Gerti's — Restaurant in Peterborough

A Hidden Gem We’ll Keep Coming Back To

We stumbled across this spot on a whim after catching the Canada Day parade and flipping through the Peterborough Musicfest coupon booklet. We were craving something new, something local, and something delicious. This restaurant absolutely delivered.

From the moment we stepped inside, it felt like we’d found a place that locals know and love. The kind of restaurant where the tables are worn just enough to carry stories, and the chairs are comfortable like home. We weren’t sure what to expect. Sometimes with promotions, the experience can feel rushed or impersonal and this was anything but.

The water arrived first and it might sound funny to mention, but it was genuinely the cleanest, best-tasting water we’ve had at any restaurant (seriously!). Then came our drinks. Cold and refreshing.

The moment the plates landed on our table, we exchanged looks, that excited, “oh wow, this is going to be good” kind of look. The portions were perfect, the plating was clean and inviting, and everything smelled incredible.

We each snuck a few fries before diving into our meals… golden, hand-cut, and the kind of fries you remember long after the meal is over. We were told all the sauces were made in-house, and it showed. The chipotle aioli in particular deserves its own paragraph; creamy, smoky, a little spicy, and dangerously good.

Everything we tasted was made with care and intention. There was pride in that food, and it came through. Hats off to the chef.

This meal turned what was already a beautiful summer day into something even more special. We came for a discount and left feeling like we’d discovered one of Peterborough’s best-kept secrets. We will absolutely be back and next time, we’re...

It has been a while since my wife and I have gone to Gertis. Before the ownership change the quality of food was dropping month by month.

Service 5/5: Gave the new ownership a shot last week. Same atmosphere and same great service. It also helped that we were one of four tables there so our server wasn’t getting bogged down with anyone else.

Drink 3/5: It appears that the beer varieties took a bit of a dive. No local taps and nothing in the way of a true craft beer. Before the ownership change there was Smithhavens on tap which really helped with the local Peterborough feel. Beers on tap were generic enough for a bar, the Innis and Gunn IPA Mango was pretty bad though. Beer was served quickly and poured properly.

Food 5/5: Huge improvement on the food front from previous ownership. They kept certain aspects of the old menu that worked including the style of French fry and dip. I am a huge breaded chicken guy and I can honestly say the buttermilk chicken burger is hands down the best chicken burger I have ever tasted. Food comes out hot, properly cooked and in the perfect portion.

Cost 4/5: Looks like the costs went up from previous ownership. But that being said the higher cost has translated into much better food. He ready to pay and extra $2-5 for your meal but it’s worth it.

Not much else to rate here. Gertis is back on our rotation of restaurants in Peterborough after being taken off for almost a year. The new ownership has been refreshing and I hope people give it another chance like myself and my wife did. You’ll find the same great atmosphere and service and a much improved, yet...

I really like Gertis! They are a wonderful business in Peterborough and it’s a place my partner and I enjoy going for dinner. I find we are always greeted with a smile, and the environment feels friendly and laid back. They have a lovely ambience on both patios and their inside dining room. We usually sit on the front patio.

The food is always very fresh and hot which is something I’m pretty particular about. I love that they have a “specials” menu which isn’t always common, and it’s always changing, bringing something refreshing to their menu. I have tried a few things on the menu, the pulled pork gnocchi is amazing! We love the deep friend picked (who doesn’t? Lol), the crunch Mac was super yum! Their version of the fried chicken sandwich was so-so. The only thing I notice with their food is it is a tad bit too salty (and I LOVE salt, so that’s saying something).

They recently had bao buns on their menu and they were phenomenal! Their dessert, bao bun ice cream sandwiches, were really original and cute. I recommend. I really like the variety on their desert menu, because I think it’s an area a lot of restaurants lack.

Their cocktails are nice, and they have a good drink menu selection. I think Gertis is a place everyone should try if your a Peterborough local. People might say they are pricey, but in reality, it’s hard to dine out for less than $100 these days. I think you get what you pay for, especially because their food is consistently good. They really do have something for everyone and I look forward to visiting...