The Epicurean

Restaurant · Niagara-on-the-Lake ·

French-Mediterranean fare, cafe bites, garden patio dining

The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null
The Epicurean by null

Information

84 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada Get directions

$$

Victoria B.

Google
Ate here 2 years ago and it was fantastic. I decided to go for the same entree and main meal I had and unfortunately it was not on par. Onion soup was below average. The bread was tough and chewy. The fish & chips was a hopeful saviour. The chips looked good but were not cooked inside (too firm). The coleslaw was extremely salty, like give me a heart attack salty. The fish was dry and difficult to swallow. I ran out of tartare sauce trying to make it palatable. The waitress Angel was lovely. I didn’t have the heart to share my thoughts on the main. Entree was ‘okay’ but for someone like me, who rarely gets to eat a good onion soup because I no longer live in Canada, it was a massive disappointment. Sorry team, I won’t be back next time I am in NOTL.

Jeff M.

Google
The food was good and the service was solid. Unfortunately, I have to leave a poor review because I felt taken advantage of with the special drink offering. A spicy mango margarita sounded like a unique choice, but it arrived in a small glass packed with ice, and a cost of $25. What a rip-off. I’ll never order a “special” again without asking for the price first.

M T

Google
A Hidden Gem in Niagara-on-the-Lake! After a long day exploring Niagara Falls, we decided to take a drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake in search of a good lunch spot. With no particular destination in mind, we stumbled upon a beautiful patio tucked away from the busy street, set under a massive tree in the most picturesque setting—and what a find it was! The Epicurean turned out to be an absolute gem. From the moment we sat down, we were impressed—not only by the serene and comfortable ambiance but also by some of the best service we've had in a long time. The staff were warm, attentive, and truly added to the experience. And the food? Absolutely amazing. With a wide variety of delicious options, there was something for everyone. Every bite exceeded our expectations. We don’t usually leave reviews unless a place truly stands out—and The Epicurean definitely does. We highly recommend this spot, especially the secluded and private back patio. A peaceful oasis with exceptional food and service. Easily a well-deserved **5 stars**!

Bibi C

Google
The restaurant is cute clean, friendly staff. Food is good. Recommend the Angus roast beef sandwich($30.00) comes with fries and a salad. Beautiful little town to visit Niagara on the lake.

Andrew D.

Google
My wife and I dined here last night and the food was INCREDIBLE! I got a featured seafood linguine dish and she got the duck confit gnocchi. It was some of the best pasta we’ve ever had. We’re not from NOTL so when we return, we’re DEFINITELY making The Epicurean part of our visit. Service was amazing as well :)

Randy P.

Google
a lot of comforting menu options here. great looking venue, clean and elegant. Elona was our server and made our visit extremely smooth and welcoming. Her service was top notch. Crab Cakes were perfect; great taste, great texture, great garnishes. Shrimp cocktail was perfection. Gnocchi was a special for the day and it hit the spot just right. light fluffy pillows of potato.

Monika W

Google
Had a really lovely spring patio dinner outside! Ordered the gnocchi special- best gnocchi we have ever had! Tasted so soft like little pillows! Also had duck confit, chicken dinner and for apps calamari crab cakes, and arancini. Service was great and the atmosphere amazing!

Emma A.

Google
Had a fabulous impromptu dinner here last night. The food options were varied and great “specials” on offer. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and they were happy to amend dishes to suit a somewhat picky 6 years old! All of the food was fabulous, as were the drinks. Our waiter was friendly, helpful and attentive. Best meal we’ve had this holiday! Would highly recommend.
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Leesa T.

Yelp
The Epicurean is not bad but it's not great. It's ok. My fries could have been better. It felt like I was served the last of the fries. They were short small fries. They weren't what you would get at first grab out of the fryer. Also, the chicken Caprese sandwich had a pesto spread on it. Caprese doesn't have pesto seasoning. This was an unusual combination. Caprese should have basil but not pesto. The sandwich flavors were a bit off. The service was good and attentive. The restaurant had a relaxed environment and nice people.
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Gary D.

