One of the reasons Canada's culinary scene is so appealing is that it draws influences from England, Scotland and France, as well as Native Americans (bannock, a bread recipe, pictured) and Asian cultures. With so much food to try and so little time on vacation, choosing the best can seem tricky – so if you're going to travel Cruises to Canada/New Englandcheck out a list of our favorite dishes to try.
1. Poutine
Poutine is a classic Canadian dish. This delicious snack of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy is an iconic Canadian staple. Born in Quebec in the 1950sand quickly became a popular dish in restaurants across the country.
The word “poutine” comes from the English word “pudding,” which traditionally means a mixture of something. In Quebec, “poutine” is slang for “message” before becoming synonymous with this popular delicacy.
The meal starts with a layer of French fries. Then, cheese curds, which are delicious bite-sized chunks of curd, are added. Finally, a layer of gravy is added as a garnish.
Many chain restaurants have a traditional version of poutine. You can also find unique poutine dishes around the country, such as Whistle Stop Cafe Located in Ontario. This popular cafe offers over 100 unique styles of poutine, so you're sure to find the perfect combination.
2. Butter Tarts
Next up is the famous Canadian dessert, butter tart. This dessert is made of a small pie crust filled with a gooey syrup. Many pies contain dried nuts or fruits, such as pecans or raisins, in their fillings. You can add anything from nuts to chocolate chips to create a flavor combination that suits you. The crispy butter crust and sweet syrup filling create an unforgettable taste.
Butter tarts are sold all over Canada, so you should have plenty of opportunities to try this dish. This dessert is so popular that Ontario has hosted a The annual Butter Tart FestivalThe event sees bakers from around the world compete in the annual butter tart competition. With so many butter tart recipes to choose from, you can enjoy this dessert in the comfort of your own home after your trip.
3. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is arguably Canada's most famous food. 85% of the world's maple syrupmaking it an important part of their culture. Every year, abundant forests of red, black and sugar maples produce the sap needed to create this delicious ingredient. When the sap is boiled, it becomes a 100% natural sweetener – maple syrup.
In addition to traditional maple syrup, Canada also produces:
- Maple Syrup
- Maple Butter
- Maple Syrup
Tasting maple syrup right where it comes from is an unforgettable experience. Luckily, no matter where you vacation in Canada, there are different ways to enjoy this delicious treat.
You can go to a maple syrup festival, such as the Sugaring Off Festival or Elmira Maple Syrup Festival In Ontario. Also, some maple syrup farms let you taste samples or buy bottles to take home. For example, Chalet Sucre Leclerc In addition to syrup tastings, horse-drawn carriage rides and wood sawing are also offered.
4. Montreal-style bagels
Another popular Canadian delicacy is the Montreal-style bagel. Unlike the cooked New York bagel, the Montreal-style bagel is sweet, thin, and baked in a wood-fired oven. Before putting it in the oven, the baker soaks the bagels in honey-sweetened water, which creates an unforgettable flavor when baked.
This style of bagel was brought to North America Jewish immigrants from PolandThey quickly became a hit, and many restaurants and bakeries were quick to add them to their menus.
Today, many stores and bakeries around the country sell this famous bagel. Some of the most famous places are Fairmont Bagelsis a family-owned and operated business that has been specializing in Montreal-style bagels since 1919. Hinnawi Bros Bagel & Café In Montreal.
The best way to eat a Montreal-style bagel is when it’s fresh out of the oven, so don’t miss your chance to eat one in its original form.
5. Bannock
Bannock is another Canadian staple. This food is a round, flat bread, similar to a pancake. It is usually made with:
- Unleavened flour
- lard
- Salt
- water
- baking powder
After adding milk, sugar and salt, mix the ingredients to form a large cookie. Then, bake it in a pan or in the oven, depending on your taste preference.
Bannock's origins can be traced back to Early Aboriginal peoples of CanadaEarly bannock bread was baked over a fire with stones or in a clay oven. You can try bannock bread in restaurants across Canada, or you can try making your own at home.
6. Montreal smoked meat
One of Canada's specialty dishes is Montreal smoked meat. This meat product is made from traditional beef brisket. After the beef is cured with salt and marinated with spices, it is left to rest for a week or more to fully absorb the flavors. The meat is then hot smoked and steamed until it is ready to eat. This cooking method creates a unique, delicate flavor that sets this dish apart from other meats. Some versions of poutine feature Montreal-style smoked meat.
You can find Montreal-style smoked meats in many diners, fast food chains, and restaurants across Canada. This style of smoked meat originated in Montreal, but it is available all over the country. Some of the most popular restaurants in Montreal that feature this style of smoked meat include Smoked Pork Pete and Snowdon Deli.
