10 Fusion Restaurants That Celebrate Canada's Multiculturalism

Last updated on June 24, 2020 by Dragana Kovacevic

When it comes to food, Canadians are particularly spoiled. Our country is filled with all types of cuisines, allowing us to enjoy a myriad of flavours from around the world, without ever having to cross the border. But it doesn't stop there; chefs are going beyond tradition and fusing flavours from around the globe to create unique and enticing menus. There's no shortage of mouthwatering dishes at these Canadian restaurants, where you can enjoy culinary combinations, from Indigenous fusion to Chinese-Canadian-Jamaican.

  • Feast Cafe Bistro (Winnipeg, MB)
     Feast Cafe Bistro
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    Feast Cafe Bistro (Winnipeg, MB)

    <p><strong>Indigenous Fusion</strong></p> <p>Executive Chef and restauranteur (and <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/wall-of-chefs/cast-bios/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Wall of Chefs</em> cast member</a>) <a href="https://www.slice.ca/health/photos/indigenous-women-leading-the-way-for-the-next-generation/#!christa-bruneau-guenther" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Christa Bruneau-Guenther</a> has been perfecting her craft for over 20 years — and it shows. Her restaurant Feast is all about nourishing the mind, body and spirit. Blending <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/photos/canadian-first-nations-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indigenous</a> culinary traditions, seasonal Prairie ingredients and modern cuisine, the menu is rich with items such as bison, wild rice, sweet grass and Saskatoon berries — some even sourced from her very own garden. Follow <a href="http://www.feastcafebistro.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Feast Cafe Bistro</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/feastcafebistro/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • Foreign Concept (Calgary, AB)
     Foreign Concept
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    Foreign Concept (Calgary, AB)

    <p><strong>Vietnamese/Korean</strong></p> <p>For inspiration, award-winning chef Duncan Ly and Chef de Cuisine Hyungjae Lim tap into their Vietnamese and Korean heritages to create modern made-from-scratch food using traditional cooking techniques. The dishes are full of bold flavours and include sustainable, seasonal and local ingredients. You can expect dishes such as beef short rib and coconut fried rice with onsen egg, char-grilled <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/korean-bulgogi-taco-recipe/18500/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bulgogi beef</a> satay lettuce wraps with daikon kimchi and samjang or cherry gochujang duck breast with confit leg (pictured). Follow <a href="https://foreignconcept.ca/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Foreign Concept</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatforeign/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • Sidedoor (Ottawa, ON)
     Sidedoor
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    Sidedoor (Ottawa, ON)

    <p><strong>Southeast Asian Fusion</strong> </p> <p>Street food-inspired, this Southeast Asian fusion resto serves up the type of food that made <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/global-eats/photos/palate-pleasing-vietnamese-dishes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vietnam</a> and <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/thai-recipes-to-make-at-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thailand</a> bucket list top spots for any travelling foodie. Sidedoor offers a family-style dining experience where the food comes out continuously and is placed at the centre of the table for everyone to share. The food is fresh, seasonal and includes Ocean Wise seafood, regional fish sauces and spices, as well as fresh ground curries. Follow <a href="https://www.sidedoorrestaurant.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Sidedoor</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sidedoorkitchen/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • East is East (Vancouver, BC)
     East is East
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    East is East (Vancouver, BC)

    <p><strong>Silk Road Fusion (Mongolia Through Tibet, India, Persia to Istanbul)</strong></p> <p>East is East is the dream child of Mustafa and Razaviah Reza, siblings who fled Afghanistan during the Soviet war era and travelled throughout <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/global-eats/photos/indian-recipes-better-than-takeout/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">India</a>, absorbing its culture through language, art and cuisine. When the pair settled in Canada, they worked to capture the vibrant energy of the local dhabbas (eateries), which have served similar food-loving travellers through the centuries. Their menu and atmosphere reflect the beauty and diverse flavours of this ancient region. Follow <a href="https://www.eastiseast.ca/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">East is East</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eastiseastrestaurant/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • Mr. Bannock (Vancouver, BC)
     Mr. Bannock
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    Mr. Bannock (Vancouver, BC)

    <p><strong>Indigenous Fusion</strong> </p> <p>Mr. Bannock’s creative culinary genius fuses local flavours with old favourites in unexpected ways. Partnered with other local Indigenous businesses, Mr. Bannock offers delicious menu items such as wild game bannock burger, duck bacon kimchi, classic bannock taco and lemon and vanilla coated <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/bannock-doughnut-holes/19750/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bannock dessert</a> with strawberries. Follow <a href="https://www.mrbannock.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Mr. Bannock</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrbannockfood/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • Patois (Toronto, ON)
     Patois
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    Patois (Toronto, ON)

