When visiting Ontario, be sure to try the province's unique blend of traditional Canadian cuisine, influenced by its diverse cultural heritage, featuring popular dishes such as peameal bacon sandwiches, beaver tails, and poutine.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Ontario's cuisine is defined by its rich cultural diversity, with influences from European, Asian, and Indigenous communities. The province's proximity to the Great Lakes and its vast agricultural lands make it an ideal place for farming and fishing, resulting in an abundance of fresh produce and meats. Ontario's regional variations in cuisine are also notable, with the northern regions offering more traditional Canadian dishes such as tourtière, a meat pie originating from Quebec, and the southern regions featuring more diverse international cuisines.
The province's food culture is also shaped by its history, with many traditional dishes still popular today, such as butter tarts, a classic Canadian pastry filled with butter, sugar, and eggs. Additionally, Ontario's vibrant cities, such as Toronto and Ottawa, offer a wide range of culinary experiences, from fine dining to casual eateries and food trucks. The province's culinary scene is constantly evolving, with new restaurants and chefs emerging, offering innovative and creative dishes that showcase the best of Ontario's produce and products.
In terms of key influences, Ontario's cuisine has been shaped by its European heritage, particularly from the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. Many traditional dishes, such as fish and chips and roast beef, are still popular today, often with a Canadian twist. The province's Asian communities have also had a significant impact on its cuisine, with popular dishes such as dim sum and sushi widely available. Overall, Ontario's food culture is a unique and delicious reflection of its diverse cultural heritage.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peameal Bacon Sandwich | Breakfast | A sandwich made with peameal bacon, a type of back bacon rolled in cornmeal, served on a bun | St. Lawrence Market in Toronto |
| BeaverTails | Dessert | A sweet pastry topped with cinnamon sugar, typically served with a hot chocolate or coffee | Various locations throughout Ontario, including Ottawa and Toronto |
| Poutine | Snack | French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy | Popular chains such as Smoke's Poutinerie and Poutine La Belle |
| Tourtière | Main Course | A traditional Québécois meat pie made with pork, beef, and vegetables | Northern Ontario, particularly in the city of Sudbury |
| Butter Tarts | Dessert | A classic Canadian pastry filled with butter, sugar, and eggs | Various bakeries throughout Ontario, including the famous Purdy's Chocolates in Toronto |
| Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich | Main Course | A sandwich made with smoked meat, mustard, and pickles, served on rye bread | Delis such as Caplansky's in Toronto and The Smoked Meat Factory in Ottawa |
| Fish and Chips | Main Course | Battered and fried fish, served with chips (fries) and often accompanied by coleslaw and tartar sauce | Seafood restaurants throughout Ontario, particularly in coastal towns such as Tobermory |
| Sushi | Main Course | A Japanese dish made with vinegared rice and various toppings, such as raw fish, vegetables, and seaweed | Japanese restaurants throughout Ontario, particularly in cities such as Toronto and Ottawa |
| Chicken Shawarma | Main Course | A Middle Eastern-inspired dish made with marinated chicken, served in a pita with vegetables and tahini sauce | Middle Eastern restaurants throughout Ontario, particularly in cities such as Toronto and Ottawa |
| Bannock | Snack | A type of flatbread, often served with butter, jam, or honey | Indigenous restaurants and cafes throughout Ontario, particularly in the north |
Street Food & Snacks
- Poutine: a classic Canadian snack made with French fries, cheese curds, and gravy, typically costing around $5-$7 CAD
- BeaverTails: a sweet pastry topped with cinnamon sugar, typically costing around $5-$7 CAD
- Roasted Chestnuts: a popular winter snack, typically costing around $3-$5 CAD
- Fresh Corn on the Cob: a summer snack, often grilled or boiled, typically costing around $2-$4 CAD
- Maple Syrup Taffy: a sweet treat made with pure Canadian maple syrup, typically costing around $5-$7 CAD
- Smoked Meat Sandwich: a sandwich made with smoked meat, mustard, and pickles, served on rye bread, typically costing around $10-$12 CAD
- Kettle Corn: a sweet and salty snack made with popcorn, typically costing around $3-$5 CAD
- Fried Dough: a sweet treat made with fried dough, often topped with sugar or cinnamon, typically costing around $5-$7 CAD
Drinks
- Maple Syrup Lattes: a sweet and creamy coffee drink made with pure Canadian maple syrup, typically costing around $4-$6 CAD
- Canadian Beer: a wide range of beers brewed in Ontario, such as Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian, typically costing around $5-$7 CAD
- Ice Wine: a sweet and dessert wine made from grapes frozen on the vine, typically costing around $20-$50 CAD per bottle
- Apple Cider: a refreshing drink made from Ontario apples, typically costing around $3-$5 CAD
- Tim Hortons Coffee: a classic Canadian coffee and donut chain, typically costing around $2-$4 CAD per cup
- Fresh Lemonade: a summer drink made with fresh lemons and sugar, typically costing around $3-$5 CAD
Dining Customs
- Tipping: 15% to 20% of the total bill is customary in Ontario restaurants
- Reservations: recommended for popular restaurants, particularly on weekends and during peak dining hours
- Dress Code: varies depending on the restaurant, but generally casual to formal
- Eating Etiquette: table manners are generally formal, with an emphasis on using utensils and not speaking with your mouth full
- Food Sharing: not common in Ontario, but becoming more popular in some restaurants
- Dining Hours: typical dining hours are between 11 am and 10 pm, with some restaurants open later or earlier depending on the location and type of cuisine
Where to Eat
- St. Lawrence Market: a historic market in Toronto featuring a wide range of food vendors and restaurants
- ByWard Market: a historic market in Ottawa featuring a wide range of food vendors and restaurants
- Food Trucks: a popular option for street food, particularly in cities such as Toronto and Ottawa
- Farmers' Markets: a great place to find fresh, local produce and artisanal products, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas
- Casual Eateries: a wide range of casual restaurants, such as diners and cafes, offering a variety of cuisines and price points
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- St. Lawrence Market: a historic market in Toronto featuring a wide range of food vendors and restaurants, located at 92-95 Front Street East
- ByWard Market: a historic market in Ottawa featuring a wide range of food vendors and restaurants, located at 55 ByWard Market Square
- Toronto Food Tours: a guided tour of Toronto's culinary scene, featuring a variety of cuisines and neighborhoods
- Ottawa Farmers' Market: a weekly market featuring local produce and artisanal products, located at 1015 Lansdowne Park
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Farmers' Market: a weekly market featuring local produce and artisanal products, located at 26 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake