When the sun is shining and the weekend hits, we're just itching for a quick getaway or a day trip from Toronto to explore the best restaurants in Ontario. Don't get us wrong — we love crossing off our summer bucket list in the city, with Summerlicious in full swing, new Toronto restaurants opening and the best patios in the city primed for an al fresco afternoon. But sometimes we want to get away from the crowds of tourists, the endless construction and the gridlock traffic, and discover the amazing restaurants in Ontario that are just outside the city.
Southern Ontario's restaurant scene is thriving, and while the Michelin Guide's expansion to spots outside the city proves it, there are plenty of places that have been cooking up farm-to-table fare and honing their culinary chops long before the Guide arrived. Then, there are so many others that haven't been recognized on the big lists, but are still well worthy of a weekend escape or day trip from Toronto.
Set amongst rolling green fields dotted with animals, lush landscapes blossoming with summer flowers and charming small towns lined with quaint boutiques, Ontario's best restaurants offer a fresh scene and a change of pace. It's a welcome escape from the city for delicious cooking, even if it's just for a day.
8 of the best restaurants in Ontario for a day trip from Toronto
1. Spencer's at the Waterfront
1340 Lakeshore Rd.
Burlington, Ontario
Every time I visit this Burlington restaurant, I'm floored by the beauty of its prime waterfront location. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the endless blue waters, and the view from the tree-lined patio is even better. It's an elegant, modern spot worthy of an occasion, especially if you're meeting friends or relatives from west of the city who don't want to come all the way into the belly of the beast (a.k.a. downtown Toronto in the summer).
Paired with the view, succulent seafood dishes like miso salmon and grilled swordfish, juicy steaks and irresistible shareables like burrata with caramelized pear and lychee purée make this Ontario restaurant well worth a day trip from Toronto. Spencer's has a great cocktail and mocktail program, too.
It's close enough to the GO Station that you could arrive on transit, or the drive is often just under an hour from Toronto. Make a day out of it and enjoy a stroll along Burlington's picturesque waterfront and a strip of cute boutique shops, or stay overnight at the beachy, luxurious Pearle Hotel & Spa.
2. Naagan
279 10th St. E.
Owen Sound, Ontario
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If you're unfamiliar with Indigenous cuisine, Naagan is a must-visit, and if you love Indigenous cuisine, it's also a must-visit. This Ontario restaurant should be on everyone's foodie bucket list, especially if you live in the province. I visited when it was still a pop-up at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, before the brick-and-mortar restaurant opened, and it's still one of the best meals I've had to date.
Now in its own space, the 17-seat restaurant combines art, education and a show-stopping meal. Owner and chef Zach Keeshig honed his skills in some of the most top-rated kitchens in the province, including Michael Stadtländer’s Eigensinn Farm, Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Enigma and Langdon Hall, before returning to his native Owen Sound to open a restaurant that honours his roots. At Naagan, he crafts Ojibwa cuisine with modern culinary techniques, using ingredients that are foraged or grown by the team, or sourced from local farmers, fishers and hunters. It's easily one of the best and most underrated restaurants in Ontario.
3. Cambridge Mill
100 Water St. N.
Cambridge, Ontario
I have yet to find a brunch in the city that can rival the impressive spread at Cambridge Mill. The Sunday brunch buffet is spread across two rooms. In one, you'll find a raw bar laden with fresh seafood options, from juicy, jumbo chilled shrimp and octopus salad to seared tuna and smoked salmon with all the fixings. In the other room, steaming trays are brimming with hot entrées like eggs Benedict, crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs and some of the best Brussels sprouts you'll ever have.
At the carving station, find prime rib and glazed trout. There's also a boatload of pasties, cheese and charcuterie, salads, fruit, desserts and more. It feels like there's too much food to even see it all, let alone taste it all. Best of all, bottomless mimosas, caesars, mocktails, juices and more are included in the all-in price.
