-
- English
- Français
- Log In
- Sign Up for Yelp
MacRae O.'s Profile
My Muskoka
See All Lists
1. Annie's Cafe
Annie's opened in Bala two years ago, and we were excited because there's definitely a lack of restaurants in town. We had hoped we'd hit upon a good restaurant for breakfast, especially. But we were pretty disappointed in Annie's the two times we…More »
2. Bala Bay Inn
Yay! A bump-up review! Bala Bay Inn's Grill/Ghosts restaurant continues to impress each summer.
This year we were really, really pleased by the great service. We arrived for our dinner after a rainstorm, and the outdoor patio where we like to…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/25/2009 First to Review
When we visit Bala each summer, we always make a stop at the Bala Bay Inn for lunch or dinner. It's… Read more »
3. Bala Cove Marina
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0C 1A0
Canada
(877) 440-2252
Categories:
Appliances & Repair,
Boating
Bala's not like big cities (blessedly) for many, many reasons, not the least of which is everyone travels everywhere by boat. Grocery store, liquor store, grabbing some lunch, shopping for Muskoka sweats, you name it -- all the stores have public…More »
4. Bala Falls Pub
Bala Falls Pub just goes to show a dive bar is always in style. Even the sleepy little hamlet of Bala, Ontario, supports one, and Bala Falls Pub satisfies on most dive bar counts. It's dingy, populated by locals, hosts some beat-up pool tables, and…More »
5. Bala Freshmart
Bala Freshmart has the look and feel of a big chain grocery store, but has the distinction of actually being one-of-a-kind. It's an independent supermarket, the only one of its kind in Bala. When you need ketchup, Clamato, or paper towels, BF is…More »
6. Bala General Store & Gas Bar
Bala, ON P0C 1A0
Canada
(705) 762-3761
Categories:
Gas & Service Stations,
Convenience Stores
Bala General Store is like 7-11 (y'know, with gas and junk food and stuff), only Canadian. Sooooo....Ketchup Lay's on the shelves, and a farm stand selling gorgeous local produce in the parking lot.
7. Bala Ski Show
Every Tuesday night at 7:30 during the months of July and August, fresh-faced Muskoka teens from Summer Water Sports Muskoka, well-versed in the ways of the Lakes, put on a water ski show on the lakefront of Windsor Park. Shows are free of charge,…More »
8. Bala Summer Market
Augh, I hate to knock a farm market down so low, but Bala Summer Market has moved -- its death blow. It used to be located in the Precambrian Shield parking lot right at Muskoka Road 169 as you enter town. It used to be easily accessible by boat…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/25/2009 First to Review
The Bala Summer Market takes place on Monday mornings and afternoons amidst the rocks of the… Read more »
9. Bee Jay's Grill Restaurant
Husband's family has a cottage on Bala Bay in Muskoka, so we head north every summer to recharge our batteries. Bee Jay's is a greasy-spoon we look forward to hitting up, especially for breakfast.
First let me say there's a dearth of eateries in Bala…More »
10. The Blue Willow Tea Shop
4.5 stars, eh?
A couple summers ago, stumbling back down to the docks after a long day of shopping and strolling "downtown" Gravenhurst, husband and I spied a new restaurant on the wharf. Curious -- and hungry -- we investigated. It turned out the…More »
11. Boston Pizza
Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1G7
Canada
(705) 684-8024
Categories:
Pizza,
Canadian (Traditional),
Sandwiches
Gravenhurst is like the renovated, flashy big brother of the Muskoka Lakes region -- corporate hotels and condos, a fancy newly redone town dock, and the Segwun steamship fleet is based here. So it's no real surprise that one of very few chains in…More »
12. Brown's Appliances
After 30-some-odd years the mustard-yellow, wire-shelved fridge in the family cottage was ready to retire. But the Lakes region isn't the kind of place where you can run over to Sears or Home Depot, pick out an appliance for delivery, and be done…More »
13. Cabin Crafts & Such
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0C 1A0
Canada
(705) 762-0980
Categories:
Home & Garden,
Flowers & Gifts,
Fashion
3.5 stars.
