Just a small shack on the side of Highway 169 as is snakes through the the south side of Bala…read more Small outdoor area with cool tree cover with seating for twenty. It's going to be a tight fit with just three tables of four. Hang on tight, it's a culinary delight of Canadian and American flavors! Start with the dry ribs. Amazing!!!!! Try some Jerk chicken poutine. Fantastic!!!! Another beer/wine/sparkling to cleanse the pallet. Your going to need it. Cesar salad to cool your tongue down, cold romain with house made dressing with just the right amount of anchovie for some light kick. Finished with fish and chips, light battered fillet atop a mound of fresh cut fries. Mac and cheese three with truffle oil and shallots. Flavor abounds! Fete du complete with their double chocolate brownie to end this flavor extravaganza. Wow.... How one Chef in a tiny cottage kitchen can produce this quality of food......I don't know how, but keep it coming. Outstandingl restaurant and staff.

Super impressed with Castle Blue. We've been coming to Bala for a few years now and for some reason…read morekeep passing by it unnoticed. Found it on yelp and decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Simple menus with something for everyone's tastes. We had the burger (which was indeed homemade), poutine (best in Bala), salad and the mac and cheese. Everyone was very pleased. When walking in - the small interior will throw you off but if the weathers right - the patio is awesome. Can't recommend this place enough if you're looking for affordable and something the kids will love. Service and food were top notch.

I hate one-star reviews. Panning a place makes me sad. This joint, however, deserves it…read more Husband's family has owned a cottage in Muskoka for darn near 100 years. Everyone has their favorite place to eat on the lakes. Moon River Lookout doesn't make anyone's list (and after our dinner last week, we know why). It's too bad, too, considering the food is actually quite good. Well-prepared, fresh local ingredients, lovely flavors and textures. The chef is clearly not the problem here, tho. The glaring problem is the service, which is deplorable in every sense of the word. It would be easy enough to dismiss our bumbling, sadly trained waiter as a fluke...if not for the fact that the manager on duty the evening we dined here was an example of some of the poorest managing I've ever encountered. If I listed everything that went wrong with the meal -- from the moment our party of six stepped through the door to the minute we high-tailed it out said door -- we'd be here all day, so a telling example: Tried to order wine -- oh, sorry, just sold the last bottle of that wine you asked for to that party I seated 15 minutes after you, but whose drink order I took instantly all the while ignoring you...also, just so you know, wine prices are "several dollars" higher than the ones given on the wine list. Say wha? Who does that? It was one thing like this after another until it really reached the point where we felt like we were almost being discriminated against. Do our faces scream "American"? Does my lack of wrinkles make you think I can't afford you? What gives? All that really matters is that when the manager learned how truly unhappy we were from the waiter, she entirely disappeared. Never came over to talk to us or ask what our concerns were; never came to apologize or offer recourse. Just straight. up. disappeared. Moon River is a place that presents itself as a fine-dining establishment (few and far between in Muskoka) with high priced, albeit delicious, food to boot. But the unjustifiably poor service and treatment we received means we will never be back.

It was a dreary day, so we decided to drive to Bala for dinner. I called ahead and reserved…read more Tiffany, the owner, called back quickly to confirm our reservation. It got better from there on. The restaurant is quaint but nicely decored. It does overlook the water. Tiffany looked after us and was attentive, friendly and very welcoming. The food was exceptional. I had the Shrimp Diablo and it was scrumptious for an appetizer. My main was the prime rib with Yorkshire pudding. Perfectly done and very delicious. My only criticism was the horseradish offered was sweet, not spicy. My wife had the soup and Pickerel and was as pleased as I was with my main. We shared and I agree. The pickerel was delicious. The deserts were plentiful and varied. I speculate they were home made. Very good finish to a great meal. Really a four and half star place for sure. Highly recommend calling ahead and a must place to go and enjoy a meal. The Bala cranberry festival starts in two weeks and is well worth the visit. Finish with a great dinner here. Enjoy.

A local brewery with a wide selection of beer and food options. Extra star for having a unique…read moreflight called the skateboard, which allows you to try every beer on the menu and it comes on a skateboard! We washed all the beer down with some chicken wings and pizza. Out of the two, I would recommend the pizza as I found the chicken wings a little dry. I liked that the pizza was in a Detroit style, and had plenty of toppings. Friendly service and lad back atmosphere.

Tuesday evening, and the Northwinds is somewhat busy. I…read morestarted off with a pint of Pretty River Lager, promptly served by my waitress. After a brief review of the menu, I selected a personal pizza, The Capri. Several meats listed, I'm eager to try it. I'll say, the Capri was delicious! The fresh toppings were amazing, and the sauce exceptional. Calling it a "personal pizza" is a stretch. This could easily serve 2 persons. Overall, the Northwinds was a fantastic experience. Exceptional food, Excellent service. Many thanks to Roxy!

