Tucked along Lake Ontario, beautiful Bay of Quinte punches well above its weight in terms of culinary gems and hidden experiences perfect for exploring this spring, summer or fall. Whether you seek hands-on cooking classes, delightful farm to table dining or something different, you’ll likely find it here. So what does our perfect weekend to BOQ look like? Spoiler: it involves stretchy pants and zero regrets. Keep reading!
Where is the Bay of Quinte?
The Bay of Quinte is about half an hour Northwest of Prince Edward County, encompassing the communities of Brighton, Quinte West, Belleville, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and Greater Napanee. The perfect road trip destination, it’s widely accessible off Highway 401! Now that we’ve covered that, it’s time to dive in!
Friday
We suggest starting your trip in Belleville— the largest community in the Bay of Quinte with plenty of accommodation options where you can set up a home base for the weekend. Unpack those bags, get settled and then let’s grab dinner!
Dinner at The Kafana
Where: 199 Front St #101, Belleville, ON (View Map)
The Kafana is all about sharing food with those you love— family style. Think small plates, maximum flavour and an atmosphere that focuses on making everyone feel welcome and relaxed.
From dishes like banichki — hand-folded little pockets of deliciousness stuffed with Bulgarian cheese— to pickled herring on black bread and even Ukrainian candy bowls, dive head first into the rich stories and bright flavours with those at your table. Warning: You will consider licking your plates and we won’t judge.
Saturday
Saturday is packed with fun and flavour! Let’s get fueled up and hit the road to Quinte West but first? Breakfast.
Breakfast at Tropical Blends Cafe and Exploring Downtown
Where: 322 Pinnacle St, Belleville, ON (View Map)
Time for an island getaway, no passport required! Tropical Blends in downtown Belleville is a sunny, delicious café focused on fresh eats using locally-sourced goodness. Think smoothies bursting with fruity flavours, carefully poured coffee and some seriously delicious eats.
Expect smoothies packed with tropical fruits like dragonfruit and pineapple, golden lattes made with turmeric and milk, and deluxe bagels baked right in town and topped with microgreens and herby dill cream cheese. It’s the kind of spot where you can settle in, sip slowly, and soak up the laid-back atmosphere. Whether you’re fuelling up for a day of exploring or just easing into your weekend, this cozy café is a perfect stop.
Once you’re done, it’s time to explore downtown Belleville! Whether you’re picking up some delicious baked goods (seriously try the croissants) or sourdough bread from Small Scale Bread, shopping for gourmet goods at L’Auberge de France or even just sitting by the water or exploring the local farmers’ market, Belleville is full of hidden surprises.
Alright, once you’ve done a bit of exploring, it’s time to head to Quinte West!
Drive time: 24 mins
Lunch at The Grind and Vine
Where: 45 Front St, Quinte West, ON (View Map)
Coffee meets wine (a power couple we fully support) at this charming local gem in Quinte West, perched right along the scenic Trent River. On sunny days, snag your drink of choice and head for the patio—bonus points if you pair it with a curated charcuterie board that’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Still feeling full from breakfast? No worries. Grab a baked good like their sticky, not-so-humble butter tarts and call it research. It’s the kind of place that works for a snack, a full-on meal, or just a chill hang with your travel crew—wine glass in one hand, good convo in the other.
Drive time to next stop: 7 minutes
Fawn Over Market Culinary Experience
Where: 22186 Loyalist Pkwy, Carrying Place, ON (View Map)
Find your foodie heaven at Fawn Over Market, a delightful gourmet shop tucked right in the heart of Quinte West. Chef Alexandra Feswick—yes, the former Executive Chef at the Drake Devonshire—runs the show here, and she’s turned this spot into a full-blown celebration of local flavours.
