Great Food @ The Best Huntsville Restaurants 2024

Riley’s Editor-in-chief Bryan Dearsley shares our list of the yop restaurants in Huntsville Ontario (& Great Places to Eat)

Updated August 14, 2023 / Commissions may be earned from Riley’s affiliate partner links  

 

The food available in Ontario’s best restaurants and cafés has undoubtedly undergone something of a renaissance in recent years. And foodies who enjoy the locally sourced, lovingly prepared, healthy and wholesome food these establishments serve, are becoming increasingly spoiled for choice.

Given the rise in importance and quality of the food scene in Muskoka, there’s little wonder that many Huntsville restaurants have also taken this ethic very much to heart. In fact, ask any of the town’s top chefs and you’ll see just how proud they are of their ability (and desire) to use local-sourced produce wherever possible. And it certainly shows in the quality of the food being served at Huntsville’s best restaurants, cafés, gastro-pubs, and hotels and resorts.

To give you an idea of just how good the food offerings at the best restaurants in Huntsville really are, we’ve done the homework for you. Take a look at our list of the Top Restaurants in Huntsville & Great Places to Eat and experience for yourself the creativity, talent, and top-notch ingredients that go into the dishes they’re most proud of.

 

the Best Restaurants in Huntsville (And Great Places to Eat)

 

Main St Local Kitchen

 

Family owned and operated, Main St Local Kitchen is definitely one of the best downtown Huntsville restaurants, and has made a name for itself for its ‘feel good’ food made using locally sourced ingredients.

The quality is very apparent, with all meals created in-house by a top-notch team led by owners Ryan and Christina Clarke, a couple dedicated to ensuring no one goes away hungry or disappointed. In addition to their great breakfast (served from 7am to 3pm, yeah!), lunch, and dinner menus, Main St Local Kitchen also offer catering services, as well as private dining options.

Not only do the Clarke’s insist on using local food items, they’ve extended the ‘eat local’ philosophy to incorporate their beverage menu, too, and offer a variety of local craft beers. And for those wanting to dine out with kids in tow, be sure to request the special ‘Little Foodies’ menu for a variety of healthy, homemade child-sized dishes.

Read More: Read the full feature story on LuxuryHuntsville.

Reservations: https://mainstlocal.ca

 

The Artisan House

 

Another superb choice for those seeking great Muskoka grub, The Artisan House brings a touch of European class to the Huntsville food scene. Owners Reto Ballat and Becki Steele spent many years honing their skills at Canadian locations including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (where they met) and Whistler, as well as overseas.

Swiss-born Chef Reto in fact honed his skills in the industry in Switzerland and Germany, and together with Huntsville-born Becki have established The Artisan House is undoubtedly a place where the flavours of the Mediterranean meet the West Coast.

Using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients wherever possible, The Artisan House menu includes unique Mediterranean fusion dishes including a delicious West Coast seafood chowder with clams, baby shrimp, and salmon; beef short rib and polenta; and a dessert of tiramisu with white espresso and Frangelico liqueur. Weekly specials are also available… so visit often!

Read More: Read the full feature story on LuxuryHuntsville.

Reservations: https://theartisanhouse.ca

 

Cast Iron Restaurant, Baysville  

Cast Iron Restaurant in Baysville serves what’s quite possibly Muskoka’s best cheesecake  (Photo: Bryan Dearsley / Riley)

 

The Cast Iron Restaurant in Baysville is a standout dining destination in the Lake of Bays region. The cozy cottage-style atmosphere and friendly staff create a welcoming family vibe that’s matched by tasty homemade cooking that certainly elevates the local dining scene.

Starters like the Brussel sprout and bacon dish and the fried Mozzarella with house-made buttermilk dill ranch are delicious. For mains? Go for the jerk chicken skewers with a thick crust of jerk spices served on a bed of rice, or for fish lovers, the Blackened trout is perfectly spiced.

The Cast Iron is also well-known for its delicious desserts. Our favorites include the house made cheesecake and the popular Pan Cookie served in an actual cast iron pan with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Weekly specials are featured during cooler months, and reservations are not taken except for groups of 10 or more. The restaurant is closed in November and April.

Read More: Feel Like Family @ The Cast Iron Restaurant in Baysville

Website: www.castironrestaurant.ca  

 

Huntsville Brewhouse (Riley Recommended)

 

Brought to you by the good folks behind the excellent Lake of Bays Brewery, purveyors of excellent local craft beers, Huntsville Brewhouse is definitely a cut above your average pub.

And so, too, is the food. In addition to offering guests drafts of its own small batch brews, the site’s kitchen staff cook up a storm in this central downtown eatery. Highlights include daily beer-inspired soups, warmed pretzels, and a great selection of flatbreads for starters, while mains include a selection of burgers (even a bean burger for vegetarians), Spark House Ale fish and chips, braised short ribs, and hearty fare such as mac and cheese.

And just because it’s a pub, doesn’t mean kids aren’t welcome. They are, and to prove it, the Huntsville Brewhouse menu includes an excellent kids’ selection.

Read More: Read the full feature story on LuxuryHuntsville.

Reservations: http://lakeofbaysbrewing.ca/huntsville-brewhouse/

 

3 Guys And A Stove (Riley Recommended)

 

Chef Jeff Suddaby, owner of 3 Guys And A Stove – widely regarded as one of the top places to eat in Huntsville – knows plenty about good food. And fortunately for us, he’s happy to share his knowledge not just at his restaurant, but through his best-selling cookbooks and countless TV appearances.

