December is the perfect time to discover the sweet and savory treats of the quaint downtowns of Port Perry and Newmarket, in the Central Counties just north of Toronto. Here’s a few of our picks for delicious discoveries on your foodie tour.
Craft Beer
Tucked away in a historic building just off the main street, Port Perry’s Old Flame Brewery is the perfect mix of local history and modern specialty beer. Take a tour of the brewery, and sample the six Old Flame brews, including local favourite ‘Perry Loved Mary’.
Two words: Butter Tarts!
Whether you are wandering the main street of Port Perry, or exploring downtown Newmarket, chances are you are steps from some of Ontario’s best butter tarts. Port Perry’s The Pantry Shelf is known for their beer butter tart, made with beer from the Old Flame Brewery. Newmarket’s The Maid’s Cottage (voted home to some of the best butter tarts in Ontario by @OntarioTravel fans!) has a delicious selection of butter tarts, including pumpkin, coconut, pecan and more. The hardest part is choosing which variety to try!
Savoury Selections
Craving some winter comfort food? These delicious home-cooked goodies are just the ticket. In Port Perry, check out Herrington’s Butcher Shop for a huge selection of award-winning chicken, beef and turkey pies. Marwin’s Global Bistro is known for their Old Flame & Cheddar Soup (made with beer from the Old Flame Brewery).
Head to Newmarket for three delicious spots to enjoy a dinner out: English style fish & chips at Chip & Malt, Mexican Food at Made in Mexico, and Hungry Brew Hops, home of over 30 craft beers on tap.
Sweet Confections
Visions of sugar plums … These two sweet stops on your culinary tour will have foodies of all ages feeling like a kid in a candy shop. The Nutty Chocolatier and Hank’s Pastries in Port Perry are the perfect spot to pick up your holiday desserts and showcase local businesses on your holiday table. Try the handmade truffles and the candy cane fudge at the Nutty Chocolatier , all made locally with butter from Kawartha Dairy. A few doors down, at Hank’s Pastries you can find their famous cinnamon buns and delicious apple fritters, not to mention Christmas cookies, breads, buns and much more.
What are your favourite foodie finds in the Central Counties? Add your picks with #DiscoverON on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
4 replies on “4 Must-Try Foodie Finds in the Central Counties”
Agreed, Made in Mecico in Newmarket is a fantastic restaurant with amazing food and yummy margaritas. If you are in the area, I highly recommend you make a stop there.
The Sweet Oven in Barrie has the very best butter tarts! I am partial to the traditional raisin type, however friends of mine insist that the Skor ones are the ultimate!!
Sounds delicious Karen!
Get Baked in Sunderland ON make the BEST Butter Tarts! They make more than that, and it is always THE BEST