If you plan on visiting Canada and have been wondering what Canadian breakfast and other meals are like, you’re in the right place for answers. Canadian food is exactly like the country’s people – diverse.
What’s Special About Canadian Breakfast?
While there is no one specific national breakfast of Canada, there are many mouth-watering options. Depending on the city you’re in, if you’re on the prairies, coast, or up North and so many other factors, you can find pretty much any breakfast food you desire. And even some you don’t.
Here’s a virtual food tour across the nation, featuring some of the best traditional Canadian breakfasts you can hunt down in your travels.
Most Popular Canadian Breakfast
Pancakes & Maple Syrup (Fried Breakfast Cake)
If you peek in any Canadian’s windows on a Saturday morning, you will see them eating their all-time favorite food, pancakes. (Don’t actually peek in anyone’s windows though, that’s illegal!).
Pancakes are a popular food option across the whole country and are always a great choice when having breakfast in Canada. They are made from a batter of eggs, flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, and vanilla and are cooked on a griddle until they’re perfectly golden brown.
Pancakes are fluffy and light and can be topped with a variety of toppings. Some of the favorites are butter, fruit, whipped cream, and the holy grail of Canada – maple syrup. It’s not even uncommon to have them as desserts in Canada.
Eating pancakes with maple syrup is so delicious, it’s life-changing. Artificial glucose pancake syrup will not work for you anymore. If you haven’t tried it you must, but be warned – you will never be able to have pancakes without maple syrup ever again!
Traditional Canadian Breakfasts
Classic Canadian Breakfast (Eggs, Sausage, Toast, Bacon & Hash Browns)
If you are in and around the prairies, you will see a lot of people eating this good old-fashioned Canadian breakfast. Toast, Eggs, Sausage, Bacon & Hashbrowns may sound like a lot but the portions given are perfect and it is just right.
This extremely satisfying traditional Canadian breakfast is a top choice among those heading to work. It packs a punch and keeps them going all morning. This will have the same effect on you so be sure to try it if you have a big day roaming and exploring this beautiful country.
Eggs Benedict – (Poached Eggs on an English Muffin)
Another typical breakfast of Canada you will see coast to coast is the eggs benedict. There are many different ways you can get this done, a smoked salmon benny, chorizo benny, or our all-time favorite, the eggs benedict with Canadian bacon.
Canadian bacon is different from other bacon in the world because it is more like ham than regular bacon. Regular bacon comes from the belly of the pig but Canadian bacon is from the loin. Its round shape is perfect for breakfast sandwiches, especially the eggs benedict.
An eggs benedict is an open-faced English muffin sandwich topped with your choice of meat. No matter the choice of meat, it usually always comes served with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Peameal Bacon Sandwich (Kaiser Bun With Bacon & Toppings)
This amazing Canadian breakfast sandwich is very popular in the province of Ontario, specifically in Toronto. It’s known as a classic Canadian snack that really hits the spot.
A peameal bacon sandwich consists of cured bacon that has been rolled in cornmeal, grilled to perfection and served on a kaiser bun. Canadians like to top their sandwich with mustard, mayo and pickles, and even maple syrup. But we’re not surprised, maple syrup is a true Canadian culinary delight.
Bake & Salt Fish (Dough & Salted Cod)
This is a popular breakfast for Canada’s Caribbean community that the whole country has grown to love. It is a delicious mix of deep-fried sweet bread that is served with a side of salted cod that is seasoned to perfection. If you get the chance to try this breakfast, you should and you will not regret it.
Canadian Breakfasts To Go
Bagels With Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon (Bagel)
Bagels are a typical breakfast in Canada and can be found in any restaurant or coffee shop to grab a quick bite.
One of the most popular bagel breakfast sandwiches is a toasted bagel spread with cream cheese, and topped with smoked salmon and capers. If you like savory breakfasts, you will not be disappointed in this one.
You will typically also find many other topping options at bagel places. Smoked salmon and cream cheese though is our favorite! They are also super convenient to pack, so consider bringing one along for snacking on your road trip to the famous landmarks around Canada.
Montreal-style Bagels (Bagel)
On the trend of bagels, we couldn’t leave out the world-famous Montreal-style bagels. These sweet, tasty bagels come in a variety of flavors and are served toasted with your choice of spread. Montreal bagels are small, dense bagels that are poached in honey water before they are baked in a wooden oven.
As implied in its name, this bagel style originates from Montreal. So if you are ever in the city, be sure to grab some. Although you will likely be able to find them in other parts of Canada as well.
Bannock (Fried Dough)
Bannock is an Indigenous food that is an original breakfast of Canada. It is a dough made out of flour, baking powder, salt, and milk, and sweetened with honey or sugar. The bannock is then fried in a skillet or cooked over a fire before being served with jam or maple syrup toppings.
Sounds simple but don’t let that fool you; these are super tasty and fulfilling as well.
Sweet Canadian Breakfast Treats
French Toast (Fried Battered Bread)
If you are looking for the best of the best when it comes to Canadian snacks and breakfast foods, you have met your match. French toast is a great choice, morning, noon, or night. Canadians love it and it just makes you feel like you’re eating love.
French toast is made with bread that is soaked in an egg-based batter and then fried on both sides. It ends up with a melt-in-your-mouth, fluffy texture that is so tasty, especially when it’s topped with maple syrup.
Croissants (Baked Pastry)
These flaky pastries are a traditional Canadian breakfast for many locals. Croissants are a French pastry that can be found at shops, restaurants, and cafes all throughout the country. Truth be told, croissants are famous worldwide, but you can find some really good ones in Canada.
This fluffy pastry tastes best when topped with either butter and jam or ham and cheese. You will love this wonderfully light breakfast treat and probably want seconds.
Discovering More Canadian Breakfasts
Anywhere you go in Canada, you will be immersed in the culture, cuisines, and very friendly people. The breakfast joints in the country are a diverse mix of so many different menus and flavors, you will likely be able to find any kind of breakfast you want.
While these are some of the more traditional Canadian breakfast foods, there are limitless options for breakfast in Canada. We know you will have a great time exploring the country and trying out the delicious morning delights wherever you end up.
