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Introduction
Some of the many pleasures of culinary travel include exploring new
restaurants, perusing food shops, and sampling new types of
cuisine along the way.
Hospitality and the culinary arts are integral to London’s economic vitality. Exceptional restaurants, talented home-grown and internationally trained chefs, and excellent gourmet retailers make London a "must visit" destination for entertainment, relaxation and dining.
An eclectic mix of socially conscious professionals in agriculture and hospitality bring the latest in epicurean innovation to the table. Some of the city’s stars are part of the new wave of collaborative chefs who embrace the -tenets of sustainability, seasonality and accountability, while the city’s farmers’ markets and the annual Western Fair are reminders that London is a prosperous agricultural hub. Besides providing just plain old-fashioned hospitality to visitors and neighbours, a number of well-known farmers, producers, retailers, educators, chefs and writers are working hard to promote the recognition of our terroir as a manifestation of local culture.
Picturesquely located at the Forks of the Thames River, London, aptly referred to as The Forest City, is permeated with urban forests, hiking trails, miles of pathways and pristine natural conservation areas and spectacular recreational facilities. Springbank Park is the largest park in London, with trails accommodating biking or walking — perfect for a picnic.
For a city of its size, London serves up an exceptional panorama of dining experiences, offering a diverse and highly regarded selection of multicultural offerings. There are intimate cafés, secluded patios, chic and spacious digs seating hundreds, sidewalk concessions and much more.
London is also host to many culinary, cultural and music festivals, including the weekend London Wine and Food Show at the Western Fair Entertainment Centre in January. Festa Italiana, in August, is one of London’s "marquee" events, held like a number of others at the Rotary Square at Covent Garden Market.
Whether you’re planning a trip for business or pleasure, travelling with your family, or looking for a romantic getaway, you’ll discover an exceptional range of hotel and B&B options, all within reach of the things you most want to do.
Restaurant Sound Bites
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London is one of the hottest locales in Ontario for supporting local terroir. The success of on-trend, upscale restaurants and the evolu-
tion of the "gastropub," with their emphasis on serving locally sourced and seasonal food and a selection of craft beers, have made a significant impact in London.
A mosaic of diverse ethnic cuisines and a well-honed culinary point of view have developed alongside those promoting the city’s unique local terroir and mixture of cultural heri-
tages. Independent producers and farmers, retailers, chefs, restaura-
teurs, community gardeners, rooftop gardeners, apiaries and other niche growers are part of a burgeoning group dedicated to creating ethical, local, sustainable food systems.
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Braise Food and Wine
Here’s where enRoute magazine suggested one will find this year’s hottest food trends …
a seminal, seasonal and "from scratch" farm-to-table dining experience. Owner Rob Taylor and Chef Kristian Crossen share an ethical and sustainable culinary philosophy, thoughtfully caring about the provenance of their food and how it was grown or raised. They are patriotic proponents of the local terroir and quality ingredients. Suppliers are given star billing with a detailed listing on the back of
the dinner menu.
125 Dundas Street
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The Only on King
Recognized by enRoute magazine as one of Canada’s top ten new restaurants in 2008, The Only on King maintains the continuing demands and disciplines of cooking an ever-changing, locally-sourced daily menu. This is a testament to chef/owners Paul Harding and Jason Schubert’s creativity and dedication. These self-styled "bad boy" chefs share a farm-to-table philosophy and a cooking repertoire that is classic, clean, and both rural and modern.
172 King Street
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Garlic’s of London
Chef Wade Fitzgerald’s menus exemplify a culinary philosophy that promotes the economic, environmental and social benefits of our local food community. Garlic’s of London offers some of the most superb farm-to-table cuisine in the city. The cooking has a contemporary edge, made from scratch with inspiration from local and signature ingredients and seasonal products.
410 Front Street North, Sarnia
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The Idlewyld Inn
Nestled in a quiet Old South neighbourhood, in a grand Victorian mansion built in 1878, The Idlewyld features ethical gourmet dining. Chef Tim D’Souza’s passion for food translates into innovative cuisine that showcases both local and seasonal ingredients. Most ingredients are sourced through the 100-Mile Market. The beautifully manicured grounds and elegant ambiance of the Garden Courtyard create a welcome retreat for travellers.
