Best Places to Eat in Kincardine: For Ontario Road Trippers
Are you a visitor seeking the best places to eat in Kincardine? Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry. I’ve got covered! There’s always Tim Hortons and McDonalds, but you can eat at those places anytime. When in Kincardine, eat where the locals do. Let’s check out some of the locally owned and operated places to eat during your visit to Kincardine.
I love writing content for my fellow Ontario road trippers. However, there is a cost to run a website. There may be affiliate links scattered throughout the website. If you click on a link, don’t worry, there is no cost to you.
Best Restaurants in Kincardine
Finding a restaurant open in Kincardine during the off-season can be a bit of a hit and miss. Because Kincardine is considered to be a tourist town, many of the restaurants operate on a tourist schedule. Meaning, they are open regularly throughout the Summer season, but many operate on limited hours during the off-season.
Driver’s Tip: Before taking a road trip to Kincardine, visit the websites of the following restaurants to check out the hours
After doing several road trips to my favourite part of Ontario, I’ve eaten at quite a few of the town’s restaurants. The following restaurants are what I consider to be Kincardine’s best places to eat, all of which are locally owned and operated. In addition, they are all in the downtown core, within easy walking distance to each other. So take your pick!
The Bruce (One of the Best Restaurants in Kincardine) $$-$$$
Location: 750 Queen Street
The Bruce is one busy spot in Kincardine and for good reason. It’s centrally located on the main street, but best of all….the views from the patio are second to none.
This is a Kincardine restaurant that many of the locals frequent. Locals head to The Bruce to watch a Sunday afternoon sporting event on the television, listen to one of the local bands, or just to chat with other Kincardinites.
The atmosphere is friendly, casual and laidback, but I must warn you, the staff will definitely know you’re a tourist to town.
The menu consists of an extensive selection of breakfast items, as well as casual pub fare, seafood, and steaks. So whatever you’re craving, you will find it at The Bruce.
What I love the most about The Bruce (other than the food) is the view from the patio off the back of the restaurant. If at all possible, I suggest securing a spot on the patio to watch the sun set over the lake. It’s specatcular!
Driver’s Tip: The Bruce has an extensive selection of gluten free products on its menu.
Hawgs Breath Saloon $$
Location: 896 Queen Street
I will admit that I’ve only been to the Hawgs Breath once and that was many years ago. I remember it being small, quaint, and extremely friendly. This is another restaurant that the locals like.
The Hawgs Breath is your go-to spot if you want a light meal of soup, appetizers, or a sandwich. The only downfall that I can tell is that it’s quite small and doesn’t hold many patrons. I’ve also noticed that during the off-season, it isn’t typically open on a Sunday
George’s on the Harbour (One of the Best Restaurants in Town) $$$$
Location: 217 Habour Street
George’s on the Harbour is one of the newer restaurants in town. In my opinion it’s in the best location of all of the restaurants. George’s on the Harbour is located directly across the street from the Kincardine Lighthouse, right beside the Walker House, and over-looking the Kincardine Tennis Courts and the Tiny Tot Playground.
Full disclosure here….I haven’t eaten at this restaurant since it opened its doors under it’s new name. Because of that, I can’t recommend the food. But I have eaten here under its old name and I fell in love with the patio, the restaurant decor, and service.
It’s the menu that makes George’s on the Harbour one of the best places to eat in Kincardine, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has become well-known for pasta and numerous steak options.
George’s is the most up-scale of all of the restaurants recommended in this post, and reservations for dinner are strongly encouraged.
Erie Belle: A Popular Kincardine Restaurant $$
Location: 259 Harbour Street:
Half a block up the street from George’s on the Harbour, you’ll find the Erie Belle. Serving the best fish and chips in the area, the Erie Belle has become a hot spots for locals and tourists alike. Visitors have their choice of eating indoors or on the patio.
Although the Erie Belle is mostly known for its fish and chips, diners will have other options as well. I recommend checking out the menu beforehand.
