As the air turns crisp and leaves paint the landscape in fiery shades of red and gold, Ontario’s culinary scene transforms with the season.
In Orillia and Lake Country cozy eateries are serving hearty fall menus inspired by local harvests. North Bay invites diners to discover autumn’s bounty through its Taste the Bay Prix Fixe Menu program.
At The Food District at Square One in Mississauga, chefs are putting a seasonal spin on everything from comforting classics to creative new dishes. Together these destinations celebrate the flavours of fall and invite you to savour every bite.
Fall Food Scenes
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Fall Flavours in Orillia and Lake Country
In Orillia and Lake Country, fall means savouring craft cocktails seasonally inspired by the freshest farm ingredients and tasty eats cooked over fire. Here are some stops for fall goodness we think you’ll love!
Picnic Tapas & Wine Bar
Where: 140 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON (View Map)
This stop is Feast On® certified, meaning you can count on finding Ontario grown and raised ingredients on the menu!
Picnic Tapas & Wine Bar is embracing autumn with a menu that celebrates sharing. Small plates highlight the richness of seasonal ingredients, from roasted root vegetables to Ontario cheeses paired with bold wines. The cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a relaxed date night.
So gather round and enjoy something delightful like their smoked trout with juniper lemon and thyme, cider-brined smoked duck or shishito peppers. These hearty flavours make for the perfect transition for those warmer fall days when there’s still a bit of summer temps in the air!
The Common Stove
Where: 27 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON (View Map)
This stop is Feast On® certified, meaning you can count on finding Ontario grown and raised ingredients on the menu!
The Common Stove brings the warmth of fall to the table with wood-fired cooking and inventive takes on comfort food. Diners can expect hearty mains made with local meats and vegetables along with creative cocktails that capture the season’s spirit. It is a dining experience that feels both elevated and welcoming.
Past fall menu favourites have included everything from steak tartare with pickled Ontario cherries to duck pasta with Cap and Stalk mushromos. We can’t wait to see what’s in store this year.
The Ktchn
Where: 3000 Line 11 N, Hawkestone, ON (View Map)
The Ktchn overlooks Braestone Club and serves up a fall menu that reflects its connection to place. Guests will find fresh regional produce transformed into vibrant dishes that balance sophistication with comfort. With its chic design and focus on local flavours, it is an ideal destination for celebrating the best of the harvest season.
So what can you expect? Classic fish n’ chips battered in beer from nearby Feast ON® certified Quayle’s Brewing Company to Honey Lavendar Margaritas using honey from Braestone Farms. It’s the ultimate in local and delectable.
FARE Restaurant
Where: 50 Museum Dr, Orillia, ON L(View Map), located inside the Leacock Museum National Historic Site
FARE Restaurant is known for its dedication to farm-to-table dining and autumn is the perfect time to experience it. The fall menu showcases hearty grains, roasted vegetables and thoughtfully prepared proteins that shine without heavy sauces.The result is a meal that feels nourishing and deeply connected to Ontario’s agricultural roots.
Located inside the Leacock Museum National Historic Site, it makes for a great outing for a fall day trip of culture and cuisine. If the weather is warm (or even a wee bit chilly), grab a seat on the patio complete with blankets, fire and a view of the water.
Lone Wolf Cafe After Dark
Where: 10 Matchedash St S, Orillia, ON (View Map)
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When the sun sets Lone Wolf Cafe After Dark offers a different way to enjoy the season. By day a cafe, at night the cafe transforms into a laid-back lounge serving craft cocktails, shareable bites, and rich desserts. It is the kind of place where you can wind down after a day exploring Orillia and soak up the cozy fall vibe.
With a great list of Ontario craft beers as well as cocktails worth writing home about, it’s a great way to end a day in Orillia and Lake Country. We recommend grabbing a Simcoe Fog complete with Early Grey infused vodka, galliano, oats and vanilla for that extra autumnal touch.
Seasonal Eats at the Food District at Square One in Mississauga
Where: 100 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON (View Map)
At The Food District inside Square One, fall is a chance to explore global flavours while indulging in seasonal treats. This bustling food hall brings together artisan bakers, creative dessert makers and chefs who specialize in international comfort food.
Big Fat Cookies
Big Fat Cookies takes fall sweets to the next level with their Pumpkin Spice Cookie and the rich Toffee Snickerdoodle Cookie. These oversized bakes are a cozy taste of autumn and the perfect companion to a hot drink. Enjoy it at the Food District, out on a fall stroll or as you hop from shop to shop in Square One.
Hattendo
Famous for its pillowy cream buns, Hattendo offers delicate seasonal choices like the Matcha Cream Bun and the bright Yuzu Cream Bun. Each bite blends Japanese tradition with a modern twist. This chain was built in Japan in the 30s during a depression as a way to put a smile on citizens’ faces. It worked!
Blossom Moments
Blossom Moments is known for elegant pastries, handcrafted drinks and gorgeous flower arrangements (what a combo)! Their Signature Almond Croissant pairs beautifully with a box of colourful macarons or a Blossom Moments Signature Drink served hot or iced. Of course, while you’re there we highly recommend picking up a bouquet for yourself or somebody special.
Mogouyan
Mogouyan warms up chilly days with comforting hand-pulled noodle dishes. Started in Lazhoun City, China, its Canadian location is popular among Mississauga locals and visitors alike.
