Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central Ontario

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

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 .

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.

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

One Fine Food

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 (305)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Farm-to-table

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Elmhirst’s Resort is an all season, cottage resort and conference facility. It offers a spa, excellent dining and a host of activities for the whole family. Our collection of cottages is nestled on the pretty shore of Rice Lake. It is managed by a fifth generation of Elmhirst family and continues to offer the very best of the Kawarthas — much of it grown here, raised here or sourced from our very own 240-acre property.

This property is the cornerstone of the Elmhirst’s Resort experience, and we’re committed to preserving it. Toward that end, we pride ourselves on environmental sustainability. In every aspect of our operation, we strive to use resources respectfully, and are always looking for new ways to ensure the land’s continued majesty.

Top review

Miranda

Dined on Oct 26, 2026

I had a wonderful breakfast at Elmhirst. They’re incredibly careful about gluten, and the whole service team knows what’s gluten-free, what may contain gluten, and what isn’t safe. It makes dining there so easy when you have celiac disease. The service is always top-notch. I had the omelet, which was delicious, and my husband had the waffles. They looked phenomenal, and he said they were delicious too. He finished every last bite, so I’d say they were a hit!

Hobart's Lighthouse

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! 😊

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

Ziraldo’s Italian Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (30)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Fenelon Falls

About the restaurant

In the heart of our restaurant, the spirit of Edward “Eddy” Ziraldo lives on. His warm embrace is woven into every dish we serve. Eddy was not just a patriarch; he was the soul of our family, our beloved Grandad. His laughter echoed through gatherings, and his wisdom guided us through life’s challenges. He shared countless meals with his beloved wife Mary, our Granny, creating a legacy rich with love and tradition. Their marriage of over 57 years was a testament to commitment, filled with joy and the simple pleasures of home-cooked meals.

Grandad’s philosophy—"you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"—was a guiding light for us all. He taught us to approach life with kindness, reminding us that our greatest wealth lies in relationships. Though we miss them dearly, their spirit inspires everything we do in our restaurant. Each plate we serve is infused with the love and laughter that defined our family gatherings.

Top review

Joanne

Dined 4 days ago

Our server was great. She did not rush us and was very attentive.

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Experience

Prime Rib Sunday

Experience

Wednesday Wine & Dine

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

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co

3.9

3.9 (69)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Fenelon Falls

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself in a culinary adventure at our venue, where a restaurant, chocolate cafe, and brewery converge to offer a captivating experience. Our restaurant features a diverse menu crafted with local, fresh ingredients to create dishes that blend tradition with innovation. Indulge in our chocolate cafe with artisanal chocolates and sumptuous pastries made from premium chocolate. Visit our brewery to enjoy a selection of craft beers or choose from selection of our wines and spirits that will perfectly complement our food offerings. Together, our establishment provides a harmonious dining experience that invites guests to savour exquisite cuisine, luxurious chocolates, and expertly crafted beers in a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Dan

Dined on Sep 6, 2026

Beautiful dinner with baked brie, watermelon salad, thai chicken and wings! Cocktails were beautiful, service was perfect and all located overlooking the locks with a great open air vibe.

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