WHERE TO EAT & WHAT TO DO
DINING OPTIONS
We've compiled a short list of restaurant suggestions. It's a work in progress! We have a great number of wonderful restaurants in Downtown St. Catharines within a very short walking distance of our property. And, there is so much more to explore in the Niagara Region that it would be impossible to list it all.
Only 3 blocks away, the Sunset is the perfect spot for a simple breakfast with a real neighbourhood vibe. Opens early Monday to Saturday.
Sunset Restaurant
180 Saint Paul StreetOnly 3 blocks away, the Sunset is the perfect spot for a simple breakfast with a real neighbourhood vibe. Opens early Monday to Saturday.
Only 2 blocks away, Huong's is one of our favourite restaurants for lunch or dinner. It's beautifully decorated, has a great playlist and wonderful, freshly-prepared Vietnamese and Thai food.
Huong's Kitchen
12 Queen StreetOnly 2 blocks away, Huong's is one of our favourite restaurants for lunch or dinner. It's beautifully decorated, has a great playlist and wonderful, freshly-prepared Vietnamese and Thai food.
Right next to the Performing Arts Centre, about 10 minutes walk from our place, is a beautiful cafe with great sandwiches, coffee, pastries and specialty cakes. A great place for a late breakfast or lunch.
Caffe Gatti
3 Race StRight next to the Performing Arts Centre, about 10 minutes walk from our place, is a beautiful cafe with great sandwiches, coffee, pastries and specialty cakes. A great place for a late breakfast or lunch.
Just around the corner is Wellington Court Restaurant, one of Niagara's first fine dining restaurants and one of the finest still today.
10 habitants recommandent
Wellington Court Restaurant + Catering
11 Wellington StJust around the corner is Wellington Court Restaurant, one of Niagara's first fine dining restaurants and one of the finest still today.
Only 2 blocks away, the Merch is a great place for upscale pub food and craft beers. It's a very popular spot Downtown!
47 habitants recommandent
The Merchant Ale House
98 St Paul StOnly 2 blocks away, the Merch is a great place for upscale pub food and craft beers. It's a very popular spot Downtown!
Only 2 blocks away, Wind is a great restaurant for sushi and Japanese foods with set pricing so you can eat as much as you like!
16 habitants recommandent
Wind Japanese and Thai
131 King StOnly 2 blocks away, Wind is a great restaurant for sushi and Japanese foods with set pricing so you can eat as much as you like!
MA Chinese Cuisine
123 Geneva StElegant, Asian dining just outside the Downtown area.
Usually open on Sundays! Fun and creative breakfasts and lunches. Great original menu. Homemade breads, homemade sausage, roasted potatoes, crazy imaginative pancakes ... need we say more? A 5 minute drive from our place. Definitely worth a visit. There may be a line-up - it's worth the wait!
12 habitants recommandent
The Diner House 29
431 Welland AveUsually open on Sundays! Fun and creative breakfasts and lunches. Great original menu. Homemade breads, homemade sausage, roasted potatoes, crazy imaginative pancakes ... need we say more? A 5 minute drive from our place. Definitely worth a visit. There may be a line-up - it's worth the wait!
Practically around the corner from us is this wonderful Portugese cafe with lots of goodies, including the well-known Portugese tarts. They also have regular live entertainment, host art shows and have a great patio. And, the coffee is excellent!
The Brazen Café
19 King StPractically around the corner from us is this wonderful Portugese cafe with lots of goodies, including the well-known Portugese tarts. They also have regular live entertainment, host art shows and have a great patio. And, the coffee is excellent!
All we can say is "WOW!" The food and service are stellar! Like Middle Eastern with a twist of Australian. Brilliant! And, there's no tipping. They pay their staff a living wage so they don't need to work for tips. Dispatch is a wonderful addition to our Downtown! Make reservations!!!
11 habitants recommandent
Dispatch
386 St Paul StAll we can say is "WOW!" The food and service are stellar! Like Middle Eastern with a twist of Australian. Brilliant! And, there's no tipping. They pay their staff a living wage so they don't need to work for tips. Dispatch is a wonderful addition to our Downtown! Make reservations!!!
Just a couple blocks from our place, Helen's is a great deli. Great sandwiches, soups, cabbage rolls , salads, cold cuts, breads, pastries ... it's been a local favourite for decades!
Helen's Delicatessen
50 James StreetJust a couple blocks from our place, Helen's is a great deli. Great sandwiches, soups, cabbage rolls , salads, cold cuts, breads, pastries ... it's been a local favourite for decades!