I've been walking past Cabin Crafts & Such for six summers now and never wanted to go in. From the outside, it looks junky and cheesy. There are ugly bathing suits on display, and tacky lawn ornaments visible through the windows. This…More »
14. Campus Crew
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0B
Canada
(705) 765-1576
Categories:
Women's Clothing,
Men's Clothing,
Accessories
Do you miss Bluenotes? Yeah, me too. But have no fear: Campus Crew bought up all Bluenotes' inventory when they closed, and now you can shop your fill on cropped sweat pants, maritime-themed flip-flops, flimsy baby doll tees, and Muskoka hoodies…More »
15. The Cottage Butcher
Still a five-star joint and just getting better. This year the butcher's stock was even more amazing, and not just the meats. Don't tell anyone, but I fell off the veg wagon *hard core* during our stay in Bala this year. I couldn't resist, and I…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/27/2010 First to Review
The Cottage Butcher just opened last summer and we are already in love. Before it showed up, the… Read more »
16. Cottage Friends
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0C 1A0
Canada
(705) 762-4146
Categories:
Accessories,
Home Decor
For some reason, Muskoka is awash with stores selling the exact same stuff: typically sweats in all their many incarnations emblazoned with some kind of Muskoka logo. Sweats are great, but sometimes a girl wants a *bit* more sophisticated Muskoka…More »
17. David Dawson Studio & Gallery
Husband and I discovered David Dawson at the Gravenhurst Farmers Market (one of the best open-air markets in the entire world, but that's a different review) where we were instantly attracted by the paintings and giclées hanging in his tent.
…More »
18. Ditto
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0C 1A0
Canada
(705) 762-2797
Categories:
Women's Clothing,
Men's Clothing,
Jewellery
If you know anything about the Muskoka Lakes region of Canada, you know it ain't a big shopping or dining mecca. What little shopping there is is usually dominated by Riot, Skirt, and Willy's -- cheesy hoodie-and-ironic-tee-type places that cater to…More »
19. Don's Bakery of Bala
Last summer, new owners took over Don's when the original owners retired. They kept everything the same last summer, much to everyone's relief. Don's has been serving up their phenomenal baked goods in Bala for over 60 years, and no one wanted new…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/25/2009 First to Review
Oh, Don's. How I love thee. How I look forward to your brie wheel, your scones, and especially… Read more »
20. Gravenhurst Farmers' Market
We visit the Muskoka Lakes every summer, and every summer we make a special point of rising early and making the 45 minute boat ride to Gravenhurst so we can be at the Farmers' Market at 9 am sharp. We LOVE this market, it's one of the best farm…More »
21. Ice Dreams Soda Shop
3.5 stars. And if you don't read on, then I only have these three sweet, sweet words for you: crème brûlée milkshake.
If you're still here, then Ice Dreams is adorably appealing with its classic Coke decor and rosy-cheeked kids working the counter.…More »
22. Indian River Trading Co.
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0B 1J0
Canada
(705) 765-0011
Categories:
Sports Wear,
Swimwear,
Outdoor Gear
This place is like the Wal-Mart of Muskoka, without being creepily corporate or offering shoddy merchandise. But whatever you need on the lakes -- well, cottage-related really, but what isn't cottage-related on the lakes? -- you can find here.
…More »
23. Indy Gallery
I love everything about Indy Gallery.
I love that artist Chad Arney turns "garbage" into art, recycling junked found-objects into fanciful, unique art pieces.
I love that the "gallery" is located in the otherwise unused alleyway between the Balacade…More »
24. Iroquois Artisans
3.5 stars.
