Experience The Best Restaurants in Collingwood

Photo courtesy Tremont Cafe   

If you’re looking for somewhere great to dine in the Georgian Bay area, check out Contributor Charlie Wagner-Chazalon’s list of the best restaurants in Collingwood

One of the best things about a vibrant town like Collingwood is the diversity of cuisines you can find there. Whether you’re looking for an authentic Italian meal, a perfectly grilled steak, a sushi lunch or some traditional pub food, Collingwood has it all.

Many of the best dining establishments also feature locally sourced ingredients and spirits, so you can truly get a taste of the area.

Read our list of the best restaurants in Collingwood to find out where to go for great views while you dine, where to find the best smoked-bison meatloaf (seriously!), where to go for the perfect romantic dinner, and much much more. Join us as we explore the best food and drink experiences in the area.

The Best Restaurants in Collingwood

The Tremont Café

The Tremont Café is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Collingwood, and offers both classic and modern takes on European cuisine. They’re known locally for their refined pasta dishes and their weekend brunch menu – you’ve got to try the eggs Benedict. Tremont also features a selection of hand-crafted cocktails to complement the delicious food experience.

They’re located in a renovated historic building downtown, with a cozy and elegant décor, making a perfect atmosphere for an intimate and elevated dining experience. The Tremont Café takes pride in offering their guests excellent food in a comfortable atmosphere where you truly feel like family.

Check out their website at www.thetremontcafe.com

Brunello At 27 On Fourth

Chef Mario Comegna and his wife Teressa have been providing an authentic Italian dining experience in their restaurants for over 35 years, and Brunello At 27 On Fourth is no different. From their hand-made pasta to their antipasti and signature bruschetta, Brunello’s dishes are crafted with care and the freshest ingredients to create a delicious and authentic Italian menu. Be sure to choose a bottle of wine from the chef’s curated list to compliment your meal.

Brunello has separated its dining space into smaller rooms, creating a more intimate ambiance. For guests visiting in the warmer months, the restaurant also has a beautiful garden patio for open-air dining, complete with fairy lights in the trees. Brunello is a perfect place for a date night, a family dinner, or to celebrate a special occasion.

Find out more at www.brunellocollingwood.com

The Huron Club

If you like to shop local, you should be dining at The Huron Club. They use locally sourced ingredients in all of their food and have over 20 Ontario craft beers on tap. The Huron Club is a gastropub, serving elevated takes on classic pub-style food like brisket sandwiches, smoked bison-wagyu meatloaf, and Korean-style ribs. All of their meats are smoked in-house to perfection, and their menu is seasonally inspired to ensure freshness in every meal.

In addition to the menu, The Huron Club also showcases local talent every weekend with live music in the lounge – perfect entertainment for a night on the town. This pub is a great spot for a night out with friends or a laid-back lunch meeting on their sunny patio. They’ve even got an event space upstairs that can be rented out for private functions.

See their website here www.thehuronclub.ca

The Iron Skillet

Can’t decide what kind of cuisine you want for your night out? The Iron Skillet offers a little bit of everything. Cajun, Mexican, Thai, American and Austrian influences are all put together on the menu by Chef Tony, who’s travelled all over the world to learn different cooking styles. Originally from Austria, he’s renowned for his schnitzel, but he’s also recently picked up southern-style barbeque and has a love of spicy Cajun food as well.

The Iron Skillet has been in business for over 20 years and has become a local staple. Chef Tony is even known to come and chat with his guests to ensure a quality experience every time. And don’t forget, Schnitzel night is on Wednesdays.

Take a look at their website at https://theironskillet.ca

Tesoro Restaurant

Tesoro Restaurant has cemented its position as one of the best restaurants in Collingwood by offering traditional Italian comfort food with an elevated touch. Skip the chain and try their wood-fired pizza – the combination of crispy thin crust and artisanal toppings makes for a delicious gourmet take on the classic.