Yelp
This would be 4 or even 5 star review but we were totally turned off by how they nickel and dime you here. We felt the prices were a little on the high side to begin with but it's NOTL so prices are high everywhere. But we asked for lemons for our waters and he told us there's a 50 cent charge for that. I have NEVER heard of that in my life. Then to add insult to injury it's not just 50 cent, it's 50cent per slice of lemon!!!!! You've gotta be kidding me. There was 4 of us and we charged 2.00 for lemons to go with our waters. We had a brand new server who is saying don't shoot the messenger. The food was very good. The ambiance in the back courtyard was nice but what a turn off. BTW they also charge $10 a plate for sharing.
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Aurore L.

Yelp
Ambience was great. Lots of little touches. Front and back patios set up for outside dinners and an impeccably set out interior eating area with large comfortable tables and booths and an inviting bar area as well. Freshly made drinks like sangria reminiscent of my time spent in Spain last year. A variety of food offerings. We started with a trio of babaganosh, tzatziki and hummus with warm pillowy soft pita bread. In addition to the sandwiches, salads and pastas on offer in the menu there were also specials. I had the prosciutto lunch special sandwich and it was not just a sandwich. Generous portions of prosciutto and just the right mix of condiments and other toppings. This came with a generous potion of fries. My dining companions had sandwiches and salads and were similarly content with their choices. Service was great from the time we walked in the door. We were enticed in by the friendly staff out near the entrance. They were so kind and even gave us a tour of the place to help us decide where we wanted to sit. This was such an unexpectedly nice cosy and delicious lunch in a heavily touristy area but it didn't feel touristy at all. I can see myself coming back here again for a fancy meal or a satisfying dinner.
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Barbara H.

Yelp
We had a wonderful lunch here and our server, Tammy was outstanding. The food was delicious, the presentation lovely and the restaurant itself was just really neat. We loved the decor of the restaurant and enjoyed learning more about the area from our server.
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Stan F.

Yelp
Navigating the world of fine dining amidst tourist traps can be like finding hidden gems in a sea of pebbles. In such bustling spots, there are still a few standouts that cater to a discerning palate:
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Keith O.

Yelp
After spending an afternoon around town, we wanted a spot that was dog-friendly. Supposedly, this was dog-friendly, as long as you were outside. When it started to rain, we asked if we could be seated even if it was by the door. They didn't allow us nor would they put any effort to see if they could accommodate us one way or another. So, that's a minus on the staff. The food was good, but a bit pricey. They were filling and tasty. Nothing was dry or overcooked. Would I go back? Maybe. If I was with my dog, I would look for a different spot.
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Kiara N.

Yelp
Even though I felt underdressed, I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Epicurean. My sister and I strayed away from the group to see what this pleasantry had to offer. It was around lunch time and it was a moderate crowd, but we chose to take the first seats at the bar. We ordered the veggie flatbread, fish and chips and calamari for our appetizer. Other than the food coming out at the same time (mainly because we ordered all at once), it was quite enjoyable. Everything was tasty right on down to the fries. The service was also quite pleasant. Definitely worth a trip if ever at NOTL.
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Patty T.

Yelp
Strange dining rule here. Two of us went in for a small app to share. The waiter told us there was a 6$ share fee. There has to be two items ordered to avoid the fee. We could order a bread basket for 9$ along with the app to avoid the share fee. This makes no sense to me. The app was a two person dish and they would not have to split it for us to eat. The food was good but remember not to share!
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Vikram V.

Yelp
The 2nd time that I've been here and like the last time we sat in their spacious patio Crab cakes for starters followed up the Caprese Salad with chicken and the Grilled Salmon Everything was very well presented and decent portion size The veggies that accompanied the salmon were outstanding as was the rice The crab cakes were flavourful and moist Sarah was a real pro and if it wasn't for her this review might've got a 3 star rating PS: I noticed that the family at the neighbouring table were offered bread only after they specifically asked for it We were offered no bread and I thought that was extremely strange for an establishment that is in such a prime location and serves good food and above average prices I would've given Sarah a generous tip because of the quality of her service, but I find it annoying that in some restaurants, like this one, that the tip % options start with 18% going up to 25%
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Einas S.

