1031 Best Restaurants in Canada

A standout amid the crowded dining scene on Denman Street, Khaghan's varied menu has piled assorted Middle Eastern flavors into traditional fare: a multitude of kebabs, a tasty ghormeh sahzi beef stew loaded with greens and fresh herbs, a lamb shank with dill rice, and a pomegranate walnut stew for vegetarians. Locals keep this place cooking, so reservations are essential.

Chef Nuit Regular, Toronto's powerhouse Thai restauranteur, invites diners to a rare taste of Baan Lao cuisine, a seven-course tasting menu of specialties that have been served over centuries to the Thai royal family (and there's a vegan version as well). Don't expect fiery curries but rather a sophisticated and textural experience of imaginative dishes fit for a regal palate. An à la carte menu is available but most diners opt for the main event. Dishes ramp up from bite-sized flower-shaped dumplings to substantial fusions like five-spice–infused braised beef short ribs, or coconut milk-coated charcoal-grilled sablefish steak topped with carved coconut flowers and basil leaves on a red curry custard puree. The playful cocktail menu features Thai-infused ingredients, and you'll want to try more than one.

In a neighborhood where the bohemian vegetarian lifestyle is the norm, King's Café has become a mainstay for artists, students, and young professionals seeking vegan grub with an Asian accent. The setting is a serene and airy eatery with wide windows looking out onto bustling Augusta Avenue.

This laid-back Cabbagetown favorite is all about fresh, thoughtful Japanese food done right. The star of the show is the tasting platter—12 beautifully presented bite-sized dishes that change daily based on the chef's selection and in-season ingredients. Pair it with buttery sashimi or flavorful udon, then swing by the in-house market for frozen ramen kits, bento boxes, and pantry gems to take home. 

Behind its ornate wooden door, this izakaya occupies the stylish end of the spectrum, with a carved wood bar, lots of greenery, and sexy mood lighting. The intriguing Japanese small plates, from salmon carpaccio to grilled miso-marinated pork cheeks to the spicy tako-wasabi (octopus), are delicious. And the vibe is bustling and fun. To drink, choose from several varieties of shochu (Japanese vodka) or sake.

Since opening in 2009, this izakaya has helped define Japanese pub-style dining—small plates and drinks—for Torontonians. The atmosphere stays lively with an open kitchen and ultra-friendly staff. Standout dishes include the truffle carbonara udon, topped with mushrooms, onions, a soft-boiled egg, and fragrant truffle oil.

With thin, fresh egg noodles and homemade broth (it's a meat stock, so vegetarians won't find much on the menu), a bowl of noodle soup here is cheap, filling, and oh so tasty. Expect long lines, but you can use the wait to decide between lean or fatty pork, and rich, medium, or light stock. Once you're inside the bare-bones storefront, the harried staff doesn't tolerate any dithering. Kintaro is owned by the same people as Motomachi. They're both top-notch ramen shops, but this one is more of a quick eat-and-run stop—not the place for a leisurely meal.

A striking silver mural of a kirin (a mythical dragonlike creature) presides over this elegant two-tier restaurant, one of the best choices for Chinese food Downtown. Specialties here are northern Chinese and Szechuan dishes, which tend to be richer and spicier than the Cantonese cuisine served at Kirin's other locations. If you're adventurous, start with the spicy jellyfish, redolent with sesame oil. Then try the Peking duck or a fresh seafood dish. Or make your choice from the live seafood tanks. Dim sum is served daily at midday.

This bright and friendly spot is a Chester community hub, and is a great spot to grab breakfast, lunch, or just coffee and a treat. Everything served is fresh, locally sourced where possible, and absolutely delicious. The attached pantry sells specialty food items, locally made jams and chutneys, and a selection of take-and-heat meals to go.

Serving traditional pub fare, the Knowlton Pub has been around since time immemorial and is one of the best-known establishments in the Eastern Townships. The service is friendly, but diners have been known to wait a little longer than they'd like for their food to be served, particularly on dinner theater nights.

With wooden walls and ceilings, this small 28-seat restaurant has a cozy, homey feel. There isn't a lot of selection on the menu, but it's innovative and very well done like elk tartare, Wagyu meatballs, and the coffee-braised bison short ribs; breakfast ranges from French-style omelets to buttermilk pancakes with a blueberry compote. The veggie and pasta dishes should not be overlooked and there are options for kids. There's also a nice selection of coffees, teas, craft beers, cocktails, and wine to accompany meals, and if you're staying at the resort, the Kumama canteen has everything you'll need to stock your kitchen.

On the site of Vancouver's first jail, this two-level restaurant with exposed brick walls and classic black-and-white floor tiles has a bold collection of cocktails and an intriguing modern menu. From the restaurant's name—French for "slaughterhouse" (the surrounding neighborhood was once a meatpacking district)—you'd expect a meat-focused menu. And although you'll find veal sweetbreads on toast, seafood shines as well in dishes like the grilled lobster tail or baked Pacific oysters with Burgundy truffle. Before plotting your escape into the night, dally over the mille-feuille or the chia spice-infused rice pudding.

