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9 Restaurants in Barrie Where It’s Impossible to Make the Wrong Order
Recently, our team visited Barrie for a week, and our stay gave us an idea of the city’s food scene. Throughout the trip, we were never disappointed with the restaurants we chose, whether it was a fine-dining establishment or a casual stop.
This gave us an idea to make a list of the best restaurants in Barrie for those looking to visit the waterfront city and experience its fun activities. Plus, this would make it easier for us when we return!
So, with a ridiculous number of restaurants tried within a week, we discovered the ones you should try the most! Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about them!
Kenzington Burger Bar
Media credit: kenzingtonburgerbar
Address: 40 Dunlop St E.
Contact details: +1 705-333-4546
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
If you’re looking for the juiciest and most stacked burgers in town, Kenzington Burger Bar should be your first stop. This place will refuel your energy levels with its pure beef patties, fresh ingredients, and ridiculous serving sizes—oh, and cold beer.
The menu consists of creatively made (and named) burgers, with one of the prime examples being the “007”. Unlike the titular spy, however, it’s anything but slick, featuring a messy stack of two slices of cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onion, and pickles.
We also love the overall rustic vibe of the place, especially its patio that’s dazzled with warm lights. Plus, they regularly feature full bands on Friday and Saturday nights for a nightlife experience to remember!
Pro tip:
You can substitute the patty of any of their burgers with fried or grilled chicken for CAD2.
The Farmhouse Restaurant
Media credit: barriefarmhouse
Address: 268 Bradford St.
Contact details: +1 705-737-0522
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The Farmhouse Restaurant serves as a beacon of light for brunch lovers passing through Tiffin Street in Barrie. They offer staples to start your day right, like eggs Benedict, avocado and toast, and chicken and waffles, but they’re only available on Weekends from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
They also offer an expansive dinner menu served daily, which features anything from salads to burgers, sandwiches and more. However, we recommend trying their pan-seared salmon the most, as it’s fitting in a waterfront city like this.
It immediately catches anyone’s attention with its bright red brick walls and distinguishable 1900s architectural design. However, the best part is its two lakeside patios, which offer breathtaking views of Lake Simcoe.
Pro tip:
Consider bringing your children here, as they offer numerous kid-friendly dishes like grilled cheese, mac and cheese, burgers, etc.
Barnstormer Brewing Co. Brewpub Restaurant
Media credit: ingridprettyhorse
Address: 384 Yonge St #3
Contact details: +1 705-481-1701
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss out on during your trip to Ontario, it’s the province’s selection of craft beer. Barnstormer Brewing Co. is one of the prime examples of this, boasting 14 different beer taps that offer distinct mouthfeel and aftertastes.
They pair these all-natural beers, spirits, and drinks with in-house comfort food like pizza, street tacos, and burgers. If you want our advice, get their fried Nashville hot chicken, which features a perfectly marinated chicken thigh that offers an impressive kick.
We also love how it perfectly captures the lively ambience of English pubs. This is perfectly showcased during one of their trivia nights, where you’ll truly witness the sense of community.
Pro tip:
Don’t be shy to ask your server about the weekly cheesecake! They offer various flavours that are perfect for ending your meal.
Il Buco
Media credit: foodwrappers
Address: 31 Dunlop St E
Contact details: +1 705-735-9595
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Il Buco is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a classy restaurant for you and your date in Barrie. It offers an intimate setting, complete with candlelit tables and patio seating that offers spectacular views of the lake and Heritage Park.
Also, it doesn’t get more romantic than authentic Old World Italian cuisine! One dish that perfectly encapsulates this cuisine is their pan-seared and delicate branzino, which offers a slightly sweet meat that’s perfectly complemented by lemon butter sauce.
They also offer a three-course lunch where you can start with a classic Caesar salad, lasagna as your main, and tiramisu for your dessert!
Pro tip:
If you’re ordering their branzino, make sure to pair it with a glass of white wine from their fine selection. This will enhance the fish’s flavour and add acidity to the dining experience.
Michael & Marion’s and The Side Door
Media credit: michaelandmarions
Address: 89 Bayfield St.
Contact details: +1 705-721-1188
Operating hours:
- Monday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Michael & Marion’s and The Side Door may seem like an unassuming gothic-style house along Bayfield Street, but it’s a world-class fine-dining restaurant. It also features an intimate dining experience with its ambient lighting and elegant furniture.