Driver’s Tip: If you opt to dine of the patio, you will have a partial view of the harbour and a bird’s eye view of the famous Kincardine sunset.
Bar Down $$-$$$
Location: 832 Queen Street
Bar Down….what can I say about this Kincardine Restaurant? It has a lovely, cheery, atmosphere, and offers quite a large patio off the side of the restaurant. Even though it isn’t completely shaded by trees, the table do have umbrellas to shade diners from the sun.
In addition to the patio, diners can choose to eat indoors (especially if it’s rainy or cold).
The menu at Bar Down is quite extensive, offering a plethora of appetizers and finger foods, as well as tacos, salads, sandwiches, and even steaks. The variety of food offered at Bar Down makes it one of the best places to eat, in my opinion.
Before your trip to Kincardine, check out their website as many nights, especially on weekends, they offer live entertainment.
Locals Pub and Eatery $$
Location: 877 Queen Street
Okay, now Locals. I have only been here once which was on my last road trip to Kincardine, and I absolutely fell in love with the place! The atmosphere was so fun, the service was exceptional, and there were so many cool little touches (such as selfie signs near the restrooms).
Although Locals does serve food, and in fact offers an amazing poutine, the drinks are what I loved about this restaurant. They had a large variety of cocktails to choose from.
There are two sides to this restaurant; one is more like a dining room and the other half is more like a bar. We sat on the bar side chatting up the servers. It was so much fun!
Know Before You Go
- All of the restaurants listed in this post are come as you are
- Check the website to see days and times the restaurants are open, as well as any live entertainment happening
- Most restaurants don’t require reservations, however, try to avoid “rush hour”
- Restaurant hours are limited during the Winter months
- All restaurants are well within walking distance of each other
- The Bruce, Erie Belle, and George’s on the Harbour offer the best Summer views
- Locals has the larges drink menu
- Hawgs Breath is ideal for a light meal
Bonus Eats (and drinks) in Kincardine
The Walker House Tea Room
Location: 235 Harbour Street
Tucked inside The Walker House Museum is a tea room which is open for business most Sundays from 10:00 am. to 3:30 p.m. Before visiting, make sure you check the calendar of events.
Grey Matter Beer Company $$
Location: 726 Queen Street
What can a beer loving girl say about the Grey Matter Beer Company, except that I love this place. Visitors have the option of ordering a tasting flight or a mug of frosty locally made beer.
There is a small patio off the back which overlooks Lake Huron, and there are a few seats inside. I recommend sitting at the bar if you’re doing a tasting flight, so the staff can fill you in on the brewing process. Last time I was there in the Summer, there were also a few table set up out front which was great for people watching on the main street.
Grey Matter Beer Company is located a couple doors down from The Bruce, which makes it easy to stumble from bar to bar 🙂 .
Driver’s Tip: Fur babies are allowed which makes it easier to just stop in if road trippin with your puppy
Pack a Picnic
Location: 216 Lambton Street
As mentioned earlier in the post, if you’re visiting Kincardine during the off-season, restaurant hours are hit and miss. Many times during the tourist season, the restaurants are full. Whenever I visit Kincardine for a day, I like to pack a picnic for lunch and cross my fingers that I’ll get into a restaurant for dinner.
There are plenty of spots in Kincardine to set up a picnic. If you can’t pull yourself away from the beach, there’s no need. There are picnic tables at both the Station Beach and the Tiny Tot Beach.
There is also a small picnic area directly across the street from the Kincardine Harbour. If you need to get out of the sun, there is a shaded picnic area at the Tiny Tot Playground.
Best Places To Eat In Kincardine: In Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! This little town serves up some good food! Whether you’re craving a burger, an ice-cold beer, or the freshest fish and chips this side of Lake Huron, Kincardine has it all.
If you ever take a road trip to Kincardine, there are some great places to check out, so don’t worry about going hungry (or thirsty) 🙂 . Keep coming back as I continue to enjoy more of the best restaurants the next time I take a road trip to Kincardine. Enjoy!
SAVE THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN KINCARDINE FOR YOUR VISIT
