Heading to Niagara and looking for Niagara Wineries with Restaurants? Is there a better pairing than food and wine? The wine tasting and vineyard tours available at Niagara’s award-winning wineries offer great insight into Ontario’s acclaimed grape-growing and viticulture, but many of us enjoy wine most with a meal. Whenever we head out to Niagara for some wine tasting, we like to plan out where we can enjoy lunch. Enjoying lunch at one of the wineries is the ultimate wine tasting experience.
Top Niagara Wineries With Restaurants To Visit
This guide of the Niagara wineries with restaurants includes information on each winery, a brief overview or history of the winery, the grapes that are grown and wines produced, as well as details on the restaurant on-site; the type of cuisine served, plus delicious dish recommendation. I love that most of the restaurants focus on farm-to-table dining using local ingredients where possible.
Note that menus change often so it is recommended to check the wineries’ websites for the most up-to-date food offerings. Check for current menu options as most restaurants are only offering curbside pickup at this time as well as limited menu options.
Niagara Wineries With Restaurants
1. Ravine Vineyard Restaurant
1366 York Rd, St. Davids, ON L0S 1P0, Canada
I have visited Ravine Vineyards many times, it has always been our go-to winery when visiting Niagara on the Lake. It doesn’t get any better than eating freshly made pizza on their outdoor patio around the outdoor wood fireplace.
Ravine Vinyard Estate Winery is always on top of my list when visiting Niagara. The family-owned Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery and farm has been operated by the Lowrey-Harber family for five generations, since 1867. Not only do they produce wonderful wine but you will be able to purchase Lowrey Brothers preserves in the retail store.
Ravine Vineyard Restaurant is most famed for its pizza, cooked in the seasonal wood-fired pizza oven. In addition to their pizza, other dishes available include the Ravine house-made charcuterie, the smoked pork sandwich, and the juicy Ravine burger. Before heading home, make sure to pick up some of their jelly-filled donuts, if they are not sold out already.
I have tried several of their wines and would highly recommend the Ravine Brut, their sparkling wine is made using the traditional Champagne method. I paired the sparkling with their Ravine burger and fries. It was the perfect pairing.
2. Kitchen76 at Two Sisters Vineyards
240 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada
Two Sisters Vineyards is owned by siblings Angela Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli. The award-winning estate is located at the northern tip of the Niagara River sub-appellation, which borders the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, and spreads over 60 acres.
Expect to find the most delicious Italian-inspired dishes. Although the menu has changed a few times since I have last visited, you can’t go wrong with their pizza and pasta dishes. I would highly recommend starting with the Arancini, the super delicious Sicilian rice balls with smoked mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil, and the Carciofi, crispy artichokes with Parmigiano-Reggiano, preserved lemon, and Calabrian olives.
Make sure to try the Margo Rosé, a blend of their estate-grown Bordeaux varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It is perfect for sipping while sitting on their patio. It has wonderful flavours of red fruits, sweet basil, green tea with a slight note of minerality.
If you visit during the summer months, make sure to enjoy lunch on their outdoor patio that overlooks the vineyard.
3. Benchmark Restaurant, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Brewery, Cidery & Distillery (closed until further notice)
135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, L0S 1J0
Located at St. David’s Bench, the Niagara College Teaching Winery is the first and only commercial teaching winery in the country, headed by winemaker and professor Gavin Robertson. Opened in 2000 in line with Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, the 38 acres of college vineyards provide students with hands-on experience in grape-growing and winemaking. What’s more, there is also a teaching brewery, distillery, and cidery.
After an informative tour around the Wine Visitor + education Centre to learn about the Canadian wine industry, the Benchmark Restaurant is where guests can try what the students have been working on, paired with charcuterie and cheese platters.
This is the place to visit to discover up-and-coming winemakers and future trends in the industry.
4. The Farmhouse Cafe at Caroline Cellars
1010 Line 2 Rd, Virgil, ON L0S 1T0, Canada
Rick and Frieda Lakeit first bought the land at Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1978, helped in part by Rick’s beloved mother, Caroline.
