Prince Edward County (PEC) is a beautiful region of Ontario that is lovely to visit year-round. Though it is most popular in the summer for wine tasting and visiting Sandbanks, we had a lovely visit on the first weekend of January. Do keep in mind that it is a seasonal destination, so some places may be closed during the winter months. However, you definitely shouldn’t let that stop you – with a little bit of planning you can have a dreamy weekend in the County, regardless of when you visit. PEC is also extremely dog-friendly, and we were able to take our 1.5 year old Mini Aussie Luna with us to most spots! Scroll to the bottom for some great dog-friendly spots and activities!
Where to Stay in PEC
I would recommend staying in, or around, the three main areas in PEC: Picton, Bloomfield or Wellington. The great thing about PEC is that nothing is too far apart, and with a car you will be able to explore many great spots, regardless of where you stay. There are loads of cute boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and bed and breakfasts to choose from. We stayed at the beautifully renovated Marigold Suite which was about 5 minutes from Bloomfield, 10 minutes from Picton, and 15 minutes from Wellington. I loved this location as we were able to explore each of these areas and many of the region’s best wineries. The Marigold Suite was tastefully decorated, bright, had two spacious bedrooms, a stunning new kitchen, and a cozy living room for us to enjoy.
Where to Eat in Prince Edward County
PEC has some incredible restaurants and cafes for you to try. If you’re a foodie, you’re definitely going to love this trip!
PEC Cozy Cafes
Fuel up for the day with delicious lattes, pastries, and other divine Italian goodies from the most adorable Italian place in Wellington. You will love Piccolina Mercato as soon as you step inside. They have a beautiful glass case which features a variety of flatbreads, sandwiches and other delicious baked goods. We tried some amazing paninis and a divine pistachio-cream croissant which was to die for!
In Picton, don’t miss Beacon, Bike+Brew when you need your next coffee fix and a delicious bite to eat. I tried their hot Thai Tea Latte and it was the perfect and most comforting warm drink on a cold winter day. It was honestly one of the best lattes I’ve ever had, and every sip took me back to my visit to Thailand. I also had their smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and red onion on rye. They have some cool biking gear and a real community vibe. Check it out!
Bloomfield Public House is a cute restaurant/cafe in Bloomfield. We made a quick stop and only grabbed lattes to go, but they had some yummy food offerings, local products and some ready-made meals to go. All in a very inviting and pretty space. Next time I would try their burrata and their warm apple cake – yum!
PEC Restaurants
There are so many wonderful restaurants for you to try in PEC. One of my favourites was definitely Stella’s Eatery (used to be in Picton but has recently moved to Waupoos). Everything we tried was incredible (arancini, beet salad, beef brisket) and the service was great. It does get extremely busy so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.
After reading some impressive reviews, we also tried Sujeo and we loved it! We ordered it to go so we could take it back to our Airbnb and relax with Luna. We tried the beef bulgogi and the spicy honey chicken. The portions were generous and each dish was packed with flavour. It is a small restaurant and the staff were so welcoming and friendly.
Two other restaurants that looked really wonderful were The Marans and Bocado, but we didn’t have a chance to check them out this time. I was also really hoping to check out The Russ & Co, a new cozy and intimate cocktail bar, but they were closed for a holiday break while we were there. Oh well, just another reason to go back again soon 😉
My Favourite PEC Wineries
We have been to many lovely wineries in PEC but these are my favourite five:
1. The Old Third: I just love this winery and their beautiful rustic barn. Try their unfiltered pinot noir, cab franc and chardonnay. Make sure you check when their pasta bar is open and plan your visit accordingly- it was sooo good! [Closed in the winter]
2. Closson Chase: One of the more classic wineries in PEC. It is stunning and the service is top-notch. We enjoyed a tasting flight outside on their beautiful patio.
3. Karlo: The vibe is inviting and the wine is wonderful. I suggest booking your tasting ahead of time – they have lots of options and they’re pet friendly. They do not sell their wine in the LCBO so be sure to take some of your favourites home with you! They also have lots of fun events going on (even in January!).
4. The Grange: Both their indoor and outdoor spaces are beautiful and inviting. In the summer you can purchase a ready-made picnic box to enjoy outside, or try something from the food truck they have onsite. In the winter, head inside and cozy up by their enormous Christmas tree. We had so much fun here and the staff loved our puppy and gave her tons of cuddles.
