Food enthusiasts, make sure to check out this hotspot.
Two restaurants in St. Catharines have just been included in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region, highlighting the expanding culinary landscape in Ontario beyond just Toronto.
With Downtown St. Catharines recently recognized as one of the coolest neighborhoods worldwide-and Brooke Shields recently seen enjoying a meal there-this Ontario location is truly having its moment.
Read: It’s official: this under-the-radar Canadian neighborhood just made the world’s coolest in 2026
Announced on September 22, the 2026 selection features 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, along with new Bib Gourmand and Recommended spots across the broader region.
Photograph: Scott Usheroff Les Incompetents
While Toronto remains a dominant force in the guide, Michelin inspectors are increasingly acknowledging dining establishments in smaller cities, wine country, and locations outside of the GTA.
Photograph: Justin Duccodd Bird
Michelin-recognized dining outside of Toronto
In St. Catharines, two eateries have made it into the 2026 selection. Les Incompetents, a whimsical bistro led by chef Zach Smith and his team from One-Star Fat Rabbit, received a Bib Gourmand for its inventive French-inspired dishes.
Close by, odd Bird has also gained recognition for its gourmet twist on comfort food offerings like buttermilk fried chicken and house-ground burgers.
The Niagara region is getting more Michelin attention too. In historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Revé embraces a farm-to-fire cooking style using hyper-local ingredients cooked over an open-flame hearth. Further into wine country, RPM Bakehouse in Jordan Village has secured a Bib Gourmand for its seasonal pastries and casual breakfast and lunch options that incorporate produce from Two-Star Restaurant Pearl Morissette’s farm and garden.
Check out: Why Pearl Morissette won the coveted North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 award
The guide is also shining a light on culinary talent across other smaller Ontario towns. The Pine in Creemore keeps its One-Star status while expanding to nearby Collingwood with LORE, a laid-back restaurant focusing on seafood-oriented Canadian cuisine.
Photograph: Jose Jacob Reve
Other new entries worth noting around the region include restaurants in Dundas, Uxbridge, Oakville and Mississauga. This shows that Michelin’s Toronto & Region designation goes far beyond just the city itself.
Photograph: Kiki Klassen RPM Bakehouse
Downtown St. Catharines is experiencing a Michelin spotlight
If you’re searching for great food beyond Toronto, Downtown St. Catharines is becoming one of Ontario’s most thrilling culinary hubs-and now’s an excellent time with its latest Michelin acclaim.
Photograph: Shutterstock / John In North York Downtown St. Catharines Streetscape
This city’s Downtown area was recently placed at No. 9 on Time Out’s list of coolest neighborhoods worldwide for 2026, firmly establishing this hidden gem in Niagara as part of global conversations.
With Fat Rabbit already holding a Michelin distinction, adding Les Incompetents along with recognition for odd Bird really showcases the culinary talent blossoming in St. Catharines.
When you factor in its close proximity to Niagara wine country along with independent shops, vibrant arts scene and waterfront views-these latest Michelin acknowledgments provide even more reasons for food lovers to consider Downtown St. Catharines not just as a stopover but as an actual destination.
For more information about MICHELIN-starred restaurants in Toronto and region for 2026, click here.
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