Niagara has long been a hotbed of culinary activity for the award-winning wine it produces. But nowhere has put the region on the map quite like Fat Rabbit in St. Catherines, a list-topping whole animal butchery where guests can try an ever-changing menu of small plates and go shopping for locally grown produce and pantry items.
"It’s been a big year for us at Fat Rabbit," admits Smith. "We were honoured to be included in the 2025 Michelin Guide and ranked among Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. While the recognition is absolutely surreal, we’ve mostly just been keeping our heads down, trying to keep pace with how fast this little shop keeps growing. We’re planning to knock out a wall soon and create a bit more elbow room, so stay tuned for that."
And it's not just Fat Rabbit making waves in the region. From cozy bistros like Oddbird to charming café-cum-wine-bars Pique Nique, this culinary hotspot, a little over an hour outside Toronto, is heating up when it comes to dining options. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for another reason to visit the region later this year.
"Just up the street on St. Paul, we’ve also been quietly working on a second project," says Smith. "Les Incompétents is a French-ish bar opening this fall with a few good friends and collaborators (Owen Walker, Bernard Lim, Geoff Dillon and Adam D'Intino). It’s playful, with nods to classic ’90s nostalgia. Not too serious, but serious enough. A place where you can eat something tasty at the bar or just hang with a cocktail or glass of wine."
The energy in the region is undeniable as Niagara turns from what was once sleepy wine country into a dynamic, chef-driven region. Experimentation and the stories behind the plates are what's shaping its future — something Smith is quick to give credit to the wider community for.
"None of this happens without the unbelievable support we’ve felt here in Niagara, the regulars, neighbours, farmers, winemakers, visitors, and the team who show up and make it all go. After years of the Toronto grind, the pace of life here — even on our busiest, most chaotic weeks — is something I’m deeply grateful for."
Smith shares his favourite bars, date night spots and cafés in Niagara. Add these gems to your list and start planning your next Niagara escape.
What’s one dish you could eat every day and never get tired of?
"Vietnamese food, broadly, no matter what city we’re in. I could eat it daily and have a completely different experience every time. I usually lean toward a stew or curry, but it doesn’t hurt that my family has their own favourites and that sharing is caring. We try to take a crack at something new as often as we can, but the classic phở is a staple; it’s been our kids' favourite since babyhood. Super locally (like up the street), we love Pho Dau Bo, and if we are down for a little trek into the Falls, Pho Xyclo and Pho Vietnam 3969 are both knockouts."
What’s your favourite bar?
"An easy pick is a good old-fashioned day trip down to Hippo's [at Mohawk Marina] on Lake Erie for a margarita and a perch taco lakeside. It’s chaotic and packed, but on a clear day, if you squint, the lake kinda looks like the ocean. Merchant Ale House, back then (open something like 26 years), now, and probably forever. It's an unassuming brewery on the St. Paul strip. The patio is better than ever, there’s often live music and you’ll never have to wait for a pint. [Also] Brass Monkey Local serves cold beers and a chopped cheese [sandwich] — which is exactly what you think it is and exactly what I want."
What’s your favourite cocktail?
Daniel Neuhaus
"My favourite cocktail is probably an old fashioned, since it's less sweet. Or a Spanish fizz — a bit savoury, refreshing. It's a banger."
What’s your favourite local restaurant right now (besides your own)?
"The Rex in Welland — established in 1915 and family-owned ever since — is a standout, go-to, absolute favourite for our family. Everyone's probably tired of hearing it. We lived in Welland for around four years after moving from the city, and it became a weekly ritual — usually on Thursdays — to settle in, order anything in parm form with their red sauce, or go rogue with house-made fettuccine alfredo, crush a couple of cold beers, and just relax. The room is always busy with seniors enjoying a pint, shooting the shit, betting on horses, with a few elder millennials peppered in for good measure."
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"Our server, Crystal, is one of our kids' absolute favourite people in the world, and has made the place feel like home since she was a baby. The whole team refers to her by nickname, lets her rip around, chat up regulars at the bar, and plies her with maraschino cherries. Our blood pressure collectively drops when we get there. Now that we’ve moved, we miss it, but it's still worth the hike. A special shoutout to Bruno, who always hooks up a shot or two and is just a really solid guy."
