Burlington, Ontario’s food scene is buzzing, with everything from headline-making donut shops to cozy, family-run spots.
This city has a mix of popular hangouts and secret finds just waiting to be explored.
If you need some quick recommendations, go for Sushi Masayuki, Paradiso or Barra Fion. Can’t go wrong with either.
Now lets dive into our 13 picks of the best Burlington restaurants and eats!
1. Sushi Masayuki
Tucked in Waterloo, Sushi Masayuki is a gem for sushi lovers, thanks to the decades of expertise of its head chefs. It’s a chill spot where the Kaiseiki experience steals the show—let the chef surprise you with sushi right at the bar. Can’t get a seat there? Try the Spider Roll, packed with crab goodness, or the Spicy Salmon Roll for a fresh, zesty bite.
What to order: Kaiseki Set Meal, Spider Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll
Address: 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington, ON L7M 5A5, Canada
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2. Paradiso Restaurant
Paradiso in Burlington’s Village Square offers more than just ambiance—it’s a culinary trip around the Mediterranean. Don’t miss their Crab Ravioli, each bite teeming with seafood and creamy sauce, or the Moroccan Chicken, perfectly spiced and moist. For a tender treat, the Braised Short Rib with red wine jus is a must.
What to order: Crab Ravioli, Moroccan Chicken, 12 Hour Braised Short Rib
Address: 2041 Pine St, Burlington, ON L7R 2N1, Canada
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3. Barra Fion
Barra Fion’s warm, rustic vibe is the perfect backdrop for their craft beers and wines. Pair a drink with their Shrimp Tacos, spiced to perfection, and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites for a crispy kick. The Signature Mixed Grill offers a tasty variety with the Garlic Parmesan Potatoes adding a savoury crunch.
Address: 1505 Guelph Line #10a, Burlington, ON L7P 3B6, Canada
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4. Loondocks Restaurant Appleby Village
At Loondocks, it’s about local Canadian ingredients and a mix of French and Italian dishes. Their rooftop patio is ideal for sunset dining. Try the Muskoka Salad with smoked trout or the sweet-touched Yukon Arctic Char Fillet.
Feeling adventurous? Ask for an off-menu dish—they might just surprise you!
What to order: Muskoka Salad, Yukon Arctic Char Fillet, off-menu options
Address: 5111 New St, Burlington, ON L7L 1V2, Canada
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5. Pepe and Lela’s Eatery
Pepe and Lela’s transforms Mexican cuisine with a homey touch. The Jicama Mango Salad is a refreshing start, while the Tortilla Soup blends rich flavours that’ll have you scraping the bowl. For tacos, the Chicken Mole and Lamb Barbacoa are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
What to order: Jicama Mango Salad, Tortilla Soup, Chicken Mole Taco, Ontario Lamb Barbacoa Taco
Address: 1893 Appleby Line, Burlington, ON L7L 0G5, Canada
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6. The WORKS Craft Burger and Beer
The WORKS masters the art of burgers for all, including vegans and picky eaters. Their Veggie Burger is unexpectedly hearty, and the Kamikaze burger offers a sweet and spicy kick. Customization is king here—create your burger masterpiece from an array of choices.
What to order: Veggie Burger, Kamikaze Burger, Tom Green Burger
Address: 443 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2G3, Canada
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7. West Plains Bistro
West Plains Bistro offers a slice of France in a cozy Burlington setting. Their Escargot is renowned, and the Beef Bourguignon, with its tender meat and savoury sauce, is a standout dish. It’s a neighbourhood gem that pairs simplicity with style.
What to order: Escargot, Beef Bourguignon
Address: 133 Plains Rd E, Burlington, ON L7T 2C4, Canada
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8. Russell Williams Family Restaurant
A Burlington tradition, Russell Williams serves up comfort classics like the Grilled Cheese and Bacon Eggs Benny. Their Hot Beef Sandwich is a lunchtime hit—roasted beef served just right. It’s comfort food with a family feel.
What to order: Grilled Cheese and Bacon Benedict, Hot Beef Sandwich
Address: 20 Plains Rd E, Burlington, ON L7T 2B9, Canada
9. The Martini House
In the heart of Burlington, The Martini House is both a fine dining spot and a cozy retreat. Seafood, like shucked clams and mussels in coconut curry cream, is a favourite here. The House Burger offers a hearty alternative, with a balance of flavours that satisfies.
What to order: Shucked Oysters, Mussels, The House Burger, Dragon Bowl
Address: 437 Elizabeth St, Burlington, ON L7R 2L8, Canada
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10. Downtown Bistro and Grill
The Downtown Bistro and Grill is a cozy haven in downtown Burlington with a diverse menu. Start with the Risotto Balls—a cheesy, crunchy prelude—then move on to the Bistro Burger, made with AAA Sirloin and perfectly balanced toppings, hailed as one of the city’s best.
What to order: Risotto Balls, Bistro Burger
Address: 441 Elizabeth St, Burlington, ON L7R 2L8, Canada
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11. Applestone Pizzeria
Craving a slice? Applestone Pizzeria is your go-to for handmade pizza magic. Chef Mike’s picky about his ingredients, ensuring every bite is top-notch. It’s a cozy spot, but don’t let size fool you – these pies are huge on taste.
Dive into the Arugula Prosciutto for a salty-fresh kick, or go classic with the Canadian, a crispy mix of mozzarella, pepperoni, and bacon. Simple, quality pizza that talks the talk.
What to order: Arugula Prosciutto, Canadian
Address: 1900 Appleby Line, Burlington, ON L7L 0B7, Canada
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12. Boon Burger Cafe
Boon Burger shakes up the burger scene with all-vegan eats that even meat lovers adore. More than just burgers, they’ve got pizzas and poutines too. Their Bacun Cheeze Burger? It’s a vegan secret – indistinguishable from the real deal. If you’re up for less mess, they’ll wrap it in a tortilla. Don’t miss the Pulled Jack Poutine, where jackfruit stars in a plant-based twist on a comfort classic. Juicy, flavourful, and totally vegan!
What to order: Bacun Cheeze Burger, Pulled Jack Poutine
Address: 399 Elizabeth St, Burlington, ON L7R 0A4, Canada
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13. Crisp Here
Asian fusion with flair, Crisp Here offers a modern twist on sushi and poke bowls. The setting’s casual, with a sprinkle of elegance. Health nuts, rejoice – their Salmon and Tuna Poke Bowl is as colorful as it is nutritious, with a perfect sauce to fish ratio. Roll into the Crispy Crunch Roll, a crunchy wonder with tempura shrimp, panko, and a mix of seafood. It’s a harmony of flavours that reinvents the sushi experience.
What to order: Salmon and Tuna Poke Bowl, Crispy Crunchy Roll
Address: 710 Cumberland Ave, Burlington, ON L7N 3M9, Canada
Sometimes overlooked, Burlington definitely has its fair share of heavy hitters in terms of restaurants. With some of the most authentic kitchens to long-standing treasures and even new entries making a splash in the food scene, these restaurants are surely not one to miss.
Of course, the rest of the Ontario is full of great food too, as this list of some of the best restaurants in Toronto will prove.
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.