From hidden west-end gems to downtown restaurants off the beaten path, here are some of the best-kept secret restaurants to try during your next visit to Kingston.
Breakfast/Brunch
Patriam Coffee
677 Innovation Drive, Unit 4
Tucked inside Fine Balance Brewing Company you will find Patriam Coffee, a locally owned business that began as a mobile coffee bar. Patriam offers a huge variety of coffee and tea drinks, plus fresh sandwiches and biscuits using ingredients from local producers.
Must try: Chai latte
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Friday, 8 am – 3 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm
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Lay Low Cafe
241 Princess Street
One of the newest spots in Kingston, Lay Low Cafe will satisfy your brunch cravings. The cafe offers a variety of beverages, from lattes to smoothies and mimosas. Savour eggs benny with maple-glazed bacon or sample the brekkie board with smashed avocado on sourdough, yogurt granola bowl, and house fries.
Must try: Chili eggs – a fun spin on huevos rancheros!
Hours of operation: Open daily from 7 am – 5 pm
Nora’s Coffee + Sandwiches
500 Canatara Court
Founded by the owners of Days on Front, Nora’s Coffee and Sandwiches offers a variety of coffee drinks, sandwiches, bagels and pastries. Stay updated on special features available throughout the week on their Facebook page. In a rush? Try Nora’s drive-through.
Must try: any of their fresh donuts
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm, Saturday – Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
Lunch
Classics Tea Lounge
399 Princess Street
Classics Tea Lounge is the ideal stop for lunch. From dim sum to ramen, here you’ll find classic Pan-Asian flavours to fuel your day. If you are looking for bubble tea, this is the spot. After your meal, be sure to check out the store in the back where you will find a variety of confections and souvenirs.
Must try: any item from their dim sum menu.
Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday 4 – 11:30 pm, Sunday 4 – 10:30 pm
Kiln Crust Co
A mobile food truck
Kiln Crust Co is making moves while making fresh wood-fired pizzas. The newest restaurant on the scene can be found parked at local breweries including Hard Way Cider Co and Fine Balance Brewing Company. Kiln Crust Co can also be booked for your own private event.
Must try: current menu faves the Fun Guy or Spicy-Za
Hours of operation: For the latest location, check their Instagram. Locations are updated weekly.
Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Shop
236 Wellington Street
Located on Wellington Street between Queen and Barrack, you’ll find Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Shop. A downtown staple since 2018, Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Shop offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches for $12 for a full sandwich, $6.50 for a half sandwich, and $12 for a half sandwich and a side.
Must try: the Casino Queen, made with slices of deli turkey, balsamic onion marmalade, bacon, mayo, and avocado.
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Dinner
Baja Craft Kitchen
253 Ontario Street Suite A
You can find Baja Craft Kitchen on Ontario Street between Princess and Brock. Baja offers Mexican-inspired dishes, including nine different types of tacos. Baja’s mission is to create “good vibes” while serving up dishes made with local and sustainable ingredients. To make a reservation, call 613-766-1694.
Must try: Baja fish taco with cerveza-battered cod, house slaw, cilantro, sambal aioli, on a flour tortilla.
Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday, 11:30 am – late
Red House West
629 Fortune Cresent
Red House is a favourite in downtown Kingston, but did you know they have a west-end location? Head to Fortune Crescent off Gardiners Road for lunch with family or a late night out with your friends. Red House West offers vegan and vegetarian options and changes its menu seasonally to highlight local produce.
Must try: Red House burger, with beef, tomato, mixed greens, pickles, and house sauce
Hours of operation: Thursday – Saturday 11 am – 1 am, Sunday – Wednesday 11 am – midnight
Le Jardin
343 King Street
Enter Bar Mayla and head upstairs to Le Jardin, which offers an elegant atmosphere inspired by earth, fire, and water. Watch your meal being prepared on Le Jardin’s signature wood-fire grill, then savour the sweet and smoky flavours that the grill imbues into both meat and vegetarian dishes (and some desserts!)
Must try: Steak with smoked bone marrow jus and green garlic butter (note: their menu changes frequently)
Hours of operation: Wednesday – Saturday, 4:30 pm – late
Pat’s Restaurant
455 Princess Street
Pat’s Restaurant is family owned and operated and serves up award-winning Cambodian and Thai cuisine. The menu includes a variety of curry dishes, stir fries, and soups, with plenty of vegetarian options.
Must try: Green Curry To-Fu cooked with green curry paste, pineapple, coconut milk, and basil served with rice.
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 8 pm
1000 Curry
1525 Centennial Drive
Before now, Kingstonians had to travel to Gananoque or go to the Sunday Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market to get curries from 1000 Curry. Now they can go to 1000 Curry’s west-end Kingston location, too. Every dish is prepared fresh to order with freshly ground spice blends. Dine in or take-out.
Must try: Jhal Farazi, a mildly spicy dish with your choice of veggies, paneer, or choice of meat, simmered with ginger, garlic, onions, spices, bell peppers, tomatoes, and finished with ginger and cilantro
Hours of operation: Monday & Wednesday – Friday 3 – 9 pm; Saturday – Sunday, 11:30 am – 9 pm
Sweet treats
CocoaBistro
840 Development Drive
CocoaBistro was founded in 2016 in Kingston by local chocolatier Audrey Brown. CocoaBistro offers high- quality handmade chocolates at their west end location and a variety of businesses including General Brock’s Commissary, Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market, the Rosemount Inn, and the Strata Hotel. Audrey’s chocolates are peanut-free and include vegan, non-dairy, and gluten-free options.
Must try: Any truffle! Try Almond Amaretto, Funky Monky, orKalamansi Dream
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
