Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Southern Ontario

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Southern Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Standing Room Only

4.9

4.9 (157)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Guelph

About the restaurant

Come and enjoy a drink in Canada's Smallest Bar - Standing Room Only! Located in Guelph's unique and historic Ward neighbourhood. We craft delicious and innovative cocktails in an intimate and creative space. Come and enjoy a throwback to another time - when speakeasies were all the rage! Perfect for after work drinks - or before or after dinner drink - or even a night cap! The room is also available to book for your intimate private event. Please call or message us on Instagram to make arrangements.

Top review

Hayley

Dined 4 days ago

The absolute best time I’ve ever in that small of a room! Don’t miss your opportunity to try this place out. You won’t regret it!!

The Civil

4.8

4.8 (127)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Pizzeria

Kitchener

About the restaurant

The Civil specialises in from-scratch everything. From the best in modern cocktails to some of the most adventurous pizzas out there, we pride ourselves on serving the freshest. We offer a funky, cozy environment perfect for dates, friend dates, small groups, and, really, any pizza & cocktail fanatic. We're located in the beautiful Tannery Building in DTK.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 27, 2024

Great outdoor patio space. We were celebrating my son’s 19th birthday and they prepared a fancy drink for him on the house.

Beertown Public House - Guelph

4.7

4.7 (653)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Guelph

About the restaurant

If your desired reservation time is unavailable, call us directly at 226-706-2337.

Please understand we leave some space available for walk-in Guests. Please stop by if you’re in the area.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on Sep 3, 2024

We had an excellent experience. We got the wonton nachos and calamari. The calamari wasn't very good, but the wonton nachos were excellent! The service was fantastic, and the ambiance was great. Will be back!

The Paris Beer Company

4.7

4.7 (750)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Brewery

Brantford

About the restaurant

Paris’ first taproom brewery with a focus on quality beer; a tasting room where the product can be sampled and enjoyed with food from our scratch kitchen. On-site, beer, food and entertainment combines to create a local, cultural experience for residents and visitors alike.
Our bottle shop has a great selection of our fresh beer for you to take home to enjoy. We’re using our own hops grown on our farm in Paris as well as sourcing locally grown food and ingredients.
The Paris Beer Company is a diverse team; we are proud of what we do. We are farmers and brewers with the intent to use our business as a force for good. Our core values: genuine, grit, intentional, sustainable, learning & growing.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 3 days ago

Great brunch even better spot. Good was great and drinks were tasty

Lucy's Pizza & Cocktails

4.6

4.6 (258)

CAN$30 and under

Pizzeria

London

About the restaurant

Pizza & Cocktails
Located in Downtown London, Ontario
Please NOTE: We have a 2 hr dining limit (from the time guests are seated), after which you can continue to enjoy Lucy’s in the bar area.

Welcome to Lucy’s, your favourite restaurant + lounge for crafted cocktails, unique tapas, and Neapolitan-style pizza in downtown London, ON.

After 10pm our atmosphere turns into a lounge style space where the DJ transforms Lucys into your favourite place to dance and enjoy cocktails with your friends.

Top review

Heather

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Lucy’s is a fun, upbeat and chic play to be. The food was delicious and the service was great! We had a lovely evening.

Discover more

Popular dish

KATSU SANDO

Beertown Public House - Waterloo

4.5

4.5 (1151)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Waterloo

About the restaurant

If your desired reservation time is unavailable, don’t hesitate to call directly at 519-885-5151.

Please understand our patio is for walk-in only & we leave some indoor dining space available for walk-in Guests. Please stop by if you’re in the area.

Our team looks forward to serving you!

Top review

Arden

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

waiters were great, very attentive and energetic.

Parsons Brewing Company

4.5

4.5 (148)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Brewery

Prince Edward County

About the restaurant

Family owned and operated farm brewery located in Idyllic Prince Edward County. Every beer tells a story. Gaining inspiration from the rich County history and culture our family owned and operated farm brewery encompasses two 150 year old - heritage lumber buildings that were disassembled, moved and re-purposed as our bottle shop and tap room. Our expansive beer garden features alfresco dining from our Outdoor Kitchen, enjoy the unstructured playground with your little ones.

Connecting beer to the County’s agricultural heritage, our menu showcases flavours that are a reflection of our diverse cultural background. You’ll find Latin American and Asian flavours peppered throughout along with beer-loving classics. Chef Sean Finnerty works closely with local farmers and producers to source the freshest ingredients available.

It doesn't get better than this. Crafted Authentically. Brewed Sustainably. Shared Passionately.

Walk-ins welcomed.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Lovely meal, delicious food. Beautiful environment.

ABE ERB - Uptown Waterloo

4.5

4.5 (54)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Waterloo

About the restaurant

Enjoy a cold pint, cocktail or glass of wine while you peruse our delicious menu. Abe Erb is perfect for your special occasion like birthday and holiday celebrations! We can section off front or back area of restaurant for groups of 20-40, have large 12 seat communal tables, or full restaurant buyout (full or half day) for up to 120 guests. Contact info@abeerb.com to secure your preferred date.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 16, 2024

It’s a great place! The food is awesome, staff are so nice and the ambiance is great!

Discover more

Experience

Trivia Night - Every Thursday

Scaddabush - London

4.3

4.3 (33)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

London

About the restaurant

We are located at the intersection of Southdale Rd West and Wonderland Rd South in the Westwood Centre. Our open concept restaurant blends modernity with tradition, offering a spirited, unpretentious atmosphere that make friends and family alike feel at home. Looking for a unique dining experience? Sit at our Mozzarella bar and watch our hand-stretched Mozzarellas and pizzas be made by our Chefs!

At Scaddabush, we're all about style without attitude and of course, excellent cuisine. Our story is simple: anything we can make from scratch we do. From authentic plates to artisanal cocktails and ½ priced bottles of wine every Wednesday, experience true Italian indulgence at our Kitchen & Bar.

Top review

Erinvip

Dined 3 days ago

Our table of six had a wonderful first time experience at Scaddabush London. Our server was great and helped provide some recommendations. We opted for the "Social" plates and enjoyed a family style meal to celebrate my birthday. The Mozza and house wine were great, and the Margherita pizza and the Carbonara pasta were fan favourites (although everything was DELISH!) Most importantly, it definitely didn't feel like a chain restaurant! Would absolutely recommend Scaddabush.

The Banquet - London

3.1

3.1 (36)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

London

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Banquet! Our mantra is Get Real, Play Hard: we pride ourselves on delivering an authentic experience, from every ingredient on our menu, to our amazing staff, to the huge selection of games, events, and amenities that ensure the vibes here are always immaculate.

Top review

TanyaW

Dined on Jul 26, 2024

Loved the roof top patio. Excellent service from Lily. Cocktails were yummy. So was poutine. Didn’t like the pizza. Nachos were okay - not enough cheese. Music got really loud later on.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Southern Ontario

Explore more Diners' Choice lists