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9 Restaurants in Gravenhurst Worthy of Being Added to Your Itinerary

As a self-proclaimed foodie who lists down every good spot, I always give restaurants in underrated towns across Canada a shot. I haven’t regretted it either, as it allowed me to discover some amazing restaurants that serve great food!

One town that surprised me recently was Gravenhurst, which, honestly, wasn’t on my radar since I’m not that familiar with the Muskoka area (apart from its fun activities!). Anyway, being immersed in the town’s foodie scene was one of the best decisions I ever made—hence this list!

From perfectly grilled meat to burgers, poutine, and beer on tap, the selection of food and beverages here is unmatched! Keep on reading to discover some of the best restaurants in Gravenhurst and why I fell in love with them.

The Oar & Paddle

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Address: 530 Muskoka Rd N

Contact details: +1 705-687-8618

Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

The Oar & Paddle immediately piqued our interest with its charming boathouse-like exterior, which is on-brand since it’s near Gull Lake. The theme continues in the interior, where you’ll find a rustic design, wooden furniture, and boat paddles!

We also fell in love with their menu, which was surprisingly more varied than what we expected. For instance, they offer Western classics like fish and chips, steaks, and burgers, as well as international dishes like pad Thai.

If you were to ask us to choose only one dish from their menu, however, we’d get the lobster mac and cheese in a heartbeat! The fresh lobster meat, paired with parmesan cheese and al dente gemelli pasta, works together perfectly, much like peanut butter and jelly.

Pro tip:

Consider coming here if you or someone in your group has a strict diet. They offer vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes that taste amazing, especially the Impossible Burger, which feels and tastes just like the real thing!

Blue Willow Tea Shop

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Address: 900 Bay St #2

Contact details: +1 705-687-2597

Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

Blue Willow Tea Shop is another fantastic example of Gravenhurst’s charmingly designed restaurants. It will immediately grab your attention with its striking blue colonial-style architecture.

It only gets better once you step inside, as you’ll be greeted by an impressive selection of tea packets and their aromas. Don’t worry, though, as you can order more than just tea, as they offer a wide array of sandwiches and pastries—perfect for afternoon tea time!

The layout also screams daintiness, only featuring a couple of tables, all painted in white and located right next to the glass panels. We love sitting in their al-fresco area, as it’s the closest experience we can get to a sunny experience in London.

Pro tip:

While you’re here, be sure to stop by The Shipyard to find an assortment of knick-knacks to bring home as a souvenir! From pieces of jewellery to boat figurines, artisan soaps, and more, the products here are all locally made.

Dock Of The Bay Steak & Seafood Grille

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Address: 1110 Bay St.

Contact details: +1 705-687-7723

Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

You can’t leave a lakeside town like Gravenhurst without trying its amazing seafood, and Dock Of The Bay is one of the best places to do so. For starters, they serve one of the most amazing versions of seafood chowder we’ve tried, thanks to its fresh lake fish and peppery arugula.

For the mains, we highly recommend their shrimp and scallop pasta if you’re still looking for seafood. On the other hand, you can get their perfectly grilled 12oz ribeye steak to experience a smoky and meaty feast like no other!

We’re also suckers for their Texas brisket, as the Cajun seasoning makes for a lip-smacking good time. The beef is also slow-cooked to perfection to the point where you can easily shred it with your fork.

Pro tip:

If you want to order something creamy but don’t want to miss out on their seafood, we recommend ordering their fettuccine Verde and adding a side of their scallops. You can also get their lobster tail if you’re feeling fancy!

Sawdust City Brewing Co.

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Address: 397 Muskoka Rd N

Contact details: +1 705-681-1100

Operating hours:

  • Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

Sawdust City Brewing Co. is among the best breweries in Ontario, offering a wide array of unique flavours. To give you an idea of how wacky they can get with their flavours, we recommend getting their cherry cheesecake beer!

They also offer an amazing selection of dishes, some of which are perfect partners for beer. For instance, they provide classic buffalo chicken wings, which feature a perfect balance between sweet, spicy and zesty.

As for their mains, we highly recommend their smash burgers and fish tacos. Both these dishes pair perfectly with beer but can also stand on their own—plus, they don’t skimp on serving sizes and ingredients!

Pro tip:

Check out their events page to schedule your visit during one of their live musical acts. If you’re up for it, you can also participate during their open mic nights and showcase your pipes!

