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Surprising Saskatoon: A City of Great Restaurants
Saskatoon took me aback. I figured since it was a prairie city, seemingly in the middle of nowhere – that there would be a backwoods feel to the whole food scene.
But was I ever wrong.
Saskatoon is a city of great restaurants.
Within an hour of landing I was enjoying a fantastic lunch at Souleio’s on 3rd Avenue South in downtown Saskatoon. It’s open from 8 am until 5 pm daily so it’s a great place to go for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is bright and sunny with high ceilings – a reflection of the fact that souleio means sun. I enjoyed a falafel in a fresh pita with a delicious lemony tahini sauce on my first visit. I stopped for lunch on another day and swooned over the chicken salad sandwich with harissa and pickled carrots on homemade multigrain bread. If I lived in Saskatoon I would be hanging out at this place a lot!
Souleio’s
Dinner on the first night was supposed to have been at The Hollows - a locally owned and operated restaurant in the Riversdale neighbourhood – an area with a long history that’s undergoing renewal. Unfortunately The Hollows is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but by all reports this is one of Saskatoon’s top restaurants to visit. The chefs/owners – Christie Peters and Kyle Michael – have kept the original signage and much of the original decor – so it’s an easy place to mistake for a Chinese food restaurant. Christie and Kyle have embraced the farm to fork way of eating and look for as many ingredients as they can find in the Saskatoon area. On the menu you might see plants grown from heirloom seeds, flowers, saps, roots, local fish and sustainably raised meat, poultry and eggs.
The Hollows
Calories Restaurant and Bakery on Broadway is another restaurant I wish I could clone and take to Calgary. It was our back-up choice when we couldn’t get into The Hollows. My dinner was an outstanding dish – roasted garlic stuffed organic chicken breast with organic quinoa on an amazing sweet potato and squash puree.
The owners Rémi Cousyn and Janis Cousyn are obviously great believers in showcasing Saskatchewan. Also on the menu you’ll find Saskatchewan pickerel, elk and roast beef . On their website they detail all the local gardens and farms they support. Lunch and brunch menus look mouthwatering and some effort has been put into offering an interesting assortment of wines.
Roasted garlic stuffed chicken breast with quinoa
In the mornings I went on the search for non-Starbucks coffee places. One I found was The Two Twenty - a building for community and a co-working space. Part of it is a cafe – and the coffee is excellent – but they don’t have much to offer in the way of muffins, scones etc. The day I was there one type of scone and assorted cookies were the only things available. Still I like their philosophy and would return again just for the coffee and interesting background conversation.
The Two Twenty
Another excellent breakfast restaurant is Poached Breakfast Bistro on Second Avenue South. The breakfast menu is heavy on eggs – no big surprise there considering the name. The breakfasts are first rate and if you’re not a vegetarian you have to try a side order of the pecan and maple bacon roll-ups – a little taste of fat and calorie heaven.
This restaurant is very unique. Beginning at 4 pm every day – and lasting until 2 am the place becomes Flint Bistro Saloon - a cocktail house with an urban, edgy martini bar. Need food in the evening. Make a selection from their charcuterie menu. And come back to Poached at 8 am. I love the feel of the place – and the concept.
Inside Poached Breakfast Bistro
Pecan and maple bacon roll-ups
I didn’t have a chance to eat at the Two Gun Quiche House (on 20th Street West) – named after Morris Abraham Cohen – a tough guy with a colourful career including that of bodyguard for China’s first President – Sun Yat-sen. But I did try their soup at the WinterShines Soup cook off. And it was my favourite. I’ve heard loads of good things about the place in talking with the locals and I wouldn’t miss a meal on my next trip through Saskatoon.
Two Gun Quiche House
Roasted tomato soup with goat cheese dumplings and fresh basil whipped cream – at WinterShines
I never made it to the Park Cafe and Diner on 20th Street West either. But it’s the winner of six Best of Saskatoon awards – Best Basic Breakfast, Best Eggs, Best Lunch, Friendliest Staff, Best Hash Browns …so if you want the classic diner experience this is the place to go.
Park Cafe and Diner
In the mood for a beer and pub food??
Winston’s English Pub, located in the historic Hotel Senator in downtown Saskatoon is the place to go for a beer. There are over 100 international beers offered and 60 beers on tap. Corbin – a fellow travel blogger who lived in Saskatoon as a kid recommends the Paddock Wood microbrew. And since I’m not a beer drinker I would definitely take his advice. The pub also offers free WiFi.
Winston’s Pub
I was only in Saskatoon for three days so I’ve obviously eaten at only a handful of restaurants. But the ones I sampled rival any in a big city. So should you happen to be driving through Saskatoon or there on a visit, take the time to try out some of my suggestions. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Do you have any other suggestions for great restaurants in Saskatoon?
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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Please note – I was a guest of Tourism Saskatoon BUT all opinions are my own. No one is telling me what to say!
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About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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33 Responses to Surprising Saskatoon: A City of Great Restaurants
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I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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Food Recipes and Restaurants
Surprising Saskatoon: A City of Great Restaurants
Saskatoon took me aback. I figured since it was a prairie city, seemingly in the middle of nowhere – that there would be a backwoods feel to the whole food scene. But was I ever wrong. Saskatoon is a city of great restaurants. Within an hour of landing I was enjoying a fantastic lunch at Souleio’s on [...]
Having eaten my way around Saskatoon for years I’d say:
Red Pepper
Sushiro
The Berry Barn
Mr Rizzo’s
& Calories
Dustin Main – Skinny Backpacker recently posted..As the Monks Gather – Chiang Mai – Thailand
@Dustin – The only one on your list I’ve done is Calories and I sure loved it.
