Guidebook for Stratford Updated for '24

Kevin
Guidebook for Stratford Updated for '24

Food Scene

Eggcelent breakfast. Great homemade corned beef hash. Best steaks/burgers in town. Pate is wicked!
16 locals recommend
Foster's Inn
111 Downie St
16 locals recommend
Eggcelent breakfast. Great homemade corned beef hash. Best steaks/burgers in town. Pate is wicked!
Original 1996 location of this now popular iconic group of Canadian cafes. Has oodles of atmosphere, open early-7am to 8pm.
23 locals recommend
Balzac's Stratford
149 Ontario St
23 locals recommend
Original 1996 location of this now popular iconic group of Canadian cafes. Has oodles of atmosphere, open early-7am to 8pm.
Best kept secret in Stratty. Rent a canoe or paddle boat or simply order a sandwich and watch life roll by on the water. Unpretentious & affordable snacks $ eats. No drink licence. http://www.avonboatrentals.ca/
12 locals recommend
Boat House Patio
30 York Street
12 locals recommend
Best kept secret in Stratty. Rent a canoe or paddle boat or simply order a sandwich and watch life roll by on the water. Unpretentious & affordable snacks $ eats. No drink licence. http://www.avonboatrentals.ca/
good ambiance and terrific food. Chef/owner Tim has travelled much of the world, menus reflect this. Patio garden at rear of property.
The Common
80 Wellington St
good ambiance and terrific food. Chef/owner Tim has travelled much of the world, menus reflect this. Patio garden at rear of property.
(519 301 1600) It's at 37 Market Square. All the coffee is fair trade and organic mostly from Las Chicas Del Café, the coffee chicks who's family stretches from London to Nicaragua, cutting out all the middlemen too "from plantation to cup" as they themselves say! Anne also makes all the coffee using the expresso machine before 'doctoring' it. Lots to choose from - I like to ask Anne for a regular Cafe Americano, an 'Anne special' or try their drip extraction cold coffee. Pastries are excellent. South facing patio at the rear. Opens at 8am.
35 locals recommend
revel
37 Market Pl
35 locals recommend
(519 301 1600) It's at 37 Market Square. All the coffee is fair trade and organic mostly from Las Chicas Del Café, the coffee chicks who's family stretches from London to Nicaragua, cutting out all the middlemen too "from plantation to cup" as they themselves say! Anne also makes all the coffee using the expresso machine before 'doctoring' it. Lots to choose from - I like to ask Anne for a regular Cafe Americano, an 'Anne special' or try their drip extraction cold coffee. Pastries are excellent. South facing patio at the rear. Opens at 8am.
Best ice cream in town we reckon. Been around a few generations, a local fav for sure. Grab a scoop and head for a seat by the lake, watch the world go by.
6 locals recommend
JENN & Larry's
49 York St
6 locals recommend
Best ice cream in town we reckon. Been around a few generations, a local fav for sure. Grab a scoop and head for a seat by the lake, watch the world go by.
Don't need a full on meal at lunch time-pick up a soup for lunch. All made in house from home made broths. Eat in or take out.
11 locals recommend
Soup Surreal
98 Wellington St
11 locals recommend
Don't need a full on meal at lunch time-pick up a soup for lunch. All made in house from home made broths. Eat in or take out.
Pizza's downstairs with speedy pre-theatre service. Excellent pizza, pastas. https://www.pazzo.ca/
36 locals recommend
Pazzo Taverna and Pizzeria
70 Ontario St
36 locals recommend
Pizza's downstairs with speedy pre-theatre service. Excellent pizza, pastas. https://www.pazzo.ca/
EDISON'S CAFE NOW known as The Ashborne Cafe & Bakery at 95 Ontario St (note the address change) with Buffy and Greg at the helm as usual. Fine coffee, Mexican hot chocolate. Very tasty gluten free, vegan options available. Highly recommended.
9 locals recommend
Edison's Cafe Bar
95 Ontario St
9 locals recommend
EDISON'S CAFE NOW known as The Ashborne Cafe & Bakery at 95 Ontario St (note the address change) with Buffy and Greg at the helm as usual. Fine coffee, Mexican hot chocolate. Very tasty gluten free, vegan options available. Highly recommended.
Easy quick snacks near parkland 1 Ontario St. https://www.elcactus.ca
el Cactus Taco Shop
2 Ontario Street
Easy quick snacks near parkland 1 Ontario St. https://www.elcactus.ca
Stratford's largest selection of locally brewed suds. English pales, sours, stouts and a powerful IPA. Seating and snacks available.
15 locals recommend
Black Swan Brewing
144 Downie St
15 locals recommend
Stratford's largest selection of locally brewed suds. English pales, sours, stouts and a powerful IPA. Seating and snacks available.
Trad breakfast. Moved recently to new digs. 10 Downie St unit 108
17 locals recommend
Features
10 Ontario St
17 locals recommend
Trad breakfast. Moved recently to new digs. 10 Downie St unit 108
Best small bistro in town! Opens at 3 Fri/Sat for late afternoon snacks.
LOVAGE
72 Wellington Street
Best small bistro in town! Opens at 3 Fri/Sat for late afternoon snacks.
Elegant bistro/fine dining. Beautiful restaurant, it's like being in a Parisienne bistro. Very good food.
CafeBouffon
Elegant bistro/fine dining. Beautiful restaurant, it's like being in a Parisienne bistro. Very good food.
Newest restaurant in Stratford, fresh for '23! Small plates, cocktails. 5-10pm Tue to Sat 159 Ontario Street
Elizabeth.
159 Ontario Street
Newest restaurant in Stratford, fresh for '23! Small plates, cocktails. 5-10pm Tue to Sat 159 Ontario Street
Chef Aaron dishes are consistently creative and well executed. Small plates, sure why not! Monday closed, dinner every night 5-10ish. Lunch Thurs to Sun 11:30- 2
Bluebird
Chef Aaron dishes are consistently creative and well executed. Small plates, sure why not! Monday closed, dinner every night 5-10ish. Lunch Thurs to Sun 11:30- 2
Likely the 'fine'est food in town. Elegant, professional service. Chefs Randi and Mike create unforgettable menus, we suggest the wine pairings. If you can....do a later dinner and enjoy the experience with their multi course tastings. Now located at a at 136 Ontario St.
The Prune
136 Albert St
Likely the 'fine'est food in town. Elegant, professional service. Chefs Randi and Mike create unforgettable menus, we suggest the wine pairings. If you can....do a later dinner and enjoy the experience with their multi course tastings. Now located at a at 136 Ontario St.