Cliffside at Muskoka Bay Resort

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Address: N, 1217 N Muldrew Lake Rd RR 2

Contact details: +1 705-687-4900 ext. 502

Operating hours: Daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $$$

Website

Menu

If you’re looking to impress someone with a fancy dining experience, then Cliffside at Muskoka Bay Resort should be on your radar! As you may have gleaned from its name, it’s located by the cliffs, so you can expect to be surrounded by beautiful panoramic views while you eat.

The sights alone should be enough to entice you, but it just so happens that they also offer extensive brunch, lunch, and dinner menus! For instance, one of the main stars of their dinner menu is the filet mignon, which comes with a side of roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

As a sweet tooth, I can’t recommend their desserts as well—plus, they’re the best way to end your meal! They offer ice cream and lemon meringue tart, but our favourite is their decadent warm mini doughnuts, which is a set that consists of fillings like chocolate and raspberry.

Pro tip:

Check their Dining Promotions page before making a reservation to get a chance to save money during your date! 

Old Mill Family Restaurant

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Address: 155 Muskoka Rd S

Contact details: +1 705-687-1006

Operating hours:

  • Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Cost: $

Website

When it comes to breakfast and brunch, Old Mill Family Restaurant is among Gravenhurst’s cream of the crop. Its menu consists of staples like hash browns, toasts, omelettes, eggs Benedict—the works.

When in doubt, you can also get their big, meaty burgers, which don’t skimp on the patty size and ingredients. They also come with caramelised onions, adding more umami to the savoury sandwich.

We also love its exterior, as it looks straight out of the streets of London, which makes sense considering that they offer amazing fish and chips as well! They use halibut coated in their fluffy batter, which is extremely satisfying to bite into.

Pro tip:

If you’re craving something sweet in the morning, consider ordering their blueberry pancakes! They come with real bits of blueberries along with old-style pancake syrup.

Thong Thai Cuisine

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Address: 2408 ON-11

Contact details: +1 705-905-4515

Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $

Website

Menu

Thong Thai Cuisine is an excellent choice if you’re tired of the same old Western dishes found in the majority of the town’s restaurants. This spot offers a slice of Thailand with its hearty, authentically made dishes, such as spring rolls, pad Thai, and Thai curry.

Their fresh rolls are some of our favourite things to order from their menu. They’re always packed with veggies, and the rice wrapper serves as the perfect vessel for its flavours—plus, they come with a delicious homemade peanut sauce for dipping!

However, one thing that you should never leave without buying is their jar of chilli oil. They’re incredibly addictive, and before you know it, you’ll start putting it on everything!

Pro tip:

You can also order online using their official website! Aside from the convenience, you can also get a free pad Thai if your order exceeds CAD75.

Boston Pizza

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Address: 100 Bay St.

Contact details: +1 705-684-8024

Operating hours: 

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

If you’re a fan of sports and you love bar food, then Boston Pizza should be right up your alley! It offers a similar ambience to those lively bars/restaurants found in the States that become even more bustling during NBA and NFL games.

With that said, most of the dishes here are great for sharing, whether it be their wings, pizza, or nachos. However, you can’t leave without trying their poutine to add some Canadian flavours to your table—plus, they come with bacon bits!

They also offer platters, like the Triple Play, which features generous servings of potato chips, chicken fillet, and Bandera Bread. Don’t worry, though, as they also offer healthy options, like pineapple, beet, and goat cheese salad.

Pro tip:

Stop by during weekdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to save money by ordering their CAD15 lunch sets! This customisable set will let you choose your main, side, and drink!

The Boathouse Restaurant

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Address: 1209 Muskoka Beach Rd

Contact details: +1 705-687-2233

Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

The Boathouse Restaurant is a short drive away from the heart of Gravenhurst, but it’s a worthy trip! Aside from the good food and the scenic route, you’ll be treated to unobstructed views of the South Bay during your delicious meal.

Their expansive menu can be overwhelming at first, but you’ll be pleased to know that there are no misses whatsoever. Whether you’re ordering their pizza, pasta, salmon, etc., you can expect them to taste fresh and feature generous servings.

We also think that this place is great for families, as it offers several kid-friendly meals. For instance, you can get your little ones some deep-fried mozzarella sticks to start, crispy fried chicken as their mains, and a slice of their double pepperoni pizza as a side.

Pro tip:

If you can’t get enough of the stunning lake views, you can book a room at the Taboo Muskoka Resort & Golf! It’s among the best hotels in Muskoka, and they offer lavish suites that overlook South Bay.
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