Must-see restaurants in Ontario

  • Stonewater Pub

    Thousand Islands

    Below a B&B, this homey little waterfront Irish pub and restaurant serves up hearty and delicious fare: the 'Irish tenderloin' (grilled, bacon-wrapped…

  • Pan Chancho

    Kingston

    This phenomenal bakery and cafe fuses unlikely ingredients into palate-pleasing dishes such as Vietnamese spring rolls and sesame tuna meatballs. The…

  • ByWard Market Square

    Ottawa

    Anchoring the market district, this sturdy brick building is the perfect place to stop when hunger strikes. Aside from the fresh produce and cheese, an…

  • Tomlin

    Northern Ontario

    Locally lauded chef Steve Simpson's elevated comfort food uses seasonal local ingredients, with the regularly changing menu split between small plates (eg…

  • Town

    Ottawa

    Slick, smart and ineffably cool, this joint is always packed: arty-farty hipsters bump elbows with wealthy coiffured housewives. Ottawa foodies appreciate…

  • Arturo's Ristorante

    Northern Ontario

    A shimmering jewel in a dismal downtown strip, decades-old Arturo's is the kind of place you remember after your vacation has ended. Atmospheric but…

  • Prime Gelato

    Northern Ontario

    With ambitions to be a Ben & Jerry's of the north, Prime sells gelato and sorbet in creative flavors such as salted caramel, and sometimes alcoholic…

  • House of Gourmet

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    A popular, fluorescent-bulb-lit restaurant specializing in Hong Kong–style congee, noodles, barbecue and seafood – more than 800 dishes of them! (It takes…

  • Busters Barbeque

    Northern Ontario

    After the original location burnt down, owners Mike and Natalie started a food truck in Fort Vermilion, which has a kid's play area. The ribs are probably…

  • Pieza Pizzeria

    Niagara Peninsula

    A cute turn-of-the-century house repurposed into an even cuter pizzeria with simple, streamlined decor. It's the pizza that speaks loudest here: dough…

  • Lee

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Truly a feast for the senses, dinner at acclaimed cuisinier Susur Lee's self-titled flagship is an experience best shared. Slick servers assist in…

  • Crafty Ramen

    Southwestern Ontario

    A tiny, bustling, diner-style eatery serving steaming bowls of ramen packed with ingredients like pork chashu, charred corn and lotus chips. Noodles are…

  • Hoito Restaurant

    Northern Ontario

    You'll think you've stumbled into a staff cafeteria in Finland; indeed, that's how the Hoito started, over a century ago, providing affordable meals to…

  • Athens

    East Toronto & Rosedale

    As Greek as Greektown (aka The Danforth), modern and beachy Athens serves traditional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients: grilled calamari, lamb…

  • The Red Rabbit

    Southwestern Ontario

    Inventive dishes, global influences and a cool, laid-back vibe are what drive the experience at Stratford's 'it' restaurant. Order à la carte for lunch…

  • Wilf & Ada's

    Ottawa

    This 'scratch diner' is one of Ottawa's hippest breakfast and lunch spots, with its retro art and everything made from scratch. Breakfast is all home…

  • Forno Cultura

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    An Italian bakery tucked into a basement-level shop, Forno Cultura offers a full line of bread and pastries made with ingredients imported from Italy –…

  • Aunties & Uncles

    Toronto

    There's usually a line on the sidewalk outside the picket fence of this always-bustling brunch/lunch joint with a simple menu of cheap and cheery homemade…

  • The Kart

    Georgian Bay

    You'll find some of the region's tastiest burgers, sausages and poutine at this tidy red food truck in the parking lot of a Canadian Tire. Ingredients are…

  • Saint James

    Southwestern Ontario

    An industrial-chic cafe in the heart of James St N serving upscale breakfast fare – lemon ricotta short stacks, avocado toast with smoked salmon, even the…