Yelp
Delicious food in a lovely outdoor setting. There are two sections to eat in this restaurant. The indoor section that is on the street and the back garden under the trees on the large deck. That section is tucked back behind the street where you might not realize it's part of the same restaurant. We had a pear, blue cheese and pine nut salad. Along with a roasted vegetable sandwich and the Mediterranean flatbread. The salad was very fresh with pieces of blue cheese and pine nuts sprinkled throughout. The pears were thinly sliced but there weren't many. Regardless it was a light refreshing salad. The flatbread had caramelized onions, eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers , tomatoes with feta and pesto and was topped with arugula. It was truly delicious. The same vegetables were roasted in the sandwich and were just as good. The service was good especially given that it was a busy day. The staff kept everyone's glasses filled and coffee topped off. It's a charming spot and one you should look for next time you're sightseeing on Queen Street.
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Melissa L.

Yelp
This is the second time I have visited this restaurant. I love that it is tucked away from the street. It allows for a more quiet dining experience. Large groups such as ours can be difficult to service but our waitress was very kind and patient especially with the 6 and 3year old with us. Unfortunately we did have to ask for side plates as most of our appies were to be shared. And for some reason we weren't asked if we wanted more sparkling and flat water. As for the food, it is decent enough for me to return but if I'm being honest I didn't find it exceptional. However, the menu is vast enough to satisfy many different palates and the price point is attractive enough that you do not feel like you over paid for cloth napkin settings. Overall, this restaurant is good and if I can be sure of one thing, it's that everyone will find something satisfactory to eat.

Mark P.

Yelp
Good meal, ambience, yet was a pricey meal. Our server Sarah was outstanding, overall very relaxing experience. The 3.2 rating was a bit misleading
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Don J.

Yelp
Nice location, great food and service. Our Tuesday evening visit was very enjoyable. We will certainly return again.
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Annecy M.

Yelp
AMAZING !! We made a reservation, and arrived early. The host was nice, and walked us to our table right away! Sarah our server, who was so sweet, attentive and funny, made sure to get us started right away. She let us try two wines so that we could make a decision on what fit best with the food we wanted, and she also made sure to be extra cautious of a nut allergy. We ordered : Shrimp cocktail Caprese salad Carbonara fettuccine NY strip steak done medium rare (cooked to perfection) A bottle of their house pinot noir (konzelmann) And a apple pie al a mode This was our first time visiting Niagara on the Lake, and this restaurant was the perfect choice. It is on the pricier side, but well worth it. They have a very nice dining room, along with a beautiful patio to the back left of the building, and the bathrooms were clean. Overall 10/10. P.S. Sarah-- we hope you make it out to Arizona to experience the vacation you've been dreaming of!
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Molly L.

Yelp
Charming restaurant in the heart of downtown. My salad was huge, fresh, and delicious. My daughters enjoyed the quesadillas as well as the atmosphere. Our waiter was kind and attentive. Many tables ordered fish and chips as well as soup of the day, we should have, they looked and smelled fantastic.

Ann L.

Yelp
We were very disappointed with the manager this evening. We had a reservation for 12 but when we arrived they did not have a table set for us. What was frustrating is when we checked in at the hostess table the people ( a group of 8 )did not have a reservation and were seated before us. Our group ended up at 3 separate tables for dinner.
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Bill B.

Yelp
Very nice restaurant with great open air patio seating. It was a great little stop in Niagara on the Lake for lunch on our Memorial Day weekend visit. Sunny day good food good drinks shade of the trees and a great staff.
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Andrei A.

Yelp
We spent $130 after tax and tips on 2 meals (Atlantic salmon $35 each), 1 salad ($17), and one pint of beer. I enjoyed my salmon. While $35 was on the higher end, it was well worth it. The service was really good but I don't like when payment terminals start at 18% and by default display 20%. I'm not a big of fan the tipping culture in Canada, to begin with. I think servers should be paid a living wage and there should be some sort of a standard VAT like they have in Europe. I tipped 20% because the server was really good, but normally I tip 10% everywhere I go. I could care less that servers expect me to tip at least 15% when in 90% of cases their service does not exceed expectations or what they're supposed to do at a minimum. Anyway, I digress. Our server was great and the food was good. I don't see how this place averages 3 stars. Yes, the prices are on the higher end but you get quality food in return and their patio provides an ideal respite from the crowds on Queen St. I definitely recommend this place.
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Elle F.

