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Meet Your Neighbour: The Curly Willow Eatery

  • April 27, 2026

For nearly a decade, Mike and Linda Sloat have been serving thoughtfully prepared, high quality meals at The Curly Willow Eatery, creating a unique dining experience. As a chef-owned, family-run restaurant, attention to detail is a part of everything they do. “When food’s coming out somebody is carefully plating it to make sure it’s great,” Linda says, an approach that keeps customers coming back. The restaurant’s interior and layout also plays into that. The cozy, modern vibe and intentionally spaced tables that allow for conversation and connection, creates an elevated home-away-from home feel.

Behind the scenes their attention to detail remains, in the form of consistency and care. From fresh, often local, ingredients to house-made sauces and gluten-free options, every dish is prepared with intention. They bring that same approach to on-site and off-site private functions, with menus designed to suit a range of budgets. “If you’re having shrimp linguine, it doesn’t matter who makes it, it’s going to taste and look exactly the same,” Linda says.

From the beginning the restaurant has put an emphasis on locals, balancing quality with affordability. “We want people to feel comfortable going out,” Linda explains, which is why they have intentionally lowered their prices. That mindset helped build a loyal customer base, especially during COVID-19. “We built this really strong community of locals,” she says. “That’s been everything for us.”

At its core, The Curly Willow is built on community. Linda describes the downtown community as “supportive,” a feeling the restaurant returns both through its food and the relationships it’s built over the years. That sense of community extends beyond the table. With a team of experienced staff who take pride in what they do and care about their guests, their list of regulars is long. With many guests known by name, the restaurant often feels “like Cheers, only we don’t have a bar,” Linda laughs.

Want to support The Curly Willow Eatery? Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @thecurlywilloweatery, visit them online at thecurlywilloweatery.com, or in person at 141 Pine Street in Downtown Collingwood. Better yet, join them for their Mother’s Day breakfast and/or lunch on May 10, or enjoy their off-street shaded patio this summer!