Must-see restaurants in Canada

  • Sura Korean Cuisine

    Vancouver

    From the 1400-block of Robson St onwards, you'll find a smorgasbord of authentic Korean and Japanese eateries. A cut above its ESL-student-luring siblings…

  • Jammer Cafe

    Fairview & South Granville

    One of Vancouver's coolest cafe concepts, order a hearty hot sandwich (beer-can chicken recommended), grab a woodsy table and then ogle the action at the…

  • Bistro 101

    Vancouver

    The training restaurant of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts is a popular spot with in-the-know locals, especially at lunchtime, when $24 gets you a…

  • Salmon House on the Hill

    North Shore

    West Vancouver's old-school destination restaurant has been luring locals for special-occasion dinners for years. But Salmon House doesn't rest on its…

  • L'Abattoir

    Gastown & Chinatown

    Gastown's best special-occasion restaurant, this candlelit, brick-lined spot makes an art of attending to every detail. Be careful not to fill up on…

  • Le Bremner

    Old Montréal

    Celebrated chef Chuck Hughes – the mastermind behind Garde-Manger – has wowed his fans with this subterranean, low-lit haunt across from the Marché…

  • Breka Bakery & Cafe

    Vancouver

    One of Vancouver's few 24/7 eateries, this local bakery mini-chain has rapidly expanded across the city in recent years; this location is ideal if you…

  • Fable Kitchen

    Vancouver

    One of Vancouver's favorite farm-to-table restaurants is a lovely rustic-chic room of exposed brick, wood beams and prominently displayed red rooster…

  • Brix & Mortar

    Vancouver

    A romantic heritage building eatery with two large and contrasting patios, this sophisticated spot still feels like a secret. The classy white-tablecloth…

  • La Cuisine

    Québec City

    Retro decor and comfort food served till the wee hours are the hallmarks of this cool, low-lit hangout between St-Jean-Baptiste and St-Roch. Formica…

  • Fable Diner

    Vancouver

    Transforming a former greasy spoon in the landmark Lee Building into a casual satellite of Fable's popular Kitsilano restaurant, this hipster diner is a…

  • Cannibal Cafe

    Vancouver

    This is a punk-tastic diner for fans of seriously real burgers. You'll find an inventive array, from classics to the kimchi-infused Korean-BBQ burgers,…

  • Soil

    Vancouver

    A small, vegan-only diner run by the team behind next door's Blue Heron Creamery. Expect a friendly welcome (and a wait for a table, especially on…

  • Cafe Medina

    Vancouver

    At this lively, wood-floored breakfast-brunch-lunch favorite, finding a table can be tricky. But it's worth the wait if you're a waffle fan: the light and…

  • Tapas 24

    Old Montréal

    Celebrated Catalan chef Carles Abellan brings a bit of Barcelona magic to the New World with this outstanding addition to Old Montréal – his first foray…

  • DD Mau

    Vancouver

    At the forefront of Vancouver's love affair with Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, this tiny, often-busy spot serves daily specials (always check these first…

  • Linh Cafe

    Vancouver

    Arrive off-peak (limited reservations are also available) at this chatty locals' favorite, a friendly, red-tabled restaurant serving French bistro…

  • Budgie's Burritos

    Vancouver

    It's a rare vegetarian eatery that has a loyal clientele of carnivores, and this is one of them. The bulging, good-value burritos at this quirky, well…

  • Rodney's Oyster House

    Vancouver

    A pilgrimage spot for oyster fans, Rodney's is always buzzing. And it's not just because of the convivial room with its nautical flourishes; these folks…

  • Ramen Danbo

    Vancouver

    Behind the shed-like black-wood exterior (and oversized paper lantern) lurks the chatty heart of Kitsilano's best ramen joint, a cozy, izakaya-like spot…

  • Tangent Cafe

    Vancouver

    Lined with retro wood paneling, this warm and welcoming Drive hangout combines comfort-classic wraps and burgers with several Malaysian curries and some…

  • Conti

    Québec City

    Set on busy Rue St-Louis, this handsome eatery features an enticing mixture of Italian and Mediterranean flavors. Start off with prosciutto-wrapped shrimp…

  • La Mezcaleria

    Vancouver

    Expect superb soft tacos topped with delectable ingredients such as pork confit and braised beef cheeks at this superior Mexican restaurant. Take a seat…

  • Paillard

    Québec City

    At this bright, buzzy and high-ceilinged café-boulangerie (cafe-bakery) crammed with tourists, diners seated at long wooden tables tuck into tasty gourmet…

  • Downlow Chicken Shack

    Vancouver

    Spicy, deep-fried, southern-style chicken is the menu foundation at this bright and buzzing spot with its surprisingly happy grinning-bird logo. Choose…

  • Les Cousins

    Québec City

    Featuring a tantalizing array of sweet and savory snacks, this neighborhood traiteur (deli) and cafe is a browser’s delight. The display case is devoted…

  • Trafiq

    Vancouver

    This sometimes clamorously busy French-influenced bakery-cafe is a lunchtime magnet with its quesadillas, house-made soups and bulging grilled sandwiches …

  • Teahouse in Stanley Park

    Vancouver

    Occupying a gabled 1930s park building, this lovely spot serves contemporary West Coast classics such as roasted BC sablefish and Fraser Valley duck,…

  • La Casa Gelato

    Vancouver

    If you've been on your feet all day exploring the city, it may be time to cool down with an ice-cold treat. A visit to Vancouver's fave traditional ice…

  • Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant

    Vancouver

    Reservations are not accepted at this Drive favorite, so arrive early for a table or expect to queue. Even if you have to wait, it'll be worth it: the…

  • Ramen Butcher

    Gastown & Chinatown

    One of several new Asian-themed restaurants arriving in Chinatown in recent years, this is the first North American foray of a well-known Japanese ramen…

  • Bestie

    Gastown & Chinatown

    Like a food truck with a permanent home, this white-walled hole-in-the-wall specializes in Berlin-style currywursts – hearty sausages slathered in curry…

  • MeeT in Gastown

    Gastown & Chinatown

    Serving great vegan comfort dishes without the rabbit-food approach, this wildly popular spot can be clamorously busy at times. But it's worth the wait…

  • La Cigale French Bistro

    Vancouver

    A charming neighborhood bistro with a casual contemporary feel, La Cigale's menu combines traditional French recipes with local ingredients and simple,…

  • Toshi Sushi

    Vancouver

    There are no reservations and the place is tiny, but this unassuming sushi joint just off Main is the best place in the neighborhood for Japanese dining…

  • Shizen Ya

    Fairview & South Granville

    A cut above the area's humdrum cheap-and-cheerful sushi shops; the prices here are just as good but the quality and service make a huge difference. Only…

  • Jamjar

    Vancouver

    This super-friendly cafe-style joint has a rustic-chic interior and a folksy Lebanese menu of ethically sourced ingredients, with lots of vegetarian…

  • Épicerie Européenne

    Québec City

    This gourmet grocery stocks a delectable mix of meat, cheese, olive oil, vinegar, tea and coffee. At lunchtime, the deli case is well-stocked with…

  • Sai Woo

    Gastown & Chinatown

    There's a film-set look to the exterior of this contemporary restaurant that resembles a replica of an old Hong Kong restaurant. But the long, slender…

  • Kintaro Ramen Noodle

    Vancouver

    One of Vancouver's oldest noodle shops, fancy-free Kintaro feels like a bustling ramen spot in backstreet Tokyo. Arrive off-peak to avoid queues and snag…

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