Where to Eat and Drink in Guelph, Ontario

Restaurants and Pubs in Guelph Emphasize Local & Organic Fare

Aug 7, 2009

Stately limestone buildings give downtown Guelph a charming European atmosphere while the area's agricultural roots mean first-class food and beverages are on the menu.

Residents of Guelph take their eating and drinking seriously. It seems that every cafe pours fair trade coffee, every restaurant serves free-range chicken and every pub pours local micro-brewed pints.

Restaurant and Entertainment District in Guelph

The best places to eat and drink in Guelph are in an area bounded by Suffolk Street in the north, Carden Street in the south, Woolwich Street in the east and Norfolk Street in the west.

Though founding father John Galt's radial plan looks confusing on paper, visitors will find it almost impossible to get lost in this pedestrian-friendly city. The Church of Our Lady Immaculate's landmark towers are in the west.

Eat Brunch and Lunch at Cafes in Guelph

With ivy covered red brick, arched windows and a tiny terrace, the Red Brick Cafe exudes Euro-ambience. In the morning, linger over a frothy cappuccino and homemade muffins or arrive for wine tasting and thin crust pizza when the antique iron lamps flicker on.

It's location on a historic laneway is a delightful bonus. 8 Douglas St., 519-836-1126.

Stone walls and blonde wood at Atmosphere Cafe & Etc. create a stylish spot to eat lunch, dinner or enjoy drinks. Towering sandwiches, like the roast organic chicken club stuffed with avocado, smokey bacon and pea sprouts, dare patrons to finish them in one sitting.

Thursdays host martini specials, Synergy Saturday is DJ night and Sunday offers sweet or savoury brunch crepes. Five Zen-themed bathrooms are worth a visit.

Picnic Food in Guelph

Ouderkirk & Taylor Handcrafted Foods is the perfect spot to pack a picnic lunch. Choose from items like egg salad with tarragon and shallots or slabs of local artisan cheese on heirloom red fife oat bread. Tasty offerings change daily.

Cowboy Cookies, loaded with nuts, berries, chocolate and oatmeal, are addictive. 3 Wyndham St.N., 519-827-9378.

Drink at the Albion Hotel or Woolwich Arms Pubs in Guelph

A super selection of microbrews and the best burgers in town await at the Albion Hotel. This Guelph institution is housed in an 1850s limestone building. Drink an Albion martini (Jack Daniels, banana liqueur and pineapple juice) in the main floor's deco decor or quaff a cold beer on the rustic patio.

A good mix of live music and DJ dance nights keeps the place hopping into the wee hours. 49 Norfolk St., 519-821-7125

The Woolwich Arms & Arrow is a real neighbourhood pub with an emphasis on local food and drink. Friendly staff circulate through the porches, patios and cosy rooms of a classic Victorian house. The Woolie, as it is affectionately known, serves grilled burgers, steaks and 18 microbrewed draft beers. 176 Woolwich St., 519-836-2875

Eat at La Cucina for Fine Dining in Guelph

At La Cucina, seasonally-changing menus showcase Italian regional cuisine (gnocchi and tiger shrimp; rosemary and sage marinated hen) with sophistication.

Sit on a bar stool in the open kitchen and watch the chefs at work or be transported by the white linen, window boxes and stone walls on the roof top terrace. Decadent house-made desserts, like tiramisu and flourless chocolate cake, are worth a special splurge. 25 Macdonell St., 2nd floor, 519-836-3031.

Eat After Hours Snacks in Guelph

Satisfy midnight cravings for Latin hot and spicy at Salsateria, a tiny back-door take-out. Best sellers include juicy jerk chicken wrap, also available in tofu. Open till 3 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday. 33up Macdonell St., 519-824-0244.

Shopping in GuelphTake a break from eating and drinking to visit one of Guelph's stylish boutiques, where the focus is on unique products and personalized design.

Directions on How to Get to Guelph

It seems that all roads lead to downtown Guelph, only 100 km north west of Toronto. Cars are well directed via Hwy 401. Highways 6, 7, 24 and Wellington Road 124 become city streets. The bus and train stations are near Carden and Wyndham Streets.

Bed And Breakfast in Guelph

Visitors wishing to spend the night should consider staying at the London House Bed and Breakfast, a pleasant five minute stroll from downtown Guelph. 80 London Road, 1-877-836-6874.

The copyright of the article Where to Eat and Drink in Guelph, Ontario in North American Culinary Travel is owned by Heather Zorzini. Permission to republish Where to Eat and Drink in Guelph, Ontario in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.