Guelph's dining scene is a hidden gem in Ontario's food culture, offering an impressive range of farm-to-table restaurants, independent eateries, and international flavors that rival much larger cities.
From artisan bakeries to contemporary Canadian cuisine, downtown Guelph's restaurant landscape reflects the city's thriving craft beer scene and commitment to local ingredients. Here are the best restaurants in Guelph you need to try.
Tip #1: Eric the Baker
Eric Chevalier is a baker — a real French baker. His authentic French bakery in downtown Guelph is renowned for artisan pastries and traditional French baking techniques. Born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, to a family of culinary artists, Chevalier moved to Canada at a young age and worked for many years as a waiter and chef. He finally opened his own bakery in 2013.
Freshly baked French pastries are what customers appreciate most. Everything is made from scratch!
Chevalier turns the oven on at 4 am, baking all day. Freshness is the secret to his success. Daily-changing varieties of sandwiches and lunches are also offered.
Tue – Fri: 8 am – 3 pm
Sat: 8 am – 4 pm
Sun, Mon: Closed
46 Carden Street, Guelph, Ontario N1H 3A2
- Phone: +1 519 265 8999
- ericthebaker
Tip #2: La Reina
La Reina — Spanish for „the Queen“ — is the queen of authentic Mexican cuisine in Guelph. This vibrant Mexican restaurant and tequila bar brings bold flavors. If you’re looking for a restaurant in downtown Guelph, this authentic Mexican eatery with traditional decor is the place to go.
It is famous for its tacos, especially the Al Pastor, El Gringo, and Baja Fish, but also for its over 60 varieties of tequila. The restaurant offers typical Mexican brunch options like Huevos Rancheros, Enfrijoladas, and breakfast burritos.
A comprehensive cocktail menu and dessert options, like churros or tres leches cake, make the place a buzzing foodie spot.
Mon – Thu: 11.30 am – 10 pm
Fri, Sat: 11.30 am – 1 am
Sun: 11.30 am – 10 pm
10 Wyndham Street N, Guelph, Ontario N1H 4E3
- Phone: +1 519 265 8226
- Email: info@lareina519.com
- lareina_519
Not convinced yet? Discover why an evening with Le Petit Chef is unforgettable.
Tip #3: Sugo on Surrey
Alex Tami opened the doors of Sugo on Surrey in 2018. This Italian-inspired fine dining establishment with an Italian influence is nestled in a 150-year-old heritage home on Surrey Street.
Executive chef Brian Baxendale knows how to please customers with Italian food and how to cook Sugo and more. Locally sourced ingredients are a top priority for the restaurant. Wherever possible, everything comes from within 50 kilometers.
Even the artwork in the restaurant is made by local artists. Sugo is very much involved in local charities and helping the low-income and homeless community.
Mon – Thu: 4 – 10 pm
Fri + Sat: 4 pm – 11 pm
Sun: 4 – 9 pm
117 Surrey Street East, Guelph, Ontario N1H 3P7
- Phone: +1 519 265 5532
- Email: alex@sugoguelph.com
- sugoguelph
Tip #4: Na Ha Thai’s Kitchen
Na Ha Thai’s Kitchen started serving Thai food at farmers‘ markets. In the meantime, it has moved into a brick-and-mortar location on York Road.
It is the only takeout-focused Thai restaurant in Guelph operated by native Thai people. Authentic Thai food, but also Thai fusion dishes and mouthwatering desserts, are offered.
Gluten-free and vegan customers can choose from a variety of dishes. The restaurant offers mostly takeout but has limited indoor and patio seating options.
Sun, Mon: ClosedTue – Thu: 11.30 am – 8 pm
Fri: 11.30 am – 9 pm
Sat: 12 pm – 9 pm
471 York Road, Guelph, Ontario N1E 3J1
- Phone: +1 519 362 1467
- Email: nahathaikitchen@yahoo.ca
- nahathaikitchen
Tip #5: Cafe Greek Garden
For over 20 years, Greek Garden has been a staple for authentic Greek food in Guelph. Its freshly cooked Mediterranean dishes are beloved not only by locals but by tourists as well.
The restaurant has won several awards and prizes for its food and wines and is considered one of the best restaurants in Guelph!
Souvlaki, spanakopita, moussaka, and pitas are all part of the menu, as well as charbroiled specialties and seafood dishes. Even Greek pasta varieties and a good selection for vegetarians and vegans are available.
Mon – Sat: 11.30 am – 9 pm
Sun: 11.30 am – 8.30 pm
497 York Road, Guelph, Ontario N1E 3J2
- Phone: +1 519 821 0000
- cafegreekgarden
Tip #6: Kirtida Kitchen
Kirtida Kitchen is a family-owned business and the first 100% vegetarian Indian takeout restaurant in Guelph. The young couple, Kirtida and Hitesh Jagad, moved from India to Canada in 2004 and started selling Indian cuisine at the farmers‘ market. Kirtida Kitchen has become one of the most beloved vegetarian restaurants in Ontario, celebrating plant-based Indian cooking with locally sourced ingredients.
