10 Fusion Restaurants That Celebrate Canada's Multiculturalism

Posted by Bronwyn Hope on May 27, 2016

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 Chinese and Jamaican to Japanese and Italian.

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Carino Japanese Bistro (Calgary, AB)

Called Japalian by Calgarians, <a href="http://carinobistro.ca/index.html#welcome" target="_blank">Carino Japanese Bistro </a> serves up an Italian menu with a Japanese twist. When owner Toshi Karino was working as a wine director, with the hopes of owning his own restaurant, Italian winemakers told him his last name sounded like the Italian word for "cute". In 2012, he opened the doors to his fusion restaurant, where he serves dishes like Rigatoni Napolitan with Japanese-style tomato sauce, and a Teriyaki Wagyu Burger with Fiore di Latte and a rice bun.
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Grates Cove Studios (Grates Cove, NL)

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. <a href="http://www.gratescovestudios.com/restaurant/" target="_blank"> Grates Cove Studios</a>, situated in an old schoolhouse, serves up beautiful Newfoundland, Cajun and Korean cuisine, including their Cod Couvillion made with traditional Creole sauce and local Cod, and kimchi made with local cabbage, carrot, turnip and seaweed with fried egg.
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Huevos Gourmet (Toronto, ON)

From house specialties like the Mexican Benedict to the Hibiscus Mimosa, this Mexican restaurant is creating delicious breakfast dishes with French flair. Originally from Guadalajara, friends and co-owners Carlos Casillas and Gerardo Renteria wanted to create authentic dishes from their hometown, made with French techniques that Gerardo learned while studying in France.<a href="https://huevosgourmet.com/" target="_blank"> Huevos Gourmet </a> will be celebrating two years of French-infused Mexican fare in June, 2016.
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Mirakuru (Calgary, AB)

From Italian classics like Cannelloni and traditional Japanese Ramen, <a href="http://www.mirakuru.ca/" target="_blank"> Mirakuru's </a>menu allows guests to try it all. The Teri-Mayo Pizza and the Arancini Extravaganza Roll are a few of their fantastic fusion dishes for the more daring diner.
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Neechie's Pizzeria and Taco (Regina, SK)

 Co-owners and couple, Tashina Ashdohonk of Carry the Kettle First Nation and Khaled Hossain, originally from Bangladesh, opened <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Neechies-PizzeriaTaco-1664000830497109/" target="_blank"> Neechie's Pizzeria and Taco</a> after Hossain fell in love with Indian Tacos, but couldn't find them at any restaurants nearby. With bannock made to order with love, it's no wonder their Bannock Burgers and Indian Tacos have become instant hits. Dishes like their Butter Chicken Pizza on Bannock combine the two owners' heritages into one delicious pie.
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Sushitto On The Road (Toronto, ON)

Can't figure out what to have for lunch? You no longer have to make the difficult decision between sushi and burritos. These healthy, ingredient-packed "Sushittos" from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sushitto-On-The-Road-606534649503304" target="_blank"> Sushitto on the Road </a> have just popped up on the food truck circuit this year, and they're already a hit. Influenced by Korean kimbap, Japanese sushi rolls and Mexican burritos, hungry patrons can choose from their selection of fish, meat and veggie options.
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Taste of Jamaica (Corner Brooke, NL)

<a href="http://www.tasteofjamaica.ca/" target="_blank"> Taste of Jamaica</a> creates authentic Jamaican dishes with the freshest local ingredients found in Newfoundland. Inspired by Jamaica and Newfoundland's rich trade history of salt cod for rum, chef Kirk C. Myers' menu includes escovitch cod, and Appleton rum raisin bread pudding with wild Newfoundland berries.
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Patois (Toronto, ON)

 With a Jamaican-Chinese-Canadian heritage and a passion for delicious food, chef Craig Wong opened <a href="http://www.patoistoronto.com/#about" target="_blank"> Patois</a>. Dishes such as Dirty Fried Rice and Jerk Chicken Chow Mein have put Patois on the map, earning accolades from international eaters and Torontonians alike.
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Restaurant Akwaba (Montreal, QC)

Originally from the Ivory Coast in Africa, chef and owner of <a href="http://www.restaurantakwaba.ca/" target="_blank"> Restaurant Akwaba</a> brought his experience running a restaurant in Greece to Montreal, where he brings together the best of both cuisines. Traditional African dishes such as kedjenou (stewed chicken) are served with Grecian dishes like soutzoukakia (meatballs), along with delicious fusions like African style souvlaki, made with goat and okra stew, topped with sharp crumbled Greek feta.
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Cafe de L'Orangerie (Vancouver, BC)

Chef and <a href="http://cafedelorangerie.ca/" target="_blank"> Cafe de L'Orangerie </a> owner Yamato Takahashi studied French cuisine and worked in a French restaurant in Tokyo, before relocating to Vancouver to open his quaint Japanese-style café. From homemade croquettes served with ponzu sauce to popular Masago de Creamy Spaghetti, you can always guarantee impressive portions and addictive flavours that will keep you coming back for more. Bronwyn Hope is a food writer based in Toronto.
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