The prices are really reasonable for the quality and service here! We went here several times during our visit. We didn't stay at the hotel, but got a nice tour of it and liked how many nooks there are to read or play games in, how different rooms/floors are Shakespeare-themed, etc. It seemed very well thought out - not just another basic hotel chain. Steel Cut Porridge: If you love dessert for breakfast, this is excellent. The banana is caramelized (flambeed?) and the oats are perfectly cooked and sweetened with the birch syrup. I got this twice and it's just the right amount. Avocado Parfait: This was weird, but edible and very filling. I wouldn't get it again - the avocado was a weird choice. Like a sweet guacamole? Pain au Chocolat: Fresh and warm, a little soft (I like them a little more crispy on the outside and soft inside). Decent amount of quality chocolate inside. Crispy Smoked Bacon: Okay this one was maybe not as well priced as you only get three pieces of bacon, but it was tasty and I didn't have any regrets. Thin cut, wide, fatty slices. Maple Breakfast Sausage: No complaints, nothing too special, so it was a little pricey at three sausages. Better of course dipped in maple syrup! Bruce Blend Tea: This was quality black tea, but also just okay for me personally. I appreciate that they tell you how long the tea should be steeped and give you a timer for it. Apricot Tea: I liked this a lot on its own, but I liked it even more with some maple syrup, which made it taste like peach rings. Lychee Tea: This was nice and also I liked it better with a little maple syrup. Fabulous service. On weekends you get hot towels, which I thought was kind of funny. There is a path just outside that leads to the Stratford Festival Theatre, which is nice. I don't know that I could afford to stay at the hotel, but I would definitely come back to the restaurant. read more

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Good food... EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. Beautiful dining room. Excellent high-end pre-show dining.

Nice setting and good service. But the food is not as good as earlier reviews indicate. Expensive, too.

Excellent service and a great menu. We were staying at the Hotel. Just superb. Nothing else like it around. If you're in Stratford make sure to stay here and have dinner! read more

The Restaurant at the Bruce - The dining room. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

The Restaurant at the Bruce is a lovely dining experience from start to finish. The service is exceptional, as is the food. Treat yourself to a craft cocktail - you won't regret it. read more

I booked a table for lunch for my parents' 69th anniversary and we had a great experience. Everyone treated my parents like celebrities. We had a table with a great view of the garden. The ambiance was calm and elegant. - white table clothes and soft music The wait staff was awesome. I want to particularly recognize Annie who gave back the extra $20 I inadvertently paid. She could have kept it and I would never have known. The food was great. My Mom particularly liked the leek soup. My Dad loved the chicken. The Salmon Nage was the most creative way I have ever enjoyed fish. The chef was really sweet - she came out to thank my parents for choosing them for their special day. After our meal, we walked through the garden to the river by the Festival Theatre. I would totally recommend The Bruce to anyone. read more

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IIt has always bdeen a first class restaurant. Jennifer Birmingham made sure she got superior chefs and waitstaff. The food is always as good as we expect it too be (IE excellent). The servers are fast and courteous and friendly. The restoraunt is in the the most wonderful hotel ewe can think of. No exceptions read more

Beautiful restaurant, great service and decent food. I wish the food was better though. We had a cavatelli, burger and sandwich. Not bad but not great. It was too warm a day for us to dine outside and so we ate in the beautiful dining room and the service was excellent enough that we think we should try staying there the next time we return. Which is unlikely though. A shame. read more

The Restaurant at the Bruce was one of the many highlights while vacationing at Stratford. Located within walking distance of the Festival Theatre The Restaurant at the Bruce is located within the Bruce hotel. If you are not a guest of the Bruce hotel do not let it keep you from dining here. Go, dine, and be happy. I was not a guest of The Bruce hotel instead staying at the hotel next door and saw how it was rated highly and figured why not? We had an evening show of Macbeth to attend and not a solid lay of the land so it seemed like a very safe choice. As we approached the hotel's entrance the doors swung open and an attendant greeted us happily and provided us simple directions to the restaurant. Though we did not have a reservation the host greeted us all the same and immediately sat us. The restaurant was not very large with three rooms, high vaulted ceilings, pretty chandeliers, long draping white tablecloths, and a very sophisticated feel. I felt underdressed sitting there among black tie patrons, but there wasn't even a second look our way the whole night through. The waitstaff was perfect. They were friendly, engaging, and very helpful. I was not particularly hungry after a large lunch so I ordered the fish fritters and my mother ordered the pickerel for dinner. The fish fritters were amazing. I was expecting meager portions but these good sized balls of lightly breaded salmon and pickerel chunked fritters were served and they were simply absolutely amazing. I was so thrilled with them that I instantly wanted to return to this restaurant. My mother was also very happy with her pickerel which was great since she isn't a huge fish fan. For dessert I had the cheesecake and now I am forever ruined from eating cheesecake anywhere else ever again. I'm sorry, but I didn't know cheesecake could be that good. It wasn't served in the traditional manner, so if you're a traditionalist I would recommend you avoid it. But if you want something amazing please do order it! Instead of a slice of densely packed cheesecake what was served was these small cubes of the fluffiest cheesecake bites. And instead of a graham cracker crust it was graham crackers that lightly garnished the dish. I commented how airy and wonderful the dessert was and our waitress informed me that it was aerated which made it so light and fluffy and delicious. Did I mention delicious? When we told them we were attending Macbeth they showed us a path that lead from the restaurant's patio to the Festival theatre! It was a very beautiful path complete with a tiny little bridge which made the night even more magical. Two days later we went for breakfast. I had the largest most delicious French toast I have ever had. It was spectacular. The fresh fruit was such that I didn't even need the syrup! It was amazing. This restaurant is amazing. read more