Where do you go for the best late-night bites in the city?
"There is no 'late night'. I'm in my late thirties with a five-year-old — once she's down, we're all down for the night."
What are your favourite cafés?
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"Pique-Nique, owned by our friend Katy Hodgson, is probably everyone's go-to. Katy has created a beautiful French-inspired café and neighbourhood space where everyone feels super familiar, and probably is. You'll find good wine served in the perfect glass, and the small plates and desserts are just awesome. Our kid hasn't (and won’t) stop talking about the brownie, and we don't blame her."
"Also worth mentioning is Black Sheep in Welland. The owners, Lucas and Katie Spinosa, are the ultimate unifiers, connecting small business owners with cool initiatives and driving solid community events. It’s also a deeply family-driven business, which is amazing to see. And the coffee is great."
Where do you go for a sweet treat?
"I'm not a huge sweet guy, but I'm very into everything by RPM Bakehouse. We bring in a small selection of their menu for retail or a little add-on [at Fat Rabbit], but nothing beats driving out to Jordan and grabbing a fresh-out-of-the-oven whatever is available."
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"The flours they use are thoughtfully sourced and tied to strong relationships with Ontario farmers and millers who are keeping heritage grains alive. It's definitely an ethos we can get behind. The whole place smells like coffee and butter, it's bright and beautifully designed, and everyone’s happy to be there. And, as I am sure you can imagine, it is always absolutely packed."
What’s your favourite brunch?
Daniel Neuhaus
"The only brunch we squeeze in is at Fat Rabbit these days. Our kid is so proud of this space, and it’s probably the only time we dine in together. Otherwise, brunch at home, or “Family Breakfast” as she calls it, is a super treat. There are tons of local farmstands as far as the region stretches, so no shortage of fresh fruit, produce, eggs, the works. And it doesn’t hurt to have access to the butcher counter at Fat Rabbit for a little protein."
What’s your special occasion meal?
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"Since we've been in Niagara, MA Chinese Cuisine has been a special occasion staple. We have celebrated many birthdays, hosted visiting family and guests, and thrown the restaurant's staff party here. We always order the Peking duck: Crispy skin and tender meat, cut up and served tableside, often by an incredibly impressive and confident teen. I could never. It's served with traditional accompaniments like cucumber, green onion and sweet bean sauce. If we are feeling particularly fancy, the Hong Kong–style lobster can’t be beat either. But it’s honestly all so damn good.
What's your favourite neighbourhood in Toronto?
"Hands down, College and Palmerston. Even though we spent most of our twenties moving further and further east, away from that corner, it’s a spot that holds a lot of significance, personally and professionally. My wife and I both worked at the College location of La Carnita when it first opened and was pulling three-hour wait times. Later on, I moved over to Bar Raval, and she was up near Trinity Bellwoods working for the parent hospitality group."
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"We ended up getting married sandwiched right between those two places, literally sharing a wall with both, celebrating our reception at DaiLo and Lo Pan, hosted by Dennis Tay, Anton Potvin, Trevor Chen and their amazing (and patient) team. We all shared a back alley, and everyone knew everyone. It felt like an industry party until it got a little unhinged, and we wouldn’t change a thing. So much of our lives happened in that small radius, for better or worse, and going back still hits all the soft spots."
What's your guilty pleasure snack?
"A scoop of peanut butter. In a Costco-sized, XL jug — just one heaping spoonful to take the edge off at the end of the day. Does that count?"
What’s your favourite date-night spot?
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"What date night? This one is tough... I guess hypothetically, if we were to wine and dine one another, the go-to would be OddBird. These guys, Scott White and Justin Duc, have been so good to us the last few years, and this restaurant is absolutely beloved by locals. Smashing oysters at the bar, with a couple of proper cocktails by Stuart Laidlaw, sounds great — and probably overdue."
What’s your favourite spot for cheap eats?
"Seoul Korean. I mean… It’s not cheap, so to speak, but if you go with the family, skip the beers — you'll eat until your heart’s content and won’t pay a fortune. They have a chilled broth dish with buckwheat noodles, cucumber, radish and a boiled egg that slaps during the summer, or whenever. It's just so tasty. And their wings are incredible. Living in Niagara, we probably eat too many wings, but you just can’t skip them."