Grapes grown here include Vidal, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Baco Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Foch, though Caroline Cellars also produces Icewines and fruit wines with cranberry, blueberry, plum, and cherry.
During my our my last visit I enjoyed their charcuterrie plate and during a summer visit for lunch at The Farmhouse, I indulged in the buttermilk chicken sandwich. Other dishes we tried are the shrimp tacos and the Korean fried chicken poutine, my daughters favourite.
5. Oliv Tapas at Strewn Winery
1339 Lakeshore Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada
Established in 1997 by winemaker Joe Will and his wife, food writer Jane Langdon, Strewn Winery was originally a fruit cannery. Renovated into a sustainable winery, Strewn also houses Canada’s first winery cooking school.
Traditional VQA wines produced here include Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Vidal, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer, plus sparkling, late-harvest wines, and Icewine.
The on-site Oliv Tapas restaurant has a Spanish tapas concept that pairs perfectly with Strewn’s award-winning wines. Small, farm-to-table plates are available in seasonal menus, ideal for sharing and sampling different vintages.
6. The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates
290 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada
Peller Estates has over half a century of winemaking heritage, though the winery is as much known for its food as its wine. Winemaker Katie Dickieson works in tandem with winery chef and TV personality Jason Parsons, creating amazing dishes that complement Peller’s wines.
There are two restaurants at Peller Estates, The Winery Restaurant and the Barrel House Grill, as well as the 10Below Icewine Lounge, which is an igloo-like venue constructed from 13,607 kilos of ice.
The Winery Restaurant focuses on homegrown produce, with 98% of ingredients sourced from Canada (50% comes from Ontario). Many fruits and vegetables are picked from the winery’s own organic farm.
Some mains to try are the rainbow trout as well as the various burger options.
7. Trius Winery Restaurant
1249 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada
Trius is also owned by the Peller family. This winery is renowned for its Instagram-ability, as well as having the largest underground sparkling wine cellar in the country. They also have their signature Trius Red – a Bordeaux blend-inspired wine that became the first Canadian vintage to win the coveted title of Best Red Wine in the World.
The Trius Winery Restaurant is led by Executive Chef Frank Dodd, who serves up a fine menu of “country cuisine” in the upscale dining venue, which also includes the Trius Brut Bar and an outdoor wine garden used in the warmer months of the year.
It has been a while since I visited but I enjoyed the pulled pork when I was there. Some of their current menu offerings are the Trius Beef Short Ribs and Grilled Pastrami Flank Steak. Check their menu page for updated food items.
8. The Whisky Bar Patio at Wayne Gretzky Estates
1219 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada
Founded by hockey star Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky in 2017, Wayne Gretzky Estates produces wine, beer, and whiskey. There’s even a skating rink on-site for guests to enjoy.
The Whisky Bar Patio is a great outdoor dining and drinking venue in which to unwind during the summer months but is also heated in the winter months, so you can enjoy a cozy meal and wine tasting. You will find menu items such as burgers and sandwiches, grilled salmon with chilled noodle salad, and buttermilk chicken sandwich just to name a few.
They also offer grab and go bundles to enjoy a perfect picnic.
9. BarrelHead at Pillitteri Estates Winery
1696 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, L0S 1J0, Canada
The Pillitteri family first arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1948 from Sicily, but the winery didn’t come about until 1993, inspired by Gary Pillitteri’s 1988 gold medal for his homemade Icewine in Niagara’s amateur wine competition.
A new venture for Pillitteri Estates Winery, the BarrelHead Wine Pizza Patio is a new outdoor wood fired pizza restaurant, originally slated to open in the summer of 2020, though the global pandemic threw a spanner in the works.
Befitting Pillitteri’s strong farming background and knowledge of the land, the menu celebrates delicious Italian cuisine made from ingredients grown in Ontario, with gourmet salads and wood-fired pizzas being the stars of the show.
Insalata to try include the classic Caprese (fiorre di latte mozzarella, tomato, and basil) and the peach and blueberry salad with gorgonzola and roasted peanuts – both served with the house balsamic vinaigrette and balsamic reduction.
