the Best Canadian Dishes
The best Canadian dishes are full of savory flavors and hearty comfort foods. Whether you’re in the mood for poutine, Montreal smoked meat, or a classic caesar with unique garnishes, these meals will satisfy your cravings.
Invented in 1950, poutine is the quintessential Canadian dish! Crunchy thick-cut fries, heavenly gravy, and squeaky cheese curds come together to create a dish that is irresistible.
Invented in 1950, poutine is the quintessential Canadian dish! Crunchy thick-cut fries, heavenly gravy, and squeaky cheese curds come together to create a dish that is irresistible.
Poutine
Poutine is a dish of crispy french fries, cheese curds and gravy that’s considered one of the best Canadian dishes. This hearty French-Canadian comfort food first appeared in rural Quebec snack bars in the 1950s. Although its exact origins are contested, it is thought to be named after a provincial slang word meaning mess or confusion.
The best poutine is served piping hot with fresh squeaky cheese curds that melt slightly in the gravy. Some restaurants even offer different flavored cheese curds such as roasted garlic or jalapeno. You can also add meat to your poutine if you want it to be more filling, but it isn’t necessary. Often, poutine is served with a topping of smoked meat such as Montreal-style deli Schwartz’s. It’s also a popular choice at pubs and bars in Canada.
The best poutine is served piping hot with fresh squeaky cheese curds that melt slightly in the gravy. Some restaurants even offer different flavored cheese curds such as roasted garlic or jalapeno. You can also add meat to your poutine if you want it to be more filling, but it isn’t necessary. Often, poutine is served with a topping of smoked meat such as Montreal-style deli Schwartz’s. It’s also a popular choice at pubs and bars in Canada.
Hawaiian Pizza
Canadian dishes may be famous around the world for poutine and maple syrup, but there are plenty of other traditional foods to try if you're in Canada or planning a visit. From savory to sweet, these 40 meals show off the unique and diverse culture that makes up this beautiful country.
Invented in 1962 by a Greek-Canadian pizzeria owner, Hawaiian pizza combines the best of both savory and sweet with salty slices of ham and pineapple. The result is a pizza that's both delicious and controversial, as some people hate it while others love it.
This Quebecois dish combines smoked turkey, duck and chicken with three different types of stuffing. It's a hearty and flavorful meal that will make you forget about any dietary restrictions!
Invented in 1962 by a Greek-Canadian pizzeria owner, Hawaiian pizza combines the best of both savory and sweet with salty slices of ham and pineapple. The result is a pizza that's both delicious and controversial, as some people hate it while others love it.
This Quebecois dish combines smoked turkey, duck and chicken with three different types of stuffing. It's a hearty and flavorful meal that will make you forget about any dietary restrictions!
Caesar
Caesar is Canada's take on the Bloody Mary and while it may sound like the last thing you'd want to drink, it really does work. And it's a lot healthier than the average American brunch beverage!
This hearty soup is a staple in Quebec and was likely the first meal of French Canadian explorer Samuel de Champlain. It's made with split peas, carrots and ham and is best enjoyed with a thick piece of bread for dipping!
Schwartz's is a Montreal favorite that produces kosher-style smoked meat. This sandwich has earned international acclaim and some even consider it to be one of the top restaurants in the country!
This hearty soup is a staple in Quebec and was likely the first meal of French Canadian explorer Samuel de Champlain. It's made with split peas, carrots and ham and is best enjoyed with a thick piece of bread for dipping!
Schwartz's is a Montreal favorite that produces kosher-style smoked meat. This sandwich has earned international acclaim and some even consider it to be one of the top restaurants in the country!
Flapper Pie
A Canadian Prairie classic, Flapper Pie combines graham crust and custard filling and is topped with a mound of meringue. It is often made with Saskatoon berries which are dark purple and sweet, the perfect pairing for the pie.
Poutine is undoubtedly the most iconic of all Canadian foods, combining crunchy fries, heavenly brown gravy, and squeaky cheese curds into one delicious dish. It is a comfort food at its finest and has become a staple across the world.
Other delicious Canadian foods include Montreal bagels which are boiled in maple syrup and glazed with sugar, split pea soup, and Feves au lard which are the fried rinds of the harp seal. These are seasoned with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger and served at most Quebec sugar shacks.
Poutine is undoubtedly the most iconic of all Canadian foods, combining crunchy fries, heavenly brown gravy, and squeaky cheese curds into one delicious dish. It is a comfort food at its finest and has become a staple across the world.
Other delicious Canadian foods include Montreal bagels which are boiled in maple syrup and glazed with sugar, split pea soup, and Feves au lard which are the fried rinds of the harp seal. These are seasoned with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger and served at most Quebec sugar shacks.
Bannock
Bannock is a flat bread that can be cooked over almost any heat source. It’s a staple food for many Indigenous nations, and each family has their own recipe. They often use a mixture of flour and foraged natural resources such as berries, roots, lichens, or maple, birch, and sycamore sap.
It was once a key component of the Aboriginal diet, and modern twists include both baked (which is heavy/dense) and fried versions that are crispy and fluffy on the inside. You can find these delicious treats in restaurants and cafes across the country. They’re a must-try for anyone visiting Canada. They’re sweet and salty, and so good! They’ll leave you wanting more. You’ll never forget them. Bannock will become one of your favourite Canadian foods!
