Food & Drink

*When wandering in Ontario’s Highlands, please be aware of any local travel restrictions and guidelines. Vaccine passports accompanied by photo identification are currently required to enter some businesses.  Rumours are flying about the prospect of a wine shortage this winter, thanks to unprecedented drought in California combined with a destructive gypsy moth infestation here in Ontario. We’re trying not […]

If there’s one thing that makes one want to celebrate, it’s food. Doesn’t a slice of rich chocolate cake just call out for candles to mark a special occasion? And who can resist the lure of an expertly frothed hot cocoa, complete with grated nutmeg or cinnamon? Good wine, rich beers, and perfectly cured meats […]

Food is the great uniter – it brings people together and provides a social context to feed our spirit as well as our bodies. And isn’t it true that a gathering of family and friends can only be enhanced by the accompaniment of really good food (and vice versa)? This fall, we invite you to […]

“Food brings people together…the experience of dining makes people happy, way beyond the food.” – Chef Ian Carswell, Black Tartan Kitchen Black Tartan Kitchen owner and chef, Ian Carswell, is a study in contrasts. He’s passionate about food but he wasn’t raised in a culinary-focused household. He’s traveled the world but chose to open his […]

Do you remember a meal when after you’ve eaten the last bite you told yourself (and probably others) that it was “the best meal you’ve ever had”? This is often a holiday meal you and your family talk about for years and years, but can also be a quick and easy meal you enjoyed with […]

Raise your hand if you’re all about snacks while hiking, camp meals on the fire, or cabin feasts with friends? (we’re going to go ahead and assume that your hand is up because all these things are awesome). Plant life contributes to the ecosystem, meals are the cornerstone of communities, and packing the right food […]

What makes cheese something we crave so much? Is it the slightly salty flavour, or because it’s the ultimate comfort food? Whatever the reason it’s a fact that cheese added to pretty much any dish only makes it better. No matter where you are from, cheese has played an important role in our gastronomic evolution. […]

*When wandering in Ontario’s Highlands, please be aware of any local travel restrictions and guidelines. Vaccine passports accompanied by photo identification are currently required to enter some businesses.  When was the last time you bit down into something so warm and rich, cheesy and flavourful that your heart said “thank you!” and your belly said “more please!” The best […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out. Live music and patios go together like yin and yang, salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, or….well, you get the picture. When you’re dining on a patio with a band playing beside you, your food tastes better, the night stars are brighter, and […]

Local’s Take is a series highlighting the staycation experiences available close to home this summer. The experiences featured in this series were hand curated to highlight fun insider spots in our region. Use these stories as your launchpad to create your own staycation in Ontario’s Highlands. Local: Ardith Racey From: Hastings County Travelling: Hastings County If recent times have kindled […]

Local’s Take is a series highlighting the staycation experiences available close to home this summer. The experiences featured in this series were hand curated to highlight fun insider spots in our region. Use these stories as your launchpad to create your own staycations in Ontario’s Highlands.  Local: Gabriel Rivett-Carnac From: Ottawa and the Valley Travelling: Ottawa […]

Stretch your legs and fill your belly at these easy stops along three routes headed to Algonquin Park.

In the dog days of summer, when the sun is relentless and the humidity won’t cut you a break, there’s nothing more refreshing than an ice cream. Not only are our favourite frozen treats delicious, but they have the added bonus of helping regulate our temperature on a hot, sticky day. Scientifically proven or not, […]

When was the last time you discovered a local landmark or business that you didn’t know was there? In Ontario’s Highlands, we have some amazing spots and experiences that you might be surprised to hear about. For example, did you know the longest canopy boardwalk in the world is located in Haliburton Highlands? Or that […]

Sip and savour under the sun on a dreamy waterfront patio at one these spectacular restaurants.

If you’re dreaming of having the best foodie experiences in Ontario, we’ve got your back. Where else can you visit and sample products from craft breweries, distilleries, and cideries, cheese makers, and award-winning eateries that reflect the diverse flavours of Ontario’s Highlands? Following a food and drink trail is not a shot in the dark […]

Pull off the gravel road that leads to Jeff and Jenna Fenwick’s small Frontenac County farm and you are greeted with a quintessential small farm scene: a cozy farmhouse, rustic barn, small orchard and garden. The setting on the shores of the Mississippi River is pastoral and idyllic. At first glance it may appear that […]

Tell Dad how much awesome he is this Father’s Day with a little local love from these places in Ontario’s Highlands.

