Greatest Sips & Bites in Downtown Thunder Bay
Downtown Thunder Bay, significantly the Waterfront District alongside the shores of Lake Superior, is a meals lover’s dream. With cafés, bakeries, markets, eating places, breweries and artisan retailers all inside strolling distance, you may simply stroll from pastries to cocktails with out ever needing a automobile.
This full of life space brings collectively one of the best of the town’s rising culinary scene, the place small companies and passionate makers serve up flavours that commemorate Thunder Bay.
From morning espresso to late-night bites, listed below are a number of the finest stops to make for a full day of tasting and sipping your approach by means of downtown Thunder Bay’s Waterfront District.
Begin the Day: Swell Bakeshop and St. Paul Roastery
The place: 15a St Paul St, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map) and 11 St Paul St, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
An excellent spot to start your day features a go to to Swell Bakeshop and St. Paul Roastery. The 2 companies are linked with a passthrough door inside, making it a great double cease for a lightweight breakfast or a midmorning pick-me-up.
At Swell Bakeshop, the pastry case is crammed with small-batch creations like buttery croissants, distinctive seasonal treats like pumpkin pie danishes and freshly baked breads that every one pair superbly with espresso.
Just a few steps away, St. Paul Roastery serves freshly roasted beans brewed with care, from wealthy espresso to clean pour-overs. Collectively they create an easygoing, scrumptious begin to your day in downtown Thunder Bay.
Discover and Eat: Items & Co. Market
The place: 251 Pink River Rd, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
A brief stroll away, Items & Co. Market anchors the downtown meals and procuring scene. Set inside a restored historic constructing, the market brings collectively native meals distributors, artistic artisans and an inviting combine of retailers. It’s a full of life place to browse handmade items, choose up native produce, or seize a chunk when starvation strikes.
Earlier than grabbing a chunk, take a second to benefit from the Co.Lab Modern Artwork Gallery positioned contained in the market. This artistic house showcases the work of regional artists and provides a considerate cultural contact to your go to.
When you’ve soaked within the artwork, it’s time to eat. Eating choices contained in the market embrace native favourites like Bread and Butter, recognized for his or her epic sandwich combos. Get pleasure from hearty sandwiches just like the Reuben, or a basic beef dip sandwich served with au jus.
For a candy deal with, cease by Unusual Baked Items. Their menu adjustments with the seasons and is all the time ingenious. A latest spotlight included a spiced apple choux pastry crammed with white chocolate cream. The bakery’s irresistible cake cups are a year-round favorite. We couldn’t resist the carrot cake throughout our go to.
Earlier than you head out, take a stroll by means of Superior Seasons Market to refill on native items to convey house.
The store options recent, regional produce from native growers like Belluz Farms, in addition to pantry staples and artisanal merchandise made proper in Thunder Bay and throughout Northwestern Ontario. You’ll discover gadgets like Heartbeat Sizzling Sauce, stone-milled flour from Brule Creek Farms and currated teas and wild rice from Tea Horse.
Solar-Down Cocktails On the Woodside Bar
Make word to return again because the night approaches. The market transforms right into a full of life social hub.
The Woodside Bar inside Items & Co. affords an inviting nightlife expertise with handcrafted cocktails, native beer and a relaxed environment very best for winding down after a day of exploring.
Whilst you’re there make sure you browse their seasonal cocktail menu and take a look at the Northern Pear, a scrumptious fall-inspired cocktail made with gin, maple and topped with recent pear slices to toast to your Thunder Bay journey.
Be taught and Style: AfroGourmets
Inside Items & Co., AfroGourmets brings international flavours and hands-on meals experiences to Thunder Bay. This Feast On® licensed enterprise celebrates African and worldwide cuisines whereas showcasing one of the best of Ontario substances.
Expertise downtown Thunder Bay with a singular hands-on expertise that leaves you with new recipes and a little bit additional confidence within the kitchen.
Guided by chef and proprietor Awa, whose heat and keenness make each class memorable, you’ll dive into vibrant flavours and be taught some cooking methods.
Throughout our go to we ready Moroccan-inspired dips like creamy hummus and a spiced beet unfold then used them to construct flavourful shawarma wraps with hen we marinated and cooked ourselves.
