Soups, Sandwiches and So Much More...

10 Great Lunches in Thunder Bay's North Side Downtown

If the idea of having another plastic-wrapped sandwich or microwaved meal makes your taste buds shrivel, have no fear. There are many great lunch spots in Thunder Bay’s North Side Downtown area that can reinvigorate them in an instant. Here is a small list of some of the best lunch spots in downtown Thunder Bay (there are many more!) —in no particular order...

Vist the Eat and Drink section of visitthunderbay.com to discover all of the great tastes and flavours found across the city.

1. bightopen daily for lunch
2210 Sleeping Giant Parkway

Enjoy local flavours with an unmistakably Thunder Bay view. Located at the centre of Prince Arthur's Landing with unbelievable views of the redeveloped park area, bight is an incredible dining experience. Taste the juicy Tarrymore Beef Burger while soaking up some rays on the outdoor patio.

2. Bliss Cafe - open for lunch Sun-Fri
87 N. Cumberland St.

Bliss waldorf salad

Image from Facebook

If you're loooking for something a little different for lunch, try Bliss Cafe, offering a menu of delicious items that are also all raw, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Try the Zucchini Alfredo or the Curried Lentil Soup. There is also an extensive dessert menu. Healthy food has never tasted so good.

3. Damascus Donair - open for lunch Mon-Sat
17 St. Paul St.

A new addition to the culinary scene in Thunder Bay is Domascus Donair. Located on the bustling St. Paul Street, this donair shop is operated by a family of Syrian refugees who now call the Lakehead home. The restaurant features a variety of Arabic cuisine, including a Fattoush salad, babaganouj, and their signature donair and hummus. There is also a small grocery section for those looking for Arabic ingredients and cooking supplies.

4. Apple Chipotle's - Open for lunch Mon-Sat
42 S. Court St.

Thunder Bay's newest BBQ spot is open for lunch and dinner. Located on South Court St, west of the Casino, Apple Chipotle's offers a large dining room and an outdoor patio in the summer months. Try a sampling of finger foods - including Walleye Wings or go for something heartier like a pasta dish made with local Big Lake Pasta or a burger on a local Five Star Bakery bun.

5. The Foundry Open for lunch Mon-Sat
242 Red River Rd.

The Foundry is the ultimate gastropub in downtown Thunder Bay, offering traditional bar-fare made with a significantly more, gourmet approach.  Designed to offer a traditional Irish pub experience without the terrible food, The Foundry’s menu goes far beyond being just not terrible. The menu contains classics like the Foundry Burger and also features favourites such as the Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, the Foundry Garden Burger, and Monterey Whitefish Chalupas. Check out their Facebook page to see the daily lunch specials. If you can’t make it for lunch, be sure to stop by in the evenings, when the stage is filled with local and touring Canadian music acts and the menu expands to include all of the dinner specialities and many local and imported beers.

6. La PoutineOpen for lunch Tues-Sat
16 St. Paul St.

A tiny space that offers giant taste! If your stomach has been growling all morning and you need a big lunch to quiet the monster, La Poutine has what you need. There aren’t many tables inside, but the outdoor seating area provides a great opportunity to smell the crisp, fall air and watch the passersby. The menu is an homage to Canada's unofficial national food - Poutine. While the traditional version is simple - fries, cheese curds and gravy - the menu at La Poutine has over 35 different kinds of poutine. Try the Smokey Pork: a traditional poutine topped with crispy bacon, green peppers, onions and sautéed mushrooms. For the vegetarian in your life, they also offer veggie poutine options using a vegan gravy.

7. In Common - Open for lunch Tues-Sat
40 S. Cumberland St.

A small resto-bar just around the corner from the casino on Cumberland St., In Commone features a unique menu (with a ton of lcoal ingredients), sharing boards and to-go meals. They also have a great selection of local beers. Try any of their "One-Bowl Meals"!

8. Red Lion Smokehouse - Open for lunch Tues-Fri
28. S. Cumberland St.

burger fries

Pay attention meat lovers, this is the place for you. Pulled pork, maple bacon burgers, thick cut fries, and the best coleslaw you've ever had are just a sampling of what lunch looks like at Red Lion Smokehouse. 

9. Sweet North Bakery - Open for lunch Tues-Sun
10 S. Court St.

Out of the Oven

The bakery everyone has been talking about, Sweet North, is much more than mouth-wateringly, delicious treats; it is also one of the best lunch spots in the neighbourhood. Taking their famous pretzels and creating pretzel bun sandwiches such as the Grilled Cheese (using Thunder Oak Gouda) and the Hot Italian (marinara sauce, four meats – genoa, mortadella, capicola, and prosciutto – provolone cheese, pesto, greens, roasted red pepper and spicy vegetable anti-pasti).

The soup menu changes daily but never disappoints — Sweet North has one of the heartiest, most delicious baked potato soups you will ever try. They also cater to vegetarians and vegans, complete with gluten-free baked goods, sandwiches, and salads.

10. Thai Kitchen Open for lunch Mon-Fri
11 S. Cumberland St.

 

Thai Kitchen realness

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Arguably the best Thai restaurant between Toronto and Winnipeg, Thai Kitchen is a gem in the Waterfront District. The menu is large and virtually impossible for most of us to pronounce. Thankfully, Thai Kitchen has simplified the process by giving each menu item an order number.

Maybe you’re in the mood for something spicy? Nobody knows spicy like Thai Kitchen. Most menu items are available in the spice level of your choice. Note that if you choose to have your order “hot,” the servers will often warn you first: “Have you had the hot here before, ma’am?” There are soups and stir-fries, curries, satay, pad thai, and mouthwatering spring rolls. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable. Expect to need takeout containers.

With so many great options for lunch Thunder Bay’s North Side Downtown, there’s no need to pack your lunch ever again.

About Stephanie Reid

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Stephanie is a content creator and media specialist and has a true appreciation for Northern Ontario and all of its many offerings and attractions.

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