Top tips for exploring the county
Food scene
This is our absolute favourite dining spot in the county. The food is outstanding and it's a bit of a hidden gem so you can usually get a seat. It's not a fake/glam tourist spot although every tourist who has eaten there will be sure to make their way back for another great meal. It's only 10 mins from our house.
26 locals recommend
Stella's Eatery - Waupoos
2470 County Road 8This is our absolute favourite dining spot in the county. The food is outstanding and it's a bit of a hidden gem so you can usually get a seat. It's not a fake/glam tourist spot although every tourist who has eaten there will be sure to make their way back for another great meal. It's only 10 mins from our house.
Fav place for lunch or a casual dinner. The best seats are the red muskoka chairs overlooking the vineyard and Lake Ontario. Eat off your lap or the chair arm and enjoy one of the best burgers in the county. Their pizzas are also great. And, of course, they are one of the best cider companies for miles around, with a ton of ciders to choose from. I highly recommend their tasting flight so you can appreciate the different varieties of cider.
185 locals recommend
The County Cider Company
657 Bongards CrossroadFav place for lunch or a casual dinner. The best seats are the red muskoka chairs overlooking the vineyard and Lake Ontario. Eat off your lap or the chair arm and enjoy one of the best burgers in the county. Their pizzas are also great. And, of course, they are one of the best cider companies for miles around, with a ton of ciders to choose from. I highly recommend their tasting flight so you can appreciate the different varieties of cider.
This place is a must-do county experience if you enjoy cocktails. "Drinking with Chickens" is their motto. You sit out at picnic tables just a few metres from the barn and enjoy a terrific spirits and cocktail tasting for only $15 while funky chickens meander amongst the guests. Whiskey is the name of their resident peacock and he loves to put on a show and display the glory of his feathers. It's just a really unique spot to enjoy locally made alcohol. It's more pricey than the LCBO but a number of their products are very unique and well worth the cost. Terrific spot to pick up a unique beverage themed gift and have some fun. Make sure to pick a DD as the tasting can pack a punch!
Most of the summer, Mike's BBQ operates right next door. It's a super tasty food truck that often sells out. Their brisket nachos platter is our fav. You can't eat in the Kinsip area (as the chickens can't have human food and someone will also try and sneak them something) so eat first and then wander into Kinsip for the tasting.
73 locals recommend
Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
66 Gilead RdThis place is a must-do county experience if you enjoy cocktails. "Drinking with Chickens" is their motto. You sit out at picnic tables just a few metres from the barn and enjoy a terrific spirits and cocktail tasting for only $15 while funky chickens meander amongst the guests. Whiskey is the name of their resident peacock and he loves to put on a show and display the glory of his feathers. It's just a really unique spot to enjoy locally made alcohol. It's more pricey than the LCBO but a number of their products are very unique and well worth the cost. Terrific spot to pick up a unique beverage themed gift and have some fun. Make sure to pick a DD as the tasting can pack a punch!
Most of the summer, Mike's BBQ operates right next door. It's a super tasty food truck that often sells out. Their brisket nachos platter is our fav. You can't eat in the Kinsip area (as the chickens can't have human food and someone will also try and sneak them something) so eat first and then wander into Kinsip for the tasting.
Hartley's gets overlooked, partly because it's tucked back in a side street, and I think calling this a tavern is a misnomer. It’s more of an elegant French bistro style with excellent food and a great bar area at the back if you just want to sit for a drink and a snack. The owners and staff are terrific.
54 locals recommend
Hartley's Tavern
19 Elizabeth StHartley's gets overlooked, partly because it's tucked back in a side street, and I think calling this a tavern is a misnomer. It’s more of an elegant French bistro style with excellent food and a great bar area at the back if you just want to sit for a drink and a snack. The owners and staff are terrific.
Food Scene
Hartley's gets overlooked, partly because it's tucked back in a side street, and I think calling this a tavern is a misnomer. It’s more of an elegant French bistro style with excellent food and a great bar area at the back if you just want to sit for a drink and a snack. The owners and staff are terrific.
54 locals recommend
Hartley's Tavern
19 Elizabeth StHartley's gets overlooked, partly because it's tucked back in a side street, and I think calling this a tavern is a misnomer. It’s more of an elegant French bistro style with excellent food and a great bar area at the back if you just want to sit for a drink and a snack. The owners and staff are terrific.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Restaurant tips!
The county has over 100 wineries, breweries, cideries, distilleries and restaurants. That said, it can be hard to get fed here in the height of the summer months as thousands of visitors flock in each weekend. The County is also not a place where you can dine late so plan early dinners. Ideally, plan your meals 1-2 weeks before your visit and book reservations at key spots.
Book before you go
You need a day pass before heading to Sandbanks
in 2021, the province instituted day passes for all vehicles entering the Sandbanks park. You cannot go to the beach just with an annual park pass anymore. Vehicle passes are only issued 5 days in advance and must be booked online. Sandbanks often sells out so get up early 5 days before a planned beach day and jump online to secure your pass. https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/ Look under the DAY USE tab
Getting around
The County is big! Explore different sections per day
Your best friend will be your good old paper based PEC map! Google maps works pretty well out here but you will actually find parts of the county with no cell service and it's best to get a visual sense of the whole county. Try and take in a few activities per day in one area. This guide doesn't give enough space to describe them all so please see paper maps in baskets in the suites for details and suggestions.