Must-see restaurants in Canada

  • Discovery Coffee

    Victoria

    Go here for a perfect marriage of coffee and doughnuts. The small Victoria chain (six branches) roasts its own beans and bakes its own doughnuts daily…

  • Sunrise Seafoods

    New Brunswick

    Right down by the fisheries, with a smokehouse pluming into the air, this place is the real deal. Get your chowders, chips, scallops and clams, lobster…

  • Cape House Restaurant

    New Brunswick

    When all that activity gets you hungry, head to the Cape House Restaurant in the original lighthouse-keeper's house, where you can enjoy the dramatic view…

  • The Caves

    New Brunswick

    One of two seaside spots known for their creamy chowder sitting side by side on Mac's Beach. Get your fill of seafood with toasted lobster tail or seafood…

  • Shez West

    Western Newfoundland

    This small restaurant has a laid-back ambience (and sometimes the service is a little too laid-back), but it's good for a night out. You can enjoy grilled…

  • Bean Dock

    Nova Scotia

    A chilled coffee shop overlooking the waterfront, serving grilled cheese sandwiches, muffins and paninis. There's also a gift shop selling souvenir tees,…

  • Cedar's

    Charlottetown

    An unusual find in Charlottetown: Cedar's has been serving the home-style flavors of Lebanon to the people of Charlottetown since 1979 and it still rates…

  • Chez Lucien

    Ottawa

    Exposed burgundy brick and classics on the free jukebox make this Gallic-accented gastropub one of Ottawa's favorite places to kick back in style…

  • Ong Ca Can

    Montréal

    Despite its crisp white linens and intricate artwork, this bustling Vietnamese restaurant is only slightly pricier than average but with quality…

  • Ship and Plough

    Manitoba

    This cozy pub offers the likes of house-made meat loaf, fish-and-chips, ribs and fish tacos to the accompaniment of live music on weekends. There's no…

  • Five Eleven West

    Prince Edward Island

    Despite its highly improbable location inside Summerside's sports complex, this modern bistro actually turns out top-notch food: Provençal roast chicken,…

  • Le Chic Shack

    Québec City

    This lively and very upbeat place in the heart of Old Québec is mostly about burgers – quality ones made from grass-fed beef and served on brioche rolls…

  • Shorty's Grill

    Bruce Peninsula

    Locals love Shorty's and with good reason. Appetizers like escargots, crab cakes and calamari fail to disappoint seafood lovers, while mains range from…

  • Earle's

    Gros Morne National Park

    Earle is an institution in Rocky Harbour. This spot gets packed with tourists and locals, from pensioners to families, and has great ice cream, decent…

  • Roadhouse

    Northern BC

    The folks who used to run the excellent Caravan food truck have set up permanent shop near the railroad tracks on Alfred St. Great comfort food and a top…

  • Bamboo Beach Fusion Grille

    Okanagan Valley

    Flavors from across Asia season popular local foods at this sprightly restaurant. Look for Japanese, Korean and Thai influences in the halibut curry, fish…

  • Esmeralda sur le Lac

    Ste-Adèle

    This Italian-owned and -operated restaurant on the shores of Lac Rond serves a dozen different pasta dishes as well as more intricate main courses like…

  • Cassio’s Italian Restaurant

    Jasper Town & Around

    In the long-standing Whistlers Inn, the Cassio family concentrates on presenting real Italian fare: gnocchi, meatballs, veal marsala, pasta aglio e olio …

  • Taco Club

    British Columbia

    Once Revelstoke's favorite food truck, Taco Club has now laid down some roots in a vintage building downtown. Tacos and burritos are excellent, and all…

  • Big Racks Barbecue

    Iqaluit

    The carnivore-pleasing menu of ribs, wings, country fried chicken, burgers, beef brisket and pulled-pork sandwiches has quickly endeared itself to locals…

  • Clucking Hen Deli & Bakery

    Cape Breton Island

    This fun cafe and bakery makes an ideal stop at the start or end of your Cabot Trail drive. The decor centers on chickens and hen-based puns, while the…

  • Qing Hua Dumplings

    Old Montréal

    Dumplings are handmade just a few feet from the casual dining room, so you know they're made fresh. Order generous portions of steamed or fried dumplings…

  • Seahorse Cafe

    Vancouver Island

    This popular little dockside cafe has plenty of outdoor picnic tables for you to relax at while digging into generous around-the-world 'snacks' like…

  • Pendray Tea House

    Victoria

    A decorous little tearoom in one of Victoria’s oldest houses in front of the Huntingdon Manor hotel where you can get the full monty – ‘high tea’ – with…

  • Bodega Tapas Bar

    Regina

    Ambience is the word of the day at this restaurant, situated in a leafy residential area. It has a fantastic tri-level patio that wraps around a huge tree…

  • The Prince Cafe

    New Brunswick

    Next to Roosevelt's Cottage, get your lunch canteen-style. On a nice day, sit on the verandah for a sea view. Soups, salads, sandwiches and baking is all…

  • Haida House at Tllaal

    Haida Gwaii

    This Haida-run restaurant next to the river in Tlell at the end of Beitush Rd has excellent, creative seafood and other dishes with island accents, such…

  • Willow Street Cafe

    Vancouver Island

    With a menu founded on wraps, sandwiches and quesadillas, this cafe in a handsome yellow heritage building in the heart of town has a popular summertime…

  • Paddington Pub

    Southwestern Ontario

    A small house repurposed as an even smaller pub, Paddington's is a local favorite with a full line of craft beers and filling, homestyle specials every…

  • La Petite Cachée

    The Laurentians

    In a charming chalet halfway between the ski slopes and Mont-Tremblant Village, this place offers tasty choices such as seafood linguine, Chef Normand’s…

  • Restaurant Cargo

    Gaspé Peninsula

    Great for a meal and a date and some lovely views, Cargo whips out elegantly prepared fare that still manages to stick to your ribs. Anything with local…

  • Manoir du Café

    Québec

    The spectrum of coffee offered here is pretty fantastic, and the staff brew it strong and tasty, served alongside a colorful menu of fresh sandwiches and…

  • Bouffe Dave Plant Food

    Montréal

    A cute place for a quiche-and-soup brunch set, or to linger over a brownie and laptop time. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pastry…

  • Portland Street Creperie

    Nova Scotia

    A beloved snack stop for locals, this hip creperie corners the market in all things pancakey: go savory with a mushroom melt or ham and Swiss, or indulge…

  • Woolsey Creek Bistro

    British Columbia

    The food at this lively and fun place is both artistic and locally sourced. There are global influences across the menu, which features meat, fish and a…

  • La Chapdelaine

    The Laurentians

    This artisanal bakery and cafe run by a charity working with people with special needs serves tasty soups and sandwiches as well as coffee. It's also a…

  • Coastal Kitchen Cafe

    Vancouver Island

    For a respite from campground pasta, this laid-back, locally loved hangout serves food to satisfy a post–West Coast Trail appetite with BC craft beers to…

  • Le Butterblume

    Montréal

    A light-filled bistro with enough space for a small group, or to sit up at the bar, while working through a short but quaint list of brunch items with a…

  • Cravings Late Night Food

    Saskatchewan

    This place gets the nod in La Ronge for decent home-style food, prices and quirkiness. You definitely won't go away hungry. Try The Wild One (wild rice…

  • Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon

    Montréal

    This high-end version of the sugar-shack experience, 45-minutes west of Montréal, is brought to you by renowned Montréal chef Martin Picard. Tables fill…

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