The Best!! The Food, Venue, Staff was amazing. Highly recommended. 5 ! Our group agreed this…read moreis was a great experience in Muskoka!

Worst customer service I've ever encountered. I came back for the first time in 2 years hoping it…read morewould change my previous 2 encounters... but was greeted with conflict the second I walked in and asked for a table. He didn't even look up at me, I just asked for table, he kept doing was he was doing and just said, "no, we are full". I should have known better, that was the 3rd strike. I'm out for good!

My first visit to Black Bellows... We were greeted pleasantly and promptly, and escorted to our…read moretable. Outside seating was beautiful tonight. An added feature, dogs are welcome! I started out with a seasonal flight.. I declare that the craft beers are unique and satisfying. Dinner tonight was a Blackened Snapper sandwich, with complimentary fries. The fish was cooked perfectly, and seasoned to a remarkable taste. Overall a great experience. Our server was magnificent, too!

This was my first time in Collingwood and found this cozy pub. The staff were extremely friendly…read moreand helpful. I ordered the beer sample. The ball peen was super good and would go back for more. I had the smash burger and also was yummy. Overall this is great place if you are looking for good beer and pub food.

Dropped with buddy we ordered fish n chips and I ordered the hot turkey sandwich with real mash…read morepotatoes, awesome real turkey made daily, great food and great service!

Short and sweet review - this place caters to people who want to dine with a lake view. The food is…read morevery average pub food. The services is good. The venue is comfortable, spacious and clean. The lake view is relaxing and enjoyable. BUT you won't want to pay this price for this food and service without this view.

Amazing food, service is wonderful and its just great no matter what you order..........read more

Their portions are quite generous but some things are better than the other. Onion rings are huge…read morebut their batter is way too thick. Chicken wings and their Waldorf salad is good. Haddock is also big but their batter is bit thick too. Overall it's a place I wouldn't mind coming back if I was at the casino. 3.5/5

This pub was a nice experience for dinner. Easy comfort food that hit the spot for a reasonable…read moreprice.

Gord and I had three meals this week at Clear Lake Brewing Co. in Torrance, ON (in Muskoka). We…read morewere staying across the street at the Muskoka BeerSpa, which owns the restaurant/brewery. They brew their beer onsite and you can buy beer and souvenirs to take home. Monday - lunch I liked their honey cream ale. Gord had a Caesar wrap and fries. I had the burger and fries special (for $15). Both were good. Abby was our server and she friendly and chatty and took good care of us. Tuesday - supper That night the special was $18 for a pint and a pound of chicken wings so that's what Gord and I had. His were battered and mine were battered and then tossed in medium sauce. Yum! Leah was our friendly and chatty server. Wednesday - supper When we went for supper, it was jammed inside so we ate outside in the "beer garden". I had the steak and frites special ($25). I'd ask for medium and the steak was well-done but happily still tender. The fries were overdone. Gord had a club sandwich and said it was good. His fries were overdone too. Cam Galloway entertained in the "beer garden" and was really good.

Great option especially for families wanting a restaurant meal in a casual setting ( we sat in the…read moreoutdoor area and the huge playground was great while kids are waiting for their meals. The good snd drinks were great too, with a big variety on the menu. We would definitely go back there.

Again, was not disappointed! Stopped by for lunch with a friend. Ordered the same chicken club on…read moreGF bread since it was so good last time. This time I also tried a salad on the side that was like a vinaigrette slaw made from mainly cauliflower - it was delicious and flavourful. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich with potato salad and said it was excellent! We were able to eat outside which was so nice. We both agreed, we'll be back next time we're in the neighbour.

Cottage Cravings only recently came to Bala after a fire at their original Gravenhurst location…read more last year left them looking for a new space. But I'm so glad they landed in our tiny, sleepy town: CC is about as close as it gets to a one-stop shop here. There aren't a lot of places where you can grab a coffee and sandwich, pick up cheese and charcuterie to take home, or grab wall art or dish towels for the cottage. I appreciate that the products here are so thoughtfully selected as well. Cottage decor can teeter on kitschy, but the selection at CC -- technicolor enameled outdoor dining sets, lake-themed hooked rugs, craftsman birdhouses -- is tasteful as well as fun. Popsicle makers and painted martini glasses give ideas. Food from local vendors means you don't have to wait for next week's farmers market to pick up those jams or condiments. And a bounty of healthful dining options from veggie paninis to fresh soups make a quick, delicious lunch. CC definitely makes a great addition to our little hamlet.