Best Restaurants in Thunder Bay to Fuel Your Adventures
Thunder Bay is best known for its outdoor wonders, from mighty waterfalls to clifftop hikes. But you’ll be surprised by its food scene that’s just as diverse as its landscapes. Restaurants in Thunder Bay span everything from local comfort food to global cuisine.
As an everyday foodie, I love digging into a place’s local food scene. After nearly a 10 between my last visit, I was delighted to discover a diverse range of places to eat in Thunder Bay. Options include Italian to Thai as well as local favourites, like Finnish pancakes. And I love that many restaurants utilize local growers in their dishes.
In this guide I’m sharing where to eat during your Thunder Bay trip as well as what to order.
Let’s dig in!
The Nook
With Italian roots, it’s no surprised I love finding a good Italian restaurant and The Nook is one of the best I’ve been to in a long while.
Located in the historic Italian neighbourhood, The Nook serves up a bellissimo Italian menu! Best known for their classic handmade pizzas and pastas, they also have salads and Italian sandwiches for lunch.
The vibe is sleek and modern with an airy feel, making it a great spot for a girl’s night out or date night. Plus, I love their two-tiered patio with red umbrellas for dining in the summer.
In addition to everything being made from scratch, I loved learning that they work with a variety of Northwestern Ontario producers. They utilize produce and items from Agostino Deli, DeBruin’s Greenhouses, Maltese Grocery, and Northwest Gourmet Mushrooms, all from Thunder Bay.
Insider Tip: If you’re hoping to eat at the Nook on a Monday, make a reservation or be prepared to wait. It’s one of a very few restaurants in Thunder Bay that are open on a Monday, so it can get busy.
What to order? The pizzas at The Nook are the most popular but you can’t go wrong with a pasta dish. I loved the Rigatoni Arrabiata!
Where? (View Map)
Rooster’s Bistro
Every time I visit Thunder Bay I eat at Rooster’s Bistro! If you’re looking for the best breakfast restaurants in Thunder Bay – Rooster’s Bistro is the one!
For over 20 years, since 2002, the Rooster’s Bistro has been a beloved breakfast spot in the city. And the best part is that there is something for everyone.
The Rooster’s Bistro menu has a range of items, from different eggs benedict to pancakes. And there are options for vegetarians, vegan and those who need gluten free.
But before you go in – don’t miss the red rooster on the ground in front of the building! And be prepared to find a ton more inside!
What to order? For a hearty meal, order the Big Breakfast! It comes with two eggs, toast, home fries, and a choice of bacon, ham or sausage as well as choice of Finnish pancakes, French toast or waffles!
Where? (View Map)
Hoito
Hoito is known for their iconic Finnish pancakes, one of the must-try foods in Thunder Bay!
Sadly, the historic Finnish Labour Temple, with the famous Hoito restaurant in the basement, burnt down between my last two visits. I’m so glad I was able to experience this iconic Thunder Bay place.
But you can still enjoy the Hoito Finnish pancakes at the one of Thunder Bay’s hidden gems – the Thunder Bay Country Market!
On the ground floor of the Thunder Bay Country Market Hoito has a small kitchen serving up their iconic pancakes. You can enjoy them fresh and dine at one of the tables. Or you can grab one of their bags of pancake mix to bring home.
What to order? The iconic Finnish pancakes of course!
Where? (View Map)
Coco Bay Restaurant
If you’re looking for one of the best new restaurants in Thunder Bay then head to Coco Bay.
Coco Bay Restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese food that’s made fresh daily and many dishes made to order. Believe me, the food is worth the wait!
You’ll find classic dishes on the menu like ramen and Pad Thai as well as a mix of others. A couple of the most popular dishes include their General Tao Chicken, bún thịt nướng and Pad Thai
What to order? I ordered the General Tao Chicken and a friend and I shared their spring rolls which are huge! I highly recommend both.
Where? (View Map)
Masala Grill
If you’re looking for the best Indian food in Thunder Bay then head to Masala Grill!
