Dining

Shadiest Patio

Others favour the Junction Café's (24100 Pleasant Valley) caboose breakfast sandwich. The coffee here is definitely awesome – go for the foam – and lunch sandwiches are inventive. How about meatloaf with chipotle grilled as a Panini? There's no contest over the patio, though with a century-old maple tree spreading shade and a pond and waterfall to cool summer afternoons.

Best-Kept Secret

More local info rates the Anchor Inn (3030 Smith Dr) as the best-kept secret. Don't be fooled by the exterior. The pub food includes great burgers and homemade yam fries. Dining room in the rear. This is also the place for live entertainment.

Cheese and Ice Cream

Okay, not together. But see the connection – both dairy products. Get them at The Village Cheese Company (3475 Smith Dr). Sample the amazing artisan cheeses, hand-crafted on site. Try a sandwich for lunch with a specialty coffee. Ice cream is good any time.

Do-it-Yourself Gourmet

Looking for ways to eat local, check out Rogers Foods Mill Store (4420 Larkin Rd). Products are labeled for 100-mile diet friendliness. From April through mid-November, check out the seasonal round of produce, fresh cut flowers, sausages and smokies, home baking and preserves at the Armstrong Farmers' Market. Held Saturday mornings in the IPE grounds where there's plenty of parking.

Stop by the Armstrong Spallumcheen Visitor Centre at 3550 Bridge St for more information on where to eat out.

Read Less