Kingston is more than just a beautiful, historic city on the shores of Lake Ontario. It’s a place where food lovers can savour locally rooted cuisine, each dish telling a story of Kingston’s passionate producers. Thanks to the Feast On® certification, diners can easily spot restaurants and producers who are committed to showcasing Ontario’s rich culinary landscape.
Whether it’s sustainable lake fish, inventive cocktails, or seasonally inspired fare, Kingston’s Feast On® gems make it easy (and delicious) to support local.
What is Feast On®
Before you dig into your next delicious bite or sip, take a moment to explore what it really means to eat and drink local.
Feast On® is a certification program that shines a spotlight on Ontario’s restaurants, cafes, breweries, and culinary experiences that proudly source and serve locally grown and made ingredients. Audited by the Culinary Tourism Alliance (that’s us!) based on their annual spend of Ontario grown and raised ingredients, the certification proves that businesses aren’t just talking the talk when it comes to sourcing local but walking the walk.
When you choose a Feast On® certified spot, you’re not just enjoying a great meal. You’re supporting local farmers, food producers, and Ontario’s vibrant food culture. Now that’s something worth celebrating! Hungry for more? Check out the full Feast On® certified lineup HERE.
Discover the Must-Stop Feast On® Spots of Kingston
Here are 12 must-visit stops that exemplify what it means to dine with purpose in Kingston.
1. Toast and Jam
Where: 1530 Bath Rd, Kingston, ON (View Map)
Part café, part bakery, Toast and Jam is the cozy breakfast and brunch spot locals rave about. With freshly baked bread (made in-house as an extension of the Bread & Butter Bakery) and a menu built around seasonal and regional ingredients, it’s a morning must.
Start your Kingston adventures with the featured quiche of the day, served with your choice of daily soup, house greens, or roasted potatoes — a delicious way to start exploring. Alternatively, try their breakfast tacos topped with zingy pickled onions!
Hot tip: Be sure to join the waitlist in advance to secure your seat.
2. Otter Creek Kitchen
Where: 2792 Princess St, Kingston, ON (View Map)
Otter Creek Kitchen is a farm-to-table gem delivering big flavour with a laid-back, casual vibe, spotlighting local ingredients through unforgettable burgers, fresh-cut fries, and elevated comfort fare. Their premium Wagyu beef is raised just 15 kilometers away at Otter Creek Farms, so every bite is as local as it gets.
Craving something legendary? Past specials like The Big Kahuna Burger have turned heads with a 5 oz Wagyu patty, in-house Canadian bacon, smoky house-made BBQ sauce, Tajín-spiced grilled pineapple, mozzarella, lettuce, and red onion all stacked high on a Mac’s brioche bun. If you’re worried your eyes might be bigger than your stomach, don’t sweat it! They’ve got 3 oz lil’ burgers that are just as tasty and satisfying.
If you’re on the move, keep an eye out for the Otter Creek food truck, rolling through the region this season with all the signature flavours you love.
3. Dianne’s
Where: 195 Ontario St, Kingston, ON (View Map)
Fresh, and full of maritime charm, Dianne’s is a seafood-forward spot that blends Baja-style eats with smokehouse classics. Think local pickerel tacos, smoked meats, and Ontario craft beer—all just steps from the waterfront. Warm up with a comforting cup of Dianne’s famous “Down East Fish Chowder” — a hearty mix of haddock, tender potatoes, and a creamy salt cod-bacon broth, served with a toasted baguette.
Craving something with a bit more zest? The Cider-Battered Baja Fish Tacos deliver a perfect punch, topped with pico de gallo, salsa roja, avocado crema, Napa cabbage, pickled red onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Pair your tacos with a local craft bevvy like a Blonde Ale from Prince Eddy’s Brewing Co. in Picton or a Lime Crush Cider from Stock & Row in nearby Bloomfield for a bright, refreshing taste of Ontario flavours.
4. Wharf and Feather
Where: 2 Princess St, Kingston, ON (View Map)
Wharf and Feather serves up elevated pub-style fare with a strong focus on Ontario-sourced ingredients.
Sink into a seat on the waterfront patio overlooking the wharf or in their windowed dining room to enjoy the view. Gnosh on crispy Patatas Bravas topped with creamy queso blanco from the local Wilton Cheese Factory or go classic with their Pier Fish and Chips featuring beer-battered haddock fried to perfection with MacKinnon Brothers Brewing craft beer, served alongside a bright red cabbage slaw. It’s comfort food with a local twist, served from a menu that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
5. The Everly Restaurant & Lounge
Where: 171 Wellington St Unit #103, Kingston, ON (View Map)
A sophisticated spot for shared plates and inventive cocktails, The Everly is the kind of place that brings people together. Their rotating menu is a celebration of Ontario’s bounty, served in an elegant, modern setting with flair and finesse. During our visit, The Everly proved to be the perfect place to wind down and enjoy a small bite paired with expertly crafted cocktails.
