Best of Waterloo Region

Let us guide you to the best spots in town! Our "Best Of" series features top recommendations from chefs and foodies who know their way around a great meal. While they might not have tried every "wings" spot in town, they’re passionate about local eats and love showcasing their favourite hidden gems. Trust us, these experts won’t steer you wrong.

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Bakery / Bread / Cakes

Bakery

Roux Bakehouse
"Best of" with Jon Rennie

Winnie's Gluten Free Kitchen
"Best of" Gluten Free with Alex Kinsella

Golden Hearth | Aura-La Pastries and Provisions | Terroir Bakery
"Best of" with Andrew Coppolino

Roux Bakehouse
"Best of" with Wes Klassen

Golden Hearth
"Best of" with ChefD

Cakes

Lenjo Bakes
"Best of" with Cecelia

Croissant

Golden Hearth
"Best of" with My Nguyen

Lenjo Bakes
"Best of" with Wes Klassen

Pastries

Aura-La Pastries + Provisions
"Best of" with My Nguyen

Bagel / Sandwich

Best Bagel

Poppy's Bagels
"Best of" with Ren Navarro

Best Sandwich

Givral Deli
"Best of" with Sai

Nostra Cucina | Givral Deli
"Best of" with Tim Borys

Vincenzo's
"Best of" with Jon Rennie

Givral Deli | Nostra Cucina
"Best of" with Andrew Coppolino

Eby Street Bodega
"Best of" with Nick Benninger

Princess Cafe
"Best of" with Ren Navarro

Eby Street Bodega
"Best of" with Sydney Keedwell

Breakfast / Brunch

Breakfast

Bud’s Restaurant | Slices Family Restaurant
"Best of" with Andrew Coppolino

The Yeti Cafe
"Best of" with Sydney Keedwell

Simply Delicious
"Best of" with ChefD

Brunch

Cambridge Mill
"Best of" with Chef Arielle

Sam's Chinese Kitchen
"Best of" with Sai

Arabesque
"Best of" Halal Edition with Faaez

Cambridge Mill
"Best of" with Ashley

Burger

Lab Street Eats
"Best of" with Sai

Lucky's Cambridge
"Best of" with Andrew Coppolino

La La Social House
"Best of" with Chef Ofelia

Ace Shawarma | Slap Burgers
"Best of" Halal Edition with Faaez

Lab Street East
"Best of" with ChefD

Butcher Shop

Cocktail / Wine

Cocktail

Grand Trunk Saloon | Grand Surf Lounge
"Best of" with Sydney Keedwell

Bauer Kitchen
"Best of" with Ashley

Grand Trunk Saloon | Grand Surf Lounge
"Best of" with Wes Klassen

Grand Trunk Saloon
"Best of" with ChefD

Wine

Odd Duck Wine + Provisions
"Best of" with Ren Navarro

Crepes

Cafe Du Monde
"Best of" with Cecelia

Date Night

Loloan Lobby Bar
"Best of" with Chef Arielle

Grand Surf Lounge
"Best of" with Tim Borys

La Lola Tapas Bar
"Best of" with Aura

Langdon Hall
"Best of" with Nick Benninger

La Lola Tapas Bar
"Best of" with Ren Navarro

Public Kitchen & Bar
"Best of" with Ashley

AOK Craft Beer + Arcade
"Best of" with Mike Gatto

Public Kitchen & Bar
"Best of" with Reeghan

Princess Cinema
Loloan Lobby Bar
Langdon Hall
Reunion Bistro Puslinch
Arabella Park
Jane Bond
"Best of" with Dino and Anna

Dim Sum

King Tin Restaurant
"Best of" with Chef Ofelia

Cameron Chinese Restaurant
"Best of" with My Nguyen

Falafel / Shawarma

Falafel

Zay Zaman Shawarma
"Best of" Halal Edition with Faaez

Shawarma

Highland Halal Shawarma
"Best of" Gluten Free with Alex Kinsella

Chef Signature
"Best of" Halal Edition with Faaez

Fine Dining

King Street Trio
"Best of" with Sai

Lovage (Stratford)
"Best of" with Tim Borys

King Street Trio
"Best of" with Reeghan

Langdon Hall
"Best of" with ChefD

Fried Chicken

Grand Trunk Saloon
"Best of" with My Nguyen

Hidden Gem

Terroir Bakery
"Best of" with Chef Arielle

Dinner by Derek (search on Facebook)
"Best of" with Aura

Champa Kitchen
"Best of" with Nick Benninger

Pizza Plus
"Best of" Halal Edition with Faaez

Ayres Baking Supplies
"Best of" with Ashley

Bhima's Warung
"Best of" with Mike Gatto

America Latina Grocery & Eatery
"Best of" with Reeghan

Mi Tienda Latina
"Best of" with Wes Klassen

Zazu | Kojo's Korner
"Best of" with Dino and Anna

Ice Cream

Four All Ice Cream
"Best of" with Cecelia

For Kids

Grocery Store

Central Fresh Market
"Best of" with ChefD

Oysters

Patio

Village Biergarten
"Best of" with Nick Benninger

Arabella Park Beer Bar
"Best of" with Ren Navarro

Arabella Park Beer Bar
"Best of" with Mike Gatto

Pho

Pho Vietnam K&W
"Best of" with My Nguyen

Falafel

Sushi

Spring Rolls

Rosel's Authentic Filipino Food
"Best of" with Reeghan

Taco

Tamale Girl | Casa Toro
"Best of" with Aura

America Latina Grocery & Eatery
"Best of" with Nick Benninger

Wings

America Latina Grocery & Eatery
"Best of" with Nick Benninger

Strykerz
"Best of" with Mike Gatto

Morty's Pub | Bent Elbow
"Best of" with Andrew Coppolino

Done Eating?

There’s plenty more to explore! Check out our Instagram highlight for activity ideas—think local gems, hidden spots, and things to do. We do our best to keep it up to date!