A diner photographing a plated dish with their phone, beside a glass of white wine

St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands Food and Drink

Q: Can we visit wineries in St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands without driving?

Yes. Crush on Niagara and Coventry Transportation both run guided wine tours, so nobody has to be the designated driver.

Find a table

Niagara’s most celebrated food and drink destination.

Gather around the holiday table at Niagara’s most exciting new restaurants, then taste your way through award-winning Benchlands wines and icewines, craft beer and local cider.

Insider tip Can’t get a table at Restaurant Pearl Morissette (opens in a new tab)? Drop in for a Petit Caveau tasting at the winery (opens in a new tab) instead, then head into St. Catharines for cocktails at OddBird (opens in a new tab) and dinner at Fat Rabbit (opens in a new tab).

Friends clinking glasses of craft cider over a tasting flight

Dining

From MICHELIN-awarded restaurants to cozy pubs and winery dining rooms, find your table for the holidays.

Wineries

Taste award-winning wines and icewines across the Niagara Benchlands, home to more than 50 craft wineries on the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment.

Breweries, Ciders, and Craft Beverages

Sip local craft beer, cider and spirits, poured fresh in taprooms across St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands.

Good to Know

Where are the MICHELIN restaurants in St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands?

The 2026 MICHELIN Guide for Toronto and Region added more names in St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands this fall. Our roundup has the list and a map you can build a trip around.

Are the wineries in St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands open in winter?

Yes, all year, and many host holiday open houses in November and December. The Niagara Benchlands Wineries calendar (opens in a new tab) has information on many of the area’s wineries.

Can we visit wineries in St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands without driving?

Yes. Crush on Niagara (opens in a new tab) and Coventry Transportation (opens in a new tab) both run guided wine tours, so nobody has to be the designated driver.

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Where to Stay

Getting Here

Illustrated map of St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands along Lake Ontario — from Beamsville, Vineland and Jordan in the west to Port Dalhousie and downtown St. Catharines in the east, with the QEW, the Bruce Trail, the Waterfront Trail and the wine route marked.

St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands are an easy drive from across the Golden Horseshoe — and you can leave the car at home: GO Transit (opens in a new tab) runs train and bus service to St. Catharines.

Toronto90 min · via QEW
Hamilton30 min · via QEW
Buffalo, NY45 min · via QEW / Peace Bridge
Niagara Falls20 min · via QEW

Get directions in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Niagara Benchlands

Explore the stunning Niagara Benchlands, a haven for wine enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With over 50 craft wineries dotting its steep slopes, orchards, and rural villages, this region boasts award-winning wines and breathtaking landscapes. Discover local markets, hidden shops, and rich history all amidst a food lover's paradise shaped by the unique climate and terroir of the area. Perched on the Niagara Escarpment, the Benchlands offer a wealth of natural wonders, including the renowned Bruce Trail and UNESCO Biosphere.

St. Catharines

Nestled in Ontario's picturesque Niagara Region, St. Catharines is a vibrant destination that perfectly blends culinary excellence, a thriving craft beverage scene, rich cultural experiences, and abundant outdoor activities. Savour farm-to-table delights at local restaurants, explore renowned wineries and craft breweries, and immerse yourself in the arts at theatres and galleries. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy scenic parks, hiking the Bruce Trail, and water sports in the historic waterfront neighbourhood of Port Dalhousie. Whether you're a foodie, wine lover, culture aficionado, or adventure seeker, St. Catharines offers something for everyone.

A CAA Niagara Airbus shuttle waiting at a hotel entrance

Shuttles

CAA Niagara Airbus

Shared and private door-to-door rides between Toronto Pearson or downtown Toronto and St. Catharines, Beamsville, Vineland and Jordan.
Book Niagara Airbus (opens in a new tab)
Landline

Air Canada’s motorcoach runs daily between Toronto Pearson and Niagara District Airport, minutes from St. Catharines, with free Wi-Fi, power at every seat and free parking.
Book Landline (opens in a new tab)