I love that the restaurant is located in a converted stately home. And as soon as you walk in, you’ll smell the sweet spices. I also loved the attention to detail with all the décor, like the stunning ornate cabinet in the entrance as well as wood carvings and elephant statues.
You’ll find all the classics Indian dishes as well as a few Thai ones on their menu. A couple of their most popular items include butter chicken and the pakoras. And I can attest – the pakoras were delicious!
What to order? Order a plate of pakoras to start and I really enjoyed the Vegetable Biryani.
Where? (View Map)
Thai Kitchen
A great downtown Thunder Bay restaurant is Thai Kitchen!
Behind the unassuming exterior is a vibrant Thai vibe inside with high ceilings and unique Asian décor. Right next to our table were two large dragon statues!
The menu at Thai Kitchen has all the beloved dishes like stir fries, soups, noodles, curry and salads too. Plus, they serve up some amazing drinks, from cocktails to bubble tea.
We ate at Thai Kitchen after a full day hiking the Top of the Giant trail in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. In need of a hearty meal after an all-day hike, I loved the Pad Krapow with all the peppers and green beans.
One thing to note is that it gets busy for dinner, even on a Thursday after 7pm. We lucked out and got a table right away but it looked like those waiting didn’t have to wait for long.
What to order? I really enjoyed the Pad Krapow and my friend had the spring rolls, which she said were really good.
Where? (View Map)
Giorg Cucina e Barra
If you’re looking for a fine dining restaurant in Thunder Bay then make a reservation for Giorg Cucina e Barra.
Since 1987 this restaurant has been a staple in the city and celebrated for their homemade pasta. And it’s yet another women-owned business!
With an intimate dining room, open kitchen and elegant design, it’s great for date nights, celebrations or when you simply want a great Italian meal.
In addition to their in-house made pasta, desserts are made from scratch. And they utilize local farms and producers to create seasonal dishes for a fabulous farm to fork meal.
We started with one of their fun cocktails, there’s plenty on the menu, but I ordered the special one for the day that was their take on a Moscow mule.
As a carb girl, I love that in true traditional Italian style, they bring complementary bread to the table before dinner. While I didn’t fill up, it was tempting, I wanted to save room for my Fettuccine alla Giorg.
Their pasta dishes come in half or full portion sizes. I’m glad I went with the full but if I had an appetizer, a half would have been perfect.
What to order? I recommend starting with one of their fun cocktails and I enjoyed the Fettuccine alla Giorg!
Where? (View Map)
Places to Eat in Thunder Bay for a Quick Bite
The Sweet North
Beyond all the great restaurants, there are also a number of great cafes and bakeries for those looking for a quick bite to eat or take away.
In addition to being one of the best coffee shops in Thunder Bay, the Sweet North serves up some tasty treats.
They started with selling their now famous pretzels at the Thunder Bay Country Market and now have two brick and mortar locations in opposite sides of the city.
Beyond their popular pretzels, that are made from scratch daily, they sell sandwiches and baked goods. And be sure to grab one of their lattes! They just dropped their fall menu during my visit so I tried their Pumpkin Pie Latte which was perfect!!
What to order? I highly recommend one of their fresh pretzels! I tried their cheese and herb one and it was amazing with the cheese melting over the top. Plus, grab one of the delicious massive cookies.
Swell Bakery
Another must visit bakery is Swell! This women-owned and operated bakery is a popular spot for sensational small batch baked goods.
Using quality ingredients to create everything from fresh bread to sweet and savoury baked goods, there’s no surprise there’s often a line up every morning!
A few great choices include their various croissants, cookies, and their savoury breakfast items – like a bacon and egg or spinach and feta croissant. While they have a few staples, their menu does change.
It’s a perfect spot for grab and go items if you’re heading out for a hike.
What to order? I highlight recommend an almond croissant – it was the best I’ve EVER had. And it’s my go to baked good item, so it’s safe to say I’ve had A LOT of them!
Looking for More Thunder Bay Posts?
Best Things to do in Thunder Bay
Unique Things to do & Hidden Gems in Thunder Bay
Guide to Hiking Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
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