7. Donairs
If your Canada travel plans include Halifax and the East Coast, be sure to try donair. Donair is a Canadian dish similar to gyros. It originated in Halifax and is a popular and delicious Canadian comfort food. Its ingredients include:
- Spiced Ground Beef
- tomato
- onion
- Sweet Garlic BBQ Sauce
- Pita Bread
Souvlaki is a signature dish that has a garlicky, sweet flavor. This delicious treat is similar to Greek souvlaki, but uses ground beef instead of lamb. Since souvlaki originated in Halifax, it is very common on the east coast of Canada. You can easily find them in restaurants around New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
8. Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo bars are another famous Canadian dessert named after the city of Nanaimo. After World War II, bakers were able to use butter and sugar again. New dessert recipes are a big hitNanaimo bars are a quick and delicious option. These no-bake chocolate treats consist of three layers:
- Coconut grated and chocolate base
- Custard Filling
- Chocolate coating
While each layer is different, they create a delicious combination. Many people compare their flavor to chocolate fudge or almond chocolate.
The Nanaimo Stick is sold in bakeries and grocery stores across Canada, but the most famous version is in the city of Nanaimo, after which the dessert is named. The city even has a Nanaimo Stick Trail, where you can go on a self-guided adventure and sample all the versions of the delicious snack. In addition to the classic version, The paths have the following changes:
- Nanaimo Ice Cream Bars
- Nanaimo Cheesecake Bars
- Nanaimo Gummy Bars
- Nanaimo Bar Waffles
9. Canadian Bacon
Canadian bacon is a Canadian food that is popular around the world. Canadians call it pea bacon, and this bacon comes from lean pork loin, rather than the typical pork belly. It is then salted and coated in ground cornmeal to help preserve it. Originated in the early 20th century Canadians would export their bacon to England. The cornmeal layer protected the bacon during its journey to its new destination.
Due to the popularity of this meat, pea flour bacon is sold all over Canada. You can find it at local markets, fast food restaurants like Tim Hortons, and restaurants across the country. Many Canadians enjoy eating pea flour bacon sandwiches. Carousel Bakery at St. Lawrence Market Toronto is famous for its pea flour bacon sandwich, so you might want to add that to your list of destinations.
10. Ketchup chips
If you're craving a snack, why not try Canada's famous ketchup chips? These chips are unique to Canada, so your holiday in Canada is the perfect opportunity to try them. To make ketchup chips, the crunchy chips are sprinkled with tomato powder, garlic, onion, and other spices. When you bite into the chips, you'll get a mix of smoky, salty, and sweet flavors.
The invention of ketchup potato chips was Thanks to Hostess potato chips Ketchup potato chips became popular in Canada in the early 1970s. While Canadians quickly fell in love with the chips, their popularity did not spread to the United States or other countries. Today, ketchup potato chips are a must-have in Canadian supermarkets.
If you're interested in trying ketchup potato chips, you can buy them in most stores and grocery stores across Canada.
11. Pea Soup
For a delicious and hearty meal, try Canada's famous split pea soup. This classic soup is perfect for a cold afternoon as it is warming and filling. This traditional Quebecois dish uses whole yellow split peas, salt pork, and herbs. After cooking, you can remove the pork and eat it on its own or as part of the soup.
since Arrival of Early SettlersThe ingredients are easily available and this meal is perfect for long winters. In areas such as Newfoundland or Labrador, it is a tradition to serve split pea soup after the Easter holiday.
Soup is a staple at many Canadian restaurants, especially in the winter. If your Canada travel plans fall during the colder months, enjoying a hearty bowl of split pea soup might be the perfect way to end a long day of exploring.
12. Lobster Roll
Canada is famous for its seafood, especially on the east coast. Early settlers fished for lobsters. Gulf of St. LawrenceSince then, lobster has become a delicious part of Canadian cuisine. Lobster dishes are easy to prepare and inexpensive, making them a popular choice for many early Canadian settlers.
A lobster roll consists of lobster meat sandwiched between a toasted hot dog-style bun. Butter, lemon juice, and salt are often added to the filling for extra flavor. Canada's East Coast offers many opportunities to enjoy this delicacy, from street vendors to full-service restaurants. If your travel plans include this part of Canada, such as Halifax or St. John's, you'll soon be tasting a lobster roll.
13. Sweet and Sour Pork
This colorful dish is found around the world, but it also has a Canadian history. It was introduced by Chinese immigrants who came to Canada to build railroads in the 1800s. Sweet and sour pork consists of deep-fried pork and a sauce made of sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce. Bell peppers and pineapple are popular toppings.
