Maja's Garden Bistro
Maja's Garden Bistro
4.5
About
Maja's Garden Bistro lunches are made fresh from our garden to your plate. We offer delicious vegetarian and vegan lunch options. Wednesday and Saturday evenings we offer a dinner concert series event. 6-9pm by reservation. Our workshop and fees can be found on our website.
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< 1 hour
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3 within 5 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Deb M
41 contributions
Aug. 2020
We enjoyed a tasty homemade dinner in the garden and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the musician entertaining that evening.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiance at Maja's Dinner concert series. Glad you liked our food and our entertainer. We had a great summer with so many exellent performers.
Hope you see you next year again. happy fall
Maja
Written September 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
westielover_TO
Toronto, Canada365 contributions
Aug. 2020
We came to Manitoulin Island last year around this time and fell in love with the place, so we came again this year with our little son. We only discovered Maja’s on this trip and now regret that we haven’t been there before! The magic starts right at the front lawn with a fantastic and whimsical outdoor wooden chess set which my son and husband enjoyed after lunch. There are lunch selections available, as well as baked goods, grains, beans, and other foodstuffs to take away. The menu is organic, mostly vegetarian, and all yummy, with some of the baked goods also gluten free. We ordered our lunches, bought a nice big jar of local honey to take home with us, as well as a proper cycling jersey for my husband (the owner is in the Manitoulin Cycling Society) and then walked around the side of the house to the gorgeous gardens! There were lovely little tables and umbrellas set up (all socially distant), a vegetable garden, a little greenhouse, and lots of beautiful little corners to marvel at. In terms of their covid-19 protocols, we felt very comfortable there. Everyone wore masks in the little front store area, they have a hand washing station at the side of the house that they ask you to use on your way to the back garden, and they leave your food and drinks on a bar height table close to your table where you can easily grab your lunch which allows everyone to stay socially distant. My husband (who’s vegetarian) had a delicious lentil burger with Italian wedding soup. My little son loved his slice of ham, cheese and leek quiche, and I also loved my cheese and tomato quiche. The pasta salad we shared was also perfect - dressing wasn’t too tart, pasta was al dente. We enjoyed ourselves so much, we could have stayed there all afternoon (and I imagine if it were a bright, sunny Manitoulin day, with the gardens overflowing and the hollyhocks nodding, many people probably do!) We had some homemade sorbet and some type of apple pie with pecans that smelled heavenly and tasted even better! The only thing nicer was the wonderful, warm, and friendly owners who served us and made us feel welcome. Apparently they have musical acts there in the evenings sometimes! Would definitely recommend and return!
Written August 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hello there lover magicical gardens. Your lovely review made us all very happy. We love planting and tending our garden and sharing it with people like you that feel the love and energie that we are putting into our space. very glad you liked the food we cook with the produce our garden gives. Wishing you a great fall and we are looking forward to serving you again as you return to Manitoulin Island
Maja
Written August 30, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
771TaraStar
Toronto, Canada13 contributions
Aug. 2020 • Friends
Wow! Maja's was suggested to us and WOW! very much worth it. The food, ambiance and entertainment was just so very fitting for the garden-setting.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are very happy that you felt our garden ambiance enchanting. We love to create good flow and colour to our garden as well as our food. Happy end of summer days
Maja and Guy
Written August 25, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cathy270
Mississauga, Canada282 contributions
Aug. 2020 • Couples
LOVED this restaurant! The garden is so lovely and they have chairs set up (socially distanced). We ordered quiche and a beet salad, both were very yummy. Such a relaxing atmosphere and delicious food. We can’t wait to go back.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Cathy, it makes us very happy when people linger in our garden and enjoy the colours and the layout. happy travels Maja
Written August 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AriaT
Ontario, Canada18 contributions
Aug. 2020
This was a bit difficult to find. When we got there, it was in a small house. In the front was a small room where someone showed you a menu. Once you ordered, your food was to be delivered to you in the rear garden which you would access from the side of the house. We did not eat there. The menu was not appealing to either of us. I might have tried something but the prices were exorbitant and I didn't want to risk not liking it.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your are right, our place is a little diffrent and so is our menu. We cook with the product of our organic garden and serve our guests in the enchanting garden setting in the back. We hope your culinary curiosity will someday let you have the whole experience we deliver. Happy travels. Maja
Written August 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deb J
2 contributions
Jul. 2020
A MUST if you are travelling to Manitoulin! Maya’s organic lunches straight from her garden are yummy, but the real treat is the dinner and concert gigs on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The highlight of our trip!!
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words. Guy and I love when we can make somebody smile and feel good on their holiday. Happy travels
Maja
Written August 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Threl
Sudbury, Canada13 contributions
Aug. 2019 • Friends
Lovely evening at this private outdoor venue. The hosts were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to share with all. We enjoyed the dinner which had such fresh components. The entertainment that evening was excellent (Luke Hunter and Wayne Bond from Southern Ontario).