Yelp
We walked in on a Sat at 2:30pm for a late lunch as the place we came to town for was closed from 2-5pm. The menu is simple, clean and that was attractive to us as we wanted a nice healthy lunch. Unfortunately- although the experience wasn't bad- it also wasn't good. We had a dog with us and the front hostess told us it wasn't an issue and we could be seated on the back patio- when we walked back there it became a huge deal and we were told that they had to check as there was already one dog on the patio... (NOTE: the back patio is HUGE and actually in the back alleyway). A dog friendly patio is a dog friendly patio- I don't know what regulation states that a dog friendly patio means only 1 dog allowed per patio? Anyhow, they decided amongst the group of them it was fine and sat us right next to the table with the other dog.... Again weird bc if the issue is separating the dogs.... Why on the huge patio were we at the table right next to the other dog? They told us our pup had to be to the one side of the table- fine, but again, if you've been to their patio- you'll see it's the back yard of the other business... I'm not sure where these random rules came from. Dog drama aside, we should have taken that as the opportunity to leave- but we were tired and didn't have lots of time left. We ordered, I had the trio dip and my partner had pesto wrap and a drink. The drink was done well, the food- sadly was very bland (and I'm someone who doesn't own salt and loves egg whites). I was very confused as the dips were all very lack lustre- the hummus was sooooo running it couldn't even keep its shape- I would be surprised if they made that on-site... my partners pesto wrap didn't taste like a pesto wrap at all. Food is definitely not their forte. The server- I think she was new... pleasant- but that was it. Last note- the bathrooms- they have 2 stalls in the female bathroom and if you got the one that was smaller- you better be a small person because the toilet was pretty much against the door (I'm a small girl) and when I turned to sit on the toilet I ACTUALLY smashed my face right into the hook on the back of the door as the door is that close to the seat. When I stood back up my butt was basically touching the door- I have no idea how someone who use this toilet without touching the door of toilet itself. AVOID that stall!

Elizabeth S.

Yelp
Wow. What a great place. We both had panini sandwiches. The veggies on mine were so fresh with crisp panini bread. Their side salad had a dressing that was the perfect balance between vinegar and red raspberries They had a drink that was purple gin, grapefruit, and fresh squeezed lemon. So light and refreshing. Couldn't have had better service. Great ambiance and wonderful cappuccinos! Stop by !!!
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Tommy H.

Yelp
Think this was the most expensive lunch, we had during our vacation. The portions were small and not much flavor. Not worth the high cost. We had two adults and two kids, order three meals, they charged us a 5 dollar fee for share a dish.

Elissa G.

Yelp
Food: Nothing special. Onion soup had no flavour and not enough cheese. Too much bread. Service: Terrible. Treats customers poorly. Overall: Do not recommend.
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Peter F.

Yelp
The Epicurean is the go-to restaurant in Niagara-On-the-lake for quality gourmet foods. The village is picture-perfect but two-dimensional, a Potemkin village of wineries and housing developments. I used to stay in the Queens Landing Hotel with the air conditioner and the fireplace both on full blast. I used to like the Thymes lotions that I would only buy in this charming village in the fig leaf and cassis flavor. The B&B's are from the era when B&B really meant you'd get served breakfast. Now that label seems to have been abbreviated to just a "B" for bed. It

Brian R.

Yelp
Very nice lunch. Service was very good. Mussels were very good. Kids bologonese was very good. Steak sirloin special was great.
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Francesca C.

Yelp
Great little spot in the cutest town I've been in a while! The service was beyond friendly, like most people in Canada, they had awesome specials and the food tasted really yummy. The options were a little limited but worth trying. French onion soup is a must try, as well as the fish and chips. The burger has the most healthy-looking ground beef o have ever seen and tasted! Please come and enjoy the nice patio while the weather is good. There's also lots of space indoors too!
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James B.

Yelp
Great food and probably the only time we will go as I live in the states. The chicken supreme was excellent and cook perfectly. My friends enjoyed the salmon and burger. I will go again if I'm in the area.
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Sara D.

Yelp
My second visit to this Charming little town, and I wanted to try a new place. Was received warmly, and was seated promptly on a mostly empty place. I got a table by the window, cozy. Shiraz, a very pleasant, attentive young woman was my server. The entire staff were very friendly. Blustery Fall Afternoon, I needed warming quickly. Hot Green Tea started to help the process of shaking off the chills,followed by Roasted Red Pepper Soup. Savory and rich. Canadian Bacon Sandwich consists of Pork Tenderloin, Arugula, Tomato, Fries & a Side Salad. Perfect balance of texture and flavors. I'll return for sure.

