Updated October 18, 2019.
Sure, neighbouring Prince Edward County gets most of the gourmet hype, but Kingston’s no slouch when it comes to fine food. As well as being home to one of my favourite tapas restaurants and an historic farmers’ market, the Limestone City also has one of the prettiest food shops in Eastern Ontario, a great Italian restaurant and a fab bakery. Here’s the scoop.
Tango Nuevo
What’s “nuevo” about Tango Nuevo? Well, it came under new ownership in 2013. But that didn’t change the tapas restaurant’s groovy urban vibe; if anything, it enhanced it. The long, narrow space has exposed stone walls and deep leather banquettes, and the soundtrack is a jazzy-Euro-techno mix. Every time I visit with my sisters, we spend ages debating the choices, and we’ve never once picked a dish that we disliked. The choices are primarily Mediterranean, from Spanish to Turkish, but there’s a nod to Asian cuisine, too. I’m particularly fond of the spicy sambal shrimp with cilantro-lime butter sauce and the vegetable empanadas with garlic aioli. Every dish offers fresh and distinct combinations of herbs and sauces. It’s really hard not to sit there and just eat all night.
Kingston Public Market
The Kingston Public Market claims to be Ontario’s oldest. Since it dates back to 1801, I don’t think it really has any serious competition. It’s not as big as the Byward Market nor as hectic as the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, but it has a nice variety of about two dozen food vendors and a smattering of artisans. The setting, the cobblestone Springer Market Square in the shadow of City Hall, is atmospheric.
Cooke’s Fine Foods and Coffee
Look up and admire the pressed-tin ceiling and cranberry-glass pendant lamps. Look down to see the weathered wooden floors. And look everywhere to browse for goodies like Spanish olives, English cookies, chocolates, mustards, oils…you name it, Cooke’s Fine Foods and Coffee probably has it. It’s not surprising; the building has housed some sort of grocery emporium since 1865. They’ve had time to source the world’s suppliers. Check out the store’s own line of coffees and teas.
Olivea
Olivea is one of my favourite Kingston restaurants. Dishing up Italian cuisine, it offers tasty options for both traditionalists (penne alla carbonara, Caesar salad) and those looking for a more unusual twist on Mediterranean fare (chickpea fritters with lemon, Ligurian seafood stew). It’s lively without being insanely noisy, the servers are attentive (but not smothering), and it’s in a primo downtown location on Springer Market Square. Plus, the truffled frites with Parmesan may just be the best $9 you spend in Kingston. Trust me.
Pan Chancho
I’m not sure why I love Pan Chancho bakery so much. After all, Ottawa’s own Art-Is-In makes bread that is just as delightful. Other bakeries are Pan Chancho’s equal when it comes to scones or baguettes. But I think I just like the ambiance: huge windows, baskets overflowing with baked goods and a lively cafĂ©. Run by the same folks who run nearby Chez Piggy restaurant, it’s always hopping and always smells sensational. Check the store’s website to find out which specialty products will be available that day—anything from fig anise bread to buttermilk raspberry muffins.
For more to do in the area, see my tips for things to see and do in Gananoque and Chaffeys Locks.
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If you go
Distance from Ottawa: 199km
Information: Kingston Tourism
6 comments
How very timely! Pat and I are headed to Kingston for a couple of days later this month to celebrate our anniversary. The market is one of my favorite places to browse, and you can bet I’ll be checking out your other suggestions, too! 🙂
Glad to help, Linda! Have a great trip!
I like Kingston for food, too, Laura, and have bought some of the best butter tarts ever at the farmer’s market there. An added advantage of that market is its proximity to Kingston Brewing Co., the oldest brewpub in the province.
I love the Kingston Brewing Company! In fact, there are so many other cool food spots in Kingston (Le Chien Noir, for one) that I suspect I’ll need to do another “foodie Kingston” post sometime soon. 🙂
Hi Laura, I love trips to Kingston – such a great city! I have another suggestion for your next “foodie Kingston” post: Sally’s Roti. A fellow named Frederick used to have a restaurant on Carling Ave. in Ottawa called Caribbean Flavours that friends of mine frequented. I’d never had roti – maybe never heard of them back then – but once I tried his shrimp roti, I was hooked! We even did “roti runs” from work. Frederick closed his restaurant several years ago and I was deprived of my delicious rotis. He opened another one in the Market a few years later- Flavours of the Caribbean – with the same delicious rotis and I was once again in heaven but ,alas, it was short-lived as health problems caused him to close once again. My friends and I have tried others in Ottawa but nothing came close. So on a trip to Kingston last February, I put Sally’s Roti on the Must-Do list and they were just as good! I was back in the summer for one and brought 3 home with me. I gave one to the friend who introduced me to them and she agreed so we’re planning another trip to Kingston especially for them. This time, there’ll likely be even more brought home as they freeze well. Thanks so much for all your work getting the rest of us out and about! Sue
Oh, yum, thanks for the info, Susan! I LOVE rotis! I will definitely put this on my list for my next trip to Kingston. These sound delicious.