Spotlight Series: Niagara Region
Written by Marcella Dilonardo
The Region of Niagara (most notably known as the wine region of Ontario) has more to offer than just really good wine. It features a number of amazing & unique farm to table restaurants throughout the escarpment. These restaurants also just happen to be serving up some of the best takeout too. Think upscale pizzas, handmade pasta, fried chicken sandwiches & more. So next time you are venturing into Ontario’s wine country, be sure to pick up some takeout food to bring home along with a bottle of your favourite local wine.
Not sure where to go? Here are 5 restaurants in Niagara offering take out to get you started!
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery
The vineyard is home to a variety of amazing locally made wine & ciders.The newly launched take out pop up under the name Four Mile Pizza is dishing out equally good Roman style pan pizzas. With combinations like mortadella, ricotta, rapini & pistachio or a classic cup n’ char pepperoni, there is a pizza for everyone.
Address: 1366 York Rd, St. Davids | @fourmilepizza @ravinevineyard
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Ruffino’s Pasta Bar & Grill
Ruffino’s is a Naples inspired Italian restaurant featuring wood-fired sourdough bread, pizza, handmade pasta & seafood. What started as a carhop restaurant at the start of the pandemic turned into a staple family restaurant in Niagara on the Lake. The pasta is made fresh daily using farm fresh eggs & double zero flour.
Address: 242 Mary St, Niagara-on-the-Lake | @ruffinosnotl.ca
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Odd Bird Xpress
A trio of Niagara restaurants under the names oddBird, oddBar & oddBird xpress, the Port Dalhousie location found inside Lock Street Brewery offers the restaurants famous fried chicken & fried chicken sandwiches to go. The menu includes 5 unique fried chicken sandwich flavours such as the Haggard (big mac inspired), Nashville Hot Chicken & Old Bay. If you are a fried chicken lover, this restaurant is a must try.
Address: 15 Lock St, St. Catharines | @oddbird.niagara @lockstreetbrewco
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MA Chinese Cuisine
It just wouldn’t be a list of must have take out restaurants without Niagara’s best Chinese restaurant. MA Chinese Cuisine offers authentic & true chinese dishes featuring old age recipes from China. Located in the heart of downtown St. Catharines, the quality of ingredients & flavours are apparent in each dish. A menu highlight is the peking duck & dim sum.
Address: 123 Geneva St, St. Catharines | @ma_chinesecuisine
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Mesa
Around the corner from the Niagara Escarpment wineries is Mesa in downtown Hamilton. A traditional Mexican restaurant that has vegan friendly & gluten free menu options as well. It features standard Mexican fare such as fresh guacamole, carnita nachos & homemade enchiladas, as well as more unique dishes such as a the chimichanga a.k.a a deep friend burrito!
Address: 255 James St N, Hamilton | @mesahamont
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