The food here may vary depending on the season, but you can always expect top-notch quality. One of our favourites is their lobster ravioli because of the perfect combination of the crustacean’s sweet white meat and the pasta’s rich sauce.
It’s also a haven for meat lovers, as it’s home to a juicy 6-oz strip loin steak, which is perfectly tender on the inside with some charred crusts on the outside. It’s also served alongside a hearty portion of fingerling potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Pro tip:
If you’re vegan and want to end your meal on a sweet note, we recommend ordering their sorbet!
Bayside Variety Kitchen + Bar
Media credit: baysidevarietybarrie
Address: 150 Dunlop St E Unit 103
Contact details: +1 705-503-0053
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
If you’re planning on extending your dinner to a night of drinking, Bayside Variety Kitchen + Bar should be right up your alley! For starters, they offer a wide variety of fine-dining dishes, including lamb racks and striploin steaks.
You must also try their duck breast, as it offers the most delicate dark meat you’ll ever try in Barrie. We always pair this with their agnolotti pasta to add some garlicky and savoury flavours into the mix.
As for their drinks, you can expect classics like Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from their fine wine selection. Furthermore, you can try their different alcoholic concoctions from the cocktail bar!
Pro tip:
If you’re getting the steak, be sure to order their grilled artichokes as your starters for a proven and tested combination!
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
Media credit: theflyingmonkeys
Address: 107 Dunlop St E
Contact details: +1 705-721-8989
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery offers some of the wackiest craft beers in Ontario, and their strikingly colourful cans represent the brand perfectly. Their flavours are unique too, with flavours like Spacecorn Unicorn and Supersonic Puppy Dreams taking centre stage.
We also appreciate them offering non-alcoholic drinks, like the Lava Lamp, which features a light body. Meanwhile, their Tangerine Fuzz Machine seltzer will leave you buzzed with its vodka—but don’t worry, the yuzu aftertaste is refreshing!
The same can be said about their food as well, as they’re presented beautifully and feature unique twists on already established favourites. For instance, they offer pickles on pizza, which is a step above the already divisive flavour of Hawaiian pizza.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on their quad smash burger, especially if you’re hungry as a horse! It features a 4-ounce patty along with the usual fixings of tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, and of course, American cheese (4 slices to be exact).
Taj Bistro
Media credit: tajbistrobarrie
Address: 140 Dunlop St E #101
Contact details: +1 705-252-8257
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 2:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Taj Bistro is proof that Barrie’s food scene is extremely diverse. Offering a wide variety of Indian dishes and drinks, this place will make you feel like you’re eating in Mumbai itself!
Some of the standouts from their food menu include the chicken masala, paneer tikka, and butter chicken. The butter chicken is their best seller, as the combination of the perfectly soft white meat, butter, and creamy tomatoes offers an accessible flavour to foreign tongues.
As for drinks, you must try their lassis! It’s a refreshing yogurt drink flavoured with either mango, strawberry, or pineapple—perfect for the summer!
Pro tip:
If you’re unfamiliar with the dessert menu, just order the gulab jamun! These are deep-fried dumplings filled with cottage cheese and soaked in sugar syrup.
The Mexican House
Media credit: the.mexican.house
Address: 24 Maple Ave
Contact details: +1 705-726-7774
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The Mexican House is one of the happiest places in Barrie, as it ticks the holy trinity: lively music, good food, and a great selection of drinks. Starting with the vibe, we love how it always feels like it’s Cinco De Mayo here, with its fun music and colourful interiors.
You can also expect nothing but authenticity when it comes to their food, whether you’re getting their nachos and guac, enchiladas, tacos, etc. We also love how they let you customize your burrito by letting you choose your filling, which includes vegetarian options as well!
If you don’t know which ingredients to mix together, we recommend getting a taco as your base and their pastor as your filling! It offers a great combination of flavours, courtesy of the pastor’s pineapple and chilli.
Pro tip:
Follow their Instagram to discover upcoming events and promos that you shouldn’t miss! For instance, they’ll sometimes hold karaoke nights if you’re looking to showcase your pipes in a fun and non-judgmental setting.
