Winter brings a quiet magic to Ontario’s Southwest. Snow blankets the countryside while kitchens glow with warmth. Roads lead to creameries, bakeries and cafés filled with stories and flavour.
This season, take a journey through three delicious trails. The Oxford County Cheese Trail, Chatham-Kent Bakery Trail and Follow the Flavours Trail in Windsor-Essex invite exploration. Each celebrates food, people and place.
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The Oxford County Cheese Trail
The Oxford County Cheese Trail invites you to discover a world of flavour through the destination’s rich dairy making heritage past and present. With over 20 stops, each featuring a unique cheese or dairy offering, you can explore Oxford County on this self-guided trail through unique menu items at restaurants, hands on experiences and by visiting six different cheese makers! What are you whey-ting for?
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Discover Oxford County’s Cheesemakers
Are you in it for the cheese, the whole cheese and nothing but the cheese? We love that! Oxford County is home to six artisan cheesemakers ready to welcome you.
If you’re coming from the GTA, start at Mountainoak Cheese. Run by the VanBeirjeik family from Holland, this farm pumps milk straight from the herd to the factory. Their farmstead goudas range from wild nettle to black truffle. Try the cracked black pepper cheese curds for a bold bite.
Nearby, Bright Cheese and Butter has crafted cheddar since the late 1800s. Their tangy, old-fashioned cheddars and asiagos reflect Oxford’s rich dairy legacy. Stop by their new facility for a taste of history.
Just outside of Woodstock, you can visit Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese (a Feast On® certified gem) and Golspie Dairy. At Gunn’s Hill, cheesemaker Shep Ysselstein crafts award-winning Appenzeller-style cheeses like the Handeck (ideal for fondue or snacking). Golspie’s small-batch cheeses impress with innovation. Try their Red Chesterfield, chocolate crowdie or even use their cheese and milk vending machines. It’s seriously cool.
Further south, explore New Galma Dairy and Red Dragon Dairy. New Galma’s younger goudas are smooth and creamy, sold from a charming shop in Mount Elgin. Just around the corner, Red Dragon crafts sheep milk cheeses like nutty manchegos and Ontario’s only smoked feta. Don’t leave without grabbing some of their homemade sourdough and classic UK treats.
Experience the Cheese Trail
Alongside visiting cheesemakers and restaurants, there are a number of hands-on experiences along the Oxford County Cheese Trail to round out your visit! You can explore all your options here.
From opportunities to slow down and enjoy a little connection time to walking alpacas and watching chefs in action, there’s no shortage of ways to breathe life into your visit. Those seeking reconnection with themselves or others will love crafting their own batch of goat milk soap in the Soap and Solace Experience with Wild Comfort.
Seeking something truly gourmet? Design your own chocolate bark with the folks at Habitual Chocolate or book a Chef’s Table Experience at Feast On® certified SixThirtyNine.
Want a bit of both? The Taste of Farm Life Experience at Feast On® certified Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life invites you to join Cheryl Haskett on a third-generation farm (and birthplace of Udderly Ridiculous Ice Cream) as you learn the zany stories of farm life. You’ll meet the goats, walk an alpaca and taste your way through the farm’s rich heritage and present day flavours.
Eat Something Really Gouda
Of course, we’d be completely remiss if we didn’t showcase at least a few of the drool-worthy bites to be found across the Oxford County Cheese Trail. Restaurants, bakeries, cheese shops and more along the trail boast inventive, gooey treats that range the gamut from classic poutines to creative desserts, charcuterie spreads and more! So what should you try?
Well…everything but here are a few of our absolute favs. In Ingersoll, head to Louie’s Pizza and Pasta for their deep fried, beer-battered Gunn’s Hill cheese curds served on a bed of marinara and maybe pair it up with their signature Big Ass Panzerotti (note to self: you will need help with that). The Cheddar and Dill biscuits at Whisk and Roll in Woodstock are also a can’t-miss and just across the road, The Cheesy Cow doesn’t just sell cheese, they also serve up a kick-ass Oxford Grilled Cheese sandwich.
Keep exploring for more unmissable bites!
A Winter Journey Through Dairy Country
The Oxford County Cheese Trail invites you to slow down and savour. Taste tradition in every sample. Meet makers who shape Ontario’s Dairy Capital with passion and pride. Every bite tells a story of land, history and community. In winter, this trail offers warmth in both flavour and spirit.
The Chatham-Kent Bakery Trail
When snow drapes Southwestern Ontario (or the temps just start to dip), nothing warms quite like the scent of freshly baked bread or a warm butter tart. The Bakery Trail winds through ten different communities, offering endless ways to warm your soul from the inside out. So while you won’t be able to do it all in one day, why not make it into a winter bucket list of sorts or pick one community to explore by bite? We can’t celebrate all the bakeries in this one post but we can certainly pick a few favs to point you in the right direction!
Pies and Tarts
Few desserts comfort the way a pie or butter tart can and there’s no shortage of them along the trail! Start with Bent Tin Baked Goods, famous for its butter tarts that ooze filling as you bite in. Our favourite part? The fact that the filling spills over the top, creating a crispy edge that shouldn’t be missed! If you want to get in on this, you’ll need to order those tarts over the phone at least a week in advance so don’t wait!
In Chatham, Home Baked Kitchen Company isn’t just known for their custom cakes but also their Sweetie Pies. These little numbers are individual-sized tiny pies that come in a variety of flavours from apple cinnamon to chocolate pecan. So if you’ve ever had a hankering for pie but didn’t want to buy this whole thing, this is your stop. Also, if you’ve ever wanted to try five different kinds of pies, this is your excuse.
