Small town with big charm:Where to eat, hike and shop in Port Hope - Toronto Star

When entrepreneur Shayne Traviss and hairstylist Timm Emberley went hunting for a storefront to showcase their upscale hair and body products, the couple quickly narrowed the search to one place: Port Hope, Ont. Enchanted by the variety of locally owned shops and restaurants, the duo had been making day trips to the town for years. “Once we got to know Port Hope,” explains Traviss, “we fell in love with both the town and the people.”

It’s not hard to see why. Situated about an hour’s drive from Toronto, Port Hope boasts rolling hills, Crayola-green farmland and two Lake Ontario beaches. It’s also intersected by the Ganaraska River, the site of one of Canada’s most spectacular salmon and trout runs.

In 2019, Traviss and Emberley opened the Timm David Shampoo Company (92 Walton St.) in the town’s cosy downtown, which is home to one of the best-preserved Victorian commercial streetscapes in Ontario. “This is where people come to live their passion,” says Traviss, referring to the many artists, craftspeople and entrepreneurs who have moved to Port Hope to reinvent themselves. Here are some of the twosome’s favourite local spots.

(Both regional travel guidelines and access to specific places can change quickly; always check official updates before you go.)

For the best patio experience: Beamish House Pub (27 John St.), the Social Bar + Table (26 Ontario St.) and Trattoria Gusto (1 Walton St.)

Nothing captures Port Hope’s genial atmosphere like the intimate patios clustered along John, Ontario and Walton Streets. The Beamish House Pub is the “best patio for a casual environment, and you get to hang out with the local writers and filmmakers,” says Traviss, while the Social Bar + Table offers locally sourced, farm-to-table dishes and excellent craft beers. For a special meal, they both recommend Trattoria Gusto: “Picture an epic little patio that overlooks the Ganaraska River and combine it with exceptional food and service.”

For high fashion at nice prices: Thrill of the Find (136 Walton St.)

Mireille Watson is another urbanite who relaunched her life and business in Port Hope: Her vintage shop, Thrill of the Find, operated out of Toronto’s Leslieville for 15 years. Now, visitors to Port Hope can browse her unique collection of gently used designer clothing and accessories in a lovingly restored 1853 building on the main shopping street. “The store is so beautiful that just stepping inside makes a visit worth it,” says Traviss, adding that many high-end pieces sell for less than $100.

For a sweet treat: Sugar Dust Bakery and Café (74 Walton St.)

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Traviss sums up the appeal of Sugar Dust Bakery in three words: “Butter, butter, butter.” Home to what he promises is “the best scone in the county,” the bakery also offers a medley of show-stopping cakes, takeout sandwiches and coffee. Traviss suggests bringing your tasty treat to nearby Memorial Park (56 Queen St.), or strolling along Augusta Street or Dorset Street West, two leafy residential streets dotted with stunning mansions and charming country cottages.

For top-notch takeout: Olympus Burger (55 Mill St. S.)

Featured on “You Gotta Eat Here!” Olympus Burger occupies a former KFC outlet (look for the iconic bucket repurposed with the Olympus logo). The scrumptious burgers are named after the pantheon of Greek gods: the Hades smoulders beneath roasted red peppers, jalapenos and chipotle bacon sauce, while the Zeus wields a crown of aged white cheddar, peameal bacon, sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions. If the patio is crowded, Traviss recommends a quick jaunt down to the East Beach for a picnic by the water.

For natural beauty: Ganaraska Hiking Trail

For Traviss and Emberley, no weekend is complete without a walk along the town’s famed section of the trail, which offers both beginner and intermediate routes. The trail, which can be accessed at Barrett, Jocelyn and Cavan Streets, follows the course of the Ganaraska River into the picturesque countryside north of Port Hope (and beyond). Sightseeing highlights include limestone rapids, deep river pools home to trophy fish, and a view of sparkling Lake Ontario that, as Traviss says, “can’t be beat.”

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.

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Small town with big charm:Where to eat, hike and shop in Port Hope - Toronto Star
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