Headed to the Soo this fall? You’re in luck. This city is bursting with great dining options to please just about every palette. Whether you’re in town visiting friends and family, checking out the Agawa Canyon Tour or because you’ve booked a foodie getaway, there are so many ways to get a true taste of place in Sault Ste. Marie.
Here’s our insider’s guide to some of the best places we ate, drank and snacked at on our last trip there.
Restaurants
Of course, every great food guide should start with restaurants, right? Here’s where we loved sitting down for a bite in The Soo.
The Breakfast Pig
Where: 265 Bruce St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
This Feast On® certified breakfast joint is affectionately referred to as “the pig” by locals and has some seriously bold flavours on the menu. Committed to sourcing local ingredients, you can find everything from eggs benny served on Ontario whitefish from Agawa Fisheries to savoury shakshuka served alongside to slices of sourdough toast from Home Bakehouse.
One of our notable favs? The PB & Daaaaaamn— a sweet and savoury little number that combines two slices of french toast drizzled with strawberry rhubarb jam from Thomson Farms and topped with two pieces of beer-battered chicken thighs and warm peanut butter. The whole kit and caboodle is then layered with spicy maple syrup from the folks at Irwin’s Maple Products.
Ernie’s Coffee Shop
Where: 13 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Seriously, when we tell you not to miss a visit to Ernie’s Coffee Shop, we are not messing around. This spot was hyped up to us from just about every local we met and for good reason.
Built inside a beloved 1970s diner, Ernie’s was taken over a few years ago and while the building still pays homage to that classic feel (think mini jukeboxes at your table and that milkshake bar), the menu is modern and delicious.
Changing the menu on an almost weekly basis, you can expect the freshest seasonal flavours and inventive new dishes all the time. Of course, a few favs seem to remain like their beloved pressure fried chicken but you can always expect something new too!
Just check out the menu on the chalk board at the front and make your pick. Seriously, you could throw a dart at it with your eyes closed and still hit a meal you love.
When we were there, we enjoyed the gnocchi verde topped with fresh riccotta, an asparagus lyonnaise with bacon, hard boiled eggs and cheese, a fried chicken sando, some fresh cut fries and some delightful summer cocktails to boot!
Peace Restaurant
Where: 250 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Peace Restaurant is perfect for a date night or cocktails with friends. Fairly new to The Soo’s dining scene, their menu is a fusion of Asian cuisines, offering up everything from kimchi fried rice and bao buns with braised pork belly to tuna watermelon ceviche and more. The blends of sweet, spicy, crunchy and chewy will delight almost any palette and the cool vibes inside are perfect for cozying up.
La piece de resistance? The cocktail menu. Curated thoughtfully in house, Peace Restaurant’s cocktails leave little to be desired. Our favourites include the June Sour which combines a house-made strawberry rhubarb syrup (made when both are in season), the kyoto — a lavender blueberry and sake lemonade, and the Hot Honey, a play on the classic bee’s knees cocktail but made with hot honey instead of regular.
Chummy’s Grill
Where: 262 Frontenac St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
For hit the spot eats, there is nowhere quite like Chummy’s Grill. Located on Batchewana First Nation territory, Chummy’s offers up cozy comfort foods in a woodsy setting. Home to some beautiful Indigenous carvings, you’ll have plenty to look at while you wait for your food.
So what should you order? We definitely recommend the Indian Tacos and the Growling Grizzly Burger which is topped with mozzarella, caramelized bacon, onions and a sweet maple sauce that will leave you itching for more. We topped our meal all off with some tasty pulled pork poutine and deep fried raviolis because, well why wouldn’t we?
Sunset Noodle House
Where: 133 Spring St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Sunset Noodle House is all about bringing authentic Vietnamese flavours north to Sault Ste. Marie. Full disclosure, they were closed for renovations when we were in town but they’ve since reopened their doors with an elevated menu and beautiful interior!
That being said, we did grab some take out and bring it down to Clergue Park. Let’s just say, it did not disappoint. Colourful and bright in flavour, we loved the veggie pho, pork belly bahn mi and pad Thai. We also had some crunchy shrimp chips and iced Vietnamese coffee that will certainly put a little pep in your step!
Georgie’s Shawarma
Where: 75 Elgin St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Syrian cuisine steals the show at Georgie’s Shawarma—a cozy little gem in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, perfect for grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a laid-back meal. They’re famous for their mouth-watering shawarma, but don’t be fooled—they’ve got a few more tricks up their sleeves. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this.
So, what should you dive into first? The Traditional Shawarma, of course! Picture this: slow-roasted chicken thigh, slathered in garlic sauce, snuggled up with pickled cucumber, and topped off with a pomegranate molasses that’ll make your taste buds break into song.
If you’re looking for a great plant-based option, go for the falafel wrap—four perfectly seasoned fritters, hummus, tomato, cucumber, parsley, mint, pickled turnip, tahini sauce, and a sprinkle of sumac (an absolute game-changer, if we say so ourselves). Trust us, this flavour party is not one to miss.
Craft Beers + Cider
In the mood for an adult beverage or two? You deserve it! Check out these spots.
Northern Superior Brewing
Where: 50 Pim St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON (View Map)
Nestled inside an old Ministry of Natural Resources garage, Northern Superior Brewing has beer recipes that actually date back over 100 years. With that kind of legacy and experience, the beer has to be good. Right? Right.
