Oaklands at Riverbend Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake

My family and I have been going to this restaurant for years. We called and asked if the place was dog friendly and they said absolutely and the person on the phone said shes so excited to meet our Corgi. To our surprise when we got there we walked in to check in. We were given very dirty looks by the server as though we did something terribly wrong and we didnt understand why that was as we did call ahead of time, then we were treated like second class citizens and walked out side from the other side of the porch, then we were put at the very last able on the porch. The server was extremely rude to us didnt even greed us, we started with a bottle of wine and the cheese board that was served with crackers you can buy at the store. It started to rain and they wouldnt let us go on the covered porch or inside for that matter. It was the Canada day long weekend and it took us over 3 hrs to get there due to traffic, we were starving, I was extremely upset and we told the server and she said that they dont allow dogs on the property that the person answering the phone didnt know. We had barley drank had anything out of our wine and told her we were starved... her response was she could cork our wine or we can sit under the little umbrella and eat. I said no thank you, she corked our wine (which btw was also sold by the glass which she could have charged us for 2 glasses instead of $80/bottle). We left as I couldnt stand to be there another minute, we have never been treated with such disrespect. We ended up going to Tradewell cuisine which was wonderful and DOG FRIENDLY we were greeted at the door our dog got treats and a clean bowl of water, the server was amazing, wine and food was exceptional, they had blankets on the chairs no need to even ask for them, atmosphere was very welcoming as well. A true 5 star restaurant... we didnt mind spending over $500 for dinner and our dog got a salmon filet prepared especially for her. The Oaklands restaurant has a lot to learn from them, dont call yourselves dog friendly if youre not.. its ok but just be honest and open about it. I called the manager to find out that the server was their long time employee!!!! enough said will never go back to this place, we have told every person we know about our terrible experience.

A beautiful venue for a dinner experience. Unfortunately, the food was not up to expectations. The mushrooms on toast was good, but not memorable. The peach bruschetta was not seasoned properly and was very bland. I had the short rib. It was cooked well but lacked flavor. It was curiously paired with flavorless quinoa and Bok Choy. My wife has the poke bowl which was not good. To end, we had the chocolate mousse which was abysmal. Service was attentive and pleasant.

Terrible service. We checked out of the hotel and came down around 10:43am for breakfast (check out is at 11am) and were informed that they were no longer serving breakfast. Later it was stated that there is a 15-minute grace period but we were not offered that grace when we came in and a waitress made the excuse that it s because we didn t have a reservation. The restaurant was 80% empty so we wouldn t have thought to make a reservation. And we even asked at reception if reservation was necessary and they said no. After talking with their staff they eventually said they could look into bringing out some dry food. One of the waitresses offered a charcuterie board, which by the way it was phrased sounded like it would be free given the inconvenience and because they felt bad (it was also our anniversary and the hotel had done nothing to acknowledge this, not even a note). However, they ended up charging us for the charcuterie board which we never would have ordered if we had the option. Very disappointing experience at this restaurant and we definitely won t be coming back.

We had a wonderful experience. The patio is so nice. Its my favourite patio in Niagara-On-The-Lake. Our wattres was top notch. We certainly will come again on our next to the area.

You dont want to miss it... Ive been coming back to Oaklands for some time now. I can say this is by far the best dinning experience Ive had. Service, food, and drinks are always on point, and I find my face glued to the surroundings. Leaving here very happy but a little sad every time. Till next year I guess. If I could give more stars I would.

A beautiful sunny day. Amazing patio view but patio is closed?!?! Not being able to enjoy breakfast outside on the patio was a major disappointment. Will go somewhere else tomorrow.

I called a week before coming to Oaklands and booked a table for our 5-year wedding anniversary. I also asked over the phone if I could bring two Pomeranian dogs with us. The lady on the phone said that we could, but they would have to stay on the terrace, not the balcony where food gets served, which was fine by me. Today, we walked into the restaurant and a host almost screamed that we couldn t have dogs inside and that we must immediately leave the hotel and enter the restaurant from the side. Then the manager saw us, quickly walked towards us, and said that dogs can t be here and we have to leave right now. Then the first lady repeated herself that dogs can t be here, all within the span of 2-3 minutes. I then said that I heard them, it s not an issue, and that we were going outside and they didn t have to be so rude. We walked outside, went around to the back entrance of the restaurant, and the manager quickly came up and said that they would not serve us as we were rude and used an F word. Neither my husband nor I use the F word in our vocabulary. We both have PhDs. Both of us were shocked and said that we didn t use the F word. She said that we had to leave the venue right away. She was extremely rude. I strongly believe that there was another reason for them not to serve us. Maybe even racial. This never happened to us in any other country. We left the restaurant and called the general manager of the hotel. We explained what happened, but he said that he is on holiday and can t help. This was our special day, which was ruined by the hotel and restaurant staff members, and it s devastating. This could have been managed completely differently. We will be escalating this further.

