What to Eat in Canada: Iconic Dishes & Local Prices (C$)
Peameal Bacon Sandwich (St. Lawrence Market) (Peameal Bacon Sandwich)
Authentic Canadian specialty from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario: Peameal Bacon Sandwich (St. Lawrence Market), best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario (Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), Union Station)
Butter Tarts (Butter Tarts)
Authentic Canadian specialty from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario: Butter Tarts, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario (Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), Union Station)
BeaverTails (BeaverTails)
Authentic Canadian specialty from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario: BeaverTails, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario (Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), Union Station)
Niagara Icewine (Niagara Icewine)
Authentic Canadian specialty from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario: Niagara Icewine, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa & Ontario (Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), Union Station)
Poutine (Squeaky Cheese Curds (Poutine (Squeaky Cheese Curds)
Authentic Canadian specialty from Montréal, Québec City & St. Lawrence Valley: Poutine (Squeaky Cheese Curds, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Montréal, Québec City & St. Lawrence Valley (Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL), Gare Centrale)
Gravy) (Gravy))
Authentic Canadian specialty from Montréal, Québec City & St. Lawrence Valley: Gravy), best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Montréal, Québec City & St. Lawrence Valley (Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL), Gare Centrale)
How to Eat Well in Canada Without Tourist Markups
Walk at least two streets away from major monuments like CN Tower & EdgeWalk (553m) — Glass-floor observation decks overlooking Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands (C$45 timed entry; ride UP Express from Pearson Airport to Union Station in 25 mins for C$12.35). or Stanley Park Seawall Bicycle Loop (10 km) — Rent a bike along Denman Street and pedal counter-clockwise past the Brockton Point Totem Poles, Lions Gate Bridge, and Third Beach. before sitting down. Look for menus posted with clear prices in C$ (CAD) and busy local lunch counters.
Tipping & Dining Etiquette in Canada
15–20% (calculated on the PRE-TAX subtotal) at sit-down restaurants; remember menu & shelf prices exclude provincial sales tax (5% GST in Alberta up to 15% HST in Atlantic Canada & 14.975% GST+QST in Québec).