It’s indisputable that snowmobilers love to eat. In fact, cravings for sustenance motivate many an Ontario ride being planned around a favourite lunch stop, what I call a “destination restaurant.” These popular eateries have good trail access and offer something special, exceptional or memorable that’s a cut (or more) above the rest. 

Mainly, they’re mom n’ pop operations with attributes distinct from what are available at most chain establishments and fast food joints. Sometimes it’s their appealing atmosphere, unique architecture, exuberant personality, or warm hospitality—but for sure, their top-notch reputations always depend on great grub… homemade specialties, quality offerings, generous portions and good value that keep snowmobilers coming back for more.

Ontario has lots of good places to eat along the snowmobile trails, but some really stand out. So to help compile this subjective list of most popular destination pit stops, I contacted more than 30 sledding enthusiasts who really love their food, and asked for personal recommendations for their most cherished trailside establishments. 

Boy, did I ever get me a bellyful of scrumptious suggestions! I culled through them to arrive at the list below, which I readily admit doesn’t cover every part of the province. That’s why I don’t pretend it’s the be-all and end-all list, and it may have left out a few of your deserving favourites, but it’s a good start… and who knows, maybe your favourite eatery will make my next list!

So the next time you’re planning an Ontario ride, check out my destination restaurant list for yummy places to chow down at lunchtime—and before leaving home, be sure to check each one online for winter hours of operation.

CENTRAL ONTARIO

The newly renovated Bush Company Bar and Grill is no stranger to snowmobilers

Bass Lake Roadhouse, Foot’s Bay, Muskoka, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: TOP C102D

Bush Company Bar and Grill, Dwight, Muskoka, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: Club Trail 77

Cast Iron Restaurant (homemade pub fare), Baysville, Muskoka, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: TOP D 102B
Snow Tours: Lake of Bays Watch Tour

The Cast Iron is the perfect lunch stop on the Lake of Bays Watch Tour

Mill Pond Restaurant (tasty burger, homemade pies), Carnarvon, Haliburton, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: Club Trail 8

Orchard Beach Lakefront Bar & Grill, Keswick, Lake Simcoe, ON
Region: York, Durham, Headwaters
Trail: Club Trail 725

Pattie House Smoking BBQ, Coboconk, ON
Region: Kawarthas Northumberland
Trail: Club Trail 100

Wintry weather at Muskoka's Spring Lake Resort

Spring Lake Resort Restaurant, Dwight, Muskoka, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: Club Trail 77

Swiss Bear Restaurant & Bakery (hearty schnitzel or Monte Cristo sandwich), Apsley, ON
Region: Kawarthas Northumberland
Trail: Club Trails 632/631 off TOP E107
Snow Tours: Hastings Highland Tour

Trading Bay Dining Company (brisket & ribs smoked on site), Dorset, Muskoka, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: Club Trail 60
Snow Tours: Lake of Bays Watch Tour, RAP Tour

WESTERN ONTARIO

Marydale's Restaurant in downtown Lions Head is a recurring favourite

Giffen’s Country Market (homemade soups, stews, chilli, pies) Glen Huron, ON
Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
Trail: TOP B111

Harley's Pub & Perk (daily special, butter tarts), Mildmay, ON
Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
Trail: Club Trail 400 at Intersection 283
Snow Tours: Between Saugeen River Tour and Queen’s Bush Tour

Junction Restaurant, Dundalk, ON
Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
Trail: TOP B or Club Trail 310

Marydale’s Restaurant, Lion’s Head, ON
Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
Trail: TOP B107
Snow Tours: Bruce Peninsula Tour

Mylar & Loreta’s Restaurant (good French Onion soup), Singhampton, ON
Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
Trail: TOP B111

Redwood Restaurant, Clifford, ON
Region: Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington
Trail: Club Trail between Intersections 508 & 266

Roundhouse Restaurant, Palmerston, ON
Region: Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington
Trail: Club Trail off TOP B111 at Intersection 513
Snow Tours: Apres Harvest Tour

Ted's Range Road Diner, Meaford, ON
Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
Trail: Club Trail at Intersection 162 off TOP B
Snow Tours: Walter’s Falls Tour

The Spot Restaurant, Mount Forest, ON
Region: Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington
Trail: TOP B111
Snow Tours: Queen’s Bush Tour

EASTERN ONTARIO

Ash Grove Inn, Barry’s Bay, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: TOP E109

Hideaway Primitive Grill, Coe Hill, ON
Region: Ontario's Highlands
Trail: TOP E
Snow Tours: Hastings Highland Tour

Don't be surprised to run into other sledders at the Ash Grove this winter.

