Blackhawk Tires x SHARP
At this point it should come as no surprise that Canada is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. We punch above our weight when it comes to things like the annual roundup of the 50 best restaurants in North America.
What makes Canada unique is not some national flavour, or famous dish, it’s everything else. Canada’s food culture treats immigration as culinary infrastructure. Chefs from around the world learn to draw from Canada’s staggering array of local produce, both farmed and foraged. Our best restaurants are warm and welcoming, rather than stuffy and pretentious. It’s not that difficult to get a reservation even at the hottest places in town.
The catch? This is a big country, so to taste everything our food scene has to offer, you’ll want to embark on a culinary road trip. Ideally, you could spend all summer eating your way from coast to coast. If that’s not on the cards this summer, fear not, because we’ve rounded up our favourite restaurants that are (more than) worth a day trip from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Oh, and before you hit the road, just be sure your vehicle has the right tires to conquer any journey with confidence.
Vancouver
Pluvio, Vancouver Island, B.C.
The Drive: 5-7 hours, depending on traffic and the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo. You’ll want to book a ticket on that ahead of time. The drive across the island to Ucluelet on the west coast is truly spectacular. Think: quiet, winding through ancient forests.
The Restaurant: It’s a mainstay of every best-of list you can name, and for good reason. Rich seasonal ingredients are prepared with love and care by the husband-and-wife owners and their dedicated staff. A “destination restaurant” if ever there was one.
Baan Lao, Richmond, B.C.
The Drive: 45 minutes from Vancouver, depending on traffic. (If you know the city, you’ll know you need to leave a little extra time to get anywhere.) It’s a straight shot south to the mouth of the Fraser River, where you’ll find this restaurant overlooking the water. Put it this way: it’s a lot easier than a trip to Thailand.
The Restaurant: Chef Nutcha, as the restaurant explains, “takes you on a culinary journey around the four corners of the Kingdom of Thailand.” Each dish draws from the chef’s personal memories of home and her favourite foods. Royal Thai cuisine is known for its gorgeous colours and presentation and Baan Lao certainly delivers.
The Right Tires for the Drive
The Blackhawk Agility SUV delivers reliable wet traction and responsive handling, with a comfortable, smooth ride for everyday SUV driving.
Calgary
Ankor, Canmore, Alta.
The Drive: 1 hour 15 minutes west of Calgary. If you’re itching to get out the city, this is the perfect afternoon road trip. You’ll head west on the Trans Canada towards Heart Mountain and follow the Bow River past Dead Man’s Flats into Canmore.
The Restaurant: Chef Danny Beaulieu highlights the richness of the “Canadian terroir” in each dish. It’s his vision of contemporary Canadian cuisine, set in a highly refined yet unfussy venue.
Longview Steakhouse, Longview, Alta.
The Drive: 1 hour south of Calgary, or a little longer if you stick to the scenic Cowboy Trail, Highway 22. It takes you right through the heart of — you guessed it — Alberta cowboy country.
The Restaurant: We know we said reservations at most places on this list aren’t that hard to get, at least by the standards of New York or London, but Longview is already booked solid for 2026. Why? Situated in the foothills of the Rockies, it’s one of the best steakhouses in Canada, and maybe the world. It’s family-run, unpretentious, and yet totally unforgettable.
The Right Tires for the Drive
The Blackhawk RIDGECRAWLER A/T is a premium all terrain tire for SUV, crossover and pickup drivers who split their time between pavement and dirt.
Montreal
Tanière³, Quebec City, Que.
The Drive: 3 hours northeast of Montreal on the scenic Autoroute 40, which runs along on the north side of the St. Lawrence.
The Restaurant: We’ll cut to the chase. This place ranked No. 9 on a list of the best restaurants in North America. The critics highlighted, “silky Quebec scallops crowned with wild lake sturgeon caviar from Lac-St-Pierre, or tuna from Chaleur Bay with prickly ash pepper sauce, marinated wild blackberries and basswood foam.”
Cabane d’à Côté, St-Benoît de Mirabel, Que.
The Drive: 1 hour outside of Montreal, depending on traffic. But that’s enough to get you out of the city and into the countryside.
The Restaurant: This is Quebec produce at its finest, as you’d expect since the restaurant is situated in an orchard. It’s all about self-sufficiency and highlighting the best products from local farms. The restaurant offers “country-style dining” and traditional picnics in the orchard. Totally and utterly unique. Don’t miss it.
Toronto
Fat Rabbit, St. Catharines, Ont.
The Drive: 1.5 hours, or potentially much longer if you hit rush-hour traffic, so plan accordingly. You’ll follow the QEW around Lake Ontario, taking in the views as you cross the Burlington Skyway, and proceed into the heart of St. Catharines.
The Restaurant: Is it a butcher shop or a restaurant? Well, it’s both, and Fat Rabbit also does catering. The meat is butchered in-house from whole animals, pasture-raised. The homemade charcuterie is spectacular, the steak is perfect, and their classic cheeseburger will make your day — maybe even your whole week.
Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Jordan Station, Ont.
The Drive: 1.5 hours. Dodge construction and city traffic heading out of Toronto and ride the QEW into Ontario wine country. For a second destination, take a detour to any number of beautiful natural sites such as Ball’s Falls or the Louth Conservation Area.
The Restaurant: Last but certainly not least, is Pearl Morissette. No list like this could exclude it. It’s a place that’s on everyone’s bucket list, ranking No. 3 among the best restaurants in North America. They take farm-to-table very literally. We won’t spoil any of the surprises, just go try it for yourself.
