This saucy, gooey dish of deliciousness that came from the French-speaking province of Quebec in the 1950s is now one of the best-loved dishes in the country. Who doesn’t love fries covered in rich gravy and melted cheese curds?! To celebrate this, we’ve rounded up the best places for poutine in Canada.
From traditional poutine in Quebec to funky variations in Vancouver, you’ll be drooling by the end of this…
The best poutine in Canada
How do these rankings work?
1. Fritz European Fry House – Vancouver, British Columbia
Surprise, surprise, the best poutine in Canada is not in Quebec, but Vancouver. Fritz European Fry House has award-winning fries that form the base of their amazing poutine. The freshness of the curds is important as it makes them soft in the warm fries, without completely melting, and these guys have it down to a tee.
2. Au Pied de Cochon – Montreal, Quebec
This essential Montreal restaurant is known for its indulgent menu of foie gras-based dishes, including a pretty legendary foie gras poutine. It’s a rich feast, with duck fat-fried fries, duck fat grave and a generous slab of silky foie gras.
3. Whistle Stop Café – Peterborough, Ontario
The Whistle Stop Cafe is famous for its selection of over 100 unique and delicious poutines. There’s every and any sort of poutine topping you could ever wish for: Thai rib, Cordon Bleu, Polish sausage and taco are just some of the highlights.
4. Willy’s Fresh Cut – Halifax, Nova Scotia
This is a classic-style poutine, smothered in a thick gravy with melty cheese curds and fluffy fries. The fries are hand cut fresh daily, with delicious add-ons such as pulled pork or ground beef. Poutine in Canada doesn’t get much better than this.
5. Nom Nom Nom – Toronto, Ontario
Nom Nom Nom brings poutine to another level with their house-made curds that add insane flavour. You can choose from the Traditional Poutine, with red potato fries, classic Quebec-style gravy and curds or tasty meat toppings. Want a real feast? Go for the Half and Half: half fries. Half curds. Full flavour.
6. Big Red’s Poutine – Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Big Red’s Poutine is a food truck serving up some of the best poutine in Canada. As well as the usual suspects, there’s some creative options. Think: vegetable spring rolls cut into bite size pieces, or a coconut curry version.
7. 514 Poutine – Canmore, Alberta
This is well worth the drive from Calgary – the poutine here is just that good. It’s Montreal-style poutine, so expect vegetarian gravy that’s bursting with flavour. Add on chicken and peas, or go all out with the Deluxe. It’s a beast of sautéed onions, mushroom, bacon and smoked meat.
8. Chez Claudette – Montreal, Quebec
Chez Claudette is a stalwart of the Montreal poutine scene. Nothing fancy, just excellent fries smothered in gravy and hot cheese curds. Plus, it’s open 24 hours Thursday-Saturday. You’ll never be let down for your poutine cravings here.
9. Big T’s BBQ – Calgary, Alberta
Big T’s BBQ is an American-style smokehouse, specialising in charred, smokey meats, but their poutine is also world-class. Some of the house specialties have been featured on Food Network’s “You Gotta Eat Here”. Their smoked poutine comes with scratch gravy, cheese curds and pulled pork.
10. La Belle Patate – Vancouver, British Columbia
La Belle Patate makes authentic Québécois cuisine, with the perfectly fresh, squeaky curds. There’s over 38 types of poutine to chow down on, all made with double cooked fries. Start the day off with a breakfast poutine topped with bacon, eggs, and onions or go for the All-You-Can-Eat Poutine for $20.
11. Poutini’s – Toronto, Ontario
Poutini’s has been serving up some of the tastiest poutine in Toronto – heck, some of the tastiest poutine in Canada since 2009. The potatoes are fried twice, Belgian style, and the cheese curds come from a local dairy farm. There’s even vegan cheese that’s just as good.
12. Oddseoul – Toronto, Ontario
Korean-style poutine might sound like madness, but it works. It work exceptionally well. This late night eatery is a funky Korean food joint with some classics and unique twists. Their poutine is the perfect example: it’s tangy squash with curried gravy, Kewpie mayo and cheese curds.
