Sweet Spring in Kawarthas Northumberland | Ontario Culinary
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Enjoy a Sweet Taste of Spring in Kawarthas Northumberland.

 

It's sap season in Kawarthas Northumberland and that can only mean one thing: it's time to explore all things maple in the region! From tapping trees to make sweet maple syrup to indulging in decadent desserts, there's no better time for anyone with a sweet tooth to visit.

We had a chance to explore the area in early March to showcase some of the sweetest stuff. Explore the stories and videos below to discover savoury maple products and menu items found in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County this season.

 

ALL ABOUT MAPLE

Each year as winter recedes, the warmers days and frosty nights, cause sap in sugar maple trees to flow up from the roots and into the trunks of the trees. This is a signals sugarbushes that maple harvesting is about to kick into high gear. Sap is collected, boiled over open fires and turned into Canada's favorite treat: maple syrup. During this short but sweet season, folks flock to sugar shacks to watch the tree tapping and sap boiling. Pancake houses pop up and kids of all ages indulge in maple taffy.

It's a uniquely Canadian experience - and everyone gets in on the fun.

In Kawarthas Northumberland, there's no better place than Sandy Flats Sugar Bush & Pancake House to explore the wonderful world of maple. On weekends during sap season, they're offering tours, taffy pouring, horse drawn wagon rides, plus sweet treats like deep-fried maple cookies and maple syrup hot dogs!

SWEET TREATS TO TRY NOW

Honey-soaked Baklava with Greek Yogurt

at Olympia in Lindsay

Maplelicious Cheesecake with maple ganache

at Cake by the Lake in Bobcaygeon

Fresh made waffles with Maple Syrup and whipped cream

at Elmhirst Resort in Keene

Passionfruit and Honey Green Tea with Mint and Lime

at Hanoi House in Peterborough

Beet Salad with Crosswind Farm Chevre & Maple

at Ashburnham Ale House in Peterborough

Maplelicious Toasted White Chocolate ft. Sandy Flats Maple

at Centre & Main in Warkworth

Tap Into the Season

NICE IN NORTHUMBERLAND

This is where things get sticky - in a good way! Discover artisan chocolates, mile-high burgers with maple bacon jam and the region's most popular sugarbush experience!

SWEET STOPS:

  • Centre and Main Chocolate, Warkworth
  • Dockside Bistro, Campbellford
  • Sandy Flast Sugar Bush, Warkworth
  • Market and Smor, Cobourg
  • The El, Cobourg

WHERE TO STAY:

Northumberland Heights Wellness Retreat & Spa, Cobourg

A TASTE OF KAWARTHA LAKES

Start your adventure at one of Lindsay's oldest restaurants and continue onto Bobcaygeon for a sweet taste of the lake.

SWEET STOPS:

  • Kountry Kitchen, Lindsay
  • Olympia Restaurant, Lindsay
  • Cake By The Lake, Bobcaygeon
  • Old Dog Brewing, Bobcaygeon
  • The Grilled Cheese Hideaway, Bobcaygeon
  • Royal Moose Restaurant, Bobcaygeon

WHERE TO STAY:

Bobcaygeon Inn, Bobcaygeon

 

PETERBOROUGH & THE KAWARTHAS

Sample sweets from delectable bakeries and heat up those cold toes over a hot bowl of pho before indulging in a local beer or two in the region's largest urban centre.

SWEET STOPS:

  • Kawartha Butter Tart Factory, Peterborough
  • Emily Mae's Cookies, Peterborough
  • Hanoi House, Peterborough
  • Cork and Bean, Peterborough
  • Ashburnham Ale House, Peterborough
  • Hearthside Dining Room, Keene

WHERE TO STAY:

Elmhirst Resort, Keene

 

SWEET (AND SAVOURY!) STORIES

 

Lindsay's Oldest Restaurant is also the sweetest

Olympia Restaurant has been a cornerstone for locals and visitors alike in Lindsay, Ontario since 1914 - but did you know it used to be an ice cream shop?

Peterborough just got a little sweeter thanks to this bakery

The much loved Kawartha Butter Tart Factory just opened a new location in Peterborough and they're serving up more than just their famous tarts!

Feel good about lunch at this zero-food-waste market in Cobourg

The folks at Market & Smor are on a mission to produce less food waste while providing their community with the very best produce and products.

Beer and Baller Grilled Cheese, it doesn't get better in Bobcaygeon

Old Dog Brewing opened just before the lockdowns in 2020 - but their patio's been full ever since thanks to a delicious partnership.

Peterborough might just be home to Ontario's best bowl of pho

The folks behind Hanoi House aren't ones to brag, but they serve a really good bowl of soup and locals know it.

Bet you didn't know Campbellford was home to some pretty amazing Indian food?

The Dockside Bistro may be known for it's (amazing) burger, but it's the Indian specialties that have us coming back for more.

SCENES FROM THE ROAD

For more ways to eat, stay and play in Kawarthas Northumberland, visit: kawarthasnorthumberland.ca. Follow @PerfectWknds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

This content was created with support from Kawarthas Northumberland.