Looking for the best Waterloo restaurants? You’re in the right place!
Waterloo region is famous for producing some of the most prestigious think tanks in a tri-city that’s riddled with a penchant for arts and history.
But beyond this mid-sized community that’s known for picturesque buildings, the Grand River, and more lies restaurants showcasing exemplary dining experiences you wouldn’t see elsewhere.
If you need some quick recommendations, go to Korner Kitchen or Mediterraneo Family Restaurant.
With that said, we’ve rounded up the best Waterloo restaurants to make your trip to the region extra special!
1. Korner Kitchen
Korner Kitchen is your must-visit breakfast hub in Waterloo since 2015. It’s got big portions and a homey feel, with friendly faces all around. Come early on weekends, or you might have to wait for a spot!
Their eggs benedict and steak skillet? Simply delicious. The eggs benedict is a classic, while the steak skillet mixes cheese, veggies, and hash browns for a tasty start to your day.
What to order: Classic Benedict, Philly Cheese Steak Skillet, Oatmeals, Triple Decker Sandwich
Address: 183 Weber St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 3H3, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
2. Mediterraneo Family Restaurant
Craving Greek? Mediterraneo is where it’s at. A family spot that feels like a trip to the Mediterranean. Their service is as good as their food looks.
Try the calamari, chicken souvlaki, gyro plate, and that Greek salad. The souvlaki and gyro? They’re tender and packed with flavour. Don’t miss out on their cheesecake to finish!
What to order: Calamari, Greek Salad, Chicken Souvlaki, Strawberry Cheesecake, Gyro Plate
Address: 425 University Ave, Waterloo, ON N2K 4C9, Canada
3. Bao Sandwich Bar
Tucked away in an alley, Bao Sandwich Bar is a hidden gem for Asian sandwiches in Waterloo. Look out for it, and you’ll be rewarded with mouth-watering baos and banh mi. Their spicy pork bao and chicken katsu bao are must-tries, with flavours that bring people back for more.
What to order: Spicy Pork Bao, Chicken Katsu Bao, Great Chicken Bao
Address: 62 Balsam St B106, Waterloo, ON, Canada
4. Wildcraft Grill + Long Bar
Wildcraft is a picture-perfect place in Waterloo, where style meets substance. Expect top-notch food and events like the IN CONCERT series for a memorable night out. The Thurston Howell and tiny duck tacos are standout choices here. Their short rib? Absolutely irresistible.
What to order: Thurston Howell, Tiny Duck Tacos, Braised Boneless Short Rib
Address: 425 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z5, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
5. Red House
Red House offers an intimate setting with Canadian cuisine that’s creatively crafted. Chef Dan might suggest the lamb spaghetti or the beef n’ blue, but whatever you choose, it’s bound to be a flavour fest. And for a creative drink, try the Tipsy latte. It’s a hit!
What to order: Chef’s Soup, Lamb Spaghetti, Guyanese Chow Mein, Beef n’ Blue, Broken Lemon Meringue Pie, Tipsy Latte
Address: 30 William St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 1J4, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
6. Exclamation Waterloo
Exclamation stands out with its Asian fusion menu. They’ve got a bit of everything, and it’s all good. The Exclamation ramen and chicken katsu bento box are filled with flavours that blend East with West. Definitely a Waterloo foodie favourite.
What to order: Exclamation Ramen, Chicken Katsu, Chicken Katsu Bento, Fresh Pan Fried Bao, Sukiyaki Beef Don, Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Address: 63 Hickory St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3H2, Canada
7. Kinaku Izakaya
Kinaku Izakaya is where your sushi cravings get satisfied in Waterloo. It’s a popular spot, so come early, especially for their AYCE menu. With a 90-minute limit, you’ll want to dive into the Godzilla roll and the spicy salmon hand roll, among others.
What to order: All You Can Eat: Beef Carpaccio, Ebimayo, Chicken Karaage, Spicy Salmon Hand Roll, Godzilla Roll
Address: 217 King St W, Kitchener, ON, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
8. Meetpoint
Meetpoint is your slice of Turkey in Waterloo. Simple on the outside, it’s an experience inside. Their Turkish dishes are a hit, especially the cigar borek and the shish kebab. Choose from lamb, beef, or chicken; they’re all marinated to perfection.
What to order: Cigar Borek, Adana Kebab, Shish Kebab, Ground Beef Pide
Address: 1 The Boardwalk #400, Waterloo, ON N2T 0A6, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
9. The Crazy Canuck
The Crazy Canuck is the quintessence of Canadian dining with its fun vibe and hearty dishes like poutines and burgers. Their classic and crazy canuck poutines are legendary, and the BBQ pulled pork is a taste of Canadiana. Plus, their bear-themed drinks cap off the experience.
What to order: Classic Quebec Cheese Curd Poutine, Crazy Canuck Poutine, Famous Apple BBQ Pulled Pork On a Bun, Boneless Dry Ribs
Address: 845 Weber St N, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
10. Jane Bond
For a vegan night out, Jane Bond is the spot. They’ve got an eclectic atmosphere with guilt-free, delicious eats. Even meat lovers will dig the antojitos and the Big Jack. Their munch wrap supreme is a flavour-packed wrap that’ll make you forget it’s all veggies.
What to order: Antojitos, Big Jack, Munch Wrap Supreme, Barncat Smudge, Merit Waves Cherry Lime Banana
Address: 5 Princess St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 2X7, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
11. Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle
Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle brings the art of Chinese noodle-making to Waterloo, where the tradition of fresh, hand-pulled noodles lives on.
Watch in awe as chefs craft noodles behind glass. The beef tendon noodles are a must; pick your noodle type and dive in. Also, explore stir-fried tomato beef noodles or cool Lanzhou-style Liang pi. BBQ enthusiasts, rejoice with Gol’s BBQ lamb skewers and the adventurous BBQ pork feet.
What to order: Beef Tendon Noodle, Stir-Fried Tomato Beef Noodle, Lanzhou Style Liang Pi, BBQ Lamb Skewers, BBQ Pork Feet
Address: 150 University Ave W Unit 6B, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
12. Homestyle Diner
Since 1987, Homestyle Diner has been dishing out homestyle comfort with a dash of family tradition. Tucked in the KW area, it’s a breakfast haven with a menu brimming with love.
Their signature Homestyle benedict and cinnamon raisin French toast are morning staples. But this diner isn’t just about breakfast; come for lunch or dinner to savor their hand-breaded schnitzel or a classic, cheesy poutine. It’s a spot where every meal feels like home.
What to order: Homestyle Favorite Benedict, Cinnamon Raisin French Toast, Original Schnitzel, Poutine
Address: 504 Albert St, Waterloo, ON N2L 3V4, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
13. Princess Cafe
Princess Cafe is your go-to for top-notch paninis and a killer craft beer selection in Uptown Waterloo. Perfect for lunch or a quality meal on the go, their Big Marc and turkey panini are sandwich royalty. If tuna’s your thing, their tuna melt won’t disappoint. Beer lovers, their Sidewalk Beer Shop boasts over 100 beers, showcasing a serious commitment to hops. Coffee and other drinks are also on point here.
Tip: Always check out their rotating soup of the day!
What to order: Big Marc Sandwich, Turkey Panini, Carried Tuna Melt Panini, Soup, Latte, Beer
Address: 46 King St N, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook
There you go—that sums up the best restaurants Waterloo offers! We hope you can visit one or two of them soonest. While you’re at it, you might want to check out our list of best Toronto restaurants and our cheat sheet of Kingston restaurants to help you plan your next trip!
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.