Whisky Rocks: The Best View on the North Channel

Along the shoreline of St. Joseph Island, Ontario, you will find a popular restaurant known not only for its epic views on the North Channel of Lake Huron, but its fantastic food, drink -“docktails” menu and friendly service. You will find Whisky Rocks down beside the marina in Richard’s Landing, and it’s open from June to the end of September. 

Steve Alexander is the owner/manager, and I had the opportunity to catch him just after the restaurant opened for the season. “We have had a long-term lease of this space since 2022 and have plans to keep growing”, says Steve, “We are currently open from about mid-June to the end of September, but hope to keep it open longer in the fall.” 

The restaurant is in a beautiful setting overlooking the water, with a choice to sit inside or out. While out, under a post-and-beam pergola canopy or a table umbrella. No matter where you sit, you’ll get a panoramic view of the channel and marina. Whisky Rocks has become a bustling place to be for locals and visitors alike. It’s an easy spot to pick up takeout for those walking or pulling up in a car, or a boat. “Our boat traffic is phenomenal during the summer months, and I plan to add boat-to-boat service at some point.” 

Of course, as a destination eatery, the food must be top-notch. I asked Steve about the great menu at Whisky Rocks that keeps his customers coming back. He told me that the whole menu is full of great sellers, but the fish tacos are the most popular menu item. “We buy our white fish from Agawa Fishery, and our perch and pickerel are local too. We have gluten-free food choices, and our burgers are also gluten-free.”

Other choices include starters (mac & cheese balls, pickerel cheeks and calamari) – flatbreads (spicy genoa, nectarine & feta) – tacos (fish, beef, chicken, veggie) – burgers – fish & chips – salads – mac & cheese. With dishes with island names like the Beech Beach, the Main Lander, the B Liner, the Sugar Bush, as well as the Canadian Bon Fire, and so much more. The menu changes from year to year, so the best way to learn what the offerings are is to go see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!

On Tuesday evenings, Whisky Rocks opens their bar and partners with “Island Flames Wood Fired Pizza”, serving from their travelling pizza wagon.

From Wednesdays to Sundays, their kitchen and restaurant are fully open for the week and on Wednesdays for the season, 10% of their sales go to Matthews Memorial Hospital in Richards Landing, because they think that it’s important to give back to the community that supports them.

Connected to Whisky Rocks and in the same building is “Sugar Island” convenience store, a perfect grab-and-go for food and supplies for both water and land visitors to the area.

At the end of the season, Whisky Rocks hosts a very popular event called the Harvest Long Table Dinner. It’s been a sold-out dinner each year, so please buy your tickets early!

Whisky Rocks is a welcome addition to the busy marina and area of Richards Landing, St. Joseph Island in Algoma Country of Northern Ontario. It brings in not only the year-round locals but the seasonal residents as well, along with visitors to the island from far and wide. Good on you, Steve, for creating a place that is welcoming to everyone!

Whisky Rocks Restaurant

1140 Richards Street  (Down by the marina and dock), Richards Landing
PH: (705) 297-2814
Hours of Operation: Open Wednesdays to Sundays Noon – 9 PM, Open Tuesdays – 4 – 8 PM Bar only – Food by https://www.instagram.com/islandflamespizza/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whisky_rocks_stjoes/

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