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Looking for places to eat & drink in Saskatoon? As a travelling foodie, I was on a mission to explore Saskatoon’s culinary scene, from restaurants and bars to specialty food & drinks and unique experiences.
Welcome to Saskatoon, the largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada, often referred to as the “Paris of the Prairies” and “City of Bridges” due to its nine river crossings.
With an average of 2,380.8 hours of sunshine per year, Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in Canada.
Known for its picturesque riverbanks, rich history, and very friendly locals, Saskatoon is also a gem for food enthusiasts looking to explore Canada’s culinary offerings.
In fact, the city is named after the sweet, violet-colored Saskatoon berry, derived from the Cree word “misâskwatômina,” which also reflects its rich Indigenous heritage.
In a culinary project with Discover Saskatoon, I travelled from Toronto to Saskatoon and went #Saskatooning for 5 days, tasting my way in S’toon while learning from chefs, restaurateurs, farmers and entrepreneurs that make its culinary scene so vibrant.
We’re featuring some of the best places to eat & drink in Saskatoon I had the chance to visit in this travel guide.
What Makes Saskatoon’s Food & Drink Scene Special
There is so much to love about Saskatoon’s culinary scene. In chatting with local chefs, restaurateurs, farmers and entrepreneurs, these are the pillars to Saskatoon’s culinary scene that makes it so special.
Agriculture
With nearly 50% of Canada’s farmland in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon’s fertile land and agricultural roots support a rich and diverse culinary culture, focused on farm-to-table dining and locally sourced ingredients.
Meewasin conserves the natural resources of the 6,700 hectares of the Meewasin Valley which benefits and contributes to Saskatoon’s agriculture through supported crop production.
Arlie LaRoche from Farm One Forty, who does regenerative and holistic farming and livestock management at her 140-acre farm, says they “only sell locally to encourage people to shop local so that people know the farmer personally and make a connection to their food.”
Winter
A consensus among chefs like Chef Christie Peters (Primal and Pop Wine Bar) and Chef Brian Gibbons (Odla) is that Saskatoon’s long winter is a major factor in its culinary scene.
According to Chef Christie Peters, “cold weather makes people want to eat good food and drinks all the time” in Saskatoon, similar to why the city has great art and music scene.
“The cold weather keeps people sharp and pushes creativity because it’s a matter of survival.”
Community
One thing I definitely noticed while exploring Saskatoon is how friendly people were and the restaurant industry, in particular, is a tight knit community.
Chef Christie Peters of Primal and Pop Wine Bar says, “Back in the day when people would come here, they would rely on the community to help each other. Because on a cold winter day, if you run out of something, you’re going to die so you need to rely on each other. That’s why Saskatoon is such a good community.”
All of the chefs and restaurateurs are friends. They rely on everyone. They share information and share products.
University
Chef Brian Gibbons of Odla says having the University of Saskatchewan adds to the younger demographic of Saskatoon, which keeps the culinary scene ever changing, creative and evolving.
The university’s programs in food and agriculture also helps shape the culinary scene especially with the innovation coming out of the programs.
Diversity
Immigrants and the university brought diversity to HUB City.
According to Chef Diana Gray of Botte Persian Cafe, “diversity helped changed people’s palate which helped shape the food scene of Saskatoon.”
She recalled how 25 years ago, she had introduced avocado at their restaurant, and people were disinterested.
Now, people are willing and excited to try new flavours and foods and even seek out new places to eat & drink in Saskatoon and explore dishes they’ve found online or through research.
Outside Training & Hometown Love
An interesting aspect of Saskatoon’s culinary scene is the chefs and restaurateurs love for their hometown.
A lot of the local chefs travelled outside to learn, work and train at some of the best restaurants in Canada and the world, got better at their craft and then returned to Saskatoon to execute and share what they’ve learned by either working at a restaurant or opening their own.
Brian Gibbons, who is the head chef at Odla, staged at Mallard Cottage, one of Canada’s Best Restaurants in St. John’s, NL.
Fashion model turned chef owner of Primal and Pop Wine Bar, Christie Peters staged at Vancouver hot spot, Feenie’s by Iron Chef America winner Rob Feenie.
She also worked for 3.5 months at one of the world’s best restaurants, Noma by 3 Michelin Star chef René Redzepi, to learn preservation skills at their Fermentation Lab because Saskatoon has long winters and short growing season so most things are preserved.
A Saskatoon restaurant in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2024, Hearth is helmed by co-owners and chefs Beth Rogers and Thayne Robstad who left Saskatoon to work in Vancouver and Toronto before going back to home to start their own local restaurant.
