Orangeville Restaurants

An elegant bite before a night out at Orangeville Theatre. A quick lunch after stocking up at the Saturday farmers’ market. A leisurely evening out where the food is the entertainment. These are among the culinary pleasures Orangeville diners embraced before the pandemic – and are no doubt ready to do once again. The newest player on deck, Greystones Restaurant and Lounge, makes its debut in a town that loves its indie eateries.

The heavy hitters

A trio of hardworking restaurants anchors the scene. Two of them bookend the dense eatery lineup along Broadway. The Bluebird Café and Grill (100 Broadway) has had the longest tenure, leaning in on Italian fare with pizza, pasta and mains like chicken piccata. Rustik Local Bistro (199 Broadway) serves hearty farm-to-table mains (daily spaetzle is a recent offering) in its airy studio-like space. And at the north end of town, Forage (163 First St.) flexes its culinary muscles on a broad, elegant menu – with lots of seafood.

On Broadway

Broadway’s dinner options include The Black Wolf Smokehouse (139 Broadway), slated to reopen March 31, and Coriander Kitchen (85 Broadway), known for fragrant Indian classics. At the far west end of town, just as Broadway ends, The Edge Restaurant & Bar (205467 Dufferin County Rd. 109) punches above its weight as a full-service restaurant tucked inside a racquet club.

Easy homemade lunches and other nibbles dominate the balance of foodie spots. Pia’s on Broadway (177 Broadway) offers healthy salads and sandwiches in its light, bright space. At the cozy Mochaberry (177 Broadway) in the same building, lunch, snacks and coffee – even cocktails – rule. Two great options for stocking up on goodies with a side of sandwiches are Son of a Chef Bakery (114 Broadway) and Fromage (111 Broadway) – don’t miss the latter’s gourmet grilled cheese. Euphoria Café & Smoothies (154 Broadway) serves vegan and vegetarian fare. And there’s a kids’ menu at the Green Apple Café (489 Broadway). Parisian-style Le Finis (125 Broadway) offers pretty pastries and cakes, savoury bites and, to cover your next meal, fully stocked freezers with soups and mains from the Lavender Blue Catering side of the biz.

For a quick bite or takeaway on the strip, don’t forget Chinese at Guest Wok (47 Broadway), barbecue at Sul Irmaos Smokehouse (66 Broadway), gooey beef cheese steaks at Philadelphia Kitchen (281 Broadway), a classic club at Deja Vu Diner (318 Broadway) and fish and chips at Broadway Fish & Chips (308 Broadway).

The South off-Broadway hub

Another batch of restaurants beckons diners just a few steps from the centre of Broadway. In the historic train station, the Barley Vine Rail Co. (35 Armstrong St.) keeps the town in duck-fat fries. Taphouse Craft Beer & Kitchen (34 Mill St.) is a new brewpub with filling fare to match. RJ’s Taste of Asia (19 Mill St.) hits cravings for pho and pad Thai in its sit-down space. And the sprawling two-floor Mill Creek Pub (25 Mill St.) brings folks together over pub classics.

Up First Street

Heading north from Broadway on the way to Forage, you’ll find longtime Orangeville pub The Hatter (101 First St.) and a smattering of mostly takeout Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Filipino kitchens – JB Panda (121 First St.), Auntie Joy’s Springrolls (75 First St.), Sweet Chili (82 First St.) and South 88 (95 First St.). Nestled beside indie book shop BookLore is the French Press Coffee House & Bistro (121 First St.) to settle in with a good book or a friend, a light meal and a coffee or glass of wine.

More quick bites

They may not be on Broadway or First, but there are plenty of other ways to fill in your local food card. Thai For You (235 Centennial Rd.), Sushi Kaika (245 Centennial Rd.) and Curry Mantra (520 Riddell Rd.) draw fans in the west end of town. And there are two more indie fish and chips spots on Townline: East Coast Fish and Chips (57 Townline) and Townline Fish and Chips (400 Townline).

Bon appétit!