Exploring the best of Toronto and Southern Ontario.

Happy Thursday, all! I hope everyone is having a great December so far. This is one of my favourite times of year. While I adore all holidays – what’s better than excuse to celebrate (and decorate!?) – I love Christmas most of all. Today, I wanted to share one of my favourite local restaurants that happens to be especially beautiful this time of year: Mrs. Mitchell’s.

Located in the township of Mulmur (north of Orangeville), Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant has been around since 1980 and is a popular spot for date nights and special occasions, including weddings. The restaurant is unique because it’s located in an old schoolhouse that was built in 1889, and is named after the school’s longest-serving schoolteacher – you guessed it – Mrs. Mitchell. Maureen and Jim Baufeldt purchased the schoolhouse in the 1970s and opened the restaurant in 1980. The interiors were carefully renovated and restored to preserve their authenticity and historic charm. It has been a successful restaurant ever since, and was taken over by their daughter Heidi – who grew up helping her parents run the restaurant – when Maureen passed away in 2011.

Mrs. Mitchell’s is known for their beautiful, historic interiors, and the staff goes all out when it comes to decorating for Christmas. I’d been wanting to try the restaurant for years, but it’s very popular and reservations fill up quickly. Last December we were finally able to snag a table for brunch, and it surpassed our expectations! I like to try new places and rarely visit the same restaurant twice, but this is one I’d go back to again and again.

Mrs. Mitchell’s is located in Violet Hill, a peaceful hamlet in Mulmur that’s filled mostly with farms and residential homes. The restaurant is located down a long drive off the road, so be sure to use Google Maps so you don’t miss it! At Christmas time, the building’s exterior beckons with simple yet beautiful natural décor: evergreen wreaths, boughs and pinecones.

The theme continues inside the restaurant, with elegant trees, antique ornaments and fresh natural greenery that bring festive joy to the space without overdoing it. I have to applaud the team that decorates Mrs. Mitchell’s for the holidays – it feels extremely festive and there’s Christmas in every corner, yet it still manages to feel organic and tastefully done – that’s a difficult feat to accomplish! While the holiday décor certainly elevates the space, the restaurant would be lovely in any season, with its cozy brick fireplace, antique wooden tables and chairs, and romantic lighting.

Each meal at Mrs. Mitchell’s is served with a basket of their signature sweet potato muffins and hot drop biscuits, which are so yummy!

We came for brunch and I was craving a sweet start to my day, so I ordered the French toast, which is made from thick cut cranberry and raisin bread and served with maple syrup and fresh berries: delicious! Tania opted for lighter fare: a fresh salad and the smoked wild mushroom soup, which is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes – she really enjoyed it, and the presentation was lovely. I’ve never seen a prettier bowl of soup!

Our server was so sweet, and even took a photo of us at our table.

After our meal, we headed across the way to Granny Taught Us How, a quaint home décor and gift shop where you can pick up some great Christmas presents – for others or yourself! I picked up a scented candle from the Caledon-based June + Rose Candle Co., as well as a cute hand-painted Christmas mug. (Pro tip: the shop often has great sales in the days leading up to Christmas!)

I’m looking forward to returning to Mrs. Mitchell’s again, perhaps to treat ourselves to a splurge-worthy dinner during the summer, when visitors can dine al fresco in their pretty, fairy-lit garden. Until then, I highly recommend you make a reservation before the end of the year in order to experience the magic that is Christmas at Mrs. Mitchell’s.

Do you have a favourite restaurant that’s especially nice during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments or send me an email – as always, I welcome any and all recommendations!