There’s no wrong time to eat your way across Ontario, each season serves up its own delicious charm. But when summer rolls in, Niagara is a particular region in the province that is a must-visit. Nestled in Ontario’s Tender Fruit Belt, the region boasts a bounty of sun-ripened peaches, cherries, plums and grapes that fuel not only farm stands and wineries, but also the creativity of local chefs, brewers and makers.
While most visitors wander to Niagara for its countryside charm or vineyard escapes, St. Catharines offers a different kind of summer getaway, one that offers urban experiences rooted in local agriculture. Here, you’re never far from the field, the city is surrounded by orchards, vineyards and family-run farms, giving food lovers the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re exploring cool cafés, sipping local wines, or chatting with producers at the farmers’ market, St. Catharines makes it easy to savour the season and beat the heat in the most delicious way!
Join us for two delicious days wandering Niagara, starting with our favourite foodie finds, local sips and scenic stops in the heart of St. Catharines.
Day 1: Vineyards Sips, Shorelines, and Downtown Cravings
From vineyard views for lunch to lakeside breezes, kick-off your first day tasting Niagara’s finest, wandering Port Dalhousie’s coastal charm, and capping it off with dinner, bowling, and cocktails in the heart of downtown St. Catharines.
The Diner House 29
Where: 431 Welland Ave, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Diner House 29, where classic diner comfort food meets creative local flair. Tucked just off Welland Avenue, partially hidden behind a gas station, this retro gem is absolutely worth seeking out for your foodie bucket list in St. Catharines.
Owners Anne and Dave bring serious personality to the menu, with standout features like the Apple and Bacon Jam Omelette smothered in garlic brie sauce, or the Crab Hash piled with habanero cream cheese, corn-tomato salsa, sunny side eggs, and zesty cilantro lime mayo for an unforgettable start to your Niagara adventure. For those who like to dial up the spice be sure to take home a bottle of their signature apple bonnet hot sauce, created using ingredients grown from Dave’s home garden!
Don’t forget while you’re there to check out Anne’s incredible vintage Pyrex collection on display. The vibrant wall of vintage Pyrex pieces are totally Insta-worthy.
Port Dalhousie Range Rear Lighthouse
Where: 57-61 Lighthouse Rd, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
A short drive from breakfast brings you to Port Dalhousie, where the historic Range Rear Lighthouse stands watch over Lake Ontario. It’s the perfect stop for a breezy stroll, scenic photo ops, and taking in some of Niagara’s coastal charm.
The Port Dalhousie Inner Range Lighthouse is one of only three remaining octagonal lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Its unique shape offers both architectural beauty and historic strength. Steps away, you can relax on the beach, ride the heritage carousel for just 5 cents, or browse the lively Supper Market on Tuesday nights all summer long! It’s the perfect spot to ease into your day with lakeside views in St. Catharines.
13th Street Winery
1776 Fourth Ave, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
Continuing your delicious getaway, no visit to St. Catharines would be complete without a visit to one of the cities many incredible craft beverage producers. Tucked among rolling vineyards, 13th Street Winery offers award-winning wines, an on-site bakery, a sculpture garden and a contemporary art gallery. Grab a spot on the patio at the Vineyard Bistro and Outdoor Kitchen for a leisurely lunch and sip your way through their award-winning wines like Gamay, the varietal they’re best known for. Pair your glass with a seasonal dish or share a light bite like their artisanal cheese and charcuterie board.
Before you head out, make sure to stop by the on-site bakery for one of their famous butter tarts. With seven crave-worthy flavours like Skor, bacon, cherry and pecan, there’s something for every sweet tooth. Then, take a leisurely stroll through the sculpture garden, where you’ll find works by Canadian artists including Niagara’s own Floyd Elzinga. It’s the perfect way to round out your visit with a little art, a little nature, and a lot of local flavour.
Parkway Social
Where: 327 Ontario St, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
For a dose of classic fun, Parkway Social delivers with bowling lanes, arcade games, and a full-service bar, making it the perfect pre-dinner stop to begin winding down the day and enjoy a few laughs. Just steps away from the Holiday Inn & Suites, it’s a convenient spot to check in, and kick off your evening before heading downtown for dinner.
Whether you’re showing off your strikes or settling into a lane-side lounge, the venue offers a great selection of snacks, plus a killer wine and cocktail list that features Niagara wines and creative house blends. We sipped on the Espresso Negroni, a bold and smooth mix of Kahlua, Campari, gin, vermouth, espresso, and orange zest, and tried the tropical Ostin’s Mule, available with mango or blueberry purée, fresh lime, and ginger beer (just as tasty without the vodka for a non-alcoholic option). It’s a playful stop that sets the tone for a fun-filled night in St. Catharines.
OddBird
Where: 52 St Paul St, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
Wind down the day with dinner at OddBird. A true downtown St. Catharines experience, Odd Bird is intimate, inventive, full of flavour and has landed a spot on Canada’s 100 Best restaurants list. This chef-driven spot is known for its ever-evolving menu of globally inspired small plates. Starting with drinks we decided to explore their stellar cocktail list with the Big Twerk Milk Punch, a cheeky concoction featuring Dillon’s Rose Gin, chocolate liqueur, raspberry/gochujang syrup, oolong tea, lemon and a chocolate milk wash. For those going spirit-free, OddBird includes plenty of delicious options like the Flower Power made with non-alc gin, elderflower syrup, Novara and lemon.
