Scottish Historical past and Tasty Bites in Fergus, Ontario

Image this scene: as you stroll down St. Patrick Road, a city involves life round you. Within the pub, a bartender pours a pint of Scotch ale, the ruby highlights glinting within the mild. Leatherbound volumes by J.M. Barrie and Robert Burns are on show within the window of the secondhand bookstore. And also you swear you’ll be able to hear bagpipes taking part in within the distance …

No, you haven’t been magically transported to Scotland! You’re in Fergus, an Ontario city with a proud Scottish historical past. Fergus was based by Scottish settlers in 1833, and at the moment, it’s a bustling place stuffed with distinctive retailers, artwork, historical past, and naturally – nice meals!

Positioned simply west of the Higher Toronto Space, a stone’s throw from Elora alongside the banks of the Grand River, Fergus is an ideal vacation spot for a weekend getaway. Whether or not you’re touring with little ones, reserving a romantic weekend away, or on a visit with associates, you’ll discover the right mixture of historical past and attractive bites in Fergus. Let’s get going!

The place: 101 St Andrew St W Unit #100, Fergus, ON N1M 1N6 (View map)

The Vault Espresso & Espresso Bar is a family-owned and operated neighborhood house proper within the middle of Fergus. The cafe isn’t only a place for distinctive espresso; it’s a slice of historical past, boasting an unique vault from its days because the Imperial Financial institution, now a comfy nook for company to get pleasure from a quiet second.

To start out your day, cease by for a espresso crafted with native espresso beans, mouth-watering pastries made with contemporary produce, and light-weight lunch menu gadgets that spotlight regional flavours and native makers. Good meals, nice espresso, and even higher firm? Signal us up!

The place: 105 Queen St W, Fergus, ON N1M 1S6 (View map)

Fraberts Positive Meals is the eagerness mission of Forager Jackie Fraser and Chef Derek Roberts, a dynamic duo devoted to all issues native. Jackie’s focus is the produce part – she sources contemporary fruit and veggies from the encompassing space in addition to Holland Marsh, the Niagara area, and the hothouses of the Leamington space. Fraberts additionally purchases straight from native farmers; hold an eye fixed out for Paul Collins’ spinach, Floralane’s tomatoes and Van Tols’ candy corn.

In the meantime, Chef Derek is obsessed with creating soups, sandwiches, and different grab-and-go utilizing native, contemporary, high quality substances. Seize a couple of ready-made choices for a straightforward and scrumptious picnic in one in all Fergus’s many parks.

The place: 227 St Andrew St W, Fergus, ON N1M 1N8 (View map)

For over 25 years, I Love Chocolate! has been creating handcrafted Belgian chocolate, contemporary fudge, and different tasty treats. Chocolate followers can peer by way of the glass to observe their favorite confections being made earlier than stocking up on an assortment of chocolate bark, freshly-roasted nuts, and decadent truffles. I Love Chocolate! additionally carries a variety of Ontario-made candy and savoury snacks in addition to ice cream and gelato.

The place: 487 St Andrew St W, Fergus, ON N1M 1P2 (View map)

The Breadalbane Inn is without doubt one of the best examples of Scottish structure within the Fergus space. What started as a small stone cottage in 1851 is now a gorgeous inn with seven rooms and two eating places, the Fergusson Room Pub and Scozia Restaurant.

Scozia affords farm-to-table fantastic eating impressed by seasonal substances and the flavours of Italy. Order à la carte or go for family-style eating choices which are well-suited for bigger teams. The beverage menu options many Ontario producers, together with Elora Brewing Firm (a neighborhood favorite!).

The place: 216 St Andrew St W, Fergus, ON N1M 1N7 (View map)

Outpost Bottle Store is a craft beer bar, eatery and bottle store within the coronary heart of Fergus. The fridges are stocked with beer and cider from beloved Ontario makers – Bellwoods Brewing, Willibald, and West Avenue Cider, to call a couple of – whereas the ten draft faucets characteristic a spread of beer kinds to pique your curiosity. Take a look at their Instagram for menu updates and the complete roster of upcoming occasions.

The place: 105 Queen St W, Fergus, ON N1M 1T7 (View map)

Step into this laid-back pub on the banks of the Grand River for a style of Newfoundland! The Goofie Newfie’s menu is chockfull of Maritime favourites, like fish and chips, donair, and fries with gravy and Newfoundland dressing (a seasoned bread crumb combination). For dessert, don’t miss one other Maritime traditional, the blueberry grunt (made with fruit and frivolously sweetened biscuit dough).

The place: 170 St David St S, Fergus, ON N1M 2L3 (View map)

Brew Home on the Grand has been a neighborhood staple because the early 2000s. The heritage constructing has had many lives – first as a personal dwelling, then as a flour mill, chick hatchery, and even serving because the Fergus Police Division earlier than being remodeled into Brew Home on the Grand. You’ll discover 18 beers on faucet alongside a menu of traditional pub favourites, and in the summertime, the patio is the right spot to benefit from the Grand River’s sights and sounds.

The place: 216 St Andrew St W, Fergus, ON N1M 1N7 (View map)

Tapavino is a small and intimate restaurant specializing in tapas, a method of meals that’s meant to be shared. Their menu celebrates the wonderful bounty of Wellington County and Ontario – their stellar provider listing contains Beverly Creek Farm, Hoppy Fields Farm, The Mushroom Girls, Valeriote’s Butcher Store, Fraberts Recent Meals, St Jacobs Market, and Calehills Farm. The choice of hot and cold tapas is designed to be shared, so order a couple of plates and dig in!