A pair of restaurants in Waterloo Region are patting themselves on the back this week, earning some praise as they find themselves on the 2026 Michelin Guide’s recommended list.
The guide has released its fifth edition this week, which goes over some of the top eateries that have either been awarded a Michelin star, been recognized by an anonymous inspector, or have been deemed as being a prestigious local restaurant.
The guide has been published by the French tire company, Michelin, since 1900 and was designed as a way for motorists to find quality establishments along their routes while travelling.
Since that time, it has expanded to cover as many as 30,000 businesses in over 30 territories across three continents, including establishments across Canada and directly in Waterloo Region.
In its latest release, two local restaurants have been featured: Kitchener’s Odd Duck Wine & Provisions and Cambridge’s Langdon Hall Country House & Spa.
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While there is only one restaurant across Ontario that possesses a Michelin Star, Lincoln’s Restaurant Pearl Morissette with two stars, the two establishments in Waterloo Region have still earned the attention of the global guide.
“Aptly named, this little restaurant in downtown Kitchener marches to the beat of its own drum,” said the Michelin Guide about Kitchener’s Odd Duck, which went on to describe the food as “busy, creative cooking that doesn’t hold back on flavour.”
“The menu is a revolving door of ideas, and a single plate might contain a multitude of influences that zigzag around sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy.”
It went on to state that “The team is notably welcoming, and their passion for wine has led to a fascinating list of unexpected pours that match the dishes perfectly.”
“The fact that the inspectors note how warm and inviting our team is speaks enormously to the care and effort that the FOH (Front of House) team puts in every day, and the reason many folks consider us their “new spot” to come and enjoy themselves,” said Jon Rennie, Culinary Director with Odd Duck in a post on social media.
“I am incredibly proud of the whole team, maintaining Michelin status of any kind is arduous work that requires the dedication, commitment, and buy-in which our team consistently demonstrates.”
It’s now the second year in a row that the restaurant has been featured in the Michelin Guide, with Rennie stating that the quality of the food stems directly from the quality of the team involved.
“This is, and always has been a team effort,” Rennie stated.
“It speaks absolute volumes to the way that we have formulated the creation of dishes here, as well as the care and dedication of the people not only preparing the food but also creating it.”
For Cambridge’s Langdon Hall, the Michelin Guide said, “This historic 19th-century Cambridge estate has long been something of a special retreat in Ontario.”
“Chef Jason Bangerter has led this kitchen since 2013 and cooks with a kind of familiar French classicism. Think lobster with buttermilk and passion fruit or an indulgent foie gras parfait paired with a superb slice of warm, buttery brioche.”
For the Cambridge establishment, being named in the Michelin Guide isn’t the only accolade it has racked up in recent weeks, as it was also named in the annual La Liste 100 Awards, where it received a Hidden Gems Award.
“There are no words to describe how fortunate and how appreciative we feel,” said Chef Jason Bangerter with Langdon Hall.
“Thank you to our team for the hard work they put in. Thank you to YOU, our loyal guests for all your support.”
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