Travelling to Canada offers a wide variety of activities for all kinds of tourists. Many people go to Canada to experience the incredible wildlife and natural beauty that is to be found in and around the land and sea. There's whale watching, hiking, diving, boating, you name it. Others make the trip to Canada to hide away in a tiny Airbnb and have no one disturb them for a few weeks: just rest and solitude. What often comes as a surprise to Canadians and seasoned travellers alike is that something else in Canada is now bringing in certain tourists in droves; the food. Yes, Canada is fast becoming one of the best-loved foodie pilgrimages on the planet. Bags packed, private jet quote obtained, and mouth and stomach made ready for the gastronomic paradise that awaits foodies when they touch down in Canada.
While it might not yet be able to compete with Paris or Tuscany, Canadian food tourism is fast on the rise. We're going to get in on the ground floor by sharing our favourite Canadian foodie experiences before the secret gets out!
Though the name Winnipeg may not inspire visions of a glittering metropolis replete with the most fantastically dressed residents and hot nightlife, it is a name becoming synonymous with adventurous eating. “The Peg,'' as it has been fondly nicknamed by locals, has undergone many revitalization efforts, several of which brought a number of excellent chefs in. These chefs are currently making Winnipeg a foodies paradise by bridging to the fore many indie eateries, older local places that have had a bit of a spit-shine and even stalls at food markets. Try Enoteca for Italian fusion cuisine, Segovia for tapas, Nosuch Brewery for artisanal ales or Forks Market for a variety.
There is a lot to see and do in British Columbia, mostly taking in the natural beauty of the flora and fauna that surrounds the towns and cities. What we have in mind, however, is rather more of an indoor gastronomic exploration at any of the exquisite restaurants in the city. The waters in British Columbia are particularly rich in diverse sea life, which makes for great diving and even better eating. The farmland around Victoria is also particularly lush, so farm-to-table eating is a big part of the local food economy. Pacific Northwest cuisine at its best! Try the boutique Magnolia Hotel and Spa for fine dining, the historic Fairmont Empress for a relaxing and luxurious afternoon tea (and excellent gin) or Wind Cries Mary for comfort food.
In one of the oldest cities on the North American continent, you’ll find a thriving and eclectic range of nightlife and food experiences to entice even the most cynical or hardened among you. The sheer variety of different cuisines that can be found rubbing shoulders in Quebec City is astounding. Naturally, classic French cuisine has a huge influence and sits comfortably next to more modern or fusion establishments. Locavore is what it's all about here; in-season fruit and veggies and local, sustainably sourced meats. Found in one of the city's most historically valuable homes (more than three hundred years old), Aux Anciens Canadiens offers traditional dishes like caribou and maple syrup pie. Try Restaurant Tanière for a blind-tasting menu, Laurie Raphael for award-winning wines or La Traite for First Nations cuisine.
Image: Adrienn, Pexels
Though Edmonton has long been hidden in the shadow of Calgary, the culinary scene now thriving in its restaurants is finally getting the time in the spotlight that it deserves. Edmonton is a playful city, innovative in its use of flavours and textures. The energy here is infectious and can inspire even the fussiest eater to try something new: a true promised land from the foodies of the world. You’ll never be short of new options to try when you visit this exciting city. Try Bündok for a cocktail or two and some gnocchi, Biera for the freshest dishes and artisanal beers to go with them, Uccellino for excellent Italian or Strathcona Spirits, which is the first and smallest distillery in North America for gins and vodkas that showcase regional ingredients.
Image: Viktoria Apliatova, Pexels
Yup, it sure is a mouthful to say, but restaurants in Saskatoon will offer mouthfuls that will make you forget all about it! This is Prairie cuisine, long underrated and underappreciated, at its very finest. Saskatchewan is home to more than half the country’s farmlands, so it's no surprise that the food here is incredibly fresh, and farm-to-table is one of the most important aspects of the restaurant scene. Saskatoon has one of the youngest populations in all of Canada, which means there are a lot of up-and-coming young chefs who are thirsty to prove themselves in the food game. Try the Night Oven for the most incredible sourdough you’ll ever taste, Ayden Kitchen and Bar for masterful charcuterie, The Hollows for a tasting menu that shows off local bounty or Calories Restaurant for divine cheesecake.
As you can see, Canada is certainly no slouch in the restaurant department! Which city will be first on your list?
