The Black Stones

5:30pm – 6:30pm

Kicking off the evening are The Blackstones, performing as an acoustic guitar and fiddle duo that captures the timeless sound of 1970s country music. Based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, their relaxed style and classic country favourites create the perfect early-evening atmosphere as the street fills with people ready to enjoy a night of live music and celebration.

Taking the stage: 5:30 – 6:30PM

The Niagara Soul Shakers

7:00pm – 8:00pm & 8:30pm – 9:30pm

As the night builds, The Niagara Soul Shakers take the stage with a powerful seven-piece band featuring a three-piece horn section. Their setlist is packed with funk, soul, disco, and other unforgettable hits from the 70s, bringing big brass, infectious grooves, and high-energy rhythms that will keep the street moving well into the evening.

This year for the Queen Street Dance, we’re keeping the food local. Instead of food trucks, we’re inviting our Downtown Dunnville restaurants to showcase what they do best. Each location will be offering a limited festival menu designed for quick, grab-and-go service, making it easy to enjoy their delicious specialties while strolling the street, listening to live music, and soaking in the Mudcat Festival atmosphere.

Passmores

Food on the Festival Menu: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Friend/Poutine, Milkshakes and Sundaes. 

Location: 174 Queen St., Dunnville, ON

Passmore’s is a well-known local spot in Dunnville offering a wide selection of comfort food favourites in a relaxed and friendly setting. From classic burgers and sandwiches to hearty meals and daily specials, Passmore’s is a place where locals gather to enjoy good food and great company.

Known for generous portions and familiar flavours, Passmore’s continues to be a favourite stop for residents and visitors looking for satisfying, casual dining in the heart of the community.

Debbs Cuisine

Food on the Festival Menu: Breaded Cajun Catfish on brioche bun with chipoltle line adobo sauce and cumin slaw with fries, Catfish Pogos with remoulade served with fries, Crispy Fried Chicken with smoked pimento aioli citrus slaw and candied picided jalapeno on a pretzel bun with fries.

Location: 109 Queen St., Dunnville ON

Debb’s Cuisine is a beloved local spot known for its comforting homestyle cooking, friendly service, and welcoming atmosphere. The menu features a variety of classic favorites including homemade soups, sandwiches, and daily specials that keep locals coming back.

With a focus on fresh ingredients and generous portions, Debb’s Cuisine has become a gathering place where friends and families can enjoy a great meal and good conversation in the heart of downtown Dunnville.

Sweet Retro-Spect

Food on the Festival Menu: popular Grab & Go Treat Bags, perfect for enjoying while exploring the festival. These special Mudcat Festival bags will be filled with fresh popcorn and a variety of sweet treats, making them an easy snack to pick up and enjoy while walking through the music, shopping, and celebrations downtown.

Location: 170 Queen St., Dunnville ON

Sweet Retro-Spect is a nostalgic candy shop that brings back the joy of classic sweets and retro treats loved by generations. Known for its colourful displays and wide selection of candies, chocolates, and fun novelty items, the shop has quickly become a favourite stop for both kids and adults looking to relive childhood favourites or discover something new.

From old-fashioned sweets and unique candy finds to fun and thoughtful gift ideas and toys, Sweet Retro-Spect offers more than just candy—it’s an experience. One of its standout features is the 40 flavours of gourmet popcorn, freshly popped in-house daily, adding even more variety and excitement to every visit.

Located in the heart of downtown Dunnville, Sweet Retro-Spect delivers a fun, welcoming atmosphere that brings a little extra sweetness to the community.

Bob’s Place

Food on the Festival Menu: Pork Kabobs with Greek Salad and Fries, Cheesy Garlic Bread and Bruschetta Bread. 

Location: 121 Lock St., Dunnville ON

A longtime favorite in Dunnville, Bob’s Place is known for its welcoming atmosphere and wide selection of hearty homestyle meals. Their menu features many favourites such as Lake Erie Perch, clubhouse, and hot sandwiches, along with classic comfort dishes like chicken parmesan, lasagna, and homemade soup made fresh daily.

Guests also enjoy their popular chicken wings available in a variety of flavours, alongside classic sides like fries, onion rings, and poutine made with their famous homemade gravy. Bob’s Place has become a go-to gathering spot for families and friends looking to enjoy great food in a cozy, welcoming setting.

Sunny Side Up

Food on the Festival Menu: Waffle on a Stick, Corn Dog, Hamburgers and  Sausage on the bun

Location: 144 Queen St., Dunnville ON

A local favourite known for hearty breakfasts, comfort food classics, and the kind of welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, Sunny Side Up has become a familiar stop for both locals and visitors in Dunnville. Whether you’re starting your morning with pancakes and coffee, meeting friends for lunch, or grabbing a bite before heading to Mudcat Festival events, Sunny Side Up serves up generous portions, friendly service, and small-town hospitality with every meal.

From classic breakfast plates to family-friendly favourites, this is the kind of place where regulars are greeted by name and first-time visitors quickly feel like part of the community. Warm, casual, and proudly local, Sunny Side Up is one of those restaurants that keeps people coming back again and again.

Queens Merritt Room

Food on the Festival Menu: Inhouse Breaded Haddock Fish Sticks, Fresh Beef on a Bun served with Cole Slaw, Fresh Lake Erie Perch Dinner, Chicken Fingers with Fries

Location: 121 Main St E, Dunnville ON N1A 1J8

The Queen’s Merritt Room was built in 1837—before Canada was even a country—making it one of Dunnville’s most historic and recognizable landmarks. Rich in character and local history, the restaurant has long served as a gathering place for both residents and visitors, offering a warm atmosphere paired with classic comfort food and friendly hospitality.

Known for its hearty homestyle meals, daily specials, and welcoming service, The Queen’s Merritt Room has remained a beloved staple in the community for generations. The menu features a wide variety of favourites ranging from classic pub fare and fresh Lake Erie seafood to pastas, steaks, and more, offering something for everyone in the heart of downtown Dunnville.

Pothos Cafe

Food on the Festival Menu: Guacamole with Chips, Fish Tacos (Pescado), Carnitas Tacos, Alpastor Tacos, Churros

Location: 225 Queen St, Dunnville ON N1A 1H8

A welcoming local café known for homemade soups, comforting lunches, and fresh flavours, Pothos Café has become a favourite gathering spot in Dunnville for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re stopping in for Fish Tacos (Pescado), Carnitas Tacos, Guacamole with Chips, or one of their rotating homemade soups and lunch specials, Pothos offers a relaxed atmosphere paired with friendly small-town hospitality.

From classic lunch favourites like Egg Salad Sandwiches and B.L.T. Club Wraps with crispy fries to sweet treats like decadent Tres Leches Cupcakes and warm, crispy Churros, there is always something delicious to discover. With daily features and seasonal favourites regularly added to the menu, Pothos Café is the kind of cozy local spot people return to again and again.

New Amsterdam Pub Dunnville

Food on the Festival Menu:Meatball Sandwich, Philly Style Beef Sandwich, and Buffalo Egg Rolls. 

Location: 223 Queen St #215, Dunnville ON, Canada, N1A 1H8

New Amsterdam Pub is a locally owned gathering place in the heart of downtown Dunnville, known for its welcoming atmosphere, great food, and commitment to community. Offering a menu of pub favourites, cold beverages, and regular entertainment, the pub has become a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Whether meeting friends for lunch, enjoying a night out, or attending one of their live music events, New Amsterdam Pub provides a relaxed and friendly experience that keeps customers coming back.

Enjoy a look back at some of the highlights from past festivals.