George's on Harbour — Restaurant in Kincardine

The atmosphere felt a bit sterile and the seating layout is odd. It really feels like it’s trying to come across as fine dining.

The service was good. We were greeted and seated right away and the server was exactly the right amount of attentive. Service was the highlight.

Our meal was okay but definitely didn’t match the fine dining vibe the atmosphere is going for, though the price was getting close.

Looking at the drink menu I was shocked to see that a pint of mass produced beer was $14. It was really disappointing that there was only one craft beer on the menu. You’d think there’d be more of a focus on supporting local and Ontario brewed beers. The wine list was okay but not great. I ordered a gamay and it was served warm which was disappointing. I ordered a cocktail as well and didn’t finish it because it was extremely sweet and it was not something that’s meant to be sweet.

We started with the charcuterie board which was physically larger than our table. It was bizarre - the food on it could easily have fit on a board 1/4 the size and it would have presented much better. The meats, cheese, and pickles were mediocre but the bread that was made with their pizza dough was excellent.

For mains I had hoped to order the ribeye but it was sold out. Our reservation was pretty early at 6pm so I thought it was odd that they were sold out of anything at that time. I ended up getting the t-bone and it was really disappointing. I’m not kidding when I say the steak was a maximum of 1/4” thick - it looked like one of those fast fry steaks the grocery store sells. I ordered medium rare and it was bordering on well done. I didn’t bother saying anything because with a steak that thin, there’s no way they were getting it medium rare. The flavour of the steak was good but was heavy on salt. The veg and mashed potatoes were also heavily salted. Veg was cooked well, potatoes were dry. The ricotta ravioli we got was good but there’s not much to say about it.

Really disappointing experience but hopefully they’ll improve with time. I would go back to try the pizza but wouldn’t bother with...

A group of friends, travelling together along the eastern shore of Lake Huron, we had spent the day visiting the many little towns and beaches along the way, when we arrived in the town of Kincardine, Ontario. Our long-anticipated visit to this charming restaurant did not disappoint. George's on Harbour is a renovated house, perched atop a hill and overlooking the lake, with spectacular sunset views.

We were warmly welcomed by owner David Smith and French Chef Alex, and the service we received at the table was extremely solicitous and helpful throughout our visit. The comfort of the furnishings and the open feeling of the dining area were further enhanced by the plentiful natural light.

And now to the food!!! How can you choose a single appetizer from their extensive list? We decided to each order something different and share, and that was a great choice! Our top recommendations: the marinated Vegan Carpaccio - SO MUCH FLAVOUR! and George's Fries (which by the way are NOT FRIES but imaginative hand-crafted treats - their flavour and delightful texture are not to be missed!)

For mains, we tried the Cabernet Sauvignon & Parmesan Braised Short Ribs, the Gnocchi Vegan Ratatouille, the Parmesan Brisket Pasta, and the Crispy Skin Salmon with Barley Risotto. The presentation was creative and the flavours were perfectly balanced for each one. We all agreed that the salmon is definitely the best dish we have had in a very long time.

Who has room for dessert after that, but at the same time, who could resist the extensive dessert menu? We settled on sharing a vanilla crème brûlée, which satisfied everyone's sweet tooth but wasn't over-filling.

For anyone enjoying a stay in the Kincardine area, or even just to crown a day-trip like ours, I cannot recommend George's highly enough. Please do yourself a favour and treat your taste buds with the lovely food and drink they offer. You...

(Update 2025) We went back this summer and our experience, was again, 5/5!! Our server Hadley was incredibly attentive and had such good suggestions for us when we couldn’t choose between something.

We got a few drinks—highly recommend the tiramisu espresso!! We also ordered a couple appetizers—highlight being the deconstructed bruschetta!! For our main courses, we enjoyed Crispy Salmon, as well as the Lobster Mac & Cheese—both were delicious. We wanted to save room for dessert so we brought the rest of our mains home, such good portions!! Our desserts were not too sweet, perfectly balanced—lemon roll cake with marshmallow & the brownie-misu! This will forever be our favourite place to eat when we come to the cottage every summer.

(2024) My partner and I recently dined at George's on Harbour, and it was a truly delightful experience. The restaurant, situated on the picturesque harbour, offers a stunning setting with a cozy, elevated ambiance. The warm wooden decor and eye-catching bar creates a welcoming and open atmosphere that perfectly complements the waterfront views.

We asked Chef Alex to recommend dishes suitable for our pescatarian diet, and his suggestions were spot-on. We started with the Bean Dip, which was flavourful and came with warm bread. For our main courses, we enjoyed the Margarita Pizza and the Lobster Ravioli—both were exceptional and beautifully prepared. Crème brûlée is one of my favourite desserts, and I can be quite particular, but the dessert here exceeded my expectations with its perfect balance of creamy and caramelized.

Our server, Arlo, was attentive and kind, enhancing our dining experience with his excellent service. Overall, George's on Harbour combines outstanding cuisine with a charming atmosphere, making it a standout dining destination....