Windsor Essex: The Ultimate Foodie Destination!
The Ultimate Foodie Road Trip is in Windsor Essex, which is less than a three hour’s drive from Northeast Ohio. Pack your bags, grab your passport, head across the Canadian border, and get ready for the perfect getaway for any food lover!
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Stay, Dine, & Play
Throughout your trip, stay at Caesars Windsor, where you can stay, dine, and play all under one roof. Their guest rooms offer picturesque views overlooking the Detroit River. On the casino floor, you will find over 1,500 slot machines and table games that make for endless fun. After gaming, immerse yourself in Cosmos live and local entertainment then enjoy artfully crafted cocktails from Vu Bar, which overlooks the Detroit Skyline.
For a fine dining experience, make a reservation at Neros, Caesars’ classic steakhouse. Enjoy premium AAA Canadian Beef, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine menu. Ordering Surf & Turf with their signature White Cheddar Mac & Cheese on the side is an absolute must!
Make sure that you watch a game at Legends Sports Bar, which is also conveniently located inside the casino. Order the Winged Wheel Caesar or the Butterfly Shrimp Caesar, their loaded versions of a Canadian Caesar cocktail. These drinks are meals in themselves!
World Famous Windsor-Style Pizza & International Eats
You cannot visit the region without trying Windsor-style pizza, which typically includes shredded pepperoni, local Galati mozzarella cheese, and a thin crust, stone-baked on cornmeal. Antonino’s Original Pizza, centers around 65 years of pizza making tradition, hits all the marks! Try Antonino’s Original Super, which includes cheese, sausage (shredded pepperoni), bacon, mushroom, and green pepper; it is outstanding!
Windsor is also home to a diverse, ethnic food scene. Visit ZuleEats for authentic Ghanaian meat pies. These fresh-baked pies consist of a flaky, golden crust packed with perfectly seasoned fillings. In addition to meat, they also offer vegetarian and vegan options.
For German cuisine, stop by Heimat Biergarten and Restaurant. Enjoy German classics like Schnitzel, Spaetzle, Pretzels, Sauerkraut, and more. Or, grab a Bavarian beer to sip on their outdoor Biergarten.
Comfort Food Favorites
Cookie Bar is a dream destination for anyone with a sweet tooth. They are known for their massive, quarter pound craft cookies that are thick, gooey, and loaded with toppings. The best part? You can pair their cookies with their vast selection of craft beers on tap.
Located inside Cookie Bar, you will also find Mamo Burger. If you are craving a burger, this is THE SPOT! Mamo’s burgers are hand-pressed and made from locally farmed beef. Their inventive burger varieties, like the Peanut Butter Jelly Time or Pickle Bac, elevate the experience. If you visit on a Sunday, their hand-breaded Nashville hot chicken sandwich is a must order.
Frost Ice Cream Co. serves up house-made, French custard ice cream as well as beautiful, handcrafted lattes. Their menu changes monthly to highlight seasonal flavors, so each time you visit there is a new treat to try. Pro-tip, top your ice cream with their fresh marshmallow fluff, which you can get brûléed.
Penalty Box Windsor is known for their legendary Chicken Delight which lives up to the hype! The Chicken Delight features marinated chicken breast wrapped in a pita with lettuce, tomato, and onion, and their secret Delight Sauce. Pair this with their Poutine, fries topped with cheese curds and rich brown gravy.
Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens is a local gem filled with greenhouses, mini golf, arcade, animals, and more. But, you need to stop by their in-house restaurant to try their famous peach juice and a dozen of their warm, cinnamon sugar cake donuts!
Brunch, Market Exploring, & Shopping
For the ultimate brunch experience, there is no better destination than The Twisted Apron. Their menu highlights local ingredients to reimagine classic comfort dishes. Whether you prefer a sweet or savory brunch, The Twisted Apron will deliver! For something sweet, the Boston Cream French Toast and Crème Brûlée French Toast are decadently indulgent. If you are an Eggs Bendict fan, their Atlantic Benny features smoked salmon, house-made hollandaise, and perfectly poached eggs; it’s delicious!
The Downtown Windsor Farmers Market operates on Saturday’s morning through afternoon, from late March through October. Located in the heart of Downtown Windsor, you will find dozens of local vendors selling produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, handmade goods, and more. There are also several vendors selling ready-to-eat foods, like fresh-made Butter Chicken Poutine, Soft Pretzels, Tteokbokki, and Artisan Pudding. So, come hungry!
When visiting Windsor, make sure to bring home souvenirs to remember the trip! Stop by Whiskeyjack Boutique for 100% Canadian-made goods. Browse their thoughtfully curated selection of maple syrups and maple-based products, apparel, books, jewelry, and more.
Wineries & Distilleries
Windsor Essex is home to EPIC (Essex Pelee Island Coast) Wine Country, which boasts 20+ local wineries. It is a wonderful travel destination for wine lovers! Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery is Ontario’s only beachfront winery. Order a glass of wine or wine flight paired with a charcuterie board, and enjoy everything while relaxing on the beach! Try their signature Beach Glass wines, inspired by the beach glass found on the shores of Lake Erie.
If you are more of a spirts drinker, visit Wolfhead Distillery. Known for their handcrafted small-batch spirits. Wolfhead offers whisky, vodka, and gin. Make sure to check out their unique, flavored options like Apple Caramel Whisky, Banana Caramel Vodka, and Strawberry Gin. Try their spirits as a part of a flight, in a cocktail, or purchase a bottle for
home.
Outdoor Adventures Beyond the Food
Between all the incredible Windsor eats, head to Point Pelee National Park, which is about an hour’s drive from Windsor. Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland Canada and is home to beaches, marshes, and forests. Take a shuttle up to The Tip and immerse yourself in the panoramic views overlooking Lake Erie. Walk their 1-kilometer marsh boardwalk surrounded by cattails and lily pads or climb the observation deck for stunning views; both are birdwatching hubs.
Explore the Windsor Waterfront, which offers stunning views of the Detroit Skyline. Take a stroll through Windsor Sculpture Park. This open-air museum features 30 large-scale
sculptures made by Canadian and international artists. Also on the Waterfront, stop by Streetcar No. 351, where you can learn about Windsor’s public transit history and walk
through the restored Streetcar No. 351 itself.
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The 175-acre Malden Park houses Windsor’s (and Essex County’s) highest hill. An observation deck is located at the highest point of Malden Park, which offers a clear vantage point of the Detroit River and Gordie Howe International Bridge. Once at the observation deck, sit back on the benches or get a closer look of the views using the on-
site binoculars.
Click here for more highlights from this trip!
Original blog post by Food In Cleveland.
