Get ready for a foodie weekend in Timmins, Ontario, where hearty local flavours, global bites and Northern Ontario charm all come together.
Timmins is packed with tasty stops that make it worth the road trip!
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or mapping out a longer Northern Ontario adventure, this guide will show you exactly where to eat, sip and savour in Timmins.
Day 1: Timmins adventure begins!
Day 1 begins in Timmins, a must-stop on your journey through The Seven, where flavour meets northern charm! Keep reading to see what’s cooking.
Breakfast at Restaurant Nadeau
Where: 293 Wilson Ave, Timmins, ON (View Map)
The morning begins at Restaurant Nadeau, a true Timmins institution where hearty plates come with warm smiles and small-town hospitality.
This cozy spot feels just like home, whether you’re popping in for breakfast, grabbing baked goods to go, or settling in with friends and family for a hearty meal.
We started with The Jobber, a classic plate of bacon, eggs, or sausage with all the fixings, a true Timmins breakfast staple!
The chef’s special omelette was another favourite, loaded with bacon, green pepper, onions, and cheese. And of course, we couldn’t resist their famous crepes, topped with fresh fruit. It’s no-fuss, all-flavour cooking that fuels you for the day ahead.
FYI: Beyond breakfast, Nadeau’s is known for freshly baked pies, butter tarts and meat pies that locals love to take home the most delicious way to bring a little taste of Timmins with you on the road.
Time to next stop: 5-minute drive, 30-minute walk
Hike Your Way Up to Hollinger Lookout
Where: Timmins, ON (View Map)
Next up, High above Timmins is Hollinger Lookout. It offers a glimpse into the city’s golden past.
Once home to the largest gold mine in the British Empire, this site is now an open-pit operation with sweeping views that stretch across town.
It’s a striking reminder of how mining built Timmins and fittingly, the road that takes you there is Shania Twain Drive, named after the city’s most famous star.
Fun fact: The original Hollinger Mine was discovered in 1909 by prospector Benny Hollinger and for decades it was one of the most productive gold mines in the world.
With picnic tables scattered around, easy walking paths and wide-open panoramas, this is the perfect place to take a breather on your foodie road trip, trading bites for big sights.
Time to next stop: 5-minute drive, 27-minute walk
Dinner at Your Choice Culinary Food Truck
Where: 219 Wilson Ave, Timmins, ON (View Map)
When it comes to road trips, grabbing dinner from a food truck just feels right and in Timmins, Your Choice Food Truck serves comfort food with flair.
Juicy brisket slow-smoked to excellence, towering burgers dripping with toppings and sides that satisfy every craving make this stop a local favourite.
The dish that steals the show is the pulled pork poutine, a gooey, smoky, cheesy masterpiece that’s practically a meal on its own.
The best part? The truck shares a patio with Full Beard Brewing Co., one of Northern Ontario’s largest craft breweries, known for creative names like “Beard of Zeus” IPA. Pairing their beer with that poutine is pure road trip magic.
Time to next stop: 3-minute drive, 18-minute walk
Afterward, Cool Off with a Cone at Pine Dairy Bar
Where: 141 Pine St S, Timmins, ON (View Map)
You deserve a treat! Pine Dairy Bar is a bit like stepping back in time.
This old-school local favourite serves up pure nostalgia with its soda-bar-like diner vibe.
Dive into their blue vinyl booths or grab a stool at the counter to enjoy a soft-serve cone, sundae, or even a burger and fries.
We went classic with a strawberry milkshake, a caramel sundae and of course a double-flavour swirl rolled in sprinkles. It’s the kind of sweet stop that makes a road trip through Timmins feel extra special!
Stay the Night
There’s no shortage of spots to stay in Timmins, so book yourself in for the night at one of these accommodations! From camping and bed and breakfasts to chain hotels, there’s something for everyone.
Day 2: Delicious Eats continue in Timmins
After a flavour-packed first day, Day 2 of your Timmins Ontario Foodie Road Trip brings even more bites worth the detour.
