From discovering new flavours at upcoming festivals to enjoying local dishes on a guided tour, Kingston’s food scene offers delicious experiences.
Festivals and markets
I❤︎Beer & Taco Festival
Slush Puppie Place
May 3
The I❤︎Beer & Taco Festival returns to Kingston for its second year. Gather with friends to celebrate with craft beer, dancing, games, and tacos. This year, discover 16 brewers from across Ontario offering beers, ciders, and spirits. Visit the Slush Puppie Place website to get tickets.
Great Canadian Cheese Fest
Fort Henry
May 24 & 25
This spring, Kingston welcomes the best of Canada’s cheese producers to Fort Henry Hill. Featuring over 100 dairy and cheese producers, local growers, makers and more, this two-day festival gives guests the chance to sample their way across Canada, discover new favourites, and meet the people behind the food. Visit the Great Canadian Cheese Fest website for details and tickets.
YGK Craft Beer Fest
Fort Henry
June 14
Kick off the summer in Kingston at YGK Craft Beer Fest, the city’s annual celebration of live music, local food, and delicious brews. Take in the scenic waterfront and downtown skyline from Fort Henry Hill while sipping on locally made drinks, including beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy a stellar musical lineup. Keep an eye on the Fort Henry website for updates, tickets, and vendors.
Ribfest & Craft Beer Show
Memorial Centre
September 5–7
The air around the Memorial Centre will be rich with the smell of barbeque in early September when the Ribfest & Craft Beer Show arrives in town. Returning for its twelfth year, this festival is the best spot to enjoy mouth-watering barbequed ribs and chicken, paired with Ontario craft beers, ciders, and more. Grab some grub and a nice spot in the sun, and make sure to stick around for live entertainment and activities for kids. Learn more on their website.
Poutine Feast
Memorial Centre
September 18–21
An annual tradition returns in September as vendors from all over set up at the grounds of the Memorial Centre to serve an iconic Canadian dish – poutine! Poutine Feast brings together a variety of vendors offering their takes on poutine, featuring the magical combination of French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. This culinary celebration also offers games, competitions, and activities for both kids and adults.
Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
Memorial Centre
Sundays
Find delicious, local food and a friendly, community atmosphere at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. This Sunday market brings together local makers, producers, and artisans offering a wide range of fresh produce, hot meals, and tasty treats. In the warmer months, the market is hosted in the park in front of the Memorial Centre, where vendors set up tables under shady trees, musicians perform for shoppers and picnickers, and you might even catch some morning yoga! The market runs from 9 am to 1 pm November to April and 9 am to 2 pm from May to October. Take a look at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market website to see who will be there next Sunday.
There will be a special Easter evening market on Thursday, April 17 from 4 to 8 pm. There will be no regular market on Sunday, April 20 (Easter Sunday).
Tastings
Bobbi Pecorino’s Sunday afternoon wine tastings
326 King St. E.
Sundays
Whether you fancy yourself a casual wine drinker or an amateur sommelier, a visit to Bobbi Pecorino’s Italian Wine Bar on a Sunday afternoon offers an experience for the senses. Each tasting consists of four wines plus pairings from their food menu as well as an educational exploration of the lands and cultures behind each wine. Find more details on their website, and check out our feature on Bobbi Pecorino’s for a look behind the glass.
CHA CHA TEA tastings
506 Days Rd.
Various dates
Join a workshop at Cha Cha Tea and learn about tea flavours with owner Kaoru, a certified tea sommelier. Upcoming workshops include “Cheese and tea pairing” on April 6 and the Mystery Book Club tea tasting workshop on April 27 and May 25. Book tickets and stay tuned for more upcoming workshops on their website.
Guided tours
City Sips: A walking wine tour in Kingston
Tuesdays–Sundays
Sip your way through historic locales in downtown Kingston on a leisurely wine tour with sommelier Ian Nicholls. Whether you’re new to the region or have lived here your whole life, this walking tour gives you a thorough introduction to wines from all across the world, hosted at charming restaurants, bars, and shops in downtown Kingston. Each day of the week features a different tour of four spots, so you can experience something new each time. Check out the list of stops and book your spot on the County Sips website.
Picnic and Sail with Ahoy Rentals
21 Ontario St.
Weekends, May 17– October 12
For a different take on seafaring dining, a sail and picnic charter from Ahoy Rentals offers groups from two to five a weekend voyage and lunch aboard a sailboat. Board the Pommie Bee, a 26-foot sailing sloop and take in the views of Kingston’s picturesque waterfront while enjoying a delicious lunch from Pan Chancho, including a platter of cheese, fruit, and spreads, an entrée of your choice, and assorted desserts. Visit the Ahoy Rentals website for more details and to book your spot.
Brewery tours at Fine Balance Brewing
677 Innovation Dr.
By appointment
Get the inside look at beer-making with a visit to Fine Balance Brewing Company in Kingston’s east end. Groups of up to four can take a guided tour through the on-site brewhouse and learn about their process for crafting beer. This 15-minute tour comes full circle with a visit to their taproom for a tasting. Check out their website for details and to book your visit.
Kingston Food Tours
Start at the Visitor Information Centre
Wednesdays–Sundays
There’s no better way to get acquainted with Kingston’s famous food scene than to join a delicious Kingston Food Tour. Offered Wednesdays through Sundays, the Classic Kingston tour takes you on a stroll through the limestone streets of downtown and into restaurants and shops, tasting hand-picked dishes and learning local history along the way. For a different flavour, check out the Tapas Tour on Fridays and Saturdays, in which small plates are paired with alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverages. Read our feature on Kingston Food Tours to get the inside scoop.
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises: dining cruises
Depart from Crawford Wharf
Daily; April 18–fall
If you enjoy a good view while you eat, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises brunch, lunch, and sunset dinner cruises are a must-try. Take in stunning views of the 1000 Islands aboard the Island Queen while enjoying a three-course plated lunch or brunch or take to the river aboard the glass-topped Island Star for a sunset dinner cruise. On top of unbeatable vistas, all cruises include live music and a full-service bar. Read our story to check out what it’s like to dine on board. Check out the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises website for details and bookings.
Bonus:
Brunch at Academy Food + Drink
285 King St.
Try featured items from Academy’s new spring menu while listening to a three-piece jazz band at the Easter Brunch on April 20, enjoy breakfast for dinner with specialty cocktails at Sunset Brunch on May 3 & 31, or treat your mom to Mother’s Day Brunch on May 11. More details will be available soon. Follow their Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on these upcoming events.
