1030 Best Restaurants in Canada

Centrally located in the Design District and within walking distance of the Calgary Stampede, this diner-inspired eatery is a great place for a hearty breakfast or lunch. You can't go wrong with any of the traditional breakfast options including the numerous bennies, but classics like chicken and waffles or breakfast poutine are a good idea.

The well-stocked bar at this casual sports pub with booth and patio seating divides the room into two equal halves, with the locals converging on the east side. The pub fare includes quintessentials such as fish-and-chips, grilled steak and fries, burgers, and finger food. Salads, pasta, and sandwiches are also available. Upstairs you'll find a handful of loft-style suites to rent by the night.

Opened in 2024 and named for Chef Scott Iserhoff's grandmother, this small Indigenous restaurant in downtown Edmonton offers delicious Indigenous cuisine made with fresh seasonal ingredients. For Iserhoff and his guests, the restaurant evokes memories of home and comfort---what it's like to sit in grandma's kitchen and enjoy a hot meal with bannock bread and berry jam. The lunch menu includes salads and sandwiches along with brunch options, while the dinner menu has sharing plates with menu items like bison cheeks, elk carpaccio, and scallops with burnt dandelion. The signature barbeque brisket, which is slow roasted for 12 hours and served with Saskatoon berry–infused barbeque sauce, is on both the lunch and dinner menu. There is a good selection of Indigenous wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages on the menu.

Opened in 2020, this luminous, inviting bakery in St-Henri has made a name for itself with its old fashioned layer cakes, cookies, and loaves that transport you back to Grandma's kitchen.

Enjoying a seven-course tasting menu in chef Dave Smart and his wife Susan Meldrum’s home dining room is one of the most incredible culinary experiences in Nova Scotia. Smart prepares French cuisine, using what’s seasonal and local, and each dish is pure gastronomical joy on a plate—diners are invited to pop into the kitchen and talk to Smart about the food. There are only 12 seats and one service per evening, and you’ll be very lucky indeed to score a reservation but it's worth messaging to see if there are any last-minute cancellations.

This all-day restaurant has quickly become a gathering place preferred by locals and visitors alike. Dinner menu selections draw on international influences and include dishes like a classic jambalaya, creamy pasta dishes, and a scaled-up burger. It can get crowded in the evening, so reservations are recommended. 

Casual, boisterous, and hugely popular, this place has a patio right on the waterfront—look for the "tree" of old bicycles stacked outside. The Italian-influenced menu features showstopping dishes such as old-school lobster Thermador with truffle spaghettini and asparagus, or pistachio honey-crusted Atlantic Salmon, and uses the best local ingredients.

If you're craving a specific ice cream flavor or topping, chances are this long-standing ice cream parlor will have it ready to go.

So much more than a specialty coffee shop, this café offers a full selection of grab-and-go soup and sandwiches, breakfast burritos, quiche, and baked goods for breakfast and lunch, plus seasonal products like Christmas and Valentine's bakes. A bright, spacious room with high, open-duct industrial-style ceilings contrasts nicely with the warmth of the custom-made Douglas fir tabletops, plants throughout, and a wall filled with locally made B.C. food products. Free Wi-Fi is available, as well as charging stations if you need to catch up on work or research. The outdoor patio (with umbrellas) is the perfect place to enjoy a beverage and people-watch.

This slightly out-of-the-way, hip little burger joint elevates the humble patty with local ingredients and naturally raised meats, serving intriguing burger (and sandwich) combos like beef with chipotle-bourbon barbecue sauce, BC–raised bison with aged cheddar and fried onions, or chicken with bacon, Brie, and balsamic red onion jam. Vegetarians can substitute crispy tofu on any sandwich or opt for the chickpea, black bean, and goat cheese burger. Be sure to sample one of the house-made dips, perhaps curry aioli or lime-and-tomatillo hot sauce with the house-made fries. There's a kid's menu as well as drink choices that include creative cocktails, beer from island microbreweries, and house-made berry iced tea. Other lounges are in Langford and Nanaimo.

Bindia serves mouthwatering North Indian cuisine that will delight your taste buds from the first bite of juicy meats and freshly baked naan straight from the tandoor oven. A beloved neighborhood staple, it’s conveniently located in the heart of St. Lawrence Market, offering casual, warm, and friendly service. Whether you choose to dine inside or enjoy a table on the patio during the warmer months, you’ll be able to people-watch and soak in the vibrant sights and sounds of the local community.

