Windsor Essex is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Canada and through this self-guided tour, you will get a chance to see all the authentic and cultural offerings Windsor has to offer! Food is a universal language that brings people together. It has the power to create connections and foster relationships. Whether it’s cooking together, sharing a meal, or exploring different cuisines, food often becomes a centerpiece for social interaction and bonding. Follow the Flavours is a wonderful way to learn about the different cultures, traditions, and personal stories in the Windsor Essex County area.
Come with me on a digital multicultural food trail in Windsor Essex County! This ultimate foodie experience is a self guided food tour that will take you around the world without leaving Windsor!
Here are 5 places I visited on my tour!
- El Diablo
If you ever find yourself in Kingsville, Ontario, do yourself a favour and visit El Diablo! Located at 16 Main Street in the heart of downtown Kingsville, El Diablo is a culinary gem with innovative dishes that uses high quality, homemade ingredients that are in all the unique and delicious dishes you will order. El Diablo gives you a unique dining experience, and every time I visit, they always have something new I want to try from their menu. It’s not a traditional Mexican restaurant but a place where you can try globally inspired food, incredible crafted cocktails, and local ingredients. This is the perfect date night spot and if you are celebrating something, you will want to celebrate it here. We were excited to start our Follow the Flavours tour at this location to start! While looking at the menu, I noticed right away that they were spicing things up with a new menu which combines classic favourites with exciting new flavours. Some of the new menu items I waned to try was the Dan Dan Noodles which caught my eye right away as well as the Birria Beef Bao Buns. The Bao Buns are a must try here and I always enjoy how they are always changing the menu with exciting new flavours.
The order:
- Appetizer: Thai Curry Wings, Birria Waffle Fries, The Birria Beef Bao Buns
- Entrée: Tacos (Barbacoa, Al Pastor, Gringo, Chicken Ting Tostada, Poke Bowl, Dan Dan Noodles
- Dessert: We didn’t order the churros because we were so full! But if you save some room for dessert, the churros are a must.
El Diablo is one of my favourite restaurants?
2. Yemeni Coffee House
From the moment you walk into this cozy coffee house, you will feel like you are transported into another country! From the music to palm trees to ambiance, I always enjoy my time at Yemeni Coffee House. Located at, 350 Cabana Rd E, you will want to visit here for a special coffee date, study lesson or with any loved one! This is Canada’s very first Yemeni Coffee House and you will indulge in the authentic flavours of Yemeni desserts, tea, and coffee! My absolute favourite menu item would have to be the Adeni Tea. It’s the perfect milk tea blend infused with cardamom and nutmeg. Their unique Yemeni-inspired lattes are a real treat! My favourite latte to order is the Pistachio Latte for its rich flavours. The Yemeni Latte has a special 5 spice blend which is incredible to order as well. They also offer a wonderful selection of cold drinks such as the Strawberry Lemonade made with fresh strawberries and fresh lime! I always have a difficult time ordering something off the menu here because the selections are all so good! You will also want to try the Sabaya (honeycomb bites) which are one of their most popular desserts.
The order:
- Drinks: Adeni Tea. Yemeni Latte, Pistachio Latte, Strawberry Lemonade
- Dessert: Saffron milk café, Lotus Cheesecake
3. Heimat
Heimat Banquet is a staple in the Ford City area and one of the most popular stops during Windsor’s popular Carrousel of Nations, an event held annually each June. It also has a popular Oktoberfest event which attracts many locals and visitors! Located at, 1367 Drouillard Road, transport yourself to Germany, or should I say, Windsor’s only German Club. You must visit in the nicer weather months from April to October to Windsor’s only traditional Biergarten where you can enjoy Bavarian beer, a pretzel and some yummy food! This summer, I sat on the patio during The Carrousel of Nations and enjoyed listening to the live music and trying the traditional food items!
Did you know they also have a downstairs dining room? It’s so cozy in there and it’s the perfect place to grab a beer and a meal! Here is what we ordered! I can’t wait to try some more things on the menu the next time we visit!
The order:
- Appetizer: Obazda, Munich style pretzel
- Entrée: Cabbage Rolls, Schnitzel Dinner, Side Salad, Sauerkraut, Poutine with German ingredients
4. Firdous
The next stop on our foodie tour was in Leamington, Ontario for a trip for some Lebanese food! Located at, 4 Wellington Street in Leamington, Ontario, Firdous is an authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese restaurant which has a delicious dining experience with a cozy atmosphere. I always enjoy my drive to Leamington. When I’m there, I always make sure to stop at Capogna Flowers for some seasonal flowerpots for my garden and I make sure to try a local restaurant for takeout! I have only had takeout from Firdous multiple times, so we wanted to dine in and order some of their most popular dishes to try! I usually order my regular Chicken Shawarma meal, but this time, I wanted to try some different menu items. Firdous makes everything in house from sauces to breads and will give you an unforgettable dinner experience! Their food choices are plentiful, and you will get a ton of food to bring home for leftovers the next day!
The order:
- Appetizer: Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Falafel, Spinach Pie, Chicken Sumac Rolls
- Entrée: Fattoush, Chicken Shawarma, Beef Bowl, Mixed Grill Plate, and lots of garlic
5. Shanghai Bistro
This last stop for our fun flavorful foodie tour was one of the best spots for authentic Chinese cuisine, Shanghai Bistro, located down the street from The University of Windsor. It is also minutes away from the Windsor-Detroit tunnel as well as the Ambassador Bridge. Shanghai Bistro is a quite popular and authentic Chinese restaurant food spot! You can order Shanghai Bistro for delivery, but I highly recommend dining in here for the full Shanghai Bistro experience!
The owner and chef here, Chester, was so welcoming and shared with us a little behind the scenes sneak peek on how he creates fresh dumplings each day. As you walk by down the street or walk right into the restaurant, you will find him at the front of the restaurant handmaking dumplings and greeting his customers. The dumplings are handcrafted and made completely from scratch and each dish is filled with traditional Chinese culture that you will want to visit always! When we dined in, we sat next to university students, visitors from both Toronto as well as the states and a ton of delivery orders being picked up! I asked some what made them keep coming back, and they shared that it was a family favourite, consistently excellent and so welcoming!
The order:
- Shanghai Dim Sum – Steamed Soup Filled Dumpling (Crab & Pork, Spicy Beef, Crab & Pork)
- Pan Fried Pork Dumplings
- Thai Style Chicken Fried Rice
- Shanghai Noodle
- Shanghai Style Braised Pork
- General Tao Chicken on Rice
- Spicy Green Beans
- Green Tea
Make sure to register for your free pass for Follow The Flavours by visiting, here!