Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Central Ontario

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best value restaurants in Central Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Riverside Inn

4.8

4.8 (545)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Kawartha Lakes

About the restaurant

Well known for great portions and great people - come check us out!

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 5 days ago

Food was delicious - especially the Breakfast Club sandwich! Gluten free friendly options. Waitress was pleasant and very attentive.

The Imperial Tandoor

4.8

4.8 (349)

CAN$30 and under

Indian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

The Imperial Tandoor is a family-run fine Indian and Indo-Chinese (Hakka) restaurant in Peterborough, Ontario. We are known for tandoori specialties from our clay oven, rich slow-simmered curries, and wok-fired Hakka favourites like momos, noodles and Manchurian.

With an extensive vegetarian selection plus vegan and gluten-free options, there is something for every table.

Join us for Happy Hour daily from 3–5 PM and 9 PM to close, or order takeout and delivery through our website and save 10%. We also offer live on-site cooking and full catering for weddings, corporate events and celebrations across the Kawarthas.

Reserve your table below — we look forward to welcoming you.

Top review

Dr. Peter M

Dined on 25 Oct 2026

Superb Indian food! Honestly – there is none better within all of the GTA. Authentic dishes, made with absolute attention to detail. They grind their own spices fresh on location, and it’s noticeable. No wonder this place is packed even on a Sunday. Too bad it’s a 45 minute drive for us to get there, but well worth the drive.

Rare Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (153)

CAN$51 and over

French

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Welcome to our vibrant, creative and loving home!

Rare Restaurant + Bar was inspired by Chef Andrew and Mai in Fall 2022. They envisioned a great place to go for unique food, stiff drinks and a memorable experience between friends and family. Quality is at the forefront of Rare's values. As a team, we deliver the best culinary experience to our guests.

Isn't life better with great food and easy conversation? Let Rare take care of that for you.

Top review

Gareth

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Great food, exceptional service Our server was extremely accommodating and the prime rib was amazing All of it made for a fantastic experience with an amazing dinner date.

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Experience

The Early Dinner Edit

Experience

Prime Rib Dinner at Rare Restaurant

Hobart's Lighthouse

4.7

4.7 (423)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Gastro Pub

Peterborough

About the restaurant

OUR STORY

Hobart’s was founded on the belief that great food, genuine service, and superb atmosphere are paramount to our restaurant’s success. That belief is engrained in ownership to this day. Hobart’s is proud of its commitment to the original mantra, and embraces the communities it serves. It has always been our expectation to deliver a good experience. Our table is your table. Thank you for your patronage.

Top review

Anna-Lisa

Dined on 10 Oct 2026

Amazing as usual!!! Food was delicious and the ambiance was perfect. My family loves it at Hobart’s. Enjoy some much deserved down-time. See you in the spring! 😊

Heather Lodge

4.8

4.8 (400)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary European

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Reserve an evening of fine dining with meals finished by a superb culinary team in an adult-only restaurant. Whether it is a romantic dinner or a friend's gathering, we offer an experience you will remember. It matched with an Ontario Local Bar Menu of featured Wineries, Local Brewery and Spirits, and even an option for BYOW for an extra charge. Our staff team wants to spoil you with a great meal, served with attention to detail in a relaxing and special ambiance. Please be sure to tell us if you are celebrating a special occasion so we can decorate your table. Choose from an option of early seating from 5:00-5:30pm for a 3-course meal (1.5 hr timeline) for $70.00 per person or 6:00-7:30pm for a 4-course meal for $76.00 per person (includes tea/coffee). The menu is created daily & created to order with our culinary team: featuring a soup of the day, 3 salads, 3 appetizers, 5 main courses, and 3 dessert options. Please notify us in advance of any dietary concerns.

Top review

Bernie

Dined 5 days ago

It was a nice quiet getaway and a good way to start the day.