The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere made it easy to linger a little longer and savour each moment. For dessert, we indulged in the Black Cherry Frangipane Tart— a delightful combination of rich black cherries and ground almonds in a buttery shortbread crust, served with silky vanilla cream. It was the ideal sweet finish to a memorable evening.
6. Black Dog Tavern
Where: 69 Brock St, Kingston, ON (View Map)
Located in the heart of downtown Kingston, Black Dog Tavern channels a rustic-chic vibe with its locally inspired gastropub menu. Diners can expect bold flavours, Ontario-sourced meats, and seasonal produce crafted into comforting yet elevated dishes that hit just the right note.
A standout? Their Steak Frites, a timeless favourite featuring a tender, flavour-packed Enright Cattle Co. New York Strip, served with sea-salted fries, crispy fried onions, truffled arugula, and your choice of sauce au poivre or mojo verte. It’s a refined take on a French classic that perfectly showcases local sourcing and culinary craft.
But the experience doesn’t stop there. Black Dog Tavern offers something for every craving and occasion including brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, and a well-loved cocktail hour. Don’t miss their creative tavern takes like the Valhalla, a bold blend of pomegranate and raspberry-infused Dillon’s Single Grain Rye, lemon, simple syrup and soda.
Whether you’re unwinding after work or diving into a full dining experience, Black Dog Tavern brings serious flavour to every dish and drink.
7. Collective Joy Farm
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Collective Joy Farm plays a vital role in Kingston’s local food ecosystem, supplying nutrient-rich microgreens, fresh herbs, and edible flowers to restaurants across the city. This sustainable, community-focused indoor farm is known for its commitment to organic practices and year-round growing using vertical farming techniques.
They’re also a familiar face at local farmers’ markets like the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market where you can stock up on their vibrant greens, flavour-packed garnishes, and small-batch fresh-pressed juices made with their own produce.
The farm is set to reopen later in the summer season, so keep an eye out for their return!
8. Aquaterra
Where: 1 Johnson Street Kingston, ON (View Map)
Overlooking the waterfront, Aquaterra pairs refined dining with stunning lakeside views. Known for its upscale yet approachable menu, this restaurant champions Ontario ingredients, from local produce to house-aged meats and offers expertly curated wine pairings to elevate every dish.
We savoured the Charcoal-Grilled Duck, deliciously paired with smoked sweet potato, linguine, foie gras snow, amareno cherry demi-glace, and pickled mustard, a perfect reflection of AquaTerra’s commitment to bold flavours and artful presentation.
9. Harper’s
Where: 93 Princess St, Kingston, ON (View Map)
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More than your average burger joint, Harper’s is where inventive toppings, house-ground meats, and plant-based options converge in a vibrant, welcoming space on lively Princess Street. Signature creations include the Smokehouse burger, stacked with double-smoked cheddar, molasses-cracked pepper bacon, hickory sticks, and Kansas City BBQ sauce— a smoky, crunchy, flavour-packed bite.
With gluten-free offerings, locally sourced ingredients, hearty sides, and handspun milkshakes, Harper’s puts a gourmet twist on the classic diner experience, perfect for a satisfying meal just steps from downtown Kingston’s shopping and entertainment.
10. Atomica Kitchen and Cocktails
Where: 71 Brock St, Kingston, ON (View Map)
Bright, eclectic, and full of energy, Atomica delivers modern Mediterranean-inspired fare with local sensibilities. Whether you’re sipping on an artisan cocktail like their refreshing Strawberry Rhubarb Margarita, crafted with Giffard’s rhubarb liqueur and fresh strawberries or digging into small plates like the Harissa Cauliflower Popcorn topped with shaved manchego, tahini-lime aioli, smoked paprika oil, and fresh cilantro, every bite and sip is a celebration of bold flavour.
Signature mains like the Fowl Play pizza layered with Alfredo, mozzarella, goat cheese, roasted chicken, red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and finished with a basil pesto drizzle showcases Atomica’s playful creativity, making it a must visit spot for lunch or dinner!
Feast On®: Eat Local, Support Local
Each of these spots proves that eating local doesn’t mean sacrificing variety or flavour. Whether you’re visiting Kingston or a proud local, these Feast On® gems invite you to explore the city one delicious bite at a time.
A Culinary Road Trip Along South Eastern Ontario’s Highway 401
