Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Toronto / Ontario
  4. Niagara
  5. Niagara-on-the-Lake
Benchmark, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Benchmark

4.9
4.9
1399 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Innovative
Prepare to embark on a delectable journey as Benchmark at Niagara College proudly unveils the much-anticipated relaunch of its lunch service. under the creative direction of renowned Chef Justin Downes and the impeccable service leadership of Victor Oliveira.

Chef Justin Downes will lead the culinary student team and deliver a harmonious blend of culinary innovation and a deep commitment to education. Building upon its established reputation for culinary excellence, Benchmark will continue to be a cornerstone of culinary education while elevating the dining experience for visitors and the Niagara College community.

Don't miss the opportunity to support the School of Culinary Arts, foster future culinary talent, and relish the flavors of Niagara Region. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience that perfectly marries tradition with innovation, all in the heart of one of Canada's most picturesque regions and one of Canada's most loved Culinary Institutes.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (905) 641-2252 ext. 4619
  • Website
    https://www.niagaracollege.ca/culinaryarts/services/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Justin Downes
  • Private party facilities
    Checking out our upcoming events: https://www.niagaracollege.ca/culinaryarts/events/
  • Location
    135 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S1J0
  • Area
    Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    To ensure that you receive complimentary parking anywhere on campus during your visit, please complete the Guest Parking Form at www.niagaracollege.ca/campussafety/guestpass/, ahead of your visit, to avoid any penalties or fees associated with parking.We also welcome guests to park in the “reserved” parking lot closest to the Benchmark entrance if space permits.Please let us know if there are any issues, and we will happily assist you.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Featured in

Menu

APPETIZERS

  • Lobster Bisque

    Corn Hushpuppy, Candied Celery, Green Apple, Espelette Aioli

    • Chicory Salad

      Pickled Fennel, Grapefruit, NC Honey & Yogurt Vinaigrette, Fried Sunchokes

      • Roasted Beet & Prosciutto

        Crumbled Ricotta, Toasted Dukkah, Greenhouse Cress, Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette

        • Warm Mushroom Salad

          Frisee, Peal Onion, Poached Hen's Egg, Brioche, Chorizo Vinaigrette

          Entrées

          • Pork Collar

            White Bean, Olives, NC Bacon, Braised Winter Greens, Birch Glaze

            • Fresh Campanella Pasta

              Braised Beef, Cipollini Onions, Kale, Winter Herbs, Rich Reduction

              • Duck Confit

                Fried Fingerlings, Saffron Leek, Summer Berry Chutney, Duck Jus

                • Grilled Savory Cabbage

                  Miso & Chili Sauce, Bean Sprout Salad, Puffed Rice Furikake, Red Dragon, Black Sesame Aioli

                  • Market Fish Ever Changing!

                    Feature fish dish changes weekly

                    DESSERTS

                    • Olive Oil Cake

                      Marcarpone Creme, Citrus Curd, Thyme Crumb, Salted Caramel Gelato

                      • Sticky Toffee Pudding

                        Bourbon Toffee Sauce, Spiced Apple, Vanilla Gelato, Oat Streusel

                        • Dark Chocolate Opera Cake

                          Espresso Buttercream, Hazelnut Crunch, Candied Cocoa Nib

                          Benchmark is a "no-tipping" establishment

                          • Benchmark Student Experience Award

                            If you would like to support our students, donate to the Benchmark Student Experience Award! Every term students from hospitality and culinary are awarded based on their passion, commitment and performance. Your server can add any denomination directly to your tab. (no tax)

                            Last updated: 8 January 2025

                            What 1,399 people are saying

                            Overall ratings and reviews

                            Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                            4.9
                            4.9 based on recent ratings
                            • 4.9Food
                            • 4.7Service
                            • 4.8Ambience
                            • 5Value

                            Noise • Moderate

                            Diners' Choice Awards

                            • Toronto / Ontario

                              Best Overall

                            • Toronto / Ontario

                              Best Value

                            • Toronto / Ontario

                              Contemporary American

                            • Niagara

                              Best Overall

                            • Niagara

                              Best Food

                            • Niagara

                              Best Ambience

                            • Niagara

                              Best Value

                            • Niagara

                              Great for brunch

                            • Niagara

                              Good for business meals

                            • Niagara

                              Innovative

                            • Niagara

                              Healthy

                            • Niagara

                              Neighbourhood gem

                            • Niagara

                              Vegetarian-friendly

                            Review summary

                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                            Benchmark offers a delightful dining experience with its "exceptional food" and attentive service. Run by Niagara College's culinary students, the restaurant provides a "unique and educational setting." Guests rave about the "beautiful presentation" and "amazing value," making it a must-visit for those seeking quality meals without breaking the bank.