As we often recommend here, if it’s your first time at the brewery, consider letting your hair down a little and ordering a flight. It’s the best way to figure out what you should order more of or grab to go. We loved their flagship beer, the Northern Superior Lager for it’s clean and crisp flavour profile but if you’re feeling adventurous don’t miss out on the Northern Red Maple Irish Maple Red Ale— yum!
Thomson Farms
Where: 4057 Third Line W, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Known for their fields of pick-your-own strawberries, Thomson Farms also has a beautiful wine barn (it’s over 100 years old) and patio where you can enjoy their made-on-site fruit wines and craft ciders while overlooking a beautiful wetland.
We’re big fans of their classic hard apple cider for a dry finish and refreshing option that can satisfy cider-lovers pretty well year-round. Looking for a warm-weather option? Their strawberry cider brings the freshness of the family’s own strawberry fields right into your glass.
When you finish sipping and savouring, be sure to hop over to the farm store where you can stock up on ciders, wines, jams, fresh produce and other locally-sourced goods. Also be sure to check out their social media for exciting fall events on the farm.
Sweet Treats
Holy Cow’s Ice Cream Parlour
Where: 938 McNabb St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Love ice cream? We can’t blame you! It’s time you made a stop at Holy Cow’s Ice Cream Parlour. This adorable old-school parlour is filled with all kinds of flavours.
Made using milk from the family’s dairy farm just down the road (Lock City Dairies), Holy Cow’s serves up major happiness with every scoop. Enjoy your cone out on the patio if the weather in nice and don’t be shy about getting more than one. We dove into the Dockside Cappucino, Cookies n’ Cream (a classic) and Butterfinger Crunch.
Voyageur’s Lodge + Cookhouse
Where: ON-17, Batchawana Bay, ON. (View Map)
Okay, admittedly, this stop is actually about forty minutes north of the city but is seriously worth the road trip. Not only is the drive jaw-droppingly beautiful, the apple fritters served up here fresh and warm every day are damn good.
Head into the on-site general store to grab your fritters hot from the oven served in a no-muss, no-fuss paper bag. They are dense and heavy and the scent of cinnamony goodness will hit you first. Also, these bad boys are almost the size of your head!
Best enjoyed outdoors, grab a spot on the picnic tables out front after grabbing a cappuccino from the gift shop next door and enjoy.
The Queen’s Tarts
Where: 472 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (View Map)
Admittedly and very sadly, this stop was closed due to construction when we were in the Soo so it’s a recommendation from the kind folks at Sault Ste. Marie Tourism (hi, folks!). Known for their unreal butter tarts, they have over 30 varieties all made fresh in house. We’re planning our trip back to the Soo as we speak. How about you?
Experiences
One of the coolest ways to get to know a place is by taking part in guided experiences put on by locals. These ones happen to have some great eats along the way!
Walk Among the Trees
On day two of our trip, we joined Mario and Cheyene from Walk Among the Trees on a guided hike of Hiawatha Highlands. During this 4km hike, guides Mario and Cheyene blend their Anishinaabe culture with their love of nature as they tell stories of what it was like to grow up as well as do some Indigenous knowledge sharing. You can expect open and honest conversations as well as the space to ask questions.
Afterwards, indulge in a little snack together as you keep the conversation going. Sipping cedar tea and enjoying some bannock bites topped with sugar and dipped in a homemade wild blueberry sauce, this experience is beyond what most can offer and really is an amazing opportunity to start on your own path towards Truth and Reconciliation.
Mario and Cheyene also offer moonlit walking tours of Hiawatha Highlands and Walk n’ Paint tours as Cheyene is an artist! Book online.
Thrive Tours
Thrive Tours provides Indigenous Cultural Experiences for visitors to the Soo and locals alike that can range anything from paddling and hiking to snowshoeing in the winter and so much more.
When we visited, we were able to enjoy a paddle on Lake Huron with owner Brad Robinson, a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nations followed by dinner with him and his wife Amanda as well as a couple of their guides cooked over an open fire.
The experience started with a traditional Indigenous welcome and song, a smudging ceremony and a bit of talk about the land we were on, Brad noting that he too is a visitor here. After a paddling demo and safety talk, we hit the open waters for some great views of Lake Huron’s shoreline. The Soo is particularly special because it sits at the mouth of two Great Lakes (Superior and Huron).
Finally, for dinner, Brad and Amanda helped us cook up a feast over fire (and admittedly with the help of a mini pizza oven). We enjoyed woodfired pizza topped with Brad’s homemade tomato sauce filled with herbs from their garden, ground bison from Grand North Bison mixed with sage and maple syrup, wild rice with sage and maple syrup from Hogan’s Homestead and grilled veggies we cooked oer the fire. As the sun set over Ojibway Park and Lake Huron, it was the perfect time to reconnect on the trip.
Want to book your own experience with Thrive Tours? Head to their website!
Plan Your Getaway to the Soo
Whether you’re planning a full on foodie getaway, in town for the Agawa Canyon Tour or passing through for a sports tournament or other reason, there’s no excuse to eat at the big box stops in the Soo! With so many great places to eat, we think you’ll agree, you’re spoiled for choice.
A Perfect Pairing: Great Food + Epic Views in Sault Ste. Marie