Tesoro’s chef also cooks up some amazing weekly specials, like duck cannelloni with white bean cassoulet or lamb Bolognese. Their meats are top-rated and locally sourced, so you know you’re getting quality ingredients in your meal.

If you don’t feel like dining in but still want to taste Tesoro’s delicious food, you can shop at the Tesoro Mercato next door. The Mercato is an Italian-style market that sells groceries, ready-made entrées from the restaurant, and hot sandwiches for you to eat on the go.

See what they’re serving this week at https://tesororestaurant.ca

Lakeside Seafood and Grill

There’s no view quite like that which you’ll enjoy when you dine at Lakeside Seafood and Grill. Their dining room and patio look out over beautiful Georgian Bay, providing you with stunning views with your meal.

Chef Emily Mallen, a 15-year culinary veteran, has worked to curate a delicious, elevated surf and turf menu which features dishes like grilled octopus, pan-seared salmon with a hoisin glaze, and even a 50 oz tomahawk steak. All of the seafood is also sustainably sourced, and they often incorporate local ingredients in their dishes.

If you’re dining in a group, you’ve got to check out Lakeside’s culinary theatre. Up to 16 people can enjoy a private dining room where a culinary artist will prepare your food right in front of you, making your meal intimate and entertaining without sacrificing the amazing quality of the meal.

See more on their website at www.lakesidegrill.ca

Riley Recommends: While you’re at it, why not make a weekend of it? Lakeside Seafood and Grill is located in Living Water Resort & Spa, one of the top resorts in Collingwood. Check out our preferred accommodations partner at Living Water Resort & Spa for the latest reviews, rates, and reservations.

The Hungry Sumo

For sushi-lovers in Collingwood, The Hungry Sumo is the go-to spot for a fix. They offer maki, sashimi, sushi, and a huge selection of house-special rolls that you can’t find anywhere else.

They’ve also got a variety of hot plates like teriyaki, tempura and bibimbap, which are sure to leave you satisfied. If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious lunch-time option, The Hungry Sumo offers weekday bento-box specials, which come packed with delicious rolls and sides.

The Hungry Sumo has a fully stocked bar, and they’re happy to mix you up one of their signature craft cocktails to go with your meal. They’re also one of the best places to get sake in the area and serve it both hot and cold to suit your tastes.

Check them out here www.thehungrysumo.com

Gustav Chophouse & Bar

As the name suggests, Gustav Chophouse & Bar is a traditional steakhouse in Collingwood, serving up high-quality steaks and cocktails. With over 100 years of combined experience from the culinary team, Gustav’s strives for excellence in every meal.

They work with local suppliers to provide prime cuts of meat, grilled to perfection. They even work to include some delicious vegetarian options in their menu, like the garam masala cauliflower steak to make sure everyone feels at home.

Gustav Chophouse also offers a fantastic cocktail menu featuring all the classics, plus a few twists like their blueberry mojito and their passionfruit sour. Many of their drinks are made with local craft sprits, and their taps are always stacked with a selection from breweries across Ontario.

Find out more at their website at www.gustavs.ca

San Diego Restaurant

San Diego Restaurant has been proudly providing a traditional Italian dining experience to Collingwood for over 20 years. Chef Emilio serves up all the classics like spaghetti Bolognese, carbonara, and chicken parmesan. Guests rave about the fillet of sole, which is pan-seared and served in a lemon wine sauce. Emilio’s wife Jana also makes top-tier desserts using seasonal and local ingredients.

At San Diego Restaurant, their slogan is that it’s “all about the food” – they work every day to give fine-dining flavours at affordable prices. This hidden gem is a great spot for homestyle Italian flavours in a cozy environment.

See their website at http://www.sandiegoitalianrestaurant.ca/

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Contributor Charlie Wagner-Chazalon is a travel enthusiast who splits his time between Muskoka and Toronto, Ontario