Iroquois Artisans has been in Bala for 20 years this year. But in the six summers I've had the privilege of accompanying husband to the family place in Muskoka, we've never gone in or even thought to. Despite the fact that it's located…More »
25. Joy of Harvest
Toronto, ON M1C 4J4
Canada
(416) 281-0037
Category:
Farmers Market
Neighbourhood: Scarborough
Joy in the Harvest is one of those Gravenhurst Farmers Market vendors for whom we rise early and make the 45-minute boat ride across the lakes every Wednesday we're in Muskoka. The Slyfield family, who runs the business, makes some mean chutneys,…More »
26. The Juicery
Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
Canada
(705) 765-0004
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Juice Bars & Smoothies
There's something eminently appealing about this modest little shop serving all-natural and organic juices, smoothies, coffee, and tea.
It's bright and airy, with the door always open in summer to allow the buttery Muskoka sun and fresh Muskoka air…More »
27. Just Crepes
Oh, boo. I gotta knock Just Crêpes down a peg after our last visit. They'd been consistently great on food, ambiance, and service the last three years, but this year was a slightly different story.
Food? Still great. Crêpes still have a lovely,…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/26/2009 First to Review
We make a point of lunching at Just Crêpes each summer when we are visiting Lake Muskoka. We… Read more »
28. The Lemon Tree Bakery
The Lemon Tree Bakery just opened in early July, the second outpost of this Barrie-based bakery. We popped in this summer looking for a quick lunch as well as some sweets to serve dinner guests. LTB satisfied on both counts.
The prepared food menu…More »
29. Milford Bay Trout Farm
Ever tried smoked trout? Well, it sucked compared to Milford Bay Trout Farm's smoked trout. Trust. I've tried many a smoked trout, and they were all anemic, bland, and paled in comparison. Milford Bay trout is pure gold, baby.
Natural hardwood dry…More »
30. Moon River Lookout
I hate one-star reviews. Panning a place makes me sad. This joint, however, deserves it.
Husband's family has owned a cottage in Muskoka for darn near 100 years. Everyone has their favorite place to eat on the lakes. Moon River Lookout doesn't…More »
31. Mortimer's Marine Ltd.
Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
Canada
(705) 765-3511
Categories:
Boating,
Gas & Service Stations
Mortimer's Marine Ltd. -- known more affectionately as Mortimer's Point -- is one of my favorite marinas on the Lakes because of the following:
1) They sell bulk candy, all of it gummy. I absolutely cannot resist gummy candy, especially if you make…More »
32. Muskoka Bear Wear
Bala, ON P0C 1A0
Canada
Categories:
Men's Clothing,
Women's Clothing,
Children's Clothing
There are two schools of shopping in Muskoka: sophisticated home décor and local art, and sweats. Seriously, sweat shops (the aboveboard, legal kind) are *everywhere* in the Lakes Region, all selling hoodies, pants, hats, and tees emblazoned with…More »
33. Muskoka Classics Cottage Emporium
Boasting everything from Fauvist-esque oil landscapes, to candelabras fashioned from repurposed Canadian wine barrels, to classic cozy point blankets, to technicolor collapsible colanders, Muskoka Classics Cottage Emporium has all your cottage needs…More »
34. Oliver's Coffee
Where the rest of the world has Starbucks, Muskoka Lakes has Oliver's. The lakes region is wonderfully devoid of the mega-corporation that is the 'Bucks, tho one has to wonder how long that will hold...in the meantime there's Oliver's: a locally…More »
35. Port Carling Locks
The locks at Port Carling connect Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau. Locking through in a small boat will run you C$6 one-way, C$10 round-trip. When you're ready to lock through, you pull your boat near the gates and idle until they open, then enter and…More »
36. Purks Place
If I could give negative stars, I would award them to Purks. Purks Place has been in Bala for eons, but surprisingly, they don't seem to care about their reputation. Dishonest customer service.