This patisserie serves up decadent French pastries and baked goods with surprising savory flavor combinations from its bright, Art Deco--style shopfront on Water Street. 

Not only is the "Rocky Mountain comfort food" served here made with organic local ingredients, but there's also an emphasis on slow cooking, with almost everything prepared from scratch. As the name suggests, it's a great place to try bison dishes—bison tartar and slow-cooked braised bison short rib are signature dishes—but there's also Wild British Columbia halibut, wood-fired duck, and Alberta beef striploin along with a limited number of vegetarian options. The contemporary decor, with hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings, focuses attention on the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work.

Hillside Winery's straightforward lunch menu—salads, sandwiches, and pastas—is presented with style. It tends to get busy; so reservations are encouraged. The evening vibe is more intimate, making this a good choice for traditional favorites like wild Pacific halibut or clam risotto. 

The culinary genius behind the success of city hotspot Chez Muffy, Chef François Blais, opted for a more casual approach with his own restaurant on Avenue Cartier. This spot, which has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, embraces "market cuisine" that's straight to the point and expertly executed. The entire menu, displayed simply on a blackboard, features a handful of daily changing appetizers, main courses, and desserts. It's particularly famous for its expertly prepared sweetbreads. The C$36 prix fixe for lunch is an absolute steal, offering a compelling reason alone to explore the charming Montcalm area.

Offering seafood, steaks, pasta, and pizza, the food at this dinner-only spot is consistent and delicious, with many ingredients locally sourced. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and the service is top-notch. 

Experience sustainable dining at this Old Québec gem, where many herbs and vegetables are harvested directly from its green roofs, making their way straight to each plate. Indulge in an entirely organic, nut- and gluten-free menu, with ingredients almost entirely sourced within single-digit kilometers. Its elegant interior, with stone walls and wooden ceilings, is beautifully illuminated by abundant windows. Note that each service features a "farm to table" daily special, changing with market finds and seasonal flavors, while the lunch prix fixe offers exceptional value for budget-conscious visitors.

L'Orygine, a sophisticated bistro in the heart of Lower Town, stands by its promise of being 100% organic. With a strong emphasis on freshness and local flavors, the chef crafts seasonal, shareable plates that are as delightful as they are guilt-free. Expect innovative creations like lobster cavatelli and a creative mix of duck and eggplant. The space itself is stunning, featuring an all-glass wine cellar and elegant turquoise seating.

This sweet little café with limited indoor seating but picnic tables outside overlooking the ocean across the road serves excellent, locally roasted coffee, tasty breakfasts, and delicious baked goods. 

This trendy downtown restaurant and cocktail bar serves fantastic comfort food (think chicken wings, coconut prawns, pastas, and more). They also have an extensive cocktail list and plenty of great vino and suds from the surrounding wineries and breweries. The vibe and the decor are fun.

This tiny café, just outside the Rosedale subway station, serves some of the city's favorite sandwiches.

With espresso, baked goods, bar snacks, beers, and cocktails on offer, this colorful café/bar (look for the neon pegasus sign) serves as a reliable local hangout from morning 'til night.

The short but enticing menu here reflects the kitchen's expert touch and dedication to the concepts of sustainable farming and incorporating local ingredients. The fish dishes are always of high quality, but you'll have to wait to see what the local fishers bring in to know exactly what you can get. Arrive before the sun goes down to enjoy the stunning view over Bonne Bay. Desserts range from beautifully light to naughtily rich.

Hearty sandwiches stuffed with toppings like mortadella, grilled veggies, and spreads made in-house are accompanied by selections of traditional brioche buns, and creative palm-size Viennoiseries at the local legendary boulangerie. It helps to get there earlier in the day to take score of other baked delights like tomato danishes and quirky chocolate corks.

Come here for perfectly poured coffee drinks and excellent food. The menu offers everything from breakfast tacos to orange chai waffles to fried chicken sandwiches, and it is all delicious.

A locals’ favorite, Block 1912 Cafe has the same ambience as the infamous coffee shop, Central Perk, in the TV show Friends, which makes it a great place to hang out with friends or work on your laptop. There’s even a nook where you can read a book and munch on cakes and pastries as well as tasty sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Offering everything from curry ramen and poke bowls to mushroom risotto and smoked bison flatbread, this small eclectic downtown tapas bar mixes Asian influences with local flavors. Both large and small plates are served in an intimate space with rough-hewn wooden tables, colorful artwork, and bare-bulb lighting. The drinks menu is equally varied, featuring wines, sakes, craft beers, and creative "blocktails."