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Saskatoon Prairie and Saskatoon restaurants

Saskatoon restaurants, Saskatchewan terroir

Luxury travel blog » Places to Travel » North America Travel » Canada Travel » Saskatchewan » Saskatoon restaurants, Saskatchewan terroir
May 27, 2016 by Carol Perehudoff

This post may contain affiliate links.

Are you heading to the Canadian prairie province of Saskatchewan? Looking for Saskatoon restaurants that offer a true local experience? From hemp bread to aged silver ribeye, here’s where to savour some superb Saskatchewan terroir.

Saskatchewan field

 

Saskatoon restaurants, Saskatchewan terroir

It’s official. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a prairie city in Canada’s midwest, has become a culinary destination. BECAUSE THERE IS STUFF HERE TO MAKE FOOD OUT OF. So when it comes to local products, locavore love and all that same old, same old, Saskatoon restaurants are same new, same new because Saskatchewan grows unique things.

Did you know? Up to 80% of the world’s mustard seed exports come from the prairies. That means France imports mustard seeds from Saskatchewan. Take that, Dijon!

So. Next time you eat a bite of a hot dog slathered with mustard, know that you are very likely eating Saskatchewan, because like wine, mustard’s flavour is affected by its terroir – the soil and particular conditions it grows in.

AND SASKATCHEWAN’S TERROIR IS DELICIOUS.

Saskatoon Prairie and Saskatoon restaurants

 

Saskatoon restaurants – Where to find the mustard – Ayden Kitchen & Bar

If  there is one eatery that continues to get all the buzz, it’s the award-winning Saskatoon restaurant, Ayden Kitchen & Bar. Helmed by celebrity chef, Dale Mackay, the original Top Chef Canada winner, Ayden is big on local ingredients, rich in quality meat (they grind their own beef) and high on urban chic. Get your fill of homegrown mustard with the in-house-made Charcuterie Platter.

Ayden Kitchen & Bar Saskatoon food scene
Ayden Kitchen & Bar, Photo provided by Tourism Saskatoon

 

But bring back the asparagus

The first time I went to Ayden I had the Grilled Local Asparagus with Fried Egg, Bacon & Shallot Vinaigrette and Caper Aioli. I’ve been drooling over it ever since. The next time I was in Saskatoon I returned, filled with asparagus dreams, but it wasn’t on the menu. Instead I was forced to eat the 10 oz Aged Silver Ribeye, which (almost) replaced asparagus in my heart.

Saskatoon restaurants, Aydens asparagus
I won’t forget you!

 

Ayden Kitchen & Bar  Address: 265 3rd Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Reservations: Telephone: 1-306-954-2590

Saskatoon restaurants Saskatchewan terroir prairie field

 

Let’s talk Saskatoon wheat!

Golden waving fields and grain elevators may be a Saskatchewan cliche, and not the sexy foodie image Saskatoon wants to portray, but I say if you’ve got it, wave it like a Saskatchewan flag. Saskatchewan is still the largest producer of wheat in Canada and one of the largest in the world, supplying 10% of the world’s wheat exports.

So. When Saskatoon says freshly-baked bread, it means fresh.

Saskatoon restaurants to eat bread at

A classic: It may be more of a kiosk than a restaurant but the Doukhobor booth at the Saskatoon EX in August always has the best bread ever. EVER.

Saskatoon restaurants, Little Bird
Little Bird

 

Little Bird Patisserie & Cafe

Hip and trendy, yet traditionally French: Little Bird Patisserie makes croissants that will make you cry. Your thighs will grow huge. It’s worth it. Little Bird is located in the revitalized neighbourhood of Riverdale, the area around 20th Street West that’s been written about as the happening new area in Saskatoon for the last 10 years, but now actually is.

Address:  258 Ave B South, just off 20th Street, Saskatoon.

Dorothy Knowles Saskatchewan prairie painting
Prairie painting by Dorothy Knowles

 

Taking the pulse pulses of Saskatchewan. Because it has more than one.

Saskatchewan grows more lentils, beans, peas, and other dried-legume-y type produce than you could possibly stuff into a thousand trendy food trucks. This means that the best Saskatoon restaurants provide locavores (people who are passionate about locally-grown produce) with enough healthy comfort food to sustain them through one thousand and one frosty nights.

