Crisp autumn air, falling leaves and the smell of fresh apples wafting in the breeze make Grey County a spectacular spot for a fall foodie getaway.
This handy itinerary brings you through Thornbury and into Meaford for a delicious escape you won’t forget.
Start Planning
Keep reading for the rundown on where to go, what to eat and where to stay.
Hot tip 1: You may want to bring a cooler with you for this one!
Hot tip 2: Any stops with a ‘*’ after the name are also stops along the Apple Pie Trail. Want to keep this trip rolling? Why not explore another Apple Pie Trail region?
Friday
Roll into town at your leisure and enjoy your first evening in beautiful Grey County. Don’t forget to stop and see those fall colours along the way!
A Cozy Motel Stay *
Where: Penny’s Motel, 141 King St E, Thornbury, ON. (View Map)
In recent years, spots like the June Motel, Northridge Inn and even Schitt’s Creek’s Rosebud Motel have given new life to motel accommodations. Enter stage left, Penny’s Motel- the most adorable roadside accommodation that we adore.
Located just a minute from downtown Thornbury on Highway 26, Penny’s offers up a cozy motel stay complete with cruiser bikes for you to ride the nearby trails, fire pits, trendy outdoor seating and even complimentary s’mores.
Check into this spot on Friday night and when you’re settled, head over to the reception desk/cocktail bar- Aprés at Penny’s.
With bar seating that spans the length of the room, a couple high top tables and loads of outdoor seating available, it’s the perfect way to kick off your trip. Now, grab that cocktail list.
Penny’s has some classic Ontario beverage offerings like Jutsu from Bellwoods Brewery, seltzers and the lager from Willibald, Spy Golden Eye cider and more.
We, however, love their cocktail list. Think classics like espresso martinis and Apple Cider Manhattans (their edition to the Apple Pie Trail) next to more inventive cocktails like their pisco sour and bee’s knees rimmed with local bee pollen. They also have a cocktail of the month which switches all the time.
Rumour has it that in October, they’ll be creating a cocktail with blueberries and Freshwater Distillery‘s gin- yum!
Best known for their oysters, we opted to try one of each kind on the cooler that day topped with freshly-grated horseradish. The folks at Penny’s serve up those oysters with a house-made cocktail sauce, scotch bonnet hot sauce and a vignette.
There’s more though! You need to work your way through the rest of the menu where they serve up simple snacks like salted popcorn and guac and chips along side a creamy burrata with prosciutto and blackberries, grazing boards, pizza and even tuna ceviche.
Time to next stop: 12-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride or 1-minute drive
Saturday
Breakfast in Downtown Thornbury*
Where: Thornbury Bakery Café, 12 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON. (View Map)
Start your morning off right and fuel up at Thornbury Café! This bright and cheerful local hot spot is a must-stop for its friendly atmosphere and mouth-watering baked goods.
We ordered the Bruce Street Breakfast, a breakfast burrito and of course, took our time drooling over the many ooey gooey baked goods available. Want to try something truly unique? Check out their Red Prince Apple Pie (maybe bring it home with you) or split a cinnamon sticky bun.
Our favourite part about this stop, however, was the atmosphere. We sat in the sun-soaked dining room and enjoyed the hum of a busy morning as the owner went from table to table chatting with locals and visitors alike. If you’re looking for this small-town charm, look no further.
Time to next stop: Under a 1-minute walk
A Visit to the Cheese Gallery*
Where: The Cheese Gallery, 11 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON. (View Map)
Right across from the Thornbury Bakery Café, you’ll find the Cheese Gallery. We knew we’d like it from the name alone but we were over-the-top delighted with what we found!
You’ll be greeted by the smell of fresh baked goods (we recommend the lemon tarts or apple eclairs) and just-brewed coffee as soon as you open the door. Order up a cappuccino and wander the shop as it’s being prepared.
What will you find? Well of course, loads of cheese. Their cooler at the back is stuffed with imported and domestic cheeses from the likes of Gunn’s Hill, Stonetown, Kapuskasing Cheese and more. We opted to grab a beautiful soft goat cheese topped with flower petals for an added showstopper on our next cheese board.
In addition to all that cheese though, you’ll find loads of accoutrements, preserves and even a line of dried fruits and nuts that the Cheese Gallery has curated themselves.
Also in-house you’ll find loads of other local products like spirits and bitters from Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in Niagara, Spy Cider, soups, dressings and home-cooked meals. We told you; you might want that cooler.
Not quite ready to eat again so soon? It takes less than five minutes to wander from the Cheese Gallery down to the river. It’s a great time of year for it as the salmon are spawning and you’ll likely see plenty of them!
Time to next stop: 1-minute walk
Lunch at a Feast On® Restaurant*
Where: Bruce Wine Bar, 8 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON. (View Map)
Bruce Wine Bar is a Feast On® certified restaurant and a stop along the Apple Pie Trail. Missing it just doesn’t make sense!
