Must-see restaurants in Canada

  • Octopus Ice Cream

    New Brunswick

    Come to this place right on the harbor to be spoiled by choice. Black cherry, pistachio, chocolate peanut butter and countless other flavors come as cones…

  • Déjà Vu Cafe

    Saskatchewan

    Plethora – that's the theme at this legendary diner located downtown. Milkshakes come in 80 flavors, and there are dozens of dipping sauces for the…

  • Kazu

    Montréal

    Kazuo Akutsu’s frenetic hole-in-the-wall in the Concordia Chinatown draws long lines of people waiting for gyoza (dumplings), ramen-noodle soup and…

  • Buell Street Bistro

    Eastern Ontario

    Three levels and a delectable patio break the space up at this local favorite. Seafood and pasta, steak-frites and surf 'n' turf mingle with curry dishes…

  • Norton's Cove Cafe

    New-Wes-Valley

    This gorgeous cafe boasts a light, airy interior, brilliant waterfront views, and a menu that takes enjoyable license with local cuisine; try cod with…

  • Le Bon Vivant

    Montréal

    Part of the lineup of great restaurants on Rue Notre-Dame in Little Burgundy, this locally owned bistro has a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff,…

  • Old School Bus

    Canmore

    Permanently parked just off Main St, this converted school bus is the place for ice cream in Canmore. The chalkboard hawks a tempting spectrum of flavors,…

  • Calactus

    New Brunswick

    Busy, bright and welcoming with a bit of a hippy vibe, this vegetarian restaurant excels with unexpected dishes such as lasagna and burgers. You'll also…

  • Meat

    Edmonton

    Spicy fried chicken, pulled pork by the pound and beef brisket are why people pack into this tasty restaurant night after night. It's got decent beers on…

  • Harbour Restaurant

    Cape Breton Island

    A reliable stalwart in central Chéticamp, with windows looking onto the strait and a slightly alarming slope in the floors at low tide. Seafood's the…

  • Galileo Coffee Company

    Squamish & Around

    Lovable small-batch coffee roaster that's commandeered a clapboard house next to Hwy 99 that once belonged to the Britannia Mine manager. The sweet snacks…

  • Okonomi House

    Toronto

    Okonomi House is one of the only places in Toronto dishing up authentic okonomiyaki (savory Japanese cabbage pancakes filled with meat, seafood or…

  • Italian Star Deli

    Regina

    Since 1966, this authentic Italian deli has brought the flavors of Europe to the prairies. Folks flock for the delicious panini and you're well advised to…

  • Ox Bar de Tapas

    Calgary

    Recreating Spain in modern Calgary isn't an obvious go-to, but Ox Bar de Tapas has somehow managed it with colorful tiles and delicious tapas. Order…

  • Kiju's

    Cape Breton Island

    Based at Membertou Heritage Park, this restaurant provides the rare opportunity to try Mi'kmaw-inspired dishes, such as four-cent bread, cedar-plank…

  • Old Apothecary

    Halifax

    For a sweet fix, a superb croissant and probably the best baguettes in the city, this downtown bakery is the place. It's decked out like a junk shop, with…

  • Wieners of Waterton

    Southern Alberta

    Not all wieners are made equal and those served here approach gourmet level, including locally smoked and breakfast-dog varieties. Get 'em with a side of…

  • Bang Bang Ice Cream

    Toronto

    From burnt toffee to banana pudding, Bang Bang has more than two dozen house-made ice-cream flavours to try. Choose regular scoops, ice-cream sandwiches…

  • Asahiya

    Whitehorse

    Top-notch Japanese prepared by Japanese chefs in downtown Whitehorse. Think sashimi, sushi and rolls, noodle dishes such as udon and soba, plus curry and…

  • Squirrel Cage

    Southwestern Ontario

    Former city slickers love their new life in Windsor and bring a taste of cosmopolitan Toronto to town in this stylish, upbeat licensed cafe. Expect…

