white column pillars and a glowing stained glass ceiling.

Tiara restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week and also offers a popular Sunday brunch, pre and post theatre dining, and an extensive wine list featuring over 300 bottles local vintages and wines from around the world. Happy Hour is offered on Monday’s from 6-7pm.

Executive Chef Mark Lyons crafts a menu of classic simplicity inspired by the abundance of the Niagara region. Lyons presents Canadian cuisine at its finest, fusing the best contemporary techniques with traditional French flavours.

• Dungeness Crab Bisque: crab croquette, fermented chili, crab apple jelly
• Duck Leg: mushroom corn flour crepe, celtic blue cheese, porcini crema
• Beet & Carrot Salad: smoked labneh, shoots, sprouts, burnt honey, dressing
• Ontario Lamb Tasting: pan roasted loin, charcoal grilled chop, merguez, wild rice cabbage roll, squash
• Seafood Pasta: squid ink pasta, butter poached shellfish, preserved artichoke, dried tomato, pangritata

The Garrison House

111C Garrison Village Dr, 905-468-4000

Leigh Atherton and David Watt opened The Garrison House in Niagara on the Lake in July, 2012. The popular beer and wine bistro is located directly across from Jackson Triggs winery.

The Niagara on the Lake restaurant is popular with locals, seating 79 in the intimate dining room and 54 on a seasonal patio. The building is part of “The Village,” a growing community that will soon house a grocery store, boutique hotel and additional retail.

Atherton describes restaurants interior design, “Our designer, Todd Barber or Forestgreen Creations in Fonthill came up with a brilliant design, which incorporated an old barn from concession 6. Some of the beams, boards and flashing on the bar all came from that barn, bringing some of Niagara into our restaurant. The bar top is zinc and was sourced from California while the actual bar was built in Fenwick.”

Wag your finger down The Garrison House menu and you’ll find casual and creative dishes. The kitchen’s signature dish, and most ordered item, is its beloved burger, which features quality Cumbrae Farms beef brisket. If you’ve got a British sweet tooth, locals rave for the Sticky Toffee Pudding.

• Vietnamese Fried Brussel Sprouts: nouc cham, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, basil, mint
• Cast Iron Cheesy Fire Chicken: spicy korean chili paste, mozzarella, scallion, sesame, rice, pickled radish
• The Garrison Burger: cumbrae farms beef brisket patty, horseradish mayo, beer mustard, aged white cheddar, sautéed JT red wine onions, double smoked bacon
• Parmesan Crusted Chicken: lemon caper vinaigrette, fried potatoes, buttered green beans
• Fried Chicken Sandwich: beer brined, GH spicy BBQ sauce, creamy coleslaw, pickles

LIV Restaurant at White Oaks Resort

253 Taylor Rd, 905-688-2550

LIV Restaurant is the fine dining concept at White Oaks Resort in Niagara on the Lake.

Skip inside the luxury hotel’s elegant dining room and you’ll find splashes of white and purple. Fragrant orchids sit perched over white tablecloths while dangling chandeliers offer a warm and romantic glow.

LIV Restaurant focuses on celebrating quality local producers such as Upper Canada Cheese, Millers Creek Farms, Wellington County Meats and By’s Honey Farm.

In the summer, the culinary team at LIV Restaurant can often be found harvesting fresh herbs in the hotel’s garden. The property is home to four beehives and its resident beekeeper offers curious guests an opportunity to take a tour and learn about how important bees are in sustaining a healthy ecosystem.

Chef Michael Price shared details on the Niagara on the Lake restaurant’s most popular dishes, “Our mussels are definitely top of mind. We once removed them from our menu to bring some new flair and we had so many complaints that we had to bring them back. They are the only item that has been on the menu since day one. A few other popular dishes are our Ontario lamb, brined duck breast and any of our melt in your mouth steaks that we age in house.”

• Barley Salad: baby kale, roasted pumpkin seeds, carrot, red onion, toasted pine nuts, goat cheese, lemon poppyseed dressing
• Hand Roll: argentinian marinated flank steak, pickled vegetables, arugula, chimichurri aioli
• Bison: tenderloin medallions, sweet potato baton, herbed port reduction, parsnip crisp
• Gnocchi: roasted garlic, whisky braised short rib, vidalia onion, crimini mushroom, tomato, scallion, romano, sage cream
• Scallops: pistachio crusted pan seared scallops, dijon spaetzle, roasted pepper cream

The Pie Plate

1607 Four Mile Creek Road, 905-468-9743

Ruth Anne Schriefer first opened The Pie Plate in November, 2003.

