Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Southern Ontario

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Southern Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Civil

4.9

4.9 (136)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Pizzeria

Kitchener

About the restaurant

The Civil specialises in from-scratch everything. From the best in modern cocktails to some of the most adventurous pizzas out there, we pride ourselves on serving the freshest. We offer a funky, cozy environment perfect for dates, friend dates, small groups, and, really, any pizza & cocktail fanatic. We're located in the beautiful Tannery Building in DTK.

Top review

LindaVIP

Dined on Dec 23, 2024

Took a friend who had never been. We both had a delicious pizza and a flight. Our server was friendly and helpful. Overall great experience.

The Paris Beer Company

4.8

4.8 (790)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Brewery

Brantford

About the restaurant

Paris’ first taproom brewery with a focus on quality beer; a tasting room where the product can be sampled and enjoyed with food from our scratch kitchen. On-site, beer, food and entertainment combines to create a local, cultural experience for residents and visitors alike.
Our bottle shop has a great selection of our fresh beer for you to take home to enjoy. We’re using our own hops grown on our farm in Paris as well as sourcing locally grown food and ingredients.
The Paris Beer Company is a diverse team; we are proud of what we do. We are farmers and brewers with the intent to use our business as a force for good. Our core values: genuine, grit, intentional, sustainable, learning & growing.

Top review

jill

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and beer was delicious. Great ambience. Wait staff was knowledgeable and very friendly. She gave us samples of beer to try. We will go back again.

Standing Room Only

4.8

4.8 (177)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Guelph

About the restaurant

Come and enjoy a drink in Canada's Smallest Bar - Standing Room Only! Located in Guelph's unique and historic Ward neighbourhood. We craft delicious and innovative cocktails in an intimate and creative space. Come and enjoy a throwback to another time - when speakeasies were all the rage! Perfect for after work drinks - or before or after dinner drink - or even a night cap! The room is also available to book for your intimate private event. Please call or message us on Instagram to make arrangements.

Top review

ShelleyVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

We had a unique and entertaining experience! Will be back again!

Beertown Public House - London White Oaks

4.8

4.8 (40)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

London

About the restaurant

Beertown is the destination for the instinctively curious. We fuel your fascination for all things purposefully crafted, whether that's beer, cuisine or design. Our Guests know that life is too short for the ordinary. With 42 beers on tap and many in bottles, there is a beer for everyone. Our Chefs have taken as much time as the brewers to craft everything that goes onto each plate. If your desired reservation time is unavailable, call us directly at 548-508-2337. Please understand we are leaving some space available for walk-in Guests. Please stop by if you’re in the area. Our team looks forward to serving you!

Top review

Ulli

Dined 4 days ago

We had a nice time. Was a little busy but our server made up for it. We will be back.

Beertown Public House - Guelph

4.7

4.7 (691)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Guelph

About the restaurant

If your desired reservation time is unavailable, call us directly at 226-706-2337.

Please understand we leave some space available for walk-in Guests. Please stop by if you’re in the area.

Top review

Susan

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

Great service. Good food. Interesting menu. Always enjoy meals shared at Beertown.

Delilah's

4.7

4.7 (100)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

International

London

About the restaurant

Casual fine dinning with handcrafted cocktails. Our menu offers classic favourites & bold international cuisine.
-Welcome to Delilah's

Top review

Patience

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

It was very good , had a great time every onewho worked there was really nice. But the bar staff really needs to LEARN HOW TO MAKE A BABY GUINESS. becauae its supposed to look like a Baby Guinness.

Four Fathers Brewing Co.

4.7

4.7 (8)

CAN$30 and under

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Four Fathers Brewing Co. is a craft brewery nestled in the heart of Hespeler Village. In our pursuit of crafting unique, exceptional brews, our historic factory warehouse houses not only a warm and inviting Taproom, but also serves as a charming wedding and special event venue upstairs. Sports lovers can also enjoy our pickleball facility or our professional 9-hole disc golf course year-round.

On the doorstep of the Speed River and surrounded by beautiful walking & biking trails, there truly is something for everyone at this destination brewery. We're open 365 days a year - so visit us today and have some #FunAtThe4!

Top review

paul

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

We just had lunch and a couple beers. Honestly I love the atmosphere and the friendly staff. I love jhavi f a weekend lunch here especially while spending time in the village Christmas shopping with my husband.

Discover more

Experience

Beer & A Burger Lunch Deal

Kelseys Original Roadhouse - Stoney Creek

4.5

4.5 (134)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Kelseys has been Canada's Original Roadhouse since 1978. Inspired by the uninhibited spirit of road tripping and the classic Roadhouse, the rules are different at Kelseys. It is where you go to eat what you want to eat, drink what you want to drink, and be who you want to be. Enjoy classics like our legendary spinach dip, fresh double stacked burgers, two-handed sandwiches, and unforgettable chicken wings. Fuel your adventurous spirit that craves something a little different - a little more Original!

In the mood for great food, drinks, and a lot of fun? Take a trip down the block to Kelseys.

Top review

Justin

Dined 5 days ago

Great experience for a quick date away from the kiddos. A pan of nachos and a couple of drinks in the bar — exactly what we were after. The server was attentive and kind, food was delicious, great atmosphere in the bar area.

ABE ERB - Uptown Waterloo

4.5

4.5 (61)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Waterloo

About the restaurant

Enjoy a cold pint, cocktail or glass of wine while you peruse our delicious menu. Abe Erb is perfect for your special occasion like birthday and holiday celebrations! We can section off front or back area of restaurant for groups of 20-40, have large 12 seat communal tables, or full restaurant buyout (full or half day) for up to 120 guests. Contact info@abeerb.com to secure your preferred date.

Top review

Nora

Dined 5 days ago

Always a good time at Abe Erb trivia night! Great food. Great service1

Discover more

Experience

Trivia Night - Every Thursday

East Side Mario's - Guelph

4.4

4.4 (20)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Guelph

About the restaurant

At East Side Mario's Guelph we're passionate about three things: food, famiglia, and fun. Make every family meal a special occasion at East Side Mario's, where good food and great company come together to create lasting memories and let our family handle the cleanup. With generous portions and a warm, inviting atmosphere, our hand gestures are as grand as our love for family. Whether you're looking for a dine-in experience for lunch and dinner or prefer the convenience of takeout or delivery, we cater to every preference. Come join us and enjoy All-You-Can-Eat, featuring Soup, Salad, and Garlic Homeloaf, Mario's mouthwatering Chicken Parmigiana, signature pizzas and classic Italian-American favourites that will have you saying, "Mama Mia!"

Top review

GrahamVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Reservation was taken and the table was ready. Excellent service The food was delivered ad ordered and was freshly prepared. The CAA discount was applied.

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