On St. Paul Street, just a few blocks away, the burgers and fries are really, really good!
15 habitants recommandent
Hambrgr
233 St Paul StOn St. Paul Street, just a few blocks away, the burgers and fries are really, really good!
Avondale Dairy Bar has been a local tradition since the mid 1950s. Their ice cream is delicious and they also have a number of wonderful flavours of frozen yoghurt (our favourite) and even plant-based treats. We can't figure out where they find so many nice young kids to work behind the counter. It's like a trip back to the 1950s! You shouldn't miss the chance to visit this Niagara gem while you're touring the region!
38 habitants recommandent
Avondale Dairy Bar
461 Stewart RdAvondale Dairy Bar has been a local tradition since the mid 1950s. Their ice cream is delicious and they also have a number of wonderful flavours of frozen yoghurt (our favourite) and even plant-based treats. We can't figure out where they find so many nice young kids to work behind the counter. It's like a trip back to the 1950s! You shouldn't miss the chance to visit this Niagara gem while you're touring the region!
Vegan doughnuts!!! People are coming to Downtown St. Catharines from Toronto and further to buy Vegan doughnuts from this unique business on St. Paul Street. They look good!
40 habitants recommandent
Beechwood Doughnuts
165 St Paul StVegan doughnuts!!! People are coming to Downtown St. Catharines from Toronto and further to buy Vegan doughnuts from this unique business on St. Paul Street. They look good!
A short drive from our property, this fantastic Greek restaurant is right on the Welland Canal with a great view of the canal from inside or out on their large, covered balcony. Right beside the locks - if you're lucky, you'll catch a ship going through. The Greek dishes are very well prepared and the desserts are just like my mom used to make.
15 habitants recommandent
George's Greek Village
535 Queenston StA short drive from our property, this fantastic Greek restaurant is right on the Welland Canal with a great view of the canal from inside or out on their large, covered balcony. Right beside the locks - if you're lucky, you'll catch a ship going through. The Greek dishes are very well prepared and the desserts are just like my mom used to make.
Usually open on Sundays! Just a 5 minute drive away is Johnny Pastrami's, not the name that would make you think great breakfast but they have fantastic breakfasts! The lunches are probably great, too, but we've only had breakfast here and it's wonderful. The home fries are delicious, especially topped with sauteed onions, which are included. It's small but comfortable and obviously a favourite of the neighbourhood. They also have a second, larger location on Lake Street near Lakeshore Road.
Johnny Pastrami’s Breakfast and Lunch
296 Ontario StUsually open on Sundays! Just a 5 minute drive away is Johnny Pastrami's, not the name that would make you think great breakfast but they have fantastic breakfasts! The lunches are probably great, too, but we've only had breakfast here and it's wonderful. The home fries are delicious, especially topped with sauteed onions, which are included. It's small but comfortable and obviously a favourite of the neighbourhood. They also have a second, larger location on Lake Street near Lakeshore Road.
Not much to say. It's a chain restaurant well-known for steak.
24 habitants recommandent
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - St. Catharines
344 Glendale AveNot much to say. It's a chain restaurant well-known for steak.
We've never been. It's a Canadian chain restaurant about 5 minutes drive from our place.
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual
295 Fourth AvenueWe've never been. It's a Canadian chain restaurant about 5 minutes drive from our place.
Love this place! Dining in a garden centre! You walk in and smell food and flowers! Sandwiches (with Della Terra breads), soups and amazing pastries. A beautiful drive through wine country from our place to this great establishment in Vineland.
23 habitants recommandent
The Watering Can Flower Market
3725 King StLove this place! Dining in a garden centre! You walk in and smell food and flowers! Sandwiches (with Della Terra breads), soups and amazing pastries. A beautiful drive through wine country from our place to this great establishment in Vineland.
Mahtay Café & Lounge
241 St Paul StYoung people love this cafe!
The District Tapas+Bar
24 Saint Paul StreetGreat food! On St. Paul Street right next to the Meridian Centre.
Another WOW from Anita & Dan! Delightful fruit-based liqueurs and spirits. Beyond that, though, you must stay for a meal in their beautiful dining room. The food is beyond belief! This is going to be one of our favourite dining spots!
Spirit in Niagara Distillery
458 Lakeshore RoadAnother WOW from Anita & Dan! Delightful fruit-based liqueurs and spirits. Beyond that, though, you must stay for a meal in their beautiful dining room. The food is beyond belief! This is going to be one of our favourite dining spots!
