Nicola Brown

Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is a postcard-perfect historic small town on the southern shores of Lake Ontario (at the mouth of the river that feeds Niagara Falls), from which the larger wine region of Niagara fans out. It’s long been recognized as one of Canada’s best and oldest wine-growing regions, and with a relatively temperate climate and plenty of farmland, it’s also an agricultural hub for seasonal produce. The best restaurants in NOTL cater to a wide range of tastes. They comprise both traditional fine dining and contemporary eateries, family-friendly winery lunch stops and brewpubs, and an unconventional newcomer in the form of elevated Japanese fare. You’d be forgiven for thinking that tourism trumps taste in this much-visited little corner of Ontario. There are certainly plenty of eateries not worth the stop. Use this guide as your cheat sheet to navigate to the best dining options. When in doubt, ask a local where they go for a meal and you’ll uncover some less obvious gems. While the dining scene in NOTL proper may still have room to grow, be on the lookout for high-calibre newcomers in the wake of the Michelin-starred attention being given to surrounding regions for their farm-to-table innovation. Updated November 4, 2025: The newly updated list reflects the growing importance to today’s diner of service and setting in addition to what’s served on the plate and in the glass. The addition of Masaki Sushi hints at the broadening range of cuisines on offer in the reg

Many Canadians would say the heart of French culture is in Quebec City. The narrow streets of the old town – a Unesco World Heritage Site dating back to 1608 – are filled with museums, boutiques, restaurants and plenty of European charm. It’s the only fortified city in the Americas north of Mexico and its extremely walkable. On foot is by far the best way to enjoy all of Quebec City’s rich history – just remember when planning your route that there’s a large cliff separating the upper and lower towns. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Home to Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto, Ontario is a diverse province when it comes to culture, food, and geography. It’s simultaneously an outdoor paradise for adventure-lovers, a foodie destination, and a place packed with some of the richest culture and history in the country. It’s a great province for road tripping, and many of the items on this list are just a few hours away from Toronto on a weekend getaway. You can go from Canada’s most densely populated urban area to some of its most pristine untouched wilderness in half a day. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Celebrating its 20th year as the go-to approachable fine dining staple of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), Treadwell’s commitment to showcasing the best local, seasonal ingredients of the bountiful region predates any bandwagon obsessions with marketable “locavore” concepts. Co-founder James Treadwell, who first opened the restaurant with his father, has held steady through the rollercoaster of recessions and a pandemic, keeping his staff—who he treats like family—employed even through the lockdowns. His people-first approach has earned Treadwell a loyal following and some serious staying power. Anchored by one of the largest selections of Ontario wines anywhere in the world, Treadwell is most frequently the dinner reservation of choice on NOTL’s historic main street for those looking to dig deeper into Niagara’s now firmly-established viticultural pedigree. The prix-fixe three-course dinner menu changes weekly to reflect the breadth and hyper-seasonality of Niagara’s produce. Heading into the colder months, new arrivals like a roasted beet dish with dill whipped goat cheese, housemade plum jam and a hazelnut vinaigrette make a moreish opener for a main dish of Ontario lamb, honey-glazed carrots, cumin yogurt and dukka.  Preempt the need for a ride home by staying at the restaurant’s sibling property, 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa, next door, and work off the indulgence the next day in the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit, home to the only snow room in Canada. You’ll want to leave extra time