The Hollows restaurant, Saskatoon restaurants
The Hollows, Photo provided by Tourism Saskatoon

 

Saskatoon restaurants to take your pulses at

The Hollows restaurant offers dishes such as Saskatchewan chickpeas, hummus, kalamata and fried bread; and Saskatchewan quinoa, lentils, tomato, greens, poached farm egg and ricotta – or just opt for some hemp sourdough bread.

FYI: I meant to eat at The Hollows, and would have loved to because they also have bone marrow on the menu, and I would travel across the province for bone marrow, but I didn’t end up eating here (long story) so don’t blame me if your chickpeas aren’t delectable. Next trip I’ll check it out for myself.
The Hollows. Address: 334 Avenue C S, Saskatoon, SK S7M 1N4, Canada
Reservations: 1 306-652-1505

Saskatoon restaurants, Saskatoon berry pie
Saskatoon Berry pie, Photo provided by Tourism Saskatoon

 

Move over Saskatoon berry. Haskap is all the rage in Saskatchewan (and Japan).

You may have heard of the mighty Saskatoon berry, which looks like a blueberry but is actually more closely related to the apple, but haskap is the new ‘It’ berry – you might even say it’s the Cara Delevingne of berries (and if you don’t know who this bad-girl supermodel is, you really have to start reading In Touch Magazine).

Haskap, deep purple berries native to the boreal forest might be ugly, resembling tiny deflated footballs or possibly purple misshapen elf toes, but they’re a tough and hardy berry.

Saskatchewan antioxidants

Haskap berries can weather -45 degree Celsius temperatures, so by eating them we will grasp all their inner hardiness and become strong ourselves. What? It’s more scientific than that? Fine. Haskap berries have Vitamin C, antioxidants, anthocyanins, polyphenols and bioflavanoids. Satisfied? No? Okay, they taste good, like a cross between, um, other berries such as blueberry, black current and raspberry.

Note: The maritime province of Nova Scotia may be slightly ahead of Saskatchewan in the Haskap world domination race, but this landlocked prairie province is roaring up behind it like a chuck wagon raising dust.

Saskatoon travel, Broadway bridge

 

Where to try haskap berries in the prairies

In liqueur. Lucky Bastard Distillers makes a Haskap Liqueur. (I’m sure Cara Delevingne would approve.) They also make a Saskatoon Berry Liqueur if you’re a traditionalist. Tours and tastings are available onsite, and the website even promises that you can “stick your nose in a bunghole,” which almost makes me not want to go, but the promise of haskap would still lure me on.

Lucky Bastard Distillers Address: 1925 Ave B North, Saskatoon

LB Distillers Saskatoon restaurants and distilleries
LB Distillers Tourism Saskatoon/CONCEPTS Photography

 

So there you have it, some of the best Saskatoon restaurants, distilleries and artisanal cafes. Of course there are many more food fantastic places to visit. In fact, according to the Tourism Saskatoon website, Saskatoon has more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Canada. I leave you with a quick list of some favourites.

(Do you have more to add? Leave them in the comments below.)

 

Other Saskatoon restaurants and delicious destinations of note

Little Grouse on the Prairie

Getting rave reviews for dishes such as Ricotta di Campagna with sage butter and Tagliati di Manzo with balsamic, arugula and pine nuts, Little Grouse on the Prairie is one of the newest restaurants to grace the Saskatoon culinary scene. Address: 167 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon. Reservations: 306-979-0100. Open for dinner only.

Shift Restaurant

The Remai Modern art museum is the biggest thing to hit the Saskatchewan since the … um, Saskatoon berry. Shift, the Remai’s restaurant is part of the Oliver Bonacini family of restaurants from Ontario but takes its Saskatoon locale seriously, keeping its roots in Canadian cuisine and embracing local staples such as perogies and Deifenbaker trout. (Er, I’ve actually never heard of Deifenbaker trout. I guess it comes from Lake Deifenbaker.) Anyways, the restaurant is light and airy, the surrounding are avant garde and airy and it’s got a nice riverbank setting.

