Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is a seasonal waterfront cafe and dockside restaurant in Sarnia-Lambton offering patio and lakeside seating with brunch, lunch, and dinner service. Chef-driven daily and weekly features include seafood specials, sandwiches, tacos, and tasting menus, with casual cocktails and cold drinks. The venue hosts limited-seat special events like Chef Nights, sells gift certificates in the off season, and typically operates on a walk-in, first come first served basis for patio seating.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 1st, 2026
Recent Activity
Taco & Tequila Tuesday
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is offering Taco & Tequila Tuesday with Crab Cake Tacos and Tequila Sunrise Spritzes, published for 2026-05-12. The patio may be open for waterfront seating and the menu is available while it lasts, so consider stopping by early for a sunny lunch special.
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Happy Hour Menu
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside has relaunched its weekday happy hour, running Monday to Friday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM with a $5 to $12 menu. Stop by for afternoon bites and drinks in a breezy dockside atmosphere, perfect for a quick meet up after work.
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Today’s lunch feature: Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
Alternate Grounds Café and Dockside is offering a limited lunch feature of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese on 2026-05-11, described as creamy, cheesy, and spicy enough to warm you on a blustery sunny day. The dish is available while it lasts at Dockside, making it a tempting, time limited comfort food pick for anyone craving a hearty lunch by the water.
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Mother's Day service announcement
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside will be open till sunset on Mother's Day, offering a relaxed visit with walk in seating and a friendly atmosphere. No reservations are needed, seating is first come first serve, making this a simple, low stress option to take mom out on 2026-05-10.
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Mother's Day brunch and lunch
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is open at 9:00 AM on Mother's Day for brunch and lunch with walk ins only and no reservations. Plan to arrive early to secure a waterside table, order Mom a mimosa, and enjoy the included views for a simple last minute celebration.
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Cod piccata
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring Cod piccata tonight, a pan seared cod served with garlic fried green beans and asparagus finished with a lemon caper butter sauce. This is presented as an evening special announced by the cafe for immediate availability on the publish date.
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Cod piccata
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring Cod piccata for tonight, a pan seared cod served with garlic fried green beans and asparagus, topped with a lemon caper butter sauce. The dish was announced in the cafe's social post on 2026-05-09, presented as a limited nightly special for diners who stop by this evening.
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Tonight's Dinner - Beef + Cheese Lasagna
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring Beef + Cheese Lasagna as Tonight's Dinner on 2026-05-08, served with garlic cheese bread and a caesar salad. This comforting, complete plate pairs rich braised beef marinara with layers of cheese, making it a satisfying option for a casual evening meal.
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Lunch feature Fishwich
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring a one day only Fishwich by Chef Andrew, a crispy beer battered haddock sandwich on a panuzzo bun with tzatziki and cucumber salsa, available for lunch on 2026-05-08 while supplies last. Pair it with a cold drink and enjoy waterfront views for a relaxed, messy, and extremely satisfying lunch.
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HOT Nashville Chicken Sandwich
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring a HOT Nashville Chicken Sandwich as a Thursday special, available only on 2026-05-07 while supplies last. Chef Andrew's sandwich pairs crispy fried chicken tossed in Nashville heat with slaw and pickles, making it a spicy, satisfying lunch for anyone nearby today.
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HOT Nashville Chicken Sandwich
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring a HOT Nashville Chicken Sandwich for one day only, a crispy fried chicken sandwich tossed in spicy Nashville heat with slaw and pickles. Chef Andrew's Thursday feature is available today only while supplies last, so stop by early if you want to try it.
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HOT Nashville Chicken Sandwich
Chef Andrew is featuring a HOT Nashville Chicken Sandwich at Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside on 2026-05-07, a crispy fried chicken sandwich tossed in spicy Nashville heat with slaw and pickles. This is a one day feature available while supplies last, a great excuse to grab a bold, spicy lunch from the cafe.
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Seafood chowder
Alternate Grounds Café and Dockside posted a limited Chef Feature for 2026-05-06, a rich seafood chowder with salmon, shrimp, mussels, and clams served by Chef Andrew. The chowder is available the day of the post while supplies last, making it a perfect warm lunch on a cold May day along the Sarnia waterfront.
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Cinco de Mayo Birria Enchiladas feature
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside is featuring Birria Enchiladas for Cinco de Mayo on 2026-05-05, with flowing margaritas and a dockside celebration. Order any tacos and get a free side of chips and salsa during this one day feature.
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Enthusiastic food promotion post
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside posted an enthusiastic food promotion on 2026-05-05 with a short repeating phrase and multiple food emoji. The compact message reads as a lively social update intended to draw attention from followers.
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First patio day announcement
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside posted a cheerful announcement on 2026-05-04 celebrating their first patio day of the season. The short message signals that the cafe is marking outdoor seating as part of its seasonal service and invites patrons to watch for follow up details.
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Patio seating season social announcement
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside marked the start of patio season on May 3, celebrating first patio guests, sunshine, and a breeze off the water. Stop by to enjoy a relaxed waterfront seat and the sunny, laid back atmosphere of the season opening.
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Caesar Sunday Lobster Breakfast Poutine
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside has introduced a Lobster Breakfast Poutine as part of its Caesar Sunday brunch, with doors opening at 9 AM. Chef Andrew is promoting the special with patio vibes and local hashtags, making it a playful, indulgent weekend option for Sarnia diners.
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Seasonal reopening announcement
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside announced on May 2, 2026 that they are open for another season, inviting customers back with a cheerful message. Visit the café's site or social channels for updated hours, menu details, and dockside seating information.
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Dockside brunch season kickoff
Alternate Grounds Cafe9 & Dockside launches its Dockside brunch season in Sarnia today, with doors opening at 9:00 AM and cold mimosas on offer. Expect hot brunch plates, patio waterfront views, and a first come, first mimosa welcome for early arrivals.
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Season opener and entertainment start
Alternate Grounds Cafe9 and Dockside opens its season today with live entertainment starting at 5 PM, celebrating the return of dockside summer evenings. Stop by this evening for music and a relaxed waterfront vibe as the venue welcomes the season.
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Dockside season opening at 11am
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside announced that Dockside season opens today with the patio available starting at 11:00 AM on 2026-05-01. Check the cafe's social channels for updates and look for posts tagged #DocksideSarnia or #PatioSeason when you head over for outdoor seating.
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Seasonal reopening and hours announcement
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside announces a seasonal reopening, welcoming guests tomorrow, May 1, 2026, with doors opening at 11:00 AM and service running until sunset. The post highlights lake views, pretty sunsets, and a friendly vibe focused on good food and cold drinks.
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Dockside reopening
Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside will reopen on May 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM, announced with an enthusiastic countdown from the Dockside team. The post invites the community to gather for a celebratory return to the waterfront venue.
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8 course Chef Night — last-minute opening
A surprise cancellation opened a table for two at Alternate Grounds Café & Dockside for tonight's 8 course Chef Night on 2026-04-24. Call 519-490-0813 right away to claim the spot and confirm details.
