Where to eat in Kincardine? Discover the best restaurants in Kincardine, Ontario, from local favourites to perfect patio spots by the lake.
One of the best parts of spending time in Kincardine? The food scene might surprise you. For a small town on the shores of Lake Huron, it’s packed with charm—and that extends to its cafés, patios, and family-owned restaurants. After spending a weekend exploring beaches, climbing lighthouses, and catching sunsets, I made it my mission to find the best spots to eat in town.
From cozy coffee shops with lake views to must-try fish and chips, this guide covers my go-to places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sweet treats. If you’re planning a trip to Kincardine and wondering where to eat between adventures, this post is for you. Let’s dig in.
Don’t forget to check out all of my Ontario blog posts to make the most of your adventures!
Where to eat in Kincardine?
Best Restaurants in Kincardine
If you’re looking for a delicious sit-down meal after a day of beach walks or lighthouse visits, Kincardine has a few standout restaurants you won’t want to miss.
George on Harbour
A local favourite for a reason. George on Harbour is located just steps from the lighthouse and Lake Huron, making it the perfect spot for dinner, especially if you’re planning to watch the Phantom Piper after your meal. The atmosphere is upscale-casual, with a menu that mixes comforting classics and seasonal specials. It’s a great pick for a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends.
Erie Belle Restaurant
You can’t come to Kincardine without trying the fish and chips at the Erie Belle. This iconic spot has been serving locals and visitors for decades and is known for its old-school charm and maritime décor. Portions are generous, the fish is crispy and golden, and the nostalgic vibes make it a must-do while in town.
The Bruce Kincardine
If you’re craving a great view to go along with your meal, head to The Bruce. It has one of the best patios in town, overlooking the water, and offers everything from burgers and sandwiches to elevated pub fare. It’s a go-to for weekend lunches or early dinners before catching that golden hour light at the beach.
Local
Bright, casual, and – you guessed it- local. Local is a fun downtown eatery that offers great tacos, handhelds, and drinks. It’s an ideal stop for lunch or a laid-back dinner, especially if you’re sitting on their patio on a sunny day. Don’t skip their weekly specials and creative takes on comfort food.
Best Coffee Shops in Kincardine
For a town its size, Kincardine delivers surprisingly well on the caffeine front. Whether you’re looking for your morning fuel, an iced latte by the lake, or a cozy café to work from, these local spots are worth checking out.
The Daily Grind
A staple in Kincardine’s downtown core, The Daily Grind is your go-to spot for strong coffee, friendly service, and great vibes. Their espresso drinks are always on point, and they’ve got a rotating selection of baked goods if you’re feeling peckish. It’s a popular place to start the day or grab a to-go cup before a lighthouse stroll.
Little on the Lake
Technically more of a boutique kids’ store meets café, Little on the Lake still deserves a spot on this list. They serve fresh smoothies and espresso-based drinks, and the lakeside location makes it a lovely place to linger. Bonus: if you’re visiting with little ones, there’s a dreamy toddler play area tucked inside.
Where to Go for a Sweet Treat
Best Friends Bakery & Ice Cream
This spot is a must-stop for anyone with a sweet tooth. Located downtown, Best Friends Bakery offers the perfect combo of baked goods and ice cream. Their cinnamon buns are legendary, and their ice cream counter is always stocked with classic flavours and a few surprises.
The Ice Cream Shack
An iconic stop right by Station Beach, The Ice Cream Shack is a Kincardine tradition. It’s the kind of place that brings out your inner kid, with generous scoops, waffle cones, and a full menu of frozen favourites. Don’t be surprised if there’s a bit of a line on hot days, it’s 100% worth the wait.
Final Thoughts : Where to eat in Kincardine?
Kincardine might be known for its beaches, lighthouses, and sunsets, but its food scene deserves just as much love. From laid-back lakeside lunches to cozy cafés and classic fish and chips by the beach, there’s no shortage of tasty spots to explore. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or lucky enough to call this town home, these local gems offer a flavourful way to experience Kincardine’s charm.
So grab a cinnamon bun, sip your iced latte by the lake, and don’t forget to treat yourself to a scoop (or two) of ice cream after catching the Phantom Piper at sunset. Because in Kincardine, good food and good views go hand in hand.
* P.S. This adventure was part of a collab with Explore the Bruce but all opinions (and obsessions) are 100% mine!
