1031 Best Restaurants in Canada

An izakaya is the Japanese version of a British pub or a Spanish tapas bar, and this one is extraordinary. The vibe is Tokyo underground and though it’s authentic Japanese fare, the specialty here is grilled meats and vegetables, particularly yakitori (skewered chicken). Creative cocktails and a nice selection of sake and Japanese whiskey round out the experience.

Always bustling, this popular bakery has delicious pastries, excellent sourdough bread, and good sandwiches. You can even order a Phil and Sebastian coffee to go with your breakfast or lunch, bypassing the even longer lines there.

Originally constructed in 1915 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, this building has been home to a variety of businesses, including a ham radio spot and a grocery store, and has been operated as a café by the current family since 1991. The café's small menu, which can be dine-in or ordered to go for a park picnic, includes rice bowls, paninis, soup, salad and sandwiches, and a variety of cold drinks and grab-and-go items. The Siding is also the local general store, gift shop, and liquor agency.

An 1874 Tudor-style mansion is the showcase for this branch of France's famous Cordon Bleu cooking school. Winning awards for its modern interpretation of French classical cuisine, the restaurant's menu includes lobster medallions with fresh mint oil and venison loin in a spiced bread crust with gratin of fig. Set menus include a four-course Vegetarian Menu (C$48), a three-course Taste of Canada Menu (C$62), a five-course Menu Dégustation (C$81), and a six-course Grand Market Menu (C$101).

Housed in a gorgeous heritage building, with plush velvet booths, exposed brick, and chandeliers, Sims Corner serves decadent meals and prides itself on its connections with local farmers and custom-cut, Island-raised beef (it's aged 45 days for richer taste). Seafood selections start with a wide range of oysters at the raw bar, and divine desserts are made in-house. All can be washed down with an award-winning selection of old- and new-world wines. 

You can't beat the panoramic mountain views from this restaurant on the third floor of the Banff Gondola at 2,281 meters (7,486 feet) above sea level. There are floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides and the cuisine is just as elevated as the scenery with a regularly changing menu that features local ingredients like Alberta beef, British Columbia salmon, and prairie-grown vegetables complimented by local craft beers, craft spirits, and Canadian wines. There are vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu choices as well as a children's menu. You can also purchase packages that include the Banff Gondola ride and dinner. Reservations are recommended; request a window seat if you can!

Time seems to slow down at the Skyline, a classic old-school diner that's become a neighborhood hangout for tattooed youngsters and longtime Parkdale characters alike. Club sandwiches, patty melt burgers, and homemade pies make you feel like you're in a 1960s time machine, but long lines for brunch re-root you in present-day Toronto. Since finding new ownership in 2016, it's also found life as a popular spot for pints of Canadian craft beer after dark, and weekly trivia nights.

The big draw here is the revolving 360-degree view perched 520 feet above the Horseshoe Falls---it's simply breathtaking. The atmosphere puts it above those serving similar cuisine in the area, drawing an eclectic crowd of couples in cocktail attire and families in casual clothes. The menu revolves as well; tomahawk pork chops and chicken cordon bleu have made appearances. Reservations include free admission to the observation deck.

This snack bar serves up fresh fast food like poutine, hot dogs, and fish-and-chips. There is outdoor seating available, but it's limited.

This restaurant serves Japanese classics like sushi, sashimi, noodles, and tempura along with Korean favorites like beef bulgogi and bibimbap. They also have some stir-fry options on the menu. Everything is made fresh to order.

This Malaysian street food spot is a hidden gem on the busy Ossington strip. There are a variety of sharing-style plates like kapitan chicken tacos, rendang beef, and delicious stuffed roti---but a popular option is the "feed me" tasting menu. The once-separate vegan concept Fat Choi is now incorporated into the regular menu, so there are plenty of plant-based options as well.  

Stepping through the doors of this restaurant housed inside a pretty standard-looking hotel is to be transported into a sexy, contemporary Italian restaurant that serves excellent pasta dishes and steaks. Seasonal, local ingredients are used where possible, and starters such as crab and lobster arancini (fried risotto balls) showcase seafood in interesting ways. 

Poised on the rocks near the base of Peggy's Cove lighthouse, this sprawling 180-seat dining room serves a variety of seafood, including orange brandy shrimp and scallops, lobster dinners, and Down East specialties such as salt-fish hash and beans. There are also chicken, steak, and vegetarian options, and breakfast is served from 8:30 to 11 am.

Hidden at the end of a side road north of the main Gerrard Street drag is this modern, plant-filled chocolate shop and factory. But it's just as popular a spot to sip a top-notch espresso or snack on a house-baked treat. Behind the glass walls, you can watch the team make single-origin, bean-to-bar chocolate—from fun flavored bars to 100% dark chocolate. Youc an even book a chocolate-making and -tasting workshop.

Head here for great fish-and-chips, juicy scallops, or a lobster roll. Two patios overlook the water, and there's indoor seating, too. This casual spot is great for when you want excellent seafood, and a fun atmosphere to go with it. 

Part cocktail bar, part British restaurant, this vintage-inspired spot with wooden pew seats sports a welcoming aviary motif. Dinner favorites are the soba noodles with salmon and bok choy and the portobello burger, while the most popular brunch dishes include the smoked salmon plate and the Turkish breakfast plate. Sparrow uses only local and sustainable products.

