Canada boasts a diverse and multicultural population, which is reflected in its food scene. From seafood in Vancouver and Halifax to French-Canadian cuisine in Montreal and Quebec City, here’s a quick look at some of the Canadian cities with the best food scenes.

1. Vancouver

Vancouver is known for its Asian-inspired cuisine, and it has some of the best seafood in the country. With its location on the West Coast, the city has access to fresh seafood like salmon, crab, and prawns. Some of the must-try dishes in Vancouver include sushi, dim sum, and Japadog, a unique Japanese-style hot dog topped with seaweed and teriyaki sauce.

2. Toronto

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and its food scene reflects that. The city offers a mix of traditional Canadian dishes and international cuisine, with a strong emphasis on fusion. One must-try dish is the peameal bacon sandwich, a breakfast sandwich made with Canadian bacon and served on a Kaiser roll. Toronto’s multiculturalism is also reflected in its wide variety of Korean, Indian, and Chinese cuisine.

3. Montreal

Montreal’s cuisine is heavily influenced by French cuisine, and it has some of the best French-style bakeries in Canada. Some must-try dishes in Montreal include the Montreal-style bagel, which is smaller and denser than a traditional bagel and is boiled in honey water before being baked, and the Montreal-style smoked meat sandwich, made with cured brisket that has been seasoned with spices and smoked.

4. Quebec City

Quebec City is also known for its traditional French-Canadian cuisine. Foodie visitors can’t leave before trying tourtière, a savoury spiced-meat pie traditionally served during the holidays. Quebec City is also known for its maple syrup, and visitors should try maple taffy, which is made by pouring hot maple syrup onto snow and then rolling it onto a stick.

5. Halifax

Halifax is known, first and foremost, for its seafood, particularly for having some of the best lobster in the country. The city is also famous for its donair, a meat sandwich made with spiced beef and topped with a sweet sauce. Visitors to Halifax also need to try the traditional Acadian dish of rappie pie, or râpure, which is made with grated potatoes and meat.

6. Edmonton

You can’t visit Edmonton without trying Grade A Alberta beef from some of the best steakhouses in the country. The city also has a strong Ukrainian community, and visitors should try perogies — dumplings filled with potatoes and cheese — and borscht, a beet soup often served with sour cream.

7. Victoria

Being a coastal city, Victoria is known for its fresh seafood. The city also has a strong British influence, and visitors should try traditional British dishes such as fish and chips and bangers and mash. The British influence is also seen in the many hotels and restaurants around the city that offer afternoon and high tea.

As you can see, the Canadian food scene offers something for everyone, with numerous locales that offer a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure with their local flavours, unique cuisine, and traditional dishes.