Forget the Michelin Guide and its hoity-toity vibe for a second, because Canada is home to some absolutely incredible diners and restaurants. After spending too much time combing through Google Maps and asking our weird friends what’s good, we have finished our list. Behold- the guide you didn’t think you needed but now will never forget, the spots that make the trip to wherever they are worth it. We’re going west to east today, so buckle up.
Here are our picks for some of the best, weirdest, and coolest Canadian diners and restaurants you can find across the country.
Yukon
Klondike Kate’s
This restaurant is set inside a historic gold rush era building and has been outfitted to look the part. Dawson City was once the crux of the Klondike gold rush, with 100,000 people trying to get there at the end of the 19th century. Only 30,000 did, but guess what, we have the technology, we can rebuild the city.
Where: 1102 Third Avenue, Dawson City
British Columbia
Tim’s Fish and Chips
Nestled in Creston, Tim’s Fish and Chips is the best spot for a nautical-themed restaurant south of the Okanagan Valley. Why would you get fish and chips in the middle of the province? Because there’s a boat on the roof, that’s why.
Where: 1108 Northwest Boulevard, Creston
Eagle’s Eye Restaurant
Why eat at the base of Whistler when BC has the highest restaurant in Canada? The Eagle’s Eye is perched atop of Kicking Horse Resort. It’s the perfect scenic ending to a road trip to Canyon Hot Springs and Glacier National Park.
Where: 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden
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Alberta
Starlite Diner Car
A diner inside of a train car with a UFO on top. If that doesn’t scream ‘small town Alberta’, then we have no idea what does. It’s delicious, and only 30 minutes away from the Gopher Hole Museum, the craziest museum in Canada.
Where: 1-3 Heritage Dr #1, Bowden
WHIFS Flapjack House
Waffles. Hamburgers. Ice Cream. Flapjacks. Salads. WHIFS brings the noise to Drumheller and is just as novel of an experience as the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Like, come on, who puts a fully functional train set in their dining room? Winners, that’s who.
Where: 801 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller
Northwest Territories
Bullocks’ Bistro
Why would you go to Yellowknife? Well, bet you didn’t know that the Great Slave Lake is the deepest in Canada, coming in at a whopping 614 metres at its deepest point. Get a seat overlooking this beast while you chow down on their ‘Slurp n’ Burp’, featuring your choice of buffalo, caribou or musk-ox with fish.
Where: 3534 Weaver Drive, Yellowknife
Saskatchewan
Buds and Suds Carwash and Grill
It’s been a long day of driving and your stomach is as hungry as your car is dirty. Fear not, because Buds and Suds has your back. Chow down on a burger while your car gets cleaned in their attached carwash. This might take the cake for the most original idea on the list.
Where: 1105 Athabasca Street E, Moose Jaw
Ontario
Webers Restaurant
A must-stop in Orillia for anyone going to Ontario’s cottage country. Another highway diner served up via train car (the best), Webers has been open since 1963, so you know that they know what they’re doing. A milkshake and a burger before continuing on your way? How can you pass that up?
Where: 8825 ON-11, Orillia
Flying Saucer Restaurant
Definitely more of a novelty restaurant, but why not eat in a flying saucer at least once in your life? Better than any other dining experience on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, except for maybe Skylon Tower. But, we want to believe that it’s the best.
Where: 6768 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls
Quebec
Patati Patata
We don’t really talk about anything in Montreal so we get to cheat and say that this is out of the way, hehe. Seriously though, you won’t want to go anywhere else once you try this spot during Osheaga, so write the name down and thank us later.
Where: 4177 St Laurent Boulevard, Montreal
Cantine Ben La Bedaine
Translating roughly to ‘Ben the Belly’, this spot in Granby is the quintessential diner experience. Their cheeseburger costs $2.70, and they might just have the best poutine in the province. Insanely ‘grammable, as well.
Where: 599 Rue Principale, Granby
Nova Scotia
Westcliff(e) Diner
We’re having a hearty chuckle over here about the inclusion/exclusion of the ‘e’ at this amazing diner in Halifax. Google maps and their Facebook page both have the ‘e’ attached, while the signage and their menu don’t. What are you guys doing over there? Well, aside from serving up incredible food.
Where: 3089 Oxford Street, Halifax
Newfoundland/Labrador
The Bagel Café
Set in St. John’s, Canada’s most eastern city, you can dine at the edge of the world at the Bagel Café. Ever tried a ‘touton’ pancake before? No? Us neither, and we’re chomping at the bit to see what this regional dish has in store.
Honourable Mention
The KFC Buffet in Weyburn Saskatchewan
Although the pandemic put a hold on the offer, this KFC location out in Saskatchewan holds the unique distinction of being the only KFC buffet in Canada. Fingers crossed that one day we may bask in the colonel’s grace once more.
Where: 44 Sims Avenue, Weyburn
And that’s our list of Canadian Diners you’ve got to check out! We’re happy to update this list, so if you’ve had an unforgettable dining experience in the middle of nowhere let us know, our friends were practically no help.
