Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Southern Ontario

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Southern Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Standing Room Only

5.0

5 (172)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Guelph

About the restaurant

Come and enjoy a drink in Canada's Smallest Bar - Standing Room Only! Located in Guelph's unique and historic Ward neighbourhood. We craft delicious and innovative cocktails in an intimate and creative space. Come and enjoy a throwback to another time - when speakeasies were all the rage! Perfect for after work drinks - or before or after dinner drink - or even a night cap! The room is also available to book for your intimate private event. Please call or message us on Instagram to make arrangements.

Top review

Donna

Dined 4 days ago

Standing Room Only has been a great experience for the two times I’ve been. It’s a unique spot, which is very welcoming and has great drinks. I had a delicious mock tail tonight!

Plant Matter Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (608)

CAN$30 and under

Vegan

London

About the restaurant

We are a from-scratch kitchen serving delicious plant-based comfort food that's locally sourced, organic & fresh. We provide our guests with brunch, lunch, dinner, and drink menus representing an array of flavour profiles from around the world, all on a plant-based platform, courtesy of the culinary creativity of our executive chef, Elyse Keegan.
Our unique lunch menu offers a variety of hearty salads, bowls, sandwiches and paninis. Our dinner menu focuses on world comfort foods with our signature plant-based approach to flavour profiling and creativity.
On Sunday mornings, we offer a full brunch menu that's decadent and is sure to impress even the most discerning palate.

We also offer an impressive assortment of local craft beers, world wines, and signature cocktails. Located in the heart of Wortley Village, our atmosphere is casual, trendy, and warm.
This area has a selection of great bars and restaurants for you to discover if you are looking to continue your night out in London.

Top review

Chris

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent food and tremendous service. We always enjoy our visits to Plant Matter Kitchen!

Wander the Resort

4.9

4.9 (268)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Global, International

Prince Edward County

About the restaurant

GATHER at WANDER
Inspired by the nostalgia of fireside gatherings that foster shared experiences, Gather celebrates good food, community and connection in a lakeside setting that blurs the boundaries between inside and out. Our balanced menu created by Executive Chef Justin Daniel Tse takes its cues from the seasons, marrying global influences with intentional, locally-sourced ingredients that highlight the flavours of the County.

Wander In, Wander Often.

Top review

Wendy

Dined 2 days ago

Great service and delicious food in a serene ambiance.

Cintro On Wellington

4.9

4.9 (128)

CAN$30 and under

Asian

London

About the restaurant

Located in the in downtown London, enjoy an elevated Asian fusion menu created by International award winning chef Chef Joseph Tran.

For the month of December, there will only be Prix Fixe menu, NO ala cart menu (will resume in January)

Top review

Ann

Dined 4 days ago

There is a reason this restaurant has been awarded top 100 restaurants in Canada. Chef Joe is a genius in the kitchen - the flavours, the creativity and the plating are done so incredibly well, it’s like art. The service is outstanding, so warm and welcoming. Lucky enough to have been able to visit a handful of times and each time we are blown away.

Moxies - Kitchener

4.8

4.8 (125)

CAN$30 and under

American

Kitchener

About the restaurant

Moxies in Kitchener, Ontario is a showcase restaurant for the culinary skills of Chef Brandon Thordarson. This energetic urban grill offers a variety of fusion dishes that include everything from Asian-inspired rolls to souvlaki and burgers. The chef goes to great lengths to ensure that all ingredients are fresh and seasonal, so the menu at Moxies does change periodically.

Diners can enjoy interesting takes on old favorites, such as sushi cones, fusion-inspired chicken wings and more. Moxies also serves a variety of cocktails, beer and wine, and also serves the house-crafted beer “Big Life”. As with the food, cocktails are inspired by global flavors and are always prepared with an interesting twist to bring something new to life.

Top review

Peter

Dined 2 days ago

Great service and good food. We had the nicest waitress. They cater to our need of quieter place to chat with my friend. 😊

Rapscallion & Co.

