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 of foodie fun. So loosen your belt, make some reservations and dive into Guelph's exciting food scene.
Eric the Baker
If decadent pastries and fresh-baked bread are your jam, then a stop at Eric the Baker in downtown Guelph is a must. The food-focused owner Eric, has baking in his genes. Having spent much of his childhood watching his grandmother bake in one of the first bakeries in downtown Toronto, he learned how to roll the perfect croissant, and prepare delicious French pastries with flair.
Eric the Baker's small quaint shop is located centrally across from Guelph city hall. Get there early on weekends, as hungry locals can often snatch up the day's supply of fresh-baked goods before the clock strikes twelve. Choose from their classic buttery croissants, sinful chocolate eclairs, chocolate raspberry tarts, classic Paris-Brest, as well as a selection of homemade paninis, quiche and mini pesto pizzas; all worth the calorie count. The bakery also offer delicious homemade French dinner option to take home including Filet Mignon au jus 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 around 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 every flower, fruit and filet you pick up helps to support local farmers.
What we recommend: Fresh fruit and vegetables in season (blueberries, corn, herbs, mini potatoes and strawberries), local honey, fresh flowers (sunflowers and lavender in season are a special treat)
Patio: No
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Yes
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, treating residents and visitors to a diverse selection of North-Indian frontier cuisine. Watch the charcoal tandoori oven cooking up fresh naan as you enter, and then choose from their extensive menu of mouthwatering specialties like chicken Tikka, Aloo Gobi, goat biryani and chicken korma.
What we recommend: Dal, Chicken Tikka, Garlic Naan, Marsala, Raita
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Yes
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 riverside mill as the location for the distillery before surprisingly discovering the mill was actually a distillery in 1835 (something they discovered when distilling stills were revealed beneath old floorboards).
Focusing on premium gin and vodka (with whisky 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 uses Spring Mill's War Bar Series No. -3 Haskap Berry Liqueur which is made with 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: Yes
The Boathouse - Tea Room and Ice Cream Parlour
Where the Speed and Eramosa rivers converge, lays 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 Guelph's Lattice Covered Bridge. The Boathouse also offers an amazing high tea, complete with fluffy scones, fresh cream and delightful finger sandwiches. For something more substantial, they have a full lunch menu with soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps. Enjoy brunch, lunch or a mid-afternoon meal on their beautiful riverside patio, or from the quaint indoor dining room full of small-town charm.
What we recommend: Any flavour in a waffle cone!
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Yes
Miijidaa Café and Bistro
Neighbour to the iconic Bookshelf Café 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, sourcing ingredients locally and supporting Canadian producers. You’ll be hard-pressed to decide between dishes like Manitoulin Island trout, St. Albert’s cheddar mac n cheese, 3 Sisters salad, or a tasty Ontario cheese board. 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 at dusk.
What we recommend: For a summer afternoon on the patio, try a sparkling lavender lemonade, any Wellington Brewery pint, paired with a thin crust pizza, cheese board or fresh salad.
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Yes
The Redbrick Café
Java lovers will be in heaven at one of Guelph’s best coffee shops, the Redbrick Café. With its signature red brick walls, this adorable café is located down a quiet alley in city’s historic downtown. Try something from their extensive specialty coffee menu like a turmeric or matcha latté, London Fog, Nitro Cold Brew or their ultimate in wake-me-ups, the Black eye (fresh brewed coffee with a double espresso shot). The café also serves up light fare like bagels, soup, sandwiches and wraps, along with home-baked cookies, cheesecake and toffee brownies for those with a sweet tooth.
What we recommend: Any specialty coffee, Italian Soda, double chocolate brownie, garlic scallion scone
Patio: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Indoor dining: Yes
For more information about Guelph’s food scene and to plan your next visit to Guelph visit Visit Guelph.
Some activities in the above were provided by Visit Guelph. although all recommendations are our own.