Victoria's longest list of handcrafted beers is just one reason to trek over the Johnson Street Bridge or hop a Harbour Ferry to this Vic West waterfront pub. Canada's oldest licensed brewpub, and a popular hangout, Spinnakers relies almost exclusively on locally sourced ingredients for its top-notch casual fare. Opt for the pubby adults-only taproom, with its covered waterfront deck, double-sided fireplace, and wood-beamed ceilings, or dine in the all-ages waterfront restaurant. Either way you can enjoy a great selection of sharing plates alongside high-end pub grub such as mussels steamed in ale, or brick-oven pizzas (try the house-smoked wild salmon or the mushroom and beer). You can also stop by for breakfast, served from 8 am to 2 pm daily, or grab some house-made picnic fixings and malt vinegars at the take-away deli and bakery.

Head here for British-style pub grub classics—fish-and-chips, bangers and mash, curry, liver and onions, burgers, and seafood. They also serve plenty of appetizers to pair perfectly with a pint or two. You won't leave hungry, and you'll be raving about how great everything tastes. 

Sharing a pretty house with a Buddhist prayer hall, this little eatery serves vegetarian and vegan fare with Asian flair. Aside from the expected noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries, Splendid Essence has a fine selection of hot and cold teas, which you can enjoy outdoors on the porch in fine weather.

This bright and airy diner specializes in seafood dishes, steaks, and casual dining favorites with a cozy, down-home style. There aren't many options for dining in Louisbourg, but this place makes up for that.

This stalwart vegetarian spot, beloved by vegetable and meat-eaters alike, offers counter service and comfortable seating by day and a lively after-hours scene by night that sees diners lining up for late-night tacos. Local artists and craftspeople display their creations on the walls, and there are plenty of gluten-free options in addition to beer, wine, and house-made sangria.

Even New Yorkers have been known to (collective gasp!) prefer Montréal's light and crispy bagel to its bulkier Manhattan cousin, due to the dough of the Montréal version being boiled in honey-sweetened water before baking in a wood-burning oven. St-Viateur Bagel & Café is a great place to get them, especially with smoked salmon. For a novel experience, try the rosemary-and-sea-salt version. Be sure to check out St-Viateur's original location at 263 rue St-Viateur Ouest, where the bagel magic has been happening since 1957. That venue does not have a dining area, but you can pick up bagels fresh out of the oven until midnight.

This little meeting place, tucked just off Granville Street on West 13th Avenue, has the feeling of a buzzy European bistro. Small plates are made for sharing, as are the charcuterie and cheese boards and the menu changes with the seasons. The extensive wine list features a selection of both local and wines from around the world. A four-course family style menu is also available. 

In a 1911 manor house, this bar and grill with a large patio is very family-friendly, with a menu of burgers, fish, soups, and salads, as well as sharing plates and vegetarian options. The location right in Stanley Park is great, especially mid-bike ride. It overlooks the Rose Garden and is steps from Malkin Bowl, where outdoor theater and concerts are held in summer.

Dine on the patio or inside at this restaurant serving classic Canadian food in a unique setting: the original Lake Louise Railway Station. Daily lunch specials round out the menu of salads, burgers, steaks, and salmon. Save room for the rhubarb-strawberry pie, just like grandma used to make—if your grandma made really good pie from scratch.

Opened in June 2024, Steamboat offers an elevated dining experience, with nourishing dishes made from sustainable ingredients. A small afternoon menu is offered from 2--5 pm, while the dinner menu—available from 5--9:30 pm—offers small plate and sharing/large plate options like braised bison short ribs and wild sockeye salmon. There are also three "trio" options: taco, slider, and plant-based dip trio, with suggested accompanying cocktail or beer flight options.

Although it's atop Whistler Mountain, you're likely to see as many non-skiers as skiers in the crowd dining here. That's because Steeps Grill & Wine Bar is located inside the enormous Roundhouse Lodge at the top of Whistler Village Gondola, and lots of the visitors are simply sightseers. While other mountain dining outlets tend to cater to the grab-and-go crowd, this venue is a stay-a-while, full-service dining affair offering lots of west coast favorites like smoked salmon chowder and sockeye salmon and succotash.

This Scottish-inspired restaurant is decorated in dark wood and has a long granite bar and cozy private booths with a wall of TVs playing various sports games. There are a wide array of nibbles on the lounge menu and a great bar menu---burgers, fish-and-chips, stuffed Yorkshire pudding---with 10 beers on tap, local canned craft beers, and ciders, cocktails, spirits, and wine by the glass or bottle. Happy hour is from 3--6 pm daily. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Stirling Grill, adjacent to the lounge, is open for fine dining with a full gourmet menu including a three-course "Trust the Chef" menu that can also include sommelier chosen wine pairings.

The restaurant in the Delta Hotel has views across the poolside patio to the St. John River, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, and a nice atmosphere. Specializing in barbecue, the kitchen turns out delicious dishes like smoked pulled pork with a maple spice rub, bacon-wrapped tenderloin, and house-made bratwurst.