If you’ve read anything on this site, the name Tianna Edwards is sure to ring a bell. Besides contributing to the great content here, she also runs Keep Up With Kingston a blog she started up after returning home to Kingston after 10 years in Toronto.
Follow her adventures as she explores the latest tastes, sounds, and events popping up around the city—with a focus on locally owned establishments. Her writing has taken her all over Kingston and she shares with us a few of her favourite things about the limestone city.
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1. Burgers at Bella Bistro
Burger Night at west end restaurant, Bella Bistro, is one of my favourite things to enjoy mid-week with girlfriends. They support local farmers and curate as much as they can locally so everything tastes so fresh. They also make their own milk buns in house and words can’t express how delicious they are. Burger Night is on Wednesdays and it never disappoints.
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2. Brunch at NORTHSIDE Espresso + Kitchen
Jess and Cade, owners of NORTHSIDE, know how to do brunch. Together with their chef Marty, they’ve created the most thoughtful menu inspired by the cafe culture of Melbourne, Australia. They use as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible. I am obsessed with the chai tea latte as well as their turmeric latte. Besides the incredible food and drink, the space is absolutely stunning and filled with lots of beautiful green plants. I just love it here.
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3. The Kingston art scene
Anything that the art community has to offer in Kingston is worth checking out. The beautiful exhibits at The Agnes Etherington Art Centre or Modern Fuel in the Tett Centre. As well as any show that is performed at the Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts (the acoustics are amazing!) or The Grand Theatre and any performance by Blue Canoe Productions. Kingston is filled with incredible artists who are a thrill to watch and curators who have the knowledge to bring amazing talent from around the world to Kingston.
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4. Ferries!
Both the ferry to Prince Edward County and the ferry to Wolfe Island are my favourite in the summer. On a slow summer day is just feels right to glide along the water and take in the views. Bonus if you catch the ferry in the evening and get to enjoy the sunset on the water.
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5. Hot Yoga at Modo
This hot yoga studio is the perfect place to find balance. It’s a beautiful, big space with great instructors that lead the classes in a way that makes yogis of all levels feel welcome.
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6. The markets!
The Sunday Memorial Market is the best! The sweet potato buns from the Goaty Girls are my favourite—especially with their chevre for spreading. I also love picking up the fresh produce and baked goods offered by all of the amazing local vendors. The Kingston Public Market in Springer Market Square is also a gem. Especially in the height of summer. Not just for the food on Saturday but also the antique goodies market on Sunday. Sunday’s antique market offers prints, furniture and vintage knick-knacks. Love it.
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7. The Kingston Food Tours
These tours capture Kingston’s food culture in the most wonderful way. Our restaurants’ awesome ability to use the freshest ingredients, harness the innovative ideas of our talented, young chefs and celebrate local ingredients provided by our amazing farmers. They give a thorough history of Kingston and its culinary scene. It’s a great way to get a glimpse of Kingston and fill your belly, too.
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8. Parks in the summertime
Kingston has the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the summer. City Park, Lake Ontario Park, Skeleton Park, Douglas Fluhrer. I love to grab a picnic and go to any of these parks, They are well taken care of and offer the most serene views.
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9. Comfort Food From Pat’s
The #11 (shrimp red curry) at Pat’s Restaurant with veg is my go-to comfort food. Pat’s is a Cambodian restaurant on Princess, west of Division that serves the most consistent, authentic dishes. Yum.
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10. Breakfast at Juniper Cafe
Getting a breakfast sandwich and ginger lemon tea (made in house) on the patio at Juniper Cafe is my absolute favourite summer activity. It is located at the back of the Tett Centre and has a beautiful, unobstructed view of Lake Ontario. It’s so quiet and wonderful. They make sure to source their ingredients locally and bake everything in-house. It’s just the best. Plus, if you visit right before the sun sets it’s a great experience.
Describe Kingston in 3 words:
community-based, friendly, pretty
If Kingston had a theme song, what would it be?
Come On Get Happy — The Partridge Family
Complete the sentence:
Kingston makes me… proud to call it my home.
Featured photo taken by Rob Whalen
