A bite of the Great White North: A foodies’ guide to Canada
Discover the culinary delights of Canada with our one-stop guide to the must-try foods you’ll encounter across each region.
Boasting extraordinary landscapes, historic city centres and a wide variety of distinctive rural towns, Canada draws visitors from across the world to its shores every year – but it’s often overlooked when it comes to food tourism. While it might not be as renowned as other destinations around the globe, Canadian gastronomy is a bit of a hidden gem to those in the know.
Stepping beyond the everyday fare you can find across North America, our team have been ranking our favourite regional delicacies across the Great White North. From the humble poutine to Ontario’s unique ice wines, here are our top five foods to try on your next Canadian holiday.
West Coast fish chowder, British Columbia
With bustling port towns across the country’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Canada is renowned for its fishing industry and few dishes celebrate the local seafood better than British Columbia’s West Coast fish chowder. A popular choice when visiting Vancouver, this dish showcases local ingredients like Dungeness crab, sockeye salmon and smoky Canadian bacon and is an ideal winter-warmer to enjoy during the colder months.
Ice wine, Ontario
It may not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Canada, but the country’s southern provinces have put it on the wine-making map with their distinctive ice wines. These local labels have become so popular that Canada is now the world’s foremost ice wine producer, and there’s nowhere better to taste them than vineyard-laden Ontario. Accounting for almost 90% of Canada’s total ice wine production, the province’s Great Lakes region is home to some of the nation’s most renowned wineries and promises exquisite views to enjoy with every sip.
Poutine, Québec
Simple, indulgent and quintessentially Canadian, the humble poutine is perhaps the most recognisable of Quebecoise fare and is the perfect comfort food to tuck into while exploring the bustling streets of Montreal or Québec City. Comprising French fries, gravy and fresh, tangy cheese curds, this hearty food emerged in the 1950s and is best enjoyed at one of Quebec’s specialist local poutineries – many of which claim to be the dish’s original creators.
Rappie pie, Nova Scotia
Over to Nova Scotia, the first Canadian province settled by European colonists, and there are plenty of hearty recipes which have stood the test of time to choose from. Our top pick, though, is the Rappie Pie (or paté râpé as it was called by the region’s French settlers). The dish, similar to a gratin, relies of potatoes which were one of the only crops hardy enough to reliably grow in the Nova Scotian farmland. While the look and texture of Rappie Pies might vary between restaurants, its rich history and comforting flavours make this dish one you won’t want to miss while exploring the east coast.
Toutons, Newfoundland
On paper, Newfoundland toutons are incredibly simple. These beloved East Coast treats are just pieces of fried bread dough drizzled with butter and bittersweet molasses, and yet they remain one of Canada’s favourite snacks. While they can also be enjoyed across Canada, this delightful snack is best enjoyed close to its original home, Newfoundland, and promises the perfect pick-me-up while taking in the Atlantic Coast.
Our poutine recipe. Try your hand at a Canadian classic
Feeling peckish? If you’re craving some comfort food, take a look at our easy-to-follow guide for whipping up a poutine in the comfort of your own kitchen. Here are all the ingredients you’ll need:
Ingredients
1kg bag of chunky oven chips
2 x 125g packs of mozzarella balls, roughly torn (or fresh cheese curds)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
450ml pack of beef stock
Method
Preheat the oven to gas six, 200°C, fan 180°C and spread the oven chips across a tray. Cook for 22-25 minutes until the chips are crispy and golden.
While the chips cook, you can get started on the gravy. Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium heat. Season and cook for about 10-15 minutes until softened. Add the flour, stir to coat then cook for a minute. Gradually add the stock a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Once all the stock has been added, cook for five minutes, until it thickens and starts to bubble.
To serve, divide the chips between bowls, add a heavy hand of gravy and top off with the mozzarella – delicious! Eating with a fork is also recommended, as this dish can get a bit messy.
Get a taste of the Great White North with Newmarket Holidays
Whether you’re a first-time foodie or a globetrotting gourmet, take a bite of Canada’s culinary delights with one of our award-winning North American tours. To kick-start your next escape, or to talk through each different option, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call. You can also find every itinerary under our dedicated Canada page, or explore our full range of destinations, here.