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard
Toronto, Canada75 contributions
Aug. 2019
My lovely wife and I are always on the lookout for new or unique dining experiences. Maja’s Garden is just that, unique. Located in downtown Mindemoya, Ontario, there is plenty of parking on the street in this quiet Manitoulin Island town. It is outdoor dining, rain or shine. We were fortunate to have lovely weather as the sun set on our evening.
The dinner started with three wonderful appetizers. These are creations with ingredients straight from the garden growing around us. While spring was late in Manitoulin, it didn’t stop our hostess from creating delicious morsels of vegetarian goodness. There was a garlic tart, zucchini chip rollup, and a melon puree. I’m glad a few people couldn’t make the evening, there was a chance to go back for seconds.
Before the main course, we cleansed our palettes with a lemon/basil sorbet. The main course was a pork tenderloin with a mushroom creation that sang with the earthiness of the mushrooms in a cream sauce. It was accompanied by wild rice seasoned with saffron and roasted red beets with a feta crumble.
Dessert was a duo of ice cream, vanilla and raspberry, topped with meringue and accompanied with a strawberry sauce and gooseberries.
After dinner, we were treated to two sets of music from Luke Cyrus Hunter. He was a very talented musician that treated us to covers of some very well known music as well as many of his own songs. When the evening wrapped up, I had experienced something truly unique and memorable. I would go again and I recommend this evening to anyone who enjoys great food in an outdoor venue.
The dinner started with three wonderful appetizers. These are creations with ingredients straight from the garden growing around us. While spring was late in Manitoulin, it didn’t stop our hostess from creating delicious morsels of vegetarian goodness. There was a garlic tart, zucchini chip rollup, and a melon puree. I’m glad a few people couldn’t make the evening, there was a chance to go back for seconds.
Before the main course, we cleansed our palettes with a lemon/basil sorbet. The main course was a pork tenderloin with a mushroom creation that sang with the earthiness of the mushrooms in a cream sauce. It was accompanied by wild rice seasoned with saffron and roasted red beets with a feta crumble.
Dessert was a duo of ice cream, vanilla and raspberry, topped with meringue and accompanied with a strawberry sauce and gooseberries.
After dinner, we were treated to two sets of music from Luke Cyrus Hunter. He was a very talented musician that treated us to covers of some very well known music as well as many of his own songs. When the evening wrapped up, I had experienced something truly unique and memorable. I would go again and I recommend this evening to anyone who enjoys great food in an outdoor venue.
Written August 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber
Barrie, Canada2 contributions
Aug. 2019 • Family
We recently visited Maja’s on a trip to Manitoulin Island. I stopped in because I had heard about the beautiful gardens and homemade products. I purchased a veggie and sandwich and it did not disappoint. The bread was soft and warm and the cheese was perfectly melted. The veggies were fresh and the sauces that were spread on the bread were like nothing I’ve ever tasted. It’s been a few days now since we visited and if it wasn’t 5 hours away, I’d already have been back.
Written August 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thank very much for your praise of the food we prepare here at Maja's. Our sauces are all done in fall with the bounty of our garden and I am happy you liked it. Happy tavels. Maja
Written August 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jax
1 contribution
Aug. 2019
Beautiful little spot with great food made with ingredients from their very own garden! Lovely atmosphere with lovely people
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Deardarlings, we are happy to hear that you liked our spot to relax, eat and visit. Thank you for taking the time and write a review. We are wishing you wonderful summer days and hope to see and serve you soon again at Maja's Garden.
Maja
Written August 16, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sss20L
L16 contributions
Is the place open now (shows closed on google?) We would like to come next week
771TaraStar
Toronto, Canada13 contributions
I don't know for sure, but it IS an outdoor venue so it could likely be closed for the season. Sorry I can't be of more definite help.
Michael B
2 contributions
Someone mentioned they "arrived too late to eat." At what times do you serve meals?
Maja M
Mindemoya, Canada1 contribution
Hi Michael, our shop is open for light lunches from the prepared foods made with produce from our organic garden that can be found in our little shop and enjoyed in our lovely garden from 11am-5pm.
Our Gourmet dinner summer events are held Wednesdays and Saturdays July and August, by reservation and start at 6pm -9pm and are always paired with live music played from 7-9pm hope to see you someday soon at Maja's
Maja M
Mindemoya, Canada1 contribution
Hi Nancy, yes you can bring your dog on a short leash making sure that it will not interfere with other costumers. If you come from a long drive we suggest that you walk it prior to entering the garden as we grow food and want to be very carful to keep our garden safe.
nancyallan2016
Ontario, Canada20 contributions
Can we bring our small well-behaved dog?
Maja M
Mindemoya, Canada1 contribution
Hi, for our lunches you can bring your dog, for our dinners Maja's place is a dog free venue
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