Looking for more Ontario travel ideas? Check out my other blog posts for itineraries, hiking trails, and hidden gems across the province!
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Some places you visit and forget about a week later. And then there are the ones that stay with you.
I had never heard of the Phantom Piper before I went to Kincardine. Someone mentioned it in passing – « there’s this thing with a piper and a lighthouse at sunset » – and I filed it away as something to maybe check out if I had time.
I had time. And I am so glad I did.
I’m not going to tell you too much because I think this is one of those experiences that deserves to be felt rather than described. What I will say is that I stood there on the shore of Lake Huron as the sun went down and the pipes started playing and something about the whole thing – the water, the light, the sound carrying across the harbour – just got me.
This summer marks a milestone anniversary of a tradition that has been happening in this small Ontario town since the 1990s. And if you ask me, that’s reason enough to finally make the trip.
This year the Phantom Piper will run every day of the week (except for Saturdays) from 1 July to 31 August.
Have you ever witnessed the Phantom Piper?
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#kincardine #phantompiper #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariobucketlist
If someone asked you to name an Ontario weekend getaway right now, Lanark County probably wouldn’t be the first thing that came to mind. Maybe not even the fifth. And honestly, that’s exactly why I want to talk about it.
It sits right between Ottawa and Kingston. About hour from either city. And somehow, most people drive right past it without ever stopping. I did too, for years.
Then I actually went. And I’ve been recommending it to everyone since.
Because what’s here is the kind of thing you don’t expect to find so close to home. A thermal spa tucked into the forest. A restaurant with one of the best patios in Ontario. A town that looks like it was designed for a Hallmark movie. Rivers and lakes that beg to be paddled. A treehouse on a peninsula with water on every side. And enough charm per square kilometre to make you feel like you’ve properly gotten away, even if you were home by Sunday night.
Lanark County is the weekend getaway that’s been right there the whole time. Swipe through for everything you need to plan it.
Have you been to Lanark County before? Is it going on your list this summer 👇
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#lanarkcounty #ontariogetaway #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ottawaweekend
When I walk into a space for the first time, I’m not really looking at the room. I’m looking at the light.
Where it comes in. How it moves through the curtains. What it does at 7am versus 4pm. That’s what tells me what kind of story I’m going to be able to tell.
Closs Crossing gave me a lot to work with.
The morning light through the treehouse windows. The deck faced east so the sunrise came in early and golden, through the trees, catching the string lights just right. By late afternoon the whole property turned amber. The hot tub at sunset, the hammock in the trees, the still water reflecting everything back, I was basically chasing light from one corner of this property to the other and I didn’t want to stop.
The interiors were just as beautiful. Every room had its own personality: the wallpaper, the vintage furniture, the carefully chosen details that tell you the people behind this place genuinely care about how it feels to be here. That kind of intentionality shows up in photos. You can’t fake it.
This is the kind of property that makes my job feel less like work.
If you own a cottage, a rental property or a stay and you’re looking for someone to capture it, this is what I do. Feel free to reach out. 🌿
Which shot is your favourite? 👇
A huge thank you to my friend @melina.e.l.i.a.s for helping me capture this one, some shots just need a second set of hands and she was the best person to have behind the lens. 🤍
Thank you to @closscrossing for hosting me.
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#closscrossing #lanarkcounty #ontariophotographer #travelphotography
Ontario is big. Like, really big. And most of us end up visiting the same handful of cities on repeat, which honestly makes sense because they’re great.
But this province has so many towns and cities that fly completely under the radar and I have been on a mission to find them.
Some of these I stumbled across by accident. Some were recommended by people who clearly had very good taste. And a few of them genuinely surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.
Swipe through and tell me how many you’ve actually been to. I have a feeling most of you will surprise yourselves.
Drop a number below : how many have you visited? 👇
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#exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariotowns #ontariocities #canadatravel
Muskoka. Algonquin. Haliburton.
Three of Ontario’s most beautiful regions, and most people visit them separately, on different trips, in different summers. But do them together as one loop and something clicks. It just makes sense. And it is so good.
363 kilometres of waterfalls, lakes, hikes with, wildlife encounters you’ll be talking about for years. And some of the most beautiful stays in Ontario tucked right along the route.
Save this, summer fills up fast and this loop deserves a spot on your calendar.
Have you done this loop before? What was you favourite stop?
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#muskoka #algonquin #haliburton #ontarioroadtrip #exploreontario
