Taste Ontario: Feast On® Holiday Dining Guide | Ontario Culinary
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Two chefs plating with tweezers at Perch

Taste Ontario: Feast On® Holiday Dining Guide

The holidays are here, and let’s be honest. It’s time to eat like you mean it. Forget the sad cheese boards and mystery casseroles. This season is about indulgence with purpose and nobody does it better than Ontario’s Feast On® restaurants and businesses.

Whether you’re sipping Shiraz in wine country, licking a spoonful of Gingerbread Cookie Dough ice cream or cozying up to a perfectly seared striploin, these spots are bringing major festive energy. They’re serving up local ingredients, bold flavours, and just the right amount of sparkle to make you feel like you’ve got your life together (even if you’ve wrapped exactly zero presents).

From Ottawa to Grey County to Beamsville, this is your edible guide to seven Feast On® restaurants turning the holidays into a full-on flavour parade. Hungry? Good. Let’s dig in.

Don’t feel like reading the whole thing right now? Skip ahead by stop!

What is Feast On®?

Before we dive mouth-first into the good stuff, let’s talk about what Feast On® actually means.

Feast On® is a certification program managed by the Culinary Tourism Alliance that recognizes Ontario restaurants and food businesses that put local ingredients at the heart of what they do. That red and black Feast On® logo? It’s your sign that the business has earned their certification and proven that Ontario-grown goodness fills the kitchen. When you see it, you’ll know that the chefs behind the scenes are passionate about supporting local farmers, brewers, winemakers, and producers.

So as you plan your holiday dining adventures, remember: eating local isn’t just a nice idea. It’s a flavour-packed, feel-good decision that helps keep Ontario tasty all year long. 

Spice Up Your Holidays in the Centre of the Action at Bindia

Where: 16 Market St., Toronto, ON (View Map)

two images of Bindia in a grid. On the left, a warm dish of food covered in a red sauce and some other dishes in the background. On the right, a smoking cocktail in a coup topped with a cherry garnish.

Downtown Toronto is buzzing, and Bindia is right in the middle of it. Just steps from St. Lawrence Market and a short walk from the Distillery District, it’s the perfect cozy escape, particularly if you plan to visit the iconic Distillery District Winter Village this year. 

The air smells like warm spice and buttered naan. Every dish feels like comfort in a bowl. Bindia’s chefs bring the rich, bold flavours of India to life using local ingredients. Think creamy chicken tikka made in a tandoor to spicy lamb vindaloo and veggie dishes like aaloo gobhi made with cauliflower and potatoes. 

overhead shot of dishes at Bindia

During the holidays, the golden glow of the dining room makes it even more special. It’s perfect for dinner after exploring the Christmas Market or catching up with friends over a glass of Ontario chardonnay or cab-merlot. 

Skip the leftovers this year. Spice things up with a feast that hugs back. 

Want more festive feasts in Toronto? Check out this article we wrote about enjoying the season in The 6ix!

Bruce Wine Bar: Cozy Up and Chow Down

Where: Behind TD Bank, 8 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON (View Map)

closeup of bruce wine bar dishes on the table and red wine

If you’re heading to Blue Mountain this holiday season, making the short trip to Bruce Wine Bar in Thornbury is a must. As one of the very first restaurants in Ontario to earn Feast On® certification, it’s a Grey County favourite and for good reason.

After a day of skiing or exploring, this cozy spot welcomes you with the scent of wood smoke and rosemary. The menu changes often but always features local meats, cheeses and produce. Wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes are top picks.

While the menu changes regularly, some of our past favs include red fife sourdough, the Ontario tomato and red wine braised short rib ragu with sautéed leeks and their Ontario greens salad topped with Mountainoak Gouda. 

Like the food, the cocktail list rotates regularly with the seasons so during the holidays you can expect festive ingredients and fun twists on old classics! The holidays here feel easy, warm, and a little bit magical.

Eddington’s of Exeter: Whiskey, Warmth and Winter Cheer

Where: 527 Main St S, Exeter, ON (View Map)

two shots of Eddington's in a grid. On the left, sticky toffee pudding and on the right, steak over mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables with pepper being cracked on top

In the charming town of Exeter, Eddington’s shines bright during the holidays. It’s known for creative local cuisine and friendly service that makes every guest feel special.

This season, try their new Canadian whiskey menu. Add a seasonal cocktail and you’ve got the perfect start to your evening before diving into seasonal classics like sticky toffee pudding with homemade sponge toffee, creamy wild mushroom soup and homemade smash burgers if you just need a break from the holiday fussiness. 

Expect plates filled with Ontario-grown goodness. The dishes change with the season, so there’s always something fresh. Pair your meal with laughter, good company, and maybe a toast or two. 