Honey Doo's Café, Lake St. Peter, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: TOP B106E

Maggie’s Bar-B-Q (great smoke meat platter), Alexandria, ON
Region: The Great Waterway
Trail: TOP A
Snow Tours: French Connection Loop 

Pine Valley Restaurant (save room for butter tarts), Griffith, ON 
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: TOP E101

The Granite in Bancroft offers delicious food and great hospitality for lunch on the trails.

Sands on Golden Lake Restaurant, Golden Lake, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: TOP B102/B101A

Shooter’s Bar & Grill, Calabogie, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: Club Trail running west from TOP E105A

Spectacle Lake Lodge, Barry’s Bay, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: Club Trail 150 off TOP B

The Granite, Bancroft, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: TOP B106E
Snow Tours: Hastings Highland Tour, Bon Echo Loop

Meeting up for lunch at the Mad Musher just outside of Algonquin Provincial Park

The Mad Musher Restaurant (fabulous homemade burgers), Whitney, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: TOP B

Wheeler’s Pancake House (real maple syrup), McDonald's Corners, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: 7A off of TOP E

Wilno Tavern Restaurant, (try the hearty combo platter), Wilno, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands
Trail: TOP B102

NORTHERN ONTARIO

Great stop on the Gold Rush Tour, the Auld Reekie Lodge

Auld Reekie Lodge, Gowganda, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP A107C
Snow Tours: Gold Rush Tour

Chateau Guay Restaurant, Sudbury, ON
Region: Northwestern Ontario
Trail: Club Trail 86 off TOP D111
Snow Tours: Access to Chiniguchi Wolf Loop

Dinner Bell Restaurant, Bonfield, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: Club Trail BF201
Snow Tours: Explorers Snow Tour

Ample parking at the Edgewater Park Lodge in Kearney, ON

Duck Rock Restaurant, Dunchurch, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: TOP C104D

Edgewater Park Lodge (best grilled cheese ever), Kearney, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: Club Trail 303
Snow Tours: RAP Tour

Halfway Haven Lodge, Wawa, ON
Region: Algoma Country
Trail: Top D

Food, fuel and fun in the middle of nowwhere. Halfway Haven has it all.

JR Bar-B-Q Ranch (ribs), Cochrane, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: Club Trail off TOP A

Jake’s Place, Loring, ON
Region: Explorers’ Edge
Trail: TOP D102C/C105D
Snow Tours: RAN Tour

Kenogami Kitchen, Kenogami, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP A

Where there's snow, there's snowmobilers—welcome to Windy Lake Motel & Restaurant 

Kudo’s Restaurant, Powassan, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: Club Trail SSR700

Mattawa Golf & Ski Resort (club sandwich), Mattawa area, ON
Region: Ontario’s Highlands 
Trail: TOP A
Snow Tours: RAP Tour

Red Dog Grill, Whitefish Falls, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP D110

Full bellies at the Rock Pine in Marten River

Rock Pine Restaurant (yummy pickerel), Marten River, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP A 7 A104D

Rocky’s (poutine), Lake Wahnapitae, Sudbury Area, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: Junction of Club Trails 71 and 64

Rocky's is your one-stop shop on Lake Wahnapitae

Rolly’s Restaurant, Ramore, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP A
Snow Tours: Gold Rush Tour

Smoothy’s Restaurant, Smooth Rock Falls, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP A

Lunch or dinner, they've got what the hungry sledder needs at Terry's Steaks

Terry's Steaks, Cochrane, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP Trail A
Snow Tours: Gateway to the North

The Portage (homemade soups & stews), Trout Lake, North Bay Area, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: Junction of TOP A & D
Snow Tours: RAN Tour, Explorers Snow Tour

Bellies full and ready to ride at the Valois' Restaurant and Motel

Valois’ Restaurant, Mattawa, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP A112A
Snow Tours: Explorers Snow Tour

Windy Lake Restaurant, Onaping, Sudbury Area, ON
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Trail: TOP C111D
Snow Tours: Cartier Moose Loop