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out, Whether it’s a throwback to simpler days when a weekend picnic was a full day adventure or a need to connect with nature, having a picnic is something we universally enjoy. Spreading your picnic blanket on the ground and lounging while you nibble on […]

Challenge accepted: Take on the Great Potato Abundance of 2020 and put a dent in the local potato population.

Lounging on your balcony, patio, or deck sipping a yummy cocktail while the sun warms our face tells us we have finally arrived at the pinnacle of all summer experiences – cocktail season. We have to admit, we really do love a good cocktail, and we know the best drinks are made with care using […]

If you travel through Burnstown during the warm summer months, you will probably take note of a line-up of cars parked outside what has become one of the most sought-after ice cream shops in the region: Café Laurent. Here, Laurent Coulibaly makes his delicious ice creams from scratch, and is dedicated to revolutionizing the ice […]

Before Michael Schiedel-Webb came to live full-time in Haliburton, he had never made beer. Not once. Not ever. His first batch came from a really big home-brew kit, located in the living room of his cottage, in the middle of the winter. “It was minus ten, and we had to do some of it outside,” […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  Spring is in the air in Ontario’s Highlands – especially in the sugarbush – and we are ready to celebrate. This is the time of year when we typically head out to a sugarbush to see how syrup is made, to sample taffy, have […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  Valentine’s Day may be over but that doesn’t mean our chocolate indulgence has to end. Is there even such a thing as too much chocolate? We think not. For true chocolate lovers, every opportunity to sample a new artisanal chocolate is reason to rejoice. […]

Maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes. Celebrate Canada’s iconic sweetener in all its forms in Ontario’s Highlands.

*Stay home, stay safe. This article contains experiences you can have at home or that conform with current stay-at-home orders. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but unfortunately this year brings with it new challenges.  You can’t go out to dinner, you can’t go see a movie, and many of the typical Valentine’s Day […]

Get into the holiday spirit this month with these mixologists and craft drink producers in Ontario’s Highlands.

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  You’ve heard the word and maybe you’ve even seen Instagram pics of colourful charcuterie boards, and if you’re lucky you’ve sampled this meaty treat yourself (in case you wondered, it’s pronounced shahr-ku-tuh-ree). Charcuterie is originally a French word that literally translates to […]

Oktoberfest brings to mind a crowded beer hall filled with large Germans shouting ‘Prost!’ and knocking thick beer steins together with gusto. But is this an event or a cultural celebration? We would argue the latter, and not just because we are looking for an excuse to drink beer and eat schnitzel. This year will […]

Discover how four craft drink makers harness Mother Nature’s flavours to elevate their beverages in Ontario’s Highlands.

Find these cideries on your next road trip through Ontario’s Highlands to discover a refreshing way to toast the apple harvest with a cold cider.

We are so lucky to come from a place that has it all: phenomenal views, rugged landscapes, abundance of trails, and infinite opportunities for recreation, all enticing you to leave your comfort zone and step into the wild. Here, endless forests meet cool, clear lakes and rivers to create incredible vistas that reach out to […]

Lanark County is a land of sweet contrasts, where dense forests of sugar maple border lush, green fields and you’re as likely to come across a cyclist as a farmer on one of the region’s winding roads. Urban and rural unite here to create a region that’s as colourful and varied as the patchwork quilt […]

The deep lakes and meandering rivers here are ripe with life, both on land and in the water. This land is known as a region rich with minerals, and we haven’t forgotten how our communities were settled by the gold rush, where miners flocked, eager to delve into the earth to unearth its riches. Thick […]

Barbecue season and maple season combine with this sweet and sticky recipe from Wintergreen Maple Syrup.

You don’t need to leave the house for a romantic and locally inspired experience. Bring date night home with these four romantic experiences.

Discover these chip trucks and their classic dishes, located throughout Ontario’s Highlands.

If you’re missing your spring cocktails, the drink makers at Rhubarb Haliburton are happy to share their recipe for a delicious and fizzy cocktail.

Take a trip around Ontario’s Highlands to these micro-breweries to discover your perfect summer beer.

Make a high tea that’s fit for a queen using Tea & Cake’s secret scone recipe and how-to.

Rich, velvety chocolate, whipped ganache, creamy frosting…chocolate cake is the ultimate in old-time comfort foods. Ignite a passion for chocolate with this recipe from Hummingbird Chocolate Maker.