  • Churchill's

    Northern Ontario

    This low-lit bistro makes up for once being the first branch of mega-chain Tim Hortons by serving some of Canada's finest steaks and ribs, accompanied by…

  • Union Local 613

    Ottawa

    Sit among the low-lit decor of hummingbirds and hot-air balloons, and drink house beers and other local craft brews from screw-top jars. It's food with…

  • El Camino

    Ottawa

    With a hip industrial aesthetic underscored by Day of the Dead references, El Camino is either praised as Ottawa's taco joint of the hour or derided as…

  • Casero Kitchen Table

    Bruce Peninsula

    Set in an auto repair shop turned retro dining room, Casero offers up classic Mexican eats with a modern twist: smoked brisket tacos, crispy shrimp tortas…

  • Boxcar Social

    Toronto

    An industrial-chic cafe/bar/coffee haven, Boxcar Social has enviable views of Lake Ontario. The menu matches the vibe, with fresh takes on salads and…

  • The Bakery

    Southwestern Ontario

    Stop at this tiny house turned bakery/deli/pizzeria for hearty wraps and salads, pizza and all manner of baked goods (cinnamon buns, anyone?). Coffee…

  • Beckta Dining & Wine Bar

    Ottawa

    Book in advance for one of the hottest tables in the capital, if not the whole country. Beckta offers an upmarket dining experience with an original spin…

  • Lost & Found Café

    Southwestern Ontario

    A boho-chic cafe tucked between country boutiques, Lost & Found serves delicious and beautifully presented salads, sandwiches and soups. Vegetarian and…

  • Ciboulette et cie

    Georgian Bay

    This gourmet deli/cafe is stocked to the hilt with fine foods, cold meats, cheeses, freshly made soups and sauces. The cafe serves great coffees, local…

  • Peach Country Farm Market

    Niagara Peninsula

    A country market selling fresh fruit, jams, ice cream and fruit pies, all grown, picked and baked on-site by fourth-generation farmers – a roadside gem!

  • Covent Garden Market

    Southwestern Ontario

    This humongous, chapel-shaped market will whet and satisfy any appetite. There's a permanent collection of delis, bakeries, chocolate shops, fresh-produce…

  • Buoys Eatery

    Bruce Peninsula

    This little joint on the Gore Bay marina has it all: vibe, location, and food sourced from local providers and prepared fresh. The seasoned whitefish…

  • Sirkel Foods

    Southwestern Ontario

    A hopping cafe in the central square, Sirkel is a go-to for locals and visitors in the know. Breakfast is traditional and hearty, while lunch brings…

  • Respect is Burning

    Northern Ontario

    This self-proclaimed supper club's focus is on rustic Tuscan cuisine, but chefs aren't shy about getting experimental. The ever-shifting menu promises…

  • Griffin Gastropub

    Muskoka Lakes

    Tucked into an alley just off the main drag, this small British-style pub serves up hearty, locally sourced meals – the charcuterie board is ah-mazing –…

  • The Root Cellar

    Southwestern Ontario

    It's all about local and organic foods at this boho-chic cafe, with from-scratch creations like free-range water buffalo burgers, kale salad with hemp…

  • Tremont Cafe

    Georgian Bay

    Come for a mouthwatering weekend brunch or classic dinner at this delightful fine-dining cafe in the historic Tremont building. Will you have the duck…

  • Métropolitain Brasserie

    Ottawa

    Métropolitain puts a modern spin on the typical brasserie with its swirling zinc countertop, flamboyant fixtures and Gallic soundtrack: you'll feel like…

  • Atelier

    Ottawa

    The brainchild of celebrated chef and molecular gastronomy enthusiast Marc Lépine, Atelier is a white-walled laboratory dedicated to tickling the taste…

  • Ivy Restaurant

    Thousand Islands

    In a charming waterfront spot about 12km east of Gananoque, this beautifully refurbished restaurant belonging to the opulent Ivy Lea Club marina is open…