1031 Best Restaurants in Canada

A seat at this beautifully landscaped patio is one of the hottest tickets in town, so plan on an early lunch if you hope to get a table. Among the wine-friendly dishes, you might find smoked trout, or a duck burger topped with slaw. Or simply spend the afternoon sharing a charcuterie plate. The tables are outdoors, meaning the restaurant closes in inclement weather. Reservations are accepted for groups of six to 12 people.

This compact bakery serves some of the best croissants in Montréal, but the specialty here is the eponymous kouign-amann, a multilayered butter-and-sugar cake originally from Brittany. The aroma of freshly baked bread is alluring to say the least, and the passion for pastries is evident and sometimes demonstrated by perfectionist owner and native Breton Nicolas Henri. In fact, if he sees you eating your croissant the "wrong" way, Nicolas will even suggest the proper way to eat it—broken in half so you can bite through the many layers; according to him, it tastes better that way.

Sophie Sucrée was the first vegan bakery to open in Montréal in 2013. Owner Milène Laoun, a self-taught pastry cook, developed her skills by cooking and baking for her loved ones. The quaint space is very small, with no seating, but of course Laoun's decadent confections—croissants, cakes, cupcakes, bars, cookies, and tarts—can be purchased to go. She prioritizes the use of unprocessed plant-based ingredients as well as organic and local products. Gluten-, nut-, and soy-friendly options are available as well, and the pâtisserie offers a small savory menu featuring items like fennel "sausage" and mozza puff, "tuna" salad croissant, and gourmet grilled cheese.

Initially an artisanal frozen dessert brand, Végania unveiled its sit-down patisserie-boutique in August 2022, mere steps from Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal. Chef-pâtissier owner Justine's plant-based, mostly gluten-free desserts, made with cashew nuts, Québec maple syrup, and organic ingredients, marry gourmandise with healthy eating. The pâtisserie-boutique's antique décor is quaint and attractive, but it's the artfully presented, divinely delicious desserts that will have you coming back for more.

Unveiled in September 2024, Pavillon, the Société des arts technologiques (SAT)'s new eatery replaces Le Labo culinaire. The new third-floor space was completely redesigned to accommodate a casual social club/wine bar concept, with the central focus the long, U-shaped bar. Small, Parisian-inspired bistro tables, pendant lamps, and dark red banquettes complete the interior look. A non-profit associative establishment with no chef-owner, prices at Pavillon are reasonable. With natural wines and aperitifs for C$10, cocktails at C$13, and a short menu of small plates plates costing between C$7 and C$30, you can't go wrong.

One of the city's best and most convivial Italian restaurants is right in the heart of Stratford. The lower-level eatery focuses on creative pies with hearty toppings—many sourced from local neighboring businesses—as well as a delicious series of rotating dishes of house-made pastas. It's a popular meeting place after a play, offering soothing and modern decor as well as quick and friendly service.

The bubbling fountain and potted trees reduce the noise of people passing around this vegetarian restaurant in the center of Time Square, a Byward Market office building. For breakfast try waffles with fruit. Later you can opt for an Indian Thali plate of samosa, bottomless dahl, homemade yogurt, and salad. Or pick up a snack such as roll-ups of marinated Italian eggplant or vegan pizza. To wash it all down, try delicious steamed coconut milk or chai tea.

Authentic Northern Chinese dishes are the specialty at this friendly storefront restaurant. Particularly good are the hand-pulled noodles that the cooks knead and stretch in the open kitchen and the popular spicy dan-dan noodles. Vegetarians have plenty of options, including many of the dumplings. Dim sum dishes are also on offer, and the helpful staff is happy to guide you to more authentic Mandarin fare. There is another West Side location at 2394 West 4th Ave. in Kitsilano.

One of the city's first bubble tea stalls makes for a refreshing break at the busy Richmond Public Market. 

This beloved neighborhood staple has been serving fresh and delectable seafood dishes since its opening in 2015. Oysters take center stage on the menu, alongside crowd-pleasers like pan-seared steelhead trout, the signature PD burger, and the irresistible seafood tower, piled with oysters, pickled mussels, crab legs, and more. Be sure to try the black walnut old-fashioned and the lychee lime margarita—both crafted to evoke the elegance of a pearl in the water.

Ride the Queens Quay Terminal escalator to one of the city's hidden fine dim sum experiences. The view overlooking Lake Ontario is nearly as delicious as the restaurant's menu of traditional Cantonese classics like har gao shrimp dumplings, broad snow pea leaves decorated with chunks of king mushroom, and various fresh seafoods from the tank prepared with homemade sauces.

A local favorite in Westmount, this BYOW Greek estiatorio (more upscale than a taverna) specializes in seafood and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. With its Grecian-blue tiles and shutters, white walls, traditional Greek music, and friendly, bona fide Greek/Greek-Canadian waiters, Petros makes you feel as if you've stepped straight onto a Cycladic isle. Favorites here include the jumbo shrimp, the octopus with capers and red onion, and the moussaka, but it serves a range of grilled meats (no souvlaki) and a vegetarian gemista (rice-stuffed tomatoes and peppers) that is one of the house specialties. And of course there's tzatziki, fava, and hummus served with moist grilled bread. Ask for a table upstairs or on the terrace on warm summer nights, since the basement is a bit claustrophobic.   If you forget to bring your own bottle of wine there is a SAQ liquor store half a block away.

Folks flock from all over town for this take-out counter's fried chicken sandwiches from lunch until the wee hours.

