Must-Try Port Dalhousie Restaurants: Mexican, Italian & More

Port Dalhousie has a surprising amount of fantastic restaurants.

I was born and raised in the Niagara Region, but only started to appreciate Port Dalhousie’s foodie scene after moving to St. Catharines a few years ago.

There’s authentic Mexican food, wood-fired pizza, German-style schnitzel, traditional chimney cakes, and more—and I’m letting you know where to get it all. 

I’ve categorized the restaurants in this article so it’s easy to find what you’re after, whether it’s restaurant on the water or something more budget-friendly.

I’ve also included cafes, bakeries, and ice cream shops to cover all the foodie options here.

The Best Restaurants in Port Dalhousie

Don’t feel like reading through the whole article? Here are my top 4 favourite spots (and the best restaurants, in my opinion):

1. Patio Andaluz: Spanish-Mexican restaurant with an awesome patio.
2. KaiserHaus: European-inspired bistro and wine bar.
3. The Twisted Pig: Fresh and delicious Italian food.
4. Lokanta Cafe: Authentic and homemade Mediterranean cuisine.

Restaurants With a Patio

1. Patio Andaluz

Patio Andaluz is a Spanish-Mexican restaurant founded by a husband and wife duo hailing from the Andaluz region of Spain and Mexico, respectively. 

The menu here features delicious dishes from both countries, with Spanish tapas, paella, and a selection of traditional Mexican dishes.

After eating here several times, I’d say this is easily one of the top restaurants in Port Dalhousie. Their tacos are some of the best I’ve tried in Niagara, and their paella is delicious as well. 

I love the vibe of their big, bright, colourful patio, and you can’t go wrong with their margaritas (pineapple is my favourite). I’ve heard they also have a secret sangria recipe, so that’s on my list to try the next time I visit.

2. KaiserHaus

KaiserHaus is a little gem in Port Dalhousie. The decor is beautiful, the ambiance is inviting, and they have a great (but tiny) outdoor patio.

In terms of food, they’re all about hearty, European-inspired dishes—think schnitzel, spaetzle, and goulash.

A few must-try menu items include their butter-dipped Bavarian pretzel, schnitzel plate, and apple strudel. The food here is excellent and the portions are generous.

I haven’t been for Sunday brunch yet, but their options sound delicious: duck confit and waffles, and schnitzel benedict.

FYI: They don’t take reservations, but you can call 20 minutes ahead and they’ll hold a table.

3. The Twisted Pig

When it comes to Italian food in Port Dalhousie, this is the place to get it.

Pasta and pizza make up most of the menu, but they also have mains like chicken milanese and veal parmesan. 

Wood-fired pizza is a favourite here, along with dishes like their gnocchi gorgonzola (house-made potato gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce and local wildflower honey). 

Two of my go-to pasta dishes are the vodka pasta and the seafood pasta with ‘nduja and spicy tomato sauce (I get them with gluten-free pasta as an FYI).

4. Portside Social

Portside Social has a fairly big menu selection with shareable apps, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. 

For entrees, you’re looking at dishes like striploin steak, salmon with lemon dill sauce, and spicy jambalaya.

I’ve been here a few times in the summer and winter and always enjoy the food.

Restaurants on the Water

5. Dalhousie Yacht Club

This is essentially the only restaurant in Port Dalhousie with a patio on the water. If that’s the number one factor you’re looking for in a restaurant, this is your best bet.

According to their website, the Dalhousie Yacht Club patio is open to the public every day for walk-ins (only members can make reservations)—with the exception of Fridays. 

On Fridays, they’re open to the public for walk-ins and reservations (which are recommended).

Budget-Friendly Restaurants

6. Budapest Bakeshop

Budapest Bakeshop is known for something you can’t find anywhere else in St. Catharines: Hungarian chimney cakes. 

If you haven’t tried them before, chimney cakes are made with a sweet yeast dough that’s wrapped around a dowel, dusted with sugar, and baked until the outside is golden brown.