Oaklands at Riverbend is our number one go-to restaurant when we have people visiting us here in Niagara, as well as for special occasions including Mother s Day, Valentine s Day and even during the Christmas season. We love the intimacy of the dining room as well as the beautiful patio right at the edge of the vineyard for outdoor dining. We have had many delicious and memorable meals enhanced by delightful and knowledgeable wine pairings. And we can t say enough about the warmth of the hospitality and service. We and our guests always leave feeling relaxed and happily satisfied on every level and thinking about our next visit. Many many thanks to everyone on the Oaklands team for yet another wonderful meal yesterday cheers to you

Great service and nice embiance

Perfect food. Absolutely 5 stars recommendation.

We stayed here last week and had breakfast our second morning at the Oaklands. It was very good and more reasonable priced than another nearby fancy hotel (Queens....), and also tastier. I have to say it was the best latte I had on our three day stay (and I tried a lot of lattes!). Very beautiful restaurant and beautiful views. Great service. We would recommend for breakfast.

Venue looks beautiful. First of, the greeter wasn t the friendliest and doesn t like to pay attention to guest needs. Always on the phone and don t actively acknowledge you. Unfortunate the food was just okay. We ordered crab cakes, tasted like regular ones you can get at a nice family restaurant but this one is just overpriced. Mains we got duck and roast beef, again not horrible but not worth. Duck was too chewy. Dessert was so-so too. Only good thing was our waitress who was friendly. As this was a family trip, I brought my almost 2 year old daughter. This restaurant is not kid friendly at all. Food is not suitable for kids, no where to change kids (bathrooms not kids friendly or accessible). I don t know, maybe they just don t welcome kids or persons with disabilities? Would prob not go back or recommend anyone to go.

Unbelievable dinner & service! We sat at the back facing the beautiful vineyard with stunning views over to Peller. We started with the charcuterie and the chicken liver mouse in the little cup was to die for. We then each had the pickerel and finished off with the lemon meringue tart. Highly recommend it - we cant wait to go back and try their brunch in the summer on the beautiful patio.

The meal, food, service, and atmosphere was perfect. For any type of person. This chef is a master. The flavours and plating were excellent. Not extravagant but simple and exactly what each of the items on the plate needed. The seasoning on each thing on our plates was subtle but precise. With three courses, it was the perfect amount of food. An excellent anniversary experience. Thank you Oaklands and Riverbend staff and Chef Ross Midgley.

They have a very limited menu although everything we ordered tasted good. The service was perfect and it is a charming restaurant.

This is a review for the restaurant at Riverbend Inn which was very formal, quiet and elegant. There are stunning views of the winery, lots of light but the food did not command the higher price point. There was an herb garden that was used by the chefs which is a nice touch. Lots of green space and gardens with a gazebo to go outside and explore with a glass of wine but still felt very unwelcomed to do so.

perfect in every aspect. Service, dinner menu options and great wine choices. Staff, in our case Rebecca providing impeccable and very pleasant service Food

Had breakfast here and Kelson was taking care of our table- everything was excellent! Service was absolutely impeccable, thank you so much Kelson for entertaining the kids and giving us recommendations for the places to visit in the area! Food and the view were absolutely perfect! Definitely a place to come back to!

Absolutely beautiful! The food, the place, the service! Lisa was amazing, so informative and attentive, as was Rachel at reception. What a lovely experience, highly recommend! Food : 5/5

Incredible meal and atmosphere, any season and you ll enjoy the coziness of their fireplace on a winters night or the ambiance of a sunset on their patio. Wonderful staff and innovative chef who is unfortunately leaving but apparently a new secret chef coming so we will be back! Vegetarian options: One choice on the price fix but chef very flexible Dietary restrictions: They ask and make great accommodations Wheelchair accessibility: Fully accessible

We enjoyed a pleasant breakfast here. The service was great and everything we ordered were all excellent. It was serene to eat outside with a view of a neighboring vineyard.

Exceptionally good food, great staff and beautiful view of the vineyards. We sat outside. Dietary restrictions: They were very careful to accommodate my gluten free needs.

Nice lunch. A tad slow with

Nice , relaxing and lay back environment. Friendly and helpful service. Food presentation is very good, tastes good but can be improve.

What a wonderful restaurant with beautiful view, great service and delicious food! We really enjoyed our anniversary dinner here!

The venue is beautiful - both inside and out on the patio. The service was prompt and friendly. We started with the mushroom toast and had the braised short ribs for our mains. They had a good wine selection and we had an excellent bottle from Big Head. Unfortunately, no room left for dessert.

