Niagara-on-the-Lake abounds with great restaurants all within easy walking and driving distance of Old Ivy Walk.

Our suggestions below are simply that - suggestions. These are the restaurants and pubs that we personally enjoy.

MENUS generally always feature entrees from the meat, fish, fowl and vegetarian categories.

Our chefs and restaurant personnel are very aware of diners with food allergies. If you have a food allergy, please ask that it be noted when you make your reservation, also tell the person who seats you at the restaurant and especially tell your server.



An interesting dining experience at the winery restaurants is their tasting menus. The tasting menu offers diners a sampling of dishes selected by the chef from the main menu.

Step it up a notch, and add wine pairing to the tasting menu: the executive chef and sommelier get together and pair wines with each course in the tasting menu. Offered at Peller, Hillebrand and Terroir La Cachette at Strewn.
Click on the logo to visit the restaurant's web page.


Easy Walking from Old Ivy Walk

No Reservations: Lunch & Dinner

Lunch and Dinner pub food menus; after theater bar menus; live music weekends. One of Canada's oldest operating Inns.

Lunch and Dinner pub food menus; after theater bar menus; live music weekends. Offers a wide range of beers and "gourmet pub food".

Reservations suggested for weekend evenings

Lakefront 9 hole (semi-private) historic golf course (1875) and clubhouse open to the public. Outside lakefront grill open in summer.

Reservations recommended for Dinner (but probably not for Lunch)

Innovator of "Niagara Cuisine" (local farm to table produce); Stephen Treadwell, chef-owner; son, James Treadwell, sommelier).

Great outside verandah option and right across the street from the Festival Theater. Zees and the Charles Inn are part of a small hotel chain.

Outside terrace on King Street.

Italian cuisine; front garden patio in season.

Traditional menu; lovely dining room; verandah open for dining, in season. Zees and the Charles Inn are part of a small hotel chain.

Café menu at lunch; choose from a long counter: Bistro Menu for dinner, table service.


Easy Driving from Old Ivy Walk

Reservations recommended and especially on weekends

By securing their own farm, Backhouse has expanded upon the maxim "farm to table" and have integrated hands on sustainable farming into the restaurant. The kitchen bar is the place to sit but groups of six or more will be more comfortable at a table for easier conversations.

Tuscan style Italian & Mediterranean cuisine; jazz in the wine bar on weekends; dinner can be served in the wine bar as well. In season, a great outdoor patio.

Beautiful dining room and terrace withsweeping views of the vineyard - request a window or patio table; if you are celebrating a really special occasion, you cannot go wrong here; ask about tasting menus and wine pairings; also, special evenings such as the chef's table (Jason Parsons) and barrel cellar dinners. (Hillebrand and Peller are sister wineries.)

Often closed Saturday nights because of wedding parties. Beautiful daytime panoramic views over the escarpment; great pizza and wine bar separate from the dining room. Bake their own bread, grow their own organic vegetables and raise their own pigs. Paul Harber, chef-proprietor.

At Hillebrand Winery: executive chef Frank Dodd also emphasizes local Niagara farm produce in his menus; ask about tasting menus and wine pairings. (Hillebrand and Peller are sister wineries.)

Kitchen76 at Two Sisters Vineyards offers a delicious, elegant lunch menu showcasing produce from local Niagara farmers, as well as seasonal produce from their own property.

"Using quality ingredients creatively prepared to present food that is bursting with intense aroma and flavour. At OLiV, this is the choice I make each day and I know I am right! " Robert Webster, Executive Chef


Something different

Bistro style bakery open for lunch. Wine and beer license.

The Yellow Pear Bistro at Southbrook Winery: Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12:00 to 4:00, simple menu e.g. chicken pot pie, apple and pork wontons.

Occasional weekend barbeques, cheese and wine pairings; check web site for event dates.

The Library Bar: Great for a quiet drink before or after the theater; the door is at the corner of King and Queen Streets.