Kawartha Localist is a new editorial series from kawarthaNOW sharing trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from people who know and love the greater Kawarthas region. It’s what we love about where we live.
Nothing says summer like sipping a locally brewed bevvie and enjoying a burger while basking in the sunshine, but it’s even better when you live in a place as breathtaking as we do.
Across the Kawarthas, you’ll find restaurants with outdoor patios that simply can’t be beat.
From those serving up quality bites and welcoming your furry friends to those hosting live music and offering sweet deals, here are some of our favourite outdoor patios across the region.
Special blend espresso at the Silver Bean Café in Peterborough’s Millennium Park
Who knew downtown dining could be so peaceful?
Silver Bean Café calls itself “your waterfront cottage in the city” and that’s exactly what the original Millennium Park location has become for many locals and visitors who frequent Peterborough’s downtown.
Seating about 100 diners, the seasonal dog-friendly patio overlooks the Otonabee River and is a perfect pitstop for those passing through by bike, on foot, or by watercraft.
You’ll order inside before seating yourself on the patio where staff will bring out your healthy eats including made-to-order breakfasts, specialty sandwiches, and high-quality baked goods.
The pressed paninis and Kawartha Dairy ice cream are fan favourites, but the Bean is also beloved by coffee enthusiasts for pouring the original Otonabean espresso. Produced in collaboration with the local Rapids End Coffee Roastery, the espresso blends beans from Ethiopia, Colombia, and Brazil for a medium roast with notes of dark chocolate.
Alongside enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the patio, you’ll feel good about supporting the small business because of owner Dan Brandsma’s commitment to sourcing local, reducing waste, and limiting the use of plastics as much as possible.
New this year, the Millennium Park location has larger shade sails in place of umbrellas, offering more safety from the higher winds that approach from the water. Brandsma tells kawarthaNOW that the Silver Bean Café’s second location at The Canadian Canoe Museum will soon have more shade as well.
Silver Bean Café is located at Millennium Park near the intersection of King and Water Streets in Peterborough. To learn more, visit silverbeancafe.com.
Year-round outdoor dining coming soon to Buckhorn’s new The Tankhouse on Trent
Mainstreet Bar & Grill in Buckhorn was a beloved staple in Peterborough County, but the new restaurant in its place — The Tankhouse on Trent — will be improving the iconic waterside patio even more.
Located near Lock 31, The Tankhouse on Trent is now helmed by Korina Schonberg and Allan Nelson, who previously owned The Tankhouse Pub in downtown Peterborough and currently run Lock 27 Tap & Grill in Young’s Point.
The Tankhouse on Trent serves up classic pub fare with a patio that provides a dog-friendly section and faces the sunset for breathtaking views. The restaurant will be adding more televisions so diners can enjoy game nights on top of other weekly special events including Tuesday Wing Days, Thursday Burger Specials, and Fish Fridays.
In contrast to the many seasonal patios across the Kawarthas, the owners plan to keep The Tankhouse on Trent’s patio open year-round. Schonberg says they will be looking into getting outdoor dining igloos so the patio space can be enjoyed even as the snow flies.
The Tankhouse on Trent is located at 1926 Lakehurst Road in Buckhorn. To learn more and make a reservation, visit thetankhouseontrent.ca.
A family-friendly patio at Lakeside Roadhouse in Omemee
For a family-friendly patio experience, head to Lakeside Roadhouse in Omemee, where everything from the menu to the events are made for families.
Under new owner Harminder Makkar since 2025, the restaurant sits on Pigeon Lake and was recently upgraded with new docks that make it more accessible for boaters and nearby cottagers. To encourage bringing out the whole family, dogs are welcome on the patio and kids dine for half the price every Monday.
Though diners return time and time again for the fish and chips, wings, and beef burgers, the specialty combos for large groups and the Indian Special of butter chicken and naan are hard to find elsewhere.
Makkar says diners should expect to see pizza added to the menu very soon, offering even more options for everyone in your family.
Lakeside Roadhouse is located at 913 Peace Road. To learn more, visit www.lakesideroadhouse.ca.
Music, bingo, and half-priced fish and chips at Bonnie View Inn in Haliburton County
At the Bonnie View Inn in Haliburton County, you can pull up your boat or jet ski at the dockside patio rain or shine. Whether you’re just passing through looking for some take-out or have time to stick around and enjoy a signature cocktail while overlooking Lake Kashagawigamog, the vibes will be unmatched.
What began as a small cottage retreat with a couple cabins in the mid-1920s today features 26 accommodations and a legacy rooted in homey comforts and a family-run atmosphere.
Bonnie View Inn is now owned by Ryan Yates, who has grown the seasonal dockside patio into what it is today: a laid-back venue serving both guests and the public. Even dogs are welcome and encouraged on the lower patio.
With around 120 seats, there is no need to make a reservation (except for large groups), and the weekday happy hours, weekly music nights, margarita Mondays, and bingo nights mean there’s always a reason for locals and visitors to return time and time again. With the large umbrellas, you can control just how much sun or shade you sit in, and a bit of rain won’t ruin your dinner.
The menu consists of classic comfort foods including a well-loved brisket sandwich and a new chicken sandwich that pair well with the signature drinks, including some one-of-a-kind kombucha cocktails. On Fridays, the beer-battered fish and chips is the must-order, because you can take a gamble to get them half-priced by simply flipping a coin. Finish your dockside meal with a scoop of Kawartha Dairy or another sweet dessert from Scoop Life, Bonnie View Inn’s lakeside ice cream shop.
