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 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.”
Cruise the St. Lawrence River for three hours from Old Montreal, with views of Downtown, the Old Port, and Pont Jacques-Cartier. Choose anything from a single dish to a six-course meal onboard. William and Erick have earned praise for attentive service, but food and drinks cost extra.
“A lovely evening with relaxing jazz in the background, delicious food and super wait staff!”
Join a small English-speaking group for a four-hour Niagara Falls evening tour with guides such as Oscar, Alan, or Niko. You’ll dine beside Horseshoe Falls, operate the colored lights from the Illumination Tower, watch Currents at the Power Station, and walk through a tunnel to a close-up viewing platform.
“The tour was amazing. The food at Table Rick was good (although I would have liked beef on the menu). The service left a lot to be desired. It took forever to get drinks, apps, meals, etc. Bill, the man that runs the lights in the tower was amazing. Very knowledgeable and was kind enough to spend a little extra time with us (my husband being an electrician had a lot of questions)! I would highly recommend this tour.”
Spend seven busy hours seeing Niagara Falls from above, below, beside, and on the water. Your small group visits Journey Behind the Falls, Skylon Tower, and Niagara City Cruises, then has a three-course dinner at Table Rock before changing the falls’ lights from the Illumination Tower. Guides include Samara, Brayden, and James.
“Judith was awesome; funny, kind, and informative. They were punctual and made a full day of exploring seem like a breeze. Very memorable, would definitely do it again, and totally worth the money!!”
Spend three hours inside Fairmont Banff Springs with an English-speaking guide, tasting five food and drink pairings, meeting chefs, watching a hands-on demo, and seeing private dining spaces. Guides such as Sue, Tracy, Nicole, and Amanda have led engaging tours that mix Alberta cuisine with hotel stories.
“Fabulous tour! Tracy, our guide, was full of information about the hotel and interacted with us all throughout the afternoon. The food, presentations, chef’s interaction and seeing all the various dining venues was so interesting. Loved loved loved this tour. Only suggestion, if possible, would be to have the tour guide and tour participants on a headset system to make it easier to hear all the details of the hotel. Would definitely recommend this tour.”
Pick a mountain, a shoreline or a table.