Every time you take a break from marvelling at what's on your plate, you can bask in the views of the Grand River pouring past the windows of the elegant, 19th-century mill dining room.
4. Langdon Hall
1 Langdon Dr.
Cambridge, Ontario
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From the moment you arrive, following the winding driveway through the forested grounds up to the front of this grand manor house, it feels special. Inside, the hushed elegance of the white-table-cloth fine dining room overlooking the Lily Pond and Carolinian Forest whispers luxury. Chef Jason Bangerter's seasonal Canadian cuisine shines with ingredients from the kitchen's gardens. It would be a true treat to have dinner at this top Ontario restaurant and stay overnight.
5. Ancaster Mill
548 Old Dundas Rd.
Ancaster, Ontario
This historic property, nestled right beside a waterfall in Ancaster, Ontario is a breath of fresh air compared to the fast-paced city scene. The restored, 200-year-old mill oozes Old-World charm and a relaxed slow-paced ambience. It's the perfect backdrop for dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, whether it's the buffet brunch, Sunday supper or any other meal.
Pack a change of clothes and make your day trip from Toronto into a full adventure. Hamilton, Ontario is the waterfall capital of the world, and there are plenty of great hiking trails to explore nearby.
6. Down Home
135299 9th Line
Markdale, Ontario
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For anyone seeking a true escape into rural dining, Down Home is where I'd tell you to go, especially if you're keen on exploring Grey County. I spent an afternoon on the property soaking in the quiet atmosphere right by the gardens, hearing the chickens nearby and smelling the fires.
Tucked away in a beautiful 16-seat, century farmhouse, the venue offers a blend of raw nature, deep hospitality and unforgettable flavours. Co-founders Hannah Harradine Gray and Joel Gray built their reputation hosting dynamic pop-ups as Sumac & Salt before anchoring down here, a move that recently earned them a coveted position on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list for 2026.
In the kitchen, the team lets the seasons guide their dishes, creating an ever-evolving harvest menu that reacts directly to the weekly weather patterns and relies entirely on food gathered or cultivated steps from your table. If you're considering it, I'd say this summer is the perfect time to make the trip, as they've added a six-course Garden Lunch tasting menu on Saturdays.
7. Les Incompetents
386 St Paul St.
St. Catharines, Ontario
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Zach Smith and his band of ethical butchers have done a bang-up job of making St. Catharines — Niagara's rougher-around-the-edges neighbour — a destination in its own right. Now, Smith and a cohort of veteran bartenders, distillers, chefs and mixologists are at it again. Les Incompétents, Fat Rabbit's boozier sibling, takes its name from a Home Alone quote, and the nostalgia doesn't stop there.
Step through the doors of the French-inspired bistro, designed by the legendary firm West Grove, and slide into a booth. I let the team steer the evening, starting with baked oysters and delicate hamachi tarts before the showstopper lands: the Cordon Bleu chicken slider. It's easily one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten.
Wash it all down with one of the restaurant's creative cocktails, many of which riff on the Macaulay Culkin holiday classic, and you'll quickly understand why I'm already planning a return visit.
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Read more8. The Pine
7535 County Rd. 9
Creemore, Ontario
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When I visited The Pine back in 2024, I didn't need the Michelin Guide to tell me it was special. Jeremy and Cassie Austin are doing something wonderful in Creemore, Ontario, out of a converted white garage. Intricately plated dishes arrive one after another (there are 18 courses in total) at one of just 22 seats, but there's no tasting-menu fatigue here.
Chef Jeremy Austin's years in Italy, Hong Kong and mainland China shine through in every course, with influences that are as colourful as they are surprising. Expect playful touches throughout — like the hen's egg soaked in black tea and the savoury "cigarette" — that are inspired by Shanghai street food and Chinese banquet traditions.
The wine pairing menu takes the experience up another notch, but if you prefer to bring your own bottle, corkage is just $20. It's another thoughtful touch that keeps this Michelin-starred restaurant refreshingly humble.
