Top Places To Eat in Sault Ste. Marie: A Local Foodie Guide to Some of the Soo’s Must-Try Restaurants

Its diverse, eclectic and nostalgic food scene makes Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario a delicious destination. Make the trip, savour the flavours, and find out why the Soo is a foodie hotspot.

Soo Spice Yeti: Authentic Nepali & Hakka Flavours in Sault Ste. Marie

In 2025, Santosh Thapa, a former postal worker, realized his dream, and along with his wife Soniya Bhandar, opened Soo Spice Yeti. It's a restaurant that transports diners to the heart of the Himalayas. Warm welcomes and a vibrant atmosphere complement the couple’s philosophy of using traditional cooking techniques to create bold, memorable flavours—and in turn, freshly made, delectably authentic Nepali and Hakka cuisine. You can’t miss the jhol momos (dumplings marinated in a tangy, aromatic broth) and fiery Szechuan chicken lollipops. This is global flavour done right.

Lil’s Asian Cuisine: Filipino Comfort Food & Asian Fusion Favourites

Since opening in 2022, Lil’s, featuring Filipino and Asian fusion flavours, has catapulted to the top of the Soo’s dining scene. Lil and her husband, Garry, offer warm hospitality and giant portions, with a side of home-cooked care in every bite. Signature dishes include melt-in-your-mouth pork adobo, pancit palabok (a noodle dish with shrimp, pork, eggs and green onion), and mi goreng, featuring chow mein noodles, shrimp, chicken and mixed vegetables. Lil herself checks in tableside to greet you and ensure your experience is as top-notch as the plates served.

Aurora’s Pizza & Spaghetti House: A Sault Ste. Marie Italian Tradition Since 1949

Representing over 20% of the Soo’s total population, Italians are the largest ethnic group in town. That said, Italian grub is taken very seriously here, with plenty of exceptional restaurants to choose from. But Aurora’s stands out. Family-owned for over 75 years, it’s been a staple for those yearning for a touch of authentic dolce vita. Just about everything on the menu is made from scratch, including their mindblowing meatball sandwich, bold bruschetta bread, legendary lasagna, and their perfect pizza, of course.

Ernie’s Coffee Shop: Retro Vibes & Modern, Seasonal Plates

Nostalgic to the core, Ernie’s offers a 1970s vibe, complete with mini jukeboxes and neon lights. A city favourite since 1971, its revitalization combines vintage feel with modern flair, including creative, seasonal farm-to-table fare led by Saultite chef and owner John Armstrong. The menu changes frequently, but past items have included peach salad with halloumi, yellow peas and mint, Schnitzel Supreme, topped with local tomatoes, dill and basil, and duck with smashed squash. For the ultimate combo, sip on a creamsicle sour while enjoying the famous Ernie Burger.

The Taj Indian Cuisine: Indian & Hakka Fusion Dishes You’ll Want to Try

Sleek and delicious, The Taj offers dozens of mouthwatering Indian and Hakka fusion dishes, quickly putting this hotspot on the hot list. For complete flavour immersion, order a few dishes, including dahi vada (lentil doughnuts drizzled with yogurt and spices) and Taj Deluxe Biryani—lamb and chicken drumsticks marinated with Indian spices and steam-cooked with basmati rice. Don’t skip out on the chana masala (chickpeas cooked in a spicy/tangy tomato base). Chicken Tikka Sizzler, marinated with yogurt and spices, and lamb rogan josh, cooked in a thick gravy of spices and herbs, are all definite crowd-pleasers.

Syrian Table Shawarma & Falafel: Middle Eastern Street Food at the Soo Market

In 2023, Alaa Oughil and Bassam Hamza successfully converted a shipping container into Syrian Table, a Middle Eastern gem located just outside the Soo Market. Fresh ingredients and generous portions have garnered love from the community. Classics include beef and chicken shawarma on mandi rice, falafel wraps topped with hummus, tomatoes, mixed pickles, pomegranate and tahini sauce, and lentil soup, a fan favourite. For dessert, pistachio harissa, topped with sweet syrup and flavoured with rosewater, hits the spot.