Pizza flavors include Margherita, Diavolo, Capricciosa, Proscuitto e Funghi, Ortolana (veggie with the house Kalamata tapenade), Boscaiola, and Quattro Formaggi.
Be sure to pair your meal with a signature Icewine cocktail. The choices are Cucumber Collins, Peach Mule, Cold-Pressed Mimosa, or BarrelHead Sangria.
10. 13th Street Bakery
1776 Fourth Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P9
13th Street is a chic boutique winery set on 60 acres of land. The winery building itself features artworks by local artists, as well as a bakery and tasting bar. The winery was founded in 1998 by four amateur winemaker friends, then bought in 2008 by two couples: John and June Mann, and Dough and Karen Whitty.
The winery produces a wide variety of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, with the stars of the show being Gamay and sparkling wines produced using traditional methods.
Housed in the original farmhouse building, the 13th Street Bakery specializes in seasonal fresh baked goods, all made on-site, as well as assorted jams, jellies, and preserves. In particular, the bakery is famed for its butter tarts, though the fruit pies, cookies, and carrot cakes also come highly recommended.
Bakers Joanne and Alecia are the brains behind the operation, but 13th Street Winery’s chef, Josh Berry, also provides meals to go, meat pies, and hearty soups. Other products sold at the bakery include artisan cheeses from Ontario and Quebec, plus homeware and gift items.
In addition to the bakery, there’s also an outdoor Farmhouse Bistro (opening dependent on pandemic regulations), with a kitchen headed by Chef Josh Berry, featuring a menu focused on casual dining.
11. Inn On The Twenty Restaurant by Cave Spring Winery
3836 Main St, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Cave Spring Winery, operated by the Pennachetti family, has been growing grapes in the area for over three decades, starting with Riesling and Chardonnay.
Today, the winery grows grapes on four vineyard locations (Cave Spring, Myers Vineyard, Tufford Road Vineyard, and Andrews Vineyard), with signature grape varieties include Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Gewürztraminer, though Riesling and Chardonnay still dominate. Blends, rosé wines, and Icewines are also available.
The winery owns a nearby property where visitors can stay overnight, the Inn On The Twenty, located across the street from the Winery Tasting Room. The inn features a farm-to-table restaurant, housed in the oldest section of the historic winery (dating back to 1871), which offers west-facing views of the scenic Twenty Valley.
Headed by renowned Niagara Chef Sheila Polingga, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as room service.
A la carte breakfast dishes include Inn On The Twenty French toast (thick-cut cinnamon and raisin brioche with seasonal fruit compote and heated maple syrup) and Inn On The Twenty eggs benedict, served with thick-cut peameal bacon.
Lunch options include the Twenty Valley beef burger (a homemade patty topped with bacon and Canadian brie), pickerel & chips (with beer-battered Lake Erie pickerel), and the lobster sandwich. Dinner service highlights include pan-seared scallops with 24-hour braised pork belly, 24-hour braised short rib with truffle polenta, and pan-seared beef tenderloin with bone marrow butter.
12. Creekside Kitchen & Grocery
2170 Fourth Ave, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Creekside Estate Winery was founded in 1997 in Jordan, Ontario, run by a team of industry veterans (fondly known as cork dorks), who focus on non-conformist, irreverent winemaking.
Signature wines include Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah, with some of the most notable products being the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend, as well as the award-winning Broken Press Syrah. Sparkling, oak-aged, cold-fermented, and Icewines are also available.
The Creekside Kitchen & Grocery specializes in “to-go” packages such as cheese and charcuterie platters (also available with wine tasting), and a summer picnic lunch (with gourmet sandwiches, salad, and dessert), plus individual items such as quiches, soups, pickles, and preserves.
There is an on-site dining space where a chef cooks up local dishes typical of Niagara area (open seasonally). We have visited many summers and have always enjoyed their signature burger.
13. The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.
4556 Lincoln Ave, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3
Established in 1998, Lincoln’s The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. started out life as a farm, then transformed to include a cooking school. In 2008, the farm starting producing wines with the help of Flat Rock Cellars.
