Poutine isn’t, in fact, the pinnacle of Canadian cuisine. Au contraire, Toronto restaurants have managed to create a Canadian culinary identity by serving wild game and mushrooms, fresh fish and infusing it all with staples of Canadian flora, like pine needles and wild currants. Taste what this big, sexy country has to offer at these 7 Canadian food restaurants in Toronto.
With a tiny menu featuring only truly mouth-watering dishes that conjure images of Canadiana. like the bison tartare, pan-roasted elk, mussels smoked in pine needles and pigeon pie, this spot on Ossington just off Queen W is worth the higher prices.
Craving roasted duck poutine pizza? Great, because Bannock’s got that, plus “bannacos” which would be a bannock-taco hybrid, and a burger on a bannock bun. It’s a classy place with prices somewhat on the high side, but the food’s definitely worth it.
Casual but truly delicious and with some menu items you’re unlikely to easily find anywhere else in TO (roasted bone marrow, braised beef cheeks), plus some very Maritime-inspired dishes (pickled smelt, Halifax donairs, snow crab), Hopgood’s in Roncesvalles Village is adored by a ton of Torontonians.
Buffalo burger and elk stew – what could be more authentically Canadian than truly delicious First Nations cuisine? Plus, they serve bannock, salmon and bison steaks. Tea n Bannock is on Gerrard E, north of Leslieville.
Located in the Financial District, the Gabardine does Canadian-inspired dishes like Montreal-spiced skirt steak, rockfish and chicken pot pie. The decor is lovely and the service is good.
Excellent service and fine Canadian food, plus a charming decor make Woodlot in Trinity Bellwoods a local favourite.
With stunning views of Downtown Toronto from its perch 54 floors up, really amazing food and a spectacular decor, Canoe in the Financial District is one of the city’s best known and best loved restaurants serving Canadian food. They serve a fine venison and risotto made with Canadian barley.