Stackburger: The Soo’s Best Burgers, Hand-Cut Fries & Old-School Milkshakes

For over 10 years, Stackburger has garnered the respect of diners thanks to its commitment to fresh and juicy made-from-scratch burgers, hand-cut fries, and even their loaded, old-school milkshakes (go with vanilla). While the Double Stack Burger with poutine, bacon cheeseburger with extra Stack Sauce are both consistent go-tos, it goes beyond the food. Staff pride themselves on always providing a warm, relaxed, welcoming, and family-friendly atmosphere. It’s more than just a burger joint; it’s a hub where attention to detail creates delicious food, and exceptional customer service results in a memorable dining experience.

The Whiskey Barrel: Scottish Pub Classics, Live Music & Local Spirits

With an extensive whiskey, cider, and craft beer selection, live music nights, warm Scottish pub vibes, and great grub, it’s easy to understand why just about everyone loves coming to The Whiskey Barrel. While the fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash are all obvious options, the Scotch Egg—encased in Italian sausage, rolled in panko bread crumbs, deep fried until golden, and served on a bed of whiskey barrel mashed potatoes—is a standout. Adventurous? Try the Balmoral chicken breast, stuffed with haggis, wrapped in Scottish-style bacon, finished with a whisky mustard sauce, paired with whisky barrel mashed potatoes and honeyed carrots.

Embers On The Ridge: Elevated Farm-to-Table Dining at Crimson Ridge

Located at the Crimson Ridge Golf Course, Embers helped trailblaze the Soo’s fine dining scene and farm-to-table approach. Consistently welcoming with an unwavering passion for locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce and meats, Embers is still top of mind for perfectly executed steaks, all sourced from Penokean Hills Farms steaks, and aged in-house. The cozy vibe and elegant atmosphere entice you to sit back, relax and take your time savouring favourites like crispy duck confit, marinated with rosemary, thyme and garlic, or prosciutto-wrapped steak bites, served with black garlic aioli.

Peace Restaurant: Asian Fusion, Small Plates & Craft Cocktails

Asian fusion meets tapas-style dining. A menu designed for sharing, Peace erupted onto the Soo’s dining scene in 2021 and hasn’t let up. Along with chic craft cocktails, the menu is downright robust. Sous chef turned executive chef Alex Proulx helms the kitchen, humbly reinventing the menu with locally-sourced ingredients, and in turn creating dishes that keep patrons salivating. From braised five-spice pork belly bao buns and bam bam shrimp with fennel slaw, fried capers and togarashi, shrimp ceviche with lemongrass chili oil to coconut lemongrass mussels with cilantro and green onion, Peace disrupts—sumptuously. 

Great Food, Great Atmosphere: Dining for the Experience in Sault Ste. Marie

While the Soo’s dining scene is firmly rooted in what happens on the plate, atmosphere still plays an important supporting role. Here, there is no shortage of spots that pair solid execution with spaces that encourage diners to linger, gather, and return.

The Boiler Room: Wood-Fired Pizza in a Lively, Industrial Setting

Built around glowing ovens and a constant hum of activity, The Boiler Room delivers wood-fired pizza in a space that feels social and energetic. Located inside The Machine Shop in the buzzing Canal District, the casual, industrial atmosphere complements the blistered crusts of share-friendly pies with 16 beers on tap—making it a natural choice for relaxed meals where conversation and pace matter as much as flavour. 

Burger Don: Classic Burgers in a Pub-Style Atmosphere

Burger Don keeps things straightforward, pairing juicy, well-executed burgers with a comfortable pub-style setting. The room is unfussy and familiar, encouraging diners to settle in without distraction. It’s a reminder that atmosphere doesn’t need to be elaborate to work—sometimes it just needs to feel right.

Outspoken Brewing: Fine Street Food and Craft Beer in the Soo

Outspoken Brewing brings together fine street-food-inspired plates and locally brewed beer in a space that feels contemporary, inviting and communal. The atmosphere supports experimentation, with a layout that works equally well for casual drinks or a focused meal, and a top-notch patio that makes you feel immediately at home. It’s a place where food, beer and friends are clearly meant to be together.

From traditional comfort food to globally influenced plates, the Soo’s current dining landscape is defined by range and careful execution. It’s a scene best explored with time, curiosity, and an appetite.

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