  • La Boulangerie Aucoin

    Cape Breton Island

    If you've never tried an Acadian meat pie, this fine little bakery, founded in 1959, will happily oblige. It also has fresh home-style breads (including…

  • Chez Mathilde

    Tadoussac

    The stellar chef at this colorful little house utilizes plenty of local products, from seafood to greens to cheeses, in the short but creative menu. The…

  • ChuChai

    Montréal

    In Montréal's first vegetarian upscale eatery, zippy Thai-inspired stir-fries and coconut soups explore the potential of fragrant kaffir lime, lemongrass…

  • Little Hobo Soup & Sandwich Shop

    Kelowna

    This unadorned sandwich shop is hugely popular and for good reason: the food is excellent. Custom sandwiches are good, but the daily specials really shine…

  • Bistro East

    Annapolis Valley

    Annapolis Royal's down-home downtown diner serves pretty much every kind of food you could fancy: quesadillas, chicken Alfredo, Cajun haddock and great…

  • Blue Nile

    Ottawa

    Undoubtedly the best place to satisfy any injera (flat, spongy bread) cravings, this small restaurant in Chinatown also offers homemade tej (honey wine)…

  • Pulcinella

    Calgary

    With an authentic pizza oven, Pulcinella specializes in amazing, thin, crispy Neapolitan pizzas with purposefully simple toppings. Don't leave without…

  • Blind Angler Grill

    Okanagan Valley

    This shack-like place overlooks Peachland's small marina. What's lost in structural integrity is more than made up for in food quality: breakfasts shine,…

  • Sunny Mayne Bakery Cafe

    British Columbia

    All Mayne visitors should make a beeline for the island's most reliable eating joint (open year-round with earlier closing in the winter), a source of…

  • Drunken Goat Taverna

    Dawson City

    Follow your eyes to the flowers, your ears to the Aegean music and your nose to the excellent Greek food, served year-round by the legendary Tony Dovas. A…

  • Governors Pub & Eatery

    Cape Breton Island

    Governors is easily the most popular place in Sydney. Stop by to mingle with the after-work crowd for drinks, dine on gourmet pub grub or just sink a beer…

  • Alma's

    Western Newfoundland

    Follow the locals into this no-frills family diner for heaping portions of cod, scallops, fish cakes and berry pies. Your best bet for a good meal in town…

  • Art We Are

    British Columbia

    Tea joint, local artist venue, hangout, bakery and more – this funky cafe is a great place to let some Kamloops hours slip by. The organic menu changes…

  • Kelowna Farmers Market

    Kelowna

    The farmers market has more than 150 vendors, including many with prepared foods. Local artisans also display their wares. It's east of downtown near the…

  • Saigon Boy Noodle House

    Ottawa

    Locals rate Saigon Boy as the city's best choice for pho, a Vietnamese soup containing rice noodles with beef or chicken. Other dishes, such as grilled…

  • East Coast Bistro

    Saint John

    Combining French flair with local ingredients, this chic, brick-walled bistro is all about flavor. Watch elegant dishes featuring seafood, duck or steak…

  • Tokyo Noodle Shop

    Edmonton

    Great sushi and noodles by the gallon, plus bento boxes, rice bowls and all the tasty appetizers you'd expect in an authentic Japanese restaurant. Nothing…

  • Laverne's

    Thousand Islands

    Previously known as the Socialist Pig, the new restaurant still focuses on BBQ and brunch with cool decor including a counter made of old books. The food…

  • Co Pain Bread Company

    New Brunswick

    Follow your nose to this amazing bakery for fresh bread, scones, raisin rolls and almond croissants. Cheese and sliced meat is also available for a full…

  • Gabrieau's Bistro

    Nova Scotia

    Fine dining inspired by classic French and Italian cuisine is chef Mark Garibeau's stock-in-trade, and his restaurant is far and away Antigonish's top…

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