AUTHOR BIO: New York–born Mia Brown began reviewing restaurants in college and kept at it while traveling for a government job. She’s partial to poutine without cheese curds and La Fin Du Monde.
I used to come to Kitchener for work, the kind of trips where you dart between meetings and live off Tim Horton’s and gas station granola bars. Somewhere along the way I realized the city was more than spreadsheets and hotel conference rooms.
These days I return with my kids, trading deadlines for hikes along the Grand River and kayaking trips that leave us dripping and laughing. In all those years of coming back, I’ve watched Kitchener’s restaurant scene transform—what once felt like a sleepy town now reads like a vibrant vacation spot, full of chef-driven restaurants and ambitious kitchens that could sit comfortably in any major city.
Here are the places I keep coming back to, my favorite restaurants in Kitchener right now.
Arabesque Family Restaurant
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Arabesque has been serving shawarma long before every strip mall in Ontario tried to. The platters come piled with spit-roasted chicken or beef, fluffy pita, and hummus so creamy it threatens to upstage the meat. Regulars know to add the garlic sauce—sharp enough to linger—and to save room for a slab of house-baked baklava at the end.
Best for: Classic Middle Eastern shawarma done right
Borealis Grille & Bar
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Borealis is the kind of place that practically waves an Ontario flag at you the second you sit down. The beef in the burger comes from just up the road, the perch on the plate is out of Lake Erie, and even the beer taps are a roll call of local breweries. It’s not gimmickry—it’s proof that eating close to home can taste just as indulgent as anything shipped in from afar.
Best for: A proudly Ontario meal, pint included
Charcoal Steakhouse
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A Kitchener landmark since the 1950s, Charcoal Steakhouse has the swagger of a place that knows its prime rib and filet mignon are the draw. Steaks come seared over live charcoal, with lobster tails and shrimp skewers waiting for those who like surf with their turf. The room feels retro in the best way—dim lighting, leather booths, and the sense that you’re part of a long local tradition every time you sit down.
Best for: Old-school steakhouse classics done right
Chef Won’s Kitchen
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The newest spot to land on King Street East, Chef Won’s marries sushi with Korean dishes. Rolls arrive dressed in kimchi and chili heat, nigiri gets unexpected toppings, and the small plates wander between Seoul and Tokyo. The signature dish, gamjatang (pork bone soup), is warming and spicy in all the best ways.
Best for: Sushi with a Korean kick in a buzzy new space
Janet Lynn's Bistro
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A fixture for decades, Janet Lynn’s feels like the place Kitchener grew up dining in—attentive service, a long wine list, and a kitchen that never phones it in. Chef and owner Nelson Zepeda’s menu ranges from duck confit to steaks, with sauces that remind you why French technique still matters. It’s the spot for anniversaries and birthdays, the kind of dining room where the servers remember your name if you’ve been twice.
Best for: Old-school fine dining with staying power
Lancaster Smokehouse
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If you’ve ever doubted whether Southern barbecue could survive north of the border, Lancaster will answer that question after the first bite of brisket. Chef Chris Corrigan’s team smokes meat low and slow, turning out ribs, pulled pork, and fried chicken sandwiches that draw lines down Bridgeport Road. The room still feels like the Polish hall it once was, which only adds to the charm when you’re elbow-deep in sauce.
Best for: Authentic Southern barbecue with Canadian roots
Odd Duck
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The name might suggest whimsy, but Odd Duck is one of the region’s sharpest new kitchens, where the menu changes constantly with whatever’s fresh and in season. Small plates let you graze—one night it might be pork belly with maple glaze, another roasted beets with whipped feta and pistachio. It’s casual in vibe but serious in intent, the sort of place you can tell the chefs are having fun and you’re lucky to be along for it.
Best for: Inventive small plates in a playful setting
Pierogi House
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What began as a family-run shop for Polish comfort food has turned into one of Kitchener’s most reliable cravings. The pierogis come boiled or fried, stuffed with potato and cheese, sauerkraut, or meat, and they land on the table with sour cream and fried onions just like they should. Add in cabbage rolls or schnitzel if you’re hungry, but it’s those dumplings that keep the regulars coming back.
Best for: Pierogis that taste like someone’s babcia made them
Public Kitchen & Bar
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Chef Ryan Murphy and co-owner Carly Blasutti have turned Public into one of Kitchener’s most consistent kitchens, the kind of place where the menu reads like a passport. One night it might be Korean fried chicken with gochujang, another it’s handmade pasta with seasonal vegetables, and always there’s a focus on local farms and bold flavors. The room is casual enough for a weeknight, but the cooking has the polish of a special-occasion dinner.
Best for: Chef-driven plates in a laid-back setting
Red Ginger Modern Thai and Viet
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Red Ginger leans into bold Southeast Asian flavors with a confidence that’s earned it a loyal following. Curries come layered with heat and coconut, stir-fries land bright with lemongrass, and the pho is rich enough to rival anything in the region. The dining room is simple, but the plates carry a punch that makes it a destination beyond the neighborhood.
Best for: Big, unapologetic Thai and Vietnamese flavors
Sushi Star
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Now in a new space on King Street East, Sushi Star is less about atmosphere and more about how far the chefs can push a sushi roll. The menu stretches from classic nigiri to indulgent creations layered with tempura, spicy mayo, and enough crunch to fill a stadium. It’s the sort of place where you don’t worry about restraint—you order the platter and let the table fight over the last piece.
Best for: Over-the-top sushi rolls with friends who don’t mind sharing
TWH Social
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Down in the Walper Hotel’s basement, TWH Social feels like a cross between a lounge and a dinner party that runs late. The menu covers everything from fish and chips to wood-oven pizzas, with cocktails sharp enough to remind you this is still very much a bar. It’s lively without being chaotic, the sort of place where you might start with happy hour and realize you’ve accidentally stayed for dessert.
Best for: Cocktails and dinner in one stylish stop