Proprietor and “Facilitator of Fun” Nicolette Novak is a Niagara native who inherited the farm from her father. Her strong foundation in agriculture helps to build incredible food and wine experiences for visitors.
The Good Earth Bistro is one of Niagara’s original farm-to-table dining experiences, with a menu filled with fresh, local ingredients, curated by Chef Andrew Thorne.
The menu changes with the seasons, reflecting the availability of produce, but examples of dishes are blackened bone-in pork chop, fried chicken coq au vin with double-smoked bacon, and the chef’s artisanal board, which features an assortment of cured meats, local cheeses, cured salmon, chicken liver parfait, deviled eggs, preserves, pickles, and bread.
14. Harbour Estates Winery Restaurant
4362 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
A charming winery located in Jordan Station, Harbour Estates is owned and operated by the Mowat family, whose ancestors have been involved in agriculture in the Niagara Peninsula for over a century.
The first vineyards were planted here in 1999, focusing on red Bordeaux grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. In addition to these original grapes, today, the winery also cultivates Vidal, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio.
In addition to grape wines, Harbour Estates produces a raspberry wine, cider, wine coolers, grape seed oil sugar scrubs, and wine jellies, such as Merlot on Fire with chili, Pure Ice made with Icewine, and Raspberry Merlot Drizzle.
At the on-site winery restaurant, their menu offers a selection of pizzas, wraps, and a burger.
15. Coach House Café at Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
1469 Pelham Road, R.R. #1, 1469 Pelham Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7
Named for an ancestor who was renowned for his dry sense of humor, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery is still in the family six generations later. Henry was responsible for building the inn and tavern on the property and growing some of the first grapes planted in Canada.
In 1984, the family decided to try growing Old World vinifera grapes. Today, the 300-acre vineyard, located in the Short Hills Bench, is focused on sustainable winemaking.
The Coach House Café is Henry of Pelham’s on-site dining venue, with a menu, headed by Chef Erik Peacock. Try the Veal Cutlet Sandwich with Chili-Peppernata and Melted Provolone or the Beef Tenderloin Katsu with Wasabi Mayo and Sesame Cabbage Salad.
16. The Oven and The Small Barn at Honsberger Estate Winery
4060 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Honsberger Estate Winery is a family-run farm with a history dating back to 1811. The family decided to switch from sour cherries to vines in 2007, starting with Cabernet Franc and Riesling as the flagship varieties. Honsberger’s wines are exclusive and can only be purchased on-site.
Honsberger Estate is home to two seasonal restaurants. The Oven (May to October) is an outdoor dining venue with an al fresco pizza oven, which serves up thin crust, wood-fired pizzas with toppings based on fresh, seasonal produce.
The Small Barn (October to April) is a cozy indoor dining venue, furnished with antique pieces and romantic candlelight. The menu includes shareables, starters, and mains, plus ever-changing fresh desserts. Highlights include the porchetta sandwich, pan-seared Arctic char, and the 10oz striploin with rosemary frites.
17. Restaurant Pearl Morissette
3953 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Pearl Morissette is a winery run by classically trained winemaker François Morissette, who aims to challenge conventional winemaking using a pragmatic, authentic approach that ensures no two bottles are the same.
Grapes grown include Gamay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc in wines dramatically named for the Pearl Morissette philosophy: Racines du Ciel, Fougue, Irrévérence, Black Ball, and Chamboulé.
The Restaurant Pearl Morissette is open for lunch Friday to Sunday (11.30am to 1.30pm), and for dinner Thursday to Sunday (5pm to 9pm). Hailed as one of Canada’s best restaurants, the approach is omakase-style, so there’s blind tasting without a menu. However, chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson are focused on seasonal ingredients, often foraged from the local land.
18. Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
5600 King St West, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0
Peninsula Ridge is a historic winery estate comprised of 42 acres of vineyards on-site, as well as 43 additional acres managed at a neighboring vineyard. Grapes grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, overseen by head winemaker Jamie Evans.
