Manitoulin Island will always be one of my favourite places in the world. I have been visiting during the summer for more than 30 years and my husband’s family hails from the island so he has been visiting all of his life. Ten years ago we inherited the family cottage in Kagawong and since then we have been spending as much time as possible on the island every summer including trying to hit all of our favourite eating spots!
Here are my recommendations of where to eat on Manitoulin Island – restaurants, cafes and bakeries or places to find a sweet treat. These are our favourite restaurants on Manitoulin Island as well as places to get a snack and I will update whenever we find another restaurant or place to eat that we enjoy.
Read 15 of the Best Things To Do on Manitoulin Island
Gore Bay
Gore Bay, located on a bay on Lake Huron’s North Channel, is one of the larger communities on the island and is popular with boaters who dock at the marina. In addition to the businesses on the waterfront, there is also a downtown area, a couple of small museums, the Harbour Centre of artisan shops and a hiking trail to the East Bluff lookout.
Buoy’s Eatery
First opened in 2009, Buoy’s Eatery serves delicious pizza, sandwiches and additional entrees including pasta and fish on an outdoor patio in a prime waterfront location in Gore Bay. There is live music some evenings and take-out is also available.
This is a family favourite and we eat here at least once every time we’re on the island. The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations so we tend to eat early when dining here to avoid a wait.
The menu is available online. Buoy’s announced last year that they believed in paying a fair living wage and implemented a ‘no tipping’ policy removing the option from their credit/debit machines.
Hours of Operation: Seasonal. Open 12 – 8pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Website: www.buoyseatery.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 1 Purvis Drive, Gore Bay
Purvis Fish & Chips
If it’s fresh fish that you’re craving, then check out Purvis Fish & Chips which was founded in 2021 by a local university student whose family has been in the fish business for generations.
This has been a favourite of mine since it opened because I love a plate of fish & chips and their homemade tartar sauce is delicious as well! My husband doesn’t eat fish but they also have items such as chicken fingers, tacos and burgers for non-fish eaters.
Purvis Fish & Chips is located on the waterfront on the second level of an octagonal wooden building next to marina. There’s indoor seating with unique marine-themed decor and some outdoor dining as well.
The menu available on line and reservations are accepted.
Hours of Operation: Seasonal. Open 12-8 pm Monday – Saturday.
Website: www.purvisfishandchips.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 20 Water Street, Gore Bay
Watersedge Pub & Restaurant
Enjoy casual dining with a rustic ambiance at the Watersedge Pub & Restaurant located at the Inn at Gore Bay where you can dine either indoors or outdoors on the patio overlooking the bay.
The menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas and entrées including fresh local fish dinners. We like to dine on the patio on a nice evening and enjoy the beautiful view!
Menu available online. Reservations are required.
Hours of Operation: Open year round. 11 am – 9 pm. Closed Tuesdays.
Website: www.theinnatgorebay.com
Social Media: Facebook
Location: 1 Water Street, Gore Bay
The Codmothers
The Codmothers is a casual dining in downtown Gore Bay serving fish and chips, burgers and more. Daily specials for breakfast and afternoon are posted on social media.
Dine in or take out is available and there’s also an outdoor deck on the second level.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round. Tues-Thurs 9 am-7 pm; Fri/Sat 7 am – 8pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. (hours vary by season)
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 54 Meredith Street, Gore Bay
Split Rail Brewing Co.
Split Rail is a local craft brewery that has been producing small batch beer and soda on the island since 2015. Enjoy a beer (or non-alcoholic seltzer) on the patio with a view of the harbour or even an ice cream float to beat the summer heat. Try the signature beer Hawberry Ale made with handpicked Manitoulin Island hawberries!
There’s an in-house food menu including grilled cheese, hot dogs, pretzels and hummus with tortilla chips to enjoy with your beer. You can also bring takeout food from any local restaurant to enjoy on the patio.
There is live music some days at Split Rail and leashed dogs are welcome on the patio too.
Hours of Operation: Summer Hours: Mon – Sat 11-8; Sun 11-6
Website: www.splitrailmanitoulin.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 31 Water Street, Gore Bay
Campbell’s Drive-In
Manitoulin’s fast food option, located just outside of town on Highway 540, serves up burgers, fries, pizzas, chicken fingers, hard and soft serve ice cream and much more. Campbell’s has been family-owned and operated since 1976.
Cash only with option of take-away or outdoor seating.
Hours of Operation: Seasonal early May to November. Opens at 11 am. Closing time varies by season (10 or 11 pm in July and August).
