St. Jacobs
Canada's largest year-round farmers' market — hundreds of vendors, Mennonite country roots and the region's signature outing.
KidsGroupsOutdoorFree-ish
Things to Do in Waterloo — Ranked by Locals
Waterloo splits into two scenes: Uptown, where the cocktail bars, bakeries and restaurants sit on the ION line a short walk from the universities, and the north end along Weber Street and Lodge Street, where the region's biggest bowling centre, its slickest escape rooms, a board game café, axe throwing and twenty golf simulators cluster within minutes of each other — with St. Jacobs' market and railway just up the road. Everything below is scored and ranked using our KWC Score and kept current as listings change.
All ranked restaurants All ranked experiences All ranked cafes
Top Experiences
Golfplay
8.7
Waterloo
Premium indoor golf on GOLFZON simulators — 300+ courses, food and drinks, and a clubhouse buzz that welcomes non-golfers.
GroupsRainy DayDate NightTeam Building
Waterloo
Waterloo's slickest escape rooms — fully digitized puzzles, no padlocks, and a party room that turns a game into an event.
GroupsRainy DayBirthdayTeam Building
Waterloo
The region's biggest entertainment centre — 24 lanes, a serious arcade and a kitchen, built for groups from six to two hundred.
KidsGroupsBirthdayTeam Building
Bad Axe Throwing
8.5
Waterloo
Urban axe throwing with real coaches, private lanes and BYO food — the icebreaker activity that never misses.
GroupsBirthdayTeam BuildingRainy Day
Planning a party or event in Waterloo?
Waterloo's north end is built for groups — Splitsville's lane buyouts, Trapped's escape rooms and party room, Golfplay's bays and Bad Axe's lanes are all a few minutes apart — and Uptown handles the dinner. Start with the guide that matches the occasion.
Top Restaurants
TRIO Restaurant
9.2
Waterloo
Uptown Waterloo's quiet high-water mark — tasting menus, a sommelier-built wine list and freestyle comfort cooking.
Date NightWalkable Downtown
Waterloo
The Barrel Yards all-rounder — chef-driven Canadian menu, Ocean Wise seafood and the region's best-known bottomless brunch.
Date NightGroups
Waterloo
An energetic up-market bistro in a restored felt factory — upscale comfort food, brown booze and the room uptown meets in.
Date NightGroupsWalkable Downtown
Waterloo
Thirty taps, the Paddletron sampler and an all-season beer garden on Waterloo Public Square — the region's beer HQ.
GroupsWalkable DowntownLate Night
Top Cafes
Waterloo
The Bauer Kitchen's grab-and-go sibling — boutique pastries, crafted coffee and cocktails to go in the felt-factory building.
Solo FriendlyWalkable Downtown