Going Local: Farm-to-Table Restaurants in Simcoe County
Farm-to-table is a delicious social movement that advocates serving local food, preferably directly from the producer, and promotes the importance of knowing where your food comes from. Farm-to-table restaurants have embraced the concept of sustainable agriculture and endeavour to source as much of their food as possible from local farms, many sticking to a 100-mile radius.
Here are five benefits to eating local:
Freshness
Food that is grown locally tastes better because it is picked at the peak of ripeness. This also ensures that the food harvested contains all the nutrients possible. When food has to be shipped, it is picked before ripening in order to account for distribution which negatively affects flavour and nutrition. Some restaurants serve local produce that has been picked only hours before serving.
Quality
The less steps there are in getting the food to your table, the greater the chances that you will know what is and isn’t in the food you’re eating. Having a relationship with the producer allows the cook to ensure that there are no additives, preservatives or added hormones in farm products, which is important to the health-conscious palette.
Better for the Earth
Going local allows you to be choosey about the food you select. Farm-to-table restaurants prefer working with farms that are environmentally conscious, don’t use harmful pesticides on crops and subscribe to free-range livestock farming methods. This helps ensure that farmlands and green space are maintained in the community and cuts down on the diesel fuel used during distribution of out-of-area produce. Natural production means a greener earth.
In Season
Eating locally means eating seasonally which, some health experts suggest, will help support your body’s natural nutritional needs. Nature provides the produce that best suits our nutritional needs during each season. It is also beneficial to have a variety of foods in our diet to ensure we have the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to thrive.
Support local farmers
Purchasing local food supports the farmers in your community and the local economy. Money spent locally stays local. Giving small farms your business allows them to flourish and to continue to provide the community with fresh, seasonal produce.
Here are a few farm-to-table restaurants in Simcoe County that you may want to check out (price guide courtesy of TripAdvisor):
The Farmhouse
Farm-fresh food and family casual dining served at the Barrie waterfront. The best choice for family comfort food in Barrie in a rustic century home setting. Available for private functions as well.
Location: 268 Bradford Street, Barrie
Phone: 705.737.0522
Website: www.thefarmhouse.ca
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 am – 9 pm
Friday, 11 am – 10 pm
Saturday, 8 am – 10 pm
Sunday, 8 am – 9 pm
Price Range: $$-$$$
The Explorers Cafe
The Explorers Cafe prides itself on being a celebration of exploration.
Location: 345 King Street, Midland
Phone: 705.527.9199
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9 pm
Friday & Saturdays, 5-10 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Website: www.theexplorerscafe.com
Price Range: $$-$$$
Eigensinn Farm
Canadian celebrity chef Michael Stadtlander grows and raises his own vegetables and livestock and cooks multi-course dinners served in his farm house. Featuring GMO free produce, free-range fowl and livestock, certified organic grains and more.
Location: #449357 – 10th Conc. Grey Highlands, R.R.#2, Singhampton
Phone: 519.922.3128
Hours: Reservations only. Seating is limited.
Website: www.stadtlanderseigensinnfarm.com
Price Range: $$$$
Era 67
This Canadian-themed restaurant serves the authentic local culinary flavours that Ontario and Orillia have to offer. Offering fine dining, a casual lounge and patio with live entertainment, private seatings and catering services also available.
Location: 64 Mississaga Street W., Orillia
Phone: 705.259.1867
Hours: Monday- Saturday, 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Website: www.era67.com
Price Range: $$$$
Cravings Fine Food Market & Catering
Cravings is a market and cafe that also offers gourmet take-away dinners, and catering. Each menu is created using fresh, gourmet, and local ingredients to prepare family recipes and chef-inspired dishes.
Location: 131 Commerce Park Drive, Unit A,
Barrie
Phone: 705.734.2272
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Closed Sunday
Website: www.cravingsfinefood.ca/services/#cafe-market
Price Range: $$-$$$
Ripe Juicery
Ripe offers raw fruit and vegetable beverages and a variety of plant based foods with a deeply rooted passion for organic, seasonal and locally grown produce. Savour a bottle of fresh pressed juice, nut milk, veggie sushi, yogurt parfait or sweet treat!
