Kingston

Discover what's on their table.

Settled on a bed of limestone right on Lake Ontario, Kingston is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Huron-Wendat First Nations. In Anishinaabemowin, this space is called “Gaadanokwii,” which is interpreted to mean “a great meeting place.”

Known for its vibrant arts scene and many astounding musical acts, Kingston is also home to what can only be described as an epic food scene. Whether you’re taking part in a local food tour, brunching out at Chez Piggy or The Union Kitchen + Cocktails, or checking into Kingston’s first zero-waste restaurant Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar. If you’re in the west end, grab a house created margarita to go with your hand-rolled flautas at Mesa Fresca or few beers and a great burger at Burger 347 or Red House (downtown or west end) you’re sure to find the right meal to suit how you’re feeling.

You can wet your whistle at a variety of local breweries across the city. In the west end, you’ll find Spearhead Brewing Co. and Skeleton Park Brewery share a welcoming space for beer lovers. Downtown, you’ll find Ontario’s oldest brewpub, Kingston Brewing Company, serving a mix of traditional and new world ales since 1986. Further up Princess Street, Daft Brewing and Something in the Water bring bold flavours and creative brews, and in the east end check out Fine Balance Brewing.

Craving caffeine and sweet treats? Check out Patriam Coffee located inside Fine Balance Brewing or one of Juniper Café’s locations and then head to Cocoa Bistro or Mac’s Chocolate and Bakeshop, located inside Otter Creek Kitchen’s west end location.

Ready to rock? Let’s roll. Start exploring Kingston’s vibrant food scene.

Exploring the Region?

Here are a few great places to start.

Highly Recommended

By the Culinary Tourism Alliance Crew

Kingston is home to not one, not two but ten Feast On® restaurants plus a whole lot more goodness. Neighbouring farms in Frontenac, South Frontenac, and Prince Edward counties provide fresh, local ingredients to inspire Kingston chefs. And to complement your locavore meal in Kingston, you can savour locally made wines, beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages.

The Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market is a year-round producer run market in mid-town where you will find over 40 vendors including, Collective Joy Farm who grows microgreens, herbs, and edible flowers as well as craft our line of whole foods, plant-based food and fresh juice. If you’re visiting between April and November, you can visit the Kingston Public Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This is Ontario’s oldest farmers’ market and has been serving up the community since 1801!

In the mood for a great burger? Black Dog Tavern and Harper’s Burger Bar are must-stops to scratch that itch. If you’re at an event, you may just be lucky enough to also try made-from-scratch wagyu burgers from Otter Creek Food Truck (or head to their brick and mortar restaurant in the west end of the city!)

If seafood is more your thing, go for a classic fish n’ chips at Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse or something a little upscale at The Everly Restaurant & Lounge, Wharf & Feather or AquaTerra, all of which are located downtown Kingston.

With fresh bread made right in-house and lots of fresh, healthy options, you’ll love breakfast or lunch at Toast & Jam or grab a tasty ‘za from Atomica Kitchen + Cocktails. You really can’t go wrong with either one.