Drinks & Nightlife

Local hangout. Well run. You are just looking for a pint and some atmosphere, you've come to the right place. Busiest day is 1/2 price wings on Wednesdays. Just sayin'. 11:30- 9 pm, closed Monday.
14 locals recommend
Boar's Head Pub
161 Ontario St
14 locals recommend
Local hangout. Well run. You are just looking for a pint and some atmosphere, you've come to the right place. Busiest day is 1/2 price wings on Wednesdays. Just sayin'. 11:30- 9 pm, closed Monday.
After theatre drinks and chat.
6 locals recommend
The Relic Lobby Bar
6 Ontario Street
6 locals recommend
After theatre drinks and chat.
Pick up a bottle, or they've wonderful 'spark plug' sizes for you to try. Buy a tour-but must be pre booked. Then wander around to the Jobsite brewery for pizza and a pint.
Junction 56 Distillery
45 Cambria St
Pick up a bottle, or they've wonderful 'spark plug' sizes for you to try. Buy a tour-but must be pre booked. Then wander around to the Jobsite brewery for pizza and a pint.
Local brews and old lumber yard building. Cool! Great pizza.
Jobsite Brewing Co.
45 Cambria St
Local brews and old lumber yard building. Cool! Great pizza.
Our neighbourhood hangout on many occasions. Ownership and staff always there to make your evening a positive experience. Open daily, 5 'till late.
The Starlight
Our neighbourhood hangout on many occasions. Ownership and staff always there to make your evening a positive experience. Open daily, 5 'till late.

Entertainment & Activities

Have cooking and sommellier classes during the summer. Wonderful first class dinners October-February. https://stratfordchef.com/
7 locals recommend
Stratford Chefs School - Kitchens
136 Ontario St
7 locals recommend
Have cooking and sommellier classes during the summer. Wonderful first class dinners October-February. https://stratfordchef.com/

Essentials

An excellent bread bakery is Downie Street Bake House....Thursday to Saturday. Pick some sourdough up before leaving town-it's the best to be found in Perth Co or maybe even Ontario. https://www.facebook.com/DownieStreetBakehouse/
Downie Street Bakehouse
388 Downie Street
An excellent bread bakery is Downie Street Bake House....Thursday to Saturday. Pick some sourdough up before leaving town-it's the best to be found in Perth Co or maybe even Ontario. https://www.facebook.com/DownieStreetBakehouse/
Name says it all. Locals and chefs favourite. Unpretentious, no nonsense-like it used to be. Love it. Now serving fresh lunchables to reheat at home/sandwiches too, yey!
The Butcher The Baker
26 Wellington St
Name says it all. Locals and chefs favourite. Unpretentious, no nonsense-like it used to be. Love it. Now serving fresh lunchables to reheat at home/sandwiches too, yey!
LITTLE GREEN GROCERY A boutique grocery store focusing on low waste and local products https://www.facebook.com/tlGreenGrocery/
13 locals recommend
The Little Green Grocery
129 Downie St
13 locals recommend
LITTLE GREEN GROCERY A boutique grocery store focusing on low waste and local products https://www.facebook.com/tlGreenGrocery/
Alcohol-pick your poison! Vintages section for wine. Lots of Ontario craft beer available.
9 locals recommend
LCBO
91 Wellington St
9 locals recommend
Alcohol-pick your poison! Vintages section for wine. Lots of Ontario craft beer available.