Showcasing their fun and inventive menu we recommend kicking things off with the Foie Gras & Pancake Double Stack. Served with two fluffy buttermilk pancakes stacked with pork belly, cheese curds and foie gras terrine, the plate is then finished with maple syrup and honey mustard for the perfect sweet and savoury bite. For a heartier meal the Braised Beef Short Rib was melt-in-your-mouth tender, served with crispy Brussels sprouts and cheesy potatoes, with the option to level up with shaved truffle or seared foie gras. After a cozy evening of creative plates and craft cocktails, you’ll leave feeling full, happy, and ready to for another day of tasting your way through St. Catharines.
Insider tip: If you’re craving something crispy, don’t skip a local favourite menu item, the fried chicken sandwiches! Made with Ontario-raised, hormone-free chicken thighs and served by the piece or bucket with hot sauce and their signature Haggard Sauce.
Day 2: Market Mornings, Garden Strolls & Culinary Gems
Wake up to fresh local finds at the farmers’ market, unwind in the rose gardens with coffee in hand, and savour an unforgettable lunch at the Michelin-recommended Fat Rabbit.
Bistro Mirepoix
Where: 64 Court St, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
Tucked away on Court Street, Bistro Mirepoix is a cozy local gem known for elevating comfort food with a chef’s touch, especially at brunch! The ever-changing chalkboard menu is built around seasonal, local and often organic ingredients, with much of the food made entirely from scratch, from house-roasted meats to freshly baked sourdough.
Popular picks include the pork belly eggs benny, served with perfectly poached eggs and rich hollandaise and the waffles topped with strawberries, roasted apples and slathered in maple cream sauce, making your start to day two exploring St. Catharines a sweet one! Many dishes are gluten-free, and vegetarian options are always available, making this spot a thoughtful and inclusive stop for your morning cravings.
Insider tip: They don’t take reservations, so be sure to show up early and come hungry!
St. Catharines Farmers’ Market
Where: 91 King St, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
Start your morning at the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market, a vibrant hub of local food where you’ll find everything from fresh local produce, artisanal cheeses, and meats to preserves, baked goods, and fresh ready made meals. Open year-round, the market brings together Niagara’s farmers and makers under one roof. Making it the perfect place for grabbing a quick snack on the go or picking up a few foodie souvenirs to take home with you.
Wandering Spirits Niagara
Where: 96 King St, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
After stocking up on fresh Niagara goodies at the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market, make your way across the street for a well earned pick-me-up at the Wandering Spirits Coffee Trailer. Just across from the King Street entrance of Market Square, you’ll spot their cheerful trailer and street-side patio serving up hand-crafted coffees and creative seasonal beverages.
While you’re there, be sure to check the specials board to see what fun, flavour-packed drinks they’re serving up. We tried all three of the new June menu items including the Swamp Monster, a bold mix of matcha, white Monster, and ice. The Dirty Dalgopna, made with rooibos chai and espresso, topped with a creamy cold foam for a smooth, and spiced drink, and lastly the Iced Cocmericano made with coconut water and espresso.
If there’s time in your day, we highly recommend exploring more of the downtown core. Market Square is surrounded by walkable streets full of local gems from thoughtfully curated skincare and sustainable goods at Garden City Essentials, to sweet treats from Beechwood Doughnuts, Niagara’s first and only 100% vegan doughnut shop. Their creative, plant-based flavours prove that compassionate eating can be just as indulgent. Downtown St. Catharines is full of surprises and worth taking the time to explore.
Montebello Park
Where: 64 Ontario St, St. Catharines, ON (View Map)
Not done exploring? With a coffee in hand, make your way to Montebello Park and take a short stroll. The park is not only an architectural gem designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (the same architect who designed Central Park in New York City) but is also home to a beautiful rose garden. With winding pathways, towering trees, and beautifully maintained flower beds, it’s a peaceful urban oasis and a great stop to make to help unwind between bites and sips.
Fat Rabbit
Where: 34 Geneva St, St. Catharines (View Map)
Wrap up your St. Catharines adventure with a standout lunch at Fat Rabbit, a MICHELIN Recommended and Feast On® certified restaurant that truly walks the walk when it comes to local sourcing and honing their commitment to zero-waste butchery. Led by Chef Zach Smith, this delicious downtown spot is both a whole-animal butcher shop and restaurant, working exclusively with small farms like Linton Pasture Pork and Penokean Hills Farm, committed to regenerative and ethical practices. Every part of the animal is put to thoughtful use, from the ever-changing menu to the house-made charcuterie and retail offerings.
We shared beautiful plates of house-cured meats like Toscana and Coppa, paired with a bright Spring Greens salad featuring celtuce, hazelnuts, and ricotta salata. After chatting with Aaron from Bistro Mirepoix earlier in the day, we knew we had to follow his local tip and try the cheeseburger at Fat Rabbit. The burger was stacked with caramelized onion and gruyère, it hit all the right notes and lived up to the hype!
For those interested in trying an assortment of delicious items the Fat Rabbit kitchen is cooking up that day we recommend opting for the mixed grill plate. Curated by the kitchen our plate included carne asada-style steak, sausage topped with a spicy chilli bomba sauce and a perfectly grilled pork chop. It was an incredible showcase of skill and flavour! For drinks, we sampled the strawberry rhubarb Casa Piñata, a playful non-alcoholic option, and sipped on the crisp House Lager, brewed in collaboration with Feast On® partner Willibald.
The meal was packed with bold flavours, local ingredients, and a deep-rooted respect for where food comes from which makes Fat Rabbit the ideal final bite before heading home!
