• Banner 1
  • Banner 2
  • Banner 3

Welcome to First Mate's

At First Mate's, located in the heart of Port Rowan, Ontario, we pride ourselves on offering a delightful culinary experience infused with local charm. Our story is rooted in the passion for fresh, quality ingredients, showcasing vibrant dishes that highlight the best local catches, like our crispy perch dinner, and comfort food classics, including our grandpa's grilled cheese layered with pulled pork. Customers rave about our attentive service and flavorful fare, with popular items like fresh, crispy fries and mouth-watering poutine. First Mate's is more than just a meal; it's a celebration of wholesome flavors and community connection. Join us for a taste of Lake Erie!

First Mate's: Reviews & Ratings

Valentyna Meniailo
Valentyna Meniailo

Great place with cool stuff. Quite tasty and quick, the fries were a little overcooked and overdried but everything else was excellent. Thanks

Jess
Jess

I had the grandpas grilled cheese with pulled pork. Triple layer bread, super cheesey and the pork was amazing. Soo good!

Lisi Hentz
Lisi Hentz

Best perch dinner of my summer! So crispy even after drenching in fresh lemon juice, French fries were also on point for a Sunday night! They definitely weren't using old grease lol

Nancy Clarke
Nancy Clarke

Staff were friendly, food was great and the portion size was just right. We both had perch and chips which were delicious, just the right amount of batter and tasty fries. So nice to have fresh lake fish feet from the beach.

Ash
Ash

Delicious fries!! Great service and the fries were fresh and crispy- very good! Poutine was also excellent, great amount of curds Definitely recommend and will be back to try the fish tacos next time in town! ...

Thomas Wuttunee
Thomas Wuttunee

The new spicy poutine they have is delicious, and the portions are large. I had a large and for the price it was good enough to feed myself and my girlfriend if needed. The pizza folds were good as well. Overall great food and quiet atmosphere. Coming back again next year just for the poutine

Tammy Landry-Taylor
Tammy Landry-Taylor

This place really came in clutch for me! I was on my way to Long Point Provincial Park to camp, and I was running late. I was thinking I would have to get there and put my tent up, etc, in the dark or eat after I did that, and I was starving. Anyway, I saw this place and decided to stop even though they were close to closing time and see if I could grab something for dinner. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was delicious! The service was great, the food came out fast and it was delicious! I managed to get my tent up and watch the sunset thanks to them

Ullas Kumar
Ullas Kumar

Best restaurant by the beach road ..... nice atmosphere.... amazing customer service..... I had a pair of perch tacos and spicy poutine.... A couple of years ago, we had our dinner from the same place.... was amazing.....

Location

  • First Mate's
    136 Erie Blvd, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0, Canada Hotline: +1 519-410-4140

Welcome to First Mate's, an inviting eatery nestled at 136 Erie Blvd, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0, Canada. With its focus on delicious, hearty meals and a friendly atmosphere, First Mate's is quickly becoming a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

This charming spot offers a range of mouthwatering dishes, but it's their take on classic comfort food that truly shines. One standout item is the grandpas grilled cheese with pulled pork. It features a triple layer of bread, oozing with cheese and adorned with perfectly seasoned pulled pork—a must-try that has left many customers raving, including Jess, who described it as “soo good!”

Moreover, if you’re a fan of fish dishes, First Mate's serves up some of the best lake perch you can find. As Lisi Hentz noted, it is “so crispy” and remains delightful even after a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. The accompanying French fries have garnered praise for their excellence—no old grease here, just fresh, crispy goodness that complements the fish perfectly. Nancy Clarke echoed this sentiment, celebrating the balance of flavor in their perch and chips, with just the right amount of batter.

For those craving a hearty side, the fries are not to be missed. Customers like Ash rave about their delicious, fresh, and crispy fries, along with their excellent poutine, which boasts the perfect amount of cheese curds—a testament to First Mate's commitment to high-quality ingredients and flavors.

While there may be a few minor hiccups—like the slightly overcooked fries mentioned by Valentyna Meniailo—First Mate's offsets this with great service and an attentive staff eager to enhance your dining experience.

In summary, First Mate's is a destination that blends comfort with culinary delight, located in the picturesque community of Port Rowan. With its fresh ingredients, friendly service, and standout menu items like the grilled cheese and fish tacos, you’ll want to keep this spot on your radar for your next culinary adventure.

Don't forget to call ahead at +1 519-410-4140 to inquire about specials or simply drop in to enjoy the local flavors that First Mate’s has to offer!