Boasting an amazing selection of diverse cuisines, North Bay, Ontario has no shortage of options for a hungry person out on the town. From Thai and Lebanese food, North Bay also has a range of traditional Canadian joints in fine bistro style and craft brewery fashion. For those times when you're looking for some more modest options in terms of price without compromising on taste or ingredients, we have some top-notch suggestions.
Here are some of North Bay’s best affordable food spots that make for satiating stops on a Northeastern Ontario foodie road trip.
It might take you a while to decide what you’re having because Terry’s Place offers a lot of breakfast options. To sample Canada’s famous maple syrup, have their pancakes or French toast with a choice of savoury or sweet toppings. If you want eggs and French toast, go for the Hungry Man—three eggs, three slices of toast, a piece of French toast with bacon, sausages and ham.
For something a little different but very Canadian, go with the Breakfast Poutine: deep-fried home fries with your choice of pulled pork, bacon, or diced ham with mozzarella, hollandaise sauce and eggs. If all of that sounds delicious, then the other good news is that Terry’s Place serves breakfast all day.
It’s always good to have lunch spots in your back pocket while travelling. Especially ones that work as on-the-go options or as a sit-down meal. Here are some options that offer easy on-the-go takeaway while you explore or as a sit-down meal to take a break from sightseeing.
Located right next to the North Bay Museum, The Food Truck serves up delicious and hearty Canadian food. With a range of meat burgers, plant-based pogos, poutines, funnel fries, as well as mouthwatering Oreo churros, this truck stop has something to satisfy almost any craving.
Be sure to try the Pierogi Supreme, featuring 10 pan-fried cheese and potato stuffed pierogis topped with sour cream, bacon, and green onions. And if you’re not sure what a pierogi is, you’re in for a treat. This filled dumpling is cooked in boiling water and then pan-fried before serving to create a chewy, crispy, tender morsel.
Boasting Canada’s best fish and chips, with your choice of Wild Alaska Pollock or North Pacific Cod, Joey’s also makes delicious fish tacos (or opt for a crispy shrimp or chicken taco instead) topped with hand-cut pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, cheese, shaved cabbage and of course, a side of fries. Enjoy a pan-seared snapper, charbroiled salmon fillet, shrimp feast and much more, fresh from the ocean and cooked to perfection. Finish off with Joey’s mud pie, lemon meringue pie, or a classic New York cheesecake.
North Bay offers a range of traditional Canadian dinner options; here are a couple that should not be missed!
You can never have too much poutine, right? From signature beef poutines to veggie poutines and an extra large, butcher shop-style poutine, there are lots of options to sample. Be sure to try the Philly Cheesesteak featuring fresh hand-cut fries, poutinerie gravy, Quebec cheese curds, prime rib of beef and a Yorkshire pudding!
For a modern twist on the traditional poutine, try the Korean BBQ poutine featuring shaved prime rib coated in Korean BBQ sauce. For a more traditional experience, have their traditional poutine featuring the classic combo of fresh hand-cut fries, poutinerie gravy and Quebec cheese curds. A vegetarian version of this is available with a plant-based gravy.
For a Canadian fine dining experience, Churchill’s will not disappoint. With choices of beef tenderloin steaks or prime ribeye steaks from the wildfire grill, you can choose to have them accompanied by a traditional Yorkshire pudding too. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try out the Grilled Ontario Rack of Lamb accompanied by baby potatoes, herbs de Provence, dandelion chimichurri and seasonal vegetables. For some vegetarian options, you can choose from Ontario pickerel, pan-fried gnocchi and much more.
It’s no secret that Northeastern Ontario has some of the best craft beer in all of Canada. We’ve got you covered on some of the best craft breweries and beer gardens in North Bay.
This brewery serves up a series of flagship beers as well as seasonal beers, offering Northbay a local beer to call its own. One of their famous flagship beers is the Brewing Bear Runner Blonde Ale which offers smooth malty flavors with a light citrus and herby finish.
Often hosting live music performances and special events, it’s always worth taking a look at their Instagram profile to see what they’ve got coming up. From Taproom Trivia to live music that has previously featured artists like Chico Wheeler, Rob Holtz and Hot Dog—you definitely want to visit this brewery when it’s alive and kickin’ with performances.
Featuring an on-site tap room and a retail bottle shop, this microbrewery offers beer by-the-glass or beer flights. After sampling their beer, you can purchase your favourites in cans to go from the retail shop. While you enjoy your beer, you can get stuck into their pinball machines and other games in their arcade games selection.
A popular spot for in-house brewed original brands of beers and hearty pub grub, you can’t go wrong with popping into Cecil’s Brewhouse. Their featured pours include Black Knight Cream Stout, Ruby Red Radler and Wyld Blueberry Wheat Ale, to name a few. If you’re into your red meat, make an occasion out of Cecil’s prime rib weekends. Cecil’s signature age-old recipes and naturally brewed pours make for the perfect afternoon or evening meal.
Whether you prefer s’mores around the campfire of fine-dining establishments, there’s a foodie option for you in North Bay. To find out more about the culinary delights on offer in the region, read our Northeastern Ontario Travel Guide.