The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge offers visitors a fun, casual dining experience, located in the 1885 William D. Kitchen House. There is an outdoor patio area that provides gorgeous views out to the vineyards, the Niagara Escarpment, ad Lake Ontario.
The menu is focused around local produce, with typical Italian dishes such as salads, pizza, risotto, and pasta.
19. Redstone Winery Restaurant
4245 King St, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1
Named for its red clay soil, Redstone Winery is a 38-acre property, bought by Moray Tawse in 2009. Tawse also owns a namesake winery in Vineland, as well as Marchand-Tawse and Domaine Tawse in Burgundy.
The terroir is well-suited to late-ripening grape varietals, such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, though Pinot Gris is also grown here. Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated on a nearby limestone-based vineyard.
The winery’s restaurant is currently closed due to Covid-19 precautions, however, there is takeout service available. Takeout menu highlights include hand-cut beef tartar, dry-aged steak frites, grass-fed lamb burger, and a Fried cod sandwich.
20. Our Table at Ridgepoint Wines
3900 Cherry Ave, Vineland, ON L0R 2C0
Ridgepoint Wines is an estate winery run by Anna Gottardo, Mauro Scarsellone, and family. The couple bought the 20-acre Vineland property in 1996, deciding from the beginning to contribute to Ontario’s then-burgeoning wine scene, bringing new red grape varieties to the Niagara Peninsula, such as Nebbiolo and Corvina, as well as Old World winemaking techniques, such as Appassimento and Ripasso.
Our Table at Ridgepoint Wines offers a menu inspired by the family’s Italian heritage, as well as fresh, local ingredients that change with the seasons.
Menu categories include antipasti, pizza, pasta, and dolce. Try the sausage and rapini pizza, homemade gnocchi, or Ridgepoint antipasto stave, which is composed of local charcuterie, cheeses, fruits, preserves, and freshly baked bread.
21. Restaurant at Rockway Vineyards
3290 Ninth St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7
Rockway Vineyards combines golf, wine, and food on The Twenty-Mile Bench of the Niagara Escarpment, known for its limestone-rich soil. The winery has 16 acres of vineyards, and the company grows, crafts, and bottles 99.9% of the wines they produce.
Grapes grown include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, with many blends available. The winery also produces Vidal Icewines.
The on-site golf course hosts regular tournaments and also has a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, which is where the restaurant is located.
The restaurant at Rockway Vineyards offers stunning views over Rockway’s golf course and a winery-inspired menu of classic bistro dishes. Poutine with homemade gravy and optional toppings of pulled pork, ground beef, or chicken, is a winner, but so is the artichoke spinach dip made with cheddar and Swiss cheese, served with tortilla chips.
22. Restaurant at Vineland Estates Winery
3620 Moyer Rd, Vineland, ON L0R 2C0
With a 30-year history, Vineland Estates Winery is a local favorite for both food and wine, housed in a welcoming and warm venue. The estate comprises 180 acres, specializing in growing Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes.
The winery’s restaurant has featured in lists of the top winery restaurants in the world, headed by Chef George, with a focus on local cuisine, and located in an 1845 farmhouse with an outdoor deck area.
23. Patio at Westcott Vineyards
3180 Seventeenth St, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Jordan Station’s Westcott Vineyards encompasses two Niagara locations: the 40-acre “Home Farm” in the Vinemont Ridge appellation and the 43-acre Butlers’ Grant Vineyards at the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation. The focus is on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc.
Chef due Ricky and Olivia use only local ingredients, many sourced from the kitchen’s gardens as well as neighboring Niagara farms, to create diverse fusion dishes that reflect the peoples and cultures of Canada.
Menu highlights include the Big Mac steak tartare, and the Ontario Hawaiian Pizza with peach, ham, and brown butter.
More Niagara Wineries with Restaurants
Did you spot your favorite winery restaurant in the list above or discover a new eatery to try? Are you planning to visit Ontario’s famous winemaking regions soon and found this guide to the best Niagara wineries with restaurants helpful? Or are you a Niagara local looking for a post-pandemic meal out?
Any which way, we hope you found this food and wine guide useful, and let us know your feedback in the comments section below.
