10 Canadian Foods You Must Try

Canada's food scene is as diverse as its landscapes, drawing influences from Indigenous traditions, French and British colonial history, and waves of immigration from around the world. When you visit Canada, make sure you don't miss these iconic dishes that represent the true taste of the Great White North.

1. Poutine

Let's start with Canada's most famous culinary export. This Québécois creation consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in hot gravy. The cheese melts slightly from the heat but maintains its distinctive "squeak" when you bite into it. Originally from rural Quebec in the 1950s, poutine has evolved from a humble snack to a national treasure, with countless variations found across the country.

Where to try it: La Banquise in Montreal offers over 30 varieties, but you can find excellent poutine in most Canadian cities.

2. Maple Syrup

Canada produces approximately 80% of the world's maple syrup, with Quebec being the largest producer. This sweet, amber liquid is harvested in early spring when the sap begins to flow in maple trees. Beyond pancakes and waffles, Canadians use maple syrup in baking, glazes for meat, and even in cocktails.

For a truly Canadian experience, visit a sugar shack (cabane à sucre) in Quebec or Ontario during maple season (March-April) where you can enjoy maple taffy made by pouring hot syrup onto fresh snow.

3. Butter Tarts

These sweet, gooey treats consist of a flaky pastry shell filled with a rich mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs. Some versions include raisins or nuts, leading to passionate debates among Canadians about which is the "correct" way to make them. Dating back to the early 1900s, butter tarts are a staple at family gatherings and bakeries across the country.

Tip: The annual Ontario Butter Tart Festival in Midland celebrates this beloved dessert with dozens of vendors competing for the title of best butter tart.

4. Montreal-Style Bagels

Smaller, denser, and sweeter than their New York counterparts, Montreal bagels are hand-rolled, boiled in honey-sweetened water, and baked in wood-fired ovens. The result is a bagel with a crispy exterior and chewy interior, often topped with sesame or poppy seeds.

Where to try them: St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel in Montreal both claim to make the best bagels in town, and locals are fiercely loyal to their favorite.

5. Nanaimo Bars

Named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, these no-bake treats feature three distinct layers: a crumb base containing coconut and chopped walnuts, a middle layer of custard-flavored butter icing, and a top layer of chocolate ganache. Sweet, rich, and indulgent, they're a favorite at holiday gatherings and bake sales.

Fun fact: The city of Nanaimo has created an official Nanaimo Bar Trail for visitors to sample different interpretations, from classic bars to Nanaimo bar ice cream and cheesecake.

6. Bannock

This traditional Indigenous bread has been adapted and incorporated into various Canadian cuisines. Similar to a scone or biscuit, bannock can be baked or fried and served with meals or as a snack, often topped with jam, honey, or savory additions.

Originally made with ingredients like corn and roots by Indigenous peoples, European settlers adapted the recipe using wheat flour. Today, it's experiencing a renaissance as Indigenous chefs reclaim and reimagine this versatile bread.

7. Tourtière

A traditional Québécois meat pie typically made with ground pork, beef, or game meat seasoned with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Especially popular during the winter holidays, each family has their own cherished recipe, often passed down through generations.

Regional variations abound: in the Lac-Saint-Jean area, it's made in a deep dish with cubed meat, while the Montreal version uses ground meat and is shallower.

8. Caesar Cocktail

Canada's national cocktail was invented in Calgary in 1969. Similar to a Bloody Mary but made with clamato juice (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth) instead of tomato juice, it's typically garnished with a celery stalk and lime wedge. Modern versions have become increasingly elaborate, featuring garnishes from bacon to entire sliders.

Fact: Over 350 million Caesars are consumed annually in Canada, but the drink remains relatively unknown outside the country.

9. BeaverTails

These hand-stretched, fried pastries shaped like a beaver's tail are topped with various sweet ingredients like cinnamon sugar, chocolate hazelnut spread, or maple butter. While technically a branded product created in Ottawa in 1978, BeaverTails have become a Canadian cultural icon, especially popular at winter festivals and skating on the Rideau Canal.

Barack Obama famously made a special stop to try one during his first visit to Canada as President in 2009.

10. Montreal Smoked Meat

A type of kosher-style deli meat made by salting and curing beef brisket with spices, then smoking it and steaming it to perfection. Sliced thinly and piled high on rye bread with mustard, it's a staple in Montreal's historic Jewish community that has become beloved throughout Canada.

Where to try it: Schwartz's Deli in Montreal has been serving their famous smoked meat sandwiches since 1928 and often has lines stretching down the block.

Honorable Mentions

• Split Pea Soup: A hearty soup with Québécois origins dating back to the early settlers
• Saskatoon Berry Pie: Made with sweet-tart berries native to the Canadian prairies
• Halifax Donair: A Maritime specialty of spiced meat served with a signature sweet sauce
• Peameal Bacon: Also known as Canadian bacon, it's lean back bacon rolled in cornmeal
• Pouding Chômeur: "Unemployed person's pudding," a Depression-era dessert of cake batter topped with hot maple syrup or caramel

Canadian cuisine continues to evolve as chefs across the country experiment with local ingredients and traditional techniques. While these ten foods represent the classics, don't be afraid to try regional specialties and seasonal offerings during your visit. Canada's food scene is about more than just the dishes—it's about the stories, traditions, and diverse cultures that come together to create a unique culinary identity.