The Odd Couple restaurant

My friend Kelly took me to The Odd Couple last time I was in Saskatoon. It’s a casual Riverdale restaurant with stylish Asian food. No artificial M.S.G. or flavour additives. Address: 228 20 St W, Saskatoon, Canada. Reservations: 1 306-668-8889

Saskatoon restaurants, Farmers Market

 

Saskatoon Farmers’ Market

You can’t mention local produce, Saskatchewan terroir or Saskatoon restaurants without mentioning the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. Here you can get your rhubarb wine from Living Sky Winery in Perdue; your Stellar Gourmet Mushrooms grown sustainably on organic substrates; and your Golden Prairie wild boar. Open year round (yes, even on those cold frosty days), the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is a hub of the homegrown – a locavore-lovers locale offering a top taste of terroir. (I know I’m overdoing the alliteration, but Saskatoon cuisine brings out the bad poet in me – maybe it will in you, too!)

Best days to go Wednesday: 10:00 – 3:00; Saturday: 8:00 – 2:00; Sunday: 10:00 – 3:00 Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. Address: 414 Avenue B South Saskatoon.

Travelling to Saskatoon? For more info on Saskatoon restaurants and travel ideas visit the Tourism Saskatoon website.

Where to stay in Saskatoon

I like the classic chateau-style Delta Bessborough, while others rave about The James Hotel Saskatoon. You can check prices and get other options here:



Booking.com

Read more about Canada: My Top Places to Visit in Canada blog post.

Category: Culinary Tourism, Saskatchewan

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 30 writing awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she’s written for top travel publications around the globe.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol Perehudoff

    What???? Truffles is gone? A blow to the Saskatoon food scene for sure. Thanks for the update.

  2. Annie

    Sadly, Truffles has closed and it was one of my favourites!

  3. Molly.Minton

    I am legitimately going to use this when I am up there this summer. I never know where to eat!

  4. Lindsay | Carpe Diem OUR Way

    wow i never knew that Saskatoon would be known as a food town! but next time i am there, i will check out the croissants! i have never had any that have matched those of Paris or French Polynesia, but hopefully these come close!

  5. Buddy The Traveling Monkey

    It’s too bad about the asparagus. I know it sucks when you’re dying to have something, only to find out they don’t have it anymore. Good thing you were able to replace it with something that was almost as delicious! ;)

  6. Carol Perehudoff

    Oh, the Berry Barn is a good one, Sabina – especially if you like pie.

  7. binabug

    I”m surprised the berry barn isnt on there

  8. Carol Perehudoff

    Thanks, Arlene.

  9. Nisha

    It’s dinner time here and looking at these photos, I am so hungry now !
    Fresh eggs, and vegetables, salads always make me happy. These dishes look so delicious!

  10. Rosemary

    Ohh…Saskatoon cuisine, that sounds absolutely delicious. The berries, asparagus and the little known fact about mustard. Need to go beyond Toronto on my next trip to Canada. Great read!

  11. arzotravels

    I just recently heard from that region for the first time (from a travel blogger who is from there). Canada is on my list, so I might stop by :)

  12. melody pittman

    Saskatoon is really lovely. Pretty sure I have never seen a post about it but what a cool place to visit. Grilled Local Asparagus with Fried Egg, Bacon & Shallot Vinaigrette and Caper Aioli…holy smokes that sounds fabulous.

  13. Its A Travelful Life (@atravelfullife)

    Those macaroons!!!! I love a good patisserie, who doesn’t? I’m moving to Victoria, BC in August and hoping to explore all that Canada has to offer so will definitely keep Saskatchewan in mind ☺

  14. Sue Reddel

    Wow! I had no idea Saskatchewan had so many terrific food offerings. I’d have to try that grilled asparagus with bacon dish – I’m drolling over it right now!

  15. Rebecca

    Nice article…and here I thought I knew all about Saskatoon cuisine! I have much to learn and much to eat. I also love the farmer’s market. It beats the farmer’s markets I’ve been to in Chicago.

  16. Giulia Blocal

    I’ve never tried haskap berries but, looking at the picture of the cake at the Hollows, they must be delicious. I like that restaurant, btw… it looks very trendy!

  17. Catherine Fowler

    As a faithful weekly shopper at the farmer’s market I am happy to see it included in this article. Fresh eggs, lettuce, and the best carrots anywhere keep me going back. The homemade yogurt, scones, meat pies, safe beef, cucumbers, peppers, and multicultural treats, are so delicious!

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