5. Harwood: We really enjoyed the wine flight we tried here, they have some delicious and unique offerings. We also had the option to pair our flight with some delicious charcuterie for a very reasonable price. They introduced us to one of my new favourite cheeses! Since we booked ahead of time, we also saved 10% which was a nice touch.
The Best PEC Cidery
I absolutely LOVED our experience at the Crimson Cider Company – it was probably my favourite part of the weekend. The owner, Craig, took his time chatting with us and telling us all about their story and their tasty ciders. My favourite was the “Mull it Over” cider which Craig described as apple pie when served cold, and like Christmas in a cup when warmed with their mulling spices. It was sooo good! They do not sell their ciders at the LCBO, but you can order online and Craig makes monthly deliveries to Toronto and Ottawa. I can’t wait to visit in the summer and try their cider slushies, food truck, and enjoy their inviting patio. They have different flavours throughout the year and there is truly something for everyone. Don’t miss this spot!
Fun PEC Breweries
I don’t drink beer but I had an awesome time checking out these three breweries with my husband. Compromise, right? 😉
1. Gillingham – Sorry, not beer related, but I was very happy with some local white wine and fresh oysters they were shucking on the weekend! They had really nice fire pits outside too.
2. Slake – This is a newer brewery and the views are unbeatable! It would be an amazing place to hang out on a warm summer evening.
3. Midtown Brewing – They have a really nice patio where you can sit outside and order some delicious food. Great lunch spot!
Beautiful PEC Boutiques
If you’re like me, you love checking out local boutiques and shops whenever you visit new places. PEC has so many wonderful options and you will definitely find some beautiful treasures to take home. I would highly recommend taking your time exploring Picton and strolling around the main strip where you will find plenty of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants.
When in Picton, check out Gilbert & Lighthall to find some beautiful decorative pieces for your home. They have wonderful signage, candles, lotions, gifts, games, the list goes on. Head to Zest for all your kitchen needs. It’s easy to spend some time here looking at all their fun gadgets! Stop by Penny’s Pantry for freshly baked goods and some bulk items to take home with you.
Carson’s Garden + Market is my favourite shop to visit in PEC. They have beautiful home goods, comfy sweaters, a garden centre, and some yummy treats. They even have friendly goats outside! It’s a great place to explore and pick up some local goods to take home. Every time I go to PEC I head here to find something new – it’s dangerous, you’ve been warned! I bought a luxurious handcream from here that I still dream about, and a fancy buttermilk doughnut pancake mix. They also have Flossie’s Sandwiches (seasonal) which you can enjoy outside. What’s not to love!?
In Bloomfield, Green Gables, Scandi Skin, and Kokito are all cute boutiques for you to explore. Cozy blankets, gifts, and treasures for home – treat yourself while supporting local!
For Your Four-Legged Family Member – Dog-friendly PEC ideas
As mentioned above, PEC is also extremely dog-friendly, and we were able to bring Luna with us to most spots! As a general rule of thumb, we found that most wineries, breweries and cideries allowed well-behaved dogs on their patios (on leash). Many of them also allowed us to bring Luna inside with us. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and check if you are unsure.
If you have an energetic pup like ours, I would highly recommend starting your day with Carole at the Sniffery. Carole is a wonderful person whose passion and love of animals clearly shines through. She set up an amazing outdoor scent detection course for Luna. After an hour of scent-work and play, Luna was calm and tired for our day of wine tasting and exploring. Luna also loved running and playing at the Prince Edward Dog Park in Picton, located behind some amazing coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques.
These are some of my favourite spots for a weekend in Prince Edward County! I’m sure you will discover many more as well. Enjoy your visit!
Some more ideas:
Tazmin is a policy analyst and educator with a passion for travel and exploring new places, both in Canada and beyond. After living and working in Ottawa for several years, Tazmin returned home to North Vancouver, B.C., in September 2024.
When she is not on an adventure or planning her next one, Tazmin enjoys reading, baking, visiting charming small towns, discovering cute coffee shops, and hiking West Coast trails with her Mini Aussie, Luna. After fully embracing life out east, she’s looking forward to rediscovering the beauty of her home province.
A dedicated trip planner and travel enthusiast, Tazmin is thrilled to bring her experiences and insights to Little Miss Ottawa as a writer. You can follow her adventures @travelwithtazmin
Find me on: Instagram