Fantastic European food. Loved their house-cured salmon and latkes! And, their schnitzels are massive!
9 habitants recommandent
Kaiserhaus
38 Lakeport RdFantastic European food. Loved their house-cured salmon and latkes! And, their schnitzels are massive!
Italian, right across from the Marina in Port Dalhousie. Nice patio!
15 habitants recommandent
The Twisted Pig | Italian Kitchen
1 Lock StItalian, right across from the Marina in Port Dalhousie. Nice patio!
Our favourite place for authentic Italian cuisine. You won't be disappointed!!!
Twisted Vine Kitchen & Market
1502 Niagara Stone RoadOur favourite place for authentic Italian cuisine. You won't be disappointed!!!
1954 Bourbon & Smoke
259 Saint Paul StreetWalking distance from our place. Right across from the PAC.
Solaia Cucina and Cantina is a wonderful new Italian eatery. We had the pleasure of enjoying dinner on their opening night. The food is outstanding!
30 St Paul St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3M2, Canada
Solaia Cucina and Cantina is a wonderful new Italian eatery. We had the pleasure of enjoying dinner on their opening night. The food is outstanding!
PARKS & NATURE
The Niagara Region has a diverse landscape with a combination of urban spaces, fruit orchards, vineyards, working farms and the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO Biosphere. We've included a small number of parks, conservation areas and trails that you might like to explore during your visit.
Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails all in one park that is only 15 minutes drive from downtown. A Niagara gem
68 habitants recommandent
Parc provincial Short Hills
Pelham RoadHiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails all in one park that is only 15 minutes drive from downtown. A Niagara gem
Only 3 doors away, Montebello Park is a beautiful place to sit and relax or wander through the rose garden. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (Central Park, NYC), Montebello officially became a city park in 1887. Montebello is host to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the well-known Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.
6 habitants recommandent
Parc Montebello
64 Ontario StOnly 3 doors away, Montebello Park is a beautiful place to sit and relax or wander through the rose garden. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (Central Park, NYC), Montebello officially became a city park in 1887. Montebello is host to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the well-known Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.
A great walking and cycling hard-surface path that follows the entire length of the Welland Canal from St. Catharines to Port Colborne.
Welland Canal Trail
Welland Canal TrailA great walking and cycling hard-surface path that follows the entire length of the Welland Canal from St. Catharines to Port Colborne.
A hard surface walking and cycling trail that follows the Niagara River from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie. Beautiful!
9 habitants recommandent
Niagara Parkway Recreational Trail
Niagara Parkway Recreational TrailA hard surface walking and cycling trail that follows the Niagara River from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie. Beautiful!
Starting in Niagara Falls, the 400 kilometer hiking trail follows the Niagara Escarpment all the way to Tobermory with numerous entry points throughout the Niagara Region.
Bruce Trail Link
Bruce Trail LinkStarting in Niagara Falls, the 400 kilometer hiking trail follows the Niagara Escarpment all the way to Tobermory with numerous entry points throughout the Niagara Region.
The Ninth Street entry point allows you to follow the ravine to the base of Rockway Falls. A rugged walk.
10 habitants recommandent
Rockway Conservation Area
2021 Pelham RoadThe Ninth Street entry point allows you to follow the ravine to the base of Rockway Falls. A rugged walk.
Parc Charles Daley
1969 North Service RoadSurprisingly, we've never been.
Historic conservation area replete with colonial buildings and scenic hiking trails.
90 habitants recommandent
Ball's Falls Conservation Area
3292 Sixth AveHistoric conservation area replete with colonial buildings and scenic hiking trails.
Beautiful place for hiking with scenic waterfalls. Spring time visitors have the added bonus of seeing the spring raptor migration to the north.
12 habitants recommandent
Beamer Falls
Beautiful place for hiking with scenic waterfalls. Spring time visitors have the added bonus of seeing the spring raptor migration to the north.
ARTS & CULTURE
Niagara has a lively arts and cultural community. Our listing is incomplete as we're in the beginning stages of creating our guidebook.