John T.

Yelp
Our dinner was outstanding. The Bruschetta was perfect. The in-house made-from-scratch Crab Cake was out of this world and the Mushroom Risotto was a next-level execution. I didn't much care for Niagara-on-the-Lake but this restaurant was fantastic.

Philip L.

Yelp
I have been to this lovely town many times and have never eaten here. Honestly I don't look at 3 star restaurants, with so many 4 & 5s. This restaurant is a solid 4, they are not getting the respect they deserve. We where a party of 6 and the apps to entries all hit the mark. I am a foodie and wow.I will even give our server a solid 4 and it wasn't even the most expensive restaurant in town.
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Anthony H.

Yelp
Really enjoyed this place, cozy and welcoming food was also very solid. French onion soup was the best I've had in all Canada, and the fish & chips were really tremendous as well. Had the pork chop as well one night and that was also really flavorful. Biggest asset to this establishment however is the service, we had Sean and came back as much as we could during our stay to see him again, charming, friendly, knowledgeable. The kind of guy who makes you want to keep coming back and keep ordering more. Highly recommend requesting him if you visit!!

Benjamin W.

Yelp
Additional fees/costs not included on the menu ($5 extra plate fee). The waitress only offered bottled water, and charged the table for the privilege. French Onion soup lacked any flavor. The cheese was chemical-tasting and almost certainly fake. The Rueben was nothing to write home about, and had less flavor than an Arby's Ruben. Waitress took our order and didn't return to provide the bill until we flagged her down. Everything felt very superficial, and the prices did not justify the quality. The toilet in the Men's bathroom was broken, which is normally a health violation.

John R.

Yelp
The four of us had lunch at the Epicurean before going to a play. We each ordered a different meal. All of them were excellent. The service was outstanding: very friendly and efficient. Definitely an excellent choice.
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Val Y.

Yelp
The storefront is nothing exciting, but ask to be seated in their back patio and you will dine under a huge tree which provides amazing shade, view and a light breeze. Dined here for lunch when there was a weather heat effect warning and didn't feel the heat all. So serene! With respect to the food, had the Caesar salad for $14 and added grilled salmon for $13. The salad was heavily drenched in creamy Caesar salad dressing, which I didn't like much. It tasted all right but it's quite heavy and it tasted more like it was store bought rather than made in-house. Asking for the sauce on the side can remedy this situation. The salmon was fresh and tasty. You can taste that it came from the grill. However, the salmon size was super small, quite underwhelming and I was disappointed at first sight. What saved this meal is that it was actually a really tasty salmon piece. Service was efficient and friendly. Be careful wth your drinks because leaves may fall on your table/drinks while dining. The inside has a nice look to it as well. Beautiful chandeliers inside. Although the serving was on the small side, the quality of the actual salmon made up for it.

Jack Y K.

Yelp
Food was really great. Service at first spotty but then went well. Even saw Charlie the skunk!

Jacqueline W.

Yelp
Wonderful luncheon before the theatre. Service was prompt and courteous. Upon arrival the Hostess seated us at a lovely window seat and was very friendly welcoming us to Niagara on the Lake. our wait staff arrived promptly to start us off with drinks and further explained the daily specials. Drinks were served and our order was taken with a very welcoming , friendly atmosphere. The Spinach salad with Salmon was delicious, the salmon being cooked to perfection. My friend's soup was very satisfying as was her shrimp cocktail. Refills on our drinks were appreciated as was the amicable countenance of the server. As we paid the bill we were told that there was no rush to rush and to enjoy our visit. All in all an excellent meal, atmosphere and overall experience.
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Mishael T.

Yelp
Had one night in Niagara on the Lake and we picked this restaurant, it lived up to our expectations! We ordered crab cakes as a starter and they were amazing. We both had pasta dishes for our main dishes which were also above average. The espresso martini and wine (local) hit the spot. I did order a second 'desert' drink which wasn't great. Our waiter was extremely friendly and made us feel at home

Greta B.

Yelp
Good food, excellent service and very nice atmosphere with comfortable seats! My husband lived the Canadian burger.
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Jenny C.

