Home to the Shakespeare Festival and Avon River, Stratford also hosts a spectacular selection of fine-dining restaurants.
Stratford, Ontario, is well known for its artistic attractions and original downtown shopping establishments. From the local art gallery and Art in the Park to a night out at one of Stratford’s coffee houses, guests and locals will be pleased with the selection of activities and attractions. Stratford is also known for its fine dining establishments, which offer a trendy and sophisticated ambiance and a great selection of food.
The Church Restaurant in Stratford
Providing an a la carte menu with modern French cuisine and the best local and international ingredients, The Church Restaurant in Stratford is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday as well as brunch and dinner on Sundays. The restaurant has received the four-diamond award nine consecutive years from AAA/CAA.
The Church Restaurant opened for business in 1975. It prides itself on the quality of the dining experience and focuses on ensuring its guests are content. The menu changes every six weeks, and the wine list is reviewed constantly. Most importantly, the philosophy of The Church Restaurant is to “treat each ingredient with respect, treat each guest with sincerity, understand the vision, and execute flawlessly.”
The menu for The Church Restaurant consists of seasonally-inspired French dishes. Not only can guests choose from the a la carte menu, but there is also a tasting menu whereby each course has been expertly paired with a wine. As a menu example, lunch consists of starters like Foie Gras Torchon and Cream of Lobster soup. Some main courses are Confit of Quebec Duck and Goat Cheese Tortellini.
Fellini’s in Downtown Stratford
As Stratford’s favourite Italian-Mediterannean restaurant for the past 15 years, this establishment offers a “call ahead wait list”. Guests can call 30-40 minutes prior to their arrival and be placed on the list. Fellini‘s is open for lunch and dinner with many menu items such as fresh pastas, stone oven pizzas, Italian classics, chicken and salmon. As well, there is a wine list and local beer.
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Fellini’s offers five menus in total. The standard lunch menu consists of soups and salads such as Grilled Asparagus Salad, pizza combos including Casanova Pizza, pasta combos such as Farfalle Calabria, and a number of sandwich combos. Another lunch menu, the Fab 15, offers patrons a choice of pasta, pizza, or a sandwich for five days of the week.
Fellini’s dinner menu is comprised of appetizers like Grilled Scallops, soups and salads, entrees such as steak, salmon, pastas and a wide variety of best pizzas. The After 8 Menu is unique with a choice of eight different pastas and pizzas after 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for $8.88. The dessert menu offers choices such as a Mini Creme Brulee Combo and Tiramisu.
Rundles Restaurant of Stratford
The main restaurant, Rundles, is located in the River Room. The atmosphere is formal but light-hearted. With award-winning architecture and friendly service, Rundles offers not only modern haute cuisine but also a great variety of wines. Some are small, local, and unobtainable, while others are of the Bourdeaux variety.
Rundles’ menu is comprised of appetizers such as Grilled Octopus as well as Wild Arugula and Watercress. Main dishes are unique as well. For example, the restaurant offers Tandoori-Spiced Pickerel and Vegetarian-Grilled Eggplant. For dessert, patrons can choose from selections such as Armagnac and Carmelized Walnut Parfait or the Glazed Double Lemon Tart with Orange Sorbet.
Othello Bar and Restaurant
Located in the heart of downtown Stratford, Othello’s has an award-winning patio and is committed to providing patrons with the best quality products using fresh and local ingredients whenever possible. The restaurant offers a wide selection of wines and the largest selection of beer on tap in Stratford. Thursdays are half-price Burger and Wing nights, while Fridays are half-price Fish and Chip nights. Othello also has live entertainment!
The menu for Othello’s Bar and Restaurant is made up of salads such as Warm Chevre Salad and Roasted Salmon Salad, appetizers like Warm Brie and Samosas as well as pizze, including such options as BBQ Pork and Veggie. Othello’s also serves pasta dishes, sandwiches, burgers, wraps,pub fare like wings and nachos as well as several entrees.
Demetre Family Eatery
Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Demetre’s Family Eatery has been open in Stratford since 1996. In fact, it is one of Stratford’s favorite breakfast locations. Demetre’s is a family-run business that is fully licensed and has a wine and alcohol menu. It serves both specialty Greek dishes and standard fare.
Demetre’s breakfast menu offers a variety of omelets, egg dishes, pancakes, french toast, and some dishes for children. The lunch menu consists of delicious appetizers such as Cheddar Cheese and Jalapeno Poppers, soups and salads, burgers, wraps, pasta dishes, specialty, and regular sandwiches, as well as a kid’s menu. Demetre’s dinner menu is more varied, with not only appetizers, salads, and burgers but also seafood, Italian, and standard entrees, as well as both a senior’s menu and a kid’s menu.
Stratford’s Pazzo Ristorante
Located at street level on downtown Stratford’s main street, Pazzo Ristorante offers Italian-inspired cuisine. Visitors to the restaurant will discover a comfortable, but modern atmosphere. Local ingredients are used whenever possible and many of the Pazzo Ristorante chefs are graduates of the Stratford Chef School.
The lunch menu offers appetizers like steamed PEI mushrooms in addition to chickpea and porcini soup. Pasta are varied with dishes such as Penne with Pancetta. Some other main courses for lunch included the Prix Fix Daily Lunch Special and different Panini sandwiches using Italian flatbread. Pazzo’s dinner menu consists of similar appetizers as well as pasta such as Fazzoletti with Red Wine Lamb Ragu. Try desserts like the homemade gelato with Biscotti or Zeppole.
Stratford, Ontario is a vibrant tourist destination in the warmer seasons. Not only does the Festival City offer a variety of fine dining establishments, but it also hosts many comfortable and casual dining restaurants. All establishments offer large, unique menus using the freshest and best ingredients and provide a sophisticated, yet comfortable, atmosphere.
