Can’t Miss Restaurants in Peterborough, Ontario

Look no further for where to eat in Peterborough, Ontario, than our guide to some of the best restaurants and dining experiences in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.

Peterborough, Ontario is one of the primary gateways to cottage country in Ontario. But those who take the time to visit realize that there are a plethora of incredible things to do in Peterborough as well. It’s a city exploding with incredible nature, engaging museums, rich Indigenous heritage, activities for the creative and artsy travellers, and scenery that will leave you speechless.

And if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Peterborough, Ontario, you won’t have to look far. Because Peterborough has welcomed some of the province’s best chefs for ages. And the Peterborough restaurant scene has never been more exciting than it is right now.

It seems that each year, small business restaurants in Peterborough, Ontario, are welcoming more of the culinary experts in the province. And the Peterborough food explosion that began in the city core is now expanding to the borders of the city and beyond.

Each year, the diverse offerings of Peterborough restaurants increasingly reflect the cultures that make up the city’s population. The mix of Canadian-ethnic fusion and traditional BBQ is a staple throughout the city. But diners will also find a plethora of organic and local tastes, including farm-to-table cuisine. And, of course, there is a rich collection of vegetarian and vegan cuisine as well.

Where to Stay on a Culinary Trip to Peterborough

Planning to spend more than a day in Peterborough is definitely the right decision, since there are too many incredible restaurants to choose from for simply a brief stop in the area.

Positioning yourself in central Peterborough is an excellent option for easy access to the city’s famous Cafe District, scenic Millennium Park and many of the restaurants on this list.

The Holiday Inn in Peterborough is an excellent option if you’re looking for a central place to stay. I’d highly recommend booking a room on the upper floor that faces east, since these rooms look onto the Otonabee River and have a peaceful and scenic ambience. It’s also within walking distance of many of the major restaurants in Peterborough, so what’s not to love?

A little further from the downtown core is the Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn. Their rear rooms on the western end of the hotel have scenic balconies facing the Otonabee River, and they have a dock if you’re coming through the Trent Water System. This is also a great option if you’re looking to book a hotel close enough to Peterborough’s downtown, but with a bit of space in between.

If you’re looking for a memorable stay away from the city but still easily accessible to a host of great restaurants in the region, The Village Inn in Lakefield is an excellent place to stay. They have spacious rooms, comfortable beds, a cozy interior and friendly staff. I’d highly recommend booking a room that faces west and has a balcony, for beautiful sunset views over Lakefield and the Otonabee River.

Amazing Peterborough Restaurants To Experience

Let’s get down to the best restaurants in Peterborough, Ontario. Be prepared, because the wide range of culinary delights in Peterborough means that these restaurants run the gamut from traditional fine dining to creative fusion and beyond.

You’ll find everything from classic barbecue and fish joints to some of the best fine dining in Ontario. There are Peterborough restaurants to fit nearly every price range. Whether you’re a local looking to explore your hometown, taking a break from exploring the incredible things to do in Peterborough, or if you’re a visitor heading out to cottage country or some of Ontario’s best hikes at the nearby Provincial Parks, you’ll find food to satisfy in the jewel of Central Ontario.

Ashburnham Ale House

Located in East City, not far from the Liftlock, Ashburnham Ale House is one of my favourite restaurants in Peterborough, Ontario. With a great selection of local and house-made brews and a creative take on comfort dishes, Ashburnham Ale House offers a fantastic and welcoming casual dining experience.

Ashburnham isn’t only great for lunches and dinners, but they have an excellent weekend brunch menu, too. Their breakfast poutine is out of this world, with all of the poutine fixings, plus brisket and sunny-side-up eggs to top it off. I’d also highly recommend their French toast, made with fresh local bread from just across the street at Hard Winter Bakery. The large dining area and multiple rooms make small social get-togethers comfortable, and there’s always a game on the TV in the bar area. Don’t forget to walk through the restaurant and check out all of the local art on display. Many of these works of art are for sale.

The Malabar Kitchen

One of the most exciting recent additions to Peterborough’s Hunter Street food district, The Malabar Kitchen has taken over the beloved former space of Blackhoney at 221 Hunter St. W. Opened by Fleming College graduate Joyal Antony, it brings spice-forward flavours of Kerala and southern India to the downtown core. Think fragrant biryanis, crispy dosas, and the rich, layered curries of India’s Malabar Coast.

It’s a fresh face on the scene that’s already generating real buzz around town, and it’s high on my own list for my next visit to Peterborough. If you love southern Indian cuisine, this is one to watch.