Social Media: Facebook
Location: 12035 Highway 540, Gore Bay
Loco Beanz Coffee House
Loco Beanz Coffee House Gore Bay is one of three Loco Beanz locations (the original in Little Current and also one in Manitowaning) serving coffee, tea, espresso-based drinks and iced drinks. Breakfast (bagels, English muffins, breakfast sandwiches) is also served all day as well as flat breads and wraps, sandwiches, paninis and homemade baked goods.
There’s also a small boutique with souvenirs and Manitoulin Island-themed and lake/cottage merchandise in the shop.
Menu available online.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round. Mon – Fri 7 am – 4pm. Sat 8 am – 3 pm. Closed Sundays. Summer Hours: Mon – Fri 7 am – 5 pm. Sat 7 am – 4 pm. Sunday 8 am – 3 pm.
Website: www.locobeanz.com
Social Media: Facebook
Location: 50 Meredith Street, Gore Bay
Finnia Chocolate
Looking for all-natural chocolate bars, truffles and other treats? Finnia sells delectable artisanal chocolate treats handcrafted on Manitoulin Island using all-natural ingredients and fair trade chocolate and cocoa beans. The Reverse S’Mores are to die for!!
Online ordering is also available.
Hours of Operation: Hours vary. Opens at 9:30 am Mon – Fri, 10 am Sat and 11 am on Sunday. Closes at either 6 pm or 7 pm.
Website: www.finniachocolate.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 31 Water Street, Gore Bay
Kagawong
Our cottage is in the pretty little village of Kagawong home to the ever-popular Bridal Veil Falls. There’s also a public beach, a museum and more
Read 10 Things To Do in Kagawong This Summer
Main Street Express
Formerly the Main Street Café, the owners switched to drive through upon reopening after COVID shutdowns and have continued as such. This is a favourite of ours as it is nearby, service is quick and friendly and the food is delicious.
Serving sandwiches, wraps and paninis as well as some side dishes, baked goods and ice cream. Specials tend to be posted on the Facebook page. It’s a great spot for lunch but it isn’t open for dinner – although we sometimes pick up a late lunch and then skip dinner because the sandwiches are so filling.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round. 11 – 3 Tues-Fri; 11 – 2 Sat. Closed Sun and Mon.
Social Media: Facebook
Location: 1428 Lakeshore Road, Kagawong
That’s What Cheese Said
This gourmet grilled cheese food stand just opened this summer across from Bridal Veil Falls. We visited for the first time on our most recent cottage stay and the sandwiches were delicious (I had the Apple Bacon Jam and my husband had the Caprese)!
All sandwiches are served on sourdough bread with a cheese blend and a choice of homemade ketchup or aioli on the side. They also serve soup, homemade chips and drink options include bottled water and Sap Sucker flavoured sparkling water (a Canadian product sweetened with organic maple sap – lime was delicious!).
Take-out with outdoor seating.
Hours of Operation: Seasonal. 11 – 8 Wed – Sun at summer peak then reduced hours. Closed Tuesday. Check social media ton confirm hours.
Website: www.thatswhatcheesesaid.ca
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 41 Main Street, Kagawong
Buttercup Creamery & Candy Corner
Just steps from Bridal Veil Falls, be sure to stop at the Buttercup Creamery ice cream parlor while in Kagawong for a refreshing treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. Buttercup serves premium hard ice cream, soft serve, fresh baked goods including cinnamon buns, and hot and cold drinks.
Buttercup also took over operation of the candy shop formerly known as Boo-Bah-Lou Candy Corner in the summer of 2024. Located next door in the same building you can wander through to buy some vintage candy or modern sweets while enjoying your ice cream cone.
Hours of Operation: Year-round. Open 11 – 5 Mon – Sat. Closed Sunday. Open 7 days a week for the summer season. Hours may vary in off-season and on holidays.
Website: www.buttercupcreamery.ca
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 67 Main Street, Kagawong
Manitoulin Chocolate Works
Handmade specialty chocolate products that you will not be able to resist! The Peanut Smoothie or Mint Meltaway bars and the chocolate-covered Oreos are favourites in our family but everything is delicious.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, iced chocolate and iced latte are also available in the shop as well as some gourmet food items and additional products.
Online ordering is also available.
Hours of Operation: Open May – October. Summer Hours: 10 – 5:30 daily. Closed Monday. Reduced hours in spring and fall.
Website: www.manitoulinchocolate.ca
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 160 Main Street, Kagawong
Little Current
If you’re driving to the island rather than taking the ferry then the first community that you will visit is Little Current on the other side of the swing bridge. Boat tours of the waters around Manitoulin Island and the Killarney Region depart from here and there’s also a nice boardwalk trail along the waterfront – follow it to the end to get a good photo of the swing bridge.