We had the pleasure of dining at the Oaklands Restaurant on a Sunday afternoon. The ambiance and decor were both elegant and sophisticated with traditional Niagara-on-the-Lake charm. Lovely light poured in from the large windows that overlooked the vineyard. A cozy sitting area featured a well-appointed bar. The food was superb. We started with the delightful Blueberry tea. And then took advantage of some of the feature items: crab cakes, potato and leek soup, and the chicken sandwich with kimchi. Everything was fabulous! But the real star of the show was Kelson, our server. We were indulged with his hilarious Dad jokes, clever riddles, and funny anecdotes. He had us in stitches! Although this was our first visit to Oaklands, I can say without hesitation it will not be our last. Thank you Kelson and Oaklands for a wonderful experience.

Had a great experience here! Went for breakfast and had their brioche French toast and the wine country breakfast and both were delicious! Server had great energy despite being busy with multiple tables. Would come back again and would most definitely recommend this spot!

Amazing service, amazing food. Make sure to select the wine pairing menu, its well worth it!

If youre staying at the Riverbend Inn or the surrounding area, this is a no brainer. Food was delicious, service was great, and the wine pairings were spot on. Definite recommendation.

A delicious honeymoon dinner at this fabulous restaurant! Service was incredible, and we loved the views from the windows. Huge portions and a great selection of drinks.

Wonderful food and service in a great location

Absolute must try! The food is prepared with so much attention to the consumer and detail on plating. Worth every penny to come here for not only the food but the amazing service and views!

Amazing experience. Beautiful, beautiful restaurant indoor and stunning views on the patio. So peaceful calm and serene. Amazing cocktails ..Oysters -probably top 3 favorite Ive ever had . Incredible service . Amazing food ! Everything is worth every penny.

Great restaurant, great service, amazingly delicious food. Shared a wonderful 10th year Anniversary with my wife and we were pleasantly catered.

Rebecca made our dinner just amazing. The ambiance, the inside and outside were just beautiful. During sunset too was wow. The food and drinks were beyond what we could have imagined. Absolutely recommend going here for a nice dinner!

The food was more than amazing! Everything about starter & dinner was perfect! I wish you guys were closer to me id be there everyday! This place is 100/100. The interior design is beautiful & Classy! The view you will have while eating is heaven! The fact that you can take a break from ur table to walk around and check out the view is just perfection. Such a nice space! This spot is more than beautiful! Very very happy with this place! Thanks to the chefs & servers for this lovely experience!

Food and ambiance here tonight was phenomenal. We re staying here for two nights and had dinner on the patio overlooking the vineyards prior to checking in. Our favourites were the mushroom on toast, beet salad and short ribs, but every item purchased on the menu was spectacular. Our server, Lisa, was very sweet and went out of her way to accommodate our toddlers by offering pear juice in Moscow mule mugs- a very small but thoughtful touch to our dining experience. Our only feedback is that when we asked to delay our reservation by an hour they they could not accommodate but when we rushed to arrive on time, the patio was empty. Would have been nice to check in first prior to dinner.

This was our favorite meal in NOTL. The service and food were outstanding. The ambiance in an gorgeous dining room surrounded on all sides with grape vines. A true hidden gem. We had a pre-theatre meal at 6pm here and were served in a good time to make our show with no problems. I was advised very well on the wine to pair with my meal. The waiter even let me taste it before to make sure I liked it. Very kind. I highly recommend this restaurant!

Lovely brunch at the Riverbend Inn & Vineyard, with a great sense of the colonial past. Friendly service, beautiful view, mushroom toast and a glorious beet salad had us set for the day.

Very good restaurant with a beautiful terrace, a scenic view over the vineyards! All dishes were very good, super tender short ribs, delicious burger, excellent eggs benedict with sparkling hollandaise! We will definitely be back!

Our first visit but definitely not our last. Seasoned travellers and gourmands we were blown away with our dining experience as never before. The restaurant at Peller we thought was the best we have had in this neck of the woods but here also Peller, is Oaklands at Riverbend, a place we can call home. The lunch menu was brilliant, a wonderful mix of the usual with the unusual. Every dish was a delight to both eye and palate, that carried me away to declare that I would be content to dine here everyday. The Mushrooms on Toast was so delicious that I regretted having to share it, something I will never do again. Pacific Crab cakes best ever, definitely not the run of the mill. Actually, nothing here is run of mill , even our waiter David, looked like he walked out of a Charles Dickens novel. The entire staff likewise, sweetest and kindest and at the same time professional and knowledgeable. To end it all was Pavlova for dessert. How decadent can it get, rarely on a menu. In one word perfection ! I know I m gushing, can t help it and they didn t pay me to do so. We re back on Sunday for dinner blest are we!