Arts & Culture

Exhibits continue to change. We visited the Salvadore Dali museum in St.Petersburg Florida recently and are thrilled that our own museum features some Dali sketches. The 'not to be missed' May Gala is set for the last Friday of that month. Pay what you can. Try Libby Hague: Every Heart Can Grow Bigger. A large installation that will keep your mind busy for an hour! http://www.gallerystratford.on.ca/
20 locals recommend
Gallery Stratford
54 Romeo St S
20 locals recommend
Exhibits continue to change. We visited the Salvadore Dali museum in St.Petersburg Florida recently and are thrilled that our own museum features some Dali sketches. The 'not to be missed' May Gala is set for the last Friday of that month. Pay what you can. Try Libby Hague: Every Heart Can Grow Bigger. A large installation that will keep your mind busy for an hour! http://www.gallerystratford.on.ca/
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.youtube.com/user/stratfordfestival
69 locals recommend
Stratford Festival
55 Queen St
69 locals recommend
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.youtube.com/user/stratfordfestival
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.youtube.com/user/stratfordfestival
38 locals recommend
Avon Theater
99 Downie St
38 locals recommend
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.youtube.com/user/stratfordfestival
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.youtube.com/user/stratfordfestival
14 locals recommend
Studio Theatre | Stratford Festival
34 George St E
14 locals recommend
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.youtube.com/user/stratfordfestival
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/landingpages/TPT-Stratford
14 locals recommend
Tom Patterson Theatre
111 Lakeside Drive
14 locals recommend
Producing, to the highest standards possible, the best works of theatre in the classical and contemporary repertoire, with special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/landingpages/TPT-Stratford
Art in the Park, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, June to September - weather permitting. Features up to 50 artists and a wonderful selection of one of a kind pieces. Take a few minutes and meet these interesting folks. Lakeside Drive, Stratford. I recently met up with new AITP member David Sharpe-lovely addition to the already strong line up of talent. Also check out Brad Jesson, works in glass. Look for Dave Humphrey and Edward Payne's art in the house!
6 locals recommend
Stratford Art in the Park
Lakeside Drive
6 locals recommend
Art in the Park, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, June to September - weather permitting. Features up to 50 artists and a wonderful selection of one of a kind pieces. Take a few minutes and meet these interesting folks. Lakeside Drive, Stratford. I recently met up with new AITP member David Sharpe-lovely addition to the already strong line up of talent. Also check out Brad Jesson, works in glass. Look for Dave Humphrey and Edward Payne's art in the house!

Accommodation

Since 1997. Both Coach House suites are self catering, King beds/ ensuite. Private gardens and entrances. Rooms in main house are B&B. Queen/ensuites. Ask for Kim. oldrectorystratford
The Old Rectory B+B Stratford
Since 1997. Both Coach House suites are self catering, King beds/ ensuite. Private gardens and entrances. Rooms in main house are B&B. Queen/ensuites. Ask for Kim. oldrectorystratford
Accommodation for the discerning traveller. Self Catering. Two bedrooms, King and Queen. Private deck overlooking gardens, 300m to Tom Patterson Theatre. Parking for 2 vehicles. Ask for Kevin oldrectorystratford
Rosalind's Retreat
Accommodation for the discerning traveller. Self Catering. Two bedrooms, King and Queen. Private deck overlooking gardens, 300m to Tom Patterson Theatre. Parking for 2 vehicles. Ask for Kevin oldrectorystratford
Accommodation for the discerning traveller. Self Catering. Queen bedroom. Private deck overlooking gardens, 300m to Tom Patterson Theatre. On site parking. Ask for Kevin. oldrectorystratford
Orlando's Hideaway
Accommodation for the discerning traveller. Self Catering. Queen bedroom. Private deck overlooking gardens, 300m to Tom Patterson Theatre. On site parking. Ask for Kevin. oldrectorystratford

Traveler advice

Getting around

Rent a Bicycle

Call Joel at https://www.totallyspoked.ca/
Don't miss

Here For Now Theatre

herefornowtheatre Well worth checking out, high quality, imaginative storytelling from some of Stratford's finest actors and directors. Shows have involved Sheila McCarthy, Kelli Fox, Clare Coulter, Barbara Beall, Judith Thompson, Jessica B Hill, Marion Adler, Laura Condlln, Evangelia Kambites and Rosemary Dunsmore to name a few!