    <p><strong>Jamaican/Chinese/Canadian</strong></p> <p>With a Jamaican-Chinese-Canadian heritage and a passion for delicious food, chef Craig Wong opened Patois (<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/big-food-bucket-list/video/episode/rolling-in-the-deep-dish/video.html?v=1525573699954" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">watch John Catucci visit the restaurant on <em>Big Food Bucket List</em></a>). Dishes such as dirty fried rice,<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/turn-up-the-heat-with-these-jerk-chicken-wings/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> jerk chicken</a> chow mein and <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/big-food-bucket-list/recipe/chinese-pineapple-bun-burger/22592/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chinese pineapple bun burger</a> have put Patois on the map, earning accolades from international eaters and Torontonians alike. Follow <a href="http://www.patoistoronto.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Patois</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/patoistoronto/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • Grates Cove Studios (Grates Cove, NL)
     Grates Cove Studios
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    Grates Cove Studios (Grates Cove, NL)

    <p><strong>Korean/Cajun</strong> </p> <p>Newfoundland and Louisiana natives, owners Terrence and Courtney Howell, met while traveling in South Korea. In 2009, they decided to open their restaurant-lovechild and merge the cuisines of their birthplaces with the cuisine of where their romance began. Grates Cove Studios, situated in an old schoolhouse, serves up beautiful Newfoundland, Cajun and <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/global-eats/photos/korean-inspired-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Korean</a> cuisine, including their cod couvillion made with traditional Creole sauce and local cod, as well as kimchi made with local cabbage, carrot, turnip and seaweed with fried egg. Follow <a href="https://www.gratescovestudios.ca/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Grates Cove Studios</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gratescovestudios/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings.</p>
  • The Rosedale Diner (Toronto, Ontario)
     The Rosedale Diner
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    The Rosedale Diner (Toronto, Ontario)

    <p><strong>Israeli/Mediterranean/Canadian</strong></p> <p>This neighbourhood staple is so entrenched, patrons from near and far come to enjoy favourites such as calamari harif (fried calamari tossed in skhug sauce with sumac aioli and tunisian salsa), lamb burgers and famous shkug fries topped with <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/healthy-buddha-bowl-with-creamy-tahini-dressing-35814/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tahini</a>. The Rosedale Diner was even featured on <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Diners, Drives and Dives</em></a> when Guy Fieri came to town. Follow <a href="https://www.rosedalediner.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Rosedale Diner</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therosedalediner/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings.</p>
  • Polito’s Latin American Cuisine & Bar (Coquitlam, BC)
     Polito’s Latin American Cuisine & Bar
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    Polito’s Latin American Cuisine & Bar (Coquitlam, BC)

    <p><strong>Latin American/Caribbean Fusion</strong></p> <p>Polito’s opened in 2017 with the aim to bring some much-needed exposure of Latin American gastronomy to the Lower Mainland. This family-run local spot brings authentic flavours and carefully crafted menu items based on recipes that originate from Central, South and Caribbean Latin countries. Here you will find pupusas, empanadas, ceviche, pabellon criollo (a traditional Venezuelan dish) and much more. Just bring your appetite. Follow <a href="https://politoscafe.ca/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polito’s Latin American Cuisine</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/politosbc/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
  • Lamesa Filipino Kitchen (Toronto, Ontario)
     Lamesa Filipino Kitchen (
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    Lamesa Filipino Kitchen (Toronto, Ontario)

    <p><strong>Filipino/Malay/Chinese/Spanish/American</strong> </p> <p>“Imagine a native Malay cook with a Chinese roommate being taught by a Spanish Chef with a love affair for everything American and you will begin to understand what Filipino food is all about.” So goes the description of Lamesa restaurant. Expect to see dishes like fried milkfish or canton noodles with mushroom and oyster sauce and chicken adobo — dishes that boldly combine sweet, sour and salty flavours. And for dessert, don’t leave without trying the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/halo-halo/20495/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">halo-halo</a> (a traditional <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/global-eats/photos/popular-filipino-dishes-you-need-to-try/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Filipino</a> shaved ice dessert decked out with coconut strings, tapioca, jackfruit and a scoop of Magnolia ice cream). Follow <a href="https://lamesatoronto.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Lamesa Filipino Kitchen</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lamesato/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for their latest hours, updates and offerings. </p>
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