Meet the Locals: Rob and Nancy Moore, owners of Cardinal Cafe and Shop in Sharbot Lake Ontario.

Laurel Cook reflects on life in Lanark County, Ontario’s Maple Syrup Capital.

A frosty glass of crisp cider may be the perfect accompaniment for patio sipping, television watching, dock sitting, or just hanging out in the warm, lemony spring sunshine, but did you know it also happens to be a fantastic and versatile ingredient for cooking? For Margaret Van Helvoort and Kees Morsink there is no bad […]

Wake up lakeside with a steaming cup of coffee from a roastery in Ontario’s Highlands.

Great beer makes great food. Check out some great recipes to bake with beer with Chris Thompson from Whitewater Brewery Co.

Easter is just a bunny hop around the corner and dreams of chocolate are filling the minds of children – and adults, too. A chocolate treat is the perfect way to sweeten your spring, and when it comes to this dark delicacy, the folks at Perth Chocolate Works are the experts. Since opening their doors […]

With maple season in full swing, try these Sugar Bush-Approved maple recipes.

Chow down on artisan wood-fired pizza at any of these gems across Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover these perfect picnic spots throughout the Ottawa Valley and Lanark County on your next road trip just outside of Ottawa.

Celebrate Pi Day with the best pie at these bakeries in Ontario’s Highlands.

Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian – dine with confidence at these 10 Ontario’s Highlands restaurants. Your belly will thank you.

Escape the city for a hearty meal with pure maple syrup at these top places for pancake breakfasts in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover sweet places to stay for maple adventures in Ontario this spring.

Black Tartan Kitchen’s Ian Carswell prepares for national competition.

Discover four delicious artisan chocolate destinations in Lanark County.

Tour craft drink producers for a chance to meet the makers, and get the inside story on what inspires them to make and sell their product. Oh, and sample delicious brews, too!

Meet up with friends after a day well spent on the slopes or on the trails. Discover these top places in Ontario’s Highlands to celebrate the Apres Ski!

Perfect brunch spots a daytrip away from Canada’s Capital.

Discover some of the best bakeries in Ontario’s Highlands and their tasty treats.

Top 6 places to warm up with cozy Lanark County drinks.

Warm up your winter with good music and good food, together, at the Sharbot Inn & Crossing Pub, in Sharbot Lake, Ontario.

Meet Sarah Woods and Luca Molteni, owners of The Barn Chefs who are bringing a little slick of Italy to Coe Hill, Ontario.

Sip & Savour your way through the best food and drink spots in Lanark County.

Discover these top ice cream stops across Ontario’s Highlands to keep cool this summer on your road trip.

Discover 10 craft breweries along with 10 delectable burger joints to indulge your taste buds near Ottawa.

Discover these spots for delicious summer eats in Hastings County.

Check out all the Farmers’ Markets across the Ottawa Valley.

Discover good food and great memories at the Ontario Water Buffalo Company.

Discover these top ways to enjoy the strawberry season, when you let these farm-fresh berries shine on their own or in a variety of treats.

Indulge your taste buds this summer with these 5 local finds at Farmers Markets through Ontario’s Highlands.

Check out these spots for afternoon tea at these tea rooms across Ontario’s Highlands.

Schedule your next doughnut date to one of these stand-out shops in Ontario’s Highlands.

Embrace the sweetest spring tradition with maple taffy in Lanark County.

Treat that special someone this Valentine’s Day to a gift of sweets at one of these top places.

Discover Vodkow, the new beverage from the Dairy Distillery causing a stir in Almonte, Ontario.

Discover Calabogie Peaks Resort, a well-known gem, through new eyes.

Meeting cider kings and discovering great things in Hastings County.

Read one blogger’s guide to exploring Almonte, a 19th century mill town.

Devour an Ottawa Valley tradition and feel your taste buds rejoice with Wes’ Chips in Arnprior.

Discover the history of Canada’s quintessential pastry, the Beavertail.

Top 4 summer treats that are worth the stop on your next Ontario’s Highlands road trip.

Seven amazing ways to indulge your next craving with maple-inspired treats.

Fresh healthy food and local produce are summer staples in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover one writer’s quest to discover what makes Lanark County so sweet with Maple Mania.

Places to enjoy a meat-free meal in Lanark County.

Feast your eyes on some of the incredible flavours of the Haliburton Highlands.