Restaurants in Northern Ontario
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A
Caribou Restaurant & Wine Bar
Between the confusing haze of wide-set freeways and boxy mega-marts lies one of Thunder Bay’s best dining options. The facade positively reeks of franchise banality; however, the inside is filled with one-of-a-kind touches like white-clothed tables and designer stemware.
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Hoito Restaurant
You’ll think you’ve stumbled into a staff cafeteria in Finland – in fact, that’s how the Hoito started, providing affordable meals to Finnish bushworkers. This Thunder Bay institution serves breakfast until 7:30pm, and lunch starts at 10:45am – though you’ll probably just want to eat the notorious flattened pancakes around the clock. Don’t forget to wish the Hoito a happy birthday – the restaurant celebrated 100 years in 2010, though we don’t think it looks a day over 75…
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Growing Season Juice Collective
Healthy blended juice is the name of the game here, but it also does scrumptious dishes to accompany your smoothie. Wash down your carrot sticks with a shot of organic wheatgrass, which just happens to be grown on-site!
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Respect is Burning
This self-proclaimed ‘supperclub’ is reason enough to visit Sudbury. Rustic Tuscan cuisine is the local specialty, and the chefs aren’t shy about mixing in some experimental ingredients. Dish recommendations are virtually impossible as the ever-shifting menu promises bursting flavors with every bite. Weekend evenings are a must – delectable sample platters are on offer with late-night drinks.
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Tim Hortons
Before you send us hate mail for guiding you to Timmy’s, know this: Tim Horton was born in Cochrane and this link of his famous donut chain (started by his wife in his memory) is the busiest branch in the entire country. Truckers line up in droves at all times of the day (it’s open 24 hours) to snag some sugary goodness from the remarkably efficient cashiers.
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Panna Bar & Grill
This sleek venue puts a refreshing spin on traditional Mediterranean fare, with fusion favorites like the signature tasting platter consisting of calamari, garlic shrimp and veggie tempura. The modern menu is echoed in the smooth, minimalist decor as though Panna were plucked from a trendy urban center and plopped down amongst homely neighbors.
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Muio’s
Like a shrine to the era of roller discos and drive-in movie theaters, Muio’s seems to bask in its own anachronistic glory despite a recent renovation. Even the waitresses don almond uniforms and smack their gum when dropping off your homespun cookin’. The club sandwich with gravy-drenched fries is the local fave.
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Masala Grille
Housed in a stately Victorian manse, this eclectic addition to Thunder Bay’s dining scene represents the evolving community as new immigrants add a certain cosmopolitan flare to the otherwise staid city. Sample spicy platters from the subcontinent; there are a few Thai treats to tempt the palate too.
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Kinniwabi Pines
What would you expect to find lurking behind the facade of a highway motel in remote northern Ontario? Food from Trinidad, mon! Add some spice to your trip and try the baked pork or the stewed catfish. European and Chinese dishes are also available for those who don’t care to dare their palate.
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Laughing Buddha
Sudbury’s prime hangout for hipsters and slackers pulls off snobby sandwiches (like the ‘Brie LT’) while maintaining an uber chill vibe. Slip out to the crimson-brick courtyard and enjoy your casual lunch or one of the 100-plus types of beer (weather permitting, of course).
reviewed
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Vespa Panini
The newest avatar by the wild folks at Respect is Burning, Vespa is a speedy sandwich shop that spins out flavorful bites betwixt thick pieces of freshly baked bread. It’s all about homemade aioli, fresh farm produce, hanger meat from the butcher, and secret sauces.
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Giorg
The exterior is a throwback to a time when good taste and architecture weren’t especially synonymous (the ’70s), but the charming Italian restaurant inside ranks as one of Thunder Bay’s best, with scrumptious pastas served by poised waiters.
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Deluxe Hamburgers
McDonald’s has the golden arches; Deluxe has the golden arch. McDonald’s has fast food; Deluxe offers swift service. Notice a pattern? So maybe the concept wasn’t original, but this blast from the past is a local institution.
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Don’s Pizza
Don’s is the don of pizza in Sudbury – you can’t mess with these slices. There’s no cracker-thin crust or stuffed dough nonsense here, just honest-to-goodness cornmeal pies loaded with old-school toppings. Hours vary.
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Mrs B’s Pizzas
The fire-engine-red facade lures the weary masses like the call of a siren, so bop in for a slice of greasy heaven and extinguish your hunger. There’s a second location at 459 Second Line W.
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Average Joe’s
Average Joe’s is anything but average. Enjoy tasty fare from the broad menu while staring out over the serene Trout Lake. The bar keeps the gregarious locals around until 1am or 2am.
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JR’s Bar-B-Q Ranch
The western-styled decor fits perfectly with the town’s general frontier vibe. The gorge-worthy ribs are so tasty, they might convince you to plan a second trip to Cochrane.
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Prospector Steakhouse
Appetites beware: you’re about to be obliterated. Hefty carnivorous portions are dished out amid ranchlike curios. The infamous prime rib will give your arteries a workout.
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Kabuki House
Dinner here might put a dent in your wallet, but Kabuki House has the best sushi in North Bay (although it’s possible this is the only Japanese restaurant in town).
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Bistro One
A diamond in the rough hidden amongst clunky uninspired neighbors, Bistro One sizzles with an innovative, ever-changing menu, sleek decor and a legendary wine list.
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