Kingston Culinary Guide: the Holidays

By Lexy Correa

Last updated December 10, 2020. 

Kingston is known for its vibrant culinary scene: holiday dinners are taken seriously here. From classic turkey dinners to snackable boxes with local goodies, discover what offerings Kingston restaurants have for you to enjoy for the holidays.

Are we missing a holiday special? Please contact Lexy (lexy@tourismkingston.com) to add it to the list.

AquaTerra

Christmas Day prix fixe

Includes one appetizer, one main, and a dessert trilogy. Dig into your choice of parsnip and apple soup or butternut squash and quinoa salad for an appetizer. A main of maple Dijon-crusted prime rib, pistachio and cranberry stuffed turkey, berbere Chinook salmon, or yam and mushroom arancini. Finally, finish off with three desserts: pumpkin and dark chocolate bread pudding, egg nog crème brulée, and peppermint bark cheesecake. Order by December 23 for pickup or eat in and make a reservation!

Price: $62 per person | $28 wine pairing

New Year’s Eve tasting menus

Looking for the perfect New Year’s Eve feast? AquaTerra is hosting a six-course tasting menu with a vegan-friendly option. This menu has everything, from ceviche, soup, pastas, striploin or ponzu marinated seitan, and a triple chocolate dessert! Order by December 28 for pickup on New Year’s Eve or make a reservation to dine in!

NYE tasting menu price: $90 per person | $40 wine pairing

NYE vegan tasting menu: $70 per person | $40 wine pairing

The Grocery Basket

You’ll be the talk of the party when you bring along one of the Grocery Basket’s delicious charcuterie boards made with local meats, cheeses, and spreads. Choose between their regular board (serves 2–4) or try their large board (serves 6–8). These curated boards feature familiar local suppliers like Seed to Sausage, Stonetown Cheese, Bresaola, and Henderson Farms.

Price: $44 for a regular board, $125 for a large board

Black Dog Hospitality Group

All Black Dog Hospitality Group restaurant locations will be open for in-house dining and takeout. They will be offering their regular in-house menus along with special features. Want to dine at home for New Year’s Eve? They will be offering a take-home dinner to be re-heated at home. Check out these specials from Atomica, Black Dog Tavern, and Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse below!

Atomica Kitchen and Cocktails

Start off with seared Nova Scotia scallops (with butternut squash velouté, chorizo jam, pea shoots) followed by delicious Enright Cattle Co. beef short ribs. Finally, dig into a chocolate dome (luxardo cherries, chocolate torte, whipped cream, chocolate shell) dessert! Email info@atomica.ca by Monday, December 27 at 5pm for pickup on Friday, December 31.

Price: $100 for two

Black Dog Tavern

Black Dog Tavern will be serving up a wedge salad (iceberg lettuce, bacon lardons, slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, blue cheese dressing, and crispy shallots), Enright Cattle Co. prime rib au jus, and a dessert of eggnog crème brulée! Email info@bdtavern.com by Monday, December 27 at 5pm for pickup on Friday, December 31.

Price: $110 for two

Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse

Dig into a southwestern clam chowder, a slow-braised lamb (braising liquid reduction, garlic-spun mashed potatoes, and sauteed rapini) at Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse. Finally, finish off with an Opera Cake for dessert (almond cake, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache)! Email info@dianneskingston.com by Monday, December 27 at 5pm for pickup on Friday, December 31.

Price: $90 for two

Knifey Spooney Kingston

This year, Knifey Spooney Kingston will be offering packaged, ready-to-bake meals for an easy holiday feast! Their holiday menu includes a seitan wellington, pecan-orange sweet potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, pomegranate roast Brussels sprouts, and eggnog cheesecake with cranberry coulis! Order by December 17 or until they sell out.

Price: $50 for one, $150 for family

Just looking for holiday treats? Try out their gluten-free cookie box featuring toasted walnut snowballs, almond peppermint brownies, Nanaimo bars, iced sugar cookies, and brownie cookie bars. Order by December 17 or until they sell out.

Price: $45

Jessup Food and Heritage, Renaissance

Christmas candlelight dining

This year, Renaissance will be offering both Christmas candlelight dining and a turkey takeout dinner. Dine in and enjoy a three-course meal. The first course includes your choice of the chef’s soup of the day or holiday garden salad. For the second course, enjoy a roast turkey dinner, beef bourguignon, baked salmon napoleon, or mixed rustic mushroom étouffée. Finally, dig into French Canadian sugar pie, English sherry trifle, or apple-cranberry crumble for dessert! Reserve your spot online.

Price: $35 per person | $25 for main course only | $8 for any starter with dessert

Turkey takeout dinner

Enjoy a classic roast turkey dinner for $18.95 that includes dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, turnip casserole, and cranberry sauce (individually packed and chilled with reheat instructions). Order online or by phone (613-530-2550) for pickup from December 22 through December 23.

Price: $18.95 per person

Pan Chancho Bakery

Let Pan Chancho Bakery & Café take care of you this holiday season. Their holiday feast for six includes roasted turkey breast with a pear-brandy glaze and stuffed with dried fruit chutney, plus cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, green beans with tarragon and orange zest, garlic-and-herb mashed potatoes, freshly baked buns, and dessert. Available December 22, 23, and 24 only. Order online.

Price: $40 holiday feast for one | $200 holiday feast for six

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