Down Home Farmhouse Restaurant

Hospitality was without a doubt the highlight as I reflect on my dining experience at Down Home. From the moment we stepped out of our vehicle, we were warmly greeted by a young lady and Joel. Joel introduced himself with a polite handshake and gave us a brief tour of the property, including the outdoor fire pit where several of the evening’s dishes were prepared.

Upon entering the restaurant, we walked through a spotless kitchen before being seated in a cozy room featuring a bar and fireplace. The atmosphere felt genuinely inviting—almost like being welcomed into a friend’s home for dinner. The menu was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing fresh, locally inspired ingredients, with each dish designed to be fully edible and layered with flavors that continually intrigued the palate.

Much of the tableware was handcrafted, each piece unique, sparking conversation and admiration once the food was enjoyed. The wine pairings were expertly curated, complementing each course seamlessly and maintaining harmony throughout the evening.

It was a truly fascinating and memorable experience—one I’ll never forget. Thank you to the entire team at Down Home for creating such a remarkable evening.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A spectacular dining experience from start to finish. The evening begins with a warm welcome and a transparent garden tour from Hannah and Joel, setting the stage with a true sense of place and context for the meal ahead.

Stepping into their dining room feels like entering the home of old friends you haven’t seen in a while—genuine, inviting, and full of warmth.

The meal unfolds at a thoughtful pace, allowing time to connect with Hannah and Joel while discovering the stories behind the ingredients and their relationships with local producers. Each dish reflects Chef Joel’s technical skill and a deep care for showcasing Ontario’s potential, with flavors progressing seamlessly from fresh and delicate to rich and complex.

Hannah’s wine pairings, sourced with intention from Ontario producers, elevate the menu beautifully—always balanced, always complementary. Together, they create an experience that feels both deeply personal and exceptionally refined.

What makes Downhome truly special is not just what they’ve already created, but the potential still ahead of them. Hannah and Joel are building something remarkable—an experience rooted in authenticity, hospitality, and Ontario’s bounty—that feels destined to gain wider recognition. For anyone seeking one of the most genuine and inspiring dining journeys in the province, a visit here is an absolute must.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best time ever

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Down Home Farmhouse is pure magic from the moment you pull up. We started with a wander through the garden, past happy clucking chickens, cocktail in hand – a crisp gin and cucumber that set the tone perfectly. Our first two courses were served outside among the flowers, next to the wood-burning stove, starting with grilled beans and veggies wrapped in a hand-picked nasturtium leaf, topped with a cilantro flower – fresh, delicate, and straight from the garden.

Then it was into the cool, airy farmhouse for the rest of the 10-course feast. Our table for four was set in its own open room – the perfect stage for what came next. Standouts? Crunchy, gooey lamb croquettes, the silkiest steak tartare I’ve ever had, corn and chanterelle pasta that deserves its own fan club, and grilled tomatoes in a vinaigrette and carrot-top dressing so good I nearly licked the plate. Wines were perfectly paired, the service was spot-on, and everything was proudly local.

Joel, Hannah, and the rest of the team were welcoming, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home. Worth. Every. Penny. Just one tip: don’t count on taxis or Ubers – they don’t exist in Markdale. The nearest will charge you $250 for an 8km ride (because they are coming from 55km away) Bring a designated driver and thank me later.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

An epic epicurean adventure worthy of Michelin stars.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Down Home is truly a hidden gem in the heart of Grey County. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a warm and inviting farmhouse setting that feels both elevated and comforting. The attention to detail is incredible, from the beautifully styled table settings to the thoughtfully prepared, seasonal dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Every course is packed with flavour and creativity. You can tell the chef Joel puts his heart into every plate. The outdoor kitchen and gardens add such a magical touch to the experience, it’s like dining in a dream. If you’re looking for a unique culinary experience that celebrates farm-to-table dining, this is the place. Can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything about this place is perfect.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband surprised me with reservations for my birthday and it was such a lovely experience from start to finish. First of all the setting is beautiful and tranquil. The entire staff are so welcoming and friendly. The outside dining setup with the twinkle lights and the fire burning in the middle of the farm really sets a lovely tone. Then the food! The presentation was so elevated, so many flavours busting through with every bite. I loved that they described each dish before we dug in. We loved every course - delicious is an understatement. I definitely want to enjoy an evening here again. I also recommend the wine pairing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Marvellous, exquisite, metamorphic. These would be the words I would use to describe my night at Down Home if it were even possible to deduce such a life-altering 5 hours into linguistic form. I fear that is not possible. A dinner at Down Home can be compared to the exact moment you met your soulmate or witnessing your child’s first steps. It’s that beautiful.

