The 27 Best Restaurants in Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, Ranked

A Relais & Châteaux country house whose garden-driven dining room is the region's one true destination restaurant.

Kitchener's special-occasion institution since 1956 — prime rib, proper martinis and service polished by seven decades of practice.

A tiny downtown wine bar cooking the most adventurous food in the region — modern fine dining that refuses to take itself seriously.

A restored 1860s grist mill over the Grand River — the region's most beautiful dining room and its most booked brunch.

Uptown Waterloo's quiet high-water mark — tasting menus, a sommelier-built wine list and freestyle comfort cooking.

Cambridge's family-run European stalwart — schnitzel, steaks and tableside warmth that four decades of regulars swear by.

Kitchener's other legendary steakhouse — family-run, gloriously retro, and pound-for-pound the best-value serious steak around.

KW's temple of Southern barbecue — brisket, ribs and smoked wings worth every one of the calories, with live music on the side.

The Barrel Yards all-rounder — chef-driven Canadian menu, Ocean Wise seafood and the region's best-known bottomless brunch.

The region's benchmark South Indian kitchen — crisp dosas, proper thalis and filter coffee that ends arguments.

An energetic up-market bistro in a restored felt factory — upscale comfort food, brown booze and the room uptown meets in.

A tiny Cambridge trattoria where the wood-fired oven does the talking — Tuscan thin-crust pizza and handmade pasta.

Spanish-leaning shareable plates from a husband-and-wife team with one of Kitchener's most loyal followings.

A New York-slice takeout window hiding behind the Lancaster Smokehouse — thin, foldable, properly charred pies.

Fifteen years of Palestinian and Middle Eastern home cooking — fresh maneesh, proper mezze and the region's warmest hospitality.

Ontario-sourced comfort food in a big, handsome Sportsworld room — the crowd-pleaser that shows its ingredient receipts.

Korean cooking with a chef's pedigree in downtown Kitchener — house kimchi so good the grocery stores stock it.

Downtown Kitchener's cocktail saloon — serious drinks, Southern-leaning snacks and a no-reservations swagger.

The Walper Hotel's street-corner bistro — all-day dining, proper cocktails and downtown Kitchener's best people-watching.

Family-run Thai and Vietnamese cooking that outclasses its strip-mall address — the pad thai and pho locals defend loudest.

Belmont Village's white-tablecloth stalwart since 1985 — classic continental cooking and service from another, better era.

Downtown's tequila-soaked taqueria — street tacos, serious margaritas and the loudest good time on King West.

Two restaurants in an 1860s Galt bank — comfort fare and 21 Ontario taps downstairs, a hidden cocktail club upstairs.

A tiny family-run whiskey and wine bar in Hespeler Village — Canadian tapas, deep pours and grown-up conversation.

Handmade-daily pierogi, schnitzel and kielbasa — Polish comfort food that punches far above its fast-casual counter.

Thirty taps, the Paddletron sampler and an all-season beer garden on Waterloo Public Square — the region's beer HQ.

The region's legendary pho counter — self-proclaimed most famous beef noodle soup, and the locals don't argue.