Diners' Choice: Contemporary Canadian restaurants in Southern Ontario

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary Canadian cuisine in Southern Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Rapscallion & Co.

4.8

4.8 (1664)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Rapscallion & Co. is a mischievous and vibrant part
of Hamilton’s restaurant scene, dedicated to offering the city’s culinary
connoisseurs a full nose-to-tail experience. We offer a regularly changing,
meaty and creative menu in a laid-back setting. Our skilled and
passionate chefs do it all, whether it’s curing, salting, boning, stuffing,
wrapping, charring, braising, or just leaving the meat raw.
Above all, we love to prepare food that pushes boundaries and pulls you outside of your comfort zone — just a little bit. We get tremendous joy out of food and offer items that you are unlikely to find another local restaurants. While we love meat more than some people love their firstborn, we are always happy to accommodate those who don’t. Vegetarians and vegans are always welcome, options available by request.

Top review

Susan

Dined 2 days ago

Fabulous experience!!!! The ambiance is perfect, service amazing and the food was incredible!!!!

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Experience

Rap Late Night Menu

Experience

Rappy Hour/Appetizer Menu and Drinks

Experience

New Year's Eve 2024

The Standard

4.8

4.8 (195)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Hamilton

About the restaurant

THE STANDARD:
[the stan-dard] Noun

1. a high level of quality or attainment, established by general consent as the model or example by which all should be measured.
2. set up or established as a rule for the measure of quality of which is upheld.

The Standard. One of Hamilton's most revered restaurants, has laid down its roots on James St N. With our everchanging menu, seasonal & local inspiration and forward approach to dining, our commitment to excellence shows in everything we do. We strive to provide a memorable experience each day, it is just what we love to do.

From our in house butchery or cooking over charcoal, to working with local suppliers in our community We challenge the way we all think about Food & Drink.

If its a night out with friends, an intimate dinner for two, or just something extraordinary like sitting at our chefs table, We take each day as a new challenge to provide something amazing. It’s a bold statement and that’s why we make it with The Standard.

Top review

ZahiraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing experience with dining at the bar. Bar tender Alex was very courteous and reviewed our likes and dislikes when prepping the cocktails. Cocktails were delicious and food was superb

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Experience

Brunch at The Standard

Experience

7-Course Chefs Table Menu

Experience

New Years Eve at The Standard

Cambridge Mill

4.8

4.8 (5485)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Beautifully restored and expertly maintained, the Cambridge Mill reflects the charm of classic and contemporary brought together. The Cambridge Mill is honoured to belong to the community of West Galt. Perfectly situated on the Grand River, our views are unparalleled, and our food seasonally inspired.

Whether joining us on our covered terrace or our more intimate dining room, our venue provides a space for every diner - all while enjoying the standards of service our guests have come to expect.

Top review

Christina

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious dinner, excellent service and wonderful view.

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Ironwood Kitchen & Bar

4.8

4.8 (358)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

London

About the restaurant

Our menu, crafted by our Culinary Director, Nicholas Valin, Head Chef, Oliver Thomas, Sous Chef, Sam Rebelo, and their talented culinary team, drawing inspiration from ingredients carefully selected from our local vendors, showcasing the diverse flavours of Southern Ontario. Whether you are looking for small plates or large plates, we design our menu with a shareable dining experience in mind. We aim to take you on a culinary journey that you will not soon forget.

We provide an intimate atmosphere for our guests, sourcing our wine, spirits, beer, and cider locally. We have gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.

We deliver an exceptional experience, carefully curated for your enjoyment.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a great time last evening. The food was great as always, the service was extremely personable and professional.

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The Watermark Taphouse and Grille

4.8

4.8 (549)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Hamilton

About the restaurant

The Watermark Taphouse and Grille has a uniquely Canadian take on California Fusion cuisine.
Located just eight minutes west of Burlington, in the charming village of Waterdown. The Watermark offers an interesting variety of dishes prepared daily with the freshest of ingredients. New York Steak, Pasta, Seafood, Wings, Burgers and Salads.
Traditional offerings of Pulled pork and Brisket smoked daily in the Watermarks very own wood smoker located on premises.
The interior is an amazing blend of textures and colour. Cozy booths, designed to offer you the privacy you need for an intimate dinner for two.

The Watermarks Patio, is an ideal outdoor setting to get together for great food, a cold beer or a bottle of wine.

Top review

Patricia

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely anniversary dinner, excellent service! Great place to celebrate special occasions!

Elora Mill

4.8

4.8 (2856)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Guelph

About the restaurant

Delight in a menu that changes in tandem with the seasons to offer dishes ever inspired by freshness and locality. Drawing inspiration from the indigenous bounty of local fare, the essence of the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa's food philosophy is heightened by an uncompromising aesthetic and exceptional service. Our Kitchen Counter experience is deserving of anticipation, one that breaks down barriers and puts the creative process on full display. Dining at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa is anything but ordinary.

Top review

Marian

Dined 4 days ago

The tasty pasta dish was still steaming long after it had been served! There were lots of fresh greens to round out the generous chicken sandwich. The rushing water through the gorge makes dining at the Elora Mill so unique.

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Chef's 4-Course Tasting Menu

Milestones Grill + Bar - South London

4.5

4.5 (851)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

London

About the restaurant

The classics you love prepared with a perfect twist, all served up in an atmosphere that feels just right. That’s the Milestones promise. So, whether you’re celebrating a milestone, making the most of Happy Hour or enjoying brunch with friends, you can be sure that every Milestones experience is a simple and perfectly memorable one.

Top review

robyn

Dined today

Server was great!! My food was not hot but others at my table was.

Milestones Grill + Bar - Masonville Place

4.5

4.5 (727)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

London

About the restaurant

Top review

Dyann

Dined 3 days ago

Consistently great food and service. We enjoyed the date night menu.

Garlic's of London

4.6

4.6 (258)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

London

About the restaurant

Garlic's of London serves a variety of traditionally inspired contemporary recipes, made with locally sourced, fresh ingredients to discerning diners in Ontario. The goal is to combine seasonally harvested local ingredients and to use them in organic, sustainable recipes to create delicious, artisanal dishes. Head Chef, Neil Rampone provides seasonally inspired dishes for all to enjoy! Stop in for our slow roasted garlic bulb or our classic hot smoked garlic fettuccine!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined today

Great meal! We went for nostalgia purposes - it was our fave when we were students 30 years ago - and we loved it. I would have liked a chocolate dessert option but didn’t need it. One of the best Caesar salads I’ve ever had!

Ancaster Mill

4.7

4.7 (3051)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Ancaster

About the restaurant

One of the most sought after restaurants for a Sunday brunch or a dinner celebration, Ancaster Mill epitomizes the spirit of great hospitality.

Situated beside a creek, with a large dining room built out overlooking a waterfall, Ancaster Mill is in demand year-round for weddings, family or corporate events and celebrations. Restored to keep its authentic character intact, this is a place where ambience fuses with fine food and great service. Our harvest focused cuisine allows guests to experience the spectacular local, seasonal ingredients from our Earth to Table farm and Craft Cut butcher.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 2 days ago

We all enjoyed a very tasty lunch here. The service was impeccable.

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