147 Best Restaurants in Canada

At this lovely crepe shop, buckwheat-flour crepes are filled with simple ham and cheese or fancier combos like duck confit with onion marmalade, while a wheat crepe with salted caramel and sweet Chantilly cream makes a good dessert. The large shop also has bistro items like cod beignets, charcuterie plates, and cassoulet, and there's a nice selection of ciders and beers.

Decadent pastries and excellent coffee are to be had at this authentic French bakery in the heart of downtown. 

Don't expect any frills here, but don't expect any processed food either—this diner and takeout, far removed from the touristy center of town, is the place to taste some authentic and delicious Acadian dishes. Try the fricôt (a hearty chicken stew), poutine rappé (a potato dumpling stuffed with ground pork), fish cakes, or traditional baked beans. All are expertly and freshly cooked to the owner's grandmother's recipes; other options include fried clams, scallops, lobster rolls, fish burgers, and fish-and-chips.

This eclecticly decorated Alice in Wonderland-theme eatery-cum-board games café serves elevated comfort food such as French onion soup, butter chicken pot pie, and lobster quesadillas, which pair perfectly with local craft beers, creative cocktails, and excellent desserts. There's often live music on the patio in the summer.

This low-lit, warrenlike bistro has hardly changed at all since the 1990s—and the regulars like it that way. The open kitchen turns out reliable French fare like steak tartare and duck confit; desserts include flourless chocolate cake and house-made ice cream. Get a quieter table in one of the inner dining rooms, or belly up to the bar and watch the action.

Once a classic Toronto diner, this intimate spot from local restaurateur Jen Agg pays homage to its greasy-spoon roots but with a French twist. The frequently evolving menu balances steak frites and Nicoise salads with tuna melts, onion rings, and grilled cheeses. It's also a rare Toronto spot to eat fondue. 

Alexandra and Axel Leonhard have gone from humble beginnings selling homemade bread at a local farmers' market to running a full-fledged café where food is made from scratch without additives, preservatives, or artificial flavorings. The room is bright and cheerful, and the devoted clientele keeps coming back for breakfast, casseroles, hearty gluten-free soups, sandwiches, and delicious desserts. Organic teas and freshly roasted coffee are served as well. Wait times for a seat are not usually an issue—but you can always grab something to go. 

A family-friendly spot, Les P'tits Graviers is known for a wide variety of fresh, traditional French cuisine. Using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, they adapt their menu frequently. It can be quite busy so be sure to make reservations.

This elegant patisserie is housed in a historic, beautifully renovated three-story graystone in Old Montréal. Baskets of buttery brioches and flaky croissants await, and the prominent pastry display holds rows of seasonal fruit tarts and classic French desserts like mille-feuilles (made of delicate layers of puff pastry and airy vanilla-scented custard) and Paris-Brest (made of choux pastry and a praline-flavored cream). The acclaimed pastry chef here, Christian Faure, is the recipient of France's highest culinary honor, Meilleur Ouvrier de France. A pastry school takes up space on the upper floors, while the ground floor is dedicated to various delectable take-out or eat-in sweet and savory options. There are two other locations, one in Westmount and one downtown.

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 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.

This is another five-star coffee shop to visit in St-Roch, either for a roasting lesson or a warm macchiato respite from the Québec winter. Known for its ecological and humanist approach, Nektar works closely with its fair trade producers in Brazil to produce the Para Ela blend, which means "for her" and is harvested by hand and processed exclusively by women who are paid 50% more than the regional average. With its beautiful packaging, Nektar's coffees are also a perfect travel gift for yourself or for friends.

Whether you're in need of an espresso, a hojicha tea latte, a sandwich, or a gorgeous slice of cake, this modern Japanese café has you covered.

Located on a quiet side street, the beloved café is known for its quality coffees, teas, and seasonal, Japanese-inspired fusion pastries. Since opening in 2015, the shop’s beautiful space has seamlessly blended Japanese and Scandinavian design, featuring warm wood finishes, concrete surfaces, and minimalist furniture, earning it design accolades. Beyond its aesthetics, it serves as a cozy, hip community hub with a loyal clientele, thanks to its friendly service and commitment to using high-quality, organic ingredients. Popular menu items include the matcha latte, roll cakes, and a rotating selection of seasonal drinks and pastries. There are several other locations across Toronto.

Overlooking the bay with seating inside or out on a rustic deck, this 1926 former meetinghouse now houses a fine restaurant. Everything is top quality, from the simple but expertly produced lunchtime options—seafood chowder, sandwiches, frittata—to more substantial dinner selections such as traditional cedar-planked salmon with a ginger glaze, flank steak with chipotle hollandaise sauce, or herb-crusted lamb loin chops.

Known for hefty, soft-centered cookies, from Oreo and s'more to Filipino-inspired delicacies, this bakery also ships its wares across Canada and the United States (in case you get a craving once you're back at home).

This adorable locals' favorite café is filled with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and housed in a heritage building. They offer a fun selection of tasty caffeinated drinks named for literary characters, decadent baked goods, sandwiches, and salads. Lines can be long, but this place is worth the wait. 

Tucked down a tiny alley in the middle of the island, this espresso bar and bistro offers a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy public market. The ethos here is all about organic, sustainable, and local ingredients. Try a pistachio latte or lavender white hot chocolate to-go, or grab a seat on the garden patio or in the upstairs loft for a hearty sandwich or breakfast offering from the bistro menu. Everything is made from scratch in house.

This lively café and bakery offers a wide variety of classic and unique pastries and breads (hello, preserved-lemon bread!), sandwiches, and quick breakfast and lunch options. It's a favorite with locals, who either eat in or take out after a quick chat with the friendly staff. It's a great resource for pâtés, cheeses, and breads to pack for your explorations of the region.

This Egyptian take-out spot is a welcome herbivore-friendly destination on this souvlaki-heavy strip. Many of the satisfying, delicious dishes here are vegan, with koshari (a savory lentil, pasta, and tomato dish), ful (spiced, slow-simmered fava beans) and tameya (crisp, herbaceous Egyptian falafel) the biggest draws.

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.

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.

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.

One of the best spots on the Island to stop for a bite, the café at this preserve company has a soaring ceiling and two walls of windows looking over the Clyde River. Everything served is noted for freshness—even the ice cream is house-made. Particularly praiseworthy items include the savory potato pie with maple-bacon cream, and pan-seared scallops, which you could follow with a not-too-sweet raspberry cream cheese pie.

This Whistler-based bakery offers its yummy handmade goodies and freshly baked bread at three locations in town, including this bright storefront café in Kits.

This bustling little bakery is popular with tourists and locals alike. They serve delicious coffee, as well as plenty of sweet and savory goodies, from three-cheese sandwiches and vegan blackberry coconut scones to gourmet banana and chocolate brownies and more. The perfect spot for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. There's a second location on Millar Creek Road.

This A-frame roadside eatery prepares classic diner food with a kick. The menu is simple but with special touches, like artisanal bread for the chicken sandwich, and the rotating selection of cheesecakes. The warm wood-lined interior creates an inviting atmosphere, with an upper loft for a more peaceful space and a deck for finer weather. 

Inspired by the natural surroundings of Prince's Island Park, on Bow River, this restaurant has the look of a fishing lodge. The exquisite regional Canadian cuisine includes Northwest Territories caribou, British Columbia oysters and Pacific salmon, Alberta Black Angus beef, and Alberta lamb. The wine list has earned Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence since 1997. With 24-hours advance notice, the restaurant can prepare you a picnic basket to enjoy in the park.