A plate of delectable, chocolate flavoured cupcakes on display.

Kingston | Destination Ontario

Places to eat in Southeastern Ontario

A plate of delectable, chocolate flavoured cupcakes on display.

Kingston | Destination Ontario

From wine-soaked vineyards to lush farm fields, discover the delicious bounty of Southeastern Ontario, including a Global Cheese Award winning gouda-style fromage. With this much waterfront, there’s also no shortage of dining opportunities with lovely lake, river and canal views.

Here are some highlights to inspire your next foodie foray into Southeastern Ontario.

Bay of Quinte

Both the Trent River and the Moira River empty into Lake Ontario in the Quinte area.

Enjoy waterfront dining with gorgeous sunsets at Tomasso’s, an Italian restaurant overlooking the Trent River in Trenton.

The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant faces the Victoria Harbour in downtown Belleville while The Pier Patio & Grill is perched on Meyer’s Pier, almost completed surrounded by water.

Soak in the Parisian atmosphere with fresh croissants at L’Auberge de France in downtown Belleville. Head to The Lark for next level wine and cocktail selection.

Birdy’s Casual Fine Dining proudly sources local for their relaxed brunch, lunch and dinner menu and offers views of the Bay of Quinte.

Foodies will want to flock to the Bay of Quinte in March for the annual Quintelicious. Get more culinary inspiration for Quinte West and Belleville.
 

Prince Edward County

Verdant and picturesque, Prince Edward County is one of Ontario’s most exciting food and drink destinations.

From comfort fusion at The County Canteen to the internationally inspired menu at The Marans in Picton, the celebration of Mexican flavours at Wellington’s La Condesa, Spanish fare at Bocado or Japanese food at Koenji Whisky Bar, you’ll find a refreshing array of cuisine.

One thing they all have in common is locally sourced farm-fresh produce and perfectly paired wines. This popular wine growing region is home to over 35 wineries, some with onsite dining, flight pairing menus or seasonal wood-fired pizzas.

The County is also home to gorgeous beaches, and a beautiful day at the beach always calls for ice cream.

Luckily Slickers has two locations, one in Picton and the other in Bloomfield, to savour flavours like campfire cream, rhubarb ginger and apple pie.

Take the signature “All Day Culinary Adventure”, one of the hands-on cooking classes From the Farm Cooking School. You’ll tour of local farms and food shops to pick out the ingredients for your own private cooking class.

Follow it up with tastings at the local wineries and take your cooking secrets home in a special ‘from the farm’ folder.

Keep an eye out for dates and details for Countylicious, and get more culinary inspiration for Prince Edward County.
 

Kingston

Nicknamed ‘the limestone city’ for its signature heritage architecture, Kingston is one of Ontario’s oldest communities.

It was home to Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and between 1841 and 1843, Kingston even had a brief stint as the nation’s capital.

The Kingston Public Market dates back to 1801, making it Ontario’s oldest public market. Located in the heart of historic downtown at Springer Market Square, the market continues to bring the community together between April and November, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kingston is known to have the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada and is home to passionate craft beer community so you’re guaranteed your next meal will be exceptional.

From gourmet wood-fired pizza at Wooden Heads, waterfront bistro fare at Juniper Café to charcuterie boards at Red House Restaurant or fine dining at AquaTerra, ingredients are fresh and local.

Enjoy modern Asian fusion fare and inspired cocktails and do the planet a favour at Miss Bao, an revolutionary zero-waste restaurant.

Get an insider view of the great food and drink experiences, along with local history and culture with Kingston Food Tours, don’t miss the annual Kingstonlicious and find more culinary inspiration in Kingston.
 

Cornwall and Stormont Dundas Glengarry

Cornwall lies at the eastern end of Ontario, on the shores of St. Lawrence River. While Cornwall is well-known for its excellent fishing, it is also a foodie destination.

In 2020, local foodie group Your Local Taste Buds hosted the “Burger Love” event to showcase the incredible selection of local patties, buns and toppings.

Burger-lovers enjoyed the line-up produced by local participating restaurants with their own unique twists, like the Fric Fry, a local delicacy at Seguin Patate or the hickory smoked plant-based burger from Simply Jennifer.

More recently Taco Love was held in honour of all the great taco menus in the city. Discover your next favourite Cornwall burger or taco along with local foodies, Cornwall Food Tours.

Glengarry Fine Cheese produces artisanal cheese in the village of Lancaster in South Glengarry and can boast winning the title of Supreme Global Champion at an annual Global Cheese Awards.

Upper Canada Creamery produces quality dairy products, including yogurt, cheese, curds and ice-cream on their farm. Pair your favourite cheese flavour with a local wine from Smokie Ridge Vineyard or Stone Crop Acres Winery and Vineyard.

Explore more of Cornwall’s culinary scene and the foodie delights in Stormont Dundas Glengarry.
 

Foodie friendly accommodations

The Montrose Inn

Just minutes from Trenton and Belleville, this boutique bed & breakfast and tearoom is housed in a stunning mansion build in the neoclassical Southern era architecture with multi-level verandahs and dramatic columns.

Location: 1725 Old Highway 2, Belleville
 

The Drake Devonshire

Playful and luxurious, this modern take on the country inn is also one of the County’s most south after dining destination serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunches.

Location: 24 Wharf Street, Wellington
 

Merrill House

Having recently undergone a restoration, Merrill House is a beautiful heritage boutique hotel with all the modern amenities and onsite dining room serving elevated French cuisine under the creative direction of Chef Michael Sullivan and curated wine selection by Astrid Young.

Location: Picton Main Street, Main Street East, #343, Picton
 

The Waring House

Chef Travis Mindle ensures every bite is delicious, whether from the casual pub or fine dining room at this historic country inn.

Location: 395 Sandy Hook Road, Picton
 

Frontenac Club

From the rooftop views to the superior amenities, everything aspect of this intimate hotel is sleek and stylish. That includes the wines, hand-crafted cocktails, whiskeys and tasting menu at the Bank Gastrobar.

Location: 225 King Street East, Kingston

Southeastern Ontario is nothing short of a foodie playground, from farm to table cuisine and waterfront dining to international award-winning cheese and other local delicacies.  

Last updated: January 30, 2024

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