If you’re driving onto Manitoulin Island from the mainland, Little Current will be your first stop. As the gateway to the world’s largest freshwater island, Little Current has become one of the larger destinations with plenty to offer anyone who stops by.
There are plenty of great eats on Manitoulin Island and you’ll find a number of them here! Enjoy a stroll in town, hop on a boat tour, do a little shopping and – most importantly – fuel up with some great eats at these Little Current restaurants.
Anchor Inn Hotel
The Anchor Inn Hotel is a popular option for accommodation on Manitoulin Island with a full-service restaurant on site. A permanent piece of the island’s landscape since 1888, the Anchor Inn Hotel is ready for you with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. For breakfast, you can enjoy classic meals like bacon and eggs, omelettes, and French toast. As for lunch, they have a number of handhelds, salads and fish dishes. Later in the day, indulge in one of their main dishes such as ribs, pasta, fajitas and more. There’s always the option of one of their lunch items if you’re looking for something a little lighter!
Since you’re on the shores of Lake Huron, I cannot recommend enjoying one of their fish dishes enough. Your taste buds will love the fresh whitefish, trout or cod sourced right from these waters! My top pick is the Anchor Inn’s whitefish salad: mixed lettuce greens and fresh vegetables are tossed in their housemade maple vinaigrette and topped with a piece of maple walnut-crusted grilled whitefish. Packed with protein, this meal will certainly satisfy and is bursting with flavour!
Anchor Inn Hotel Information
Address: 1 Water Street East, Little Current, ON P0P 1K0
Hours of Operation: Wednesday Through Sunday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Elliott’s Restaurant
If you’re looking for some tasty home cooking then Elliott’s Restaurant is the place to go! Taylor and Cody have taken the reigns as of November 2021 to bring you one of the largest menus on Manitoulin Island! Offering classic Canadian cuisine, Elliott’s also has a number of dishes that make it stand out from the other Little Current restaurants on this list.
Elliott’s is one of the few places on Manitoulin Island that offers breakfast until 4:00 pm. Whether you get a late start or you’re just looking for a late brunch, they’ve got you covered! Of course, there are plenty of other items on the menu including numerous pasta dishes, surf and turf, wraps, flatbreads and more. If you’re looking for something you can’t get elsewhere, try the Hawburger with their homemade beef patty that’s topped with hawberry jelly (a Manitoulin staple), peanut butter, bacon and mozzarella cheese. You can add jalapenos if you like a bit of heat! Make sure to get an order of their “chippers” aka their homemade chips.
Elliott’s Restaurant Information
Address: 28 Vankoughnet St E, Little Current, ON P0P 1K0
Hours of Operation: Daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Manitoulin Brewing Company
The first craft brewery on the island, Manitoulin Brewing Company also serves up some great eats in the summer months. Their Silo and Patio are open as long as the weather cooperates. When the sun is shining, this is one of the top spots to be on Manitoulin Island!
Their menu is fairly simple, consisting mainly of finger foods and handhelds. Many of the items like the whitefish tacos, chicken wings, and mushroom caps are perfect for sharing and make a great snack while you’re enjoying a pint or two of Manitoulin Brewing Company’s craft brews. If you want something a bit heartier, they have a variety of burgers or as they call them, brewgers, made from locally farmed beef, Italian sausage, and more. Yes, there are vegetarian and vegan options available!
Manitoulin Brewing Company Information
Address: 43 Manitowaning Rd, Little Current, ON P0P 1K0
Hours of Operation: Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 8:00pm, Friday & Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm (weather permitting)
North 46 – Manitoulin Island Hotel
Indigenous-owned and operated, the Manitoulin Island Hotel and Conference Centre is not to be missed when exploring the island. The restaurant, North 46, offers stunning views of Lake Huron’s North Channel as well as the LaCloche Mountain range. Their patio is one of the top spots to be on Manitoulin Island in the summer months!
North 46’s menu focuses on utilizing fresh ingredients sourced locally from the region whenever possible. This is also the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of Indigenous-influenced cuisine! Enjoy some wild game meat in their bison chili or go for a Pow Wow classic with their Anishinaabe Taco. This is not to be missed if you’ve never had bannock before! Kind of like naan, this Indigenous-style bread is topped with bison chili as well as lettuce, tomatoes and shredded cheese. Enjoy salsa and sour cream on the side as you wish. Be warned though, you might not enjoy traditional tacos as much after trying this!
North 46 Information
Address: 66 Meredith St E, Little Current, ON P0P 1K0
Hours of Operation: Daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Prepped Manitoulin
One of the newest foodie spots on the island, Prepped Manitoulin offers freshly cooked meals that are perfect for those on the go. Pop on in and grab whatever tickles your fancy and make sure to peek at their baked goods! You’ll find fluffy sandwich bread, gluten-free loaves and a variety of desserts.
There is no shortage of variety as it’s not uncommon for there to be over 15 different meal options at Prepped Manitoulin each day. Some of these might include sesame chicken wraps, Moroccan chicken chickpea bowls with kale and quinoa and meatloaf alongside a variety of soups and salads. I personally got to enjoy their Korean BBQ style meatballs with Asian vegetables on a bed of soba noodles. This dish was bursting with flavour and packed with protein, keeping me full and ready for adventure. Plus the portions are quite large – it took me two sittings to finish the whole dish!
Prepped Manitoulin Information
Address: 13 Manitowaning Rd, Little Current, ON P0P 1K0
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Closed Saturdays & Sundays
More Little Current Restaurants For a Bite
If none of these tickle your fancy, there are plenty more options to choose from! Check out these other restaurants in Little Current to fuel your adventures across Manitoulin Island.
Bear Kitchen – If you’re looking to get your sushi fix on Manitoulin Island, this is the place to go! They have a variety of maki rolls as well as ramen dishes and dumplings. Plus Chef Artem is always experimenting with different fusions so you never know what dish he’ll cook up as a special!
Loco Beanz – Now with three locations across Manitoulin Island, Loco Beanz is the place to go for your coffee fix. They also have soups, sandwiches, flatbreads and wraps that are light, fresh and great for a quick bite to eat in Little Current.
Rockin’ JJ’s – This Little Current food truck is serving up classics like burgers, fish and chips, sausage on a bun and poutine. Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables and rock out to the tunes as you enjoy your freshly made food truck eats.
The Port – Another food truck in Little Current which you’ll spot on your right shortly after you drive across the swing bridge. A great spot for local whitefish as well as a variety of tacos.
3 Cows & A Cone – Who can resist an ice cream pit stop? With over 25 flavours to choose from, 3 Cows & a Cone is the perfect spot to cool down on a hot summer day. You can also grab burgers, subs and pizzas here if you’re looking for something more substantial.
While Little Current is probably the best spot to grab a bite to eat in the area, there are a number of other great eats to be found across the island. Check out our guide to the top Manitoulin Island restaurants to ensure you eat well during your visit!
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