I had heard of Saskatoon before this, but that’s about it. Great display, and wow…awesome looking food. Thanks for introducing me to someplace new today:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Carnival vs Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian – Comparing Cruising’s Big Three
@Deej Thanks for checking out what’s cooking in Saskatoon.
I go to Saskatoon at least once a year, but I’m always visiting family so I’ve never really gone out much and explored the city. The only place I remember visiting (aside from stopping at local fast food restaurants) would be Homestead Ice Cream, by the Broadway area. I remember they had a delicious, but super indulgent chocolate covered frozen cheesecake on a stick. Last time I was there they had butter tart ice cream. I love supporting local restaurants, so I’ll keep these recommendations in mind next time I’m in Saskatoon.
Alouise recently posted..Road Trip Memories 20 – Face to Face with the Ogopogo
@Alouise Any of the restaurants I mentioned really are worth a visit. You must be visiting Saskatoon in the summer if you’re eating ice cream. That’s not what I would have wanted when it was -25C outside.
Yes. We always visit in the summer, or sometimes the fall. I think the last time I was in Saskatchewan in the winter was Christmas when I was 5. Oh and reading Dustin’s comment above I realized I also went to the Berry Barn. Had a nice cup of tea and Saskatoon pie (of course).
Alouise recently posted..Road Trip Memories 20 – Face to Face with the Ogopogo
@Alouise The Saskatoon pie sounds yummy; when we were in Winnipeg a few weeks ago John had Saskatoon-rhubarb pie – an amazing combo.
If I had to guess, I wouldn’t have picked Saskatoon as a foodie heaven but you’d hinted at it in your previous post.
Love the look of that Two Gun Quiche House. Its owner sounds like a real character who might have some interesting food and stories to tell.
I could go for some of those bacon roll ups! Can you tell I’m hungry?
InsideJourneys recently posted..Jamaica: Keeping Alive the (Almost) Lost Art of Making Peppermint Candy
@Marcia That’s three orders of roll-ups to go judging by the comments. It’s not actually the owner of Two Gun Quiche who is colourful but it is named after a local character.
It is always great to be surprised by a location especially when the stomach is the beneficiary.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Trinidad is the best kept secret of the Caribbean
@Ted You’re so right about the stomach. That’s often how we remember trips too.
There’s a native restaurant down the street from here that makes amazing bannock and pies made out of Saskatoon berries. I assume it’s not exactly berry season on the prairies, but did you get the chance to try any Saskatoon berries? I was wondering if they’re actually from Saskatchewan or if it’s just a name.
Of course, I’d trade all the berries back for a plate of those Pecan and maple bacon roll ups.
Steve recently posted..What I Want Hotels to Know About Me (and What I Don’t)
@Steve The City of Saskatoon kindly included a welcome package with dried Saskatoon berries and Saskatoon berry jam so the jam isn’t gone yet but the berries are. I think everyone wants a plate of bacon roll-ups.
I had never heard of Saskatoon until your recent posts. What a pleasant surprise to find an eclectic mix of restaurants. Those Pecan and maple bacon roll-ups look so delicious.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Five Fun and Free Things to do in Reykjavik Iceland with Kids
@Mary Those maple bacon pecan hit you in the heart roll-ups are so good they offer side orders.
The food, the photos, the places.. I almost felt like I was there. Simply amazing.
You had me at Pecan and maple bacon roll-ups! Oh goodness, I might fly up to Saskatoon just to try these. Sounds like you had a wonderful time eating your way through Saskatoon
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Discovering Ireland!
@Debbie I couldn’t resist those either.
I really have to arrange a culinary study tour in Canada sometime. A visit to Saskatoon would come with good bragging rights in Europe.
Italian Notes recently posted..5 things you might not know about St Peter Basilica in Rome
@Mette You’d be surprised at the variety and quality of restaurants & food in Canada. We’re actually quite spoiled.
I wouldn’t have thought either. This post and the great photos make me want to go and it was never on any list I had before.
santafetraveler recently posted..Meet the Travel Bloggers: Be My Travel Muse
@Billie It’s always fun to discover the food in a new city and especially when it delights the way it does in Saskatoon.
Of course I’ve heard of Saskatoon before, but I didn’t know what it looked like…. It seems like a nice place to visit. That food looks delicious!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Greetings From… Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
@Micheal I would return to Saskatoon for the food alone – which says a lot. Really excellent, inventive well priced restaurants to visit.
Never in a million years would I put “good restaurants” and “Saskatoon” together but there looks like some really good restaurants here. I think once you have a certain perception of a place it’s difficult to change it.
Laurel recently posted..Whale Watching in St Lucia, South Africa
@Laurel My trip to Saskatoon definitely changed the way I viewed the city. I think a lot of talented chefs head for Saskatoon because it doesn’t cost as much to open a restaurant and people do eat out a lot.
If you are ever back in Saskatoon you really need to try Weczeria Food & Wine down Broadway.. By far my favorite restaurant in the city.. They buy their ingredients locally at the markets and change their chalk board menu once every week and a half roughly.. You will not be disappointed..
@Robin I suspect I will be back in Saskatoon and I appreciate that suggestion. There is at least another week’s worth of eating to do.
I should not have read this post before breakfast!! Those pecan and bacon roll ups are making me drool all over my keyboard. Saskatchewan is the only province I have not been to. I have a lot of reasons to go, now!
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — April 11th, 2013 — Silver Smithing in Chiang Mai
@Nancie Those are the sorts of things that are best enjoyed without knowing what the caloric content is.
I can’t wait to go to S’toon for the first time next month. It’s amazing to see how Sask is evolving as a province and their culinary scene seems to be stepping up.
Jody Robbins recently posted..Friday Faves
@Jody You are going to be very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the restaurants and the city itself. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed Saskatoon.