13. Okanagan Street Food – Kelowna, British Columbia
This popular restaurant started off as a food truck by Chef Neil Schroeter, and now has a permanent location. The menu is full of fresh and flavourful dishes, but the poutine is a standout. It’s simple yet super, thin fries with squeaky curds, pulled pork and bacon chunks.
14. La Banquise – Montreal, Quebec
Sure, it’s a tourist hotspot, but coming to Montreal and not trying the famous poutine at La Banquise is a travesty. La Banquise was founded in 1968, is open 24-hours a day and have over 30 different types of poutine. From La T-Rex (ground beef, pepperoni, bacon & hot-dog sausage) to the La Taquise (guacamole, sour cream and tomatoes).
15. Kenzingtons Burger Bar – Barrie, Ontario
KBB has two Barrie locations, so you’re never too far away from a hearty plate of their poutine. They’re known for their juicy burgers, but the poutine is world-class. The classic with Yukon fries, cheese curds (obvs!) and homemade KBB gravy is great, but go wild with the peameal, bacon and over-easy fried egg Breakfast poutine.
16. Mean Poutine – Vancouver, British Columbia
Mean Poutine is the brainchild of two former BC Lions Football Players, who combine classic Quebecois poutine with west coast innovation. The Fried Chicken is amazing -crispy fries, brown gravy, fresh cheese curds and buffalo chicken chunks. They also have vegetarian and Halal options.
17. Le Garage – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Le Garage is in the heart of Winnipeg’s French Quarter, and has fast become one of the city’s staple spots for a late night poutine. Actually, an anytime poutine – we’d eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They do a special Tourtiere (Canadian meat pie) Poutine that’s incredible.
18. Ches’s Famous Fish and Chips – St. John’s, Newfoundland
For more than 65 years Ches’s Famous Fish and Chips has been serving the best hand peeled potatoes, fried to perfection. So, it goes without saying that with such a great core ingredient, the poutine is top notch. Golden fries with homemade gravy.
19. Edible Canada – Vancouver, British Columbia
Granville Island’s Edible Canada is a bistro celebrating all things great about Canadian food, so naturally poutine gets a great feature. Their duck poutine is a dish of legends: duck confit, Québec cheese curds, duck egg, crispy onions and the option to add on foie gras.
20. Poutineville – Montreal, Quebec
This build-your-own poutinerie is dedicated to one thing and one thing only: droolworthy, irresistible poutine. Create your own with toppings such as Italian sausage or blue cheese, with four different styles of potatoes, from crushed to sweet potato. The Bacon Honey Mac poutine is a standout.
21. Kensington Pub – Calgary, Alberta
Kensington Pub (K-Pub, as it’s locally known) is a classic English pub serving up the best comfort food in Calgary. As well as great Guinness on draft they do a huge plate of poutine to soak it up. Fresh, crispy fries with rich homemade gravy and curds. Poutine in Canada doesn’t get much better than this.
22. Sea Witch Fish and Chips – Toronto, Ontario
This place specialises in fish and chips, and while the fish is truly excellent (it’s deep fried in beef drippings!) the poutine is key. It’s made with hand cut fries from local potatoes, thick chunks of cheese curds and a dousing of gravy. Yum.
23. The Chip Shack – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
A lobster poutine? Say no more – our hearts are forever yours. The Chip Shack is a rustic walk-up window food joint with ocean views and seriously good snacks. Their poutine made with homemade, delicious golden fries, with a fresh, juicy lobster version available.
24. The Hollow’s Restaurant – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Hollows is a locally owned & operated restaurant in the Riversdale neighbourhood, cooking up a storm with local ingredients. The menu changes with what’s in season, but the breakfast poutine is a beloved staple. It’s with Québec curds, naturally pastured chicken gravy, poached farm egg, bacon lardons. Add on kimchi or truffle mayo, too.
25. Smoke’s Poutinerie – Multiple
Could there really be a poutine list without Smoke’s? Naysayers will disagree, but Smoke’s Poutinerie chain is a classic spot for some great poutine. The crispy brown fries soak up chicken gravy with a hint of rosemary and whatever toppings you fancy. We like double-smoked bacon, caramelised onions, sautéed mushrooms and chipotle pulled pork.
