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The 10 Best Restaurants in Canada – Tasted and Approved by Foodies!
It’s no secret that Canada has a vibrant culinary scene, filled with all sorts of cuisine that delivers exquisite flavours. We’re brimming with casual joints, Michelin-starred restaurants, and hidden gems.
With all these choices, ranking the most delicious restaurants is bound to happen. It’s also inevitable that most people would want to try out the best of the best.
Don’t worry because we grabbed our forks and went on a food adventure just to find the best restaurants Canada has to offer. Our team tried bestsellers, seasonal dishes, and new offerings, from one destination to another! Read on!
Ontario
Alo
– Media credit: alorestaurant
Address: 163 Spadina Ave, Toronto
Contact: 416-260-2222, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 5 pm – 12 am
Pricing: $$$
Alo is a contemporary French restaurant that’ll elevate the way you dine. It’s no wonder this downtown Toronto spot has earned a Michelin star (and well-deserved, by the way!), as every bite brings pure bliss.
Chef Patrick Kriss serves works of art, as each dish is beautifully plated, and every spoonful tastes as good as it looks. The Dining Room’s chef-curated tasting menu is carefully prepared, showcasing the finest ingredients, elevated by wine pairings.
Our recommendation? Trust the chef. The blind tasting menu will surprise you, no doubt, but won’t disappoint.
Expect to taste a wide variety of dishes, like meats and veggies, that harmonise perfectly with each other, where no plate will overwhelm your tastebuds.
| Pro Tip: Save the date: first Tuesday of the month at 10 am. This is when Alo opens their booking system. This place is in demand, so expect loads of people trying to get a reservation. |
Restaurant Pearl Morissette
– Media credit: restaurant_pearlmorissette
Address: 3953 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station
Contact: 905-562-7709, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday – Friday: 5:30 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 9 pm
- Sunday: 5:30 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: $$$
One of the best fine dining restaurants in Canada is Pearl Morissette, a not-so-hidden gem in a 42-acre lot in Jordan Station. It’s a pro at Michelin Guides, having earned a Green Star for its sustainability advocacy and one star for its high-quality cooking.
As it focuses on a farm-to-table experience, its evolving prix fixe menu—inspired by French cuisine—is made from high-quality local ingredients. The taste? Absolutely delicious with rich but not overwhelming flavours.
Get ready to taste a delicious variety of aesthetically plated dishes that may include your favourite seafood or meat that falls off the bones.
What makes this Canadian restaurant unique? It’s an all-in-one spot with a farm, winery, bakehouse, cafe, restaurant, and a shop. There’s something for everyone, including a guided tour of the farm before your dinner reservation!
| Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for the release date of reservations. Bookings are tough to come by and are quickly filled because there’s limited space. |
British Columbia
Hawksworth Restaurant
– Media credit: hawksworthrest
Address: Rosewood Hotel Georgia – 801 W Georgia St, Vancouver
Contact: 604-673-7000, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 3 pm & 4 pm – closing
- Saturday – Sunday: 4 pm – closing
Pricing: $$
The foodie city of Vancouver doesn’t gatekeep Hawksworth Restaurant, located in a downtown luxury hotel. The contemporary menu uses local and global ingredients, inspired by classic dishes, but this time, with a fresh spin.
There’s one word to describe the food options: superb. Each plate is made to indulge in the finest ingredients, like our favourite, the Grilled West Coast Halibut, a delicately fresh plate with coconut curry and cilantro salad.
It’s the seasonal tasting menu that takes the centre stage, with dishes that highlight BC’s best ingredients. It’s a multi-course menu that ends with a satisfyingly sweet dessert.
| Pro Tip: Cocktail hour has very limited seating since it’s only at the lounge. Arrive earlier than 4 pm to get a seat! |
The Pointe Restaurant
– Media credit: thepointetofino
Address: Wickaninnish Inn – 500 Osprey Ln, Tofino
Contact: 250-725-3106, [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 2 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: $$$
If you plan on tasting the best of BC, you must visit The Pointe Restaurant, an upscale spot on Vancouver Island where fine dining meets oceanfront views! Indulge yourself in visually creative dishes right in front of the Pacific Ocean!
The contemporary menu showcases local ingredients, highlighting the fresh picks of the season. Brunch is always a good idea, which rings especially true here, where we tasted one of the most delicious eggs Benny we’ve tried, with a perfectly runny yolk!
For the kids, the Buttermilk Pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and served with berries hit the mark. And for our vegetarian friends, there are lots of options, but we suggest the tasting menu with wine pairing for diverse flavours that complement each other.
| Pro Tip: When dining here, avoid using perfume to respect the scent-neutral environment. |
Alberta
Juree’s Thai Place
– Media credit: jureesthaiplace
Address: 2055 16 Ave NW, Calgary
Contact: 403-264-6477, [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $
You’ll be surprised at how Juree’s Thai Place can ignite your tastebuds. This Calgary eatery has earned its spot as one of our top restaurants in Canada due to its perfectly balanced, rich flavours that will take you on a gastronomic journey to Thailand!
