Kingston has one of the highest restaurant-per-capita rates in Canada, so there is a lot to choose from. Because campus is close to downtown, you can also find several student-friendly (i.e. cheap) places to eat.
We have listed a tiny handful of our favorites below, as well as links to some websites that provide pretty good recommendations.
Most places in Kingston are pretty good about offering gluten free and vegetarian options, as well as kids’ menus. Just ask the server. We have also posted links below with advice for vegan and celiac-friendly eating in Kingston.
BLACK DOG RESTAURANT GROUP (Coupons for 15% discount are included in your registration package):
Mediterranean-inspired menu. Entrees, thin crust pizzas and sharing plates. Gluten free crusts available for pizzas. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Excellent food and a lively atmosphere.
Location: 71 Brock Street (downtown near Market Square)
Bistro/brasserie inspired by French gastropubs. Great food. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Nice courtyard patio. Next door to Atomica.
Location: 69 Brock Street (downtown near Market Square)
Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse
Described as an “upbeat restaurant featuring Mexican-inspired seafood & BBQ fare, plus a full bar with margaritas.” Located near the Waterfront on Ontario Street. Vegetarian and gluten free options.
Location: 195 Ontario St
Gourmet handcrafted burgers. Gluten free options. Great food. Patio on Princess St.
Location: 93 Princess St (downtown)
SOME OF OUR OTHER FAVOURITE BARS AND RESTAURANTS:
Classic Irish local pub. Good basic (affordable) pub food and great service.
Location: 76 Princess Street (downtown)
Ontario’s oldest brew pub (and Canada’s oldest wine pub). Beers, wines, ciders and soda pops are made on the premises. They have a great patio and a lovely courtyard for outdoor eating. Good standard pub menu.
Location: 34 Clarence St (downtown near City Hall)
A Kingston institution. Fine dining with a great menu and great service. They are located in the old carriageway, just off Princess Street, next to The Toucan. They have a beautiful outdoor patio.
Location: 68 Princess St (downtown)
Opened by the people who started Chez Piggy. This is an excellent bakery with yummy yummy treats. They have a little cafe bistro in the back that serves great brunch and sandwiches.
Location: 44 Princess St (downtown near the waterfront)
Located in the Tett Centre, just steps from the Isabel. Great coffee, yummy baked goods, and seriously good sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients. Gluten free bread available. Gorgeous waterfront patio.
Location: At the Tett Centre, next to the Isabel
A hole-in-the-wall, unfussy, family-owned restaurant that is one of Kingston’s most loved local secrets. Offers sizable portions of classic Thai, Vietnamese & Cambodian dishes, mostly for take out. Super cheap.
Location: 30 Montreal St (downtown, just east of Princess St)
Wood-fired pizza. Excellent food. For many people this is their go-to Kingston restaurant. Reservations recommended. You can always grab dessert next door at Mio Gelato, and go for a walk along the waterfront.
Location: 192 Ontario Street (downtown near City Hall)
Old fashioned, proudly humble neighbourhood pub that serves great fish and chips. Nothing fancy here, but if you like a basic little local with good beer and great fish and chips, this is your place.
Location: 265 King Street East (not far from campus)
Excellent Indian restaurant with a lovely waterside patio. The entrance is a bit hidden off of Ontario Street, but it’s worth it. This place is a Kingston institution.
Location: 253 Ontario St (downtown near the waterfront)
INFO FOR VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, CELIAC-FRIENDLY DINING :
For more info about eating & shopping gluten free in Kingston, click here.
For an incredibly detailed directory of restaurants, cafes, and other retailers with good vegan and vegetarian options, click here.
GREAT CAFES FOR GETTING A LITTLE WORK DONE:
Sells locally sourced and responsible food. You can get produce here, and also excellent baked goods (including a gluten free banana bread that it to die for). There’s also a deli with yummy sandwiches. They have a cafe with lots of seating in the basement.
Location: 260 Princess St (north end of downtown)
Hours of Operation: 9am-8pm
Located on the second floor of the Queen’s Athletic and Recreation Centre (the ARC). Lots of seating. Good coffee, cheap sandwiches, and great bagels. If you want to be an honorary Queen’s student, try the legendary Top Secret bagel (which is definitely not gluten free).
Location: In the ARC (2nd floor), 259 Earl Street.
Hours of Operation: 8am-4pm
Downtown near the Grand Theatre. Part of the Balzac’s chain. Great coffee.
Location: 251 Princess St
Hours of Operation: 7:30am-7pm
Several locations. The Division Street (very close to campus) and Princess Street (downtown) locations have seating, while the Goodes Hall location on campus is takeout only.
Locations: 121 Division St (just north of campus) // 95 Princess St (downtown) // Goodes Hall (on campus at the corner of Union and Frontenac)
Hours of Operation: 7am-10pm (campus location closes at 3:30pm)
Downtown near Kingston City Hall, overlooking Market Square. Good for meetings, desserts, getting some work done. A few gluten free options.
Location: 33 Brock St
Hours of Operation: 7am-10pm
Downtown on Princess near the Waterfront. Good basic coffee shop with lots of seating.
Location: 53 Princess St
Hours of Operation: 7am-7pm
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
List of Cheap Eats in Kingston (Tripadvisor)
The best places on this list are the Wok-In, Golden Rooster, Pat’s Restaurant, Cambodian Village, Score Pizza, Saigon Delights, Bubba’s (if you want a super greasy late night poutine), and Sally’s Roti Shop.
Peter’s Place and Morrison’s are great for quick and dirty diner food (and service).
Other great places for cheap eats (not listed at this link) include The Silver Wok (good quality Chinese food), Sima Sushi and Mekong (Vietnamese).
Best Kingston Restaurants (Huffington Post)
Start here. This is an excellent list of places to eat in Kingston. The Sleepless Goat, alas, has closed, but the rest are still open.
Reminder: CATR participants have a small discount at Dianne’s Fish Bar, Atomica, Harper’s Burger Bar, and Chien Noir (which are all part of Black Dog Restaurants).
The Top 10 Restaurants In Kingston, Ontario (culturetrip.com)
These 10 restaurants offer good solid fare. Chez Piggy and Woodenheads are local favourites. This is an excellent list of places to eat in Kingston. The Sleepless Goat, alas, has closed, but the rest are still open.
The 10 Coolest Bars In Kingston (culturetrip.com)
Ignore the first two bars (the Brooklyn and Ale House) unless you are looking for clubs filled with undergrad students. The rest, however, are great.
Best Cheap Eats in Kingston: 10 Under $10
This a good little list of cheap dishes, most of which are available downtown (or nearby).
