Unexpected culinary highlights across Ontario

Welcome to vibrant Ontario, where abundant farmland, multicultural roots and picturesque waterfronts converge to create unforgettable dining experiences. Three dynamic cities—Mississauga, Kingston and Ottawa—each capture the province’s passion for local ingredients and global influences. From Michelin-acclaimed menus and innovative zero-waste cooking to rich Indigenous traditions and delectable French-inspired treats, you’ll find no shortage of tempting bites. 

All three cities lie along Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, within two hours' drive of the US border. Flying? Arrive at Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ottawa International Airport for the capital. To get to Kingston you can land in either one of those options or Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. 

Mississauga: Where global cultures converge

On Lake Ontario, Mississauga is Canada’s sixth-largest city and a new addition to the 2024 Michelin Guide. Boasting more than 2,000 restaurants, it often appears in food writer Suresh Doss’s coverage for its family-run gems and global flair. The result is a place where you can find a comforting taste of home no matter where you’re from.

Start with Guru Lukshmi, a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot serving spicy South Indian meals, like crispy chilli bhaji, aromatic tamarind rice and dosas stuffed with zesty masala or melty mozzarella. Nearby, Tamarind Modern Indian Bistro carries a Michelin Recommended nod for inventive dishes such as bhatti paneer tikka tacos or tender lamb galouti kebab. If you enjoy fusion, Rick’s Good Eats blends chef Rick Matharu’s Punjabi heritage with Canadian comfort—think gooey shahi paneer mac ‘n’ cheese or tangy butter chicken roti-tacos. Other popular Indian spots include Kerala Curry House and Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine.

From celebrity chefs to festival feasts

Mississauga’s culinary energy extends to Italy at Capra’s Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef Massimo Capra, who serves handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas made from top-notch local or directly imported Italian ingredients. For an indulgent breakfast, try Cafe Panchita, where Venezuelan chef Humberto Sanchez elevates morning staples into creations like a smoky chorizo and halloumi waffle or a sweet fig and mascarpone tostada.

To sample multiple flavors at once, visit Square One’s Food District, featuring more than two dozen vendors. This urban food market tucked inside Ontario's premier shopping destination offers up a world of flavors, perfect for when you just can't decide or for those days when you want to have it all. Another feastable option is Night Market T.O., inspired by Asia’s bustling night markets, where lively street food stalls serve juicy dumplings and succulent skewers amid energetic music on select dates during the year. Mississauga also hosts cultural festivals year-round—including Carassauga, Japan Festival, Mosaic Fest, and Philippine Festival—spotlighting the city’s status as a global cultural canvas.

Kingston: Historic charm meets farm-to-table

Less than three hours east along Lake Ontario, by car or train, lies historic Kingston, part of the stunning 1000 Islands. If you arrive at Pearson International Airport, Kingston is also very easily accessible by car or by train, taking the UP Express train to Union Station in downtown Toronto, then changing onto a Via Rail train to Kingston. En route, detour through the tranquil Bay of Quinte or the cluster of small farming hamlets and villages that make up Prince Edward County, offering a beautiful drive onwards to Kingston with a ride on the Glenora ferry. In summer, a small ferry from Cape Vincent, New York, crosses to Wolfe Island, the largest of the 1000 Islands, followed by a free crossing into Kingston’s vibrant downtown.

A relaxed university city, Kingston pairs a youthful vibe with heritage limestone architecture, vibrant live music and a flourishing culinary scene. Drop by Ontario’s oldest farmers’ market, the Kingston Public Market (operating since 1801), for local produce and artisan goods. In warmer months, sidewalk patios tucked into limestone alleyways or basking on the calming waterfront enhance the city’s laid-back ambiance, perfectly complementing its vibrant cultural calendar.

Fertile farmland supports Kingston’s many Feast On®-certified restaurants, a Culinary Tourism Alliance program verifying a high percentage of Ontario grown and raised ingredients. Southeastern Ontario leads the province in these certifications—and local chefs proudly source from the city and nearby Frontenac County to create fresh farm-to-table dishes.

