A getaway to Prince Edward County is always a good idea in our books. There are a number of adorable towns throughout “The County” and Wellington is not to be missed. Featuring an adorable downtown core with a number of boutique shops, street art, a public beach and more, it’s a great spot to include on any Prince Edward County itinerary.
While the area is known for its plethora of top-notch wineries, there is no shortage of incredible restaurants to be found! Many folks head to Picton for their foodie endeavours, however you’ll want to consider the town of Wellington for a meal or two. You just might be surprised at the variety of eats within just a few short blocks! Not to worry, we have done the leg work and found the best Wellington restaurants so you know exactly where to go.
One thing to note is that Prince Edward County is more of a fair-weather destination. A number of the attractions, shops and restaurants close for the winter months so if you’re planning on visiting once the snow falls, be sure to call ahead to see which of these Wellington restaurants are open during your visit.
Now without further ado, let’s get talking about these fantastic restaurants in Wellington, Prince Edward County!
Drake Devonshire
If you’re looking for a restaurant with a view, there is no better restaurant in Wellington than the Drake Devonshire! Located right on the water, you’ll be treated to fabulous views of Lake Ontario from their outdoor patio as well as their floor-to-ceiling windows inside. The impeccably decorated restaurant adds to the ambiance with whimsical contemporary decor.
Since 2017, Chef Alexandra Feswick has been at the helm of The Drake Devonshire’s menu. Inspired by the seasons, each item is methodically planned to highlight the flavour of each ingredient. Whether you dine at the Drake for breakfast, lunch, dinner or weekend brunch, your taste buds will be treated to a medley of options both sweet and savoury.
Your ELO gals sampled two dishes with the first being a Drake classic, the steak frites. An 8oz PEI flat iron steak is cooked to order and crowned with delectable truffle butter alongside a hearty helping of frites and a splash of chimichurri to round out the dish. The other was the Drake’s chicken schnitzel as the cutlet, cooked to the perfect crunch, rests on a bed of dill späetzle and is adorned with a medley of red cabbage and marinated cucumber. While a dab of lingonberry compote accompanies the dish, it really isn’t necessary as the aforementioned items perfectly complement each other.
The prices are a little on the higher side but the care that goes into preparing each dish makes it worth your while. However, if you’d like to enjoy a taste of the Drake Devonshire on a budget, pop in for their daily afternoon happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm where you can sample a few of their items at a discounted rate.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends in the summer. If you manage to snag a time but arrive early, pop out back and explore their kitschy art trail.
Drake Devonshire Restaurant Information
Address: 24 Wharf St, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0
Hours of Operation: Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Idle Wild PEC
The range of cuisines you’ll find in Prince Edward County is continuing to grow and Idle Wild PEC is a delicious fragment in this ever-growing quilt of gastronomy.
Immigrating to Canada almost 15 years ago from The Philippines, owner and Chef Paul Tobias is thrilled to share his tasty eats with The County. Idle Wild PEC’s menu focuses on Asian recipes but with a comforting twist. Chef Paul utilizes local ingredients from across the county whenever possible to craft delectable dishes with his own unique flair.
Idle Wild’s menu is concise but offers a solid range of dishes. Start your visit with an order of the pork kimchi dumplings which are sauteed to perfection alongside fresh cabbage. Dip each savoury morsel into the accompanying savoury sauce for an incredible burst of flavour!
As for your main, folks far and wide rave about the chilli chicken with rice and after just one bite, you’ll understand why. Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a mouthwatering sauce alongside a menagerie of fresh vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and green beans. Lightly sauced so as to not take away from each piece of this scrumptious puzzle, it’s all tied together nicely with a hint of sweetness. However, this dish packs some sneaky heat that will creep up on you so beware!
While Idle Wild is open in the winter months, they only offer take-out as all of their seating is outdoors.
Idle Wild PEC Restaurant Information
Address: 305 Main St, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0
Hours of Operation: Thursdays & Fridays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays & Sundays from Noon to 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Closed Monday through Wednesday
Koenji Whiskey Bar
Named after a historical district in Tokyo known for its retro vibes, Koenji Whiskey Bar brings an eclectic taste of Japan to the town of Wellington.
If you’re a whiskey enthusiast, a stop at Koenji is a must for your Prince Edward County Itinerary. They have a massive list of whiskey, scotch, rye and bourbon from across the world. Sample a flight of Japanese whiskey or travel around the world with a flight featuring six different countries. If straight liquor isn’t your thing, take a peek at their fantastic cocktails. Their “Whiskey with Benefits” and Kyoto Mule cocktails are a big hit!
While their focus is on showcasing their global varieties of whiskey, they have crafted a fantastic menu that pairs wonderfully with these offerings that also stand on their own. These Japanese-inspired dishes are smaller and meant for sharing, making this a perfect happy hour pit stop or spot to end your evening. Make sure you grab an order of the Tebasaki chicken wings as these delicious morsels are tossed in a housemade tamari and vinegar sauce.
