Canada is the world's second-largest country, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Arctic oceans. This vast nation offers stunning natural beauty from the Rocky Mountains to Niagara Falls, vibrant multicultural cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and rich Indigenous heritage alongside French and British influences.
Canadian cuisine is a reflection of the country's multicultural identity — there is no single 'Canadian' food tradition, but rather a mosaic of Indigenous foods, French-Canadian classics, British colonial staples, and waves of immigration from every corner of the world. Quebec holds the most distinct regional food identity, with poutine, smoked meat, tourtière, and maple syrup as genuine cultural institutions. British Columbia's Pacific seafood, Alberta beef, and Ontario's Niagara wine country each contribute distinct regional identities. Indigenous food cultures — bannock, wild game, three sisters vegetables, and Pacific salmon preparations — are experiencing a celebrated revival.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Canada.
Poutine
Quebec's greatest culinary export: crispy fries topped with fresh squeaky cheese curds and rich brown gravy. Originally from rural Quebec, now available nationwide but best in Montreal (La Banquise, Poutinerie Morasse) and Quebec City.
Where to try: La Banquise, Montreal; Poutinerie Morasse, Quebec City; Smoke's Poutinerie nationwide
Price: CAD $10-18
Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich
Brisket cured for 10 days in a Montreal secret spice blend, hand-sliced and piled high on rye bread with yellow mustard. An institution at Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen since 1928.
Where to try: Schwartz's Hebrew Deli, 3895 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal
Price: CAD $12-16
BeaverTails
Fried dough pastry shaped like a beaver tail, topped with butter and cinnamon sugar or chocolate hazelnut spread. A Canadian street food institution especially popular at winter festivals and the Ottawa Rideau Canal skateway.
Where to try: BeaverTails kiosks in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and tourist areas
Price: CAD $6-10
Atlantic Lobster
The Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland) produce some of the world's finest cold-water Atlantic lobster. In season (May-June and November-December), lobster suppers in PEI are legendary community events.
Where to try: New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, PEI; Salty's Waterfront Restaurant, Halifax; fish markets in Lunenburg NS
Price: CAD $35-60/lobster
Butter Tart
Ontario's beloved pastry — a sweet, flaky pastry shell filled with a gooey mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, and syrup. Whether runny or firm, with or without raisins, the butter tart debate is a source of genuine Ontario regional pride.
Where to try: Pie Squared, Toronto; farmers markets across Ontario; bakeries throughout the province
Price: CAD $3-5
Nanaimo Bar
British Columbia's no-bake layered dessert bar with a chocolate wafer and coconut base, custard buttercream middle, and chocolate ganache top. Named after Nanaimo, BC, these are found in every bakery and café in the province.
Where to try: Any BC bakery or café; The Nanaimo Bar Trail in Nanaimo, BC features 40+ versions
Price: CAD $3-5
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Various
Specialty Coffee
Argentine
Bagels
Breton Creperie
Canadian Comfort
Canadian Pastry
Charcuterie
Chinese
Classic Diner
Contemporary
Contemporary Canadian
Farm
Fast Food
Fish & Chips
Indian
Italian
Japanese
Jewish Deli
Newfoundland
Newfoundland Contemporary
Pacific Northwest
Poutine
Quebec Contemporary
Quebec Fast Food
Quebec Gastronomic
Quebec Traditional
Vegetarian
West Coast
Food tours & tastings in Canada
Eat your way through Canada with a guide.
Browse food experiences in CanadaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Montreal-style Bagel
Hand-rolled, honey-sweetened, and baked in a wood-fired oven, Montreal bagels are denser and crustier than New York style. Available at Fairmount Bagel (open 24 hours) and St-Viateur Bagel in Montreal.
Find it at: Fairmount Bagel (74 Ave Fairmount O, Montreal); St-Viateur Bagel (263 Ave Saint-Viateur O, Montreal)
Jerk Chicken (Toronto)
Toronto's large Jamaican-Canadian community makes the city's Scarborough and Kensington neighbourhoods home to some of North America's finest authentic jerk chicken, cooked over pimento wood in backyard barrel smokers.
Find it at: Kensington Market and Scarborough neighbourhoods, Toronto
Fish and Chips
A Maritime staple with fresh Atlantic haddock or cod in a crispy batter, served with hand-cut fries and vinegar. Best eaten on the waterfront in Halifax, Lunenburg, or St. John's Newfoundland.
Find it at: The Carleton Fish & Chips, Halifax; Leo's Fish and Chips, Ottawa; waterfront stands in St. John's NL
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
St. Lawrence Market
Toronto's 200-year-old market institution with over 120 vendors selling fresh produce, artisan cheese, cured meats, and prepared foods. Saturday market from 5 AM is a Toronto tradition attracting chefs and foodies.
Hours: Tue-Sat; Sat from 5 AM
Jean-Talon Market
Montreal's largest open-air market in Little Italy overflows with Quebec produce, heritage tomatoes, and artisan food vendors from June to October. Canada's most beautiful food market atmosphere.
Hours: Daily, reduced winter hours
Granville Island Public Market
Vancouver's beloved indoor market under the Granville Bridge with fresh Pacific seafood, artisan breads, local BC produce, and prepared foods from over 50 permanent vendors.
Hours: Daily 9 AM-7 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the better value for fine dining — many top Toronto and Montreal restaurants offer prix-fixe lunch menus at 40-60% of dinner prices
In Quebec, expect menus in French — most restaurants provide English menus on request, but attempting to order in French is always appreciated
Last seating at top restaurants is typically 9:30-10 PM; kitchens close earlier than European cities
Restaurant weeks (Montréal en Lumière in February, Toronto Winterlicious/Summerlicious) offer access to top restaurants at fixed prices — plan around these
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | CAD $10-18/meal | Food trucks, poutine, market vendors, casual fast food |
| Mid-range | CAD $25-50/meal | Casual sit-down restaurants, pub meals with drinks |
| Upscale | CAD $80-200+/meal | Fine dining tasting menus with wine pairing |