Kingston has a food scene that rewards wandering. The old town packs bakeries, pubs and restaurants into a few blocks around the market square and the waterfront, and the 1000 Islands add riverside dining and seasonal treats. This guide is a practical map of where to eat and drink, organised by what you are doing rather than by price. Hours and menus change, so check before you go, and book ahead on summer weekends.
Start at the market
The Kingston Public Market at Springer Market Square, beside City Hall, has run continuously since 1801 and is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays all year. Vendors sell local produce, cut flowers, plants, baked goods and preserves, and casual vendors rotate through with crafts and prepared food. It is the best place to assemble a picnic, buy edible souvenirs and see what is in season, from spring greens to autumn apples. Come early for the best choice, bring a reusable bag and carry some small bills, since payment methods vary by stall. In winter the market opens a little later, and it is a warm-hearted way to spend a cold morning.
Bakeries and breakfast
Downtown has a number of cafes and bakeries within a few minutes' walk of the waterfront, and Pan Chancho Bakery and Cafe is one of the best known. Hotels also serve breakfast: Hochelaga Inn offers a free continental breakfast, Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston Waters Edge serves a free hot breakfast, Comfort Suites Kingston Central includes a free hot breakfast, and Academy Food + Drink at Kingston Marriott serves breakfast with a cooked-to-order option. If you want to save money, a market pastry and a coffee by the water costs less than a hotel meal and tastes better in good weather.
Lunch and dinner downtown
The streets around King and Brock are lined with restaurants and pubs, including well-regarded spots such as Dianne's, The Toucan and The Merchant Tap House, all within a few minutes of the waterfront. Hotel restaurants are a safe choice for groups: AquaTerra at Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, with a patio in the warm months, and The Belvedere has a restaurant, bar and lounge. For a view, choose a waterfront table in summer and book ahead, since the best seats fill first. In winter many places keep shorter hours, so call or check online.
Food tours and evening walks
Guided food walks operate in downtown Kingston and are a good way to sample several places in one outing while hearing about the city's history. They suit first-time visitors and solo travellers. If you prefer to eat on your own schedule, combine an evening ghost walk with an early dinner or a late drink, since most downtown venues are close to the tour meeting points. Craft beer, local cider and Ontario wine are easy to find on menus, so ask your server what is local.
Eating on the water and in Gananoque
The 1000 Islands cruises from Gananoque do not replace a proper meal, so plan lunch on the riverfront either before or after you sail. Gananoque Inn and Spa has two restaurants and a waterfront setting, and the town has a range of cafes and casual places along its main street and docks. If you take the free Wolfe Island ferry for a day trip, Marysville has most of the island's shops and places to eat, so plan your meals there and bring water. For picnics, the Kingston Mills lockstation has picnic tables and barbecue grills, and the waterfront parks are pleasant in summer.
Practical tips
Reserve dinner in July and August and on autumn-colour weekends, ask about dietary needs when you book, and check whether your hotel breakfast is included before you pay for another. Tipping is customary in Ontario restaurants, and tax is added at the till. If you are driving, remember that downtown parking is usually charged, and consider walking to dinner from your hotel. Many downtown hotels, such as Kingston Marriott and Residence Inn Kingston Waters Edge, are within a few minutes of the main restaurant streets, which makes a car unnecessary after dark.
A simple food day
Begin at the market with coffee and a pastry, walk the waterfront and visit City Hall, take a long lunch at a downtown pub, spend the afternoon at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, and finish with dinner at a waterfront restaurant and a stroll to the harbour. It is an easy, relaxed day that works in any season, and it costs far less than a day of paid sights.