comScore
ADVERTISEMENT

Top Chef Canada Restaurants You Need to Visit Right Now

If you find yourself salivating after an episode of Top Chef Canada, you’re not alone. After all, how can you not be hungry watching the judges swoon over some of these creative plates? The good news is that after more than 10 seasons, many contestants have gone on to share and showcase their talents across the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read on to discover some of the Top Chef Canada contestants who have opened their own restaurants since their time on the show, serving delightful dishes to their communities. Be sure to make a reservation or plan your visit pronto, because these hot spots fill up fast.

Rabble Taphouse and Grill — Todd Perrin, Season One and All-Stars

Address: 201 Water Street, St. John’s, NL

This hip bar and eatery from chef Todd Perrin sits at the bottom of 10 boutique hotel rooms in the heart of St. Johns. Guests can enjoy quick bar bites, post-work cocktails or cozy dinners in a modern but comfortable atmosphere. The menu includes offerings like Roast North Sea Cod and a Chimichurri Sirloin Steak Sandwich. Or, head over on the weekends for the signature Boozy Brunch, a comprehensive affair that includes prosecco, a continental plate, and a breakfast item of your choice.

You May Also Like: Best Seafood Restaurants on Canada’s East Coast for the Freshest Catch

Portage — Ross Larkin, Season Six Winner

Address: 28 Water Street, St. John’s, NL

This upscale eatery is located in the heart of downtown St. John’s, across from the bustling Alt Hotel. Inside, Chef Ross Larkin and his wife, renowned pastry chef Celeste Mah, dance nightly at the pass in a delicious display of teamwork. The menu is just as delightful, with a Banh Mi Salad we could have eaten forever and scallop toast with kimchi jam that you can’t help but smile over. Be sure to make a reservation to eat at this intimate spot because tables fill up fast. And if you’re local, stop in often to sample Celeste’s unique and seasonal dessert offerings.

Cluck N Cleaver — Nicole Gomes, Season Three Contestant and All-Stars Winner

Address: 1511 14 Street SW and 151 Walden Gate Southeast #210, Calgary, AB

Top Chef Canada All-Stars winner Nicole Gomes and her sister Francine Gomes are the chicks behind Cluck, a saliva-inducing fried- and rotisserie-chicken joint in Calgary. It’s not just the poultry that sets this place apart, either. Cluck N Cleaver offers mouth-watering sandwiches, sides, and an array of salads and sweets. Both locations also feature a marketplace, so you can grab some house-made hot sauce or pulled rotisserie chicken to-go.

You May Also Like: 8 Ways to Use a Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Sarah Brownlee

Richmond Station — Carl Heinrich, Season Two Winner and Hayden Johnston, Season Seven

Address: 1 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON

This show-stopping place in the heart of Toronto opened four months after Carl Heinrich won the second season of Top Chef Canada. One of his co-owners, Hayden Johnston, competed in the show’s seventh season and made it to the finals. Together, they’ve curated a romantic neighbourhood spot with favourite menu items and a solid staff. Stop in for a Stn. Burger or share a plate of Smoked Salmon Rillettes or Crispy Polenta Fries.

Little Grouse on the Prairie — Dale McKay, Season One Winner

Address: 167 3 Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK

Pasta is at the heart of this Italian menu from the country’s inaugural Top Chef Canada winner, Dale McKay. Whether you go for the four or seven-course alla famiglia tasting menu or sample some authentic fare (like the Saffron Risotto or Spaghetti Puttanesca), you’re guaranteed to leave full and satisfied.

Vinoteca Pompette — Marie Martine Bauer, Season 10

Address: 597 College Street, Toronto, ON

This intimate but modern spot sits in the heart of Little Italy and offers a menu with Italian-French influences. Think Ravioli Dauphiné with Comté Cheese or Risotto Al Salto and Bone Marrow. No time for dinner? Chef Marie Martine Bauer and her husband, sommelier Jonathan Bauer, also run sister establishments Bar Pompette and Bakery Pompette, where you can grab a hand-crafted cocktail or freshly baked bread and pastries.

Elem — Vaishnav “Vish” Mayekar, Season 10

Address: 2110 Main Street, Vancouver, BC

The newest Top Chef Canada restaurant opened on November 19 in Vancouver. Chef and owner Vish Mayekar plans to cook sustainably while preserving ancient techniques, thoughtfully nourishing the community with each bite. The cuisine is inspired by the four elements (earth, wind, air, fire), and is also a testament to the interconnected world, with a menu that features global flavours and techniques.

Butchie’s Restaurant — Andrea Nicholson, Season One and All-Stars

Address: 939 Dundas Street West, Whitby, ON

Smoked meats, fried chicken, seasonal fare, and homemade pies, ice cream, and craft beer all feature on the menu of chef Andrea Nicholson’s family-friendly restaurant. Notably, the eatery has also appeared on Big Food Bucket List. Go for some Smoked Chicken Wings, Country Fried Steak with White Bacon Gravy, or Da Bomb Caesar. Be sure to pair your selection with one of the equally memorable sides, like Hush Puppies with Remy Sauce or Baba’s Cucumber Salad.