1031 Best Restaurants in Canada

The wooden booths at the back of this dim, narrow room belie just how much fun this place can be with its upbeat mood and hop-to-it staff. Most of the arty-looking clientele are here for the oysters (served shucked, smoked, baked, breaded, or as shooters) and large portions of updated comfort food (try the sweet-potato fries; lamb, beef, or halibut burgers; or chicken-penne soup). The service is snappy, there's a small patio out back, and even the kids' menu portions would feed a linebacker. The evening-only, upstairs oyster bar with its black-granite bar and inviting sofas is even more intimate, and mains like prosciutto-wrapped lingcod are included on the pricier, more upscale menu.

Everything is homemade in this new neighborhood sandwich shop. Located in the heart of rue St-Jean, Ficelle prepares freshly made dishes of the day, such as sandwiches (baguette or focaccia) with a variety of fillings and soups. The selection varies from day to day depending on what's available. This is a place that is appreciated by the locals for its simplicity and quality. It's the ideal place for an uncomplicated lunch with no compromises.

Everything here is farm-to-table or items come from local bakeries and orchards. Sandwiches are piled high with flavor, pizzas come directly from the brick oven, and shelves are stacked with produce such as jams, jellies, canned fruit, and veggies. The farm of this outfit is in North Saanich at 1780 Mills Road where meals are a bit more leisurely in a very bright bistro. As you might expect, we're talking pasture raised, non-gmo ingredients from start to finish.

This pine-finished, second-floor dining room has great views of the railway station, downtown Jasper, and the mountains. The Canadian seafood, wild game, and Alberta beef dishes are classic and delicious, and daily specials are noted on a chalkboard menu. This is a good place to sample halibut or lobster from Atlantic Canada or enjoy Alberta game meats like elk or bison. The wine list includes some noteworthy Canadian wines.

Located smack in the middle of Kensington Market, locals flock to this highly versatile cultural hub that effortlessly merges brunch restaurant, gelateria, and evening cabaret. The sprawling front and back patio make it an ideal location for soaking in local culture over an umami-rich Japanese omelet and pink sakura latte, or cocktails paired with late-night Latin-themed bites. The choices are truly endless. 

The wide-ranging menu at Fisherman's Landing includes plenty of seafood plus pasta dishes and hot or cold sandwiches. Moose burgers are a local favorite. Both the food and the service here are reliable. It can get busy, but you can always browse the crafts shop next door in the liquor store until your table's ready.

Installed in a heritage building across from the Grand Parade, this restaurant is splurge-worthy. While classics like oysters Rockefeller and seared scallops never disappoint, inventive seafood dishes such as lobster-crusted haddock and a 6-pound flash-fried lobster tower elevate the menu. This is also a great place for steak, wagyu burgers, and other delectable items from the grill. Tables are backlit through a wall of stained glass, and the seafood is so good locals keep coming back. 

Stop here for fantastic baked treats and heavenly fresh baked loaves—sourdough, rye, French bread, and more—to take with you. They also have a fridge stocked with locally made preserves and other items. 

In a city where deep fryers reign supreme, this small eatery is a welcome find. The haddock is poached, the crab cakes served with mango salsa, the prawns tossed in pesto sauce—and Flavor's flavors shine through. 

This local mini-chain does a brisk business in fresh, slow-cooked rotisserie chicken, sold as part of a combo meal, atop customizable salads and bowls, or stuffed into sandwiches and wraps.

This kooky 1950s-style diner is a hit with the kids—and with parents looking for ample portions and well-priced meals. Menus are dressed up like a tabloid newspaper and feature an extensive list of flame-broiled diner classics, and then some.

This rustic midtown spot—a former store, stable, and Nova Scotia's oldest rural inn, dating to 1764—is full of natural pine and local art, and its staff and clientele treat regulars and newcomers like kin. In the windowed front section, a woodstove keeps things warm on chilly nights, and year-round you can order from a menu that's strong on seafood and comfort food. Lighter fare is also served, along with plenty of craft beers.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant is known for locally sourced ingredients that are used in their delicious wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta, creative salads, seafood and chicken dishes, and Alberta beef steaks; there's also an excellent breakfast buffet. The dining area includes a long bar, an open kitchen, and expansive windows with gorgeous mountain views along one side of the restaurant. A few vegetarian and gluten-free options are available and children under six eat free.

For generations, hungry Torontonians have ended up at this reliable diner for classic breakfasts and greasy-spoon dishes. Burgers and Benedicts are staples, but the menu makes room for a variety of comfort food crowd-pleasers like lasagna, meat loaf, and steak. Save room for rice pudding.

A waterfront location with stunning harbor views and great seafood make this a prime spot in Digby to sample the world-famous local scallops as well as lobster, salmon, Bay of Fundy halibut, and a few nonseafood dishes for good measure. The lunch menu is lighter and includes chowder, sandwiches, fish-and-chips, and a crispy "seaburger," plus a kids' menu with plenty of choices. On the same premises, the Dockside Restaurant and Bar has a waterfront deck.

Aside from European-style baked goods and all-day breakfasts, this spot also serves Old World recipes like cabbage rolls, schnitzel, and potato-cheese pierogi slathered with sour cream. It's beloved by the pastry-and-coffee crowd and by students wanting generous portions from early morning until late at night.

