If there’s one thing Ontario does exceptionally well, it’s the butter tart. And nowhere is that more deliciously evident than along Northumberland’s Butter Tart Tour—a mouthwatering road trip that winds through charming towns, farm markets, bakeries, cafés, and hidden culinary gems. Nestled in south-central Ontario, Northumberland County is rich in agricultural heritage and small-town hospitality, making it the perfect destination for food lovers seeking an authentic taste of rural Ontario.
Our journey follows the tour from west to east, with a few irresistible detours along the way. While the official route stretches through both the Kawarthas and Northumberland, we’ll focus on the Northumberland highlights that have earned a permanent place on our family’s foodie map. A heartfelt thank you to Northumberland Tourism for inspiring this delicious adventure.
Port Hope: Sweet Beginnings
Our first stop is Dreamer’s Café (2 Queen St) in historic Port Hope. While their butter tarts are certainly worth the visit, the real local legend may be their famous Crazy Cookies. With nearly a million sold, these oversized treats have become a family favourite and a testament to the café’s devoted following. Grab a coffee, indulge in a tart, and begin your journey on a sweet note.
Highway 2 Treasure: Betty’s Pies
A short drive east along Highway 2 brings you to Betty’s Pies (7380 Hwy 2), a beloved destination that has become a holiday tradition in our home. Whether it’s fruit pies, decadent desserts, or perfectly crafted butter tarts, everything emerging from Betty’s kitchen reflects generations of baking expertise. It’s impossible to leave empty-handed.
Burnham Family Farm Market: Farm-Fresh Delights
Further east, Burnham Family Farm Market (7760 Hwy 2) offers the quintessential Ontario farm experience. Open from spring through December, it truly shines in autumn when visitors can pick apples, navigate the corn maze, and select the perfect pumpkin. Inside, you’ll find fresh produce, artisan condiments, homemade breads, baked goods, and seasonal specialties that celebrate local agriculture.
Cobourg’s Butter Tart Champion
No Butter Tart Tour would be complete without a stop at Millstone Bread (55 Albert St) in downtown Cobourg. Small, bustling, and perpetually busy, this bakery rewards patience with what may be our favourite butter tart on the entire route. The balance between flaky pastry and silky filling is near perfection, delivering a rich buttery flavour that keeps us coming back.
A Savoury Intermission
After several sugar-filled stops, Arthur’s Pub (930 Burnham St) offers a welcome change of pace. This warm, old-world British-style pub serves hearty comfort food with a distinctive Gaelic flair. Rich wood interiors, live weekend entertainment, and satisfying pub fare create a memorable dining experience that feels worlds away from the highway.
The Big Apple: Ontario’s Iconic Roadside Attraction
Few Ontario landmarks are as recognizable as The Big Apple (262 Orchard Rd) in Colborne. What began as a bakery has evolved into a sprawling family destination featuring fresh-baked apple treats, 401 Cider Company, gift shops, food vendors, rides, a petting zoo, farmers’ market, dog park, lookout tower, and even a museum housed inside the giant red apple itself. Watch fresh apple bread emerge from the ovens and be prepared for crowds—especially during summer weekends.
Brighton’s Hidden Bakery Gem
Arriving in Brighton, we made our way to Just Like Granny’s (40 Prince Edward St). Unfortunately, their butter tarts had already sold out—a promising sign for any bakery. As fresh trays were going into the oven, departing customers enthusiastically assured us that the tarts were worth the wait. Pro tip: arrive early. While there, stock up on homemade comfort foods like shepherd’s pie, stuffed peppers, and cabbage rolls.
Afternoon Tea and English Charm
One of Brighton’s most delightful surprises is Special Effects Lifestyle Boutique (85 Main St). Housed within a beautifully restored historic home, this unique destination combines boutique shopping with an intimate café tucked discreetly at the back. Offering soups, sandwiches, specialty teas, and elegant afternoon tea experiences, it delivers a charming slice of England in rural Ontario. Call ahead to reserve a table (and bring cash for a tip!).
Campbellford: Donuts Worth the Drive
A short detour north leads to Dooher’s Bakery (61 Bridge St E) in Campbellford, where butter tarts share the spotlight with an even more famous offering: the whipped cream-filled donut. Locals rave about them, and after one bite, we understood why. Beautiful cakes, pies, pastries, and savoury options fill the display cases, making every visit a challenge in restraint.