We visit Bala every summer and used to go to Purks on…More »
37. Red Canoe Gallery
Looking back over my Lakes Region reviews, I realize most of them are really positive. It's hard not to love everything about Muskoka, whether you're swimming in one of the bays or browsing a farmers market. Even shopping is supremely pleasant…More »
38. Rosseau Grill Oliver and Bonacini
Windermere, ON P0B 1P0
Canada
(705) 769-3611
Categories:
Hotels,
Canadian (Traditional)
Despite my massive confusion over just exactly *what* the dining room name is (is it Wasabi? Is it PJ's?? Is it Rosseau Grill???), eating at the Windermere is one of my absolute favorite things to do in Muskoka. Every summer we set aside an…More »
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
8/18/2010
I eat my words. This summer we ventured to sample Wasabi, the sushi bar at Windermere, and it is… Read more »
39. Saigon Soul Food
Husband and I spend time in the Muskoka Lakes region of northern Ontario every summer. One of our favorite, most-anticipated things to do in Muskoka (something that I look forward to with baited breath ALL YEAR, honestly) is going to the Gravenhurst…More »
40. Scotty's Summer Shop - CLOSED
Muskoka Lakes, ON P0E 1G0
Canada
(705) 762-4166
Categories:
Boating,
Fishing,
Sporting Goods
3 stars for the store, +1 star for Scottish Scotty MacDonald who happily runs the joint and whose brogue delights.
Scotty's is a hole-in-the-wall selling everything you need to make your lake vacation a pleasure to be sure. Rafts for floating in the…More »
| 1 to 40 of 47 | Go to Page 1 2 | Previous | Next |
Recently updated lists from MacRae O.
I Think I'm Alone Now... (41)Despite their popularity, I find these places somewhat (if not totally) overrated. |
Think Globally, Buy Locally (71)The best places to pick up farm-fresh, local, homemade, organic, and/or good-for-you goods! |
Bubbles in My Beer (66)Here's where I been watchin' 'em. |
Westsiiiide! (65)Alexandria's West End is wonderfully diverse, ethnically varied, and abuzz with activity -- why I love to call it home. |
Your Body Is a Wonderland (13)Here's where to treat it like one. |
I'm Flexible (19)After nearly two decades as a strict vegetarian, I decided to adopt a "flexitarian" lifestyle and reincorporate farm-raised, grass-fed, organic, and humane meats back into my diet. Here's where I find that ethical food. |
Carbo Loading (76)Wraps, enchiladas, pitas, spring rolls, quesadillas, crepes, turnovers, pupusas, samosas, tacos, calzones, empanadas, pierogies, dosa, pot stickers, burritos...I'll eat anything in a carbohydrate shell. Except pot pie. Not pot pie. |
Two Tickets to Paradise (46)Hawai'i's Garden Isle of Kaua'i is as close to heaven on earth as it gets. Here's just a few of its amazing offerings. |
The Rainbow Connection (34)Someday we'll find it. |
So Why Don't You Run across the Border, Mama? (37)I won't forget/ to bring you back/ what you need: cheesy, spicy, delicious Latin food. And yes, I counted Tex-Mex and Latin fusion. |
See all 81 lists »
"These pretzels are making me thirsty."
- 567 Friends
- 921 Reviews
- 58 Review Updates
- 199 Firsts
- 109 Fans
- 1981 Local Photos
- 2 Events Submitted
- 81 Lists
-
Rating Distribution
Loading...
- View more graphs »
Review votes:
9706 Useful, 6462 Funny, and 8166 Cool
Alexandria, VA
Yelping SinceJanuary 2009
Things I Lovestinky cheese, Belgian beer, boutique hotels, lurid gossip, ahi poke, dry humor, scotch, surprises, everything bagels, snow globes, Virginia wine, tuna salad, the ocean, Pickapeppa, Jelly Bellies, Texas, crushed ice, cold pizza
Find Me InMonk's Café
My HometownDallas, TX
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm people watching.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsThey've won Pulitzers.
My Second Favourite Website The Last Great Book I Read"At Home" by Bill Bryson
My First ConcertU2 Zoo TV
My Favourite MovieEmpire Records, Glory, The Sound of Music
My Last Meal On EarthStone crab, cole slaw, hush puppies, and ice cold beer beachside.
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I can't remember the last time I bought new socks.
Most Recent DiscoveryBacalao
Current CrushIceland