Food Worth a Drive in Ontario: Farm Stands and Towns

Food worth a drive in Ontario is rarely far from a highway exit, and it rewards the traveller who is willing to slow down. The province's farm country sits close to its big cities, with Prince Edward County, farm stands, butter tart trails and small-town diners. Pick a region and set a loop of two or three hours.

Pack a cooler with ice packs, reusable bags, cash, napkins and a thermos of coffee. Check hours before you go, and assign a driver if you plan to buy wine.

What makes food worth a drive in Ontario?

The best drives end with something you cannot find in the city. A fresh pie at a farm stand, a plate of local cheese at a small creamery, a tart from a bakery that has not changed its recipe in fifty years. The pleasure is partly the food and partly the road that leads to it.

Ontario's farm country is close to its big cities. From Toronto, Ottawa or Kingston, a couple of hours can bring you to a place where vegetables are sold from a table at the end of a driveway. Pick a theme, such as farm stands, sweets or wine country, and plan stops around it.

What is Prince Edward County food like?

Prince Edward County food reflects an island-like peninsula of farms, vineyards and small towns on Lake Ontario. The County has dozens of farm stands and seasonal menus, and roadside signs and farm gates are the best way to spot more. Stands open and close with the season, so look for an open sign before you pull in.

Community markets in the County's towns are another good stop on a Saturday in the warm months. The County takes a while to cross, so group your stops by area and bring a cooler.

How do you find Ontario farm stands?

Ontario farm stands are easiest to find by following signs and by asking locals. A few tips help. Go in season, since selection changes weekly. Carry cash in small bills, because many stands run on an honour system with a box for payment. Bring bags and a cooler, and keep delicate items out of the sun.

Look for stands that sell what they grow. Corn, tomatoes, peaches, berries, honey and eggs are staples, and preserves and baked goods appear at many. If you want a restaurant that supports local growers, look for the Feast On designation, which requires at least a quarter of ingredients to come from Ontario.

Is there an Ontario butter tart trail?

Yes, and it is a sweet way to see the province. Butter tart trails and tours wind through Wellington North and the Kawarthas Northumberland region, and Midland hosts a butter tart festival and contest.

Pick a trail, buy a tart at each stop and compare. A fair test is to ask for a plain one, with no raisins or nuts. Take notes on the filling, the pastry and the sweetness.

What are good Ontario small town restaurants?

Small town restaurants in Ontario range from diners with pie to bistros that source from nearby farms. A good approach is to arrive at lunch, look for the busiest lot on Main Street and walk in. Ask what the cook is proud of, and order the special.

Many small towns have bakeries that sell bread and butter tarts, butcher shops with local sausage and cheese shops with curds. A picnic assembled from these is often the best meal of the trip.

How do you plan an Ontario road trip food day?

Pick a region and set a loop of two or three hours of driving. Choose three or four stops, and leave time between them. Start with breakfast at a diner, buy produce at a stand at mid-morning, eat lunch at a restaurant and finish with a sweet treat before heading home.

Check hours before you go. Small businesses often close on Mondays and Tuesdays, and seasonal stands may be closed outside summer and fall.

How do you keep notes on an Ontario food drive?

A road loop hands you more food than you can recall at the end. In the Mosey app, rate each tart, pie or sandwich by the dish, tag the stop Farm Producer or Bakery and add it to a list named for the loop, such as Prince Edward County in a day. Send the invite link to the friend in the passenger seat, and next season you will know which exit to take.

What should you pack?

A cooler with ice packs, reusable bags, cash, napkins, a knife for cutting cheese and a thermos of coffee are the essentials. Bring a blanket for a picnic and a small trash bag. Keep your gas tank above half in rural areas.

If you plan to buy wine, assign a driver. County wineries offer tastings, and local restaurants often sell wine by the glass.

What else should you eat around Ontario?

For a city meal at the end of the trip, read the best pizza and sandwiches in Hamilton. The Ontario regional foods guide explains the classics, and the Ontario fall food guide covers orchards. The Canada guides page lists more cities.

Heading somewhere else in Ontario? The Food in Ontario page links the rest.

A road trip is a good time to record what you eat. Get the Mosey app, rate each stop by its food, its setting and its welcome, and build an Ontario list that makes the next drive easier.