A Local Favourite We Love Recommending: Brasserie Lovebird in Meaford
One of the best parts of staying at Skipping Rock Cottage is discovering the places locals genuinely love. While Meaford and the surrounding area are home to plenty of incredible restaurants, there's one spot we find ourselves recommending again and again: Brasserie Lovebird.
Located just steps from Meaford Hall in the heart of downtown, Lovebird isn't just another restaurant… it's an experience. From the moment you walk through the door, you're greeted by vibrant colours, exceptional hospitality, and the unmistakable feeling that you've stumbled upon one of Meaford's hidden gems.
It All Started with Great Beer
Interestingly, Lovebird wasn't originally envisioned as a restaurant.
The business began as a craft beer company, with founders Alex and Emily creating recipes and contracting their beers through another brewery while building the Lovebird brand. As their following grew, they dreamed of opening a space where they could finally serve their beer directly to guests.
When the Municipality of Meaford approached them about opening a brewery downtown, they saw something even bigger. Rather than removing the building's existing kitchen, they transformed the space into a brewery and restaurant, believing that exceptional beer deserves equally exceptional food.
That decision has become one of the things that makes Lovebird so special today.
A Dining Room Designed to Make You Smile
One of the first things you'll notice when you step inside is the atmosphere.
Warm citrus tones, playful pops of cobalt blue, colourful décor, and an inviting energy create a space that's impossible not to love. Rather than following the trend of muted neutrals, the team intentionally designed Lovebird to feel like a little escape.
As they describe it, restaurants should transport people somewhere different for a few hours—a place where they can relax, connect, and enjoy themselves. Every colour, every detail, and every design choice was made with that idea in mind.
What Makes Lovebird So Special?
Ask anyone who's visited and they'll probably mention three things:
The incredibly welcoming staff
The outstanding food
The beer brewed just steps away from your table
Lovebird has become a true neighbourhood gathering place where locals reconnect, visitors instantly feel at home, and the menu is always evolving.
Executive Chef Ross Goodall, formerly Executive Chef at Hearts Tavern, leads a kitchen focused on seasonal ingredients and creative dishes. Rather than sticking to a static menu, the offerings change frequently, sometimes every week, meaning every visit brings something new to discover.
What Should You Order?
If it's your first visit, the Lovebird team has a few recommendations.
Good Things
Their most popular beer is Good Things, a dry-hopped rice lager brewed on-site using jasmine rice instead of traditional rice. The result is an incredibly fresh, crisp beer with subtle floral notes that make it perfect for warm summer afternoons.
The Flat Iron Steak
The steak has become one of Lovebird's signature dishes. While the seasonal accompaniments change throughout the year, guests consistently rave about its flavour and preparation.
The Burger
Yes, it's "just" a burger, but locals know it's anything but ordinary.
House-ground chuck, perfectly cooked, topped with crispy cheese and packed with flavour, it's quickly become one of the restaurant's most talked-about menu items.
There's Always Something New
One of our favourite things about recommending Lovebird is that no two visits are exactly alike.
New seasonal beers are constantly being brewed, fresh ingredients inspire weekly menu changes, and the team is always experimenting with new ideas. Every visit offers something a little different, making it the kind of place you'll want to return to throughout your stay.
If you're visiting on a Sunday, you're in luck. Local favourite Jason McFarland DJs every Sunday during dinner service, creating a lively atmosphere that's become a weekly tradition for many locals.
A Restaurant That Truly Belongs to Meaford
When asked what they love most about Meaford, the answer came without hesitation.
"The people."
The Lovebird team describes the community as welcoming, supportive, close-knit, and genuinely caring. Combined with Meaford's beautiful waterfront and slower pace of life, it's easy to see why they chose to build their business here… and why so many visitors fall in love with the town after just one weekend.
Our Recommendation
Whether you're spending the day exploring Meaford Harbour, shopping downtown, or returning from a hike along the Niagara Escarpment, Brasserie Lovebird is one stop we think every Skipping Rock guest should experience.
Order a pint of Good Things, try the burger (trust us), or settle in for a seasonal dinner paired with one of their small-batch brews brewed just a few steps away.
It's exactly the kind of local spot that turns a great cottage getaway into an unforgettable one.
Staying at Skipping Rock Cottage?
We love sharing our favourite local businesses because they're what make Meaford so special. If you discover a new favourite during your stay, let us know! We're always looking for more hidden gems to recommend to future guests.