Canada is home to many iconic foods, with some dishes being more popular depending on where you are in the country.
While many Canadians will tell you about poutine or butter tarts, there are many other popular foods that a newcomer to Canada should try.
Whether you're visiting the Atlantic provinces, Montreal or heading to B.C., here are 16 popular Canadian foods that newcomers may not know about, but should eat at least once.
Poutine
Poutine is a classic Canadian dish that consists of fries doused in gravy and cheese curds.
According to Britannica, the poutine first appeared in rural Canadian snack bars in the 1950s and it's since become widely popular.
Whether you're enjoying it after a night out or in need of a quick meal during the week, you won't be disappointed by this Canadian comfort food.
The good news is that you can find this dish just about anywhere in Canada and some places may even offer variations when it comes to the toppings.
You might hear some Canadians say that you'll know you're eating a good poutine if the cheese curds squeak while you're eating them!
Butter Tarts
Butter tarts are mini pies with a delicious sweet filling.
This Canadian dessert is made up of a flaky pastry, sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and of course, butter.
The Canadian Encyclopedia says the first published recipe was in 1900 inThe Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook. However, it is believed to date back even earlier than that.
This dish has become so popular that there's even a festival in Ontario dedicated to butter tarts. Ontario's next Best Butter Tart Festival will be held on June 8, 2024, in Midland in case you're interested!
Nanaimo Bar
The Nanaimo bar is another famous Canadian dessert.
It originated on Canada's West Coast and was named after the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
As you can see in the picture, the Nanaimo bar is made up of three layers: the base consisting of graham crumbs and shredded coconut, custard icing in the middle and a chocolate ganache on top.
Tim Horton's Timbits
Tim Horton's is an iconic Canadian food chain so you'll want to head there sooner rather than later.
The menu is packed with donuts, sandwiches and coffee, but make sure you order a box of Timbits on your next visit.
The donut holes are a great way to try a variety of donut flavours during one trip.
Pair those Timbits with a double double or an Iced Capp and you're all set!
Montreal-Style Bagels
Montreal-style bagels are a well-known Canadian food that comes from the city they're named after.
If you're wondering how they compare to New York bagels, it's due to the ingredients and the fact that they're baked in a wood-fired oven, as per the Canadian Encyclopedia.
The result is a crispier, flatter and sweeter bagel.
Montreal-Smoked Meat
What goes well with a Montreal-style bagel? Montreal-smoked meat!
According to Food & Wine, Montreal smoked meat is made with brisket and a "similar brine to both corned beef and pastrami but with little or no sugar." Then, as the name implies, the meat is smoked.
Lobster Rolls
If you're travelling to Atlantic Canada to provinces like Nova Scotia or P.E.I then don't miss out on getting a lobster roll.
This dish is made with a soft bread roll, similar to a hot dog bun, that's stuffed with local lobster.
As suggested in the picture, it's a great meal to enjoy by the water.
Halifax Donair
The Halifax Donair is another popular dish on Canada's East Coast. The sandwich is made up of a pita filled with shaved beef, tomatoes, onions and Donair sauce.
According to the Food Network, it's a popular late-night meal that became Halifax's official snack in 2015.
BeaverTails
BeaverTails are another delicious Canadian dessert.
The deep-fried dough pastries are shaped into what's meant to look like a beaver's tail and finished off with tasty toppings like cinnamon sugar, Nutella and even ice cream.
Bloody Caesar
If you're looking for a traditional Canadian beverage then you need to try Canada’s national cocktail: a Caesar.
Invented in Calgary in 1969, the Caesar is made with vodka, Clamato (which is a combination of tomato and clam juice), spices and Worcestershire sauce.
It's similar to a Bloody Mary, but unlike a Caesar, a Bloody Mary is made without clam juice.
The Caesar is often topped with things like olives, pickles or celery, and if you're lucky, it also comes with a strip of bacon.
Maple Syrup
Once you're in Canada, eating/drinking maple syrup is a must.
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, this country produces about 85% of the world's maple syrup so what better place to try it?
You can pair maple syrup with just about any breakfast food like a stack of pancakes, waffles or French toast. When buying it, make sure it says 100% pure Canadian maple syrup so you try the good stuff!
Tourtière
Tourtière is a French Canadian meat pie that comes from Quebec.
The pie is typically made with ground pork, beef, or veal and stuffed into a buttery and flaky crust.
Ketchup Chips
Next time you're walking down the chip aisle in a Canadian grocery store, you may want to grab a bag of ketchup chips.
It's hard to find a Canadian who doesn't love this flavour of chips, but don't worry if it takes some getting used to!
Narcity's Mira Nabulsi has taste-tested five different brands of ketchup chips if you need help deciding which ones to get.
Coffee Crisp
Another traditional Canadian snack is Coffee Crisp.
The chocolate bar is made up of layers of a crispy wafer, and a subtle coffee aroma and is coated in milk chocolate.
It's a beloved snack for many Canadians, including actor Ryan Reynolds who gave it a shout-out in October 2023 when he found it in his children's Halloween candy.
Saskatoon Berry Pie
The Saskatoon Berry Pie originated in Saskatchewan so don't hesitate to try it when you're visiting the province.
The pie is made with Saskatoon berries, which are similar to blueberries but with a nuttier flavour, and is often served with ice cream or whipped cream.
Hawaiian Pizza
Unlike the name might imply, Hawaiian pizza did not come from Hawaii. This pizza combo of ham and pineapple was invented by a Greek-Canadian restaurant owner in Chatham, Ontario.
Although it's Canadian-invented, not all Canadians you speak to will agree that pineapple belongs on pizza.
According to Canada's prime minister though, Hawaiian pizza is "a delicious national treasure."
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
