Vancouver remains Canada’s epic west coast city and continues to delight discerning restaurant-goers with an astounding range of international cuisines. Culinary masterminds here create groundbreaking versions of classic dishes using local ingredients.
Montreal had 19 restaurants represented on this year’s list, narrowly beating Toronto and Vancouver in representation. Here you can indulge in French-Canadian classics like tourtiere (a pie filled with minced pork, beef or veal and topped with flaky pastry) or poutine.
Toque
Since 1993, Toque has become one of Montreal’s premier fine dining restaurants. Renowned for its exquisite cuisine and impressive wine selections, Toque consistently earns praise from its guests who praise its outstanding experience, delectable meals and unparalleled service.
Chef Normand Laprise has been recognized around the world for his commitment to showcasing Quebec’s best produce through his culinary offerings, such as his award-winning menu of local ingredients which was groundbreaking when it first opened and still holds importance today. Farmers, foragers and fishermen are honored by having their contributions highlighted within his dishes such as fluke crudo with fir tree mousse or new twists on Quebec whelks as examples of inspiration for his cooking.
French cuisine with a subtle Asian influence and meticulous preparation and presentation standards set the bar high at this restaurant. Their motto of “rigour, quality and freshness” can be seen in each dish while their commitment to eco-responsible practices such as waste management practices and sustainable fishing are evident across their menu.
Hotel restaurants TOCA and LANO both provide unique gastronomic experiences that add variety. TOCA features contemporary takes on classic Italian fare while LANO serves up Northern Italian cafe and wine bar cuisine – offering guests a chance to savor some of the city’s top culinary fare. And Toque serves up memorable meals as well.
Langdon Hall
Langdon Hall is one of Canada’s most stunning country house hotels, situated peacefully near Cambridge in Ontario in Carolinian Forest and offering exquisite cuisine and luxurious accommodations renowned by Relais & Chateaux. An oasis from everyday life’s stress, Langdon Hall dates back over 100 years, providing a timeless experience worth making time for.
Langdon Hall staff make full use of its 75-acre estate, growing many ingredients used in their dishes on site. Chef Jason Bangerter collaborates with local farms and on-site produce producers to craft menus featuring only freshest produce available; additionally he and his team forage wild edibles from nearby forests or forage in kitchen gardens for additional inspiration.
Langdon Hall Spa provides soothing body and skin treatments. Additionally, this property boasts 60 luxury rooms and suites that are spacious yet exquisitely decorated with antique furniture – complete with wood burning fireplaces, plush feather beds, and breathtaking views of Langdon’s lush garden landscape.
After spending your day exploring Langdon Hall and its incredible grounds, enjoy High Tea on weekends for an exquisite dining experience that includes fresh-baked scones and preserves prepared in the kitchen, as well as an assortment of teas. As a special treat, sample their honey box dessert, consisting of salted cubes of honeycomb with fluffy honey foam topped by honey pollen for subtle floral notes.
La Dame Blanche
La Dame Blanche Waterfall in Quebec is known by locals as La Dame Blanche or White Lady Waterfall due to an urban legend about a woman who committed suicide here after losing her lover during the War of 1812. Today there have been reports that La Dame Blanche still haunts the area in her wedding gown.
The restaurant features a large glass roof and boasts breathtaking views of the park from within its walls. It offers an original menu enhanced with regional flavors from Chef Antony Serra. His dishes reflect his character perfectly – every bite is deliciously delightful!
Dames Blanche are female spirits of European medieval folklore that are typically depicted as healers, sorceress or death bearers. Some cultures hold that they have the ability to transform into other appearances in order to frighten or inspire people; others believe that she can punish those who treat her poorly.
With her flute, percussionist, and knack for improvisational musical performance, Dame Blanche creates music that is both contemporary and traditional. Not afraid to tackle difficult subjects such as rape, domestic violence and racism through song, she is an unstoppable force on stage who knows how to bring down the house! Don’t miss this show – La Dame Blanche offers both great food and great entertainment all in one package!
L’Affaire Est Ketchup
One of the most talked-about episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s show was an exploration of Quebec City’s culinary landscape, featuring how its cuisine blends traditional ingredients with cutting-edge cuisine techniques to produce distinctive dining experiences. This episode inspired viewers to immerse themselves in Quebec City’s culture through food.
L’Affaire Et Ketchup was featured in the episode as it has become well-known for its innovative take on traditional dishes and warm and inviting atmosphere. Their menu constantly evolves with seasonal changes to ensure something new.
L’Affaire Est Ketchup stands out as an incredible culinary gem. The owners believe that the key to ensuring customer loyalty lies in creating a place they enjoy coming back to, which can be seen through its decor–which looks like an old apartment filled with various collectables and dust collectors.
Bourdain found many dishes during his visit that caught his interest, such as deer croquettes and whitefish dumplings made with fresh local ingredients, bison tartare served with fried egg and an apple vinegar-based reduction sauce as well as bison tacos made out of locally harvested beef.
