FARM TO FORK
High quality farming makes touring the back roads of Essex a true adventure. Drive down through farm fields in Essex during the harvest season and see for yourself.
Nothing beats farm fresh products harvested by those in Essex. Farm fresh means it was planted, pruned and picked from one of the many family-run operations that call Essex home. Our region boasts the longest growing season in Canada and it shows in the quality of produce grown locally and distributed to restaurants and food vendors around the region.
WINERY RESTAURANTS
Bistro 42 at North 42
Bistro 42 at the North 42 winery in Essex is proud to be both Feast On® and Ocean Wise Seafood certified. Providing fresh, local fish and produce from across Ontario, their dishes are sure to exceed your expectations. With a Summer dinner and lunch menu, mouth watering creations have been specially curated with love. From fire roasted soup with local tomatoes, chicken confit with a lavender vinaigrette sourced from the lavender farm next door, and local fish with fresh produce, these dishes are sure to please any appetite and taste buds.
Cooper's Hawk Vineyard & The Vines Restaurant
Inspiration for their name and their branding came from one of the many birds that frequent Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards. But it’s not just the birds that love to swoop in on this winery! Grab some friends and fly over to the Cooper’s Hawk tasting bar where knowledgeable staff will guide you on a journey of flavours. Enjoy a cool glass of your favourite on the outdoor patio, or stop in at The Vines Restaurant for a bite to eat. Surrounded by wide windows, with an expansive view of the vineyard, The Vines serves gourmet meals prepared with the freshest local ingredients. Pair your meal with an award-winning wine and you’ll understand why the birds keep coming back.
Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)
Go with the nautical theme and bring your “CREW” along for a tasting tour at Colchester Ridge Estate Winery. Learn about the 12-acre vineyard and award-winning wines from their friendly, knowledgeable staff. Sip a glass of award-winning POSH Cuvée or Flagship Chardonnay outdoors, while a Lake Erie breeze blows gently through the picnic area. Did you know they offer FREE DELIVERY in Windsor Essex? Send an email to orders@colchesterridge.com and they will be able to help you out!
Oxley Estate Winery & Restaurant
Pass beneath the arched entrance to Oxley Estate Winery and enter a world of wine-infused warmth. Located on a high bluff overlooking Lake Erie, the property offers stunning views of land and lake from the Wine Garden patio. Inside the renovated 1920 barn that serves as a retail store and event centre, winemaker Peter Pfeifer and a team of talented chefs create memorable flavours. Enjoy a Lake Erie perch entrée with a glass of 'Wowza White' or opt for a light appetizer to pair with your Cabernet Merlot. The seasonal menu focuses on fresh, local ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Outside, position a Muskoka chair alongside the wood-burning fireplace and enjoy a glass of your favourite with a homemade dessert.
Paglione Estate Winery & Restaurant
Enjoy “wine from a simpler time” at Paglione Estate Winery. Sip and savour seven unique vintages, including fan favourites like Summer Light Pino Noir or the 2016 Riesling. Relax on the colourful patio and sink your teeth into a wood-fired pizza, hand-made and freshly baked with local ingredients. Don’t forget dessert! Sample a variety of creamy Italian gelato and take in the authentic Tuscan-style architecture. Nestled in the heart of EPIC Wine Country, Paglione’s traditional charm and cultural experience provide a little taste of “la dolce vita.”
Viewpointe Estate Winery
We recommend Billy’s Taphouse or Garfield's to anyone looking for the Farm Fresh dining experience! These two restaurants are the perfect presentation of farm to fork dining, and are wonderful places to test local food! Try some fresh caught pickerel, locally grown greens, locally harvested meats and so many other delights. Food served fresh and locally produced wine and beer, they have it all. If you want to fill up on delicious, local food, make sure to think of Billy’s or Garfield's.
Garfield's
Meet the restaurant in Colchester that acts as a cozy diner by morning and an exciting pub by night! At Garfield’s, you can always expect that personable County Road 50 charm in a casual dining environment. From classic pub-fare to completely reimagined dishes, Garfield’s has all the menu items you’ve been craving. Take a peek at their extensive menu and pick from fan favorites such as the gooey mozzarella-stick grilled cheese and crispy Lake Erie Perch. With fresh local ingredients decorating each dish, your taste buds can indulge in a variety of foods such as meats from Uptown Meats and yellow perch straight from the Colchester docks. To pair with your meal, choose from a collection of wine from vineyards just down the road and cool local craft beers.
Billy's Taphouse
Fresh local food made from scratch, the philosophy at Billy’s Taphouse. This shows in everything they serve. A quick glance will tell you that the lamb for the Pulled Lamb Wrap comes from Woodslee’s Ewe Dell Farms or that the beef for the “Billy Burger” comes from Schinkels’ Meat Market right here in Essex. With access to the best produce and meats in Essex County, Billy’s kitchen consistently produces made-from-scratch favourites alongside in-house specials for the weekend. What’s a great meal without a great drink? Enjoy the casual comfort inside, or grab some rays and a bit of fresh air out on the patio. Beach volleyball courts at the rear of the property provide great entertainment during the summer season.
To find out more about fresh local farmed food in our area, view or download the Buy Local Map from the Essex County Federation of Agriculture.