St. Catharines has become home to a vibrant culinary scene, offering visitors and locals a wide range of options for any budget.
Paired with the city’s beautiful landscapes, hidden gems can be found in some of the most picturesque parts of Niagara. When thinking about a scenic location, incredible cuisine and a unique restaurant experience, one place that comes to mind in St. Catharines is KaiserHaus Wine Bar and Bistro.
KaiserHaus Wine Bar and Bistro on Lakeport Road in St. Catharines is a hidden gem with delicious fare in Port Dalhousie, writes Milan Curcic.
At 38 Lakeport Rd. in St. Catharines, KaiserHaus features European-inspired comfort food and has garnered attention within Niagara’s culinary scene for several reasons.
First, its location: Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines’ charming waterfront community, offers a laid-back beach atmosphere. With several restaurants, cafés and shops, this small part of the city has everything you need to enjoy a beautiful sunrise with the perfect cup of coffee or a peaceful waterfront sunset after dinner.
Nestled on Lakeport, with a view of the sailboats, KaiserHaus boasts an eye-catching blue and white exterior with a small, intimate patio. Inside, you’ll find a unique interior with meticulous attention to detail, showcased through their interior design. It’s truly one of the most beautiful restaurants in St. Catharines and Niagara as a whole.
I often find myself staring at the walls, paintings and fixtures, always discovering something new and interesting that I hadn’t noticed before.
Now, the most important part — the menu.
KaiserHaus offers European-inspired cuisine that captures authentic flavours. You can’t go wrong with any selection, but I find myself returning to a few dishes that I just can’t say no to.
For appetizers, the latkes and gravlax are a must-try. This dish features Haus-cured Atlantic salmon, crispy potato latkes, pickled onion and flavours of mustard and dill. It’s the perfect combination of rich and buttery, contrasted beautifully with the sharp mustard and dill. The textures are equally impressive, with a balance of silky and crispy elements that elevate the dish in every way.
Similar to a pizza, flammkuchen is made of dough rolled out very thinly in the shape of a rectangle or oval and is covered with fromage blanc or crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions and lardons.
When it comes to the main dish, I always have a hard time passing on the schnitzel plate or schnitzel sandwich. Available in chicken, pork and eggplant, this dish is the perfect comfort meal for any occasion.
The plate features a massive schnitzel, perfectly fried and seasoned, paired with spaetzle noodles. This dish truly captures the essence of German cuisine and is a must-try on your first visit.
The strudel is dusted with powdered sugar and features a perfectly crisp pastry with a filling of layers of flavourful and crisp apples.
And now for dessert — one of my favourite desserts on any menu in Niagara: KaiserHaus’ apple strudel. With a generous serving, it’s best shared with company, but if you’re up for the challenge of a solo attempt, I won’t blame you.
The strudel is dusted with powdered sugar and features a perfectly crisp pastry. The apple filling contains several layers of flavourful, yet crisp apples, with a delicately balanced sweetness that enhances the dish without overwhelming the palate. All of this is accompanied by a healthy serving of whipped cream.
I could go on and on about every dish KaiserHaus has to offer, but some things are best left to be discovered on your own. If you’re eager for European comfort food and one of the best sunsets St. Catharines has to offer, you know where to go for your next date night.
Milan Curcic is a food lover who explores the best of Niagara, sharing his journey through local flavours, hidden gems, events and amazing eats. To watch more of his video reviews, visit his TikTok or Instagram Tastes of Niagara pages.
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