Take a quick detour for a sandwich that’s amore at Ciao Sandwich Co.
Where: 177 3rd Ave, Timmins, ON (View Map)
In the heart of downtown, Ciao Sandwich Co. brings a true taste of Italy to Timmins with scratch-made sandwiches, steaming soups and irresistible sweets. Everything here is crafted with care, from the bread fresh out of the oven to the last sip of coffee.
The mortadella sandwich is rich and satisfying, with silky slices of meat layered over fluffy focaccia and balanced by a tangy, velvety sauce.
The chicken and pesto sandwich offers a brighter bite with tender chicken tucked under a drizzle of fragrant, herb-packed pesto that lingers with every mouthful.
To drink, their lineup goes beyond the usual café fare.
Try the iced latte for a cooling kick or the coconut matcha latte for a smooth tropical twist. It’s the kind of quick stop that feels both indulgent and comforting.
Time to next stop: 6-minute drive, 11-minute bike ride
Hersey Lake Conservation Area
Where: 1H0, Boychuk Dr, South Porcupine, ON (View Map)
Just outside Timmins, Hersey Lake Conservation Area offers an ideal nature reset. Only 5 km north on Highway 655, this peaceful escape is ideal for a short hike, a lakeside swim, or a picnic beneath the jack pines.
We followed a 2.7-mile loop through shady forest, across boardwalks and past small lakes, pausing at lookouts like Jack Pine Lake and Grouse Point.
Along the way, there are picnic benches to rest at, a sandy beach to cool off and clear signs to keep you on track.
Fun fact: Hersey Lake spans more than 500 acres, with trails that locals use year-round for hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Whether you visit in the heat of summer or the quiet of winter, it’s a reminder of how good it feels to take a breath of fresh northern air.
Time to next stop: 10-minute drive
Lunch at Radical Gardens
Where: 163 5th Ave, Timmins, ON (View Map)
It’s time for a delicious and radically local lunch at Radical Gardens!
Part restaurant, part bakery and part organic farm, Radical Gardens is a Feast On® certified gem that showcases the flavours of Northern Ontario. Every dish is scratch-made with seasonal ingredients and plenty of creativity.
Chef Brianna Humphrey and Steve McIntosh founded Radical Gardens in 2015. Since then, it’s become a true community hub.
Their menu changes weekly and their baked goods are as beautiful as they are delicious. The philosophy behind it all is simple: sustainability and flavour come first.
We kicked things off with their legendary beef burrito bowl. It’s so popular that Chef Brianna joked people would riot if it ever left the menu. After one bite, we get it.
Loaded with local tomatoes, radishes and herbs, it’s hearty, colourful and completely crave-worthy. It’s the kind of dish you think about long after the road trip ends.
Next came the pulled pork bao buns, stuffed with slow-roasted pork glazed in-house-made BBQ sauce and finished with yuzu lemon sauce. Soft, tangy and comforting, they’re the kind of bites you close your eyes for.
And dessert? Stepping up to their glowing bakery case feels like peering into a jewelry display, only sweeter.
We tried the playful Fire & Ice cheesecake, made with fireweed jelly from Grey Wolf Gardens and Tamarac gin from a local distillery, alongside a peanut butter chocolate cheesecake that was rich, decadent and gone far too soon.
Being Feast On® certified means Radical Gardens isn’t just about great food.
It’s about championing local producers, purveyors and farmers across Northern Ontario. The Culinary Tourism Alliance audits them annually to ensure they’re keeping that commitment.
Add in their eco LEAF certification, on-site organic mushroom farm and dedication to seasonal eating and you’ve got more than a restaurant. You’ve got a taste of place that truly reflects Timmins.
That’s a Wrap on Timmins!
Timmins is packed with tasty stops that make it worth the road trip. From stacked sandwiches to nostalgic dairy bars and craft brews, there’s something for every craving. After all that, you’ll be saying, Man, I feel like a foodie!!
Looking to discover more delicious destinations in The Seven (aka North Eastern Ontario)? Click the blog below to check out the full itinerary.
