A food lover’s guide to Canada

When you think of Canada, glacial lakes and far-reaching pine forests are more likely to come to mind than excellent eateries and sumptuous restaurants. But a burgeoning of the latter means food-lovers are increasingly gravitating to this fine country. And according to global travellers, these are the Canadian cities that really know good food.*

Markham, Ontario

Classified within the Greater Toronto Area but a city in its own right, Markham is setting Canadian appetites alight with its multicultural food scene. Having recently been name-dropped as an unsung culinary destination by acclaimed chef David Chang – of Netflix series, Ugly Delicious, fame – Markham is a major hub for Chinese and Japanese foods, courtesy of its sizeable Chinatown and J-town. Think giant shu mais with spicy soy sauce, wok fried lobster and the best wonton noodle soup this side of the Pacific, while Izakaya Ju Japanese Restaurant does an incredible smoky, charcoal-cooked meats and an authentic Japanese atmosphere. Stay nearby at Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Northeast/Markham.

Richmond, British Columbia

Another lesser-known city lauded for its Asian food, Richmond is literally making headlines for its diverse and authentic offerings. While Taiwan might be the world’s night market epicentre, Richmond is vying for the runner-up spot. With the sprawling Richmond Night Market and the Illumination Summer Night Market the major players, these brightly-lit canopies, alive with the sound of entrepreneurial vendors and the smell of barbecued fish, draw visitors from all over the country.

Outside the markets, you won’t need to look far for a good eatery – most of Richmond’s Asian restaurants can be found within a few hundred metres of one another on the No.3 Road. Stop at Hoitong Chinese Seafood Restaurant for a lesson in true Cantonese cuisine – diners love the stuffed crab claws – and head to Excellent Tofu & Snacks for some tofu pudding. When your belly’s full, get some sleep at the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport.

La Malbaie, Quebec

Not just a pretty village, Le Malbaie of Charlevoix county has visitors flocking to it for its gastronomic reputation. The area of Charlevoix has positioned itself as much a destination for nature as it is for food, with lamb considered to be a specialty of the area. For fine dining, the go-to spot is restaurant Vices Versa, run by a husband and wife duo, and where you can choose which one of them will prepare your dish. Purveyors of gourmet French cuisine, highlights include roasted lamb leg with tomato fondue and rosemary-roasted ratte potatoes, or a trio of plump fresh scallops – just expect a different variation if you order from Vices (him) or Versa (her).

If you can’t manage to secure a table there, head over to L’Orchidee which serves up both novel dishes – try the red deer osso bucco – and classic local fare, such as prime rib or roasted duck breast with white wine-soaked pear. Digest with a nightcap out in the garden, staying at Auberge sur la cote.

London, Ontario

Ontario has its very own London and Paris, but it’s the former that’s paving the way towards rivalling the food scene of the English capital. With a thriving student population, good eats also come at equally appealing prices and the youth culture helps dictate a palette that looks beyond simple flavours and into the produce-sourcing process. Farm-to-table fare is widely considered to be London’s major speciality, and its culinary vanguard – the London Food Incubator – has helped make the city a leader in locally-sourced produce.

Try The Root Cellar for organic dishes accompanied by maps detailing where the foods have come from; its salad bowls are notably good, with combinations that include roasted sweet potato, lentils and hemp hearts. Garlic’s of London is another option for local produce, which describes itself as serving a range of rustic and international dishes, though you can safely assume garlic will find its way into whatever you do end up ordering (we’d recommend the garlic fettuccine or seafood pasta). For your caffeine fix, Fire Roasted Coffee Company on Dundas Street is a local favourite and conveniently close to boutique Hotel Metro.

Regina, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s capital city doesn’t just have status to boast about – Regina is also the home of a growing collection of top-notch restaurants and has quickly embraced a world of cuisines. For cheap and delicious Thai food, Siam Restaurant is great for groups, while Grekos does a novel flaming saganaki (Greek grilled cheese), and Tangerine Restaurant serves up fresh Mediterranean-inspired lunches, with a focus on sandwiches and baked goods (try the Nutella Danish). The Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection is a highly rated accommodation to make your base, with luxurious amenities including hot tubs and a fitness centre.

** These destinations were picked based on endorsements for ‘Food’, ‘Gourmet Food’ and ‘Local Food’, and each had more than 2000 endorsements.