A consummate world traveler, Suddaby’s never shy to include the wonderful tapestry of spices he’s discovered along the way, peppering (if you pardon the pun) his top-rated restaurant’s menus with a myriad of seasonings and flavours, turning real, honest comfort foods – all of them healthy – into aromatic and addictively good dishes.

While menu items are dictated by season and availability, regulars that often put in an appearance include tasty coconut encrusted shrimp served with a touch of rice vinegar and chilies; mouthwatering crab cakes; a variety of rice dishes that harness ingredients such as black-eyed peas and salsa; and popular meat dishes including lamb cutlet served with curry, chutney and blueberry yogurt.

The signature dessert? Homemade baked white chocolate cheesecake, served warm.

Read More: Read the full feature story on LuxuryHuntsville.

Reservations: https://3guysandastove.com

 

Tall Trees (Riley Recommended)

 

A staple of the Huntsville food scene for decades, Tall Trees is the go-to restaurant for those seeking a great couples’ night out for a romantic dinner (I should know, it was here my wife and I had our first date!). Tall Trees has earned itself a reputation not just for the quality of its food and wine, but also the ambience.

Perched on a hillside in an historic 120 year-old home overlooking Hunter’s Bay, it’s a lovely and relaxing place to dine (in warmer weather, be sure to request a spot in the Muskoka room adjacent the garden).

In addition to the regular Tall Trees dinner menu, be sure to also ask for details of their three course table d’hote. This menu changes daily, ensuring you’ll never get bored here… especially as everything from the pastries to pies, as well as the preserves, chutneys, and marinades are all made in-house. So, too, are the delicious butter tarts (be sure to try their new deep-fried butter tarts!).

Read More: Full review coming soon!

Reservations: www.talltreesmuskoka.ca

 

Eclipse Dining Room, Deerhurst Resort

 

Famous as the place where the ‘G8 ate’, Deerhurst Resort has been offering vacationers and conference-goers – not to mention locals – some of the best dining experiences in Muskoka for literally decades.

Topping the resort’s impressive list of four great eateries, Eclipse Dining Room has much to commend it, including magnificent lake views and a menu consisting of plenty of fresh Muskoka-sourced ingredients. It’s certainly large, with its tall wood-beamed ceiling allowing for huge picture windows offering impressive vistas over Sunset Bay (try to get a romantic sunset sitting if possible!).

As a founding member of Savour Muskoka, Deerhurst Resort focusses on serving guests with as wide a selection of local culinary products and produce as possible, including items sourced on-site, such as maple syrup, honey, herbs, and shiitake mushrooms. In fact, time your visit right during the warmer months and you might even be able to tag along with staff as they forage for native vegetables to include in their meals.

Among the resort’s top local suppliers you can expect to see on the menu are Milford Bay Trout Farm (smoked trout) and Muskoka Lakes Winery, to name but two.

Be sure to also visit the Deerhurst Resort website for news of special dining events, such as romantic Valentine dinners and Mother’s Day brunch. While you’re there, check out the great artworks on display in and around Eclipse, courtesy of Eclipse Art Gallery at Deerhurst Resort. Like the food, most of it is also locally produced…

Reservations: https://deerhurstresort.com/dining/eclipse/

Riley Recommends: Why not make a weekend or mid-week break of your Eclipse dining experience? Check out our preferred affiliate marketing partner for the best rates, as well as reviews and reservations, at Deerhurst Resort.

 

The Antler Steakhouse

 

Another popular Deerhurst Resort restaurant, The Antler Steakhouse has built a solid reputation for its great food and ambience. Only open during cottage season (May to October), it’s set apart a little from the main resort area and is housed in an attractive log building overlooking the historic canal that connects Fairy and Peninsula lakes.

As a result of this lovely setting – and its proximity to the Deerhurst Highlands golf course – outdoor eating is a great option, especially for those who can grab a Muskoka chair adjacent the restaurant’s fire pit.

Given this is a Deerhurst Resort restaurant, you can count on the menu containing a variety of locally sourced produce and ingredients to accompany its triple AAA Canadian steaks. In addition to serving local beers, the Antler also offers an extensive wine list, and can offer pairings to go with your choice of meal (or mood). Given its popularity among guests, golfers, and locals alike, reservations are strongly recommended.

Reservations: https://deerhurstresort.com/dining/the-antler/

Riley Recommends: Check our preferred affiliate marketing partner for the best rates, as well as reviews and reservations, for a night or two’s stay at Deerhurst Resort.

 

The Mill On Main

Located on Huntsville’s Main Street and home to numerous references to Canada’s wood-milling industry – the town’s old planing mill was located directly behind the premises – The Mill On Main makes all its food from scratch, including staple favourites such as its popular poutine dishes and woodfired pizzas. A sign of its popularity among locals and visitors alike is the fact the restaurant stays open year-round.

That said, come summer, there’s nothing better than enjoying your time here on one of the restaurant’s two patios, each of them looking out over River Mill Park and the river (one of them is actually heated right up until November). The Mill on Main’s regular music nights are also worth a visit.

Reservations: https://themillonmain.ca

 

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Bryan Dearsley is Editor-in-chief of LuxuryHuntsville.com and Co-Founder of Riley International Media, a leading source of news and reviews relating to luxury experiences, lifestyles, real estate, and travel.