This wine and cheese bistro feels as if it should be in the French countryside, not only for its casual ambience but for its offerings: small plates of cheese and cured meats, simple salads, and imaginative "morsels" that are so good, they often become a meal. Try the flight of three wines paired with three cheeses (C$35).

The cocktail menu originally put this hip bistro on the map, drawing crowds for creative martinis (think cucumber and basil), and now the food holds its own. The house specialty is tartares—the menu lists four variations of marinated raw fish—and heaps of grilled meat, fish, or tempeh served on wooden chopping blocks. Young partiers are attracted to the cafeteria-style tables, where they mingle over ginger-beer cocktails, soups, salads, and tapas.

A true institution in Québec City, this popular and lively establishment has perfected steak frites for over 30 years. Their specialty, l'entrecôte—a particular, usually thin, sirloin cut—comes smothered in the restaurant's signature peppery sauce with a heaping pile of crispy fries. Diners choose from three steak sizes, and the menu also features other classic French fare like tender duck confit and smoked-salmon salad. This spot embodies the spirit of a typical Parisian bistro, and in summer, a stunning patio sprawls onto the pedestrianized street. For C$40 and up, depending on steak size, the prix fixe offers great value, concluding with decadent chocolate profiteroles, proving this restaurant is much more than just beef.

If you're looking for elegant dining keep on going, but if you're after a bit of local color, a cold beer, a good burger, a steamie (hot dog), or maybe a sample of Québec's famed poutine, then La Belle Bédaine (which translates as "the happy belly") is just the place. Its good and basic menu comes with a terrace overlooking the river.

For over 20 years, La Boîte à Pain has upheld a commitment to freshness, crafting gourmet artisanal products daily right on-site. This European-inspired bakery offers an irresistible array of breads, pizzas, sandwiches, pastries, and cakes, all beautifully displayed on their large counter. In a convivial atmosphere that even includes a small play area for kids, every bite is a testament to their dedication.

The smell of Illy coffee and French baked goods makes La Boulangerie feel like a little slice of Paris in Cowtown. The cappuccinos and lattes are works of art, and the fresh-baked baguettes, pastries, and house-made crepes make this a perfect stop for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or to take a break from shopping.

"The Brass," as it's known, has one of the area's best patios, situated in the square where people-watching is as entertaining as the street performers and free concerts. Get well-priced bistro fare, from burgers to steaks. It opens for breakfast with an assortment of egg dishes and keeps going until the après-ski crowd finally departs. As popular as this place is, tables turn over quickly so getting a seat doesn't take long.

Although La Chronique is indeed an elegant place with white walls and high ceilings flooded with light, people don't come here for the setting; they come for the excellent food. Without fuss or fanfare, La Chronique has remained one of the best French restaurants in town since it opened in 1995. The cuisine seamlessly blends lightened French fare with seasonal and local ingredients. If you are a foie gras fan, the seared version served with seasonal fruit is easily the best in town. This is an excellent place to splurge on the prix-fixe five-course tasting menu at dinner for C$145, or C$250 with wine pairings.

This lovely little bakery, which magically transports its patrons (or at least their taste buds) to Italy, specializes in the cornetto, the Italian version of the croissant. Freshly baked every morning, these delightful pastries are available plain or filled with Nutella, ricotta cream, or almond paste. The traditional cannoli, filled with a light and sweet ricotta cream, are also delicious. Meat eaters who prefer savory bites should, however, try the speck-and-stracchino (a mild, fresh Italian cheese) sandwich on homemade focaccia.

This excellent, friendly bakery is located in the village of St-Jean's historic rectory, across the street from the church and a promenade along the river. In addition to delicious fresh croissants, pastries, and breads, La Midinette also offers pizzas and other light lunches that you can enjoy on the large covered porch in the summer.

The kitschy décor at this cute little Mexican joint includes a display of religious icons as well as vibrantly colorful furniture, while the menu is haute Mexican street cuisine at its best. The food here is simple, but everything is fresh and delicious. Start by ordering the housemade tortilla chips with chunky and perfectly seasoned guacamole, local and flavorful tomatoes, and pungent onions. Follow with the Baja tacos with shrimp and coleslaw, or the classic tacos al pastor with pork, onions, and chunks of pineapple. On weekends, La Tamalera serves a Mexican-inspired brunch that includes huevos rancheros and molete, an open-faced sandwich with black beans and queso fresco (fresh cheese).

A trip to Little India isn't complete without hitting up this raucous Pakistani/North Indian spot, a neighborhood staple since the 1990s. Pull up a table in the colorful dining room and dig into a broad selection of biryani, curries, kebabs, grilled specialties, and sizzling platters.

An elegant dining room and formal service with silver serving dishes set the scene for upscale Asian food. The 100-dish inventory features excellent dishes like wok-fried shredded beef tenderloin with sundried chili peppers alongside delicacies dotted with truffle and foie gras.

This cafeteria-style café located just off Maligne Lake is a great spot to get a picnic to go or to relax and eat in. The regionally sourced menu has a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, soup, chili, hot dogs, and three different kinds of poutine, a Canadian indulgence made with potato wedges, cheese curds, and gravy. There's also a small children's menu.