1031 Best Restaurants in Canada

Local celebrity chef/often-shouting TV personality Matty Matheson always has a number of spots opening and closing in Toronto, but if you want to try the delectable smashburgers that made him famous, come here. Called a "burger club," it's a no-frills mostly-take-out spot with single, double, and triple cheeseburgers (or plant-based burgers), milkshakes, and chili cheese fries.

There's a distinctly European vibe to Maxine's. In part, because of the central display of wines and spirits around which you can sip and savor. And in part, because of the menu that goes from croissants and cafe au lait in the morning, to a slow-cooked pork collar or risotto for dinner. And the brunches in between are legendary. Then there are the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that seem to bring the outside in, making the outside patio very much part of the eatery.

In a handsome 1906 firehouse across from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, McKelvie's is that rare find that hits the sweet spot between upscale and down-home. Though all the menu mainstays are here, from oysters Rockefeller to surf and turf, the best bets are the contemporary twists on seafood classics. Although the restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, its look is as fresh as the ingredients used here.

At this trendy sandwich shop, you simply wait in line (there's almost always a queue), and choose from the short daily menu of five sandwiches. The rich and crispy house-made porcetta (Italian-style roast pork) with salsa verde on a freshly baked ciabatta bun is a must-try. Who knew simplicity could taste so good? There are now four Vancouver locations to choose from; all close at 3 pm.

Crowd-pleasing, reliable Italian fare—pizzas, pastas, and a few meaty mains—is the name of the game at this spacious Italian trattoria, part of a small local family of restaurants.

This long-running Greek spot has a loyal local following, thanks to consistently good food, a sizable menu, and friendly service. Classics like fried calamari and horiatiki salads crowned with flavorful feta are here, along with some unusual options like whole quail and—whenever the restaurant can procure them—fried sea smelts flown in from Greeze.

This is one of the most interesting microbreweries in the Québec City region, producing a colorful range of beers named after historical characters from Île d'Orléans. You can taste them all at the adjoining Pub Le Mitan, along with standard pub fare including burgers, pizzas, and fries. The pub's terrace is particularly pleasant, and there's a beautiful view toward the St. Lawrence River. It's a great place to take a break from a tour of the island.

This charming little bistro in downtown Vernon serves up delicious local fare amid beautiful artwork, feel-good music, and warm colors. The pear and goat cheese salad is just divine.

A historic building, traditional food, and an entrepreneurial spirit make this quaint yet bustling restaurant a classic spot. The owners have turned their multigenerational family home into a business that welcomes other families with hearty standard meals and drinks served in tiny teapots and china cups. It can get crowded quickly so be prepared to wait.

This hidden gem may be Newfoundland's best-kept secret. Meals are prepared in the French style and incorporate elements of traditional Newfoundland cooking, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Reservations are recommended. For guests making a long drive for the evening, rooms are available for overnight stays. 

At the edge of Castle Provincial Park, this place has a funky deli and bakery with hot and cold sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and an impressive coffee and tea menu. The store also sells ice cream and fresh baked goods and you can pick up food, liquor, camping, and fishing supplies in the mercantile. Gas and diesel is also available.

Ever wondered what a Nepalese nightclub might look like? Well, this subterranean space is as close as it gets, with good, affordable Nepalese and Tibetan dishes, from the traditional—butter chicken curry, spicy lamb curry, and Tibetan dumplings—to the less strictly Himalayan, such as naan pizzas and cheese plates, as well as various appetizer platters to share. With DJs playing up-tempo lounge music most nights and food served until 2 am, the Mint appeals to off-duty restaurant workers, students, and anyone looking for an after-hours meal in Victoria, where restaurants tend to close early. 

Luxurious takes on diner and brunch classics dominate the seasonally evolving menu at this cute corner eatery. Stop in early for eggs, grab the Angus burger or fish-and-chips at lunch, or dig into pastas and beef tartare at dinner.

This Hawaiian-inspired restaurant and tiki bar is a hip hangout, delicious eatery, and occasional nighttime hot spot. The menu includes pineapple fried rice served in an actual pineapple, poke bowls, and plenty of vegan options (fried "chicken" from its sister takeout spot Lovebird is available). The cocktail menu is big, bright, and sprawling, featuring both old-school drinks and playful tropical creations (some named after Drake songs). A back room, once home to the nightclub Wrongbar, hosts DJ events and parties. 

