If you ask us, Sault Ste. Marie has some of the best views in the whole province. Sweeping, crystal clear waters from Lake Superior, epic sunsets on Lake Huron and loads of waterfront dining along the St Marys River mean you’re never far from a beautiful vista.
Our Favourite Food + View Pairings
On top of that, savoury eats and delicious sweet treats also call this sliver of the province home and can’t be missed. So? We’ve paired up our favourites in both categories for the ultimate pairing of great food and epic views.
Want to skip ahead? No worries.
- Apple Fritters + Pancake Bay Provincial Park
- Georgie’s Shawarma + Clergue Park
- Bannock Bites + Hiawatha Park
- Sunset Noodle House + Bellevue Park
- Craft Beer + St Marys River Views
Apple Fritters + Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Where: Voyageurs’ Lodge, ON-17, Batchawana Bay, ON.(View Map) ; Pancake Bay Provincial Park, 12729 Hwy 17N, Batchawana Bay, ON. (View Map)
Just forty minutes north of the city in Batchawana Bay, you’ll find some of the province’s best apple fritters. We mean it too! The Voyageurs’ Lodge is known for their fritters. They come warm and fresh, straight from the oven every day. Grab a bag of the classic donuts and you’ll find yourself unable to stop.
Heavy in the bag and nice and dense, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how fluffy they still are inside. Covered in sugar coating and full of appley goodness, you will not regret this pilgrimage out of the city.
The drive out here is unforgettable too as you cruise along the shores of Lake Superior, past spots like Chippewa Falls. We even saw a bald eagle along the way!
Voyageurs’ Lodge is actually located on the original voyageur paddling route from the fur trade and was also the location of an apparent yeti sighting by multiple people in the 1970s! You can read more about that here. We recommend grabbing a coffee and pursuing the store then grabbing a seat on the picnic tables outside to enjoy.
About five minutes down the road, Pancake Bay Provincial Park offers a quiet, fairly white sand beach with waters that look downright Mediterranean (although spoiler, they are much colder).
Situated right on Lake Superior in a location that was actually captured by the Group of Seven, this beach is quiet and on a clear day you can barely tell where water ends and sky begins. We highly recommend grabbing a day pass from the park office and enjoying a considerable amount of time here.
Georgie’s Shawarma + Clergue Park
Where: Georgie’s Shawarma, 75 Elgin St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map); Clergue Park, Bay St & East St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON.(View Map)
Georgie’s Shawarma in Sault Ste. Marie specializes in authentic and flavourful Syrian cuisine and damn is it ever good. Their signature dish is (you guessed it) chicken shawarma marinated in house and wrapped in a fluffy Saj bread that will make your mouth water. They’re also home to some other great dishes like Za’atar manakeesh, a house made bread with all kinds of herbs and spices and falafel fritters.
We opted for the traditional shawarma, untraditional shawarma ( with garlic sauce, hummus, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickled turnip, and cucumber) and a falafel wrap with bright pickled onions and sumac.
You can definitely eat inside Georgie’s and enjoy the cozy atmosphere but on a nice day, don’t resist the urge to take in The Soo’s extensive waterfront! We ordered our wraps to go and took them down to Clergue Park where you can sit in lush grass or on a picnic table and enjoy the views of the St. Marys River. Watch as boats drive by and folks do yoga in the park. Most importantly, take in that stunning view as you bite your way through your dish!
Bannock Bites + Hiawatha Park
Where: A Walk Among the Trees Tour of Hiawatha Park, 780 Landslide Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Walk Among the Trees is an Indigenous-owned and led tour company in The Soo that makes for the perfect addition to any trip there. Led by Mario and Cheyenne, their Hiawatha Park tour takes you through the stunning grounds to a small waterfall on site.
As you climb, Mario and Cheyenne will talk about their family’s heritage including the history of residential schools as well as their work preserving their history for future generations. They’ve created a safe space to ask questions and learn from their expansive knowledge and passion for sharing.
After your walk, continue the conversation as you enjoy some bannock bites (round pieces of fry bread in cinnamon sugar) alongside steaming mugs of cedar tea and Cheyenne’s own blueberry sauce (depending on the season). This sauce is made from wild blueberries picked by her family north of Sault Ste. Marie. Nothing sparks a conversation like great food and we think you’ll agree this will have you feeling relaxed and welcome.
You can book experiences with Walk Among the Trees through their website and discover some of the other great tours they offer!
Sunset Noodle House + Bellevue Park
Where: Sunset Noodle House, 133 Spring St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map); Bellevue Park, Sault Ste. Marie (View Map)
Sunset Noodle House is all about the joy of eating authentic Vietnamese food! Their menu boasts a whole host of dishes worth slurping and savouring including their Bánh Mì Cá Nuong (pork belly) sandwich which comes with crispy bits of pork belly slathered in tangy goodness, their colourful pad Thai and all kinds of pho.
We recommend pairing that meal with some Vietnamese iced coffees to add a little extra zing to your day!
When we were there, the restaurant was under renovation so we got our meal to go and took it down to Bellevue Park for views of the St. Marys River. We sipped our coffees in giant Muskoka chairs and basked in the sun.
However, since our visit, Sunset Noodle House has undergone a beautiful renovation so if you decide to dine in, you’re sure to have a great experience as well!
Craft Beer + St. Marys River Views
Where: Northern Superior Brewing Company, 50 Pim St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Sip on craft beer made with recipes that are over 100 years old! Built inside an old MNR garage, this brewery has become one of the beating hearts of The Soo and serves up refreshing pints for beer lovers and those just getting into the craft scene alike. It’s a great place to gather with friends and try something new.
We loved their Northern Lights all natural light-pilsner as well as their best-seller— the Northern Superior Lager. Both are refreshing and crisp but if you want to really get a sense of the range of beers crafted here, we recommend opting for a flight. Pair that up with their in-house charcuterie board for an ideal afternoon snack.
Looking for those views? Head up to the brewery’s rooftop patio at night to set your sights on the Soo’s downtown in all its lit up glory alongside boats cruising down the river. It’s pretty spectacular.
Start Planning Your Trip to the Soo
Whether you’re looking for a warm summer getaway, a fall escape full of colour or even a winter excursion, it’s never too early to start planning! Check out itinerary for three delicious days here.