Located in the historic Simmons Building, the café at Phil and Sebastion's headquarters is the perfect stop before or after a stroll along the RiverWalk. Pop in for a caffeine fix and a pastry from Sidewalk Citizen Bakery or something more substantial, like one of their Middle Eastern--inspired breakfast and lunch items. The space is also home to their roasting facility, which you can peer at through floor-to-ceiling windows; tours of the space are occasionally offered.

When you're having a late-night craving for Vietnamese food, this is the place for authentic bowls of pho or hearty curries with a crusty baguette to sop up the sauces. To drink, savor a slow-drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk or an exotic fruit milkshake in flavors like soursop or avocado.

Located in downtown Vernon on the main drag, Phoenix Steak House is owned by a husband and wife team, and serves excellent steak, alongside plenty of seafood options (the crab cakes are divine), pasta, salads, and more. The vibe is cozy, intimate, and romantic.

It may be in the heart of trendy Mile End, but this "phyllo bar" looks like it was transported directly from Athens, with food arriving on checkered cobalt-blue wax paper. The spanakopita, with a perfect crispy exterior, makes for an excellent lunch on the go, as does the Melina sandwich, with its spicy feta spread, kalamata hummus, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Another must, the bougatsa, is a warm custard-filled phyllo pastry with cinnamon. It's all about takeout here, though warm temperatures allow for a small deck out front.

This gourmet pizza shop has been winning international competitions for years with their innovative thin-crust creations in a family-friendly, eclectic atmosphere. The ingredients on their signature pizzas may sound random, but the chef has all the golden ratios down and the taste is perfect.

The menu in this glossy white space draws inspiration from Asia for inventive sharing plates. From the ever-changing menu, you might choose chicken wings with gochujung and tosazu pickle daikon, a foie-gras rice bowl with chestnuts, daikon, and a unagi glaze, or the Korean rice cake with gochujang bolognese, and spiced hazelnut. Sake or one of the house-made cocktails stand up well to the bold food flavors.

This lively Shipyards District eatery juts like a pier into Burrard Inlet, offering 180-degree water, city skyline, and Stanley Park views from tables both inside and out. The covered, heated patio is open year-round, so alfresco dining is pretty much always an option. The vibe here is casual, with TV screens and upbeat music. While the menu favors local seafood, with shucked oysters, sockeye salmon, and a chowder, burgers, salads, and vegetarian options round out the offerings. Pier 7 is just steps from the SeaBus, so if you're staying Downtown, you can leave the car behind.

Pilot is known for roasting some of the city's finest beans and running a growing mini-empire of cafés; this spacious, laid-back location was their first. Be sure to peruse the bags of beans on display and grab a couple for your suitcase.

In the 19th-century Roger's Hardware building, this restaurant has both fine dining and casual fare. A pub menu features upscale sandwiches, fish-and-chips, and more, while quality PEI-raised beef and fresh seafood dominate the dinner menu. Old wooden beams, brick columns, and a unique bar top made of black granite inlaid with bird's-eye maple make the place cozy.

Massawippi pale and brown ales and a vast selection of microbrews and imports are all on tap here. Pub food is served both in the upstairs dining room and in the tavern. There are three terraces at this waterfront restaurant, so you'll be sure to enjoy the fantastic view of the Massawippi River. It's a popular place and can get busy at lunch and on warm summer evenings, so try to get there early.

No matter what day or time, it's usually busy here, so reservations (which are now taken) are recommended. While the decor is slightly cliché, with Renaissance-style wall paintings, the classic Italian food is actually quite good, but the pizzas are the real attraction. With thin-crust, the pies are tossed in full view of the appreciative crowd, then baked to perfection.

This popular take-out joint serves up New York--style pizza by the slice, with a focus on simplicity and quality. Whether you're going for the signature vodka pie with its creamy rosé sauce or sticking with a timeless Margherita, no choice is the wrong choice. It's the perfect spot for a quick, affordable bite. Heads up: seating is scarce, so consider enjoying your pizza on a nearby park bench.

Authentic thin-crust pizzas are fired in an imported wood-burning oven at this pizza joint that adheres to the rules set by Naples's pizza authority. Go classic with the Margherita D.O.P.—with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and fior di latte mozzarella—or branch out with nduja (spicy salami) or duck confit pies.

If you love Italian cuisine, this Toronto institution serves authentic sourdough Neapolitan and NYC-style pizzas and a selection of traditional antipasti to discerning locals. It caters to all dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and vegan. The King Street location is a great date spot, too.

While perhaps not the top pizzeria in Montréal, Pizzeria Napoletana has been at the heart of Montréal's Italian community since 1948. In summer, the outdoor patio hums, with more tables spilling out onto the sidewalk. The menu consists of traditional thin-crust pizzas, pastas, and other southern Italian classics, many based on family recipes.   They do not carry wine; it's BYOW. If you forget to bring a bottle, you can buy one in their shop, Miss Napoletana, across the street. 

The newest outpost of this popular Victoria neighborhood pizzeria offers fire-roasted pizza, house-made gelato, and local craft beers and wine.

This traditional pub will transport you straight to Dublin the moment you step inside. The lively, friendly atmosphere is a favorite among longtime customers who come to enjoy a pint or an authentic Irish meal, such as Kilkenny Ale-battered fish-and-chips, hearty beef-and-Guinness stew, or rich bread pudding soaked in whiskey and custard—just like gran used to make. Behind the first-floor bar, the Pat Quinn Lounge features a large projection TV, making it an ideal spot to watch sports or enjoy live music on weekends. The Fireplace Lounge, located on the second floor, offers a cozy and intimate space, perfect for unwinding with friends.