Stack of sprinkled donuts on a cutting board

On our drive through Trent Hills, we discovered that Warkworth is home to about 600 of the world’s luckiest people. In the small stretch of downtown in this charming arts community, you can get some of the best pizza, world-class chocolate and beautiful, locally-roasted coffee beans.

Just up County Rd. 30 in Campbellford, you’ll find a bigger population and a similar abundance of food and drink choices like  “Canada’s Best Bakery”, and award-winning beer brewed in a former church.

Take a road trip with me in Northumberland County to gather up some great on-the-go food options thanks to some delicious stops in Trent Hills. Here’s what I recommend.

As is tradition, start with a hot beverage. K Okay Café in Warkworth is a charming café and roastery making remarkable espresso-based coffees, hot cider, and spiced cocoa. Make any selection. You won’t be disappointed. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, order a sweet treat to go.

Just down the road, pick up a chocolate bar from Centre & Main. I’m not talking about your average mass-produced fare now. I’m talking about award-winning, world-class, artisanal chocolate, featuring ingredients from the growers and producers of Northumberland County and surrounding areas. It’s a “true taste of place experience.” That’s how Centre & Main’s chocolatier Angela Roest describes Centre & Main’s unique chocolate bars on their website (a site great for ordering as well). I recommend their gold medal-winning Affogato chocolate bar, made with the beans roasted by their friends at K Okay Café. Now that’s harmony.

There’s also some delicious pizza in Warkworth thanks to The Shop Warkworth. It’s run by husband and wife team Jess and Jason. They stone-bake incredible pizzas topped with ingredients that can include pulled chicken, fresh basil or bocconcini cheese. All are made by hand with lots of love, and are great value too.

Just over the bridge in Campbellford, you must pick up as many doughnuts as you can from the famous Dooher’s Bakery, busy making over 5,000 donuts on Saturdays in 17 varieties. (Pre-orders are a good idea.) A box of freshly-baked donuts will make you very popular among friends and family and solves the “what can I bring” problem for any gathering! Whether an ooey-gooey Boston Cream, a perfectly-sweet Apple Fritter, or the classic and very popular cream-filled option, a Dooher’s donut can make anyone’s day.

From Dooher’s you can head to church. Just follow the Trent River to County Rd. 38. For over 20 years brewmaster John has been making beer at a Methodist church he converted into the Church-Key Brewing Co. Award-winning beer like Church-Key’s Holy Smoke Scotch Ale is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before, and great at the dinner table. Also pick up some of Church-Key’s flagship Northumberland Ale. I always like to have a few bottles of it in the fridge. I find it to be crisp, clean and delicious. Perfect to drink anytime.

For foodies and food lovers alike, Trent Hills is a delightful and decadent part of Northumberland County. Try this short drive and send me your thoughts. I think you’ll find the experience to be packed with charm, not to mention some of Northumberland’s tastiest, award-winning treats.

By Jeff Bray

Delicious day trips include stops at:

More Places to Eat in Northumberland

Woman making chocolate wearing a white coat.
Stack of sprinkled donuts on a cutting board
Hand holding a glass of Church Key Beer in front of a vintage door
Exterior of K Okay Café
Woman smiling at camera while making pizza

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