Whether you're looking for the best lobster roll, seeking out a farm-to-table dining experience like no other, or fancy embarking on a multi-course tasting menu, Canada has it all. The hard part is choosing where to start. But don't worry – we’ve done the hard work for you and sought out the iconic Canadian restaurants that everyone should try to visit once in their lifetimes.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover Canada’s bucket-list restaurants and dining experiences, counting down to the best of all.
We've based our ranking on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. This list is unavoidably subjective.
Bravo is the name of this stylish seafood joint in Vancouver and also what you'll probably be saying at the end of your meal. The oysters are the main draw here, but the dry-aged fish on display in cabinets is just as enticing. The dish that's grabbed the most attention is the Tofino king salmon with maple-ginger dressing, cucumber and avocado. The salmon is aged for a week and all the better for it.
If you're visiting snowy Nunavut, a stop off at The Frob Kitchen & Eatery is a must. Inuit cuisine is rich in game meats, fresh seafood and wild berries, all of which you'll find here. The menu is simple, comforting and full of the flavours of the Arctic. Enjoy dishes such as The Frob Caesar, bison burger or the wonderful mac 'n' cheese with Arctic char in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Half pizzeria and half Korean fried chicken joint, Jin Bar is the genius invention of chef Jinhee Lee, who earned a place on Avenue Calgary’s Top 5 People to Watch in Calgary’s Food Scene in 2016 with very good reason. This relaxed spot is all about spreading happiness amongst its customers, and dishes such as Korean chicken wings with Sichuan pepper pickles, pizza topped with corn, mozzarella, Parmesan and honey butter chips and Korean twisted doughnuts do just that.
Owned by, and located in, the Saint Mary's First Nation reserve, Wolastoq Wharf is an absolute gem, known for its large portions and stunning seafood dishes. The seafood risotto comes highly recommended, and you should definitely try some bannock bread while you're there. Open for brunch right through to dinner, there’s a small inside area for eating and a large covered outdoor terrace, making this a perfect spot for a summer lunch.
Since opening in 2009, Fishman Lobster Clubhouse has proved so popular it has moved to larger premises twice. Large really is the name of the game here; gather a clutch of friends and get stuck into the Super Mountain Family Dinner, which serves six to eight people and includes 30lbs (13.6kg) lobster, sweet and sour pork, diced beef with black pepper, soup of the day, vegetable sides and dessert. It's not just a meal, it's an event.
Heading to dual restaurants Crumb Queen and Andy's Lunch is an all-day affair. Crumb Queen (owned by Cloe Wiebe) opens at 10am and sells crullers, croissants, cookies and naturally leavened sourdough bread. Then feel free to pop into Andy's Lunch, which is owned by Wiebe's partner Andrew Koropatnick and opens from 11am until 3pm. The specialities there are overstuffed ciabatta sandwiches as well as salads, pasta and supplì.
Housed in a historic log building on the shores of Great Slave Lake, Bullock’s Bistro is known for its lively atmosphere and has been serving up local, wild-caught fish since 1998. Here, the bread is baked onsite, the chowder is wonderful, and the array of drinks is excellent. If you want the truly classic experience, though, the famous fish and chips with house-made tartare sauce is a must. There are only 36 seats inside, so booking is advised.
Authentic Korean barbecue finds its home at the Takja BBQ House. Grab yourself a booth and watch as the staff grill all manner of vegetables, seafood and dry-aged meats right there in front of you. The seafood pancake is a must to start and shaved ice (or bingsoo) is perfect for dessert, and if you really can't decide what you'd like for the main, go for the 'table full of food' option. The restaurant takes care of the food, and you take care of the eating.
Chef Sarah Meconse Mierau delivers authentic fried bannock flatbreads at the Fort Langley National Historic Site at Tradish’s The Ancestor Café. She's a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation and the goal of the diner is to bring delicious Indigenous food to a larger audience. Her bannock is an incredible platform for tacos, burgers and various flavours of plant medicine jam (which is also available to purchase by the jar).
Located in the elegant Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, Botanist offers an inventive, modern menu inspired by the principles of botany. Chef Hector Laguna takes pleasure in using local, sustainably sourced ingredients and, while everything is delicious, there are some notable standouts, including the wagyu beef carpaccio. Our advice? Book well in advance, dress up for the occasion and start your feast with a Botanist Martini.
Step into the vibrant Antoinette's and you’ll find yourself surrounded by food-loving locals. Boasting the most ethnically diverse menu in the Yukon, the restaurant serves Canadian, Thai, East Indian and Latin flavours with a Caribbean twist. Snack on cou-cou (cornmeal with okra) before diving into the fascinating menu that includes delights such as Three Sisters Stew and Jamaican Rasta Pasta. This is the place for relaxed, informal dining and you'll find some great cocktails on the menu, too.
