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Where to Eat Farm to Table in Northeastern Ontario

From patio seats to farm-fresh eats, these establishments are serving up a slice of local.

Locavore… following the 100-Mile Diet… farm to table… whichever terms you prefer, the concept of eating farm-fresh, local produce and meals isn’t new. Northeastern Ontario businesses are no strangers to these concepts either, so we’ve compiled a sampling of places to keep on your radar when looking for fresh, local eats as you tour through Northeastern Ontario this summer.

WHite owl bistro 
639 Lakeshore drive, North Bay

Dishes to Try: Manitoulin Island Rainbow Trout; Fruit Sorbet.

Complete with the cutest patio, regular live music performances, and waterfront views, the 40-seat White Owl Bistro leads the pack in farm-to-table cuisine in North Bay. On the menu, you’ll notice farm names next to the dishes, letting you know exactly where your food was grown. Once name you’re sure to see is Somewood Farms—the farm of owners and chefs René and Laura DuBois. Weekenders rejoice—the White Owl also offers a brunch menu.

Bison-bruschetta tours
434 leslie macfarlane way, temiskaming shores

Bison stand in the field at Bison du Nord, one of the stops on the Bison-Bruschetta Tour.

Photo provided by the Harbour View Centre.

Dates to Book: July 21, August 25, September 1

Book in early for a Bison-Bruschetta agri-tour, led by Temiskaming Shore’s Harbour View Centre. Passing through the beautiful landscape of the Temiskaming Area, your tour will include:

  • a wagon ride at Bison du Nord, one of Canada's oldest bison ranches;
  • a visit to Thornloe Cheese to lean about cheese-making at an award-winning facility;
  • a visit to Pleasure Farms to see how vegatbales are grown in Northern Ontario;
  • a tasting of how all of these ingredigents come together in Café Meteor Bistro's delicious bison-bruschetta.

Sounds good? Purchase tickets here

The Garden's Gate
316 Highway 542, Tehkummah

Fish and chips with fresh, Manitoulin-caught rainbow trout.

Photo provided by the Garden's Gate.

Dishes to Try: Max's Smoked Pork Chops; Fettucini w/ Creamed Mushrooms & Cranberries (V).

The Garden’s Gate promises great food with a great story! Situated in an antique farmhouse surrounded by organic herb and vegetables gardens, the location is as special as the menus. With food offerings that revolve around seasonal, local produce, you can expect a constantly changing menu alongside weekly specials. All dishes are prepared from scratch.

Maja's
6152 Highway 542, Mindemoya

A bountiful spread at Maja's on Manitoulin Island.

Photo provided by Maja Mielonen.

Dishes to Try: Organic tea & coffee; cinnamon buns w/ Maja's honey.

Eating local and vegetarian is easy at Maja’s in Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island. Eat your lunch surrounded by Maja’s beautiful gardens, with lunch featuring on-site made bakery goods, vegetable pizzas, focaccias, and hearty salads.

For a refreshing evening experience, book ahead on Wednesday and Saturday nights during the summer months for a multi-course meal accompanied by live music in the garden—Maja’s Gourmet Garden Gigs.

Thornloe Cheese
999 697 Highway 11 North, Thornloe

Products to Try: Devil's Rock Creamy Blue Cheese; grass-fed cheese products.

With a history over 75 years young, and an expansive range of quality cheeses made in the North, Thornloe Cheese is a must-visit location on any farm-to-table tour in Northeastern Ontario. Stopping at their store location on Highway 11, you can choose from a range of cheeses including classic cheddars, subtle mozzarellas, squeaky curds, and exciting specialty cheeses such as the award-winning Devil’s Rock Creamy Blue.

Check out their full range of products here or order online!

Feast on the Farm 
744 Quesnel Road, Sturgeon Falls

Date to Book: August 12

Celebrate the beginning of harvest season with the community of Sturgeon Falls at Leisure Farms at this one-day-only event! Attendees are invited to sample all things local at one of the biggest local farms in the region. Food booths will be found alongside tasting stations and local beverages sampling spots.

Email admin@westnipissingchamber.ca for details, or visit their Facebook Page!

Krause Farms food & feed
357 Clark Street, Powassan

Just one of many offerings available at Krause Farms Food & Feed!

Photo provided by the Municipality of Powassan.

Products to Try: Locally made maple syrup products; Amish doughnuts.

Powassan’s most unique farm supplies store is also a great place to shop for local products. Pick up locally made fresh butter, cheeses, flour, pickles, honey and honey products, as well as maple syrup and maple syrup products. If you’re passing through on a Friday, make sure to stop in early for Amish doughnuts, as supplies won’t last long!

Visit their Facebook Page for the most up-to-date info available.

Radical gardens
163 Fifth Avenue, Timmins

Products to Try: The day's special.

Embodying the local food movement, Radical Gardens serves up something new and different each and every day in their Timmins eatery, on their food truck, and through their catering services. Food is made from scratch every day, and often includes produce such as oyster mushrooms and local garlic—straight from the owners’ farm. With pastry chefs on-site, visitors can anticipate a range of dessert creations every day, as well as fresh-made daily artisan bread.

Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for the dishes of the day!

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Wherever your foodie adventures take you, make sure to tag us on Instagram using @neontario or #neontario! For more information on how to eat local, check out Farmer’s Markets in Northeastern Ontario.

About Jordan Nicksy

Jordan is a writer, digital marketer, amateur photographer, and experiences severe wanderlust. After backpacking parts of Southeast Asia, she knew she wanted to work in travel and tourism, and joined Northeastern Ontario Tourism. She is passionate about food & culinary arts, history, spending time outdoors, photography, and travel.

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