As the air gets a crispy chill and the leaves begin to turn, fall boasts some of our favourite culinary experiences across Ontario’s Southwest. From fresh farm to table fare and seasonal craft beverages to farmers’ markets bursting with flavour and agritourism experiences worth the drive, the area is bursting with colour and taste.
Get a Taste of Fall in Elgin, London and Middlesex
So, dawn your coziest fall sweater, get a great playlist going and point your wheels south. We’re heading to Elgin County, London and Middlesex County for a delicious fall escape! Geographically close to one another, pick one or visit them all!
Don’t want to read the whole thing right now? No problem! Skip ahead by destination.
- Farm to Table Fare in Elgin County
- Bustling Markets and Local Eats in London
- Back to the Farm in Middlesex County
Farm to Table Fare in Elgin County
Tucked along the north shore of Lake Erie, Elgin County serves up charming villages and towns speckled with farm markets, craft beverage producers, farm-to-table dining and even some pick-your-own patches.
Whether you’re enjoying a scenic drive along the lake shore as the colours turn or perhaps squeezing in your last ice cream scoop of the year, it’s sure to be a trip packed with flavour.
Sip the Season: Craft Beer and Local Wine
With loads of options for seasonal sips, check out just a few of our favs that are brand new to the scene in Elgin!
View this post on Instagram
Craft beer heads will love toasting lakeside at Port Stanley Brewing Co. where small-batch beers highlight local ingredients and easygoing vibes. New in late 2024, this brewery is already making a splash with czech lagers, Italian pilsners, Irish stouts and more! Stay tuned for fall’s lineup of seasonal ales.
View this post on Instagram
Nearby, Skye Chase Estate Winery invites you to sample their terroir-driven wines in a tranquil rural setting. We highly recommend stopping by at golden-hour for a tasting under the turning leaves. Completely renovated and renewed (they used to be Quai du Vin) and having completed a massive renovation, you can expect sweeping views of the vineyard, delightful bites and the ability to go for a fall stroll through the vineyard.
Feast On® in Elgin
For a true farm-to-fork experience, book a table at Grassroots, a Feast On® certified restaurant in St. Thomas celebrates seasonal ingredients with thoughtful, upscale plates.
Known for their steaks but absolutely knocking it out of the park on the full menu, you can try everything from fresh-baked corn bread and bries that are topped with ingredients that change with the seasons to Lake Erie pickerel and chips and dry aged braised beef.
Fancy a beach town? Head to Two Forks in Port Stanley. This cozy Feast On® spot owned by the same folks as Grassroots is walking distance from the water and is a local favourite. If the weather isn’t too nippy yet, grab a seat out on their patio or enjoy their ten-table dining room before diving into the menu.
View this post on Instagram
Come fall, the menu comes to life with cozy farm fresh dishes like homemade fettuccine with sweet peas and herbs, whiskey BBQ pork belly and local squash risotto. Yum!
Fall’s Bounty: Pick-Your-Own & Farmers’ Markets
View this post on Instagram
No fall visit to Elgin County is complete without filling a basket at one of the region’s many farmers’ markets. Wander through the beloved Horton Farmers’ Market in St. Thomas on Saturdays or the rustic charm of Debackere Farm Market, both offering crisp apples, fresh-baked goods and vibrant fall vegetables.
Further east, Howe Farm Market & Country Bakery tempts with old-fashioned pies, jams and hearty loaves that taste like autumn in every bite. They also grow their own pumpkins (including Caribbean pumpkins), sweet corn and flowers in their market garden.
Families and foodies alike will love the pick-your-own pumpkin and apple opportunities dotting the countryside, perfect for a hands-on taste of the season and a trunk-load of fall produce to take home. Want to pick and choose one for yourself? Check out this link for all the agritourism info!
One Last Scoop: Shaw’s Ice Cream
Wrap up your day with a sweet finale at Shaw’s Ice Cream in St. Thomas, where late-season ice cream makes the perfect treat under the fading fall sun. Their flavours change with the season, so expect rich autumn-inspired scoops like caramel apple, country pumpkin and more. Around since 1948, this is the perfect way to finish your trip like a local.
