Set out on a small-town hopping food-and-drink crawl through Lanark County.

Have a day (or two) to savour, sample, and stock up on small-batch finds? Per capita there are more craft breweries and distilleries in Lanark County than in the city of Ottawa, along with award-winning chefs, chocolate makers, brewers, distillers and maple syrup producers.

Here, you’ll find one-of-a-kind products you won’t find anywhere else.

With picturesque small towns like Pakenham, Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, and Smiths Falls all within a short drive, you can spend a single day – or a full weekend – hopping from one delicious destination to the next.

From first sip to last bite, here’s how to taste your way through Lanark County.

Raise a Glass in Lanark County

‘Wine’ Down in Maberly

Picture yourself sitting on a patio overlooking rows of sun-soaked grapevines, a glass of pinot noir cupped in one hand. Located just outside of Perth in Maberly, River House Vineyard & Winery is the newest addition to Lanark County’s food and drink scene. Sample their growing collection of small-batch wines in a picture-perfect setting in the heart of Lanark County.

Small-Batch Spirits with Big Personality

With two distilleries to experience in Lanark County, you can choose between Vodkow by Dairy Distillery – maker of a vodka-like product produced from dairy permeate – and Top Shelf Distillers, responsible for the resurrection of the whiskey tradition in Perth after more than 100 years. Both experiences offer tours, tastings, and a behind-the-scenes look at the fine art of distilling.

Craft Beer, County-Wide

From Bavarian-style lagers to spring-fed ales, Lanark County’s breweries each bring something distinct to the table. Visit one of the breweries below, or visit them all and compare flavours.

• 4 Degrees Brewing Co., Smiths Falls: Brewery known for its locally inspired craft brews and fun atmosphere.
• Perth Brewery, Perth: A long‑standing local favourite offering craft beer, non-alcoholic beer, and radlers. Ask to sample their maple ale!
• Bridge Masters Brewing Co., Perth: Smooth ales best enjoyed on their patio overlooking Perth’s historic swing bridge.
• Braumeister Brewing Co., Carleton Place: Known for their authentic German brewing traditions and their loyal following, trivia and games.
• Stalwart Brewing Co., Carleton Place: Expect full-flavoured ales, vinyl spinning, and a fiercely loyal fan base.
• Cartwright Springs Brewery, Pakenham: Eco‑minded brewing using water from an on-site artesian spring.

Flavours Rooted in Lanark County

Sweetness from the Source

Known as the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario, Lanark County is home to hundreds of small-and-large-scale maple syrup producers, all dedicated to producing that sweet liquid gold we love so much. If you bring only one thing home, make it sweet maple syrup.

Find a list of maple syrup producers to visit here, but local favourites include Fulton’s Sugar Bush & Maple Shop, Thompsontown Maple Products, Temple’s Sugar Bush, and Wheelers Maple Products.

Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate

Lanark County’s chocolate scene is unexpectedly rich, not to mention internationally recognized. Whether you are craving artisanal truffles or award-winning bean-to-bar creations, each of these stops offers something entirely different.

• Village Treats (Lanark): Known for hand-dipped chocolate, melt-in-your-mouth creams and seasonal specials. This spot has been a chocolate go-to for generations.
• Perth Chocolate Works (Perth): Blending craftsmanship with creativity, expect truffles, barks, bars and chocolate-covered everything. Maple-infused chocolates are a must-try and a nod to Lanark County’s sweet heritage.
• Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Almonte): A world‑renowned, award‑winning bean‑to‑bar chocolate maker, Hummingbird has put Lanark County on the global chocolate map. Learn about the bean‑to‑bar process and bring home chocolate you truly won’t find anywhere else.

Farm-to-Table: Where Local Ingredients Shine

Experience how much more flavourful dishes are when ingredients are harvested only days before they reach your plate. Farm-to-table restaurants are found in every community in Lanark County, and you might even spot one of the chefs wandering a local farmers’ market on the weekend, sourcing fresh-from-the-field produce.

These spots are particularly known for their farm-to-table focus:

• Black Tartan Kitchen (Carleton Place): An award-winning fine dining restaurant known for maple-inspired dishes honouring Lanark County’s maple heritage.
• CC’s on the Rideau (Rideau Ferry): Features dishes made with local ingredients – ask what’s sourced locally when you order.
• Gather (Perth): Creative, seasonal menu items inspired by what’s fresh and available locally.
• Wheelers Pancake House (McDonald’s Corners): Pancakes served with syrup produced right on the property. Open year-round

Taste Local Coffee Culture

Cozy cafes and specialty coffee roasters and shops are found around every corner in Lanark County. Stop for a latte and some conversation at Foundry Coffee Bar in Carleton Place, Coutts Coffee in Perth (they are also a fair trade and organic roastery!), Ottawa Valley Coffee in Almonte, or C’est Tout Bakery in Smiths Falls. Here, you’ll find local baked goods and a maple twist to the menu.

For small-batch roasters, don’t miss Equator Coffee Roasters (also a café) and Fluid Solar Roasters, both in Mississippi Mills.

Do-nut Miss These Sweet Spots

For a playful twist on indulgence, local doughnut makers add another layer here. Healthy Food Technologies (HFT) Donuts in Almonte is known for their donuts made with half the fat while Holey Confections in Carleton Place have a unique and flaky take on donut making. In Perth, Jabreezy’s Doughnuts offers crispy, glazed delights that make for the perfect stop between sips.

Not Sure Where to Start? Follow the Sip & Savour Trail!

Lanark County’s Sip & Savour Trail brings together more than 30 destinations, many featured above, into one self-guided edible adventure. Think maple ale, apple pie moonshine, world-champion chocolate, small-batch spirits, and farm-fresh flavours at every turn.

Follow the self-guided trail, and turn a simple outing into a taste-packed adventure.