4.8

4.8 (1665)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Rapscallion & Co. is a mischievous and vibrant part
of Hamilton’s restaurant scene, dedicated to offering the city’s culinary
connoisseurs a full nose-to-tail experience. We offer a regularly changing,
meaty and creative menu in a laid-back setting. Our skilled and
passionate chefs do it all, whether it’s curing, salting, boning, stuffing,
wrapping, charring, braising, or just leaving the meat raw.
Above all, we love to prepare food that pushes boundaries and pulls you outside of your comfort zone — just a little bit. We get tremendous joy out of food and offer items that you are unlikely to find another local restaurants. While we love meat more than some people love their firstborn, we are always happy to accommodate those who don’t. Vegetarians and vegans are always welcome, options available by request.

Top review

Susan

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous experience!!!! The ambiance is perfect, service amazing and the food was incredible!!!!

Discover more

Experience

Rappy Hour/Appetizer Menu and Drinks

4.8

4.8 (573)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

American

London

About the restaurant

Welcome to Hunter & Co!

We offer a unique and adventurous culinary experience with chef-crafted small plates designed to surprise and delight. Our menu spans from bone marrow to our famous fried chicken, crafted to make your taste buds and bellies happy. For lighter fare, we’re delighted to serve curated charcuterie boards and freshly shucked oysters with all the garnishes.

Of course, great food deserves great drinks. Our bartenders are serious about cocktails, crafting each one to make nights unforgettable. We’re also proud to feature a selection of local craft beers and, if you’re a wine lover (we like that about you), you’ll find an extensive wine list stocked with unique reds and whites you won’t find in the LCBO.

Looking for a unique spot for date night or a special gathering? Whether you’re after bold flavors, creative cocktails, or rare wines, Hunter & Co. promises an experience worth savoring. Book your table and see what’s in store.

Top review

Peter

Dined on Dec 3, 2024

Went with my daughter and we shared the arugula beet salad, Korean chicken bbq , truffle pasta and sous vide steak and fries - great food and service was outstanding

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Experience

Oyster Sundays at Hunter & Co.

ABE ERB - Uptown Waterloo

4.6

4.6 (59)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Waterloo

About the restaurant

Enjoy a cold pint, cocktail or glass of wine while you peruse our delicious menu. Abe Erb is perfect for your special occasion like birthday and holiday celebrations! We can section off front or back area of restaurant for groups of 20-40, have large 12 seat communal tables, or full restaurant buyout (full or half day) for up to 120 guests. Contact info@abeerb.com to secure your preferred date.

Top review

Marie

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

It was a great evening. Food was excellent. I recommend the pretzel bites and the fish and chips

Brothers Grimm Bistro

4.3

4.3 (22)

CAN$51 and over

Wild Game

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Hamilton, Brother’s Grimm Bistro is a European-inspired cellar bistro serving a french euro/latin fusion menu, along with a wide selection of cocktails, barrel-aged beers, and more. The dimly lit place carries a cool decor, which makes it ideal for date nights.

For parties of more than 10 people contact bgheadoffice@brothersgrimmbistro.ca

Top review

Gail

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Tuna grilled perfectly. Cornish hen/plantain excellent.

Berkeley North

4.2

4.2 (1601)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

American

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Set in the revitalized James St. North neighbourhood, Berkeley North is a West Coast inspired restaurant located on historic King William Street in the heart of downtown Hamilton. Berkeley North is the go to spot for a quick bite to eat, weekend late night cocktails, celebrating a special occasion or hosting a private party. Our young and passionate culinary team follows no scripts or rules when creating vibrant and unique dishes. We allow the seasons to influence our changing menu and are committed to using responsibly sourced ingredients. Ultimately, what is most important to us is the way you feel from the time you walk in our door to the time you leave. Our staff genuinely delivers a dining experience like no other in the city.

Top review

Alana

Dined 4 days ago

had a lovely 31st birthday experience here w my love last night - we enjoyed every bite & appreciated the friendly, attentive service by Nicole. thank you!!

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