Happy Wednesday, all! I hope you’re having a great week, and that you enjoyed my last post about my favourite things to see and do in the charming town of Paris, Ontario. Well, Paris isn’t all just cute shops and picturesque views – it happens to be home to some pretty delicious eateries as well! This week, I’m excited to share my favourite restaurants, bakeries and cafés in Canada’s prettiest little town. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
The Cobblestone Public House – This bustling pub is one of the most popular restaurants in Paris – it’s always packed! The Cobblestone opened in 2008, and has been a favourite among locals and tourists ever since. The menu offers a wide selection of pub-grub classics – from burgers to wings to fish and chips – and appetizers that are so good, you almost don’t need to order a main! I highly recommend the coconut shrimp (breaded, fried to perfection and served with a sweet-spicy Thai sauce) and the apple, bacon and Brie burger (seriously, how can you go wrong with those ingredients?!) Burgers and sandwiches come with your choice of fresh cut fries, waffle fries, onion rings or house salad, but may I *strongly* suggest the waffle fries… they are addictively delicious! My friend Victoria ordered the apple butter barbecue chicken salad, and she loved it. There’s also a wide selection of beverages to choose from: The Cobblestone has a whopping 16 draft beers on tap! Their cocktail menu features fun and fruity drinks in dessert-worthy flavours, from the Banana Popsicle to the Apple Pie. I have a thing for Blue Curacao, so I ordered the Ocean Breeze (which also contains rum, 7-Up and pineapple juice) and it was so yummy – just like a drink you’d get at a beach resort. The Cobblestone offers various daily features, from half-price Wing Wednesdays to $6 pints on Thirsty Thursdays – and their portions are huge, so plan to take leftovers home! I’m so excited to be partnering with The Cobblestone to give one lucky winner a $50 gift card to the restaurant – check out my Instagram post to enter the giveaway! I’ll be drawing the winner on September 30… good luck!!
Stillwaters Plate & Pour – The sister restaurant to The Cobblestone, this restaurant has one of the best riverfront views in Paris. Their two-level rooftop patio boasts sweeping panoramic views of the Grand River, and is the place to go if you’re looking for dinner with a side of spectacular scenery. While Stillwaters shares some similar dishes and ingredients with The Cobblestone, their food is a little more elevated than their “sister’s” – sous vide lamb shank, butter-blackened Angus striploin and PEI mussels are some of the most popular dishes. If you’re not in the mood for a fancy meal, don’t worry – you can still get wings, tacos and burgers too! Although with these views, even the most basic sandwich feels instantly elevated (quite literally… it’s the tallest restaurant patio in Paris!) Victoria ordered the turkey & Brie burger, and I got the Ontario yellow lake perch. The perch fillets are cut into small pieces, seasoned and battered – kind of like a cross between chicken fingers and fish and chips – and I added my favourite side, sweet potato fries. I highly recommend heading to Stillwaters while it’s still patio season – they have plenty of indoor seating with great views, but nothing beats dining al fresco overlooking the river!
The Paris Wincey Mills Co. – If you read my last post, then you’re already familiar with the Wincey Mills. This fabulous indoor market is located in a former textile mill, circa 1889 – click here to read the building’s full history. Today, the market hosts a variety of local vendors selling everything from vintage clothing and antiques to fresh flowers and handmade homewares… and yes, lots of good food! If you’re with a group who all wants different things to eat (or are simply indecisive like me) then the Wincey Mills is the place to go. No matter what you’re craving – tacos, BBQ, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches – there’s something here to please every palate. If you’re thirsty, stop by Detour for coffee or Paris Brewing Company for beer. You can also stock up on fresh, locally sourced and made groceries to take home with you! Check out The Udder Way for artisan cheese, Link Street Sausage House for top-quality meats, and Original Gourmet Popcorn for sweet, savoury and seriously snackable kettle corn.
Little Paris Bread Co. – Located in a historic brick building on Dundas Street, just a 10-minute walk from downtown Paris, this charming bakery is a must-visit for anyone who loves freshly baked bread and gourmet pastries (and isn’t that, well… everybody?) Sourdough is their specialty, and not just their gorgeous loaves of bread: everything in the shop – including their pastries and desserts – is made with sourdough. Victoria and I split one of their massive cinnamon rolls, and it was absolutely delicious! (Is there anything in this world that’s better than a warm, baked-from-scratch, fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon roll?) We enjoyed our treat on the sidewalk patio, but they also have a few indoor tables for when the weather gets cooler. Bonus points for their gorgeous interior: I love the clean wood-and-white palette and the sleek fluted counter. Another thing I love: their “Community Pay It Forward Board,” where customers can pre-purchase a coffee, pastry or loaf of bread for a future visitor.
The Dog-Eared Café – Located on Grand River Street North in the heart of downtown Paris, this cozy little shop combines two of my favourite things: coffee and books! Frustrated by chaotic coffee shops where customers were rushed out shortly after ordering, the owners envisioned a leisurely café where folks could sit, relax, and curl up with a coffee and a good book, no time limit required – and that’s exactly what they created. The Dog-Eared Café’s slogan is “second hand books, first rate coffee” and I can’t think of a better combination. In addition to coffee, tea and espresso-based beverages, they also serve house-made iced tea and lemonade, and a surprisingly robust food menu of soups, sandwiches, sweet and savoury pastries, and their famous “breakfast croissants”. You can also grab a drink from their bar – they serve a selection of local beers and wines – and pair it with something from their Bar Snacks menu… perhaps a plate of vegan chili nachos, or loaded baked potato chips topped with cheese and bacon? The Dog-Eared Café hosts various events, from bingo nights to open mic nights – keep an eye on their events calendar to stay up-to-date on future happenings!
Chocolate Sensations – If you’re a sweet tooth like me, you have to check out this exquisite chocolate shop! Owners Sarah and John Chalmers opened the store in 2007, after a few years of running a chocolate-making business out of their home. Chocolate Sensations has since expanded – they opened a second location in Ancaster in 2020, and have a third location in Milton coming this fall – but the Paris store is their flagship, and well worth a visit! They’re famous for their gourmet handmade truffles, available in a mouthwatering array of flavours – from cappuccino to coconut to champagne – and their decadent fudge. They also sell salt water taffy, peanut brittle, toffee, and chocolate-covered everything: licorice, gummies, Oreos, kettle corn… even potato chips! Although it was just after breakfast when we stopped by the shop, Victoria and I couldn’t resist treating ourselves to a couple of delicious truffles (raspberry and hazelnut) and a chocolate frog. Don’t ask me why, but I always have to buy a chocolate frog whenever I see one… I think they’re my good luck charm!
Paris Bakery – This small-batch bakery has been around since 1927 and is still going strong! They sell an extensive variety of freshly baked sweet treats: cookies, cupcakes, muffins, brownies, squares, pies, butter tarts, cinnamon buns, croissants, danishes… the list goes on, and I can’t forget about their famous doughnuts! They also bake their own bagels and bread. If you’re craving a sweet treat while strolling downtown Paris, be sure to pay them a visit. Their tempting display case has something to satisfy every sweet tooth!
As you can see, there are plenty of fabulous restaurants, bakeries and cafés to visit in the pretty little town of Paris… and this list doesn’t even begin to cover it! On the agenda for my next visit: Juniper Dining Co. for French cuisine, Camp 31 for BBQ, and The Paris Inn for brick-oven pizza. I’ve heard amazing things about all of them! If you’ve been to any of these restaurants – or have any others to recommend – please let me know in the comments or send me an email. I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Until next time, thanks so much for reading, and I hope you have a great rest of your week!
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