Four All Ice Cream: 24 Days of Sweet Celebration

Where: 75 King St S Unit 56, Waterloo, ON (View Map)

grid of two photos of Four All Ice Cream. On the left, an overhead shot of the gingerbread cookie ice cream surrounded by cookies and greenery in a waffle cone. On the right, an image of two people and the instructor at the ice cream making workshop, Behind the Scoop

Who says ice cream is just for summer? Four All Ice Cream proves that frozen treats are perfect year-round. Their 24 Days of Ice Cream Treats advent calendar makes December extra sweet. Each day brings a new mini cup of handcrafted ice cream or a gluten-free surprise and makes for the perfect gift or treat for yourself!

This year’s holiday flavours include White Chocolate Candy Cane, Whisky and Espresso, Gingerbread Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Orange. They’re available in stores and online, so you can share the sweetness or keep it all for yourself.

Want to see the magic in action? Book their Behind-the-Scoop experience for a peek into how the ice cream is made. You’ll get a chance to tour Four All Ice cream and do a guided tasting before rolling up your sleeves to create four of your own pints! From your base to the mix-ins and flavouring, you’ll create custom goodness tailor made for your palette! 

Ice cream for breakfast in December? Absolutely.

Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery: Surf, Turf and Sparkle

Where: 5600 King Street West, Beamsville, ON (View Map)

Shot of lamb rack at Peninsula Estate Winery with a hand holding on to the stem of a glass of red wine int he background

Wine country in winter is pure charm, and Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery makes it even better.

Winter suits Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery. The vineyards rest under a soft layer of snow, and the restaurant hums with cozy energy. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger over a long meal and a good bottle of wine.

From November 5 to December 12, the kitchen brings back its All-Canadian Surf and Turf, a beloved winter tradition. The plate balances indulgence and simplicity — grilled striploin, lobster tail, buttery smashed potatoes, and local vegetables, all tied together with a Shiraz jus made from the winery’s own grapes. It’s rich, comforting, and quietly celebratory.

As December winds down, the team turns its attention to New Year’s Eve. Executive Chef Matt McDowell designs a prix-fixe menu that pairs beautifully with the estate’s wines, offering guests a relaxed but elegant way to welcome the year ahead.

And for those who like to mark the season with thoughtful gifts, Peninsula Ridge makes it easy to share the spirit. Their curated baskets of VQA wines, cheeses, and preserves celebrate Ontario’s producers and make a graceful nod to the joy of giving something local. 

Perch: Cozy Plates and Creative Bites

Where: 300 Preston St, Ottawa, ON (View Map)

Two chefs plating with tweezers at Perch
Sarah Farmer sarah@gumptionstudio.ca Ottawa Food Photographer Food Photographer

In Ottawa, Perch is serving refined comfort and local pride. This modern spot blends creativity with warmth and seasonal charm.

The dining room glows with soft light and friendly energy. Each dish celebrates Ontario’s ingredients in simple yet surprising ways. With an open view to the kitchen, the ethos of transparency translates right to the plate – you’ll see that Perch works hard to source sustainable, Ontario ingredients. 

two dishes from perch being plated

You won’t find your average fish n’ chips here. In its place, you’ll find inventive dishes like Birch-Marinated Walleye agnolotti with charred eggplant, roasted acorn squash with pork belly and fennel and caramelized parsnip ice cream to name a few favourites off past menus. 

Their new Perch cookbook, Perch: soil/land/sea makes the perfect holiday gift. It lets home cooks bring the restaurant’s creativity into their own kitchens and it also happens to look great on a coffee table in between uses.

Radius: Where Every Meal Feels Like a Party

Where: 455 Brant St, Burlington, ON (View Map) and 18 Hess St S, Hamilton, ON (View Map)

overhead shot of a festive meal at Radius

At Radius, the holidays are a full experience as it turns into a  festive destination filled with flavour and fun.

From November 12 to January 4, Radius hosts Holiday Wonders. Expect creative menus, handcrafted cocktails, and local ingredients in every dish. Chef Jorge Rocha leads the way with fresh ideas and bold flavours.

Try the Holidate package for $55 per person. It includes one shared appetizer, two mains, dessert and a local surprise (we’re as eager to find out what it is as you are). During Lunchgiving, Radius donates $1 from every entrée to local nonprofits.

The Miracle Pop-Up Christmas Bar brings over-the-top holiday cheer to Hamilton and Burlington. Think festive drinks in extra festive containers and over-the-top decor! Add in the Hess Village Winter Market from November 21 to 30, and you’ve got your weekend plans sorted.

Cheers to Local Flavour!

These seven Feast On® restaurants prove that holiday dining in Ontario is anything but ordinary. Each one celebrates local food and festive fun in its own way.

So skip the stress, book your tables, and bring your appetite. Whether you’re sipping wine, sharing pizza, or tasting holiday ice cream, you’re supporting the people who make Ontario’s food scene thrive.

This season, dine local, eat happy, and make your holiday sparkle one Feast On® bite at a time.

Gourmet Getaways for a Cozy Ontario Holiday Season