Side Door Cafe

Nice bar and pleasant staff. Very good martinis with large olives. Try the calamari!

Excellent food and friendly staff. One of the go-to restaurants in Barrie.

One of the best restaurants in Barrie. Period. Best ingredients, attention to detail. If you like good food. Go here.

It was late afternoon when we checked into our Barrie hotel after a long drive from eastern Ontario. We wanted a snack or a meal and after reviewing cafes and restaurants in the downtown area, settled on the Side Door Cafe. It was right next door to Michael & Marion's restaurant which would provide a nearby alternative. As it turned out, the Side Door Cafe is the Side Door Bar and Michael & Marion's is the dining room. Head Chef Chris Pyne serves food not only in the Michael & Marions' but Side Door Bar as well.

We decided to sit in the Side Door Bar and at a table at the end of the bar and across from a window. Sarah was our charming host and we were soon relaxing with Beau's Dunkel and an Australian chardonnay. The bar menu was very interesting and we ordered calimari tapas and tuna sliders. Them came as a large plate of lightly fried , delicious calimaris and another plate with three pieces of properly cooked tuna in a small bun with accompanying veggies. After the wonderful starters, we ordered and enjoyed a seasonal salad accompanied by a large bottle of sparkling Italian water. Finally, we shared a melt-in-the-mouth creme brulee.

Other guests came and went as the afternoon evolved into early evening. Sarah was always coming by to bring something new as well as clear away the empty dishes from previous courses. She was very gracious and helpful on every visit. We look forward on a future Barrie visit to again have a drink in the Side Door Bar but then sit down in Michael & Marion's dining room.

Food was amazing great flavours. Will be back. Server was very pleasant, always smiling, a true professional.