5 Epic Canadian Foods You Just Have to Eat!

Of course, the lakes, falls and the mountains and the thrill all of these offer you will pull you to Canada, but something that will make your Canadian sojourn an EPIC to remember is obviously the to-die-for Canadian food that you’ve heard so much about. Yes, Poutine is a delight, but there is way more to savour that awaits to surprise and scintillate your taste buds. Dig right in!

Celebrate the Making of Maple Syrup!

Here’s a piece of trivia to chew on—Canada supplies about 85 percent of the world’s maple syrup! So where else will you get to sample the best of maple syrup and also find festivals dedicated to that sugary, maple goodness you lavish on your fluffy pancakes? Largely celebrated around the country—especially in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia—between February and April, the festival gets you up close and personal with maple syrup. Literally. There are special events to demonstrate traditional as well as modern methods of tapping, collecting and boiling the syrup. And almost all of them end with a taste of that golden goodness on a pile of flapjacks or pancakes. Who’d want to miss that?

Try out Quintessentially Canadian Munchies: Beavertails, Bannock, Nanaimo Bars

If you are in Canada, you mustn’t miss the munchies, most of which are carnival favourites. Try Beavertails, which is deep-fried dough with gooey chocolate waiting to ooze into your mouth, or Bannock which is basically a type of griddled bread, often topped with sugar dust, chocolate and what not. Bannock is basically used to make just about anything, from Bannock Dogs to Bannock Burgers. And then, there are the chocolates—Nanaimo Bars, Purdy’s Chocolate, Kinder Joy and many more. Nanaimo bars is the most common dessert in Canada. While you will find many variations and each one may be as delicious and unique, a standard Nanaimo bar is usually made of chocolate ganache, vanilla custard, and crushed cookies.

Read more: 5 Thrilling Experiences You Can Enjoy Only in Canada

Treat Your Kids or The Kid in You to a Bowl Full of Poutine

Poutine is a French-Canadian comforting classic, which is served across Canada but is said to have originated in Quebec. Legend has it that poutine was first put together in the 1950s at the request of a truck driver who wanted something hot to go. That is when Fernand Lachance combined hot French fries and cheese curds, and said, "Ça va faire une maudite poutine!" or, in English, "It will make a damn mess!" A legendary mess it did make, that is adored till date. Thick French fries slathered with piping hot yummy brown gravy, topped with gloopy cheese—it’s difficult not to fall for it! The best part—if you’re with family, you don’t have to bother ordering different dishes because this one connects with kids and adults alike. Different cities and different restaurants will offer you their own version of Poutine with unique toppings. Try the Poutine variation with mussels if you dig seafood. Pair it with a local brew like Canadian cider to experience food coma.

Gorge on a Lobster Dinner at New Brunswick

More than half of the world’s supply of live hard shell Atlantic Lobster comes from Canada. And typically in Atlantic Canada, lobsters are eaten cold, dipped in hot butter, accompanied with either French fries, potato salad or French bread. That’s not to say that you don’t have those divine and elaborate versions to choose from. From a food truck at a charming fishing village called Caraquet at the Acadian Coast serving fresh lobster and lobster poutine—an Acadian speciality, to gorging on large lobster rolls and all-lobster dinners in New Brunswick, there’s a lot of lobster decisions to be made when in Canada. The must-try luxe version is at Saint John Ale House in New Brunswick, where they stuff meat from an entire lobster into a buttery wedge of grilled white bread and top it with house-made lobster roe aioli. Just watch out that you don’t end up going on a lobster diet, because withdrawal symptoms could be bothersome once back from your holiday.

Read more: Nature Buffs are Going to Love these 5 Places in Canada!

Lick up Tire d’érable Sur la Neige: A Snowy Dessert like No Other!

It truly does not get more Canadian than tire d’érable, also known as maple taffy. (If you thought maple toffy, you are on the right track. Just add the feel of ice to it!) Boiling maple syrup is poured on a bed of snow to make this sinfully cold delight. When the boiling syrup touches the snow, the cold causes it to immediately harden. Then it is rolled up with a Popsicle stick and served immediately. What you get is a sumptuous and fun dessert on a stick that is lit up by a rich maple flavour, but is soft and gooey in texture. Oh delight!

Book Your Flight to Vancouver, Canada