Sam’s Place Deli

The crown of Peterborough’s best sandwich shop has been firmly placed on the head of Sam’s Place Deli owner Sam Sayer. Sam’s Place serves up fantastical creations for vegetarians to meat-lovers.

Personally, I’m a big fan of the “Eesh”, which combines avocado, bell peppers, provolone, and cheddar on a focaccia bun, and their simple but delightful Ptbo Smoked Meat, which has ultra-tender smoked brisket on a light rye bread with your choice of mustard.

On my most recent trip to the city, I brought the kids along, and we made a proper lunch of it. The brisket sandwich was the runaway favourite of the table, ultra-tender, generously packed, and honestly one of the best sandwiches I’ve had anywhere in the Kawarthas. It’s a fantastic, family-friendly spot for a downtown lunch. You can find the menu for this Hunter St. restaurant here.

The Vine

The Vine is a restaurant in Peterborough that offers delicious pescatarian comfort food, breakfast, brunch and lunch options. Their menu expertly weaves together a wide range of flavours, local ingredients and indulgent and healthy dishes.

You can count on their rotating menu of unique pizzas, which has staples like their Spicy Dill Pickle Pizza and Potato Pizza. During my last weekend visit, their special was a “Breakfast Pizza”, with vegan bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onions, sunny-side-up eggs and micro-greens.

They also have a variety of breakfast classics and ones with their own spin, like Shakshuka, a Seafood Cake Benny, and Breakfast Wraps. Don’t forget to save room for one of their oversized baked treats at the end of your meal!

La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

This restaurant is Mexican-owned and operated, offering a little taste of Mexico to Peterborough’s Hunter Street. They specialize in Mexican favourites like queso fundido, quesadillas, enchiladas and tacos. Their pulled pork tacos are incredible, and you should definitely try some during your visit!

They also have an exciting selection of authentic Mexican drinks, like Topo-Chico and Mexican Coke, and fun alcoholic drinks such as palomas and margaritas. You can find their complete menu online here.

The Only Cafe

Another fun, quirky, and welcoming place to eat in Peterborough that also happens to have one of the city’s best patios is The Only Cafe on Hunter St. This long-standing hub of the Peterborough arts community has an event space on the second floor that usually hosts everything from concerts and comedy shows to Pride dances.

The Only Cafe serves up a small collection of sandwiches and local favourites. But it’s their collection of artisanal beer and the guarantee of fascinating conversation that keeps locals coming again and again. You can find out their info right here.

St. Veronus Cafe & Tap Room

St. Veronus is a Peterborough institution. It’s been around since I was able to drink my first beer, and it’s been a hotbed of the city’s culinary scene ever since. This small but popular restaurant and bar in downtown Peterborough is right on the corner of Hunter & Water. It’s been serving the people of Peterborough for over twenty years, specializing in high-quality, on-demand beers and quality food.

Located in a historic former bank, St. Veronus serves Belgian beer and Belgian food in its state-of-the-art taproom. You can find some of the most famous beers in the world, like Delirium Tremens and Lindemans Kriek Lambic on tap. Yes, you read that right!

In addition to quite the expansive draft and bottled beer list, St. Veronus has a delicious menu with offerings like Belgian-style Mussels and Frites, Flemish Meatballs and Steak Frites, among other menu staples. During the warmer months and days, they also have a beautifully situated courtyard beer garden around the back. You can find their complete and seasonally updated beer and food menu on their website.

Silver Bean Cafe

Situated in downtown Peterborough in the gorgeous Millennium Park, Silver Bean Cafe might have one of the best locations in the city. Nestled on the edge of Little Lake, this cafe also acts as a popular canoe dock for local water-lovers. I’m a big fan of their chevre, pear, and walnut wrap.

You can check out the current menu of the Silver Bean Cafe here.

The Publican House Bar and Grill

Located in an historic 170-year-old building on Charlotte St., the Publican House has been a fixture of Peterborough’s beer scene since it first opened as a brewery back in 2008. It’s recently come under new ownership and a new name, The Publican House Bar and Grill, but the soul of the place is very much intact.

They still brew Kawartha Lakes Brewery beers right on-site, so you can pair a fresh, local pint with a menu of hearty, elevated pub fare. The wood-fired pizza oven has been retired under the new team, but happily, they’ve held onto the fan-favourite Cuban rolls. It remains one of the most storied and enjoyable spots for a pint and a bite in the city. You can check them out here.

One Fine Food

This restaurant is in a surprising location, further from the downtown core of Peterborough, but it packs its own punch in terms of its delicious cocktail, dinner and dessert menus. One Fine Food is both a boutique grocer and market and an exceptional restaurant with primarily Italian-fusion offerings.