An art gallery within a significant historic building. A fun walk over the new Burgoyne bridge or under along the twelve mile creek trail
Rodman Hall Art Centre
109 St Paul CrescentAn art gallery within a significant historic building. A fun walk over the new Burgoyne bridge or under along the twelve mile creek trail
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
250 St Paul Sthttps://firstontariopac.ca/Online/
SIGHTSEEING
Our region is a destination for sightseers - we have Niagara Falls, still one of the 7 wonders of the world; the Welland Canal, a marvel of engineering first conceived and built in the mid-19th century; the Niagara Escarpment and a built heritage dating back to the earliest colonial days of Upper Canada. Our listing is incomplete - a work in progress.
the old carousel, still a nickel a ride; the pier and harbour. The Henley rowing course and Lakeside Park (take note Rush fans)
82 habitants recommandent
Port Dalhousie
the old carousel, still a nickel a ride; the pier and harbour. The Henley rowing course and Lakeside Park (take note Rush fans)
view the ships in the locks of the Welland Canal and visit the historical museum as well as the Lacrosse hall of fame.
32 habitants recommandent
Musée de St. Catharines et Centre des canaux de Welland
1932 Welland Canals Parkwayview the ships in the locks of the Welland Canal and visit the historical museum as well as the Lacrosse hall of fame.
a working grist mill on the brink of beautiful Decew Falls on the Bruce Trail
16 habitants recommandent
Morningstar Mill
2714 Decew Rda working grist mill on the brink of beautiful Decew Falls on the Bruce Trail
You can't visit Niagara without a visit to Niagara Falls. It still takes our breath away. The Niagara Parks Commission does a beautiful job maintaining the Niagara Parkway from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie. The Niagara Falls area is filled with parks with beautiful gardens - the School of Horticulture, the Butterfly Conservatory and the Greenhouses are all worthy of a visit. Then, there is the Kitsch of Clifton Hill - a fantastic Coney Island experience without the beach!
1606 habitants recommandent
Niagara Falls
You can't visit Niagara without a visit to Niagara Falls. It still takes our breath away. The Niagara Parks Commission does a beautiful job maintaining the Niagara Parkway from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie. The Niagara Falls area is filled with parks with beautiful gardens - the School of Horticulture, the Butterfly Conservatory and the Greenhouses are all worthy of a visit. Then, there is the Kitsch of Clifton Hill - a fantastic Coney Island experience without the beach!
SHOPPING
Our proximity to the US border makes Niagara a great place for American shoppers. We have a number of unique boutiques Downtown within a short walking distance of our property. Plus, within a short driving distance, you can explore each and every hamlet and village across Niagara, each with its own special shops and boutiques.
Only 1 1/2 blocks away from our place is our local Market Sqare. It's open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You can shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, breads and baked goods, honey, syrup, eggs, meats and cheeses. You can also get your breakfast. How about Huevos rancheros or a ham and egg panini? It's hard to choose.
6 habitants recommandent
Market Square Lot
Only 1 1/2 blocks away from our place is our local Market Sqare. It's open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You can shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, breads and baked goods, honey, syrup, eggs, meats and cheeses. You can also get your breakfast. How about Huevos rancheros or a ham and egg panini? It's hard to choose.
Just off the QEW, about 15 minutes away from our place, is our region's newest outlet mall. We don't have anything more to say about it - it's a mall.
325 habitants recommandent
Collection Outlet à Niagara
300 Taylor RdJust off the QEW, about 15 minutes away from our place, is our region's newest outlet mall. We don't have anything more to say about it - it's a mall.
Costco Wholesale
3 N Service RdIn case you're looking for Costco, here it is.
Some great retail Downtown. Boot Shop for shoes; Verity, Lousje & Bean for ladies clothing ... Check out mydowntown.ca for a listing of Downtown retailers.
17 habitants recommandent
Downtown
Some great retail Downtown. Boot Shop for shoes; Verity, Lousje & Bean for ladies clothing ... Check out mydowntown.ca for a listing of Downtown retailers.
A new business Downtown just blocks from our place. The young man that owns the business is bringing unique wines to his shop. Worth a look!
Archives Wine and Spirit Merchants
39 James StreetA new business Downtown just blocks from our place. The young man that owns the business is bringing unique wines to his shop. Worth a look!
ENTERTAINMENT
For those visitors looking for a night out, we have a number of entertainment venues across the region. Stay tuned for more listings in this category as we continue to work on our guidebook.
Check out their website to see what top name acts may be headlining during your stay. www.meridiancentre.com
The Meridian has hosted names like Elton John, Jerry Seinfeld and more.
28 habitants recommandent
Centre Meridian
1 David S. Howes WayCheck out their website to see what top name acts may be headlining during your stay. www.meridiancentre.com
The Meridian has hosted names like Elton John, Jerry Seinfeld and more.