Chefs (and partners) Ross Larkin and Celeste Mah opened Portage in 2022, fuelled by a desire to serve fine dining–style food with a casual edge. The vibe here is modern Newfoundland influenced by Celeste’s Asian heritage. The dumplings are rightly renowned for being excellent, but we’d also advise trying the ‘bibimpap’ beef tartare with gochujang and pickled carrots and the cured char with cream cheese, lavash and crispy capers.
The Starlight is designed to be your next favourite neighbourhood hangout, where everybody knows your name (and they're always glad you came). The bar itself evokes a bygone era, and the menu – curated by chef Yva Santini – features the kind of food you can indulge in while enjoying a drink or two. Think ginger hoisin chicken wings as a bar snack or main course followed by cinnamon sugar–dusted churros to finish.
One of two restaurants in the heart of downtown Edmonton owned by the Corso 32 Group, Bricco is a delightfully casual spot that honours the traditions of Italian cooking with simple, flavourful dishes prepared with the highest quality ingredients. Handmade pasta, crostini, vegetable dishes, cured meats and cheese are served family-style, as and when they’re ready, and sharing is encouraged. All the dishes are excellent, but the egg yolk ravioli with ricotta, burnt butter and Parmesan is an absolute stunner.
Stir-fried spicy clams, grilled catfish and pickled cauliflower cod are just a few of the mouth-watering dishes on offer at The Fish Man, a small culinary treasure tucked away inside a strip mall on Alexandra Road, Richmond. Known for combining Japanese presentation techniques with Sichuan-style cooking, the chefs here prepare the freshest of seafood with expertise and ease – the signature sour cabbage fish pot is sensational. In the summer, you can dine outside on the patio.
Black Cat Pizza started as a pop-up, but it proved so popular that it now has its own bricks-and-mortar outlet. The food has stayed the same, though, with the joint slinging out Instagrammable Detroit-style pizzas. Each one is made with a naturally fermented sourdough base, and all the classic toppings – such as pepperoni and mozzarella – are present and correct. You'll fight for the crispy edge slices, for sure.
Serving breakfast and brunch overlooking Lunenburg’s historic UNESCO waterfront, The Savvy Sailor Cafe is, according to many, the best place to sample Canada's iconic lobster rolls. This place has been in business since 2012 and serves a wide selection of excellent toasted sandwiches (try the Reuben) and a varied breakfast menu showcasing local salmon and traditional salt cod. Dine in or opt for takeout and head to the water to enjoy your feast.
The renowned Point Prim Chowder House and Beach Bar is a favourite amongst locals on Prince Edward Island, not least because of its stunning location. It's casual, very laid-back and serves up some delicious treats, from oysters and chowder to a very fine pulled pork grilled cheese. Head to the counter and order your food to take away or settle in to enjoy your meal at one of the picnic tables with a view.
Built in the early 19th century and tucked away in the town of Quidi Vidi, Mallard Cottage is one of the oldest wooden structures in Newfoundland and Labrador. This charming building houses a cosy little restaurant that specialises in seafood and wild game, offering a modern menu of ever-changing dishes made with locally sourced, seasonal foods. When available, you should try the sea urchin special.
This trendy Winnipeg eatery opened in 2012 and specialises in small plates that fuse global and local flavours. The dining room is elegant, with wood accents and warm lighting creating an intimate and convivial space to enjoy the dining experience menu, which features dishes such as charred cabbage with lemon miso dressing, Parmesan and ground cherries. Alternatively, take a seat in the bar area to sample a selection of à la carte options.
A small, family-owned restaurant with a big reputation, Bar Kismet is the perfect place for date night. Chef Annie Brace-Lavoie creates a menu that draws from both Mediterranean and French regional cuisines, where handmade pasta is the speciality. The seafood comes grilled, charred and braised and raw scallops have also been known to feature. Annie’s husband, Jenner Cormier, is an award-winning bartender, so you'll find an exceptional cocktail list to enjoy too.
The glitz and glamour of Bar Prima leaves a lasting impression. Amber light filters through the restaurant, giving diners the feeling that it's golden hour all of the time. When it comes to food, Italian cuisine is the order of the day, with the culinary team serving up old-school classics and future favourites, such as beef tartare and octopus alla griglia (pictured). It's worth sampling the excellent cocktail menu, too.
Published on Main serves innovative, Nordic-influenced dishes that arrive beautifully plated and are best enjoyed over a ten-course tasting menu. Local ingredients are the star here, whether served fermented, pickled, preserved or just cooked. Despite its Michelin star, the restaurant still thinks of itself as a local joint at heart and readily welcomes customers who drop by for a simple plate of potato chips with smoked fish dip or a shiitake soda.
Renowned for its excellent contemporary French cuisine, La Banane has a loyal following and is recommended by Michelin. This spot also has a real vibe to it, thanks in part to its hip customers and high-energy music. The raw bar is well stocked, the shrimp cocktail is divine and the signature roast chicken with garlic and mashed potato comes highly recommended. For dessert, the lime and black pepper soufflé with buttermilk ice cream is nothing short of a triumph.