So what should you try? For starters, the Braised Beef Noodles are rich and hearty, perfect for chillier days. Up for a little spice? The Dan Dan Noodles bring a hit of spice and bold flavour.
Marry Me Mochi
Marry Me Mochi fuses playful desserts with creative drinks. Started by 5 Vietnamese siblings, this spot blends the flavours of Vietnamese coffee and Japanese mochi donuts for a truly delightful coupling.
This fall, highlights include the Banana Bae Pudding Matcha Latte and the indulgent Tiramisu Viet Coffee, each blending sweet and bold flavours in every sip. Try it, you deserve a little treat!
Of course, these spots aren’t all there is to discover at The Food District but they’re a great jumping off point. Don’t miss out on these global eats as you savour and sip your way through it. You’ll be glad you did!
Taste the Bay Prix Fixe Program in North Bay
In North Bay, discover Taste the Bay, an event that offers the best seasonal flavours through specially crafted pre-fixe culinary experience in multiple participating restaurants throughout North Bay.
With prices ranging from $26 to $60 plus tax and tip, it’s a great time to try a new restaurant (or two or three) at an excellent value. Each prix fixe menu comes with an appetizer, main course and dessert! Let’s dive into what you can expect.
Cecil’s Brewhouse and Kitchen
Where: 300 Wyld St, North Bay, ON (View Map)
Menu: $48, view it here.
Grab a pint of ice-cold beer brewed right in house to pair with the menu at Cecil’s. Nestled into downtown North Bay its a favourite among visitors and locals alike.
This spot has the autumnal vibes on deck with their Taste the Bay Menu which features an Autumn Pear Salad (think freshly grilled pears and brussel sprouts), sweet corn riblets, stuffed zucchini boats and a oh-so-sweet banana foster cheescake split amongst other hearty dishes.
Average Joe’s Eatery and Patio
Where: 3501 Trout Lake Rd, North Bay, ON (View Map)
Menu: $30, view it here.
Dinner with a view just tastes better. Are we right or are we right? Average Joe’s Eatery and Patio is North Bay’s only year-round lake-view restaurant. Arrive by boat or car, the choice is yours!
For Taste the Bay, Average Joe’s is serving up some delightfully simple and fresh fare including a spring mix salad with pecans and roasted beets, roasted chicken breast with mushroom cognac cream sauce (we’d like to swim in it) and blueberry crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Farina Ristorante
Where: 700 Lakeshore Dr, North Bay, ON (View Map)
Menu: $35, view it here.
Farina, tucked into the Best Western Hotel, is known for their hearty Italian fare. Think chicken parm for the whole family, blistered tomato pasta and of course, spaghetti and meatballs. For their prix fixe menu you can expect the chicken parm (a staple) plus dishes like their house-made cannoli and classic caesar salad.
The Block Public House
Where: 122 Main St W, North Bay, ON (View Map)
Menu: $48, View it here.
Time to refuel and there’s no better spot than Block Public House. This restaurant is actually built in a historic building from 1911 which used to be the town’s first hardware store. It’s a great spot to grab a bite and an Ontario craft beer to wash it all down with.
The prix fixe menu here boasts loads of fall goodness including warm, gooey bries drizzled with maple syrup and topped with cranberries, turkey tetrazzini and apple tarts topped with ice cream for starters.
Marigold Unique Flavours
Where: 639 Lakeshore Dr, North Bay, ON (View Map)
Menu: $27, view it here.
Grab a seat on the patio if the fall temps allow and enjoy your meal with a view of beautiful Lake Nipissing. This spot blends the bold and bright flavours of Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine into dishes you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re savouring their lamb rogan josh, paneer tikka masala or chilly crispy momos, your taste buds are sure to be dancing!
This fall, they’ll be serving up dishes like Thai Pumpkin Curry, Beetroot tikki served with spiced chickpeas and chutneys and for dessert, a delectable Gulab Jamun Milkcake (eggless) among other tasty treats. We can’t wait to cozy up and give it a go!
Dinner Bell Bonfield
Where: 4 ON-531, Bonfield, ON (View Map)
Menu: $40, View it here
Grab a bite at this cozy, pub-style eatery for a slice of small-town charm and relaxation. Think comforting dishes like deep-fried cheese curds, egg salad sandwiches and of course, poutine.
During Taste the Bay, they’re serving up a comforting taste of place with dishes like potato-crusted pickerel, warm beet salad and crispy-fried cheese ravioli. Oh, and you’re going to want to top it all off with their deep friend butter tart. Trust us.
Churchill’s Prime Rib House
Where: 631 Lakeshore Dr, North Bay, ON (View Map)
Menu: Pricing to be confirmed, Menu to come. October only.
Churchill’s Prime Rib House is the spot to get a great cut of beef in North Bay. It’s a great stop for a bit of flair, old world charm and a damn good stake.
1886 Lake House Bistro
Where: 392 Main St S, Callander, ON (View Map)
Menu: $38, view it here. October only.
Just 10 minutes south of North Bay in Callandar, Lakehouse Bistro is a casual but French-inspired spot that faces the shores of Lake Nipissing. Dial up the class with French dishes like Escargots Bourguignonne, vegan pesto noodles and brownies from Ruth’s Bakery in Powassan…yum.
Enjoy Fall Eats Across the Province
There you have it! Three destinations to enjoy fall flavours in Ontario. From global eats at The Food District to farm-to-table fare, you’re never farm fro getting a true taste of what it means to be in Ontario.