Fresh Bread Alert
How about something to bring home and make your heart-warming sandwiches and morning toast on? If the thought of fresh bread is calling you to the Bakery Trail then you need to check out the Kent Bridge Country Market. They keep it simple (white or whole wheat, rolls or sliced) and because of that, they also knock it out of the park. Be sure to stock up on their other sweets while you’re there from cinnamon buns to banana loaf!
At Maple City Bakery in Chatham, rustic loaves are the name of the game. From sunflower seed bread to hearty wholegrain, you’ll get something to keep you going all winter long!
A Great Coffee Pairing + a Meal
Looking for a more substantial meal? While we’re all in favour of subsisting completely on treats, there are a few awesome spots to grab a made-from-scratch meal and a coffee to go along with those treats too!
At Your Hometown Deli in Wallaceburg, warm up with their homemade chilli and roll or a sandwich made on a fresh, Hungarian cheese bun to go along with triple chocolate brownies and rice pudding.
How about fluffy pancakes and a latte or a breakfast sandwich on a made-in-house bagel? Loretta’s Restaurant in Erieau is a can’t miss! Alternatively, the Ham and Cheese focaccia sandwich paired with a slice of carrot cake and a cortado from Crow City Coffee in Chatham might be just the ticket.
Keep Exploring the Bakery Trail
With so many to discover, there’s a new bite and a sweet indulgence around every corner so start planning!
Follow the Flavours in Windsor-Essex-Pelee-Island
Farther southwest, a world of tastes awaits along the Follow the Flavours Trail in Windsor Essex Pelee Island. Developed in partnership with the Culinary Tourism Alliance, this trail celebrates the diverse cultures that have shaped this region.
It is a journey across continents without leaving Ontario, a chance to explore global flavours through local stories, traditions and ingredients. Follow your cravings or pick a spot on the globe to start! We’ve popped a few of our fav suggestions below!
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Delights
This part of the trail highlights fragrant dishes shaped by generations of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking traditions. The flavours feel warm, bright and deeply comforting in winter.
To begin, visit Firdous Lebanese Grill, where every dish is made in house. Warm pita arrives soft and aromatic. Shawarma turns slowly and fills the air with spice. Hummus tastes smooth with lemon and garlic. For something memorable, order the fig and halloumi for a sweet and salty bite or try the chicken sumac rolls served with a creamy garlic dip.
Next, explore Windsor Palace Restaurant, which celebrates Iraqi flavours with pride. Enjoy a light dish like their Iraqi salad with cucumber, chickpeas and tomatoes or try their jajeek made with yogurt and chopped cucumber. For a heartier choice, taste their grilled Iraqi kabobs with rice or their tender BBQ quail.
Asian and Fusion Flavours
Delight in bold and vibrant flavours inspired by kitchens across Asia at these creative fusion spots. Each stop offers colour, comfort and excitement on the plate.
To start, visit Funky Chow Kitchen, where Asian comfort dishes shine. Cozy in at this playful restaurant filled with colour and sharks hanging from the ceiling. You will find pillow soft bao buns with Korean fried chicken or sweet soy tofu, Filipino-style egg rolls and bright party platters of sushi. Every dish focuses on big flavour and good fun.
Next, explore Shanghai Bistro, which offers an authentic Chinese dining experience. Hand rolled dumplings steam gently at each table. Cuttlefish arrives coated in a rich curry sauce. You can also try glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaves with chicken for a fragrant and tender bite. Each dish invites you to discover something new.
Finally, enjoy Thai Palace and fall head over heels. Think classics like crispy spring rolls, Tom Yum Soup and glass noodles served beside dishes you may not have tried. Their Larb (a cooked chicken or beef marinated with lemon juice, mint and more) adds zest to the plate where their Pad Kraphao is a spicy number with sweet bell peppers, onions, sweet thai basil leaves and a spicy basil sauce. This is also a great spot for vegans and gluten-free eaters to rejoice!
Latin and Caribbean Influences
This part of the trail brings lively spices, slow cooked flavours and tropical notes from Latin and Caribbean cuisine.
With loads to choose from, we recommend starting at Cancunsito. This spot celebrates Mexican flavours with care. Based in Leamington, try Mexican classics like pork belly bites and frijoles alongside bright, flavourful dishes like their arroz rojo (a traditional red rice cooked with tomato sauce and a delectable spice blend) and pulpo marinado madde with marinated octopus alongside dried chilles, lemon and more. Yum!
In addition, taste the flavours of Jamaica at Stelly’s! Jerk chicken poutine arrives smoky and spicy. Mango sauces taste fresh and tropical. Fried plantains feel soft and caramelized with each bite. Our fav? The fall-of-the-bone oxtail. Yum! When you’re done, don’t forget to top it all off with their Jamaican Rum Cake or Peanut Drops made of sugar-candied roasted peanuts.
African Inspiration
Zuleeats brings Ghanaian flavours to Windsor through savoury hand pies made from scratch. Choose from beef, chicken or veggie (or all three!) and you’ll quickly be transported to Ghana through flavour alone. We recommend pairing it up with a large tin of poloo, Ghanaian biscuits complete with shredded coconut, nutmeg and cinnamon, for a delightful addition to your meal!
Savour the Flavours of Southwestern Ontario
Try one or try them all, these culinary trails are sure to tickle your taste buds this winter!