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Experience

Romantic Table Package

The Peddler

4.8

4.8 (26)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Exquisite dining. House-made pastries. Exceptional wines. Specialty coffee.

Welcome to The Peddler, a distinguished bistro nestled in a heritage building at the heart of downtown Millbrook. Our international chef, Arjay Ramirez, crafts globally inspired dishes with impeccable attention to flavour and presentation, while our pastry chef creates house-made pastries that are as elegant as they are indulgent. From carefully curated wines to artfully prepared lunches and dinners, every detail is designed to delight the senses in a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Reserve your table and experience the pinnacle of bistro dining.

Top review

Karen

Dined on 15 Oct 2026

One of our go to places. We always have a wonderful time. Good food, good service and good friends!

Gusto Grande

4.7

4.7 (351)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Lindsay

About the restaurant

Welcome to Gusto Grande, experience the soulful vibrancy of our authentic Italian-inspired cuisine. Set in the Kawartha Lakes area, many of our foods are prepared with locally sourced ingredients ensuring we deliver the highest quality product. If you are in the mood to enjoy casual-fine dining and exceptional food in a stylish art deco setting, then Gusto Grande has a place setting just for you!

Top review

Bill

Dined on 28 Oct 2026

As always, we enjoyed a quiet satisfying meal at Gusto Grande! At the risk of sounding repetitive, the menu appeals to the discerning Italian palate. Home made goodness in every bite! Our favourite restaurant by far!

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Popular dish

Caesar

Ziraldo’s Italian Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (30)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Fenelon Falls

About the restaurant

In the heart of our restaurant, the spirit of Edward “Eddy” Ziraldo lives on. His warm embrace is woven into every dish we serve. Eddy was not just a patriarch; he was the soul of our family, our beloved Grandad. His laughter echoed through gatherings, and his wisdom guided us through life’s challenges. He shared countless meals with his beloved wife Mary, our Granny, creating a legacy rich with love and tradition. Their marriage of over 57 years was a testament to commitment, filled with joy and the simple pleasures of home-cooked meals.

Grandad’s philosophy—"you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"—was a guiding light for us all. He taught us to approach life with kindness, reminding us that our greatest wealth lies in relationships. Though we miss them dearly, their spirit inspires everything we do in our restaurant. Each plate we serve is infused with the love and laughter that defined our family gatherings.

Top review

Joanne

Dined 2 days ago

Our server was great. She did not rush us and was very attentive.

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Experience

Prime Rib Sunday

Experience

Wednesday Wine & Dine

Haliburton Post House

4.7

4.7 (196)

CAN$51 and over

International

Minden

About the restaurant

Fresh, Elevated Culinary Experiences.

Deliciously satisfying chef crafted cuisine at the Post House goes beyond the basics.
Celebrate fine dining and the freshest seasonal ingredients, food & beverages!

Our kitchen is headed by Executive Chef Dan Sanders. Each menu is carefully crafted and uniquely curated each season to bring optimal enjoyment to your experience with us!

Make a reservation for upcoming dining opportunities at The Post House! Enjoy gourmet cuisine at our lodge on selected dates. Our prix fixe menus are updated seasonally.

Top review

Cathy

Dined 6 days ago

Fantastic meal with great service. Everything was so unique and the flavours were amazing! It is not just dinner out, it’s an experience!

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Experience

Four Course Prix Fixe Fine Dining Menu

Bar Vita

4.8

4.8 (327)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Peterborough

About the restaurant

Please note, if Open Table is showing no availability for the date and time you are looking for, please do not hesitate to call us at 705.743.3339.

We have a 15 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running 15 minutes later than your reservation time.

Bar Vita offers italian-inspired cuisine in a stylish setting. We use fresh ingredients to bring our country-flare to classic Italian cuisine.

Patio and indoor seating available. Please indicate your preference and we will be happy to accommodate.

Top review

Alex

Dined 6 days ago

The food and service was excellent , date night and we enjoyed the experience very much .

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