If you’re craving exceptional seafood in Barrie, you’re in luck. Think buttery lobster rolls, pristine oysters on the half-shell, and perfectly grilled local catches. From cozy waterfront shacks to elegant fine-dining spots, the city’s culinary scene delivers. Whether you’re after a classic fish fry or innovative seafood towers, here are the top spots making waves right now.
Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar
$$ | (705) 726-7171 | WEBSITE
Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar is a lively, well-run spot that treats prime rib like an art form. The cuts here vary in marbling, thickness, and flavor, but all are cooked to order with careful attention to temperature. We prefer the classic prime rib sandwich, best ordered medium-rare with horseradish cream and a side of crispy calamari. It’s hearty, satisfying, and exactly what we want on a chilly evening.
The regular menu includes Bâton Rouge’s greatest hits (order the shrimp risotto), but during weekends, the kitchen serves excellent grilled salmon and live music, too.
Reel Em In Fish And Chips
$$ | (705) 321-1423 | WEBSITE
Thanks to word-of-mouth and a loyal local following, Reel Em In Fish And Chips is consistently one of the most satisfying seafood spots to visit in town. You might drive by a few times (OK, you’ll drive by more than a few times), but take a cue from the regulars and pull over and give it a shot. Located in a modest, unassuming storefront in Barrie, this classic fish and chips joint has friendly service and a menu that focuses on fresh, delicious ingredients.
That might include things like lightly fried halibut, crispy fish and chips, hearty poutine, and a whole bunch of gluten-free options. Just be ready to dish out around $25 per person for it.
Bacio Trattoria
$$ | (249) 288-0161 | WEBSITE
Here’s the thing about Bacio Trattoria: while it’s more casual than some white-tablecloth Italian spots in the city, this family-run trattoria in Barrie isn’t exactly a place you stumble into on a random Tuesday.
And, frankly, we’re fine with that—because settling into Bacio’s warm, convivial dining room enjoying a glass of well-priced wine, some complementary bread, and a few slices of their perfectly cooked pizza is a chance to sample authentic Italian cooking without the fuss of a formal restaurant. Everything about a meal at this hidden gem feels considered, from the juicy chicken parmigiana with its crispy coating to the creamy pistachio ice cream that comes with just the right flavor.
There are plenty of great Italian restaurants in Barrie, but none of them have the power to make you feel completely at home like Bacio Trattoria.
Asia Wok
$ | (705) 734-1689 | WEBSITE
Asia Wok is a great Chinese spot, but it’s a perfectly reliable dinner destination in Barrie, too. Just know you can’t swing by at prime time dinner hours for casual takeout without a bit of a wait. (Trust us, we’ve tried.) This brightly lit restaurant serves delicious, straightforward Chinese dishes that lean traditional while also catering totally to vegetarians.
Stir-fried vegetables with tofu are tossed in a savory sauce, the vegetable fried rice is worth ordering by the carton, and there’s a long list of vegan options to explore that might not be available elsewhere. If you want to feed a family or celebrate a casual night out with a hearty, affordable meal in Barrie, Asia Wok is where you want to be.
Fancy’s Fish and Chips Seafood Restaurant
$$ | (705) 728-9594 | WEBSITE
Fancy’s Fish and Chips is a beloved seafood spot in Barrie that’s been serving traditional fish and chips for over four decades. Thanks to its loyal following and reputation for some of the most authentic seafood in town, it’s also one of the busiest takeout joints around (we had to wait 20 minutes for our order on a Tuesday night, which is why we aren’t including a rating).
A meal here involves grabbing a seat at one of the simple wooden tables in the recently updated dining room while the brilliant cook prepares perfectly crispy battered halibut and golden fluffy chips. The food is delicious and generous, but given the $25 price for a full platter—and the no-frills, bustling atmosphere—Fancy’s is best suited for seafood purists only.
Red Lobster
$$ | (705) 728-2401 | WEBSITE
This classic Barrie seafood chain is rightly famous for its lobster feast: a platter of premium shellfish, plus sides, salad, and biscuits. It’s so popular, families line up before the restaurant opens at 11am just to order it. It’s only available in certain sections of the dining room, though, so if they’re full when you get there, sit at the bar instead.
You can’t order the lobster feast, but you’ll have access to all the daily specials and appetizers, which are every bit as good as the main event.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – Barrie
$$$ | (705) 720-7333 | WEBSITE
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar is the undisputed steakhouse star of Barrie, and its perpetual popularity is for one thing: steaks. This classic dining experience consists of perfectly cooked cuts with a side of attentive service, and it’s your job to put these delicious things together.
There’s also another location, The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – Orillia, just a short drive away, which offers the same welcoming atmosphere with equally phenomenal food—both are great, so opt for whichever has the easier parking situation.