Schriefer grew up learning and baking traditional German-Mennonite recipes with her grandmother. Her culinary skills continued to improve in her teens while working on her families Niagara fruit farm. She would often leave the orchard early to prepare supper for her family, which would typically include a delicious fruit pie for dessert.

Skip inside The Pie Plate and you’ll find a cozy interior offering seating indoors for 28 and room for 12 on an outdoor covered porch. The Pie Plate is located in a history building in Virgil, which was originally constructed in the 1820’s.

In 2017 Schriefer did a complete overhaul to the Niagara on the Lake restaurant’s interior, “Several walls have a concrete finish that add to the contemporary look of the place along with some self made concrete top tables. I also built a live edge bar and several live edge tables for a warm welcoming feel. I also incorporated an old meat hanging rack into a unique light fixture that hangs over the bar.”

The Pie Plate truly is a family affair. The menu is created by Schriefer in collaboration with her son Noah, while daughter Madeleine manages the front of house. Each dish at The Pie Plate is made using local, seasonal ingredients. You’ll find thin crust pizzas, fresh salads and hearty sandwiches. The three most popular dishes at The Pie Plate are a seasonal Peach Pizza, Steak Melt and Fish Tacos.

• Pie Plate Salad: greens, brie, roasted red peppers, pine nuts, honey balsamic
• My Kaptain Pizza: tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, caramelized onion, roasted red pepper
• Blue Pair Pizza: mozzarella, pear, walnuts, blue cheese, pingue proscuitto
• Turkey Avocado Sandwich: baguette, mayo, baby greens, cilantro-lime vinaigrette
• Steak Melt: baguette, mayo, mushrooms, caramelized onions, swiss cheese

The Twisted Vine

1502 Niagara Stone Rd, 905-468-2486

Restauranteur Joe Marchese opened The Twisted Vine in June, 2019. The Italian restaurant in Virgil is located a short drive from Niagara on the Lake’s historic old town.

Marchese was in the restaurant business for 15 years in St. Catherines, managing the popular La Scala Ristorante. His newest restaurant venture, The Twisted Vine, offers an Italian market vibe with seating for 60 guests.

Wag your finger down The Twisted Vine menu and you’ll find plenty of Italian classics such as cheese and charcuterie boards, seafood topped pasta and fresh seasonal salads.

• Insalata Giuseppe: romaine leaves, garlic anchovy dressing, crispy prosciutto, parmigiano, herbed crostini
• Gamberoni di Fromaggi: black tiger shrimp, feta, cream, red onion, herb-basked crostini
• Duck Pappardelle: confit duck, mushrooms, arugula, white wine cream
• Piccata di Vitello: veal, lemon caper butter
• Twisted Vine Burger: 8oz ground brisket, provolone, caramelized onions, pancetta, giardiniera relish, greens, butter toasted bun

Silversmith Brewing Company

1523 Niagara Stone Rd, 905-468-8447

Silversmith Brewing Company is also located in Virgil, across the street from The Twisted Vine and The Pie Plate. The Niagara on the Lake brewery first opened its doors on Canada Day in 2012.

Silversmith Brewing Company was originally conceived by two friends while on a rock climbing trip in Nevada.  After a day of climbing they headed into the local Whole Foods and discovered a Mecca of craft beer in one of the coolers and realized there was a market for such products back in Ontario.

The popular craft brewery is located in a historic Anglican church that dates back to the 1890s. Push through Silversmith Brewing’s front doors and you’ll find a sky-high space featuring exposed wooden beams, brick walls, stained glass and bar made from reclaimed barn wood. The craft brewery also seats 20 guests during the warmer months of the year on its pretty patio.

Behind the bar you can peak into the Virgil breweries production area, which features a parade of massive fermentation tanks. Silversmith Brewing is one of Niagara’s most popular craft breweries, with popular beers including Breakfast Wheat, Mind’s IPA, Born Again Helles Lager and Sentinel’s Gift Grisette.

In the winter of 2020 Silversmith Brewing’s kitchen got a marvellous makeover. Known as “The Altar Kitchen,” the tiny cooking space sits perched over the church’s former pews, now a friendly beer hall.

Review Our Travel Checklist When Planning Your Next Adventure! 

Some of the links in this story use affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation or tour through our site, Dobbernationloves will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us to produce comprehensive content.