Who says you need to stay in the city proper to get a good craft brew, or a nice glass of wine? There’s something to be said about having a nice glass of wine in the middle of a peaceful property, or about enjoying a one-of-a-kind beer on a walk through a historical street. And, just an hour from the busy, construction-filled streets of Toronto, Guelph has all of that – and more – on offer.
A choose-your-own gastronomic adventure in Guelph, Ontario
If going somewhere to eat and drink is your speed, Guelph has the places for you.
Brothers Brewing
Right in the middle of the historic downtown core, Brothers Brewing offers rotating brews and one-of-a-kind concoctions inside an antique-inspired space that also hosts several community events.
Cox Creek Cellars
Family-run vineyard Cox Creek Cellars hosts events at its wooded space, allows guests to have snacks and a glass or two of wine on the stunning property, and even provides the charcuterie boards for a full tasting experience.
Standing Room Only
For custom, unique cocktails in an eclectic space, visit Standing Room Only – the smallest bar in the country at 144 square feet – which also hosts comedy nights, magic shows and more for its nine-person capacity. At the end of 2023, the bar was also selected as one of Canada’s 100 best.
Angel’s Diner
Looking for something a little more retro and rustic? Angel’s Diner is it. Offering up a popular breakfast menu. With other locations across London, Cambridge, Brantford, Georgetown, Orangeville and Guelph. Heck this place looks like it’s right out of the 70s, with a jukebox and a gumball machine. Whether or not they work is another question, but it’s worth checking out.
Spring Mill Distillery
There’s also Spring Mill Distillery, run by John Sleeman and his sons, a gorgeous space that hosts events, tours, boasts a bar, and creates some damn good gin.
Royal City Brewing
If you’re looking for a little more adventure, Royal City Brewing company teamed up with several other Guelph breweries to create the Beer Bus, a monthly event in which the breweries provide visitors and residents a bus – free of charge – to transport them around the city’s gems, including national beer giant Sleeman.
Borealis Grille Guelph
In terms of dining options, Borealis Grille Guelph is one of the most popular destinations in the city, though several chefs – from pastry chef extraordinaire Megan Ferraro of Cellar Bakery to Chef Kay Miller of Braai & Butter – call the city home and enrich the farm to table flavours it’s so proud of. Several also engage in community projects to feed those with food insecurity, engaging in culinary projects at organizations like SEED Guelph and Hope House.
Tomme Cheese + The Farmer’s Market
If you’re looking to pick up some farm-fresh, local or unique ingredients to incorporate into your own cooking, Tomme Cheese offers hard-to-find flavours from cheese experts across the country, while the famous Guelph Farmer’s Market hosts local farmers that sell their fresh harvests – from unique mushrooms, flowers, summer staples and more – in a bustling environment surrounded by ready-made snacks like breakfast sandwiches, noodles, desserts and more.
Guelph, Ontario’s got something for everyone
Visiting Guelph is like visiting a beach town with a city feel – there are tons of historical tales, ghost stories, and companies like Sleeman that have called Guelph home for decades. But it’s also laid back, boasting book stores, independent shops for hobbies and community activities, restaurants, patios and event spaces with no shortage of charm. You’d be hard-pressed to find a local who doesn’t love Guelph, who doesn’t have a cool story to share, or who doesn’t take advantage of all the city has to offer.