This restaurant came highly recommended to us for our 29th anniversary. When we arrived, we were sat right beside the entrance to the restaurant with the hallway light shining in our eyes which was disappointing given that the restaurant is quite lively and has some wonderful seating options. We ordered the mushrooms on toast and the beet salad. Received the mushrooms on toast which had a nice flavour. It would have been better to have included a variety of mushrooms rather than just cremini. They brought me the crab cakes rather than the salad. It was ok. My husband had the vegan bowl. The tofu had nice flavour, the dish was heavy on grains and was overwhelmed by a citrus flavour (lemon). We felt that it would have been better if it had included some vegetables such as yellow peppers and/or thinly sliced carrots. I got the lasagna. I was open minded about the egg on top, however it just added runny yoke to an already very soft lasagna. The lasagna had very few layers of noodle, was overwhelmed by the ricotta and had a very mild taste. The wine was lovely. We paid $280 for this meal (2 people), and didn t feel that it was with worth it. We agreed that it was just another experience and that you don t know great restaurants if you don t have some less than great experiences.

We went for a special celebration. Our server William was outstanding! Gracious, knowledgeable and charming. The food was perfection from presentation to the palate. We enjoyed the ambiance in addition to our 3 course meal. Thank you for contributing to a wonderful evening!

Beautiful region, great service and great food. Highly recommended.

Glad the storm didn t stop me from coming to NOTL because it was beautiful! The food at Oaklands Restaurant at the Riverbend Inn was delicious and can see the Chef Midgley put a lot of thought into each dish. Short rib was tender, but with a bite. The Wild Cod was nicely seared with the fat keeping the fish moist and a crisp skin, however personally not a fan of the wild rice. Duck confit rillette and the chocolate semifreddo were both so balanced in flavours! David gave great recommendations and tended to our needs! @riverbendinnnotl

My husband and I were pleasantly surprised at the amazing Oaklands Restaurant! The chef is amazing! My husband had the cod and I had a quinoa bowl. Both were delicious and neither was presented in a predictable way. Everything the chef did had a unique little twist to it: the Caprese salad had some very ripe watermelon in it; the fish was accompanied by a Harissa-yogourt sauce; the strawberry shortcake was served with lemon flavoured scones delicious! The service was also friendly and attentive. We loved our server, Darrion! She was so sweet and also knew the menu very well which allowed her to make excellent recommendations. We look forward to returning very soon!

My wife & I visited The Oaklands for the first time today to enjoy a late afternoon supper. We had heard from a relative that the ambiance and the food were great, and we were not disappointed. The food was amazing! We started with oysters on the half-shell and mushrooms on toast. Both were delicious, but the oysters were a definite highlight. We shared the short rib and the cod for our mains - again, both were great. Both dishes were beautifully prepared, with wonderful flavour profiles. We finished with the blueberry buckle and the strawberry shortcake for dessert. The blueberry buckle was my favourite, while the shortcake (actually a citrus scone) reminded my wife of the desserts her nona used to make. Our server Darrion was a delight! Knowledgeable, attentive, and charming. (Next time well try to remember to bring a picture of your doppelgänger.) Highly recommended.

Amazing food and wonderful view. Everything on the menu was impeccable. My partner and I had dinner and then lunch the next day. Definitely worth trying!

Great food and staff plus gorgeous view

As mentioned in the Inn review. The food, wine and setting provided for an wonderful experience. Service was amazing the choose dishes were a delight for the taste buds. Will return again!

Beautiful place, beautiful views, excellent food. Reserved this lovely restaurant for my husbands special birthday -- told no fewer than 3 people at Oaklands that it was a special birthday dinner; I did not expect any cake or dessert to be served, however a little chocolate truffle or even an acknowledgement would have been nice...Servers were OK, a little too familiar, and twice proceeded to take away our food when we hadnt yet finished. Otherwise, it really was a memorable experience.

The venue was beautiful. The food was not good and neither was the service.

Oh my oh my...I wanted to love it.... the service seemed upset we visited.. we were like, what?

My partner and I were on the hunt for a farm to table menu and had found this gem through other high reviews and they did not disappoint. Sitting on the patio, we were able to see Pellar Estates and Two Sisters - paired with a beautiful sunset and a light breeze made for the perfect environment for a great evening. Our server, David, was an absolute gem. He was incredibly knowledgeable, courteous, and could balance a lot on his arms! (superhuman). We had the east coast oysters and riesling steamed mussels to start, 99 lager braised beef short rib and wild ling cod for entree, and the dark chocolate semi freddo for dessert. Every dish was phenomenal as you can see and taste the care and love in each dish. Each dish was presented in a manner where you need a little bit of everything in one bite I promise you your taste buds will go through the roof! Overall, fantastic experience at the Oaklands. I would highly recommend and would definitely come back. Thanks for a great evening, David!

Amazing anniversary dinner here on their gorgeous patio! We watched the sunset while enjoying our delicious food and wine. The mushroom toast is to die for! They have pretty limited menu choices but everything is delicious!

Beautiful view, tasty food