Best local restaurants to indulge in Kingston Ontario cuisine

By Visit Kingston

Any day is a good day to treat yourself in Kingston, where the restaurants, cafés, and bakeries offer a variety of decadent goodies. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there are plenty of amazing eateries to discover in this charming city. From cozy cafes to upscale restaurants, Kingston has something for every palate and budget. Here are some of our top picks of some of the best dining spots in Kingston, Ontario.

 

1. Whiskey & Rosé

125 Brock St.

Whiskey & Rosé offers a great selection of unpretentious, delicious fare, like their Kansas City nachos (piled high with smoked brisket, pico de gallo, queso fonduta, and Kansas City barbeque sauce) and smoked turkey gumbo (smoked turkey, housemade andouille sausage, sautéed kale, multigrain rice, and fried okra).

Open: Tues – Wed (4 – 9 pm), Thurs (11 am – 10 pm) Fri–Sat (11 am – late)

View menu | Contact: (613)-546-0429

2. Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse

195 Ontario St.

Try Dianne’s Nova Scotia lobster rolls, featuring chunks of lobster mixed with tarragon, lemon, chives, celery, and mayo, served in butter-toasted potato buns and topped with pickled red onion. Have a side of dirty fries with chorizo-roja gravy, pico de gallo, jalapeños, red onion, queso fresco, cilantro, and lime mayo.

Open: Sun – Thurs (11:30 am – 9 pm), Fri – Sat (11:30 am – 11 pm)

View menu | Contact: 613-507-3474

3. Bread & Butter Bakery

1530 Bath Rd.

It’s hard to pick just one treat from this west-end staple so we recommend their baked goods gift box, featuring a small raspberry pie, three macarons, six ginger molasses cookies, a banana chocolate chip loaf and two plain butter tarts. (And if you feel like sharing a box of Kingston treats, Bread & Butter ships these gift boxes throughout Ontario.)

Open: Wed – Fri (8 am – 5 pm), Sat (8 am – 4 pm), Sun (8 am – 3 pm)

View menu | Contact: (613) 384-3675

4. Kingston Brewing Company

34 Clarence St.

What foodie list would be complete without the addition of some tangy, saucy wings? The KBC wings come with your choice of sauce: BBQ, maple chipotle, hot honey, buffalo, or Nashville hot dry rub. To quench your thirst, grab one of their craft beers. The Dragon’s Pale Ale will go great with your wings.

Open: Sun – Thurs (11:30 am – midnight) Fri – Sat (11:30 am – 1 am), kitchen (11:30 am – midnight)

View menu | Contact: 613-542-4978

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bubbas (@bubbaspoutine)

5. Bubba’s Poutine & Pizzeria

349 King St. E.

401 Princess St.

No Kingston food list would be complete without Bubba’s famous poutine on it. There are Greek and Italian options, but if this is your first—or last—attempt, go for the classic Quebec-style poutine. The curds are thick and salty, the gravy is dark and rich, and the fries are sturdy enough to withstand and soak up all that cheesy and messy deliciousness.

Open: Mon – Wed (11 am – 11 pm), Thurs (11 am – midnight), Fri – Sat (11 am – 3 am)

View menu | Contact: (613) 549-5425

6. White Mountain Homemade Ice Cream

176 Ontario St.

Try the vanilla lover’s vanilla in a waffle cone. I know, vanilla ice cream—how boring. But give this one a chance! In the hands of White Mountain’s ice cream masters, that flavour gets even smoother and more enhanced in this ice cream classic. And when you have it in one of their fresh, homemade waffle cones, you’ll find few desserts will beat it.

Open: daily (2 – 9 pm)

View menu | Contact: (613) 545-3474

7. Black Dog Tavern

69 Brock St.

The elevated tavern classics don’t get better than at this Kingston staple. Enjoy their tavern mac ‘n’ cheese, made with cavatappi, Brie cheese mornay, caramelized mixed mushrooms and onions, parmesan, and breadcrumbs.

“My friend took me on a day trip to Canada because I’ve never been and we came here! Absolutely amazing service. The specialty cocktails were great and so was the food! Highly recommend the basil guava mule!” – Jacque A

Open: Tues – Wed (4 – 9 pm), Fri – Sat (11:30 am – 11 pm), Sun (11 am – 9 pm)

View menu | Contact: 613-549-5635

8. Tata’s House of Pizza and Pasta

2561 Princess St.

Tata’s old-school pie maestros have been around for over 25 years and now rightfully call themselves “The Serious Pizza People.” Go all out with the Tata’s supreme pizza, with meat sauce, pepperoni, bacon, sausage, and ham (plus sliced meatballs added on request).

Open: Tues – Wed (4 – 9 pm), Thurs (11:30 am – 10 pm), Fri – Sat (11:30 am – 11 pm), Sun (11 am – 9 pm)

View menu | Contact: (613) 384-9434

9. The Dessert Indulgence

685 Justus Dr, Unit 4

Try the chocolate raspberry mousse cake, featuring chocolate sponge cake topped with both chocolate and raspberry mousse and enrobed in chocolate glaze. This cake comes in six portions, making it easy to share. The Dessert Indulgence also offers pies, cheesecakes, and trifles, as well as a nice selection of gluten-free, vegan, and keto sweet options.

Open: Mon – Fri (9 am – 3 pm)

View menu | Contact: (613) 777-5520