A relaxing meal with breathtaking harbor views (and fleece blankets available in case the wind comes up) on the outdoor deck of this friendly harborside eatery is the perfect way to end a day of whale-watching or craft shopping. The hearty seafood chowder will warm the heart and soul on a foggy Fundy night, and the lobster club sandwich is a favorite; there are also nonfish dishes on the menu such as steaks—and, of course, the house-made desserts.

Gabrieau's has earned a place in Antigonish hearts with its pleasant interior and an epicurean yet affordable menu that includes seafood, meat dishes, pasta, tapas, sushi, and various vegetarian dishes. There are also luscious desserts, and the wine list impresses, too. There's a sunny patio and a private room is also available.

Housed in an 1880 brick building downtown, this pub clearly takes pride in its 10 handcrafted ales and craft cider, prominently displayed on the menu. Beer reappears in several dishes as well, including the signature brown-bag fish-and-chips with honey wheat ale--battered haddock, and a specific brew is recommended to accompany each dish. But even teetotalers will appreciate that the food here is always tasty, affordable, and well-presented. Tours of the brewing operation, the Prince Edward Island Brewing Company, occur at a separate location at 96 Kensington Road; they cost C$22–C$33, samples included, and are available during normal working hours.

This funky spot that started out as a food truck offers an eclectic and tasty menu that runs from jerk chicken bowls to butter chicken poutine to fish-and-chips. The dining room doubles as a gallery space, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. There's a good selection of local craft beers, ciders, and wines. They are known for catering to any food sensitivities. 

A small all-day breakfast place that has been around for more than 30 years, the Galaxie Diner is a great option for a fair-priced breakfast (especially if you slept past noon). The decor is vintage diner, the staff is friendly and helpful, and you can have as many hash browns as you like.

Escape the winter chill at Gao Comptoir Vietnamien, a minimalist spot on bustling Saint-Jean Street. There's nothing quite like their steaming hot soups to provide warmth on a cold day. Beyond comforting pho, their menu features traditional Vietnamese favorites such as Bánh mì, crispy fried rolls, and flavorful grilled beef. It’s the perfect destination for an affordable and deeply satisfying lunch.

Blink and you'll miss it. While the address is written on the building's façade, the restaurant's nondescript exterior and lack of a sign mean you may be searching for a while. Popular options at this atmospheric see-and-be-seen locale, steered by local celebrity chef Chuck Hughes, include bountiful platters of seafood, mains featuring fish, duck or beef, and usually a pasta dish with meat. With few plant-based sides on the menu, vegetarians and vegans will be left wanting. The bar, where flirting is in high gear, is a fun option for dining and hanging out. The kitchen closes at 10, after which the party rages until 3 am. Minors are not permitted on the premises.

At this colorful eatery centered around tacos with creative fillings like Arctic char and vegan panko-crusted avocadoes, grab an espresso, a locally brewed beer, or a craft cocktail. On sunny days, there are few better spots in town than the patio with its comfy and rustic wood benches. You can wander over to the adjoining glassblowing studio with your drink while you wait for your meal. 

Bring a healthy appetite and a love for delicious slow-roasted meat when you visit this authentic Brazilian house of barbecue. With rodizio-style dining, you pay one price and skewers of perfectly roasted steaming meat are carried to your table and sliced onto your plate until you tell them to stop. Delicious hot cheese buns and more than a dozen salads and side dishes can be enjoyed alongside the meat dishes. A wide variety of drinks, including cocktails, craft beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, are also on the menu.

Watch tasty, filling Chinese noodles get stretched, folded, and beaten by hand to order at this busy and tiny shop, which specializes in Lanzhou-style lamian. Choose from seven types of noodle thickness in a beef broth; most people choose thicker noodles, which allows you to experience their full chewy texture and the soup flavor to cling to them more. The portion size of noodle soups is generous; ordering a small will easily satisfy people with modest appetites, but if you eat a lot dare to get a large or extra-large portion.

This spot resembles an old English pub in every way, including having a red phone booth and the best fish-and-chips in town. Other British pub classics like Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, stuffed Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie, and beef Wellington are on the menu alongside Canadian favorites like salads, burgers, poutine, and steak sandwiches. The breakfast menu is also very good. The bar is one of the biggest in Canmore with more than a dozen beers on tap as well as a nice selection of cocktails, spirits, ciders, and wines. FYI: The Georgetown is named after a ghost town not far from Canmore.

Traditional Italian food gets a modern revamp at this intimate eatery offering a wide, delicious variety of dishes. Pastas and pizzas are both excellent, but there's standout seafoods and meats—like a showstopping strip loin for two—mixed in among the numerous veg-forward options.

The two-level, bustling eatery never seems to lose its energetic vibe in the seasonal fare it presents or in the patron it attracts. Whether it's a seat at the bar beside the open kitchen, a gathering by the fire, a cozy meal in a booth, or joining the throng on the heated outdoor patio, this place rocks. It's no wonder, given happy hour starts at 2:30. The broad (and sometimes pricey) menu includes a mouthwatering and hearty seafood bouillabaisse, a delicious lobster paella, pasta, and poultry. Beef items run the gamut from a prime Tomahawk (C$149) or a 280-ounce prime rib eye double entrecôte (C$120) to a C$16 burger. The wine and cocktail list is just as diverse. For people watching, head to the mezzanine that overlooks all the action. Glowbal is in the TELUS Garden building, one of Vancouver's greenest buildings. Look up. The glass-ribbed canopy resembles a whale.