With a space decked out in Thai decor, you’ll feel like you aren’t in Calgary anymore! It’s eclectic while celebrating Thai culture and traditions—see? No passport needed!
Our pick? The Green Curry with Beef has harmoniously balanced flavours of sweet and savoury. Eat it with coconut rice for an aromatic addition to your meal. If you aren’t full yet, the Sticky Rice with Mango is a unique dessert that you have to try!
| Pro Tip: If you’re ordering for take-out, consider the drive-thru instead of entering the restaurant. It’s faster and has to-go lunch boxes on the menu! |
RGE RD
– Media credit: rge_rd
Address: 10643 123 St NW, Edmonton
Contact: 780-447-4577, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $$
If you’re searching for farm-to-table dining, then RGE RD is right up your street. They’re known for their whole animal butchery, ensuring all the meats served come from cared-for livestock and local farms—completely avoiding mass-produced meats.
And yes, you can taste it with every mouthful. The flavours of the meats are richer and more complex, particularly the Pilatus Farms Bison, served on top of hazelnut spätzle, roasted carrots, black currant, and grainy mustard.
The vibe of this Canadian restaurant feels like a more refined butcher shop. You’ll see all sorts of proteins packed neatly, from your usual pork to game meats, and the dining side offers a long list of alcoholic beverages, from sparkling to cocktails.
| Pro Tip: If the restaurant’s full, try calling them a little closer to your preferred date because spots sometimes open up! |
Quebec
Restaurant Tanière³
– Media credit: taniere3
Address: 7 Rue du Don-de-Dieu, Québec
Contact: 418 872-4386, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday – Sunday: 5 pm – 9:15 pm
Pricing: $$$
At Tanière³, dining is a mystery—and we have no qualms about it! It’s always a delightful surprise when you step inside the historic 17th-century underground vaults, which you can only enter after clicking the right passcode.
The food? C’est délicieux! The tasting menu is a secret, and your meal will only be revealed once served.
Your dining experience at this Michelin-starred restaurant is composed of multi-course meals, between 12 and 18, all thoughtfully designed by the chef. Every plate is like an artwork highlighting Quebec’s rich culinary landscape.
Not everything is the chef’s choice, though. Add a new depth to your meal by choosing the perfect wine pairing from the recommendations of the sommelier. There’s a bottle for every taste, including Quebec’s own wineries.
| Pro Tip: Don’t forget to let them know of any dietary restrictions when making a reservation to ensure they have enough time to accommodate these. |
Toqué!
– Media credit: restaurant_toque
Address: 900 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal
Contact: 514 499-2084 [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Friday: 11:30 am – 1:45 pm & 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Saturday: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Toqué! has perfected fine dining and artistic plating. A mainstay in Montreal’s luxury dining, it has continued to serve an ever-changing menu made with fresh and local ingredients.
This Michelin-starred Canadian restaurant offers table d’hôte, a la carte, and tasting menus. If you’re asking us what to get, the tasting menu is a clear winner, which includes 7 courses and an option to add a wine pairing (this, we 100% recommend!).
But if you prefer to choose your own meals, we suggest starting with the Foie Gras Terrine, and then the Duck Breast, resting on vermouth sauce, for the main.
| Pro Tip: Parking fees are pretty pricey (valet is $22 plus tax), so stick to lunch reservations if you want to save a couple of loonies and don’t mind using the metro. |
Nova Scotia
The Bicycle Thief
– Media credit: ourbicyclethief
Address: Bishop’s Landing – 1475 Lower Water St, Halifax
Contact: 902-425-7993, [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 11 pm
Pricing: $
Relaxed dining with harbour views is what will bring us to our knees. The Bicycle Thief in Halifax offers exactly that, enhanced by a more refined ambience.
The menu features North American dishes infused with Italian spirit, all while highlighting fresh seafood. The oysters on ice taste as they should be: salty, briny, and fresh.
But since you’re in Nova Scotia, lobster is the most logical option. The Downeast Fresh Lobster Roll, covered in chili and lime mayo and tucked in a soft bun, is the perfect balance of tangy and spicy.
Don’t forget to try their cocktails! We particularly like the Rhuby Margarita, as its refreshing taste goes perfectly with the ambience.
| Pro Tip: Head there early for patio dining to get waterfront views. Online reservations are only for indoor seating. |
Juniper Food + Wine
– Media credit: juniperfoodwine
Address: 389 Main St, Wolfville
Contact: 902-542-3548, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 4 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: $
When in Nova Scotia, one must head over to Juniper Food + Wine for laid-back dining. It was brought to life by the owners of Toronto’s now-closed Hopgoods Foodliner when they moved to the East Coast.
This cosy gem in the charming town of Wolfville specialises in simple yet delightful dishes that are improved with the best wine pairing! One of our recs is the Ricotta Gnocchi, a creamy and rich dish with truffle cream.
Another one is the Hopgood’s Hot Chicken Sandwich, a fried spicy chicken fillet that’s tender on the inside, with coleslaw, pickles, and sauce. It sounds like your usual burger, but so flavourful and unforgettable!
| Pro Tip: Visit during happy hour from Wednesday to Saturday for discounts on selected items on the menu. |
