Winter in Southern Ontario isn’t just about crisp air and snowy trails, it’s a season made for savouring. As the temperature drops, the flavours in some of the province’s most exciting culinary regions only get bolder, richer and more inviting. This year, set your compass for the southwest, where Windsor Essex and Sarnia-Lambton serve up the perfect blend of cozy comfort foods, surprising taste-of-place experiences and vibrant local culture.
This delicious getaway is about eating with intention. It’s about ordering the good stuff. It’s about saying yes to another slice or one more pour — so make sure you bring layers and an empty stomach!
Windsor Essex
Windsor Essex is a place where cravings lead the itinerary, from iconic Windsor-style pizza to perfectly poured flights at local wineries and breweries. Come hungry and curious because this region rewards both with bold flavours, deep traditions and plenty to sip between slices.
Windsor Essex: Home of a Pizza Icon
Windsor Essex does not treat pizza casually — it’s an institution here. Windsor-style pizza has earned icon status and locals defend it fiercely. There’s even a Windsor Pizza Club dedicated to celebrating it!
So what makes it different? Windsor-style pizza starts with hand stretched dough. The toppings are generous and layered carefully. Pepperoni is shredded and all toppings go on top of the cheese. Canned mushrooms are a must. The star is shredded Galati cheese which melts into a salty, creamy blanket, and the result is rich, savoury and deeply satisfying.
You cannot visit Windsor Essex without trying it, so consider this mandatory eating.
Where to Get Windsor-Style Pizza
Antonio’s is a classic starting point. With a history dating back to 1959, this Windsor staple is a must-visit. Their shrivelled tomato pizza delivers everything people love about the style and boasts double sun-dried tomatoes to boot. The crust has chew. The cheese melts evenly. Each bite is salty and comforting. Pair it with a cold beer and call it a very good decision.
Oven 360 offers a more precise take. The structure is tight. The balance is excellent. The toppings stay generous without overwhelming the slice. This is a great stop if you appreciate consistency and still want indulgence. A real taste of Italy, Oven 360 is run by Chef Armando, an award-winning pizza chef from Naples.
Armando’s leans into Windsor tradition. Expect bold flavour and unapologetic portions. The cheese stretches endlessly. The toppings are plentiful. This is pizza built for winter nights and serious appetites. We can’t think of a better way to wind down a day exploring snowy streets with a big pie from Armando’s.
OG Pizza (aka Original Guys Pizza Pies) rounds out the experience with nostalgic charm. It feels familiar in the best way. Started by two brothers and their bestie, these three have been working together since they were ten years old and their pizza is as sympatico as they are! The pizza hits all the Windsor-style notes and delivers pure comfort. Extra napkins are a smart idea.
Sip Through Windsor Essex with Flights in Hand
Once the pizza craving is satisfied, it is time to explore Windsor Essex’s drink scene. Wineries and breweries here are welcoming, approachable and delicious for winter sipping. Flights are the best way to taste widely and linger longer.
GL Heritage Brewing Company offers a warm taproom and a playful beer lineup. Start with their Back Shop Brew (a winner at the Ontario Brewery Awards) before moving onto The Common Mutt with its citrusy finish for a taste of the tropics. The beers are well made and full of personality. Ordering a flight here is the right move.
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards delivers a relaxed winery experience with polished touches. Their wines are approachable and easy to enjoy, even more so when you pick the perfect one with a flight! A tasting flight lets you explore both whites and reds without pressure. It is a great place to slow down and sip. Feeling peckish? The on-site restaurant also boasts hearty dishes like sweet and spicy brussels sprouts, mushroom gnocchi and prosciutto wrapped chicken.
Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery brings lakeside energy year round. Even in winter, the space feels expansive. Their wines offer balance and minerality, and the flights here encourage conversation and second pours. Crafted carefully by winemaker Tanya Mitchell, try something from each collection— red, white and sweet, then pick your fav for a second pour!
Sarnia Lambton
Sarnia-Lambton feels like it’s a place made for winter escapes: the pace is relaxed, the hospitality is warm and the food scene leans comforting and flavour forward. This is where you come to unwind and eat very well.
Cold months bring out the best in local restaurants and breweries. Menus turn heartier. Taprooms feel cozier. The experience is intimate and welcoming.
Sarnia-Lambton: A Cozy Food and Drink Escape
Refined Fool Brewing Co.: Bold Beer and Comfort Food
Refined Fool Brewing Co. is a creative and confident stop, with three distinct locations in Sarnia that let you choose your own culinary adventure. The beer list changes often and experiments with flavour. Ordering a flight lets you explore the range, from citrus-driven brews like their Turbo, salted lemon lager, to more rich malt-forward options. Hungry? One thing Refined Fool knows how to do is craft unique sips and pair them thoughtfully with food.
On the menu expect elevated pub fare and satisfying portions, whether you’re settling into The Fool for smash burgers, exploring more refined plates at Davis Craft Kitchen & Bar, or grabbing a casual bite at Refined Sports. It is the kind of place where you laugh loudly and stay longer than planned.
Imperial City Brew House: Classic and Reliable
Imperial City Brew House delivers balance and approachability with a playful edge. The beers are well crafted and easy to enjoy, and their flights invite a little creativity. Alongside classic beer flights you will find unexpected samplings like margarita flights paired with sour candies or fully loaded Caesar flights that arrive topped with the works and resemble a charcuterie board in cocktail form.
The food menu shifts with themed nights from oyster focused evenings to Latin fiesta nights allowing flavours to take the lead. The experience feels elevated without pretension, delivering winter fuel that is both fun and thoughtfully done.
Bad Dog Sarnia: Lively and Flavour Packed
Bad Dog Sarnia brings big personality and bold flavours, The atmosphere is energetic and social. The menu is built for sharing and indulgence, from loaded nachos and crispy wings to rich bowls and hearty plates. Dishes like the Big Dawg Breakfast Burger or the sweet heat bowl bring the flavour and serious satisfaction, while classics like fish and chips or shepherd’s pie deliver the kind of warmth you crave on cold days.
Pair your meal with a beer flight and settle in — it’s a great stop for groups or anyone looking to shake off winter stiffness with good food and conversation.
Los Puntos Cantina: Bright Flavours in Cold Months
Los Puntos Cantina brings fresh Mexican flavours and soul warming comfort to winter dining. The menu is generous, from layered enchilada bakes filled with chicken and chorizo to crispy chicken dorados finished with fresh toppings and vibrant sauces. The fajita platter is a delicious option for sharing, loaded with carne asada, mango habanero chicken and chili lime shrimp and scallops, perfect for a hearty bite.
A rotating selection of beers on draught highlights local and regional sips from Sarnia-Lambton and breweries across Ontario, rounding out an experience that is not only colourful, but comforting and well suited to the season.
Why This Southern Escape Works in Winter
Tasting Ffights are a common thread across Windsor Essex and Sarnia Lambton, offering freedom and discovery without commitment. Beer and wine flights encourage curiosity and make it easy to linger.
Winter is made for this style of sipping. You slow down. You talk more. Tasting becomes an experience rather than a rush.
Comfort matters more in colder months. Flavour hits harder. Hospitality feels warmer. Windsor Essex and Sarnia-Lambton deliver generous meals and intentional drinks that leave you full, satisfied and already planning your next visit.
Final Bite
This winter, skip the long flight south. Go south in Ontario instead. Eat iconic pizza. Settle into cozy taprooms and restaurants built for the season.
Windsor Essex and Sarnia-Lambton offer a delicious winter escape that feeds both appetite and spirit. All you need is time and hunger.