London: A City Rooted in Freshness and Flavour
London is the biggest city in Ontario’s Southwest but its proximity to nearby rural locations put farm to table fare front and centre! Blending urban energy with deep agricultural roots, this city offers a relaxing and delicious fall experience.
From bustling farmers’ markets to cutting edge restaurants using Ontario’s freshest ingredients, London delivers on both innovation and flavour. Keep reading!
Market Magic: Covent Garden & Western Fair Farmers’ Market
Start your fall flavour journey at the heart of the city with a visit to the Covent Garden Market, a historic downtown hub brimming with local produce, artisan goods, and ready-to-eat treats. Around since 1845, this is a spot in the city that shouldn’t be missed! If you’re coming for a concert at nearby Canada Life place, it’s also a great place to grab a quick bite before show time!
Stroll among rows of colourful squash, root vegetables, heritage apples, and farm-fresh eggs sourced from the surrounding rural municipalities. Grab a bite featuring global flavours at spots like Wow Pierogies, Love Pastel Brazilian Food or La Parrillada Grill. The options are endless.
In the east end, the Western Fair Farmers’ Market offers a weekend celebration of community and cuisine. Held in The Market at the Western Fair District, this lively space showcases dozens of vendors: think local meats, cheeses, preserves, baked goods and small-batch sauces, all perfect for assembling your own fall harvest feast.
We highly recommend enjoying a hearty breakfast at Momos at the Market before chatting up local farmers, bakers and more to make your purchases. The upper floor of the market boasts vinyl, handmade cards and even a small brewery location where you could easily spend an afternoon.
Farm to Table Excellence: Taste the Difference Local Makes
London’s culinary scene punches well above its weight, especially when it comes to locally sourced, seasonally inspired dining. So much so that we had to create a short list for you to check out!
- At Grace, a modern fine dining gem, you’ll find elevated dishes crafted from regional ingredients. While we can’t promise the menu will be the same each time we go (in fact quite the opposite), this dedication to change is what keeps the menu fresh and the ingredients local.
This stop is named after the chef’s grandmother and features loads of local ingredients from farm fresh new potatoes to made-in-house ricotta and more. - Yaya’s Kitchen, a culinary storytelling experience, Yaya’s Kitchen brings global African heritage to life with bold flavours and farm-fresh Ontario produce from spots in the city like Urban Roots. A curated 4-hour dining experience, the menu is different each time and is brought to life not just through food but music, art and storytelling too.
- Craving comfort food with a conscience? Pizzeria Madre delivers beautifully blistered, wood-fired pies fresh ingredients sure to make your mouth water. More in the mood for a quick sando and a coffee? Pop next door to Mercato, their sister café, for some of the best damn sandwiches you’ve ever had on their house-baked focaccia.
- For a cozy, upscale bistro experience, Blackfriars Bistro is a local legend. Their commitment to local farmers and seasonal menus has kept Londoners coming back for decades. Think savoury roasted veggie strudel, fusilli with wild mushrooms and more. When you’re finished, pop next door into their on-site pantry to do a little food shopping of your own.
Whether you’re indulging in a multi-course tasting menu or sharing pizza with friends, these restaurants are united by one thing: a deep love for local.
Culinary Education with Heart: Growing Chefs! Ontario
For those who want to do more than just eat, Growing Chefs! Ontario offers hands-on culinary education for all ages. This dynamic non-profit brings food literacy to life through a range of programs including summer camps for kids where budding chefs learn how to grow, cook and enjoy real food.
Adults aren’t left out either—cooking classes for grown-ups cover everything from knife skills and fermentation to global cuisines, all taught with a farm-to-table focus. It’s a delicious way to connect with the community and deepen your appreciation for Ontario’s harvest.
Middlesex County: Farm Fresh Fun for the Whole Family
In Middlesex County, fall is more than a season. It’s a celebration of all things local, delicious and down-to-earth. Kick off the heels, forget the suit and just be out in mother nature enjoying flavours as fresh as the earth they popped up from.
