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A Culinary Guide to the Top 10 Restaurants in Kingston (Handpicked by Foodies)
Kingston is a must-visit place in Ontario, with its rich history, small-town vibe, and delicious food. It’s actually home to more restaurants per capita than most cities in Canada, so even a well-travelled palate will find something new to discover here.
It’s easy to find a staple eatery here, since the city has lots of hidden gems waiting to be discovered, even if you’re a fussy eater.
Time’s ticking when it comes to food. Here’s our Kingston dining guide for locals and tourists, where you can taste Canadian classics and global flavours! Dig right in!
Juniper Cafe
Media credit: junipercafekingston
Address:
Contact: 613-344-1736, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 am – 7 pm
- Saturday: 8 am – 6 pm
- Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm
Juniper Cafe is a much-beloved restaurant in Kingston that has captured the hearts and bellies of locals. Talk to anyone from Kingston, and they probably have a good memory of dining here.
It has been in its King Street location for over a decade, serving not just delicious meals but a cosy ambience that’s perfect for catch-ups with friends and outdoor dining with the family, or if you’re looking for some me-time!
Juniper makes a mean breakfast sandwich—a delicious morning meal! It comes with buttermilk biscuit, bacon, soft-poached egg, cheddar, and tomato jam. There’s a vegetarian option that comes with red pepper instead of meat.
The focaccia sandwiches are another crowd favourite. We highly recommend the deliciously fresh Abner Mennonite Salami, made with braised peppers, cheddar, mixed greens, and olive tapenade, all in the middle of a freshly baked focaccia!
Pro Tips:
Juniper Cafe opens early, but most meals are available after 10 am. We suggest getting there just a little before 10 so you can find a table and have more options on the menu.
For waterfront views and patio dining, go to their King Street West location. If you’re a plant lover who wants a picture-worthy indoor dining, visit their newly opened West End spot.
Chez Piggy
Media credit: chezpiggy
Address: 68 Princess St
Contact: 613-549-7673
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 9 pm
Chez Piggy, locally known as “The Pig,” is a pioneer in Kingston’s downtown food scene. It was founded by Rose Richardson and Zal Yanovsky in 1979, who transformed an old limestone livery stable into a stunning eatery that has become a local favourite.
It has continued to enamour the tastebuds of many by offering a menu full of global flavours, with a focus on using local and fresh ingredients. We always lean towards the salads and sandwiches!
Try the KFC Tacos, and no, this doesn’t taste like the massive fast food chain. It’s made with Korean fried chicken with gochujang glaze and kimchi in a tortilla. For something spicy, get the Shishito Roulette for chilli sauce-coated peppers with ssamjang aioli.
Of course, you must try the fresh shucked oysters, which are absolutely fresh! They’re certified sustainable, after all!
Pro Tip:
Better book a reservation in advance because this restaurant gets busy!
Sally’s Roti Shop
Media credit: sallysrotishop
Address: 203 Wellington St
Contact: 613-766-6293
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11 am – 7 pm
- Sunday: Closed
One of the city’s best-kept secrets is Sally’s Roti Shop. It’s the kind of place that once you try, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again.
This Trinidadian eatery makes authentic rotis that are rich in flavours, made with dhalpuri roti. It tastes as Caribbean as you can get, as everything is perfectly seasoned, and you don’t have to spend lots of money just to get delicious food!
It’s easy to choose what to get from the menu since all meals are named exactly what they are. A popular choice is the Curry Chicken Roti Wrap, which has tender meat and curry potatoes.
Switch it up with a Curry Plate for meat and rice, and add a Doubles for a taste of soft-dough patties with curried chickpeas.
Pro Tip:
The place is small, so it’s best to order takeout.
Black Dog Tavern
Media credit: blackdogtavernygk
Address: 69 Brock St
Contact: 613-549-5635
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
- Thursday – Friday: 11:30 am – 10 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
There’s a reason why Black Dog Tavern has been a fixture downtown. This modern French tavern gives a cosy fine dining experience in Kingston, serving delicious brasserie classics with a modern twist!
Prepare to indulge in a diverse menu with Canadian favourites and some not-so-common dishes, from eggs Benny to escargot. This is one of the best brunch spots in Kingston, where you’ll be treated to classic cocktails—a brunch staple!
A must-try is their Duck Confit Poutine. Their version uses triple-cream brie and red wine demi-glace, which adds an exciting spin on this Canadian classic.
Pro Tip:
Black Dog Tavern has two dog-friendly patios. Go to the front one if you prefer people-watching, but if you want a more peaceful dining experience, the courtyard patio is ideal.
Wok-In
Media credit: 401chefs
Address: 30 Montreal St
Contact: 613-549-5369
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 2 pm & 4:30 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
There’s a reason why Wok In is beloved by locals. It’s unpretentious, knows its audience, and generous—just look at the large portions that can feed a family!
It’s the place to go to for Asian cuisine, particularly Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Thai. The meals are as authentic as they use diverse spices and fresh ingredients!