 

Eclectic eateries and unmissable events

At The Everly, owners Amber Thom and Jamie Hodges showcase local sourcing, rotating classics like heritage pork red wine sausage in a mid-century-inspired space. Lively Atomica is known for cheeky stone-baked pizzas—try the bold Canuck AF, drizzled with Crown Royal maple. Zero-waste champion, Miss Bao uses local seasonal ingredients in inventive Asian fusion dishes, including tapas made with banana peel. For juicy wagyu burgers, Otter Creek Kitchen sources beef from nearby Otter Creek Farms, while at The Academy Food + Drink, chef Ahmed Boukraa mixes Moroccan and Western flavors to craft colourful plates bursting with locally grown produce. 

The perfect time to plan a trip to Kingston can be based around exactly what you want to experience! If you’re looking for novel and select experiences, plan to come during Kingstonlicious during February or March. This annual event celebrates culinary diversity with prix fixe menus, as well as signature events like tea and cheese pairings, slider showdowns, chef collaborations and more—often accompanied by live music in intimate venues. If you prefer your live music accompanied by bustling outdoor markets and an unbeatable patio scene, summer is the best time to come to Kingston and take in the many surrounding waterways.

Ottawa: A capital of culinary contrasts

Two hours northeast, Ottawa is Canada’s capital. Iconic Parliament buildings frame a thriving food scene shaped by 80 per cent rural land, 1,200 local producers, and a mosaic of Indigenous, French and English influences. 

You’ll find bistros, crêperies, and pâtisseries showcasing comforting French-inspired dishes like pâté chaud, duck confit, and tourtière, (savory meat pie). Meanwhile, a growing number of Indigenous chefs celebrate traditional ingredients like wild rice, venison and game birds.

Ottawa is also home to the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute. The only such campus in North America, it plays a unique role in shaping the city's vibrant food scene, attracting highly skilled chefs who go on to open a diverse range of restaurants throughout the city.

 

A rich tapestry of culinary creativity

At the city’s heart, the centuries-old ByWard Market is a lively hub for fresh produce, gourmet treats, and cheerful food vendors. Sample a Beavertail—hot, sweet dough big on Canadian charm—and soak up the bustle of buskers and outdoor patios. On Sundays, the Lansdowne Farmer’s Market at Aberdeen Square hosts more than 85 local vendors, selling everything from honey to kombucha. Nearby, at the Beandigen Café, owners Paula and Jayde share Anishnawbek art, stories and food, including soup and bannock, a traditional Indigenous fried bread that has come to symbolize resilience, community and cultural identity.

Venture beyond the markets to discover more culinary creativity. Near Parliament Hill, Aiāna celebrates Canada’s multicultural heritage with local venison rigatoni and seasonal tasting menus, while the grand Riviera reinvents classics like fish roe served with crème fraîche, dill, and crumpets. Along St. Laurent Boulevard, Coconut Lagoon highlights Kerala cuisine by award-winning chef Joe Thottungal (try the woodland mushroom croquettes). In the Glebe neighborhood, EVOO Greek Kitchen serves modern takes on souvlaki, lamb chops, and mezze favorites such as tzatziki or kaftedes. For an avant-garde experience, Atelier wows diners with a three-hour, 40-course tasting menu that blurs the line between food and art.

Connecting with the land and its stories

Southwest of Ottawa on Algonquin territory, Mādahòkì Farm features a variety of authentic Indigenous experiences. This includes chef Billy Alexander’s Celebration of Indigenous Spirit menu, featuring Three Sisters soup and bison meatloaf medallions, plus an Indigenous marketplace and herd of Ojibwe Spirit Horses. 

In Ottawa, festivals run year-round. In winter, locals flock to the frozen Rideau Canal, the world’s largest skating rink, and marvel at magical ice sculptures at the annual Winterlude festival. You’ll also find sugar shacks across Ottawa, where fresh maple syrup taffy is a winter highlight. Plus, in winter 2026, look out for Canada’s top up-and-coming young chefs at the Canadian Culinary Championship. As winter turns to spring, the canal buzzes with boats and a convivial market atmosphere, while in the heat of summer, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival celebrates the diverse Indigenous cultures in Canada. 

Ottawa is bustling with creative chefs, both new and seasoned, who come to the city for dining experiences exactly like these.

 

Ready to eat?

Wherever you roam—Mississauga’s global embrace, Kingston’s farm-forward charm, or Ottawa’s blend of French flair and Indigenous innovations—bring an appetite for discovery. Plan just enough to catch a festival, stroll a hidden alley or sip cider by the water, then leave room for serendipity in these vibrant communities. Ontario’s fertile farmland, cultural diversity and warm welcomes promise a feast of flavors you won’t soon forget.