Cambridge Mill: What's the deal
Cambridge's biggest claim to fame may be that it was the shooting location for the hugely popular The Handmaid's Tale. However, in addition to its quaint feel, much-televised church spires and beautiful river views, it's also a dining destination in its own right.
Cambridge Mill offers riverside dining inside a 19th-century mill just over an hour outside Toronto. Its menu features some of the province's most delicious and creative farm-to-table dishes. While we were aware that the Cambridge Mill is a top-notch dining destination, we were unaware that the restaurant has one of the best brunches in the province.
Every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., the waterfront dining and wedding destination transforms into a brunch extravaganza, with a seafood bar, hot food and carving stations and dessert table spread out across the sprawling dining rooms.
Cambridge Mill: Why it's worth it
There are plenty of places in the city to get a top-notch brunch, including some that offer bottomless mimosas and free-flowing prosecco. But it's very rare to find a restaurant that offers an all-you-can-eat brunch experience and a diverse selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages for one inclusive price. Far fewer spots offer such a wide selection of plates, including brunch faves, freshly shucked oysters, and endless desserts — all of which are dutifully replenished throughout the brunch service at Cambridge Mill.
Tables are reserved for two hours from your reservation, giving you more than enough time to gorge yourself on delicious plates of eggs benny, roast beef, flaky pastries, fresh fruit and grapefruit mimosas. That in itself makes it worth the drive to Cambridge Mill. However, the real draw here is the picture-perfect setting next to the Grand River, where diners can clink glasses and toast to the weekend while watching the water rushing over the dam.
Depending on which dining room you're seated in, you'll either have a view directly over the cascading water or a more panoramic view of the river through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Regardless, you'll be treated to some stunning eye candy. Just ensure you bring your sunglasses — things get pretty bright inside the Cambridge Mill.
Cambridge Mill: What else
If the brunch at Cambridge Mill doesn't wow you, it's safe to say that no brunch ever will. Luckily for naysayers, Cambridge Mill's commitment to locally sourced ingredients is also available at other times of the day. Enjoy lunch or dinner seven days a week, featuring hits like duck confit, chef's handmade pappardelle pasta and seasonal seafood.
Weekly programming gives guests an extra excuse to visit the Cambridge Mill every day of the week. Gorge on gourmet burgers on Wednesdays, half-price oysters on Thursdays, Tide-to-Table seafood specials on Fridays, plus a rotating prix-fixe menu and wine pairings in the latter half of the week. Plus, with desserts as tempting as Earl Grey Tiramisu, there's no bad day of the week to visit the Cambridge Mill. Start the car, we're coming.
Brunch is on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., $75 per adult, $36 per child
