Why Stratford Is Having Its Food Moment
Just under 2 hours west of Toronto, Stratford has long been famous for its world-class theatre—but the city’s food scene is quickly catching up. In 2025, CBC Radio’s The Current named Stratford one of Canada’s Top 10 Travel Bucket List Destinations—with its restaurants leading the charge.
The engine behind it all is the Stratford Chefs School, a non-profit culinary institution founded in 1983 that has spent four decades training some of Canada’s best chefs.
Additionally, Stratford lies in Perth County, with one of Ontario’s most productive agricultural regions. The town is just minutes from organic farms, artisanal dairy ranches, and long-standing grain producers, thus cultivating a food scene that is hard to beat.
Where to Eat
Bluebird Restaurant & Bar
30 Ontario Street
The hottest table in town. A bistronomy-inspired menu built around Stratford’s agricultural landscape—seasonal, precise, and utterly satisfying. Named among TripAdvisor’s top-rated restaurants in Ontario. Book ahead.
The Restaurant at The Bruce Hotel
89 Parkview Drive
Stratford’s most elegant dining room. Feast On certified, locally sourced, and impeccably presented. The tasting menu is a full evening in itself. Afternoon tea is also available.
Revival House
70 Brunswick Street
Dine in a stunningly converted church. Soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, and a garden patio make this one of Ontario’s most atmospheric restaurants. Go for the beef tenderloin.
The Prune
151 Albert Street
47 seasons of culinary history. Run by Stratford Chefs School instructors, this is Stratford’s most storied fine-dining destination. Watch the kitchen through the glass wall while you eat.
The Starlight
64 Wellington Street
Air Canada enRoute’s Best New Restaurant 2024. Live music, great food, and a buzzing atmosphere seven nights a week. It already feels like a classic.
The Stratford Festival box office is on Queen Street if you want to combine a show with your food trip—and you really should.
For the full picture of what’s in Stratford, visit Destination Stratford before you go.
Getting There
Stratford is 143 km west of Toronto—roughly 1 hr 50 min by car via the 401 West, or reachable by VIA Rail from Union Station.
Stratford is a highly walkable city—park in one of the municipal lots downtown, and you can reach virtually every restaurant and attraction on foot. Most fine dining restaurants require reservations, particularly during theatre season (April–November).