Yelp
We chose to meet friends at The Epicurean for lunch on a beautiful Sunday. It was a beautiful day and we got a table on their patio what was mostly shaded and really nice. I was pretty unimpressed with the food and the service. The sever took no special attention to our table at all. My water was never refilled once and we had to advice we who ordered what every single time she came to the table. The food was fine, but wasn't great. We started with the bruschetta what was tasty but the greens served with it were perfectly edible but dry. Like throw a little extra balsamic on there and let us consume them. Then, I had the Ruben. The number one thing I love about a Ruben is the buttered and grilled bread. Well, this sandwich came with dry toasted bread. I had asked for an extra side of dressing and our server didn't remember so I had to wait for it. One of the people I was at lunch with wanted a ranch or blue cheese or something for her fries and they didn't have it. They said they only had a raspberry vinaigrette as a dressing. It was just not a great experience so I wouldn't suggest going there. There are many other restaurants in Niagara on the lake, and this one isn't winning any prizes.
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Kathleen H.

Yelp
My husband and I had dinner on the patio and it was a very cute how the area was arranged. I had the Caesar salad which was quite good and the Rigatoni Bolognese which was good, although the sauce was a little bit sweeter than what I typically prefer. My husband had the soup and crab cakes and he said both were good, although neither were real stand out and he'd likely order something different next time. Overall it was a very nice evening. Keep in mind they have available parking in a back lot, this is a very big deal on Queen Street!
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Dina K.

Yelp
Breakfast wasn't interesting...but was "ok" The sun was shining sitting on the patio (so that was good) ...the service was good- I felt sorry for our poor waitress who was apologetic from the beginning, as people were leaving due to long wait times. Our breakfast arrived in a decent amount of time at least....

Jose H.

Yelp
We went for Dinner last night. They had a Seafood pasta Chef special. It was amazing. The crab cakes super flavorful. Our server was very attentive and gave us some Winery tips.
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Margarita R.

Yelp
If you're ever in the area, don't fall for the looks of The Epicurean. Sure, it's got a great ambiance and a beautiful garden patio, but the food and service are that of a diner (not even the good kind). I was in the area with my family and we were looking for a patio spot with decent food. We were drawn by The Epicurean's menu and decided to give it a shot. Right away, we ended up serving ourselves. We had to pull chairs to seat our own party and serve our own water. Not to sound dramatic, but this place presents itself to be of a higher caliber. We ordered the Feta Bruschetta, Calamari, Crab Cakes and a Greek Salad to share. The food is trying to be something it's not (and will never be). The Calamari & The Greek Salad were the only decent bites--they're pretty hard to mess up. The Crab Cakes were mainly croutons and very little crab (90% croutons & 10% crab). They were also very sweet and topped with a mango salsa & a sweet aioli. My one wedge of lemon could not save the dish. The Feta Bruschetta was served on a soggy bun and the feta tasted/looked like ricotta. I'm a cheese lover and I'm 99% sure that what was served on the Bruschetta was NOT Feta. When I asked for a hot sauce, I was promised a habanero sauce. Instead, the waitress brought a bottle of Frank's and Sriracha. Really? The restaurant is located in such a charming neighbourhood, but their food puts them to shame. It is the definition of a Tourist Trap!

Karen E. T.

Yelp
We visited Oct 2022, I was able to get a reservation booking 2 weeks prior. Located on Queen St., we were able to find street parking right in front. Upon arrival, we were greeted and they let us choose our seat. We were celebrating our anniversary. Our server Melanie was great, so attentive and checked on us just enough. We started with feta brushetta, I had the beet salad. For entree's, my husband had chicken parmesan, a special, and I had off the menu carbonara. We had beer and wine. All the offerings were delicious, well presneted / plated and warm. Hats off to the kitchen as when we dined, a table of about 20 came in around the same time as we did, and it appeared staff was well poised to handle this rush. We certainly will dine there again.
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Kat N.

Yelp
Service was really great, it was really refreshing from the NYC service. Got the calamari to share and some local wine, both were delicious. It was really nice sitting outside.
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Rose L.