One Fine Food is an excellent place to come for a celebratory lunch or dinner, with a great range of menu offerings like delectable salads and eggplant parmesan to hearty steaks and homemade pastas. Their well-rounded menu is sure to offer something fit for a large group, with so many wonderful vegetarian options and several delightful carnivorous options, too.

Great Restaurants Near Peterborough

Not all of the restaurants in Peterborough and the Kawarthas are right in the city. In the county itself, you’ll find some amazing dining options that are worth the drive. Here are a few of the Ultimate Ontario favourites.

The Pastry Peddler in Millbrook

This cozy cafe inside an historic Victorian storefront feels like it’s straight out of a movie. It’s an excellent place to come for breakfast or lunch.

Their menu is full of delicious sandwiches, soups, bold coffees and plenty of teas. They have an impressive selection of bakery options, too, and are known for their “Flakie Fridays”; their homemade flakies are out of this world. You can find more things to do in Millbrook besides just eating here.

Millbrook Mercantile in Millbrook

This shop is a great place to find a gift or a delicious bottle of wine, but their cheese and sandwich counter offers so many opportunities for you to bring something tasty home or enjoy on their summer patio.

If you’re in the area and looking for a sandwich or a charcuterie board to go during the wintertime, then a stop at this shop is a must. Their summer patio is an excellent place to come and indulge during the warmer months. They have exciting seafood, soup and sandwich options on their menu, and they have seasonal pizza offerings, too. It’s definitely worth checking out their menu to see what’s on offer when you visit!

Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews

Fans of Dr. J’s BBQ, take note. The beloved smokehouse has closed its downtown Peterborough location and moved its operations north to the storied Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth, right on the shores of Chemong Lake. The same soft, saucy, slow-smoked barbecue that locals fell in love with- ribs, chicken, sausages, and sides like mac & cheese and maple baked beans- now comes served up with one of the prettiest lakeside settings in the region. Dr. J’s is just a short drive north of the city, but for a plate of ribs by the water, it’s well worth the trip.

The Cheesy Fromage in Lakefield

This wine and charcuterie shop has all of the essentials for a great afternoon grazing session with friends. You can choose from their large variety of artisanal cheeses, meats and breads to create the charcuterie board that dreams are made of.

Keep an eye on their website for special events, and make sure you take some time to sample the delightful wines they have on offer, too.

Frederick’s at Beachwood Resort in Lakefield

Located north of Lakefield on Deer Bay near Curve Lake, Frederick’s at Beachwood serves up fine country cuisine with one of the best views of Lower Buckhorn Lake. Local chef Michael Henson, who graduated from the local Sir Sandford Fleming culinary school, serves up a wide variety of great dishes. But it’s their long-table fish fry that often draws the crowds. This all-you-can-eat pickerel bonanza is country living at its finest. You can find their updated menu here.

The Loon Lakefield

This family restaurant offers a selection of locally sourced and inventive items. They have a lovely patio on the main street in Lakefield, and a great indoor dining area and bar, too.

Their cocktail list and menu are always changing seasonally, and there’s something for everyone to choose from. You can explore more of the best things to do in Lakefield here.

Muddy’s Pit BBQ

Located in the town of Keene, just outside of Peterborough, Muddy’s Pit BBQ serves up the best BBQ in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Muddy’s is casual, backyard BBQ at its best. In fact, you wouldn’t even know how special this Peterborough restaurant was until you start poking around. That’s when the custom outdoor smokers, hardwood logs, and BBQ smoke hit you. Then you smell it, that unmistakable scent of rubbed meat, smoked pork, and BBQ sauce.

Stuff’d Ice Cream, Bakery and Cafe

Stuff’d Ice Cream, Bakery and Cafe

This ice cream shop in Lakefield has been a neighbourhood staple, serving ice cream for years. They have a bakery and fresh coffee inside too, and with its location right on the Otonabee River, it’s the perfect place to stop for a higher-quality fast-food-style treat on a road trip, or make it your destination while you’re in town.

The neighbouring Canoe & Paddle Pub is owned by the same owners as the cafe, and it’s the type of place that makes for a great place to stop for a pint with a group of friends after a long day.

Dining In Peterborough

If you’re planning a visit to The Kawarthas, you’ll have plenty of variety to choose from that makes up the best restaurants in Peterborough.

And if you’re passionate about Ontario, make sure to swing by our incredible Ultimate Ontario Facebook community and join the conversation of locals and visitors discovering and sharing the best things to do in Ontario.