The result is a pastry that tastes like a cross between a donut, croissant, and churro.

There are a variety of sweet chimneys with different topping options, but I love that Budapest Bakeshop makes savoury chimneys as well. Every chimney cake is made from scratch daily, so you know it’ll be fresh when you visit.

If you’re looking for an affordable lunch, try their chimney sandwiches—an aged cheddar chimney sliced open and filled with deli meats, cheese, veggies, and house-made Hungarian mayo.

7. Rozie’s Cafe

This family-owned cafe is a great spot for breakfast and brunch. 

The menu features mostly classic diner-style dishes: omelettes, eggs benedict, pancakes, home fries, and soup and sandwiches. 

What sets Rozie’s apart is the amount of options they have for different dietary preferences. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, keto, or gluten-free, you’ll find something to suit your needs.

8. Lokanta Cafe

This family-run cafe used to be tucked away in the back of Lock and Main Marketplace, but they’ve recently moved to a more prominent address on Lakeport Road.

Founded by a Turkish chef and his wife, they serve up fresh, delicious, and lovingly prepared Mediterranean food. Even better? The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the prices are reasonable too.

A few can’t-miss dishes are the Turkish borek, chicken souvlaki, and the mezze platter.

They also have great coffee and homemade desserts like baked rice pudding and cheesecake with pistachio cream.

Pub Food

9. Kilt & Clover

Kilt & Clover is a lively spot offering a mix of American and British pub classics.

Take your pick from nachos, poutine, burgers, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and more bar food.

They have live entertainment in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays, and a dog-friendly patio, too.

10. Scorecard Harry’s

This sports bar has pizza and wing combos, happy hour drinks, and different specials from Sunday to Thursday.

They also have live music, monthly trivia nights, and an outdoor patio so you can bring your pup for lunch or dinner.

Snacks & Ice Cream

11. Il Gelato di Carlotta 

This artisanal gelateria makes my my favourite gelato in the Niagara Region.

Their original location opened in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2013, but I’m so glad they have a location in St. Catharines now as well.

The thing that sets them apart? Quality. They don’t use pre-made flavourings, preservatives, colourants, or artificial ingredients. 

They’re also careful about sourcing ingredients. They get hazelnuts and pistachios from Italy, and fruit like peaches, strawberries, and raspberries from local growers.

12. Old Port Dairy Bar

This ice cream shop has been around forever. I remember it being here when I used to come to Port Dalhousie as a kid.

They have a huge selection of ice cream that you can get in a cup, waffle cone, or sugar cone.

You’ll also find all those classic summertime treats, from old school milkshakes to sundaes, banana splits, and frozen yogurt.

Cafes & Coffee

13. 416 Coffee

The father and son owners of this shop do one thing, and they do it well: coffee. 

They’re true experts at their craft; they roast their own beans, they’re incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and they make an effort to ethically source the best coffees from around the world.

It’s no surprise they make some of the best coffee in the Niagara Region.

If you drink flavoured lattes, you’ll be happy to know they make all their syrups from scratch.

The coffee shop itself is fairly tiny and essentially take-out only. In the summer, they put a few small tables on the sidewalk in front of their shop if you want to hang around.

14. Thistle Bookshop & Cafe

If you love books and coffee (or tea), you’ll love this independent bookshop.

The staff are lovely and the cozy ambiance makes it a great place to linger for a while.

Enjoy your coffee surrounded by books inside or grab a spot at one of their outdoor tables.

For any matcha fans, don’t miss their iced matcha latte with strawberry cold foam—it’s so good!

15. Balzac’s

Inspired by Parisian cafes, Balzac’s brings a bit of European coffee culture to Port Dalhousie.

This coffee shop is housed in a historic two-storey building with outdoor patio seating on each level (there’s more seating on the lower level though).

Beyond coffee, they have matcha lattes, seasonal hot and cold drinks, and a handful of baked goods. I’m a fan of their citro booster: fresh squeezed lemon, ginger, maple syrup, cayenne, and pepper.