Yelp
Stopped in for a bite to eat at The Epicurean while doing some shopping on Queen Street. Lots of tables inside and a large, shaded patio out back (and directly out front) draw in a large crowd. Counter service is provided and there WILL be a line during prime eating times. Select your order from the pre-made options: soups, salads and sandwiches. It's a little pricy, as most things are right on the main strip on town, but a perfect (can be quick if need be--this really depends on the length of the line) stop during a day of shopping. They do accept US currency and also have some sweets, wine (sangria too!) and beer. The drink system is a little oddly set up. After paying and picking up food, you have to go to a separate counter directly behind and wait in another line for drinks. I ordered the double salad plate (about a scoop an a half of two pre-made cold salad options) and tried the caprese salad [lovely heirloom baby tomatoes with small balls of mozzarella soaked in balsamic vinegar, oil an sprinkled with basil] and pesto pasta salad [cork-screw pasta with sun dried tomatoes, red pepper, red onion and a lovely pesto sauce]. Both were very flavorful and I'd get either again. You also receive a piece of buttered bread with order. The Epicurean will satisfy your lunching needs and it doesn't hurt that the space is air conditioned, roomy and welcoming. Dessert Tip: the strawberry rhubarb pie is a TREAT! I highly recommend it.
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Marilyn G.

Yelp
We had originally stopped by the Shaw Wine Bar but they were closed at 6:45pm on a Friday night - Nov4/22. We then wandered over the The Epicurean and we're so glad we did. Numerous specials offered in addition to the usual menu. All sounded delicious but I really wanted the Burger and it didn't disappoint. One of the best I've ever had. Our server, Michele, was extremely personable and knowledgeable about the cuisine and very attentive. We got chatting and discovered we had some things in common...which will stay between us! Michele made the evening one of the best experiences at a restaurant that we've ever had. Her service was impeccable. If I could give her a score higher than 5 stars, I would Highly recommend both The Epicurean and Michele! Thanks again Michele. We look forward to seeing you again either here or you know where!! Jim & Marilyn
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Amy L.

Yelp
My boyfriend stopped in Epicurean for lunch. We had tomato-basil soups and shared crab cakes and mediterrian flatbread. Everything was quite good and the price was reasonable for Niagara on the lake. The service was quick and friendly. Unfortunately, we couldn't enjoy outdoor patio as it started raining as soon as they took our orders.
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Cheryl C.

Yelp
Overpriced Mediocre cafe! A casual unimpressive "restaurant," with a self serve food- like that in colleges. However, their menu prices for food sitting out all day is ridiculous! Ive been a repeated customer for over two decades and and been eating there less frequently. Today will be my last!! Staff was rude. They never smile and you will be attached by management if you attempt to park in their back lot. Shame on the owners, management and staff for Their horrible attitude, greed and garbage they advertise as food! The great reviews must be fake. Use caution when reading reviews... there are plenty of BAD ones out there.
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Jason F.

Yelp
I stopped by here this past Saturday evening for dinner with my wife. On previous visits to Niagara on the Lake we had thought about stopping at the Epicurean but for some reason did not. So we made sure that we actually did this time. We arrived to the restaurant at around 5:45 to a mostly empty space and were immediately taken back to a booth where we were seated. There was a giant bar on one side of the restaurant with booths down the middle and tables on the other side. Epicurean also had exposed duct vents and some areas with brick walls but both worked with the space. Last but certainly not least there a number of pretty chandeliers which seemed to have fall colors on them (not sure if they are always this way.) For dinner of this evening my wife and I decided to split a calamari appetizer and then I had the spaghetti carbonara for dinner. Only a few minutes after ordering our calamari came to the table. I was pretty impressed with the speed and even more impressed that it was cooked properly. All of the calamari ended up being tender and went well with the breading that was on it. I rather enjoyed it and if I had to make a complaint it was that some of the calamari near the bottom were a bit oily. Once that got taken away I was once again surprised by how quickly our dinner entrees were served to us. After they were served my wife and I were each offered fresh cracked pepper which we both agreed to. My pasta looked good with a thick sauce on top of the pasta with some noticeable bacon mixed in and garnished with some green. Whenever I bit into it I was equally as pleased with the taste as the look. As expected from a carbonara, the dish itself was quite rich and flavorful. Both the black pepper and the bacon helped to cut that richness in different ways. It was good enough that even though I hadn't been particularly hungry whenever we sat down for dinner I still finished it off. What was crazy is that I think from being sat to finishing our entrees and getting our check took slightly less than a half an hour. The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again in the future. I am glad that my wife and I made sure to stop here this time as it ended up being really tasty.

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