Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Central Ontario

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails in Central Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Imperial Tandoor

4.8

4.8 (349)

CAN$30 and under

Indian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

The Imperial Tandoor is a family-run fine Indian and Indo-Chinese (Hakka) restaurant in Peterborough, Ontario. We are known for tandoori specialties from our clay oven, rich slow-simmered curries, and wok-fired Hakka favourites like momos, noodles and Manchurian.

With an extensive vegetarian selection plus vegan and gluten-free options, there is something for every table.

Join us for Happy Hour daily from 3–5 PM and 9 PM to close, or order takeout and delivery through our website and save 10%. We also offer live on-site cooking and full catering for weddings, corporate events and celebrations across the Kawarthas.

Reserve your table below — we look forward to welcoming you.

Top review

Dr. Peter M

Dined on Oct 25, 2026

Superb Indian food! Honestly – there is none better within all of the GTA. Authentic dishes, made with absolute attention to detail. They grind their own spices fresh on location, and it’s noticeable. No wonder this place is packed even on a Sunday. Too bad it’s a 45 minute drive for us to get there, but well worth the drive.

Bar Vita

4.8

4.8 (327)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Please note, if Open Table is showing no availability for the date and time you are looking for, please do not hesitate to call us at 705.743.3339.

We have a 15 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running 15 minutes later than your reservation time.

Bar Vita offers italian-inspired cuisine in a stylish setting. We use fresh ingredients to bring our country-flare to classic Italian cuisine.

Patio and indoor seating available. Please indicate your preference and we will be happy to accommodate.

Top review

Alex

Dined on Oct 30, 2026

The food and service was excellent , date night and we enjoyed the experience very much .

Rare Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (153)

CAN$51 and over

French

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Welcome to our vibrant, creative and loving home!

Rare Restaurant + Bar was inspired by Chef Andrew and Mai in Fall 2022. They envisioned a great place to go for unique food, stiff drinks and a memorable experience between friends and family. Quality is at the forefront of Rare's values. As a team, we deliver the best culinary experience to our guests.

Isn't life better with great food and easy conversation? Let Rare take care of that for you.

Top review

Gareth

Dined on Oct 17, 2026

Great food, exceptional service Our server was extremely accommodating and the prime rib was amazing All of it made for a fantastic experience with an amazing dinner date.

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Experience

Prime Rib Dinner at Rare Restaurant

Experience

The Early Dinner Edit

The Peddler

4.8

4.8 (26)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Exquisite dining. House-made pastries. Exceptional wines. Specialty coffee.

Welcome to The Peddler, a distinguished bistro nestled in a heritage building at the heart of downtown Millbrook. Our international chef, Arjay Ramirez, crafts globally inspired dishes with impeccable attention to flavour and presentation, while our pastry chef creates house-made pastries that are as elegant as they are indulgent. From carefully curated wines to artfully prepared lunches and dinners, every detail is designed to delight the senses in a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Reserve your table and experience the pinnacle of bistro dining.

Top review

David

Dined on Oct 17, 2026

We were a group of three siblings and our spouses. From the beginning, service was exceptional, friendly and knowledgeable. The food exceeded our expectations and the ambience in a small Ontario town was warm and as an Architect I appreciated the decor. We highly recommend.

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Peterborough

4.7

4.7 (2987)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Steakhouse

Peterborough

About the restaurant

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar serves the finest cuts of succulent steak, aged for tenderness and grilled to perfection. Prime rib is a Keg specialty, slow roasted, hand carved and perfectly seasoned with special Keg spices. The restaurant also serves delicious seafood, memorable appetizers, crisp salads and decadent desserts. A casual ambiance and friendly, very knowledgeable staff are proud and reliable trademarks of The Keg Steakhouse & Bar. You'll find a truly comfortable and satisfying dining atmosphere accompanied by a fun and up-scale bar setting where guests can enjoy an excellent wine list, signature Keg martinis, and fresh squeezed juice cocktails.

Top review

Roberta

Dined 4 days ago

Holly was excellent. Friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and gave us time to decide while chatting. Delicious meal and enjoyable evening. Thank you !

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4.7

4.7 (1169)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

One Fine Food restaurant offers a dining experience that is sure to appeal to everyone from shoppers taking a break from perusing the market, to foodies looking for a delicious meal in a casual, unassuming atmosphere. The restaurant features carefully sourced food, authentic Italian flavours and recipes.. With an open kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven adding to the ambience, our interactive style of dining elevates the experience of simply enjoying a great meal to one in which guests leave having had a shared experience with our chefs.

Top review

WarrenGold

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

Wonder dinner with an amazing beet and pear salad and lovely pizza to share. Prompt friendly attentive service

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4.7

4.7 (422)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Gastro Pub

Peterborough

About the restaurant

OUR STORY

Hobart’s was founded on the belief that great food, genuine service, and superb atmosphere are paramount to our restaurant’s success. That belief is engrained in ownership to this day. Hobart’s is proud of its commitment to the original mantra, and embraces the communities it serves. It has always been our expectation to deliver a good experience. Our table is your table. Thank you for your patronage.

Top review

Anna-Lisa

Dined on Oct 10, 2026

Amazing as usual!!! Food was delicious and the ambiance was perfect. My family loves it at Hobart’s. Enjoy some much deserved down-time. See you in the spring! 😊

AGAVE BY IMPERIAL

4.7

4.7 (308)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Mexican

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Trendy, authentic restaurant with elevated Mexican plates, many tacos, tequilas and a full service bar. AGAVE is located in the heart of George Street, Peterborough and is a great place to meet up with friends or a perfect destination for celebration. With an electric and multicultural concept, AGAVE makes everyone feel welcome; either because of the fresh and vibrant décor, authentic Mexican food, the full service bar, the atmosphere or the excellent service offered to our guests.

Top review

Adrienne

Dined on Oct 12, 2026

Food was excellent. We will definitely be back. I tried the chicken taco, mushroom taco, fish taco and the daily special turkey taco. My husband had the fajita platter and added guacamole

Gusto Grande

4.7

4.7 (351)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Lindsay

About the restaurant

Welcome to Gusto Grande, experience the soulful vibrancy of our authentic Italian-inspired cuisine. Set in the Kawartha Lakes area, many of our foods are prepared with locally sourced ingredients ensuring we deliver the highest quality product. If you are in the mood to enjoy casual-fine dining and exceptional food in a stylish art deco setting, then Gusto Grande has a place setting just for you!

Top review

Bill

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

As always, we enjoyed a quiet satisfying meal at Gusto Grande! At the risk of sounding repetitive, the menu appeals to the discerning Italian palate. Home made goodness in every bite! Our favourite restaurant by far!

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Popular dish

Caesar

Chemong Lodge Home of Country Dining

4.4

4.4 (744)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Home cooking

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Built in 1895 and nestled in the heart of the Kawarthas overlooking Chemong Lake, Chemong Lodge strives to take our guests on a culinary journey like no other.

Loved by locals and traveling foodies alike, our chef-driven country gourmet menu highlights seasonal ingredients, handcrafted dishes and is inspired by simple and honest cooking.

From classic recipes to authentic smoked BBQ, freshness and creativity are our favourite ingredients. Add even more to your experience with a selection of our fine wines, handcrafted cocktails, and trust us – you’ll want to save room for dessert.

Top review

OpenTable DinerGold

Dined on Oct 18, 2026

Exceeded expectations! The food choices were phenomenal , the taste was superb, service was fantastic and the view was amazing! My only regret is I hadn’t gone sooner… will definitely be back! If you want a relaxing, classy yet relaxed ,top of the line brunch - Chemong lodge would be my recommendation

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