A Feast for the Senses
If you’re visiting Campbellford in July, plan around the Incredible Edible Trent Hills Feast, a vibrant celebration of local food featuring cooking competitions, films, farm experiences, and family-friendly events that showcase the region’s agricultural bounty. Main event will be held on July 11 from 10 am to 6 pm.
Warkworth’s Artisan Heart
Heading south toward Warkworth, Robin’s Nest Farm Market (14260 Rd 29) offers a delightful blend of local produce, artisan foods, handmade crafts, and cozy café culture. In town, The Shop (2 Mill St) serves excellent pizza made with locally produced Empire Cheese, proving that simple ingredients can create memorable meals.
Strolling Warkworth’s picturesque main street reveals numerous independent boutiques, including The Village Pantry (27 Main St), a haven for home cooks. From artisan foods to specialty cookware, the shop reflects owner Raquilda’s passion for culinary traditions and Dutch-inspired flavours. Continue your culinary journey down the street to Centre & Main Chocolate Co for more sweet treats.
Small-Town Comfort in Hastings
In Hastings at 16 Bridge St N, Bridgewater Bakery & Pizza captures everything we love about small-town Ontario. Families gather over lunch, children enjoy towering ice cream cones, and locals linger over coffee and fresh pastries. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes visitors feel like regulars.
A Sweet Stop Near St. Anne’s
Just north of Grafton, the bakery (252 Academy Hill Rd) associated with the renowned St. Anne’s Spa offers far more than butter tarts. While the tarts were excellent, the standout for us was the Pistachio Entremet—a stunning layered dessert featuring pistachio mousse, caramelized white chocolate crémeux, and almond dacquoise. Add exceptional coffee, gluten-free offerings, signature teas, and a lunch menu, and you have another destination worthy of a special trip.
Rice Lake Inspirations
The Rice Lake area has long inspired artists, writers, and food lovers alike. One of our favourite authors, Renny DeGroot – Canadian Cookbooks calls the region home. Her beloved Apfelkuchen – Canadian Cookbooks recipe is especially worth revisiting during apple season, though it adapts beautifully to whatever fresh fruit is abundant at local farmers’ markets.
Down the Road…
Nearby, Herma’s (5316 Hwy 28) offers a treasure trove for culinary enthusiasts. Imported olive oils, specialty cheeses, artisan pantry products, kitchen linens, home décor, and gourmet gifts make this charming shop impossible to browse quickly.
A Sweet Farewell
Before leaving Northumberland, make one final stop at The Bee Works (5029 County Road 2) in Welcome. This unique destination celebrates all things honeybee, offering specialty honeys, pantry items, candles, beauty products, garden supplies, and gifts. Their Jerk Honey became an instant favourite in our kitchen, transforming a simple glazed chicken recipe into something extraordinary.
Northumberland is home to celebrated cookbook author Signe Langford, whose passion for fresh, local ingredients perfectly reflects the region’s culinary spirit. Happy Hens & Fresh Eggs – Canadian Cookbooks Her recipes, like the communities featured along this route, celebrate the simple pleasures of gathering around good food.
We want you to enjoy her book by ordering it at Happy Hens & Fresh Eggs : Keeping Chickens in the Kitchen Garden, with – Douglas & McIntyre or winning a copy in our Giveaway section. While you wait for your book to arrive try a glass of Langford‘s Decadent Orange Cream in our Recipe section. Refreshingly delectable!
The Perfect Ontario Foodie Road Trip
Northumberland’s Butter Tart Tour is far more than a quest for Ontario’s favourite pastry. It’s a journey through farm markets, artisan bakeries, family-run businesses, charming villages, and passionate food makers who define the region’s culinary identity. Whether you’re hunting for the province’s best butter tart, enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea, or discovering hidden gems along country roads, this road trip offers a delicious reminder that some of Ontario’s finest food experiences are found far beyond the big cities.
Pack a cooler, bring your appetite, and hit the road—Northumberland is waiting, one butter tart at a time. 🍁🥧🚗
Thanks again to Northumberland Tourism for the inspiration.