Head inside and up the stairs to the dining room for a lunch just begging to be devoured.
The menu has just changed for fall and trust us when we say, it’s hard to choose just what you want! We say splitting a bunch of things is your best option.
With so many options to choose from, we opted for the Crispy Rice Bowl which comes topped with freshly-caught pickerel skewers marinated in maple tamari and a house-made tangy kimchi served overtop of deep-fried crispy rice and a slaw. The flavours make for a punchy explosion in your mouth.
Of course, we’ve heard a lot of amazing things about Bruce Wine Bar’s wood-fired pizza and when we saw the Squash and Apple Pizza with roasted squash, matchsticks of apples from Goldsmith’s apples, herb ricotta and a cream base all topped with toasted pumpkin seeds, we knew we had to have it.
Our gut did not steer us wrong here, folks!
Hot Tip: If you’re not into porta-pottys, we recommend using the washrooms at Bruce Wine Bar before heading out!
Time to next stop: 7-minute drive or 34-minute bike ride
Grab a Beer at Still Fields Brewery
Where: Still Fields Brewery, 317714 3 Line, Meaford, ON. (View Map)
Just a ten-minute drive down the road, Still Fields Brewing Company sits on a quaint, 22-acre farm property that will instantly make you feel like you just took a big breath of fresh air.
Walk around the main barn and into a charming little bottle shop where you can either grab some bottles to go or grab a couple beers on tap. You know us though- we recommend doing both!
For enjoying in-house, we recommend Still Field’s Grissette which is their take on a Belgian farmhouse table beer. Barrel-aged in oak, (most of Still Field’s beers are aged in wine barrels), this brew is fairly floral with a hint of citrusy tartness.
To go, you can’t miss the Wildflower Petite Country Ale. Seriously. You’ll rue the day you get home and realize you should have bought more!
This funky little number is a true taste of place as it’s infused with wildflowers grown right on the farm property. You’ll be delighted to taste hints of ginger, vanilla and surprisingly, even a little coconut note in there! Do you mind grabbing us a few more bottles, actually?
Time to Next Stop: 7-minute drive or 34-minute bike ride
Local Recommendation: The brewer, Owen at Still Fields Brewery said we need to go to Marilynne. As he put it, “they make the best BLT I’ve ever had in my life.” Go try it and tell us what you think.
Dinner at Fabbrica
Where: Fabbrica Thornbury, 27 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON. (View Map)
This Mark McEwan restaurant is tucked onto Thornbury’s main drag, just across from the café and bakery. You may recognize the name as there is another location in Toronto’s TD Centre.
Stop in and grab a seat out on the back patio if the weather is nice (don’t worry there are blankets and heaters available). This open air space still feels private with walls surrounding it and is great for catching up over a delicious meal.
We opted to try some of the pastas the Fabbrica team is well known for including their gnocchi all’anatara with Yukon gold dumplings and duck leg confit as well as their ricotta tortellini made with sweet peas, mint and lemon. Zesty and delish!
Don’t pass up on the opportunity for dessert either. We grabbed their simple chocolate torte, drizzled with carmel sauce and fresh blueberries to split while enjoying our coffee and winding down after a delightful first day.
After dinner, you’re just a one-minute drive, 4-minute bike or 12-minute walk back to your accommodations at Penny’s! Why not enjoy a bonfire and some s’mores when you arrive?
Sunday
Alas, it’s sad but it’s time to enjoy your last day in Grey County…or not? You could keep exploring all the region has to offer or check out the Apple Pie Trail.
However, if work is calling on Monday, we understand! Hit up a couple more spots and enjoy a leisurely drive home.
Time to Next Stop: 12-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride or 1-minute drive
Good Grief Coffee Roasters
Where: Good Grief Coffee Roasters, 28 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON. (View Map)
Head back into downtown Thornbury to Good Grief Coffee Roasters. Roasting their own beans in-house, Good Grief is known for their hot and fresh coffee drinks alongside warm baked goods like croissants and monthly donuts.
You’ll love the uber-cool vibe in here. We recommend grabbing a seat in the front window and taking in the hustle and bustle of downtown Thornbury and then popping into the bookstore attached to the café next door for a slow start to your morning.
Time to next stop: 8-minute drive or 36-minute bike
Grandma Lambe’s
Where: Granda Lambe’s, 206590, ON-26, Meaford, ON. (View Map)
Alright, it’s time to grab a few tastes of Grey County before heading home and nothing screams Grey the way a peck of fresh apples will! Head to Grandma Lambe’s Country Market located right on an orchard to get your fix.
Of course, it’s not all apples. You can also get pies, preserves, brownies, vinegar, a few home goods and so much more. If you ask us, this fall-centric stop is the perfect way to end your visit.
Hot Tip: If you find yourself in Owen Sound, you can find a second location for Grandma Lambe’s that’s open May-Thanksgiving each year!
See You Next Time!
We hope you have an awesome time in Grey County. Be sure to keep exploring!