Just beyond London’s city limits, rolling fields and welcoming farms invite visitors to experience the harvest firsthand. Whether you’re craving crunchy apples, craft beverages or a wholesome day of farm fun, Middlesex delivers an unbeatable combination.
Heeman’s: Feast On® Flavour with Family Roots
View this post on Instagram
A must-visit in any season, Heeman’s is a Feast On® certified destination where you can sip, shop, and savour. Family-run since 1963, Heeman’s features a sprawling greenhouse, pick-your-own and pre-picked strawberries and a line of craft ciders and meads made onsite with Ontario ingredients.
In autumn, the greenhouse is filled with colourful gourds, pumpkins and fall planters, but the real treat is a visit to The Berry Beanery Café in the main greenhouse. Here, you can unwind with a tasting flight or glass of Barrel-Aged Pear Hard Cider, aged in Windsor whiskey barrels and made with Ontario Williams pears. Prefer something warm or sweet? Try a pumpkin spice latte, an apple crumble float or one of their savoury bagel bombs.
Arrowwood Farm: Feast On® Pick-Your-Own Bliss
At Feast On® certified Arrowwood Farm, visitors are invited to pick their own blueberries during the summer but the fall brings a whole new experience to the farm. Explore the beautiful grounds and indulge in homemade meals that bring harvest to mind in their Harvest Table event venue. Fall comes to life at Arrowwood with their Wood Stove Live Music Concert Series featuring local musicians and long table dinners at the farm.
Planning a visit in September? Try their Sunset Sensations experience where you’ll be invited to a relaxing evening in the flower patch, picking your own bouquet before heading to the back patio of their Harvest Table for a drink and dessert as you watch the sun set! Talk about soaking up the rest of the beautiful weather.
Fall Family Fun Adventures at Kustermans and Apple Land Station
View this post on Instagram
For a full day of family-friendly fall fun, Kustermans Adventure Farm and Apple Land Station offer everything you need to make the most of the season.
At Kustermans, kids (and kids at heart) can get lost in corn mazes, enjoy wagon rides, meet farm animals or pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch. Don’t miss out on two seasonal festivals either! The Sunflower Festival runs during August and September and boasts sunflower picking and access to the field (time to snap that perfect family photo in a responsible way) as well as the adventure farm. Fall Festival offers up the same but with pumpkin picking instead of sunflower picking, corn cannons, inflatables, face painting and more! When you’re done, don’t forget to treat yourself to a slice of pumpkin pie (with a generous portion of whipped cream, of course).
Just a short drive away, Appleland Station delivers a classic autumn experience with apple picking, jumping pillows, miniature train rides and a bakery stocked with warm apple pies, doughnuts, and sweet treats made fresh on-site. Known for their “mile-high apple pie”, you’ll also find freshly-made pumpkin pie during the fall season! Together, these two stops make Middlesex County a can’t-miss destination for fall harvest adventures.
Jireh Hills Family Homestead
There’s nothing quite like experiencing fall on a farm and Jireh Hills will help you get your hands dirty doing just that! With a whole suite of hands-on farm experiences, it’s a great spot to learn a little bit more about where your food comes from, connect with the land and disconnect with the buzz of life.
Slow down to snuggle with goats or interact with alpacas. Try your hands at cheese or yogurt making (seriously!) or enjoy the great outdoors by picking your own flowers. Want to learn more about farm life? Go on a farm tour adventure with the farmers themselves as you meet the animals, use all of your senses to engage and have a lot of fun along the way.
Cheers to Fall in Ontario’s Southwest!
From the lakeside charm of Elgin County to the urban flavours of London and hands-on farm fun in Middlesex County, Ontario’s Southwest serves up an unforgettable taste of autumn.
Whether you’re sipping small-batch cider under the changing leaves, wandering through farmers’ markets piled high with seasonal produce or sharing a farm-to-table feast with friends, there’s no better time (or place) to soak in all things harvest.
So pack your sweater, bring your appetite and hit the road. Fall flavours and unforgettable moments await around every corner.
