There’s nothing like a day in The County! With help from Prince Edward County’s own chef and author, Rachel Bies, we’ve got your Top 5 dairy indulging spots in PEC!
From local markets to ice cream parlours to waterfront dining, you are just minutes away from discovering the area’s best hot spots and unsuspecting gems. Read on for your next county road trip itinerary…
4 Lake Street, Picton
As one of the best independent grocers for all things local in PEC, The Agrarian is the perfect one-stop-shop for your next picnic in The County. With a rotating selection of local dairy from artisanal cheesemakers around the province, the market also features locally produced ice cream and milks from makers like Limestone Organic Creamery and Reid’s Dairy. Pick up your charcuterie essentials and a cone on the way out and you’re all set for a wonderful afternoon!
24 Wharf St., Wellington
The Drake Devonshire is not only a gorgeous boutique hotel but also the perfect spot for a family dinner or night out with friends. Located on the beach, this waterfront dining experience embraces all things local from their food to their fixtures. My favourite meal when the season is right is their Burrata, Tomato, and Peach Salad using local cheese and produce. If you’re looking for sharables on a night out, try their cheeseboard featuring an assortment of Ontario cheeses and local accoutrements!
284 A Wellington Main St., Wellington
Located in the heart of Wellington, Aman’s Abattoir has been serving PEC for over 100 years now. Specializing as the area’s local meat market, they also have a whole section of their shop dedicated to Ontario cheese producer, Black River Cheese (wildly also in operation for over 100 years!). As The County’s original cheese house, their products remain true to their origin, always using 100% Ontario cow’s milk sourced from local dairy farmers.
182 Wellington Main St., Wellington
Nothing screams summer like ice cream, right?! Family owned and operated by the Wight’s, the Old Greenhouse Ice Cream Shop was exactly that – a greenhouse! After 7 years as an ice cream parlour, OG (as the locals call it) has become a PEC favourite. Serving up delicious scoops, shakes, blizzards, and froyo, all of their full-cream ice cream comes straight from Central Smith Creamery just outside The County. Crowd favourites – and now my favourites too – include Lavender Lemonade and Salted Caramel… both too good for just one scoop!
257 Bloomfield Main St., Bloomfield
Just outside of Wellington you’ll find one of the first places I fell in love with when moving to Prince Edward County – Bloomfield Public House. Equipped with both a kitchen and a market, you can get your favourite snacks and small plate ingredients to go! My favourite part of their philosophy is that all their goodies are local and seasonal. Though the one thing that remains true year-round is their Stirling Creamery butter, which they cultivate right in-house! Each time I go to stock up on my charcuterie favourites, I never pass up a snack from their kitchen – my favourite is their local roasted veggies (todays was beans) tossed in the cultivated butter. Simply delicious.