The Best Signature Canadian Dishes and Where to Try Them
![Poutine from La Banquise Restaurant on Plateau Mont-Royal in Montreal](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/d6hc84-e1640283221531.webp)
The unique dishes that Canada has created for the world includes an intriguing mix of sweet and savory food. Although it’s also the country that eats the most Kraft Macaroni and Cheese dinners every week, there are many signature Canadian dishes; here are 9 of the best and the top places to try them.
Poutine
Diner, Restaurant, American, Canadian, North American, Fast Food
![Canada, Quebec, Montreal, Plateau-Mont-Royal, the famous La Banquise restaurant specializing in poutines](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/r8yx82-1-e1641399558497.webp)
Known as Canada’s national dish, poutine is a French-Canadian meal featuring three ingredients: fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Created in the 1950s in Quebec, the dish can be found everywhere today. Many eateries even serve their traditional poutine with additional flavors, such as butter chicken or pulled pork.
Where to try: La Banquise
Because it was created in Quebec, eating poutine in this province is as authentic as you can get. La Banquise is a 24-hour restaurant specializing in poutine, with over 30 different flavors on the menu.
Nanaimo Bar
Cafe, Canadian, Australian, Spanish
Where to try: Mon Petit Choux
Labeled as “a corner of Paris in Nanaimo,” locals and visitors alike love the Nanaimo bars served at Mon Petit Choux. If one isn’t enough, Tourism Nanaimo has created a Nanaimo Bar Trail. Follow the map and find your favorite one in Nanaimo.
Butter Tart
Bakery, Canadian
Where to try: The Maid’s Cottage
Securing first place for the best butter tart at Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival, The Maid’s Cottage is obviously the top place to try an authentic butter tart. A family-owned business, stop by to try their secret recipe.
BeaverTails
Market, Restaurant, Fast Food
![BeaverTails pastry stand on George Street in the Byward Market area, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cw890y.webp)
Where to try: BeaverTails ByWard Market
BeaverTails ByWard Market is the store’s flagship location, and where former President Barack Obama sampled the delicacy during his first visit to Canada in 2009.
Tourtière
Restaurant, Canadian, Vegetarian, French
Where to try: Aux Anciens Canadiens Restaurant
To try an authentic tourtière, it’s best to sample the dish in Quebec, its province of origin. This Quebec City restaurant is known for its traditional French-Canadian cuisine menu. The restaurant also has a $20 fixed-price lunch menu, which allows you to sample tourtière and more for a reasonable price.
Pea Soup
Restaurant, Canadian
![Traditional Newfoundland Pea Soup](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/phrw9n.webp)
Where to try: By the Sea Inn and Café
This Newfoundland café says that “pea soup and dumplings have been a tradition for us Newfoundlanders on Saturdays,” so they keep with tradition and only serve the soup on Saturdays. It’s also located right by the sea, with the dining room over the water.
Donair
Restaurant, Canadian
Where to try: King of Donair
King of Donair was the first place to serve donairs in Canada when it opened in 1973. Together with traditional donairs, they also serve donair subs, egg rolls, panzarotti, poutine, and pizza. Just about every donair combination you can think of!
Saskatoon Berry Pie
Bakery, Canadian, British
![A slice of Saskatoon berry pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream from the Berry Barn in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ek1ecw.webp)
Where to try: Bon Ton Bakery
Bon Ton Bakery may not be in Saskatchewan, but they bake a highly sought-after Saskatoon Berry Pie every year. The Edmonton bakery packs their pies full of wild Saskatoons, which means they’re only available seasonally, from August to October. The buttery crust and berry filling is worth the wait. Complement your slice of pie with a scoop of ice cream too.
Montreal-Style Bagel
Bakery, Canadian
Where to try: St-Viateur Bagel
One of Montreal’s most popular bagel stops, St-Viateur has been baking the city’s best bagels since 1957. Made with 100% natural ingredients, they say their bagels “are the ones your grandparents enjoyed, made with ingredients your children can read.” Flavors include cinnamon and raisin, flax, rosemary and sea salt, and all-dressed.