Browse shelves lined with Ontario chef cookbooks, Prince Edward County kombucha, locally-roasted coffee, small-batch preserves, and plant-based ice cream that somehow tastes like a treat and a good decision. Grab a warm latte, nibble on a fresh-baked good made in house, or treat yourself to one of their stellar to-go meals—think crave-worthy pizzas, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Want to turn your visit into an experience? Plan to go on a Saturday for one of their cooking classes (must sign up in advance). Learn how to whip up an epic tiramisu, craft pizza like a pro or pair Portuguese wine with the perfect small plates. Some classes are led by Chef Alexandra herself, others by talented guest chefs—but either way, you’ll leave smarter, fuller, and probably carrying leftovers. We tried the tiramisu. We took it home. It was damn good.
Drive Time to Next Stop: 7 minutes
Dinner at Tomasso’s Italian Grille
Where: 35 Front St, Trenton, ON (View Map)
Head back to the banks of the Trent River for dinner and settle in at Tomasso’s, where riverside views pair perfectly with a glass of Ontario wine. If the weather plays nice, book a patio table—you’ll want front-row seats to that golden-hour glow as the sun dips low and your appetite kicks in.
Tomasso’s has served up made-from-scratch Italian fare for decades and proudly holds a Feast On® certification since 2015. That means a menu packed with local love—from Ontario farmers straight to your fork. Pretty epic, if you ask us.
Start strong with their legendary cheesy doughballs—we’re talking house-made dough stuffed with mozzarella, slathered in garlic spread, and served with herbed olive oil and marinara sauce. From there, move into a seasonal soup or the hummus and goat cheese salad (a surprisingly bold combo), then dive into the pasta and mains like you mean it.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong—but we’ll nudge you toward the penne portobello or the chicken parmigiana drenched in their signature spaghetti sauce. Both are total crowd-pleasers and great ways to wind down the day in bliss.
Drive time back to Belleville: 20 minutes
Sunday
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end but before you head home, why not fuel up for your drive? You’ve got options and we’ve got suggestions.
If You’re Going East: Wavy
Where: 5379 Old Highway 2 Unit 9, Shannonville, ON (View Map)
Step into Wavy and prepare to feel at least 20% cooler. Part café, part wellness boutique, part skateboard shop (yep, you read that right), this one-of-a-kind stop makes for a seriously fun detour if you’re heading toward Kingston—or anywhere east, really.
Owned and operated by Megan Barnhart and Ryan Bush, Wavy proudly stands on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory as an Indigenous-owned space that blends style, culture, and community. Browse their wall of decks and trucks, check out their curated collection of wellness goodies, and take in the Indigenous-made art that brings the whole place to life.
Need a caffeine fix? They’ve got you covered. Wavy serves up hot and cold drinks that don’t just hit the spot—they bring the flair.
Iced chai lattes, hot mochas, London fogs and some of the best looking hot chocolate you’ve ever seen are waiting for you. Of course, there are seasonal options as well. Past favourites have included everything from chocolate ice coffee floats with micro mini eggs to glittery pink lemonades and iced matchas with strawberry cold foam.
If You’re Heading West: Josh’s Diner
Where: 2544 County Rd 64, Carrying Place, ON (View Map)
If a diner breakfast is what you’re craving than a diner breakfast is what you’ll get! Josh’s Diner boasts all the nostalgic vibes of an old-school diner you could ever want. Think milkshakes made with Kawartha Dairy ice cream, the fluffiest of pancakes and blintzes stuffed with soft, creamy cheese and sour cream, topped off with a seasonal compote.
Yum. How about chicken and waffles or your classic Carrying Place Brekky complete with two eggs however you want ‘em, thick cut bacon, homefries and toast. We’re drooling. The vibes are nostalgic but the flavours are anything but boring. You’re gonna love it.
From May through October, keep an eye out for JERKebago—Josh’s Diner’s vibrant food trailer serving up bold, authentic Jamaican eats. Parked right beside Fawn Over Market, this seasonal hotspot dishes out wood-smoked jerk chicken that packs a punch, plus mouthwatering Jamaican beef patties you’ll be dreaming about long after the last bite.
Soak it all in!
If you’re making your way from Bay of Quinte to Kingston, don’t miss all these drool-worthy dining options along Highway 401!
A Culinary Road Trip Along South Eastern Ontario’s Highway 401