Named for the former dairy it now inhabits, Model Milk serves upscale comfort food (think burgers, fried chicken, and roasted cauliflower) beneath chandeliers made of glass milk bottles and brick walls, concrete floors, and steel beams that recall the building’s industrial heritage. This trendy restaurant has been on every best restaurant list since it opened in 2011; don't miss the small plates to share like the Savoury Fry Bread and Organic AB Beets. Some Sundays, the chef whips up prix-fixe three-course meals served family-style.

When in Calgary, do as the Calgarians do and enjoy the bounty of the land. Alberta is famous for its beef, and this restaurant has perfected the fine art of steak; they only serve fresh, ranch-specific Alberta beef, and they grill it at 1800ºF to make the outside crispy and the inside juicy. The menu also offers Alberta rainbow trout and seafood options, and a couple of vegan options. Dine upstairs for a more formal setting, or downstairs in the cocktail lounge for a more casual experience. Wednesday is date night, so two can wine and dine for C$80.

Run by chef Francisco Higareda, this modern and stylish Mexican restaurant in the heart of Gastown is serving up everything from ahi tuna tostadas to chicken enchiladas to prawn tacos and more. A must-try is the eatery's signature Monarca margarita, complete with tequila, Curaçao, Valencia orange, and lime.

For fine dining in Old Montréal, head to this elegant contemporary restaurant and brasserie serving expertly presented Canadian fare, from oysters to Prince Edward Island côte de boeuf. A chic, illuminated bar showcases the wine collection, with 400 selections including some Quebecois bottles.

You won’t see anything too familiar on the menu at this fresh, light-filled restaurant with its high ceilings, clean white walls and tablecloths, and modern mix of wood, glass, and sliding industrial windows that open to outdoor seating in summer. You will find whimsical yet unpretentious dishes that surprise and delight. Menu items might include brochettes of duck hearts, baloney cannelloni, and "Chinatown" razor clam. Dessert is a must, so pace yourself to allow for favorites like buckthorn berry meringue tart or white chocolate mousse with rhubarb puree.

Casually cool yet warm and intimate, Morris East stakes its reputation on local artisanal ingredients. Gourmet wood-fired pizzas, topped with the region's best veggies, cheeses, and charcuterie and cooked using Annapolis Valley applewood, are the specialty. Libations have local flavor too: spirits handcrafted in the province go into the cocktails. There's a short wine list, or you can bring your own (corkage C$15).

Mott 32 is the perfect pairing to its host, the luxurious Shangri-La hotel, and Peking-style duck is king at this highly decorated Cantonese eatery. The sought-after birds are sliced and diced tableside, served with smoked applewood skin that you can dip into brown sugar for a unique experience. Fire-engine red hot-and-sour soup dumplings and decadent wild mushroom lettuce cups make for satisfying starters, while adventurous eaters might go for braised whole fish maw or bird's nest soup. 

You can dine inside amid old stone walls or outside on the patios at the foot of a tiny, peaceful waterfall at this restaurant, which was converted from an early-18th-century stone mill. Scrumptious snacks, such as quiche and salads, are available on the terrace, and evening dishes include local pork tenderloin and venison stew. You can stay overnight at one of the Moulin de St-Laurent's chalets—eleven available in summer; seven in winter—on the edge of the St. Lawrence. Lodging packages, which include some meals, are also available.

This good ol’ Canadian steak-house chain always gets top marks from its regular customers. There’s two options: a family-friendly restaurant with a laid-back vibe and the more adult urbanLODGE that serves the same great steaks in a more festive atmosphere.

Take in a view of the bay from inside this old, British-style alehouse, or enjoy waterside dining on the back deck. The menu includes basic pub fare, such as fish-and-chips and steak and ale pie. Lunenburg scallops are a specialty, as is the Mug & Anchor meat pie, and the kids menu will please even the fussiest young diner. The pub hosts live music on Saturday evening.

There's usually a parking lot full of cars outside this popular hangout for Cape Bretoners, which also draws "come from away" diners with its long lunchtime menu of hearty salads, creamy chowders, deep-fried seafood plates, and homemade desserts. After 5 pm (and all day on Sunday), the dinner menu goes more upscale with dishes like scallops in white-wine and cream sauce and lemon-chicken supreme. At peak times, reservations are recommended.

You won’t find a better cup of coffee in the city than at this cool spot, where photography exhibitions and live music on some evenings add to the enjoyment. Even the craft pottery mugs that your coffee comes in reflect the café’s dedication to creativity in all its forms. 

This hot-pink patisserie is a top destination for Torontonians with a sweet tooth. Long glass cases are filled with French macarons, cakes, and fanciful pastries, as well as savory options like croissant sandwiches and salads, while the walls are lined with a candy shop's worth of sweets (all made in-house). There's delicious espresso, as well as ice cream offered in a second storefront around back.