The intricate balance of sweet and sour makes the Pad Thai worth a try, composed of chicken, shrimp, bean sprouts, green onion, and peanuts. Another guaranteed hits are the green and red curries because of their bold flavours that work perfectly with rice!
Pro Tip:
This is a cash-only venue. To be on the safe side, bring at least $20 per person.
Atomica Kitchen / Cocktails
Media credit: atomicakingston
Address: 71 Brock St
Contact: 613-530-2118
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 10 pm
The industrial decor at Atomica Kitchen / Cocktails adds an upbeat vibe to the overall dining experience. It has a modern atmosphere, which is the same as the menu.
It serves up global dishes, including Middle Eastern and Canadian favourites, with a modern take. The diverse menu serves up lots of different meals for every craving, whether you’re in for a quick lunch or you’re famished after a long day at work.
The highlight is the plant-based menu, which is small but delicious. The pizzas are a must for a hungry tummy, but if you like pasta, the Rigatoni Primavera tastes light and fresh.
You cannot miss out on trying their Tofu Bao, a light and fluffy steamed bun loaded with fried tofu, romaine chiffonade, thinly sliced pickles, and vegan ranch!
Pro Tip:
Save a couple of loonies by visiting from 3 pm to 6 pm daily for Cocktail Hour.
Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Factory
Media credit: mermaidavenuesandwiches
Address: 236 Wellington St
Contact: 613-531-3438, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Find some of the best sandwiches you’ll ever taste at the Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Factory. This hidden gem in Kingston provides a laid-back spot for quick bites for locals and visitors without breaking the bank!
There are lots of options, even when it only serves sandwiches and a few salads. The best part is you can customise your sandwich by choosing your toppings!
The Hey Chicken sandwich is a good option if you aren’t sure what to get yet, because the ingredients are simple—just chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce, plus your choice of two toppings.
A delicious vegan option is At Least That’s What You Said, which has roasted red peppers, provolone cheese, avocado, and basil pesto tucked inside fresh bread!
Pro Tip:
We recommend ordering to-go because the place has limited seating. You can also skip peak hours if you prefer eating in.
Saigon Delights
Media credit: saigon.delights
Address: 272 Bagot St
Contact: 613-546-3690
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11 am – 8 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 8 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Saigon Delights cooks up delicious Vietnamese cuisine that comes straight from family recipes. Here, every dish is made from scratch, and you can taste it with every bite—fresh and fragrant.
The Cha Gio Spring Rolls, filled with a mixture of minced pork and shrimp, are smash hits, and it’s easy to see why. They’re deep-fried, so you get perfectly crunchy bites while still tasting flavourful fillings.
If you want to skip fried food, the Goi Cuon Salad Rolls are stuffed with rice noodles and greens. You get to choose between shrimp or tofu, but we prefer the former since it goes well with hoisin sauce.
Pro Tip:
For those who like to add an extra kick to their meal, ask the server to add extra spice.
Shawarma Damascus
Media credit: shawarmadamascuskingston
Address: King’s Crossing Fashion Outlet – 101 Dalton Ave B8
Contact: 613-541-1222, [email protected]
Hours:
- Saturday – Thursday: 11 am – 8 pm
- Friday: 11 am – 9 pm
Middle Eastern cuisine is accessible in Kingston at Shawarma Damascus, a restaurant that serves delicious, thinly sliced meats wrapped in pita bread! There’s more to this spot than shawarma, as it also whips up authentic Syrian and Lebanese dishes.
You can’t go wrong with a Beef Donair, which is shawarma with spiced chewy beef slices. For something more tender, you can always opt for chicken. Both are marinated and oozing with flavours—you can really taste the spices!
But when the craving needs a bigger meal, a platter is the way to go. It’ll come with one pita, hummus and garlic sauce (absolute staples in Middle Eastern food), rice, potatoes, and salad. We suggest going for the chicken and beef plate to get the best of both worlds.
Pro Tips:
For a bit of a kick, we recommend the spicy sauce for the shawarma. The spicy garlic complements the meat!
Don’t forget to order a can of pop, which balances out the oiliness and rich flavours of the food!
Days on Front
Media credit: daysonfront
Address: 730 Front Rd
Contact: 613-766-9000
Hours:
- Sunday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 5 pm – 9 pm
- Thursday: 11:30 am – 2 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 11:30 am – 2 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: $$$
Website
Lunch Menu | Dinner Menu
Locals and tourists will enjoy Days on Front, a restaurant in Kingston that cooks up an elevated style of Canadian cuisine! It serves small and large plates for every craving, with more refined flavours.
We recommend trying the Chicken Supreme, a large plate of delicious chicken with parmesan potato croquettes. But if you aren’t too hungry, the small plate of short rib is a must-try because of its tenderness—it melts in your mouth!
Every dish comes with a perfect wine pairing—just ask the servers! There’s a decent list of red and white wines to try!
Pro Tip:
Check the Days on Front Instagram page for seasonal/holiday menus. On special occasions, the regular menu may not be available, so it’s best if you’re aware ahead of time.
