20 Best Restaurants in Canada

With its ever-changing menu and nearly flawless execution, this contemporary Canadian restaurant consistently ranks among Ottawa's top dining spots. It's little wonder it draws everyone from the Rolling Stones to Diana Krall. Begin with sweet-butter poached shrimp on corn cake or tender foie gras topped with black plum caviar and served on cornmeal pancakes. Entrées might include succulent chicken breast on corn risotto, grilled lamb with roasted organic carrots and turnips, and seared scallops with summer succotash, tomato confit, and Serrano ham. Despite its lofty reputation, Beckta has formal but friendly service.

With an eclectic assortment of knick-knacks, most with a "pig" theme, this cute, bright bistro grabs your attention as soon as you walk through the door. Fiercely local, the wine/beer menu is totally BC-centric and dishes use fresh, local ingredients with menu selections ranging from burgers or crispy duck to ethnic fusion dishes like a Moroccan lamb shank. A kids' menu is also available, as well as lunch kits for hikers. Reservations are available only through the winter months. Summertime is first-come-first-serve, and note that people will drive from as far away as Calgary just to eat here, so there can be line-ups during the busy dinner hours.

This restaurant has been serving fish-and-chips to a steady stream of customers since the 1950s. They come from all walks of life to sample the flaky fish fried in a batter whose recipe the owner keeps under lock and key (literally). The decor is strictly laminated tabletops and plastic chairs, but the fish is hot, fresh, and delicious.

This large pink-painted restaurant with a wall of windows overlooking Chinatown draws so many dim sum devotees that on weekends and holidays the lines can go down the stairs to the first floor. Waitresses parade with carts bearing everything from shrimp done innumerable ways to sesame balls. Or you can select from the regular Cantonese menu, including shark fin soup with crab (C$30) and Peking duck (C$32). There are also some Szechuan dishes, such as Yu Hsiang scallops in spicy sauce.

A local institution, this seafood market and restaurant serves the freshest seafood with a no-frills attitude. Nothing gourmet here, just straightforward, well-prepared fish and (crispy) fries, along with other deep-fried favorites: halibut, shrimp, scallops, and smoked salmon. For those who don't like it fried, the crab cakes and chowders come highly recommended. They even offer gluten-free selections. Although there are one or two pricier options, like a whole Dungeness crab at $39.95, most prices are reasonable across the board, with a $5.95 children's menu that's hard to beat. While early dinner is served, the restaurant closes at 8 pm.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant is known for locally sourced ingredients that are used in their delicious wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta, creative salads, seafood and chicken dishes, and Alberta beef steaks; there's also an excellent breakfast buffet. The dining area includes a long bar, an open kitchen, and expansive windows with gorgeous mountain views along one side of the restaurant. A few vegetarian and gluten-free options are available and children under six eat free.

Not only will you taste delicious food in this old courthouse building, you can almost feel yourself being nourished by the top-quality ingredients, most of which are sourced locally. On the varied dinner menu, you might find chili molasses–glazed pork ribs, maple curry chicken, or roasted cauliflower ragu, while lunchtime options include gourmet sandwiches, salads, house-made soups, and a kids' menu.

The views are amazing from the newly renovated rooftop patio of this popular downtown Jasper restaurant. Pizza from the wood-fired and traditional pizza ovens is the star attraction here, but you'll also find burgers, pastas, salads, and a broad selection of appetizers. The dessert menu is pretty much non-existent, but it's easy to forgive when you taste the pizza. The King of New York wood-fired pizza is so authentic, you'll want to fold your slice before eating it. The restaurant has three beers on tap, a good selection of craft beer, cocktails, spirits, and wine.

The bubbling fountain and potted trees reduce the noise of people passing around this vegetarian restaurant in the center of Time Square, a Byward Market office building. For breakfast try waffles with fruit. Later you can opt for an Indian Thali plate of samosa, bottomless dahl, homemade yogurt, and salad. Or pick up a snack such as roll-ups of marinated Italian eggplant or vegan pizza. To wash it all down, try delicious steamed coconut milk or chai tea.

This gourmet pizza shop has been winning international competitions for years with their innovative thin-crust creations in a family-friendly, eclectic atmosphere. The ingredients on their signature pizzas may sound random, but the chef has all the golden ratios down and the taste is perfect.

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).

Located right in the heart of the Village, this deli has a great assortment of sandwiches, wraps and pre-made charcuterie boxes. The boxes are at the heart of what they do: they have an OG Box, with a selection of meats, cheeses, fruit, and vegetables, as well as a Brunch Box. Added bonus: they can accommodate any dietary restriction. Can't eat gluten, nuts, dairy, or meat? They've got you covered.

The latest entrepreneurial turn for a sixth-generation heritage family farm, this restaurant within a garden center is the true definition of a farm-to-table experience. Enjoy seasonal cuisine in the deli-style café inside Murray's Garden Centre, bright with natural light and lively with guests of all ages. After lunch, take a stroll through the flowers and potted trees and imagine how you would build your own Newfoundland paradise.

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 can be dine-in or ordered to go for a picnic somewhere in the park. Menu offerings include dishes like curry and rice bowls, burgers and sandwiches, and a variety of cold drinks and grab-and-go items. The Siding is also the local general store and liquor agency.

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.

Located inside the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, this cozy café serves contemporary food with a First Nations twist—think venison chili, bannock tacos, fish chowder, or smoked salmon panini. You don't need to purchase admission to the museum to access the eatery (but we do recommend checking it out!). It's also located next to the gift shop, so after your meal you can take a stroll through the store.

One of more than 15 restaurants in Little Italy, this café with crimson-color walls, ceilings, and tablecloths is known for its more than 5,000-bottle wine cellar and traditional Italian dishes. Chicken Princess, a tender piece of chicken accompanied by asparagus and mozzarella cheese, comes in a white wine sauce. Pasta accompanies every dish or you can opt for potatoes and vegetables. An accordionist plays Friday and Saturday evenings.

If there is such a thing as a gourmet hot dog, then this is the place to find it. The buns here are baked fresh daily, and the all-beef wieners and smokies are sourced locally with one exception: the genuine Nathan's dogs are shipped from New York City. There's even an anti-dog for the vegetarian set. Made with falafel, it's topped with hummus, tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables. For all the dogs, there are plenty of homemade sauces and tons of interesting toppings to choose from. Sides include sweet potato fries, fried pickles, kettle chips, and classic Canadian poutine (fries served with gravy and cheese curds). Wash things down with a milkshake, raspberry lemonade, or fountain drink.