A Foodie’s Guide to the Royal City - Top places to eat and drink in Guelph, Ontario
With small town roots in agriculture, intertwined with a mix of cultural influences from around the world, Guelph's food scene is both diverse and delicious. From authentic African curries and decadent french pastries, to a distillery creating unique spirits with locally grown berries, Guelph's culinary scene is a foodie's dream. Only a 45 minute drive west of Toronto, Guelph is a great place for a day trip or a weekend stay. So loosen your belt, make some resos and dive into Guelph's exciting food scene this summer.
Eric the Baker
If fresh baked bread and decadent pastries are your thing, then a stop at Eric the Baker in downtown Guelph is a must. Owner Eric has baking in his blood. Spending much of his childhood watching his grandmother bake in one of the first bakeries in downtown Toronto, Eric learned the ins and out of how to roll the perfect croissant, and the flair to prepare delicious French pastries.
Eric the Baker's small quaint shop across from Guelph city hall can't be missed - get there early on weekends, as hungry locals can often snatch up the day's supply of fresh baked goods before the afternoon. Besides their classic flaky buttery croissants, the chocolate eclairs and sinful selection of tarts are also worth the calorie count. The chocolate raspberry tart and Paris-Brest (pate a choux, praline cream and flaked almond) in particular are two desserts you should absolutely add to your box. For those stopping by for quick bite for brunch or lunch, a varied selection of homemade paninis, quiche and mini pesto pizzas are popular midday menu items. The bakery also offer delicious homemade French dinner option to take home including Filet Mignon au jus and roasted potatoes and Poulet Basquaise.
What we recommend: Croissants, chocolate eclairs, chocolate raspberry tart, Paris-Brest
Patio: No
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Not available
Guelph Farmers’ Market
If you're shopping for fresh local produce and handmade goods, the Guelph Farmers' Market is your spot! This vibrant farmers' market is open year round and brings together local producers from the region with the best in local fruits and vegetables, meats, flowers, honey, baked goods and much more. Many producers are from small family run businesses which have been in operation for generations, so the market is a great opportunity to support local producers at the source.
What we recommend: Fresh fruit and vegetables in season (blueberries, corn, mini potatoes and strawberries), local honey, fresh flowers (sunflowers and lavender in season are a special treat)
Patio: No
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Not currently available
Spice Roots
Located in an unassuming plaza in the city’s south end, Spice Roots is one of Guelph's many culinary hidden gems. The restaurant first opened its doors in Nairobi, Kenya, a region known for its spicy and flavourful curries and delicious Indian cuisine. In 2014 Spice Roots opened its first North American location in Guelph, Ontario treating residents and visitors to a diverse selection of North Indian Frontier cuisine. With a charcoal tandoori oven cooking up fresh made naan as well as mouthwater skewers of meats and seafood, dine-in guests are invited to watch the tandori action live through a window side kitchen.
What we recommend: Dal, Chicken Tikka, Garlic Naan, Marsala, Raita
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Currently limited seating available
Spring Mill Distillery
The Sleeman Family has a long and rich history in Guelph, establishing the first brewery in the region in 1851. While Sleeman beers are a household name in the Canadian beer industry, the family also has a secret past in the distilling business, having opened a distillery in 1836 (which unlike their brewery, ceased operations shortly after it was opened). Now over 183 years later, the Sleemans have re-entered the distilling business, producing premium spirits using traditional methods at Spring Mill Distillery.
Spring Mill Distillery, just a short walk from Guelph's Central Train Station, is situated in a historic restored mill on the banks of the Speed River. The Sleemans chose the mill as a location to carry on the family tradition of distilling, an ode to their first distillery. Unbeknownst to them the mill was once used as a distillery in 1835, something they discovered when distilling stills were revealed beneath old floorboards.
Focusing on premium gin and vodka (with whisky currently hibernating in barrels), Spring Mill Distillery is known for their inventive cocktails. Prepared with flair by master mixologists at the Ward Bar onsite, their signature cocktail the Delemere is a beautifully balanced combination of sweet and sour. The Haskap berry Delemere is another great summer cocktail, which use Spring Mill's new War Bar Series No. -3 Haskap Berry Liqueur containing locally grown Haskap berries from nearby Strom's Farm.
What we recommend: The Delemere (either the original or Haskap Berry Delemere)
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Onsite store for bottle purchase available
Indoor dining: Currently limited seating available.
The Boathouse - Tea Room and Ice Cream Parlour
Where the Speed and Eramosa rivers converge, sits one of Guelph's most cherished summer institutions, the Boathouse Tea Room and Ice Cream Parlour. On hot summer days you'll find a steady line of residents and visitors stopping by for tasty riverside scoops, just steps away from the Guelph's Lattice Covered Bridge. The Boathouse also has a great high tea, complete with fluffy scones, fresh cream and delightful finger sandwiches. For a bigger appetite a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps are available to enjoy on their outdoor patio, quaint indoor dining room, or picnic style along the banks of the Speed River.
What we recommend: Any flavour in a waffle cone!
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Currently limited seating available
Miijidaa Café and Bistro
With a bright airy covered patio out back, Miijida Café + Bistro is a fun spot to enjoy a cool cocktail with friends, or a relaxing dinner for two. Neighbour to the iconic Bookshelf on Quebec St. in downtown Guelph, Miijidaa Café is a cool spot for inventive cocktails and scrumptious Canadian influenced cuisine. The word Miijidaa, loosely translates to "let's eat" in Ojibway, recognizing the Indigenous territory on which the restaurant sits. The restaurant is known for its creative and Canadian centric fare including dishes like elk tortiere, beer battered pickerel, and a veggie burger made with locally sourced lentils from nearby Elora, ON.
What we recommend: For a summer afternoon on the patio, try the Bailey's Cold Crew or Vita's rhubard lemonde (a nod to the resto's head chef Vita), and be sure to pair it with a charcuterie board with local meets and cheeses.
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Currently limited seating available
The Redbrick Café
If you're craving caffeine, a stop at the Redbrick Café in Guelph is a must. With its signature red brick walls, located down a quiet alley in city’s historic downtown, the Redbrick Café has a wide selection of specialty coffees. Some notable favorites are the tumeric and matcha lattés, and their specially crafted Nitro Cold Brew also packs a mean caffeine punch . The café also serves up a variety of homebaked goods, from fresh baked cookies made in house, to cheesecake and toffee brownies. For those with a bigger appetite, there is an all day breakfast and lunch menu available, perfect for enjoying on their street-side patio, or for a snack on the run. Order from their self serve take out window, and enjoy your daily caffeine fix from this trendy café.
What we recommend: Nothing beats the Nitro cold brew on a hot summer day
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Currently no indoor seating available
For more information about Guelph’s food scene and to plan your next visit to Guelph visit Visit Guelph.
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by Visit Guelph. although all recommendations are our own.
