When I saw their bi-weekly special of beef goulash ($39) on the menu, I was torn... do I go with…read morethe popular schnitzel or order the goulash and risk disappointment again? Luckily, my husband agreed to share. I find most Torontonian goulash tastes like beef stew with a sprinkle of paprika. Chef Henrie brought me back to Europe. Yes, his recipe contained lots of paprika but the tomatoey sauce also had a rich depth to it that was the perfect pairing for the boiled spaetzle. The tender beef was left in large chunks as was the hearty soft potato. Even the sauerkraut was surprising - served hot, not overly acidic, and had an underlying richness that my husband thinks may be bacon, but I can't place. Who would have thought I'd like fried mushrooms ($14)? I certainly didn't. Then I bit into one of the hot steaming finely breaded fungi, I continued reaching for more of the crispy juicy nuggets. The pickle-filled tartare sauce made it even better. Tip: save this sauce for the goulash, it goes wonderfully with the potatoes. With several schnitzels on Chef Henrie's menu, the Hunter schnitzel ($38) was a delicious choice. The thinly pounded pork was covered with finely ground breadcrumbs and fried until crispy but still very moist. The mushroom sauce was not overly salted so it didn't cover the taste of the meat but was seasoned enough to compliment the fluffy spaetzle. The schnitzels also arrive with a side salad and their Caesar was citrusy and light. The breadcrumbs were crushed into small pieces so that it mixes into the creamy leaves for texture. It's not all meat and potatoes at Chef Henrie, the menu also incorporates dishes for vegetarians like the sage and brown butter gnocchi ($28). It's a sizeable portion and a nice consistency - pillowy but not overly mushy. If you like a sweet and savoury dish this, is it. Take your main to go if you must as you have to try their desserts. The apple strudel ($12) is a lighter option with the paper-thin pastry that encapsulates so much apple! The spiced filling contains a mixture of mashed and slices of the fruit for contrast and the whipped cream was the perfect sweetener. The bienenstich ($12) was a bit richer, a fluffy honey cake sandwiching custard and covered with a caramelized almond and coconut topping. While it looks like a plain vanilla cake, it's a great mixture of textures and flavours.

Passing by this German restaurant, so I checked it out for lunch. Inside has been remodelled and…read morelooked clean, modern and European in design. I needed to use my GPS to locate the place, as the area isn't over developed with other businesses. Lots of Schnitzel offerings, perhaps a little more diversification of menu would be a nice addition. I had a luncheon currywurst with fries curry sauce and mayo which was a nice change from our North American offerings. The service was quick and pleasant. Worthy of a repeat stop.

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.

Great service, great ambiance, nice and quite, plenty of seats inside and a few outside, very clean…read moreand great decorations. We ordered double espresso and latte, unfortunately not my kind of espresso, roasted too dark and off the balance of a great espresso, left charcoal like after taste. I personally prefer a balanced light roast to get the narrow sweet spot between acidity and bitterness. Plus, darker roast has less caffeine, and I like more

Very interesting decor. The Rueben would sell in NY that's how good. The frozen cappuccino was…read moreawesome

open only on weekends since the owners are teachers but such a gem of a place in a small town--…read moretotally unexpected amazing food. the vegan cookies were AMAZING-- the kids even loved them!!!!!!

Annie's opened in Bala two years ago, and we were excited because there's definitely a lack of…read morerestaurants in town. We had hoped we'd hit upon a good restaurant for breakfast, especially. But we were pretty disappointed in Annie's the two times we gave it a try this summer. To begin with, the atmosphere definitely warrants the two-star "meh." Bare walls, bare tables, a standard kitchen that opens onto the tiny, 8-table restaurant. The service is pretty lacking as well. One morning our server was grumpy and dismissive. Another morning with five people, our meals came out...well, piecemeal. A plate here, and plate there, and then a 10 minute wait on fellow diner's side order of French toast...which resembled Wonderbread. The food is okay. The first occasion I ordered an omelet and was horrified when it came out barely cooked, one of my culinary phobias. Cutting into it, the insides ran out. Husband said it was my fault for not asking for the omelet well-done; I say there aren't many people who enjoy a runny omelet as a standard. The next time we were in, I avoided the omelet and tried a grilled cheese with tomato. The server mocked me for ordering a grilled cheese for breakfast. Really? Unfortunately, when the sandwich arrived the bread wasn't toasted and the cheese wasn't melted. The saving grace of Annie's is the home fries. They are obviously homemade from fresh potato and really well cooked.