Location: 118 Dunlop St E (705.503.7473) & 371 king St Unit 4 (705.503.4777), Barrie
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7am – 7pm
Saturday, 8am – 6pm
Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Website: www.ripejuicery.ca
Price Range: $$-$$$
Georgian Dining Room at Georgian College
The Georgian Dining Room focuses on regional cuisine and supports local farms and business. Thedining room and take-away are open for lunch and special themed dinners throughout the year. Ask about catering opportunities for your special event.
Location: 11 Georgian Drive, Barrie
Phone: 705.722.5142, option #1
Hours: Sit-Down Lunch, Monday – Friday, noon
Bun on the Run Take-Away, Monday – Thursday, 11:30 am – 1 pm
Website: Georgian College Dining Room
Mad Cravings
The building that was once a General store and Post office during the 1830s is now an outdoor smokehouse kitchen creating modern, homemade food with locally sourced, organic and hormone-free ingredients.
Location: 8215 Hwy 93, Tiny
Phone: 705.527.1666
Hours: Seasonally mid-May to mid-October, Thursday – Sunday, 8 am – 9 pm
Website: www.madcravings.com
Price Range: $$-$$$
The Globe Restaurant
Situated in an old farmhouse, enjoy fresh, local flavours in a charming country setting. Menu items feature sustainable, locally sourced ingredients with savoury taste.
Location: 995722 Mono Adjala Townline, Mono
Phone: 705.435.6981
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday, noon – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday, noon – 10 pm
Closed Tuesdays
Website: www.thegloberestaurant.ca
Price Range: $$-$$$
The North Restaurant
The North serves a choice of continental, seafood, steaks, tapas, vegetarian, cajun, and creole fare, with many of the menu items organically grown or sourced from local farms. Enjoy an upscale casual atmosphere with group functions and catering available.
Location: 49 Mary Street, Barrie
Phone: 705.812.2192
Hours: Sunday-Monday, 4-9 pm
Tuesday-Wednesday, 4-10 pm
Thursday- Saturday, 4-11 pm
Website: http://www.thenorthrestaurant.com
Price Range: $$$$
The Pottery Restaurant
The menus at The Pottery Restaurant offer a wide range of selections that highlight the flavours and harvests of the Georgian Bay Region with produce sourced from local suppliers. A 2018 Open Table Diner’s Choice Award Winner!
Location: 110 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains
Phone: 705.443.5509
Hours: Daily 7 am – 2 pm, 5 – 10 pm
Website: The Pottery Restaurant
Price Range: $$-$$$
Trattoria Azzurra
Leona Nyman, chef of Azzurra since 2008, brings fresh ideas, great energy and a world of experience to the table. She grew up on a farm and makes everything from scratch using as many local ingredients as possible.
Location: 100 Pine Street, Collingwood
Phone: 705.445.7771
Hours: Reservations Recommended
Lunch: Thursday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday, 5 – 10 pm
Sunday, 4 – 9 pm
Website: www.azzurra.ca
Price Range: $$-$$$
The Corner Café and Grill
Nestled in a fully renovated 1880s gorgeous brick building, the Corner Café and Grill offers family dining with an emphasis on local, homemade and affordable. Blending modern and traditional, this eatery is perfect for families, couples and large groups with a community room available for private functions.
Location: 3 Bruce St S, Thornbury
Phone: 226-665-8800
Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 11:30 am – midnight
Thursday – Sunday, 11:30am – 2am
Website: https://cornercafegrill.ca
Price Range: $$-$$$
Bistro Seven Seven
Enjoy casual dining in an intimate setting. Bistro Seven Seven has a passion for food, wine and fresh, local and organic ingredients. Featuring live patio entertainment on Friday and Saturday.
Location: 77 Victoria Street East, Alliston
Phone: 705.435.7177
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 5 – 11 pm
Facebook: Bistro Seven Seven Facebook Page
Price Range: $$$$
Vidya’s Veggie Gourmet
Noted as Barrie and Simcoe County’s only vegan/vegetarian restaurant. Enjoy a full dining experience featuring local and organically grown veggies. The entire menu is 100% gluten free!
Location: 238 Barrie St, Thornton
Phone: 705.458.2000
Hours: Friday & Saturday, 11:30am – 9pm
Sunday, 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 8pm
Closed Monday – Thursday
Website: www.veggiegourmet.ca
Price Range: $$-$$$
If you’ve discovered additional farm-to-table restaurants in Simcoe County, tell us about it by clicking here to comment on this Facebook post.
Updated June 5, 2018