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8 Notable Collingwood Restaurants Worth Visiting This Fall

Deepi Harish

1 month ago

8 Notable Collingwood Restaurants Worth Visiting This Fall

Collingwood, Ontario is full of small-town charm. It looks like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie. In winter, Collingwood transforms into a frosty sports hot spot and in summer it becomes a perfect place for boating, fishing, scenic hikes, pretty patios and tons of family friendly activities in the Blue Mountain Village. Although the activities do change for the fall and spring months, one thing is for certain, Collingwood is a year-round food destination with international culinary options that are worth driving out of Toronto for.

170 Jozo Weider Blvd

Twist Kitchen + Cocktail

If you’re looking for a place that has the trifecta effect: après drinks, casual fine dining and late night dancing, then Twist located right in the bustling Blue Mountain Village is the spot. Their cocktail menu spreads across eight pages, serving up well done classics to feature drinks that are presented with bright hues making an eye catching statement. French and Italian influences are threaded throughout the food at Twist. However, the menu is predominantly based on the North American classics such as chicken supreme, signature burgers and the must-have lobster linguine.

141 King Street East

Aprés Snack Bar

Penny’s is a trendy take on a retro 70’s motel located in Thornbury which is a small town within Blue Mountains. The motel also includes a snack bar. The menu is modest and the bar is cozy.

Bestsellers include their oysters served with mignonette, cocktail sauce, house hot sauce, lemon and of course, horseradish. Penny’s is the only fresh oyster bar in the area. They also do a great rotating charcuterie boards and a well-executed mezze board with some tasty dips, spreads, veggies and warm naan.

200 Mountain Road

Side Launch Brewing Company

If you’re fond of craft beer, then Side Launch Brewery is a great way to spend the afternoon on a sunny day where the crisp fall air begins to creep in. Bonus, the brewery is open seven days a week. Side Launch offers over 16 taps of their craft beer and seltzers and launches a new craft beer each month that highlights a different style and fun flavour. On the weekends, they host live music and parties. Beer lovers have the option to sit on picnic tables in their beer garden or their tap room where you can smell the malts.

200 Mountain Road Unit 1

Mamacita Tacoria

Mamacita Tacoria is the only food truck that has the exclusive rights to be on the grounds of Side Launch Brewery. I dare anyone to disagree that tacos and beers aren’t a dynamic duo like Superman and kryptonite. Steve and Alisha are the husband and wife team that run this truck. They keep their menu small but offer big bold flavours in all their dishes. They also come out with new creations and weekend special to keep things fresh.

Mamacita Tacoria do a great pork al pastor with a pineapple and ancho marinade, black garlic crema and a sweet and spicy pineapple and espelette salsa. The beef brisket tacos is doused with a housemade BBQ sauce using Sidelaunch’s Midnight lager and a jalapeño and sweet corn relish. Vegans and vegetarian will love their faux-rizo tacos and quesadillas, which is their version of Mexican chorizo.

80 Simcoe St

Poppy’s Bistro

Poppy’s Bistro channels French cafe vibes. Located in the historic Tremont Building, this restaurant is elegant and inviting. Open for lunch, dinner and a fabulous brunch. The French take their food very seriously and it certainly shows at Poppy’s. The brunch menu serves up the classics but elevated, including brioche maple French toast, duck niçoise and a French club sandwich made with roasted chicken that’s been brined for 24 hours.

8 Bruce St South

Bruce Wine Bar

Bruce is known for its sommelier-curated wine list, equally celebrated is their signature wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas and sustainably sourced seafood. The restaurant focuses heavily on local ingredients from local farmers and producers.

Their pepperoni pie is one of those perfect, classic pepperoni pizzas. The pepperoni used at Bruce (which is made of pork sausage, instead of beef) has the right saltiness and spice. It’s oily enough which spread flavour across the cheese. The edges are crispy, adding crunch to every bite. If you’re looking for a uncommon yet creative pizza, their dill pickle has the right amount of zing and the birra pork pizza carries a balanced sweet and salty vibe. To elevate the experience, take the advice of their in-house sommelier that will happily recommend the ideal vino to go with your entree.

The space is broken up into two levels; casual seating surrounding the open kitchen downstairs and a upscale cozy loft-like space upstairs. This is another gem in Thornbury that has a speakeasy vibe with a delicious dining menu.

166 Jozo Weider Blvd

Mother Tongue

Located in the centre of the lively Blue Mountain Village is Mother Tongue, a stylish restaurant carrying influences from the Philippines, China and Japan. The menu is made for sharing and divided into five sections;dim sum, small plates, land, sea & sky, fallbacks and noodles & rice. Executive Chef, Francis Bermejo, has mastered the art of balancing flavours and textures in every bite. Must order dishes include wagyu sando, Tokyo miso black cod, torched wagyu chow mein, slow-braised bulgogi short ribs which are a 5/5 and the best fried brussel sprouts made with spiced maple vinegar and manchego.

141 Pine St

The Curly Willow

Even after one visit to the Curly Willow, it feels like a place that would become a traditional stop for lunch or dinner when passing through Collingwood. The food is best described as elevated comfort food. Linda runs the kitchen and her husband Mike provides the affable customer service. The Curly Willow serves up a killer lobster grill cheese to filet mignon. Their mushroom ravioli tossed in a homemade rosemary cream sauce is cozy, rich and filling. The standout dish that took the show is their freshly caught halibut filet, crusted with pistachios perched on top of a bed of coconut cream risotto and house vegetables. As cliché as it may sound, every menu item is prepared with love and you can taste it which in turn will make you come back for more.