The best-kept secrets of Kingston’s local businesses

115 Princess Street

In addition to their soft banana squares and vanilla cupcakes, Card’s Bakery also serves delicious soups, sandwiches, and wraps.  

Head over to Card’s at noon and refuel with a chicken ranch wrap, egg salad sandwich, or cream of broccoli soup. Their lunch menu rotates daily. 

165 Princess Street 

YGK Thrift, offering quality vintage and modern clothes at a reasonable price on Princess Street, sells sleek heels and comfortable loafers for 50 percent off on Fridays.  

By purchasing a pair of running shoes or flats, you’ll contribute to Almost Home, a non-profit organization that supports families with children receiving medical care in Kingston. 

For more trendy second-hand shops, check out your guide to thrifting in Kingston. 

195 Ontario Street

Each brunch dish you try at Dianne’s infuses the flavours of Mexico and Canada’s East Coast. 

Head to the waterfront restaurant, adorned with nautical decorations and a sunny patio, on Saturday or Sunday for brunch. Dianne’s serves mouthwatering dishes such as their beef barbacoa breakfast sandwich–a butter-toasted bun topped with Oaxacan style slow-braised beef brisket, sunny side up eggs, homemade pickled tomatoes, bacon, fresh smashed guacamole, and arbol chili mayo.  

For a combination of maritime zest and classic brunch fare, try the Eggs Dianne–fish cakes and two poached eggs topped with jalapeno hollandaise. 

Their tres leches pancakes–a triple stack of sweet pancakes topped with chocolate sauce, fruit, and whipped cream–will satisfy your early afternoon sweet tooth. 

286 Princess Street

Visit Miss Bāo for cute community-building events with a side of Japanese saké and sharable fusion plates.  

Besides serving seasonal cocktails and soft bāo buns filled with locally sourced poultry and produce, Miss Bāo also hosts heart-warming events inside their building with the distinctive green and red awning. The zero-waste restaurant has previously held needle felting and bento cake-making workshops.  

Head over to their Instagram to see which workshop the restaurant’s hosting next.  

234 Wellington Street

Stepping inside this quaint, local Italian business, you’re immediately hit with the smell of homemade tomato sauce and fresh focaccia.  

Pasta Genova makes their focaccia in-store, selling hunks of the fluffy, crispy bread for $1. They make their sandwiches–filled with your choice of crisp vegetables or savory Italian meats–using the melt-in-your-mouth focaccia. 

In addition to their famous bread, Pasta Genova sells ready-made products, fresh pastas, cheeses, and olive oils. Head to the charming store’s location on Wellington Street for a taste of Italy. 

1 Johnson Street 

Boasting an uninterrupted view of the Kingston Harbour and Confederation Basin, The Vu Lounge in AquaTerra serves daily happy hour from 2 to 5 pm.  

On Thursdays to Saturdays, the waterfront restaurant hosts extended happy hour until 12 am. Bring your date or your friend group for a $9 glass of house red or white wine, an $8 pint of house draft beer, or a $12 cocktail.  

AquaTerra also offers 10 percent off their appetizers, including their Korean tater tots with gouchujang aioli, ponzu, bonito, scallions, sesame seeds, and toi phi, and street corn calamari–crispy fried squid with chipotle aioli, cilantro, lime crème fraîche, charred corn salsa, pickled onions, and cotija. 

120 Princess Street

Settle into The Screening Room, a cozy cinema in the heart of downtown Kingston, with a bag of popcorn –drenched in real butter–and watch an edgy indie movie or hilarious comedy at a reduced price with the theatre’s membership card. 

The Screening Room’s membership card allows both movie buffs and average cinemagoers to see films for $11 instead of the regular $14 price. Seniors and students receive discounts on the annual membership card’s initial fee. 

You can purchase a membership card in person at The Screening Room or on their website.  

192 Ontario Street

This pizza joint has a secret back patio decorated with exposed brick, warm string lights, and wooden accents. 

Gobble up their Arbre Amore pizza, doused in tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, wood-roasted mushrooms, and artichoke, or the Nonna Mela pizza, topped with apple butter, roast garlic, cheddar, caramelized onions, and blackened chicken, on Wooden Head’s sunny and shaded courtyard patio today.  

You can make your reservation on their website. 

200 Ontario Street

The Haunted Walk’s Hidden Kingston City Tour 

200 Ontario Street 

If you’re a Kingston local or visitor looking to explore the Limestone City’s secret gems, join the Haunted Walk’s new Hidden Kingston City Tour.  

On this light-hearted, 90-minute walking excursion, tour guides will share surprising and fascinating stories from Kingston’s history, including the tale of two dueling doctors, bank robbers, and the city’s very own sea serpent. You can book the family-friendly adventure today on The Haunted Walk’s website. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a walking tour that will make the hairs on the back of your neck raise and send shivers down your spine, try their ghost tours.  

306 Bagot Street

Known for their perfectly chewy, slightly sweet, and delicious Montreal-style bagels, Nosh Kingston also sells 23 & Co. cookies filled with marshmallows, peanut butter cups, or Oreos.  

Next time you’re picking up a batch of everything or poppy seed bagels and deli cream cheese, grab a few cookies for dessert. 

348 King Street East

Boasting two stories of classics, romances, and thrillers, Berry & Peterson Booksellers offers a “buy two books, get one free” deal. 

Head inside the cozy used bookstore stuffed with a variety of genres, purchase a well-priced book (or multiple), then walk a few steps to Kingston Coffee House (322 King Street East), and enjoy your next read over a hot latte and pastry.