If you’re dreaming of a Niagara wine country getaway, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is a glass of something local in hand, maybe an award-winning icewine or a crisp chardonnay. But if you’d like to take a detour from sipping, or simply wander at your own pace, downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is the perfect place to do it!
Discover Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Synonymous with wine and vineyard vistas, NOTL has another delicious side just waiting to be discovered beyond the tasting room. Its heritage district, anchored by charming Queen Street, is lined with boutiques, bakeries, cafés and restaurants that highlight the region in their own unique way.
Think flaky chimney cakes and farm-to-table menus, all with a small-town rhythm that invites you to slow down and savour.
Here’s how to spend a day exploring downtown NOTL with a mix of local flavours, history and a little indulgence to round out your wine country adventure!
Niagara Juice Co.
Where: 187 Victoria St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
Kick off your Niagara-on-the-Lake adventure with a full stomach at Niagara Juice Co., a cozy café tucked away on a quiet side street downtown. Run by husband-and-wife duo Chef Karrie and her husband, this local gem is all about scratch-made goodness.
The star of the show is their Famous Breakfast Croissant, stacked with bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato and a rich hollandaise sauce. Pair it with a mango-pineapple smoothie or a cup of locally roasted Black Sheep Coffee, and you’ll quickly see why this spot has become a favourite with both locals and visitors.
For a sweeter touch, on your way out grab a some freshly baked cookies to snack on later. Enjoying breakfast out on their sunny patio is the perfect way to ease into the day before hitting the buzz of Queen Street.
Stroll Down Queen Street
Queen Street is the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage district, and it’s impossible not to feel the charm as you wander along. Right in the middle of it all stands the iconic Clock Tower Cenotaph, built in the 1920s to honour local soldiers who served in the First World War.
From there, the fun is in the browsing. Queen Street is lined with boutiques and shops filled with one-of-a-kind artisanal goods that invite you to wander. Step into shops like, Serendipity, a French-inspired boutique where you can find carefully-sourced French home goods and accessories.
Just a few steps away, NEOB Lavender greets you with the scent of summer the moment you walk in, with products crafted from blooms grown on their farm only 15 minutes away.
The best part of strolling Queen Street is how every shop feels personal. Each one tells a story and you can sense the care and creativity of the makers and artisans who pour their hearts into what they do. It’s shopping, yes, but it’s also getting to know Niagara-on-the-Lake in the most authentic way.
Fritters on the Lake
Where: 217 King St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 (View Map)
As you wander Queen Street, browsing boutiques and soaking up the town’s historic charm, you’re bound to work up a little thirst (and maybe a craving for something sweet).
Head south toward the grand Prince of Wales Hotel, and just across the way you’ll find Fritters on the Lake, a family-owned bakery that’s become a Niagara-on-the-Lake staple. Their hot apple fritters are crispy on the outside, soft and sweet inside and even better when drizzled with toppings like caramel or chocolate sauce.
Order up a box to share, pair it with a refreshing cider slushy and you’ve got the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. You can nibble right there at the bakery or carry your treats over to nearby Simcoe Park to relax under the trees. Either way, it’s a stop that captures NOTL’s cozy, small-town sweetness in every bite.
Avo + Co
Where: 106 Queen St Unit E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
For a heartier mid-morning snack, Avo+Co is a downtown gem that’s every bit as bright and colourful as the food on its menu. The café’s cheerful vibe makes it an easy place to grab a quick bite, especially with options that are both fresh and nourishing.
Their signature Avo Toasty is topped with creamy avocado, microgreens and a poached egg. It hits all the right savoury notes, while the Purple Smoothie Bowl, packed with berries and almond milk, is as beautiful as it is delicious.
To round it out, the Green Smoothie blended with spinach, kale, avocado, pineapple and ginger makes for the perfect midday reset.
Hot Tip: The owners are passionate about bringing fresh, unique options to NOTL’s dining scene! If you can’t get enough, pop across the street to their sister spot, Whisk, a cozy little café devoted to all things matcha.
Niagara Heritage Museum
Where: 43 Castlereagh St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
Next, take a walk back through time at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, where the town’s stories come to life. From exhibits on Indigenous history and Loyalist settlement to artifacts from the War of 1812, the museum is a window into the people and events that shaped this community.
Treadwell Cuisine
Where: 114 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
After exploring a bit of history, it’s time to turn the focus back to flavour with a farm-to-table lunch at Treadwell Cuisine. Celebrated for its close ties to local farms like Quiet Acres in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the restaurant’s menu is a true showcase of what’s fresh and seasonal.
Starters might include Roasted Pork Belly, glazed in sweet chili and served with sweetcorn succotash and charred shishito peppers.
For mains, the classic Fish & Chips is a crowd favourite, featuring crisp beer-battered Lake Huron whitefish with frites, buttered peas and tangy tartar sauce.
Dessert is another ode to Niagara’s summer bounty. Peaches with golden polenta cake, finished with peach sorbet made from fruit sourced just minutes away was on the menu when we arrived but with each changing season comes a new delicious treat!
Treadwell’s extensive VQA wine list makes it easy to sip through the best of the region, though their cocktails and mocktails stand out as well, from the smoky Zacapa rum cocktail, prepared tableside, to the light and refreshing White Peach Spritz.
Dining on the covered patio keeps guests immersed in the buzz of Queen Street, making Treadwell the kind of stop that captures both the flavours and the spirit of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Budapest Bake Shop
Where: 118 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
To finish off a day downtown, follow the scent of freshly baked dough to Budapest Bakeshop, home to traditional Hungarian chimney cakes, known as kürtőskalács.
These hand-rolled pastries are carefully wrapped around a spit, baked until golden, then unraveled to reveal soft, pillowy layers inside and a sweet, crunchy coating of sugar, or whatever topping you choose.
Classic sugar is always a favourite but decadent options like chocolate drizzle make for an extra indulgent treat. For those who prefer something savoury, the bakeshop has you covered with stuffed chimney sandwiches!
Grab one warm from the oven and stroll Queen Street one last time. It’s the perfect sweet ending to a Niagara-on-the-Lake adventure.
Wrapping Up the Day
For some, ending the afternoon on a sweet treat is the perfect close to a downtown wander. But if the day feels like it’s just getting started, there’s always more to taste. From here, it’s an easy pivot back into wine country, whether that means sipping at a nearby vineyard or exploring even more of Niagara’s farm-fresh flavours.
For inspiration, check out our guide to Spending Three Delicious Days in NOTL, which maps out even more winery visits, culinary stops and experiences to make the most of a longer getaway!
