RoadTrip Refuel: Where to Eat & Drink during Kingston's RoadTrip Music Festival
By Brandon M.Casimiro
On Saturday, September 12th, the heart of Kingston transforms into an unforgettable music experience. The inaugural RoadTrip Music Festival brings four stages of non-stop live music to the core, offering a seamless day-to-night journey across downtown:
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The Scenic Route Street Festival | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | FREE: Throughout the day, over a kilometre of Princess Street closes to vehicle traffic for a vibrant, walkable, pedestrian-only celebration. Wander freely between three free music stages (The Hub Stage, Montreal St. Stage, and King St. Stage), pop into local shops, explore outdoor vendor villages and vintage markets, and catch incredible emerging Canadian talent without needing a ticket!
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The Main Stage Concert at Springer Market Square | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM | TICKETED: When the sun goes down, the festival shifts to the historic square for an electrifying evening lineup featuring Katie Tupper, Kasador, Gabriel Jacoby, and headliner Peach Pit. Space in the licensed square is limited, so make sure to grab your tickets in advance at roadtripkingston.ca.
Whether you want to grab food in hand between stage hops, relax with the whole family over a sit-down meal, recharge with an iced cold brew, or sip a cocktail with front-row views of the stages, Downtown Kingston’s culinary scene has you covered.
Grab & Go: Fast Bites Between Sets
When your schedule is packed and you want delicious food without missing a single beat.
El Gringo (265 Ontario St): Just steps from the waterfront and Market Square, head to their alleyway "Knock for Tac'" window for authentic, fast street tacos (al pastor, asada, birria) or seasoned esquites to enjoy on the move.
Original Bubba’s (349 King St E): A Kingston comfort food legend. Grab a quick slice of pizza or a classic poutine loaded with fresh cheese curds to keep your energy up through the afternoon.
Rosas Fresh Pasta (170 Princess St): Fresh, handmade pasta served fast. Build your own pasta bowl in minutes with your choice of noodles and scratch-made sauce, served in a convenient portable box.
Miss Bāo (286 Princess St): Perfect for sustainable, eco-friendly street snacking. Pick up an order of warm, fluffy steamed baos or savoury dumplings to share as you walk Princess Street.
Score Pizza (91 Princess St.): Fast, fired-to-order personal artisan pizzas. Choose your crust, sauce, and unlimited fresh toppings for a quick custom pie.
El Gringo
Rosa's Fresh Pasta
Original Bubbas
Quick Fuel: Specialty Coffee, Cold Drinks & Sweet Treats
Need a mid-day caffeine jolt, an iced beverage to beat the heat, or an artisanal pastry? Pop into these neighbourhood cafes and bakeries:
Chit Chat Cafe (172 Ontario St): A cozy waterfront-adjacent spot serving up rich espresso, specialty iced drinks, and light homemade bites.
Kingston Coffee House (322 King St E): Overlooking Market Square, this local staple is famous for its fair-trade organic brews, specialty matcha, and grab-and-go treats.
Coffee & Company (53 Princess St): A beloved Princess Street fixture offering a massive menu of hot and iced coffee drinks, teas, and fresh-baked goods.
Pan Chancho Bakery (44 Princess St): Kingston’s renowned artisanal bakery, perfect for picking up handcrafted European breads, scratch-made pastries, and gourmet takeaway snacks.
Musiikki Café (73 Brock St): A creative hub blending specialty coffee and relaxed bohemian vibes by day with an intimate, plant-filled courtyard.
Crave Coffee House (166 Princess St): A spacious, energetic hotspot known for freshly roasted house blends, artisanal pastries, and decadent cinnamon buns.
Northside espresso + kitchen (198 Princess St): Bringing Melbourne-style café culture to downtown, serving specialty flat whites, cold brews, and modern brunch fare.
SENS Cafe (136 Ontario St): A chic boutique café crafting pour-overs, delicate lattes, and European-inspired sweets steps from the harbour.
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters (251 Princess St): A stylish stop set inside a beautifully restored heritage space, pouring sustainably sourced coffees, iced refreshers, and flaky croissants.
Columbus Café & Co (297 Princess St): Famous for gourmet flavoured lattes, signature giant muffins, and refreshing iced coffees made to fuel a long afternoon of walking.
Lay Low Cafe (241 Princess St): A relaxed, neighbourhood specialty café delivering crafted espresso drinks, vibrant iced teas, and a peaceful atmosphere to recharge.
Happy Goat Coffee Co. (33 Brock St): Known for ethically sourced beans, micro-roasted perfection, and an inventive menu of iced and seasonal signature drinks.
Lay Low Cafe
Chit Chat Cafe
Family Sit-Downs: Relaxed Meals & Great Flavours
Looking to take a break from the crowds, rest your feet, and enjoy a sit-down lunch or dinner. These beloved spots offer welcoming dining rooms, vibrant patios, and diverse menus for all ages:
The Grizzly Grill (395 Princess St.): A spacious, lively downtown staple featuring wood-fired grill favourites, stone-hearth pizzas, burgers, and an extensive family-friendly menu in a warm, rustic setting.
Copper Penny (240 Princess St.): A Kingston tradition famous for generous portions of comforting classics—from gourmet sandwiches and famous chicken fingers to hearty pastas and fresh salads.
