Sure, you can get your fish fix from a food truck by the lake or enjoy a quick shrimp cocktail at a marina counter. But when you want to truly savor the catch of the day—the delicate flake of whitefish, the briny sweetness of oysters—it demands a proper setting. Use this list to discover where Barrie’s freshest seafood meets the perfect waterfront view or cozy dining room.
Reel Em In Fish And Chips
$$ | (705) 321-1423 | WEBSITE
Reel Em In Fish And Chips serves up classic fish and chips built for hearty appetites, like their signature lightly fried halibut, or our favorite—their golden-crisp cod with poutine. The generous portion sizes make things effortlessly satisfying, and where this place might seem a bit pricey, it makes up for in necessary quality provided by fresh ingredients and gluten-free options throughout.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – Barrie
$$$ | (705) 720-7333 | WEBSITE
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar gives you steakhouse quality without the pretense. But before you settle for ordinary, make your way to their Barrie location. The Billy Miner Pie is the best move—a decadent, layered creation of coffee ice cream, Oreo cookie crust, and hot fudge that demands a spoon, a moment of silence, and possibly a second slice.
Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar
$$ | (705) 726-7171 | WEBSITE
Who needs to book a fancy downtown reservation when there’s a prime rib this good right in the middle of Barrie? Let the warm, nicely designed interior (and occasional live music from the corner stage) be your backdrop as you take down a perfectly grilled salmon. Or go for the equally excellent shrimp risotto: creamy arborio, plump shrimp, and just the right amount of Parmesan, all served in a generous portion that leaves you happily full.
Asia Wok
$ | (705) 734-1689 | WEBSITE
Asia Wok is a Chinese spot in Barrie, and they serve all kinds of excellent stir-fries and rice dishes. It might seem tempting to order the beef with mixed vegetables or the chicken balls (both solid picks), but the fried tofu with vegetables is best. It’s a hot, generous portion of crispy tofu tossed with fresh veggies in a savory sauce. Don’t forget a side of veggie fried rice or some veggie chow mein to round it out.
Bacio Trattoria
$$ | (249) 288-0161 | WEBSITE
It’s tucked away in Barrie’s bustling restaurant scene, but Bacio Trattoria is worth seeking out for a genuine taste of Italy. Family recipes perfected over generations make all the difference at this cozy trattoria with welcoming roots. And as a purveyor of creamy pistachio ice cream, you’ll find Bacio Trattoria’s homemade dessert melting over perfectly cooked pizza crust. Take your wine to a table by the window and reflect on the fact that this used to be a hidden gem.
Red Lobster
$$ | (705) 728-2401 | WEBSITE
Before you dismiss chain seafood as predictable, swing by Red Lobster for the lobster feast (only available on weekends). The feast comes with steamed lobster, garlic butter, and sides like mashed potatoes. But it’s the service from waiters like Thomas and Nick that’s the highlight, whether they’re cracking jokes with families or ensuring orders arrive hot and timely.
Fancy’s Fish and Chips Seafood Restaurant
$$ | (705) 728-9594 | WEBSITE
We’re big fans of the grab-and-go fish and chips at Fancy’s Fish and Chips, a classic seafood spot that’s been a Barrie staple for over 40 years. They’re all solid, but the standout is the battered halibut. It’s a deceptively simple dish, until the perfectly crispy batter and fresh, flaky fish kicks in. The whole thing is basically engineered for takeout consumption, with golden, fluffy chips that stay hot and delicious on the drive home.