From iconic roadside burgers along Hwy. 11 and waterfront patios with perfect views to fine dining and unforgettable cottage country classics, Muskoka is packed with great places to eat. Whether you’re staying for a weekend or spending the summer at the lake, these are the restaurants, cafés and hidden gems worth visiting.
Best Restaurant
Born from a spontaneous Sunday family drive, Crossroads (photo at top) is Muskoka’s best because owners Julie and Richard Lalonde bring serious Fairmont-trained talent to Rosseau. Their “pure, simple, and delicious” philosophy translates to phenomenal plates, like rack of lamb and beef tenderloin. Exceptional service and a heated patio make this village gem entirely worth the trip.
Best Food Truck
Skip the high-end reservation and grab a bright yellow picnic table in Bala. Run by Toronto fine-dining expats Jennifer Dewasha and Jane MacDonald, Smokin’ Birds deals in Texas-style barbecue. Try the jiggly tender brisket that melts instantly and hand-cut fries crisp-fried in beef tallow. Wash it down with their house-made juice while catching a sunset over Moon River.
Best BBQ Restaurant
Stationed at Huntsville’s historic train station, Smokin’ Hot BBQ features one of the largest live-fire pit set-ups in Ontario. They use traditional Texas smokers to churn out massive, 14-hour slow-smoked brisket and monster sandwiches like the Piggly Wiggly. Show up on a Saturday for their “Smokeshow,” catch live bands playing right by the tracks.
Best Dockside Food Delivery
Summer in Huntsville hasn’t truly started until you’ve flagged down a floating gelato shop. Operated by Affogato Café + Gelato, the Gelato Barge cruises Peninsula Lake, Lake Vernon and Fairy Lake, delivering handcrafted Italian gelato straight to docks and boats. Track its location via a live GPS link online or find it docked at Deerhurst Resort on Thursday afternoons.
Best Butcher Shop
If you’re firing up the cottage barbecue, skip the grocery store and head straight to Big Daddy’s in Huntsville. A staple for more than 20 years, the shop is known for its filler- and gluten-free meats, from oversized chicken breasts and prime rib roasts to signature house-made sausages. Snag one of the monthly Meat Bags for serious savings on the best cuts in town.
Best Gourmet Food Shop
Created by Toronto’s Toben Hospitality Group, Bala spot the Pearl brings city flavour straight to cottage country. By day, it’s a covered patio market for oat milk lattes, “Bomb” breakfast sandwiches and premium takeout. At night, it transforms into a vibey snack bar with live music and communal plates like Australian wagyu.
Best Unique Dining Experience
Forget the car — getting to Henry’s on Frying Pan Island requires a seaplane, boat or helicopter. This remote Georgian Bay spot is legendary for its waterfront views and world-famous pickerel and trout, fresh caught and battered to perfection. It’s an absolute trek to get to, but that’s exactly why everyone loves it.
Best Burger
Webers captures everything people love about summer road trips. The charcoal-grilled burgers are smoky, the fries are generously seasoned, and the milkshakes hit the spot after a long drive north. Add the restaurant’s famous railway car dining room, and you’ve got a true Muskoka tradition.
Best Lakeside Patio
Few places do cottage country living quite like Jack & Stella. Dock the boat, grab a smoothie on the waterfront patio and wander through the boutique’s carefully curated collection of clothing and cottage essentials. Later, settle in with a glass of wine and a wood-fired pizza as the lake glows at sunset.
Best Ice Cream
Not every summer treat has to come in a cone. Bracebridge shop Screamy’s has built a following for its handmade ice cream and sorbet bars, but the small-batch scooped ice cream deserves attention too. The hardest part is deciding what to order.
Best Lakefront View
Sitting atop a 70-suite hotel wing in Gravenhurst, Skybar is Muskoka’s highest rooftop lounge. It clears a 300-foot cliffside drop, giving you an epic bird’s-eye view of the Canadian Shield and a Doug Carrick golf course. Time your visit for sunset and you’ll quickly see why it’s become one of the region’s most sought-after reservations.
Best Waterfront Margaritas
Tulo’s Taqueria has earned a reputation as one of Muskoka’s go-to spots for a margarita. The Port Carling restaurant overlooks the waterfront, and the rooftop patio rarely has an empty seat. Choose from watermelon, pineapple or classic lime and see what the fuss is about.
Best Italian Restaurant
If your perfect Muskoka evening involves arriving by boat and ending with tiramisù, Rousseau Pizzeria is your spot. Overlooking the town docks on Lake Rosseau, the restaurant serves crisp Italian-style pizzas, fresh pastas and polenta fries, best enjoyed from the patio as the sun dips behind the lake.
Best Tacos
Sure, you could have another burger. Or you could spend the evening dunking crispy birria tacos into rich broth and sipping mango-hibiscus margaritas at El Pueblito. This family-run Bracebridge spot is serving authentic Mexican comfort food, from loaded potato flautas to fresh churros that disappear from the table almost instantly.
Best Scones
This beloved Bala landmark has been feeding cottagers since 1947. Don’s recently returned to its original scratch-made recipes, bringing back the scone buns that built its reputation. One bite is usually enough to understand why people buy them by the dozen.
Best Fish + Chips
Some places are worth pulling over for. Mrs. H’s is one of them. Hidden near Wahta Station, this popular fish and chips stand has built a loyal following thanks to massive portions and perfectly fried seafood. Expect flaky halibut and enough fries to feed a small crew. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the cooks singing while they work.
Best Steak
For a serious steak dinner, Compass Grill & Bar is worth the splurge. Huntsville’s Deerhurst Resort has brought signature cuts from its acclaimed Antler Steakhouse menu to the restaurant for the season, including a 50-ounce tomahawk and Canadian AAA strip loin, both served with parsnip purée and a smoked Gouda–stuffed double-baked potato.