The best restaurant in Stratford Although the 5 course dinner prix fixe at $80 per person may be pricey, the better option for those who may want a cheaper alternative while not compromising in quality is go to the Lounge. Full menu but less expensive. Amazing quality!!! It is not As expensive as people are rating this....at least for the lounge! The chef is simply superb. The best cuisine /dinner I have experienced in southern Ontario do far. The dining Restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday as well as for Sunday brunch, while The Lounge is open seven days a week. read more

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Fine, fine, fine food! Excellent service. We had Pickerel and Black Swan beer outdoors on their beautiful patio. I didn't know I could like potato salad as much as I did! Fantastic in every way. I couldn't think of a thing to improve upon. My next visit will be in the dining room. Big expectations! read more

Such an amazing experience! Great food with terrific service. All staff put a lot of effort and care towards everyone to ensure the best possible experience. Highly recommend! read more

The Restaurant at the Bruce - a table setting - Canadian (New) Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

If your looking for the most spectacular dining experience in Stratford, look no further. All around there are only few other's that may compare to the quality of food, and service here. As for the price, you get what you pay for, this is worth it all. read more

The absolutely best wine list in the area combines with a attentive, friendly staff and a creative menu to make this a wonderful culinary stop. We came here several years ago after the restaurant had just opened and weren't overly impressed. Glad we gave it a second try.....we'll definitely be back. read more

Dinner on the patio is divine. Service and food are amazing. My favourite place to eat in Stratford. Turns out dinner in the dining room is also divine! Had another great meal here and really can't beat the service!! read more

We are here at The Bruce Hotel for 4 days. The food and food service are excellent. Local ingredients are a highlight thus making every dish taste amazing. I have wheat and dairy intolerances which cannot always be accommodated but not only did they accommodate my diet but they went above and beyond to provide delicious alternatives. read more

Spectacular in every respect. Food, wine ... company of friends ... perfect. The unexpected cheese tasting was greatly appreciated and the service was extraordinary. Very knowledgeable and attentive staff. Highly recommended! Bravo! read more

Love, love, love this restaurant! My husband and I tend to dine in the lounge or on the patio. Brunch in the main dining room is always a treat. Every meal has been fantastic, and we've had great service each time. I am gluten free and they are always able to accommodate. Thank you to the team at The Bruce for making each dining experience memorable. It is a hidden gem that not many locals know about - yet! Hands down my favorite spot in Stratford. read more

The chef at The Bruce loves all ingredients Canadian - they offer some unique & outstanding items. The staff are lovely - very accommodating. The outdoor patio dining area is delightful and even in the event of rain they have an abundance of indoor seating as well. Five minute walk to the Festival Theatre - couldn't be more convenient. This one is worth a visit. read more

The extensive wine list is the best thing about this place. Heirloom tomato salad was delicious and set the bar pretty high but unfortunately it was downhill from there. The steak in the steak frite was done more than requested although still tasty. Braised lamb shank was overdone and dry, served on a "wild rice risotto" which came pretty close to being actually risotto-like. But it seemed neither the lamb or the rice had been introduced to the salt shaker, and of course this is one of those places that doesn't put salt and pepper on the table because, you know, the chef is just so expert at seasoning. The pasta was about 1-1/2 minutes in the pot short of being al dente and so was pretty chewy. The kitchen was quite slow. All in all a pretty mediocre showing for a pretty expensive meal. read more

Based on two excellent meals (last year and this year), I consider the Bruce one of the very top restaurants in Stratford, at least on par with Bijou, from which it chef hails, and with Rundles in its prime. On our last visit, we enjoyed a fabulous green garlic soup -- smooth and rich, a great salad with greens and mushrooms from two local purveyors. The main dishes were perfectly cooked, as were the local vegetables that were as good as the protein. The vegetables were obviously chosen with care to complement the protein, and all was presented beautifully. Each dish had an excellent sauce that was light and rich at the same time. We shared a chocolate dessert, which the chef kindly divided onto two beautiful plates. The chocolate gelato was decadent, and was served on a small layer of chocolate cake and a white chocolate sauce, along with a delicious chocolate tuille. There was a tiny hint of salt that brought out the chocolate flavors beautifully. The manager recommended an Ontario Pinot Noir, which was (to our surprise) quite good, but the list has plenty of offerings from California, France and elsewhere. The wine prices are reasonable. The overall price was fair -- considerably lower than a dinner at Rundles, and just a bit more than Bijou. The Bruce Hotel has very expensive rooms, but that shouldn't put off anyone considering the restaurant. The service was professional and pleasant -- friendly without trying to become our best friend. The room is lovely. We will definitely be back every time we come to Stratford. read more

We stayed here overnight, and loved both the hotel and the breakfast. I absolutely loved the house made breakfast sausages. My husband prefers no sweetness in his sausage, but even he liked these because of their intense meaty flavor. One bite will make you feel satisfied, but if you're like me, you'll keep eating because they're so good. The fresh squeezed orange juice was also delightful, and we both loved the potatoes. My husband had the coffee, and he found it acceptable, even though he's a coffee snob. The tea was Tazo, which I would call acceptable also. The whole grain bread was good too. Ask for some of their house honey to go with it. Our daughters had the French toast. They both asked for the sauce in the side. They both loved the apples, which looked like a combination of diced cooked apples and raw apple straws on top. I didn't get a bite of those, but did get a bite of and enjoyed the French toast itself. I liked the sauce for it, and the chantilly that came with it. They both couldn't finish their breakfasts, there was so much. The price would have been high, but we each got a $20 voucher toward breakfast. We overspent that slightly, but it was worth it. We all would like to eat here again, and are planning on staying here on our next visit in Stratford. read more