This is passion on a plate.. or many plates. The team - Hannah, Joel, Eli, Danielle, Myelle - are bursting with ebullience and oozing with knowledge. Not only are they incredibly warm and hospitable, they know their food and they know it well, and without hesitation will answer any query you have. Each dish was introduced with a background of the ingredients’ origins, including the exact local farm or fishery they sourced it from, and how they were subsequently prepared.

The actual Home where dinner took place is cozy and intimate. I sat inside at the chef’s counter where I could take in all the action after being greeted with the first bite outside, strolling through the herb gardens and watching their little chickens run around their coup. Their property is certainly heavenly, also including an outdoor kitchen and soon-to-be farm market.

Let’s talk food. If this 10 course meal was a Drake song, it would be “Best I Ever Had”. Despite not eating meat, Joel went above and beyond to provide substitutions that were equally as delicious and substantial as its meat-based counterpart to ensure every diner was offered the same experience. This effort was noticed and appreciated greatly. If i could take one course, put it in my pocket, and snack on it for the next few weeks, it would be the arctic char with a beurre blanc sauce. Now I’m no fish expert, but that was damn good. Straight up. Beyond that, every dish was punchy, well-seasoned, and provided a great balance of textures. The wild leek buns with smoked maple butter were also absolutely insane. Doughy and savoury, warm and sweet.. Insane.

Anyway, I could go on and on and on about how wonderful this place is. It is truly THE dining experience. This is it. The final boss. I cannot recommend Down Home enough. If there is someone out there that has anything other than praise for this spot, they are a paid spy, cognitively dissonant, or they went to the wrong address. Cheers, Hannah and Joel!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Just a magical hospitality experience all around, the perfect getaway and worth the trip wherever you’re coming from. What Joel and Hannah have created is stunning and so memorable. I loved watching them work on the menu and especially loved walking around the property, taking it all in. GO HERE.

Ps. If you’re lucky, you might meet Pearl. 🐈

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Him: Blown away… it was like eating art, filled with beautiful flavour.

Her: Every dish was a masterpiece. A beautiful intimate setting. It was evident that thought was put into each and every element. From the environment to the food to the attentive and warm staff. Highly recommend the opportunity to sit at the chefs table. Thank you Hannah and Joel for welcome us into your home for an unforgettable evening of culinary creativity!! We will be back!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We dined here in early June and we were beyond impressed by the food. The restaurant is very inviting right from the start, it’s an intimate setting but still casual / comfortable. The staff, Joel and Hannah are amazing. Very knowledge on their craft and created dishes that were unique to the seasons. We will absolutely be back! Don’t miss out on this reservation!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had an amazing evening! The hospitality of Joel, Hannah and their team made us feel like we were Home! The details of every dish and the passion that they served up made our night special!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place was downright amazing. The best food I have ever tasted in my life. The warming & rustic atmosphere, the bold & intriguing flavours were all well thought and executed. This place is a true culinary experience like no other. I was genuinely sad after each course that it was over. Kudos to the creators of this restaurant for offering this gem in our community.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely loved our time at Down Home, what a wonderful experience all around! The property is gorgeous and has so much to see, it feels rustic and down to earth. Inside is a delightful, moody farmhouse with artwork and, if you are lucky, a view of the chefs creating your meal. The food was elegant, and delicious. The service staff were so friendly and knowledgeable, and I really enjoyed the wine pairings with dinner. You can feel the heart and soul in every part of the meal, and it felt truly special.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5