                            1,399 Reviews

                            1. Susan

                              Toronto

                              1 review

                              5.0

                              1 review

                              Dined on 17 December 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              What a wonderful meal and experience! Both our appetizers were delicious and beautifully presented. The Pickled Heirloom Beets & Endive Salad was bursting with flavour. My husband raved about his scallops. Our salmon and angus beef entrees were flavourful and artfully presented. We enjoyed the Ontario Cheese Plate and the Basque Cheesecake. Each of our courses was paired with the perfect selection of Niagara College wine (including icewine). Our server Anjali went above and beyond to provide exceptional service. She genuinely cared about making our experience memorable. She even brought us complimentary sparkling wine to celebrate my birthday. Benchmark is the perfect restaurant if you want to enjoy excellent food in a welcoming and attentive environment.

                              Is this helpful?

                            2. Mike

                              Toronto

                              2 reviews

                              5.0

                              2 reviews

                              Dined on 13 December 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              Food was beautifully presented by attentive waitstaff. Portions were just the right size for lunch.

                              Is this helpful?

                            3. Kam

                              Toronto

                              1 review

                              5.0

                              1 review

                              Dined on 13 December 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              This was a great experience from start to finish. The food as beautifully plated, and delicious.

                              Is this helpful?

                            4. Jacob

                              Toronto

                              1 review

                              5.0

                              1 review

                              Dined on 4 December 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Everything was delicious. Definitely going to be coming back to try the new menu in the new year.

                              Is this helpful?

                            5. Janet

                              Hawaii

                              2 reviews

                              5.0

                              2 reviews

                              Dined on 27 November 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch . We were a party of 8 .. the service, the menu options & the ambience were outstanding. Everyone agreed that our meal choices & presentation were both beautiful & delicious. Can’t wait to go again & try something else off the same menu !

                              Is this helpful?

                            6. Gail

                              VIP

                              Toronto

                              18 reviews

                              5.0

                              18 reviews

                              Dined on 22 November 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Benchmark is fantastic value. Your meal is expertly prepared and served by the Culinary students at Niagara College under the direction of excellent Chefs. Great food, beautifully presented with attentive service. Always a great experience!

                              Is this helpful?

                            7. Ray

                              Toronto

                              3 reviews

                              5.0

                              3 reviews

                              Dined on 22 November 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 4
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Amazing experience ….meal is equivalent to any 5 star restaurant ….we will be back and will certainly be spreading the word

                              Is this helpful?

                            8. Nancy

                              Toronto

                              2 reviews

                              5.0

                              2 reviews

                              Dined on 20 November 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 4
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              When setting down the different dishes we wished the server would explain what is on the plate. Identify the different sauces etc. I gave the food a 4 as my steak had a tendon??running through it so I ate around it.

                              Is this helpful?

                            9. OpenTable Diner

                              Toronto

                              1 review

                              5.0

                              1 review

                              Dined on 20 November 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Always a pleasure to dine here and support our students!!

                              Is this helpful?

                            10. Anna

                              Toronto

                              6 reviews

                              5.0

                              6 reviews

                              Dined on 14 November 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Always such a fantastic dining experience! The food and presentation, so inviting! Great service and friendly staff! Definitely recommend

                              Is this helpful?

                            FAQs

                            Benchmark is rated 4.9 stars by 1399 OpenTable diners.

                            Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                            Make a booking

                            2 people
                            19:00
                            Booked 7 times today
                            Google Map for Benchmark

                            135 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S1J0

                            Additional information

                            • Area
                              Niagara-on-the-Lake
                            • Hours of Operation
                              Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm
                            • Price
                              CAN$31 to CAN$50
                            • Cuisines
                              Contemporary American
                            • Dining style
                              Casual Dining
                            • Dress code
                              Business Casual
                            • Parking details
                              Public Lot
                            • Public transit
                              To ensure that you receive complimentary parking anywhere on campus during your visit, please complete the Guest Parking Form at www.niagaracollege.ca/campussafety/guestpass/, ahead of your visit, to avoid any penalties or fees associated with parking.We also welcome guests to park in the “reserved” parking lot closest to the Benchmark entrance if space permits.Please let us know if there are any issues, and we will happily assist you.
                            • Payment Options
                              AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                            • Executive Chef
                              Justin Downes
                            • Additional
                              Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

                            Featured in

                            Discover
                            OpenTable
                            • About Us
                            • Blog
                            • Careers
                            More
                            Our sites
                            Businesses
                            • Delight more diners
                            • Restaurant Blog
                            Join us on
                            • Privacy policy
                            • Terms of Use
                            • Impressum
                            • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
                            • Cookie Preferences
                            Copyright © 2024 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
                            OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
                            Booking Logo
                            Priceline Logo
                            KAYAK Logo
                            Agoda Logo
                            OpenTable Logo