A Taste of Bruce County: The Best Itinerary for Cozy Cuisines and Craft Drinks
When you think about Bruce County, the twinkling blue waters of Lake Huron and wondrous places to explore nature most likely come to mind, but did you know that it’s a fabulous foodie destination too? It’s the perfect place to sample farm to table food and try the local specialties.
On this foodie focused trip of Bruce County, you’ll make your way up to Walkerton through the communities of Mildmay, Lucknow, Ripley and Kincardine, up the coast to Port Elgin and Southampton, and further up the Peninsula to Wiarton and Lion’s Head.
For this Bruce County itinerary called, “Cozy Cuisines and Craft Drinks,” you’ll find our recommendations on the must-sample food and drink in fall and winter. This trip combines delicious food, the great outdoors and ample opportunities to unwind and enjoy the scenery for which the region is best known.
Day 1
Start your trip at The Mildmay Cheese Haus. They carry over 200 kinds of local and imported cheeses. Their specialty is a naturally aged cheddar up to 19 years old. Another great find at Mildmay Cheese Haus is Stone Bridge Flour, which is premium, stone-milled flour that’s grown in Ripley, Ontario. From their farm to your table, Stone Bridge Flour will elevate your freshly baked bread and desserts.
Also in Mildmay, Harley’s Pub & Perk is a locally owned and operated coffee shop, pub and catering business. Stop by for breakfast or lunch, a cup of coffee or perhaps a home cooked meal to bring on your trip (must be ordered in advance).
Next, pop over to Armstrong’s Home Bakery in Lucknow. Pick up some freshly baked pies or any of their local fare to enjoy during the rest of your trip. If there’s a sweet treat that you must try, it’s their butter tarts, which many claim are the best ones they’ve ever had!
Located in nearby Ripley, FIG Studio Kitchen boasts an exceptional menu crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Diners travel from far and wide to savor the restaurant’s outstanding dishes, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.
Next, shop at Pine River Cheese to stock your cooler with locally produced cheese and dairy products from this artisan dairy producer. Pine River Cheese also has a small restaurant with pizzas that the whole region enjoys, so this is a great place to stop for lunch or a quick bite.
Spend the rest of the morning or afternoon in the town of Kincardine admiring its gardens, lighthouse and picturesque downtown streets. Go for a walk on the beach boardwalk and perhaps spend the afternoon on this expansive sandy beach. Don’t miss stopping at Best Friends Bakery for freshly made donuts, artisan bread, butter tarts and seasonal products. Have lunch with a view of Lake Huron at George’s on Harbour or The Bruce or enjoy a delicious craft brew at Grey Matter Beer Company!
Make your way to Walkerton and have dinner at 519 Table and Pour, a farm-to-table restaurant that supports local farms and small businesses. This restaurant provides meals using ingredients from local producers and businesses like Ralph Pitt’s Produce, Prestige Food Products, Mildmay Cheese Haus, Walkerton Meat Market, Grey Matter Beer Company, Three Sheets Brewing, Outlaw Brew Co., Tobermory Brewing and more.
Day 2
Start the day off right with coffee and breakfast at Green Bean Pantry in Walkerton before making your way to Port Elgin and Southampton. There are amazing food and drink options in Port Elgin like The Berkshire, Rosina Ristorante, Three Sheets Brewing and Highview, Room 797 and Outlaw Brew Co. in Southampton! Other highlights include Offshore Bakery in Southampton for sweet treats, freshly baked bread, pies, loaves and more and Southampton Olive Oil Company, which is a family run business with handmade artisanal oils that you can try before you buy.
Day 3
Start your day at Lost Art Espresso before you go for a hike in Wiarton. Spirit Rock Conservation Area offers an easy, three kilometre loop that takes you past the site of the Corran, a crumbling ruin that was once the site of a stately 17-room stone mansion. It also features an impressive view from the top of the Niagara Escarpment, as well as a spiral staircase to the waterfront.
Just north of Wiarton in Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (Cape Croker) is the Jones Bluff Loop, which is part of the Bruce Trail. This is a lengthier and more challenging hike than Spirit Rock. This 8.5 kilometre trek offers beautiful scenic lookouts, and it takes about three to four hours to complete.
After a great day of hiking, fuel up at the Green Door Cafe or The Silo, both excellent options in Wiarton for delicious eats.
Day 4
Visit Lion’s Head for a bite to eat at The Taste Kitchen or Rachel’s Restaurant. Take a walk along the waterfront, visit the lighthouse, and try to see the Lion’s Head off in the distant cliff face. Feeling adventurous? Go mountain biking at the Mountain Bike Adventure Park for an exhilarating ride, or hike Lion’s Head Lookout for amazing views of the turquoise waters. Lion’s Head is located within a UNESCO Protected Dark Sky Preserve, which also makes it the perfect destination for stargazing. Just look up to the night sky and witness the brilliant Milky Way galaxy.
Visit our Places to Stay page for accommodation options for your journey.
Discover more food experiences in Bruce County