It's too bad the other review for Annie's isn't great...I've had 2 opposite experiences - both…read morepleasant! That being said, I've only had breakfast there (and know they have a strict "switch to lunch" policy before noon hits..) Anyway, food and service are generally served warm, and the quality is excellent for an equally excellent price. No complaints here (yet)! TRY THEIR SAUSAGE. A mild kick to it, but absolutely to die for. Also, home fries, home fries, home fries. The highlight of the meal! Stay tuned for a lunch review...

The bagel sandwiches were very average. The actual bagels were not that great (like those that one…read morewould buy in a grocery store), not well toasted, toppings were minimal and overall the bagel sandwiches lacked flavour and salt. We had the Diner Bagel (roast beef) and the Farm to Bagel (chicken sausage). I was expecting a sausage patty, but it was more like a single, very thin deli slice. The Diner bagel also had only one thin slice of roast beef. Would be glad to pay more for better and more flavourful toppings, and frankly just more of them. Wood fired bagels would be next level. We did have an AWESOME dessert (pecan butter tart square) - yum! 3.5 overall because of that.

This is the most cozy beautiful coffee spot I've seen, gives places in NYC, Toronto, LA a run for…read moretheir money! Serve specialty lattes, with macadamia and oat milk substitutes as well as cocktails, pastries, cookies and baked goods. Pantry items like jam, honey, coffee beans and merchandise all in cabin theme!

Excellent espresso based drinks, teas, sandwiches, etc. in the front. A cheese counter too! Go…read morethrough the door to the back and you enter a whole world of antiques, collectables and artwork. A real gem for Gravenhurst!

we were ordering a muffin and a coffee but a black coffee and they did order perfectly and it was…read morereally good. I really loved it and I devoured it. It was so good that my dad drank the coffee. Because it was really good and who doesn't like a cottage snack on the way there or back.

There are several Oliver's Coffee in Muskoka Lakes area. We ended up coming to this location since…read morewe had a pit stop in Bala. The Oliver's Coffee was pretty busy when we arrived around 2 pm. The store itself was deep and narrow. Most people having their coffee to go! I too don't want to stay in packed coffee shop when the weather was nice and sunny. Coffee was ok. I do like they have some Espresso based drinks. Right next to a laundromat, they do get a lot of customers coming in for a coffee while their clothes being wash/dry.

Good food. Service was good. Excellent server. Kitchen backed up so we were impatient as we had a…read moreconcert to go to. They did their best to accommodate us Next time we will not make post dinner arrangements and enjoy our dinner even more

Away from the city centre area, but if you have a car, not an issue. A small place with the homely…read morefeel to it. They do serve meat dishes as well, but are Vegan and Vegetarian friendly. The two ladies are knowledgeable and can tell you what is vegan what is not. Had Coconut and Lentil with Vegetables Soup with Toast and a Spicy Rice and Veggie Wrap with the same soup. Saw a morning glory muffin which was Vegan and gluten free and somehow I heard it calling me. The muffin was delicious. With greens, carrots and coconut was amazing. The best part it had very little sugar. Only if I had it warmed. The soup and wrap came quickly after. The soup had almost entire lentils which we assumed would be under cooked. We were wrong. The lentils cooked to perfection. The coconut milk creamy. A bit under seasoned for the Mrs, but I didn't mind. I did want some spice though. Added some black pepper but didn't do anything. The wrap with lots of salad greens and rice. Carrots and veggies. The rice and tortilla was warm. The service was good as well. The place has a small area for buying some nut milk and other stuff. There is also a shelf full of books for customers sit and enjoy.