It’s no secret that Kingston is brimming with some of the best culinary fare in the province – not just in terms of volume, but diversity. With so many enticing options (and with more and more popping up around the city), the hardest part is deciding on where to eat. Below are some of our favourites!
Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse
Mere steps from Kingston’s beautiful waterfront is Dianne’s – a classic East Coast kitchen fused with the flavours of Baja Mexico – that seafood lovers can’t ignore. And while the menu is abundant with crustaceans (think Lobster Rolls, Fish N’ Chips, and Oysters & Fish Chowder, among many others), Dianne’s also boasts an impressive lineup of delights for hardcore carnivores: Smoked Pulled Pork Carnitas, Chicken Tinga & Beef Brisket Xocolatl, Grilled Steaks, Burgers and Fried Chicken are all fan-favourites.
Wash your meal down with Dianne’s impressive selection of premium whiskies and tequilas, creative cocktails or the City’s best fresh-squeezed lime Margaritas (seriously – Dianne’s Margaritas are a must-try). Enjoy it all in a fun and vibrant atmosphere that also caters to children, vegetarians and the gluten intolerant. Open Daily from 11:30 AM for Lunch and Dinner.
dianneskingston.com
195 Ontario Street
613.507.3474
Pan Chancho Bakery + Cafe
Locals have long-known Pan Chancho as the go-to source for delicious baked goods (like croissants, scones and muffins to name a few), speciality breads (unique offerings like Apple Cider and Potato Cheddar Leak are always in high-demand) and gluten-free goodness (including baguettes and their incredible Raspberry Lemon Scones) – but where they perhaps shine the brightest is on their creative brunch menu.
Pan Chancho’s take on your traditional bacon and egg breakfast is yet another testament to their creativity; the El Chancho ($16) can satisfy even the hungriest of patrons and is served with bacon, chorizo, shredded ham in red eye gravy, over easy eggs, roast corn salad, crispy potatoes (with three onions), and a grilled savoury brioche with bacon jam. The menu also features the likes of the Red Eye Poutine (patates frites, shredded smoked ham, poached egg, cheddar curds and red eye gravy for $12) and the Wild West (B.C. smoked wild salmon with fennel cream cheese on light rye, cucumbers, red onion and mixed greens with a caper lemon dressing; $12) – ensuring that you’ll be back to try something different.
panchancho.com
44 Princess Street
613.544.7790
Frontenac Club Inn
You’ll have to spend the night at the historic Frontenac Club Inn to enjoy their homemade breakfasts, but it’s well worth it. A full-service breakfast is included in their rates (to be enjoyed in one of their three intimate dining rooms), with the menu changing daily dependant on seasonal availability and the whims of talented chef and owner, Beare.
One thing you can always bank on is Beare’s use of fresh, local ingredients when preparing his breakfasts. And while the menu does change daily, an example of a crowd-favourite is their sinfully delicious spin on the classic Eggs Benedict – Eggs Frontenac, served with a base of rosemary focaccia bread, an organic poached egg, grilled tomato, smoked salmon and topped with Béarnaise sauce. Beare is always happy to make your breakfast to your taste, so let him know if you’d like to forgo any of the ingredients used. Complimented with freshly baked breads and homemade jams, hot Irish oatmeal or homemade granola and Cooke’s coffee – The Frontenac Club Inn’s breakfasts are always among the best in town.
frontenacclub.com
225 King Street East
613.547.6167
Le Chien Noir
Just steps from historic Market Square, Le Chien Noir serves up French bistro classics and modern ‘Farm to Table’ features that Kingston can’t get enough of. With an innovative menu that also caters to children and vegetarians, Le Chien Noir’s dishes are always prepared using fresh, high-quality, seasonal and local ingredients whenever possible.
From small plates (including the highly desirable Escargot Gratin and Grilled Chili-Lemon Martinated Calamari) to mains that feature the likes of White Strip Rack of Lamb (with garlic-mustard crust, farro risotto, green olives, grilled treviso, preserved lemon, Canreg Station pecorino and lamb jus) and Beef Cheek Bordelaise (prepared with papardelle pasta, red wine braise, sautéed rapini, roasted Enright Cattle Co. marrow bone) – the menu at Le Chien Noir never fails to impress. In the warmer months, guests can indulge on their colourful heated Courtyard Terrace while sampling the impressive selection of wines, craft beer, or vintage and contemporary cocktails.
lechiennoir.com
69 Brock Street
613.549.5635
Tango Nuevo Tapas + Wine
After travelling the world and enjoying many amazing meals in countless places, the culinary forces behind Tango Nuevo concluded that the best meals are prepared with the freshest, local products – it’s a philosophy that has served them well, given that Tango Nuevo is on the ‘Must Try’ list of many foodies visiting Kingston.
Tango Nuevo embraces the Spanish tradition that sharing small plates of food brings people together and encourages conversation. They serve an impressive array of cold and hot options (crowd favourites include their Turkish Bruschetta [served with diced vegetables, chili pepper, walnuts and finished with a traditional Turkish pomegranate syrup vinaigrette] and Asian Spare Ribs [tender pork ribs with a ginger, soy, honey and anise glaze]), ensuring that even the pickiest eaters will find something they love. Just remember: In Spain, if you start eating tapas, you finish eating tapas – you don’t stop until you’re full.
tangoneuvo.ca
331 King Street East
613.548.3778
AquaTerra
Literally located on the waterfront in the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, AquaTerra has a reputation for being one of the fancier spots in Kingston to have a meal – but still worth every penny. AquaTerra’s innovative team serves breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
With a superb dinner menu that includes the likes of their Ravioli (prepared with roasted squash and ricotta, caramelized onion velouté, roasted mushrooms, wilted baby kale, shaved parmesan and walnut brown butter) and Beef Tenderloin (consisting of Grilled beef tenderloin, garlic confit mashed, toasted walnuts, St. Andre cheese, seasoned arugula and a shallow demi glaze) – to their impressive Sunday brunch menu featuring creative takes on classics like French Toast and Belgian Waffles, it’s unsurprising that AquaTerra has been featured on ‘Where to Eat in Canada’ for more than a decade and is one of Kingston’s not-to-be-missed dining experiences.
aquaterrakingston.com
1 Johnson Street
613.549.6243