The night ended gathered round a communal desk having fun with our creations, a scrumptious and private expertise that captures Thunder Bay’s welcoming culinary spirit.
Native Sips and Informal Bites: Lakehead Beer Co. and Tomlin Subdivision
The place: 206 Park Ave, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
For individuals who love native brews and daring flavours, find time for Lakehead Beer Co. and Tomlin Subdivision. Although they function as two separate companies, they share a linked house that encourages guests to get pleasure from each.
At Lakehead Beer Co., you may pattern a rotating collection of small-batch beers brewed on-site, from crisp lagers to hop-forward IPAs and restricted seasonal releases.
An excellent choice to start out with is the Pilsner, a basic tackle a conventional German fashion beer. Brewed with a single regionally produced malt and completed with a delicate dry-hop of Spalt Choose and American Noble Simcoe, it affords a lightweight word of lemon that’s refreshing and brewed on-site with precision.
To attempt a few of their extra progressive brews, maintain an eye fixed out for rotating seasonal brews just like the Cherry Wave, a vibrant and tangy bitter that’s easy-sipping and filled with character.
Subsequent door, Tomlin Subdivision serves a scrumptious menu constructed round Detroit-style pizza, shareable snacks and loaded sub sandwiches.
Their hottest selection on the menu is the Ezzo pizza, which options that signature crispy-edged, thick crust topped with tangy tomato sauce and Ezzo pepperoni, a neighborhood favorite that delivers massive flavour in each chunk.
For one thing smaller however simply as satisfying, the fried pickle cash are delightfully cheeky, salty and finest dunked in a wealthy and creamy ranch sauce.
Collectively, Lakehead Beer Co. and Tomlin Subdivision create an lively, laid-back house the place good meals, buddies and native craft drinks meet within the coronary heart of Thunder Bay’s downtown.
A Cool Pause: Prime Gelato
The place: 200 Pink River Rd, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
If you’re able to take a break from exploring, step into Prime Gelato for a candy and refreshing scoop of gelato.
This small-batch gelateria crafts its gelato utilizing conventional Italian strategies and high quality substances. The flavours vary from a decadent double chocolate to artistic dairy-free choices like a tropical piña colada.
Whether or not you sit inside to absorb the view of the waterfront or take your cup to stroll the waterfront path, it’s a scrumptious method to decelerate.
Smoky Showstoppers: Pink Lion Smokehouse
The place: 16 Cumberland St S, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
A cornerstone of downtown Thunder Bay’s eating scene is native barbecue restaurant and smokehouse, Pink Lion Smokehouse. This Feast On® licensed restaurant is understood for its dedication to native substances and craft, making a menu that’s each hearty and refined.
Begin your meal with their Scotch eggs, a wealthy and savoury appetizer that mixes crispy sausage coating with a mushy egg middle that makes for a deeply satisfying first chunk.
Subsequent, sink your tooth into The Smokeshow, winner of the 2024 Novemburger of the 12 months. This indulgent burger options twin smashed patties layered with smoked cheddar, American cheese, maple bacon and the works all served below a sage-smoked cloche for an fragrant table-side end that steals the present.
A menu merchandise advisable by our server was the Loaded Poutine Burger, a hidden gem and a real ode to Canadian consolation meals. Topped with crispy fries, cheese curds and wealthy gravy, it’s an indulgent twist that’s as acquainted as it’s excessive.
To enhance all of it, Pink Lion showcases a stellar lineup of native brews, together with favourites from Lakehead Beer Co., Sleeping Big Brewing Co. and different Ontario craft producers.
Whether or not you’re sipping a pint of one thing native or attempting considered one of their rotating visitor faucets, each pour feels linked to the group. With its full of life, convivial environment, common dwell music and a welcoming crowd of locals, Pink Lion is greater than a restaurant, it’s a group hub and a must-visit cease on any Thunder Bay itinerary.
Able to Style Thunder Bay?
From flaky pastries to juicy smash burgers and native brews, downtown Thunder Bay affords a full day of style adventures that celebrates native flavour.
Deliver your urge for food, and style for your self how Thunder Bay’s downtown has turn into considered one of northern Ontario’s most scrumptious locations!
