There are plenty of ways to enjoy a fall afternoon in Belleville, but this Saturday comes with extra cheese.

Savour the Flavour returns to the Downtown District on Saturday, October 3 from noon to 3 p.m., inviting visitors to stroll between local businesses and sample their takes on mac and cheese.

Bring an appetite, a friend, $4 in cash per sample, and perhaps a little competitive spirit: your vote helps decide which dish wins the People’s Choice Award.

A panel of judges will choose its own winner, too.

Comfort food with a creative twist

This is no ordinary bowl of macaroni.

Seventeen downtown businesses are on the 2026 tasting map, with dishes that travel well beyond the familiar cheese sauce.

BayLeaf Belleville is serving cheesy Hakka noodles, while Indian Vibe is adding makhani sauce, paneer and a naan-inspired topping to its mac and cheese.

At Capers, expect beef bulgogi with a togarashi Mornay sauce.

Prefer something hearty? Bourbon Street Pizza Co. is piling bacon, ham and pulled pork into The Notorious P.I.G., while Gourmet Diem is serving chilli mac.

Burger Revolution is turning mac and cheese into panko-crusted “Dragon Mac Fries.”

For a different spin on comfort food, Tropical Blends is bringing Haitian-style mac and cheese with sautéed peppers and onions.

And yes, dessert lovers have options.

The Kafana’s Mac & Cheesecake is inspired by Ukrainian zapekanka, while The Neighbourhood is pairing pasta and cream cheese with strawberries and graham crackers.

With savoury, spicy and sweet dishes on the menu, the hardest part may be deciding what to try first.

Make an afternoon of it

Savour the Flavour is designed for wandering.

Check the event map and full menu above before you go, pick a few must-try stops, then leave room for a surprise along the way.

Between samples, browse the shops, take in the fall atmosphere on Front Street and discover a restaurant you might want to revisit for dinner.

The tasting contest is family-friendly, so bring the kids or turn it into a casual afternoon with friends.

Each cup costs $4; the organizer asks visitors to bring cash and their own fork.

You can taste as many entries as your appetite allows before casting your People’s Choice vote.

A downtown tradition worth tasting

Savour the Flavour is part of Downtown Belleville’s year-round Savour Series, which also includes Savour the Chill, Savour the Sips and Savour the Heat.

The series received a 2026 award from the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association for bringing people downtown and showcasing local restaurants.

This Saturday, the spotlight belongs to mac and cheese.

Come savour a classic creamy bowl or try something completely unexpected, and help crown the dish you would happily come back for.