Le Jardin (345 King St.): Elegant yet approachable, offering beautifully crafted French-inspired bistro dishes, fresh seafood, and refined mains in an intimate atmosphere.
Mayla (343 King St.): A vibrant culinary journey specializing in modern Pan-Asian shared plates, bold aromatic flavours, and creative dishes crafted for passing around the table.
Tango Nuevo (331 King St.): Celebrated for its world-inspired tapas and sharing culture. Order a spread of locally sourced small plates and seasonal cocktails to enjoy together as a group.
The Keg (300 King St.): Classic, reliable dining housed within a historic downtown building, serving up top-tier steaks, prime rib, fresh salads, and seafood favourites.
Harper's (93 Princess St): Burgers and BBQ are road trip classics and this vibrant eaterie serves up bold flavours that will satisfy the hungriest traveler. Highly recommend the Ranch Premium platter if you're a group!
Harper's
Mayla
Prime Views: Sights, Sips & Stage Sounds
Want to enjoy the live music without being packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle of the crowd? These spots feature open-air patios and prime viewing spots positioned directly beside the festival stages,
The Main Stage (Springer Market Square) (Ticketed)
Jack Astor's Bar & Grill (330 King St. E): Home to Kingston’s most famous rooftop patio directly overlooking Springer Market Square. Grab an elevated table, order signature drinks and shareables, and take in the mainstage headliners and festival energy with a bird’s-eye view.
Olivea (39 Brock St): Boasts an Italian sidewalk patio looking directly into the square. Perfect for sipping an Aperol Spritz or savoring handcrafted pasta with zero walls between you and the mainstage performers.
Bobbi Pecorino's Italian Wine Bar (326 King St. E): Located right along the King Street corridor facing the square, this patio puts you right against the vibrant pulse of Market Square to grab a drink and catch the headline sets as they echo across the open air.
Casa Domenico: (35 Brock St.): Steps from Springer Market Square, this upscale dining room and charming sidewalk patio offer an elegant Italian culinary experience with direct earshot of the mainstage action. Pair fine wines, signature risottos, and fresh seafood plates with the live evening festival soundscape.
King St. Stage
Baja Craft Kitchen (253 Ontario St): Situated right at the foot of the festival footprint, their lively patio setup serves up coastal-inspired craft dishes and refreshing cocktails with direct sound drifting in from Tiny Horse & Absolute Treat.
The Merchant Tap House (6 Princess St): Featuring a historic limestone patio located just steps from the stage, pull up a chair for a pint of craft beer, pub fare, and an unobstructed listening spot for the afternoon acts.
Montreal St. Stage
The Caesar Company (177 Princess St): Located directly by the Montreal St. Stage action, their street-facing patio lets you customize your ultimate Caesar while listening to afternoon sets from O Green & Mariel Buckley.
Union Kitchen & Cocktails (184 Princess St): Offering sleek sidewalk patio seating right by the festival corridor, this is the premier spot for craft cocktails, elevated share plates, and an unobstructed view of the street activations and live sets.
The Hub Stage
Tommy’s (377 Princess St): Anchoring "The Hub" at the top of the festival strip, Tommy's spacious sidewalk patio provides front-row access to the energetic crowds and live rock/acoustic sets from Last Call and Piner.
Baja Craft Kitchen
Bobbi Pecorino's Italian Wine Bar
Treats: Cool Down & Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Looking for something refreshing, healthy, or sweet as you stroll the promenade?
Heal Wellness (324 Princess St.): Fuel up with vibrant, antioxidant-packed smoothie bowls, fresh smoothies, and açaí creations loaded with fruit and natural toppings.
23 & Co (60 Brock St.): Known for decadent gourmet cookies, artisanal baked treats, and sweet indulgences to grab while exploring near the square.
Mio Gelato (178 Ontario St.): An essential stop by the waterfront, serving authentic, handcrafted Italian gelato and dairy-free sorbettos made fresh in-house daily with dozens of rotating flavours.
White Mountain (176 Ontario St): With 40 years of scooping under their belts this all natural, all Canadian ice cream is a must when you want a sweet treat on a hot day.
HEAL Wellness
23 & Co.
Festival Pro-tips
- Park Once & Walk: Downtown Kingston offers nearly 1,300 spaces in public surface lots and garages (such as Chown and Hanson). Leave your car parked once and easily explore the entire walkable festival footprint on foot!
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Grab the 4-Pack & Save: Rolling into the festival with your crew? Snag the Group 4-Pack Pass for the Main Stage event at Springer Market Square and save $20 on your tickets!
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Stream the Official Playlist: Get into the festival groove early by streaming the official RoadTrip Spotify playlist, discover emerging Canadian artists and learn every word before catching them live on stage!
Get Ready for the RoadTrip Music Festival!
Whether you are joining us for the bustling energy of the free Scenic Route Street Festival along Princess Street or heading into the square for an unforgettable ticketed evening with Peach Pit and Kasador, Saturday, September 12th is set to be one of Kingston's biggest celebrations of live music and local flavour.
Space for the Main Stage concert is limited, so don't wait until the last minute!
Buy your Main Stage tickets now and head over to roadtripkingston.ca to view the full artist lineup, stage schedules, and event map. See you on the street.