Bonnie View Inn is located at 2713 Kashagawigamog Lake Road, Haliburton. Visit www.bonnieviewinn.com/dining.
A paw-tio with a menu for your furry friend at Campbellford’s The Dockside Bistro
In 2019, when Sandy and Sarah Sanyal took over a restored church in Northumberland County that dates back to the 1820s, they had the vision of not just opening The Dockside Bistro as a restaurant — they wanted it to be a dog-friendly haven right on the water, and that’s exactly what it is today.
The Campbellford patio’s tin roof has you covered, literally, so you can enjoy al fresco dining with views of the Trent Severn Waterway. The covered patio means the season is extended, often open from April until as late as even November. On the chilliest days, the staff will have blankets and shawls for you and your dogs.
If that doesn’t make your puppy feel welcome, perhaps they’d be pleased to know they get their own “pawtio” menu from which to feast. With options including hot dogs with a peanut butter dipping sauce or a beef stew with a pupachino or biscuit for dessert, your furry friend is truly a guest at The Dockside Bistro.
The two-legged members of your party can dine on specials including the signature Dockside Bistro Burger made with a full pound of patty and housemade maple bacon jam and an authentic butter chicken recipe from Sandy’s mother. The Dockside Bistro also serves up daily specials and offers a kids’ menu.
Reservations are recommended for The Dockside Bistro, located at 677 Queen Street in Campbellford. To learn more, visit thedocksidebistro.com.
‘The largest waterfront patio in the Kawarthas’ at The Bobcaygeon Inn
One of the silver linings of the pandemic was how it encouraged small businesses and restaurants to expand their patios. That’s exactly what happened at The Royal Moose Grill & Waterfront Patio at The Bobcaygeon Inn, whose owners call it “the largest waterfront patio in The Kawarthas.”
The historic building on the Bobcaygeon River between Pigeon and Sturgeon Lakes date back to 1873, though its latest era began in 2019 when Daniel and Joan Reid took over ownership. The following year, the owners took the time to make the patio a place diners would enjoy and want to stay awhile. That involved replacing the decking, as well as replacing the wrought-iron railing with glass railing that offers a better view of the water.
Today, the spacious and dog-friendly patio boasts 120 seats, including seats at the bar for close-up view of one of two flat screen televisions accessible on the patio — not that you’ll care much about the game when you have the stunning waterfront views surrounding you. The restaurant has docking facilities, and Joan says they’ve had all kinds of motor crafts pulling up to the dock including houseboats and jet skis.
It’s not just the view that diners enjoy, as everything at the Royal Moose is homemade as much as possible, including the best-selling fish and chips and Cajun chicken sandwich.
The Royal Moose Grill and Waterfront Patio is located on 31 Main Street in Bobcaygeon. To learn more, visit bobcaygeoninn.com/restaurant-patio/.
East Coast fish and chips at For the Halibut in Bancroft
You’ll be enjoying views of the York River when dining at For the Halibut in Bancroft, but you might feel like you’re on the East Coast. That’s the intention Natasha and Val Alves had when they left their corporate jobs to take over the fish and chips shop in 2019.
The unassuming shop sits between the river and the Eagle’s Nest cliffs, meaning you’ll have 360 degree views of what makes Hastings Highlands so spectacular. The focus on patio dining grew shortly after the Alves took over the restaurant in response to pandemic restrictions, but it stayed because they wanted diners to slow down and focus on a simple way of life.
With the fish and chips served in baskets and faux newspaper, you’ll be immersed in old-timey fish shops, further brought to life when stepping into the dining room. Wooden cottage walls are decorated with lobster traps, mounted fish, and other authentic décor, much of which was donated by the loyal customer base of East Coast diners who have made For the Halibut their home away from home.
Natasha tells kawarthaNOW that the restaurant is often a stopping point for families on their way to the cottage and a meeting place for old friends. She even knows some customers who literally fly into the nearby community airport just for a day trip to eat their lunch at the shop.
For the Halibut is located at 220 Hastings Street North in Bancroft. To learn more, follow For the Halibut on Facebook.
Casual waterfront dining at Hobart’s Lighthouse on Stony Lake
For another patio offering beautiful lake views and casual dining, visit Hobart’s Lighthouse at McCracken’s Landing on the south side of Stony Lake.
Now owned by Bryce Saunders and Jodie-Rose Prosser, Hobart’s Lighthouse is named after Dr. Hobart F. Peters, an agrarian researcher known for helping rural communities by improving farming practices. The Hobart’s brand has a history in the area with now-closed locations in Lindsay and Peterborough, with the former serving the community for more than two decades.
Accessible by car and boat, Hobart’s Lighthouse serves both lunch and dinner, including signature hand-cut steaks alongside other homemade comfort foods like seafood jambalaya linguine and beer-battered fish and chips. You’ll also find live music in the spring and fall at the seasonal restaurant, while every night offers unmatched sunset views.
As for your furry friends, Hobart’s Lighthouse welcomes them on the outer deck which is often for reservations only. Requests can be made for patio reservations, though it’s not guaranteed given the patio is limited to 35 diners.
Hobart’s Lighthouse is located at 2281 McCracken’s Landing Road in Lakefield. To learn more and make a reservation, visit hobarts.ca.
Kawartha Localist is a new editorial series from kawarthaNOW celebrating the places, experiences, businesses, and communities that make our region extraordinary. Written by people who live here, work here, and have spent nearly 30 years exploring the Kawarthas and surrounding region, each edition shares trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from across Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
Whether you’re looking for your next hiking trail, favourite patio, scenic drive, farmers’ market, or weekend adventure, Kawartha Localist is what we love about where we live.
