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

4.8
4.8
1412 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Innovative
  • Good for business meals
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

What 1,412 people are saying

Benchmark reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Toronto / Ontario

    Best Value

  • Toronto / Ontario

    Contemporary American

  • Niagara

    Best Overall

  • Niagara

    Best Food

  • Niagara

    Best Ambience

  • Niagara

    Best Value

  • Niagara

    Good for business meals

  • Niagara

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Benchmark offers an exceptional dining experience with "outstanding food," "beautiful presentation," and "excellent service." The student-run restaurant features a $40 three-course menu that is "great value" and includes wine pairings. Diners appreciate the "warm hospitality," "professional attention," and "delicious seasonal dishes." Highly recommended for its atmosphere and quality.

1,412 Reviews
  1. Michele

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an amazing experience! EVERYTHING was awesome - menu, food, presentation, service, cleanliness, ambience. Thank you soo much! I will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kim VIP

    Toronto10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food. I liked that you could get a flight of wine to try their NC wine.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Cat

    Toronto2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Everything was delicious! Loved the pasta and the desserts were off the charts!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Diana

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional food, service and value. The Niagara College students are professional, courteous and warm. It is a very special experience to see them in action.

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 26 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best lobster bisque I’ve ever had. Rich lobster flavour. Accompanied with delicious corn fritter, sliced apple and candied celery. Only criticism is that it could have been hotter. But taste wise, outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Currie VIP

    Toronto52 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 21 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was Excellent and the service was Excellent… Not happy that we could Not purchase a starter, without paying more for a desert, especially at lunch time which we did Not need OR want. May not rush back until they offer an Al la Cart menu for at least lunch time… too restrictive and frustrating!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Rebecca

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 20 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious and expertly prepared. The atmosphere was cozy, with beautiful views from the windowed space. The staff (students) provided an excellent experience through their knowledge, effort, and passion for hospitality. I highly recommend giving Benchmark a chance to impress you with their exceptional preparations and palate-pleasing creations.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 20 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    There isn't a better lunch deal in Niagara. Three very high quality dishes (appetizer, main, dessert) for $45. You can't go wrong with any of the choices. Menu changes quite regularly too so visiting multiple times always offers something new. High quality ingredients and first class preparation. Service is unassuming, polite, and professional especially considering these are young students still in school. Love this place!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Katharine

    Toronto5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 19 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food carefully served. A lovely dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Dave

    Toronto9 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 14 February 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Love coming here. Have always experienced exceptional service and food....until today. The service was slow, and to be completely fair, we were advised of this before we sat down. Still, it was slow. My wife had no issue with any of her food. Unfortunately the pork collar entree I got was not very hot and the beans were actually sort of cold (maybe room temperature). With the delays going on I wasn't going to send it back and we enjoyed it as best possible. The flavour of the pork collar was excellent, and was cooked beautifully, until I hit the olives and then the flavour went zooming sideways. I picked them out and totally enjoyed it from that point on. Seriously, there are places for olives, but that dish was not one of them. Maybe if they had been braised along with the pork, but they were hard and seemed to have been dropped in at the end. Not sure beyond knowing they were unwelcome due to being so strong. The Sticky Toffee pudding was tasty, but it was served in a small deep dish and there was NO toffee sauce to be found. It perhaps was layered into the dish and thus on the bottom, but no evidence of moisture until you dug down to the bottom, which was quite hard to do because of the large gelato blocking the ability to get down into the dish. Sorry, I know I'm being harsh, but I've had finely presented pudding and this just wasn't it. Ok...I've been rough, but as a teaching restaurant feedback is good, right? We WILL return. It still is a very enjoyable experience and decent value.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Benchmark is rated 4.8 stars by 1412 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 5 times today
Google Map for Benchmark

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

Additional information

  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30–14:30
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Justin Downes
  • 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