Koenji Whiskey Bar Information
Address: 287 Main St, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0
Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to Midnight, Fridays & Saturdays from 5:00pm to 1:00 am, Closed Sundays & Mondays
Midtown Brewing Company
What was once a meat packing plant has become the first craft brewery in Wellington, Midtown Brewing Company. A staple of the town since 2017, Midtown Brewing was founded by UK expat Paul Lees and Mark Andrewsky. With a focus on traditional English-style beers, they also offer Belgian and German style brews. If you’re not a big beer drinker, never fear as they have a great wine list and some pretty incredible beer cocktails. It’s part of the reason why we think Midtown Brewing is one of the top unique places to drink in Prince Edward County!
And what pairs best with beer? Great food of course, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Midtown Brewing Company! Wood-fired pizza is a menu staple and you can smell the deliciousness from the oven as you approach the patio. You’ll find a variety of upscale pub fare to round out their offerings featuring a number of vegetarian and vegan concoctions. Their Nordic shrimp roll is a fan favourite as is their BMC Burger. One thing to note is that they don’t do substitutions which can be a dealbreaker for some patrons.
Enjoy an afternoon on the patio or head inside for a round of darts. No matter what you do, make sure you get an order of Midtown’s famous fries – and the answer is always yes to garlic mayo and parmesan.
Midtown Brewing Restaurant Information
Address: 266 Main St, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0
Hours of Operation: Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
La Condesa
If you’re jonesing for some tropical vibes, a splash of Mexican flair, or just need a pick-me-up then a visit to La Condesa is in order! You can’t help but smile as you step foot inside this brightly decorated restaurant on Wellington’s main street.
Owner and Chef Samantha brings a taste of her home country to The County. Her passion for sharing the flavours of Mexico shows in each and every dish at La Condesa. Not only this, she makes it accessible to many by offering an almost entirely gluten free menu as well as an abundance of vegan options.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a single thing on the menu. However, an order of their Mexican street corn is a MUST. Four half cobs of corn are grilled to perfection and then topped with aioli, chilli powder, Cotija cheese and cilantro. I easily could have eaten the whole plate myself because it’s just that good. Another fantastic option is their tuna tostada. I thought of it as a deconstructed sushi roll with a Mexican spin as raw yellowfin tuna is stacked on top of guacamole and a satisfyingly crispy tortilla which is then topped with chipotle aioli, sesame oil and cilantro.
While their tacos are on the pricier side, they are piled high with delicious toppings making them worth every penny. Plus they source a number of their meats right from the county so you know they’ll be fresh and flavourful.
If you don’t have much of an appetite, you’ll still want to stop in at La Condesa for one of their margaritas. While the classic is always a good idea, I can 100% confirm that their Mazunte margarita is refreshingly succulent and perfect for cooling down with on a hot summer day.
INSIDER TIP:
La Condesa operates on a walk-in only basis however they do start a wait-list once the restaurant is full. Check it out online here when you’re getting ready to dine and you can see if there’s availability or get yourself on the list to minimize the wait!
La Condesa Restaurant Information
Address: 298 Main St, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0
Hours of Operation: Daily from Noon until 9:00 pm
More Top Wellington Restaurants
For a town of just 1800 people, it’s pretty incredible to have such a variety of restaurants in Wellington Ontario! If the above spots don’t quite tickle your fancy, here are a few more options for great eats in town.
Creekside Cafe – One of the best restaurants in Wellington for breakfast, you can chow down on eggs benny (made with a potato stack instead of an English muffin!), waffles or a classic breakfast. If you’ve never had a Dutch baby before, this is a great place to try it! Creekside Cafe also offers hearty lunch dishes like their sausage patty melt. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, they have a number of great options as well.
Lakeside Motel – This outdoor restaurant is a popular option in the summer months as their menu features a variety of eats that are meant to be shared. For those travelling with their four-legged family members, dogs are welcome on the patio and they even have a menu for them! We’ve also heard you can enjoy s’mores around their campfires in the late evenings.
North Docks Wellington – Enjoy your pub staples on what’s said to be the largest patio in Prince Edward County. Open year round, it’s a great spot to grab some appetizers with friends as you challenge each other to a game of shuffleboard.
Rock’n Rogers – Simple, homey restaurant that makes a fantastic pizza. The crust is homemade and the toppings are piled high which are two musts for a pizza in our books! They also have great family combos for those looking for an affordable meal or travelling with a large group.
GOOD Place – If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast or lunch then this is the place to go. Their menu is entirely vegetarian with plenty of vegan options as well. They offer a variety of grab-and-go meals and you’ll want to check out their grocery section for some unique items.
Saigon Wellington – While it unfortunately currently doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, you’ll want to keep an eye on their Instagram so you don’t miss a Saigon Wellington pop-up event. Often at the Picton Farmers Market in the summer, you’ll want to get there early because it’s very common for their food to be sold out before the market is over! You can’t go wrong with their chicken lemongrass vermicelli bowl and their egg and spring rolls seem to have a cult-like following across The County.
Of course, if you aren’t quite in the mood for one of these Wellington Ontario restaurants, it’s not too long of a drive from town to town within Prince Edward County. Check out our guide to Picton restaurants to switch things up!
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