Dockside Social
Formerly the Edgewater, we recently ate here a few weeks after they opened and enjoyed our fresh and delicious sandwiches – I had a Caprese and can definitely recommend!
Dockside Social serves artisan pizzas and sandwiches on an outdoor two-deck patio with a gorgeous view of the waterfront docks and the North Channel as well as the swing bridge. All of the seating is outdoor although the lower level has some overhead coverage and the upper level has bright red umbrellas.
Live music some evenings.
Hours of Operation: Seasonal. Open seven days a week (11 – 9) during the heart of summer with reduced hours at the beginning and end of the season.
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 3 Water St. W., Little Current
Loco Beanz
The original Loco Beanz location (the others are in Manitowaning and Gore Bay) serves coffee, tea, espresso-based drinks and iced drinks. Breakfast is served all day (bagels, English muffins, breakfast sandwiches) as well as flat breads and wraps, sandwiches, paninis and homemade baked goods.
Souvenirs and Manitoulin Island-themed and lake/cottage merchandise are also sold in the shop.
The Little Current location is a bit larger than Gore Bay – I often can’t get oat milk in Gore Bay but have never had a problem getting it here.
Menu available online.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round – hours vary by season. Summer hours: Monday – Friday 7am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 4pm.
Website: www.locobeanz.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 7 Water St. E., Little Current
3 Cows & a Cone
Located just past the bridge, 3 Cows & a Cone can be one of the first stops when arriving on the island or the last leaving. This is a fast option for burgers, fries, pizza, ice cream and more. Outdoor seating available.
There’s also a chip truck on site called Cows Fries that specializes in Fish and Chips using fresh local Manitoulin Whitefish as well as specialty poutines.
Menu available online. Order ahead by telephone available.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round. Hours vary by season. Summer hours: 11 am – 9 pm every day.
Website: www.3cowsandacone.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 64 Meredith St. E., Little Current
Mindemoya
Mindemoya, located at the intersection of Highways 542 and 551, has a thriving business district including the island’s largest grocery store which is what generally brings us to town.
Mum’s Restaurant & Bakery
Mum’s Restaurant & Bakery is currently listed for sale but is still a favourite spot on the island for breakfast and baked goods – particularly the apple fritters which generally have to be ordered ahead because they sell out so quickly.
Hours of Operation: Call to confirm hours. (705) 377-4311
Location: 2515 Highway 551, Mindemoya
Netti’s Manitoulin Espresso Bar
Located directly across the street from Mum’s Restaurant, Netti’s is one of my go-to spots when I need a latte! Netti’s serves coffee, cold drinks, and sweet treats as well as soups, sandwiches, wraps and paninis.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round. Hours may vary by season. Tues – Fri 7am – 4:30pm. Sat 9:30am – 2pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Social Media: Facebook
Location: 2218 Highway 551, Mindemoya
M’Chigeeng
Centrally located on Manitoulin Island between Little Current and Kagawong, M’Chigeeng First Nation, previously known as West Bay, is home to the Anishinabek and the second-largest First Nation on the island. The Ojibwe Cultural Foundation is located here as well as Lillian’s Crafts and the Cup and Saucer Trail is nearby.
Bittersweet Tea Co.
A modern tea shop located in M’Chigeeng, Bittersweet Tea Co, offers a variety of loose leaf teas, decadent chocolates, and baked goods – you can even get a cup of coffee if you prefer! This is a lovely shop with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Hours of Operation: Open year-round. Reduced hours in off-season. Spring & Summer Hours: Wed – Sunday 10 am – 8pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Website: www.bittersweetteaco.ca
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
Location: 6284 Highway 540, M’Chigeeng
Providence Bay
Located on the south shore of Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay is home to the most beautiful (and longest) sand beach on the island. This is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, strolling the 2 kilometre boardwalk that runs along the beach to protect the sand dunes and visiting the Mutchmor art gallery.
Providence Peace Café
Located inside the Mutchmor art gallery, the Peace Café offers specialty tea and a selection of freshly baked local desserts and sandwiches. Be sure to browse the gallery and shop while there!
Hours of Operation: Seasonal. Summer Hours: Open daily 9am – 5pm.
Website: www.themutchmor.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram (occasional updates)
Location: 5263 Highway 551, Providence Bay
Do you have any favourite places to eat on Manitoulin Island? Let me know and I’ll be sure to check them out!
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