Many happy customers later, a food truck and a storefront in 2017 followed. When the couple got married, Kirtida did not know how to cook and learned most of her skills from her husband.
Today, they both run Kirtida’s Kitchen successfully. They are famous for their curry variations — a taste like home, just like mom used to cook.
Mon: ClosedTue – Sat: 11 am – 8 pm
Sun: 11 am – 7 pm
265 Eramosa Road, Guelph, Ontario N1E 2M7
- Phone: +1 519 766 0055
- Email: info@kirtidakitchen.com
Tip #7: Atmosphere Cafe & Etc.
Owner Nicole Hogg opened the doors of Atmosphere Cafe & Etc. in 2004. Inspired by her travels through Europe, she opened a French-farmhouse-inspired eatery in a 19th-century historic building in downtown Guelph.
Fresh and local ingredients, plus a lot of gluten-free options, are what Hogg and her team focus on. Thin-crust pizzas (with cauliflower crusts available for a gluten-free choice), sandwiches, and tacos, as well as a big variety of healthy sandwiches, are served in this popular foodie spot.
Mon: ClosedTue: 12 pm – 8 pm
Wed: 12 pm – 10 pm
Thu: 12 pm – 11 pm
Fri, Sat: 11 am – 12 am
Sunday: 11 am – 8 pm
24 Carden Street, Guelph, Ontario N1H 3A2
- Phone: +1 519 824 0430
- Email: atmospherecafe@icloud.com
- atmospherecafeetc
Tip #8: Miijidaa
The name „Miijidaa“ originates from the Ojibway, an indigenous language, and means nothing other than „let’s eat.“ And that’s what locals and tourists enjoy doing at this café and bistro. Miijidaa gives Canadian cuisine a modern twist. This modern Canadian cuisine restaurant draws inspiration from Indigenous food traditions and Ontario’s local bounty.
Customers find thin-crust pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches on the menu, as well as Canadian comfort food like mac and cheese and locally sourced fish and chips.
A date night menu and a special kids‘ menu make Miijidaa worth a visit for all occasions.
Sun – Tue: 11.30 am – 9 pm
Wed – Sat: 11.30 am – 10 pm
37 Quebec Street, Guelph, Ontario N1H 2T1
- Phone: +1 519 893 5495
- miijidaa
Tip #9: Manhattans
Guelph loves Manhattans! Run by the Rewi family, this New York-themed supper club and live music venue has been offering the best food, live music, and fancy drinks for over 30 years.
Head chef Alex Quintieri changes the menu seasonally and has established the restaurant as a farm-to-table eatery. Italian-inspired dishes like fancy pasta and pizza varieties, but also beautifully created mains like pan-seared European sea bass and pork duo, flatter guests‘ taste buds.
These are only topped by the dessert choices: vanilla bean crème brûlée, sticky toffee pudding, and tiramisu.
Sun – Wed: ClosedThu – Sat: 4 pm – 11 pm
951 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4S1
- Phone: +1 519 767 2440
- Email: jazz@manhattans.ca
- manhattans_guelph
Tip #10: Kelseys Original Roadhouse
This beloved franchise restaurant was founded in 1978 by Paul, Peter, and Perry Jeffrey. They opened the first location of Kelseys Original Roadhouse with their parents‘ funding in Oakville, Ontario, naming it after their favorite Chicago restaurant on Kelsey Road.
There are currently two locations in Guelph serving up the true Canadian experience — and not just for road trippers.
The chain is famous for its 100% fresh-ground Canadian chuck burgers, handmade chicken fingers, and fries.
Sun – Wed: 11 am – 10 pm
Thu – Sat: 11 am – 12 am
124 Woodlawn Road, Guelph, Ontario N1H 1B2
- Phone: +1 519 826 0120
- kelseysroadhouse
Tip #11: Fork on York
Fork on York, located in the heart of the city, awaits you with the best modern Italian-American cuisine. The delicious menu selection ranges from tasty pasta variations and signature burgers to juicy and tender grilled steaks.
The bar promises popular cocktail classics and drinks; however, if you’d like to discover new flavors, there’s also something for you on the bar menu.
Unsure what to pick? The attentive service will be happy to advise you. The atmosphere is elegant and inviting, perfect for an enjoyable evening in Guelph.
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu: 12 – 9 pm
Fri + Sat: 12 – 10 pm
Tue: closed
648 York Rd, Guelph, ON N1E 6A4, Canada
- Phone: +1 519-763-6333
- Email: info@forkonyork.com
- forkonyork
Tip #12: Bardō
Bardō Restaurant is a contemporary Canadian restaurant and pizza specialist in downtown Guelph where there is something for everyone.
At first glance, you will certainly notice the all-time favorites of the guests — namely the irresistible pizzas — but the menu offers so much more!
It features a truly wonderful mix of soul food, seafood, and very appealing vegetarian alternatives. You can have a pleasant time here and toast to the day with delicious drinks.
Mon – Thu: 11 am – 9 pm
Fri + Sat: 11 am – 10 pm
Sun: 9 am – 9 pm
105 Gordon St, Guelph, ON N1H 4H7, Canada
- Phone: +1 519-767-2999
- Website: bardo.guelph