36 Grand Avenue
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Kantina Café
A newer arrival on the London restaurant scene is the stylish, streamlined and urban chic Kantina Café. serving Serbian-inspired cuisine with high quality ingredients from area farmers and artisanal producers. Owner Miljan Karać and Chef Danijel Markovic reinterpret iconic Serbian dishes with plenty of flair and local flavours. Menu items are made from scratch, in-house and by hand.
349 Talbot Street
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The Black Shire Pub
Black Shire Pub’s head honcho Sonita Bird is a chef, gastronome, culinary activist, forager and culinary tourism proponent. Bird’s rural roots, the sustaining life blood of her love affair with local food and drink, inform her daily activities. Ingredients are sourced locally with a mandate to provide customers with fresh, quality gourmet experiences. At the Shire you will find interesting craft beers with 17 taps on the main coffin, featuring difficult-to-find offerings and a selection of ciders.
511 Talbot Street
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David’s Bistro
At David’s Bistro, the emphasis is on authentic country French-inspired cuisine with seasonal and primarily locally sourced high-quality ingredients. Chef/owner David Chapman and co-Chef Elvis Drennan are long-time proponents of the philosophy that simplicity,
seasonality and purity are the hallmarks of good cooking.
432 Richmond Street
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Billy’s Deli Restaurant
Billy’s Deli has been a downtown London anchor at Dundas and Talbot for thirty years. Well-known for its exceptional breakfast menu, regulars congregate Saturdays and Sunday mornings to partake in the delicious offerings. The in-house baking has been greatly influenced by the Mennonite-style as practised in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. Their homemade seasonal jams, preserves and pies are genuinely food that really schmecks. Pies change with the seasons and the berries come from Heeman’s strawberry farm and greenhouses located on the outskirts of the city.
113 Dundas Street
Historical
Culinary Attractions
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Eldon House
Virtually unchanged since the last century, Eldon House is London’s oldest residence. Built in 1834 for the Harris family, the house and its heritage maintain its strong links to London’s earliest history. The Harris family journals offer a unique glimpse into the past. Important details emerge regarding what the family purchased and ate during certain eras as well as what the gardeners planted. Today, Eldon House is open to visitors year-round. A welcome sign of warmer weather and lazy afternoons is the tradition of outdoor summer teas. Reservations are recommended.
481 Ridout Street North
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John Labatt Brewery
Take a guided tour of Labatt’s Brewery, established in 1847, at the Simcoe Street brewery – the very location where founder John Kinder Labatt started brewing his beer in the city more than 160 years ago. The tour of the production and packaging facility begins and ends in the Labatt Beer Institute’s Amber Lounge, complete with an impressive bar and thought-provoking displays of breweriana. Beer tasting occurs at the conclusion of the tour. Open year-round, tours run daily Monday through Friday. Guided tours take two hours to complete.
150 Simcoe Street
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Fanshawe Pioneer Village
This is the 52nd season for Fanshawe Pioneer Village. The historic past of early London comes to life through daily re-enactments of 19th-century trades and farming methods, domestic chores, and social interaction by costumed interpreters. Stop by the Pioneer Village Café for a heart-warming lunch featuring homemade soups, salads and breads, all made on the premises with heirloom fruits and vegetables from their garden.
Open Saturday May 14th, 2011 to mid-October, from Tuesday through Sunday and on Holiday Mondays (Closed Regular Mondays), from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2609 Fanshawe Park Road East
Farmers’ Markets
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Covent Garden Market
Open daily, with indoor fruit, vegetable, meat, cheese, chocolate, and flower sellers
alongside restaurants, take-out counters, and myriad other food, drink, art, and gift
purveyors, Covent Garden Market also offers a seasonal producer-based Outdoor
Farmers’ Market twice a week.
130 King Street, at Talbot Street
Thursdays & Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., May–November
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Western Fair Farmers’ and
Artisans’ Market
Located in the heart of Old East Village, Western Fair Farmers’ and Artisans’
Market continues an old weekly tradition of "Saturday Market Days" at the
historic Confederation Building on the Western Fairgrounds.
900 King Street, at Ontario and Dundas Streets
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Masonville Place Farmers’ Market
Masonville Place Farmers’ Market has quickly developed into a seasonal
treasure trove of local area farmers, food artisans and craftspeople.
SE corner of Richmond Street & Fanshawe Park Road
Fridays & Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., May–October
Getaway Culinary Packages
Enjoy one of these culinary packages that will
inspire and recharge you, from romantic
getaways to an escape with friends.
For More Information Visit:
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Tourism London
Local: 519-661-5000
Toll Free: 800-265-2602
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