2 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Toronto, Ontario

Background Illustration for Restaurants

The dining in Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake is enough to boost a whole other genre of tourism, as there are a number of outstanding restaurants thanks to the area's many chefs being trained at the area's reputable culinary schools, and impeccably fresh ingredients from local farms. Produce, meats, cheeses, beers, and wine are all produced in Ontario, and some restaurants even have their own gardens, vineyards, or farms. In the immediate areas surrounding Niagara Falls, the dining is a little more lackluster, as views, convenience, and glamour take precedence over food, but there are some great pubs and upscale restaurants to be found among the tourist traps. Reservations are always encouraged, if not essential.

Fat Rabbit

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Thankfully for pet owners, rabbit rarely makes an appearance on the menu at this buzzed-about butcher shop-meets-high-end grill house, where AAA cuts of meat are sold and seared by the ounce. The kitchen typically relies on whatever happens to come through the door that day, so one specialty is local cheeses and charcuterie plates filled with lamb summer sausage and venison chorizo, but you might also find a plate of hot buttered turnips. Stunning weekly specials might include a dry-aged grilled picanha steak with a tangy rhubarb gastrique, paired best with a bold glass of Barbera red. For breakfast and lunch, choose from an array of sandwiches and other plates, as well as fresh baked goods on the weekend.

34 Geneva St., St. Catharines, ON, L2R 4M4, Canada
Known For
  • House-made charcuterie from a dedicated fridge
  • Ingenious surf-and-turf fusions like pork chop and razor clams cooked with crab fat
  • Using only locally grown and sourced ingredients
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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21 Club

$$$$

The best fine-dining-with-a-view in town, 21 Club plays up its casino locale without being kitschy. The high-ceiling modern space is inspired by roulette, in a profusion of red, black, and gold, and juxtaposes the traditional steak-house menu. More secluded seating areas wind around the perimeter next to huge windows overlooking the falls, on a raised, illuminated floor on a patio. Because 21 Club is only accessible via the casino floor, all diners must be at least 19.

6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 7X5, Canada
905-358–3255
Known For
  • A5 Wagyu steak cut to order
  • Extensive wine list with more than 700 options
  • On-site sommeliers who know their stuff
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.--Wed. No lunch
Reservations essential

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