Atelier Tony opened during the COVID-19 pandemic – which wasn't ideal – but chef Tony Holden persevered, and the result is one of the top dining establishments in Moncton. Tony embraces farm-to-table principles, collaborates with nearby producers and offers a sophisticated twist on much-loved local dishes. It really works and everything from the classic crispy chicken burger with dill aioli to the scallop ceviche is sensational.
Farm One Forty is a small-scale farm outside of Saskatoon that raises its own chickens, sheep, pigs and cattle. It's also home to Odla, a fantastic farm-to-table restaurant. The experience of dining here is wonderfully unique, blending family-style meals with a tasting menu that connects people with real food. Co-owner Scott Dicks explains the ethos best, saying, “We want you to feel like you’re coming over to our place and we’re entertaining you.”
Restaurant Mastard opened in January 2021 and serves an ever-changing, five-course menu. Chef and owner, Simon Mathys, creates minimalist, delicious and aesthetically pleasing dishes that put local, seasonal ingredients at the fore. You’ll find an array of cocktails available here, as well as an impressive list of organic and natural wines, which you can choose to have paired with your meal.
This East Coast staple serves up North American food with Italian soul. A firm fixture on the Nova Scotia culinary scene, The Bicycle Thief is a laid-back waterfront haven that’s both a local haunt and a destination favourite for visitors from all over the world. The handmade pasta dishes served here are sensational, as are the seafood options (think pistachio and rosemary–crusted scallops). For the best of both worlds, try the lobster linguine.
Small, but no less legendary for it, Claddagh Oyster House is famous for its oyster bar and also serves a range of classic meat and seafood dishes featuring premium ingredients sourced from local producers. The handpicked wine selection is excellent and the intimate setting, on what is known as The Food Island province of Canada, really adds to the overall experience.
This family-run restaurant in Inuvik is small, full of charm and offers an exceptional standard of cooking. It also has the only patio north of the Arctic Circle. Homemade meals are created with locally sourced fish and Alestine’s is particularly loved for its fish tacos, which you can enjoy outdoors on that fabled patio during the summer months.
This fantastic neighbourhood spot has an open kitchen, an impressive raw bar, a welcoming atmosphere and a tempting menu featuring the likes of prosciutto meatballs with chilli and lemon zest served on squid ink rigatoni. This is the perfect place for ordering a platter of oysters to share with friends and then settling in for a cosy supper of handmade pasta and warm bread.
Restaurant Ile de France originally opened in 1931 on the ninth floor of the historic Eaton Centre. However, the elegant restaurant closed down at the turn of the century and was only revived in 2024. It re-opened with a splash, with the classical decor and the menu giving knowing nods to the past while ushering Restaurant Ile de France into the future. Expect beloved dishes such as shrimp cocktail, battered cod and hanger steak.
Those lucky enough to visit The Inn at Bay Fortune can enjoy chef and owner Michael Smith’s Fireworks Feast, a truly unique culinary adventure which includes a farm tour, oyster tasting, sabre toast with sparkling wine and a multi-course meal featuring produce grown on the farm. The hugely memorable experience ends with guests toasting house-made marshmallows over an open fire.
Alo has a Michelin star and an enviable reputation. It offers an elegant, innovative tasting menu, which showcases Japanese, French and North American influences with a strong focus on local ingredients. The result is a symphony of beautiful dishes that taste as good as they look. To fully enjoy the experience, you should expect to be seated for around three hours – and this is food you'll want to linger over.
Pluvio is an extraordinary restaurant and boutique hotel hidden in the little-known fishing village of Ucluelet. Chef Warren Barr opened his business in 2019 and it's warm, welcoming and wonderfully casual. The focus at this award-winning spot is on seasonal food that's either sourced from local producers or foraged from the Ucluelet forests and coastline. Impressively, almost everything is done in-house, from the baking and fermenting to the making of preserves and vinegars.
Damas's menu draws on the childhood memories of its Syrian chef, Fuad Nirabie. Dishes such as crunchy fattoush, pistachio kibbeh and a kebab with lamb and Aleppo sour cherry sauce offer just a glimpse of what's available. A dark, polished wood dining room shrouded by dozens of jewel-coloured lanterns creates an atmosphere that will transport you to the Middle East for a truly memorable eating experience.
Mon Lapin is the sort of place food lovers dream about. Despite its culinary prowess, the candlelit restaurant in the Little Italy quarter of Montreal has an unpretentious, fun vibe with a lovely neighbourhood feel to it. The fantastic food is inspired by the cuisines of both France and Italy, with creative dishes featuring as much seasonal produce as possible – items such as the superb Le Croque-Pétoncle (a scallop mousse in garlic butter toast) keep people coming back time and time again.
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Last updated by Luke Paton.