Canada · DINING EXPERIENCES
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 dining experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Board the renovated Toronto Odyssey for a two to two-and-a-half-hour Toronto Harbour cruise with plated lunch or dinner, or a weekend brunch buffet. Expect reserved communal seating, skyline views, an open-air rooftop deck, cash-bar drinks, and a dinner DJ.
“Excellent with a special note for Samuel (Sam) who took great care of me.”
Travel from downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls for a late-day tour with scenic stops, Niagara City Cruises, evening illumination, and possible summer fireworks. The optional Sheraton Fallsview buffet adds a falls view at dinner. Guides may include Ali, Johnny, Dwayne, or Drake.
“This is not as advertised. In winter I was informed only 1 trip from the tour guide. I was only notified 24 hours before and said not enough people which is incorrect. we booked afternoon and evening this does not run and when we booked it offered us boat clearly this does not run. We booked day trip and evening with 3 course dinner. There is no boat as it is frozen this should not be advertised as such.”
Board at 6:30pm near Stanley Park for a 2.5-hour Vancouver harbor cruise. Enjoy a West Coast buffet with salmon, live music, reserved seating, and views of Canada Place, Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains. Expect no onboard narration.
“Good food but better scenery. Good weather a must! We have pictures that’ll last for a lifetime. Go for it!”
Meet your guide at 112 Rue Saint-Paul for a three-hour evening of five gourmet courses, paired drinks, and Old Quebec history. Guides such as Luis, Danielle, Marie, and Etienne lead small groups through four restaurants, with a funicular ride and views of the St. Lawrence included.
“Marie, our guide was a true delight. She was informative, fun and knows great food. We enjoyed short walking tours between restaurants. The restaurants chosen for the tour were charming and comfortable with friendly accommodating staff. I would highly recommend this tour for foodies and non-foodies alike.”
Spend 3½ hours aboard an AML Cruises dinner boat from Montréal’s Grand Quai. Choose a 3 or 5-course meal, watch the Old Port, Biosphere, Olympic Stadium, and Jacques-Cartier Bridge pass by, then dance to a DJ after dinner. English and French service is available.
“We loved the ambience! Our server was great and it was nice to interact with the couple who sat next to us. The food was delicious and the appetizers were unique. We enjoyed our hosts, the acrobats and the live dance music! A perfect evening!”
Spend 150 to 210 minutes aboard a Vancouver dinner cruise with an all-you-can-eat West Coast buffet, in-house music, and views of downtown, the North Shore Mountains, West Vancouver, English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and False Creek. Drinks are extra, and the vessel and route may vary.
“The food was fantastic. I’m always hesitant when I see buffet. But the caterer did an exceptional Job the salmon was perfect and not dry. The entertainment was fantastic, and provided the perfect relaxed ambiance.”
Join a small group of up to seven for a four-hour Niagara Falls night tour with hotel pickup, a three-course dinner, Niagara City Cruises, fireworks, and a visit to the Illumination Tower, where you can change the falls’ colors yourself. Guides such as Oscar, Abin, and Greg add local commentary.
“very good tour, the dinner was great. the fireworks were beautiful, and it was fun lighting up the falls. Plus our driver was very friendly and informative”
Leave Toronto at 1 p.m. for Niagara Falls with a small group of up to 23. Guides such as Haroon, Shahz, and Prapa lead you to the Whirlpool, Table Rock, the Hornblower cruise or Journey Behind the Falls, evening lights, free time, and seasonal fireworks.
“The tour was excellent, more than we had hoped for .. our tour guide/driver, Haroon, was super friendly, informative and helpful. The coach was comfy and clean. We recommend this tour for all ages.”
Spend about 2.5 hours aboard City Cruises’ Odyssey, sailing Toronto Harbour and the waterfront with a plated dinner, skyline views, coffee or tea, and a DJ. Smart casual dress is expected. Drinks cost extra at the cash bar, and the cruise returns to 207 Queens Quay W.
“We celebrated our anniversary and I was pleasantly surprised at the level of professionalism and service we received. I would definitely do it again.”
Spend three hours aboard Kingston’s Island Queen or Island Star, sailing through the Admiralty Islands at sunset. Enjoy a three-course dinner with four entrée choices, live music, and commentary on the sights. The Island Star offers 360-degree views under a glass canopy on most nights.
“The views were excellent, the music and guide was fine. Food actually exceed expectations as my expectations were low. Our server Shay was excellent and attentive throughout the cruise. I would highly recommend!”
Spend about seven hours seeing Niagara Falls from Skylon Tower, behind the Falls, aboard Niagara City Cruises, and along the Parkway. A small group of up to seven rides in a Mercedes van, enjoys a three-course dinner at Table Rock, and helps light the Falls at the Illumination Tower. Guides may include Precious, Samara, Judy, or Sean.
“I would have given 6 stars, but five was the best option. Samara was a phenomenal tour guide! She was helpful, fun, and made it a fantastic memorable experience for our family. Thank you so much!!”
Travel from Toronto or Mississauga to Niagara Falls in a small air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking guide. Add the boat cruise, Journey Behind the Falls, three-course dinner, and Illumination Tower, where you can change the waterfall lights yourself.
“Our tour guide Adam was awesome. Knows the area very well and gave us great commentary and was very professional, on time and knowledgeable made us laugh the whole time. Even though a passenger onboard was disturbing some people he kept his composure in his concern for the safety for all the guests.”
Spend two lively hours with singing Mounties, Anne of Green Gables, lumberjacks, and a band performing more than 70 Canadian songs. Your cast members also serve a five-course family-style dinner. The show begins at 6:15 pm, with Woods seating and a cash bar.
“The food was like homemade...lots of it and very good! The servers/entertainers were awesome. Good singers, energetic and super entertaining. We really had a great time and will definitely be going again in the future.”
Spend about three and a half hours aboard the Cavalier Maxim, cruising Montreal’s waterfront from the Old Port. Choose a three or five-course dinner, watch the skyline and islands pass by, then head to the deck for DJ music and dancing. Red Carpet adds wine, a cocktail, and digestif.
“The service was great. The dj music was fun. The food was mediocre. It rained a lot which of course was nobody’s fault, however, that made the view/tour significantly less enjoyable. And that was the main attraction. On a nice night I probably would it rate it 4 stars instead of 3.”
Spend 3.5 hours aboard an AML Cruises dinner boat from Chouinard Pier. Choose a 3 or 5-course meal, watch Château Frontenac and Montmorency Falls slip past, then head upstairs for DJ music and dancing beneath the evening sky.
“It was a beautiful evening from start to finish. The food was delicious and fresh. The atmosphere was relaxing during our dinner the view serene. The servants pleasant and attentive and very mannerly. The only negative is the younger generation that evening on the dance floor breaking glasses and spilling their drinks. I felt bad for the one employee that had to intervene while being snubbed. There should not be allowed drinking on the dance floor only at your tables. Other than this we had a blast. It was great weather.”
Pick a mountain, a shoreline or a table.
