On the shores of Georgian Bay in Simcoe County, Collingwood is a charming town that packs the punch when it comes to delicious food.
Perfect for a day trip (why not package it up with another epic destination in Simcoe County for a weekend getaway), there is no shortage of things to do and places to eat.
Discover Delicious Eats in Downtown Collingwood
Park your car in Downtown Collingwood for a morning of retail therapy, scrumptious food and fanciful cocktails. Then, hop in the car for an adventure to suit your wants before coming back for a dinner you’ll remember for a long, long time.
Stop 1: Breakfast with a side of good vibes
Where: Gibson & Co. 93 Hurontario St Unit 3, Collingwood, ON. (View Map)
You may not see Gibson & Co. at first glance but look a little closer and you’ll stumble upon a narrow alleyway lit by hanging Edison bulbs.
Tucked down the alley, you’ll find the door for Gibson & Co. which opens into a warm, surprisingly large space that smells of freshly ground coffee and baked goods and just seems to have that cool factor.
Gibson & Co. is home to what is possibly the best cortado and cappuccino around and a menu of simple eats that will make your stomach howl. Think baked goods (you have to try their ginger molasses cookie), avocado toast, and grilled cheese sandwiches with bacon marmalade.
We suggest taking your time here. Grab a table or spot up at the bar and linger over coffee. After all, this is vacation.
Before you go, be sure to check out their wine library (seriously, it’s shelves of wine with a rolling ladder) and grab a bottle (or two, or three) before heading out the door. This hot spot turns into a hip bar in the evenings so keep that hot tip in your back pocket in case you’d like to return.
Time to next stop: 2-minute walk or 1-minute drive
Stop 2: A LegenDAIRY Stop
Where: Dags & Willow Fine Cheese & Gourmet Shop, 25 Second St., Collingwood, ON. (View Map)
Cheese lovers unite [insert group high five here]!
Dags & Willow is a one-stop shop for all things cheese. You’ll find a selection of local cheeses (we were pleasantly surprised to find some of our favs including a reserve bleu from Glengarry Cheese) as well as a huge array of international cheeses too. Whether you’re eager for Emmental or gaga for Gouda, chances are they have it.
As if the cheese selection wasn’t enough to get us in the door, Dags & Willow also has a crazy selection of jams, mustards, and other preserves as well as some amazing accessories and accoutrements for your next board. They even have miniature raclette sets!
Looking for a gift? Head upstairs to shop for kitchenware that includes everything from gorgeously crafted charcuterie boards to big wooden salad bowls, mugs, and cheese knives.
Time to Next Stop: 2-minute drive or 4-minute walk
Stop 3: Caesars and More Retail Therapy
Where: 1858 Caesar Bar, 158 Hurontario St, Collingwood, ON. (View Map) followed by small shops in the downtown core
Like we said, it’s vacation. Time to grab your first cocktail of the day!
1858 Caesar Bar is just around the corner from Dags & Willow and serves up (you guessed it) the most epic caesars in all the land.
Grab a high top and peruse their menu of over-the-top inventions that include everything from the Surf n’ Turf which comes garnished with a lobster tail, beef, shrimp and a hunk of cheese to their Smashville which features a splash of spiced rum and comes garnished with a couple of chicken wings!
Before you go, be sure to check out their line of Caesar mix and rimmers – they make for the perfect souvenir and can help you recreate this goodness at home (or at least try).
After your Caesar, consider hitting the many downtown boutiques for a little retail therapy. You’ll find everything from artwork by local artists to kids’ toys, handcrafted pottery, clothing, and more.
Time to Next Stop: 2-minute drive or 4-minute walk
Stop 4: Great Beer, Great Food- time for lunch!
Where: Black Bellows Brewing Co., 40 Simcoe St, Collingwood, ON. (View Map)
We’re positive by now you’re hungry… right?
Well, you’re in luck. Black Bellows Brewing is just minutes away and serves up imaginative craft beers brewed in-house alongside a unique menu of must-try eats.
Grab a flight and enjoy it outside on the patio in good weather or inside in their large, hall-style taproom – an old blacksmith’s and carriage-making shop, rocking old charm with an updated vibe.
With a menu that rotates fairly regularly, we enjoyed the momos, tostadas, and couldn’t say no to the wings. Catch up with your crew or enjoy it solo, this brewery hits the spot.
Time to next stop: 4- 13 minutes-drive
Stop 5: Pick Your Play
Okay, we don’t want to prescribe your WHOLE day for you so we’ve got two options for afternoon fun.
Option 1: Go for a Stroll
Where: Millennium Park, 1 Heritage Dr, Collingwood, ON. (View Map)
If you’re on vacation because you need a darn break, we get it. Life gets messy and sometimes a reset is just what you need! We say a nice walk always helps to clear the mind.
Why not take a walk down to the harbour as you explore the beautiful waterfront at Millennium Park? With sweeping views of Millennium Harbour, you’ll love taking it all in on this easy, flat concrete path. Two parking lots make it a super convenient park to drive to too!
Option 2: Outdoor Adventure at Scenic Cave Nature Adventures
Where: Scenic Cave Nature Adventures, 260 Scenic Caves Rd, The Blue Mountains, ON. (View Map)
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Prefer to get a little active after all that food? We get that too! Scenic Café Nature Adventures offers up excellent excursions in the outdoors regardless of the season.
Whether you’re discovering gemstones and going for a hike in the warmer temps or snowshoeing over a massive suspension bridge with panoramic views in the chilly temps, there are so many ways to embrace the beauty of Simcoe County.
Don’t wait too soon to book your spot! They fill up quickly.
Time to Next Stop: 11-15 minutes drive time
Stop 6: Dinner You’ll Never Want to End
Where: The Tremont Café, 100 Pine St, Collingwood, ON. (View Map)
The best way to describe Tremont Café is to say, you’ll want your meal to last and last. Savour each bite because it is seriously packed with a balance of rich and delicate flavours you’ll want to keep eating.
Cozy up in the front window by candlelight and enjoy an intimate evening for a date or out with friends. We even saw some young families there too! The warm welcome received explains that.
A mix of plant-based eats and omnivore, we loved exploring their inventive menu which included a Hen of the Woods mushroom meal (we were told by locals several times over that we had to try this), watermelon halloumi, sweet potato gnocchi and so much more. Each bite left us craving the next.
On top of the food, discovering their extensive cocktail list is a must. With pages upon pages of options when it comes to gin, Campari, bourbon, Saki and more the options are pretty endless. Select one of their pre-created cocktails or ask the bar to surprise you!
All good things must come to an–…unless they don’t
Fancy perhaps staying the night and exploring more tomorrow? No worries. Collingwood has some great accommodations in town and on the outskirts. Why not stay the night and head to Press Market for breakfast or drive to Barrie, Innisfil or one of the many other destinations that call Simcoe County home?