Best Places To Eat & Drink in Saskatoon
Saskatoon has one of the highest restaurants per capita in Canada so it can be hard to decide where to eat & drink.
In this section, I’m featuring some of the best places to eat and drink in Saskatoon, from local favourites and Canada’s best restaurants & bars to local gems and culinary experiences.
Quick food guide video is also on Instagram here.
Saskatoon Breakfast and Cafes
To start your day, here are some of the local breakfast & brunch restaurants and cafes in Saskatoon, in alphabetical order.
Hometown Diner
Located in Riversdale, Hometown Diner is a beloved brunch spot serving all-day breakfast and lunch in a nice homey vibe.
Known for its hearty portions and made-from-scratch dishes using ingredients from seasonal and local suppliers, here you can start your day big with their Hometown Burger and Brekkie Bun (a breakfast sandwich) or healthy like the Avo Toast and Berries + Granola.
Keep an eye out on the chalkboard for flavours of their fresh-made donuts daily. The banana cream pie donut is delicious!
Website / Address: 210 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W9
Pique
Opened by Chef Taszia Thakur of Calories, Pique is a coffee shop and bakery serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch with all locally sourced ingredients from beef and chicken to eggs and flour.
Through a big glass open area while in line to order, you’ll get to see their fresh bread and baked goods being made by pastry chefs using only 100 per cent organic, Saskatchewan grown and milled flours.
Pique was my favourite spot for breakfast in Saskatoon. Everything I ordered here hit the spot.
The Pique Croissant Sandwich was flaky, buttery and soft, and came with a perfectly made sunny-side farm egg.
The Schmoo doughnut was one of the best doughnuts I’ve had, and I didn’t even know what Schmoo was prior, which apparently is a famous cake in Western Canada made with whipped cream, caramel sauce and pecans.
The pillowy and creamy doughnut paired well with a mean cortado.
And if you’re craving sandwiches, I highly recommend the Beef au Poivre which has a tender and flavourful thick-cut brisket on their homemade baguette.
1) Schmoo Doughnut
2) Lemon Doughnut
3) Cortado
Address: 30 4th Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5T6
Poached Breakfast Bistro
Located in the Central Business District, Poached Breakfast Bistro specializes in eggs benedict and other brunch favorites.
One thing that’s unique about Poached is it’s a brunch spot by day and a cocktail bar by night, called Flint Saloon!
This also gives it a different vibe coming into brunch compared to most breakfast restaurants.
Here, you’ll find some creative takes on classic brunch options.
Unlike the usual crab cake benny, Poached brings it up a notch with poached eggs over crab & shrimp risotto cakes.
Their Cheddar Baked Hashbrown is a must! These are not your typical hashbrowns: in-house creamy baked hashbrown seasoned with onion, dill, paprika, aged cheddar & bacon crumbled on top.
1) The Berry Bowl – honey Greek yogurt topped with seasonal fresh berries, stewed vanilla blueberries & granola made with coconut almonds, cranberry, pumpkin & sunflower seeds
2) Poached Over Crab & Shrimp Risotto Cakes – shrimp, pollock crab & white wine risotto cakes, flavoured with dijon & dill, topped with two poached eggs and finished with herb hollandaise. Served with toasted rye
3) Cheddar Baked Hashbrown
Website / Address: 259 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1K8
The Night Oven Bakery
If you’re into baking, you will want to visit The Night Oven Bakery.
This artisanal bakery in Saskatoon’s Casewell Hill neighborhood is renowned for its handcrafted bread and pastries, made using rustic French-inspired baking techniques and locally sourced organic ingredients.
It’s farm-to-bakery at The Night Oven as they stone-mill their own flour using Saskatchewan heritage grains like Red Fife Wheat, Khorasan, Einkorn and Rye.
Their Red Fife Wheat flour is used at Odla restaurant for their in-house sourdough, and their artisan bread is used by Cafe del Rey for their sandwiches.
The aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air when you enter, making you want to have a fresh pastry breakfast from a simple menu like croissants, galette, scone and sausage roll.
Do not miss out on their canelé. Cannelés de Bordeaux are not easy and can be quite frustrating to make, but the canelé here is perfection.
1) Latte
2) Veggie Breakfast Croissant
3) Almond Croissant
4) Ham and Cheese Croissant
5) Canele de Bordeaux
Website / Address: 216 Avenue D N, Saskatoon, SK S7L 1M6
Best Saskatoon Restaurants
Here are some of the best restaurants in Saskatoon in a diverse range, from Mexican and Indigenous to farm-to-table and Canada’s 100 Best restaurants, in alphabetical order.
Baba’s Homestyle Perogies
Did you know? Saskatoon is known for its love of perogies that you can get this traditional Ukrainian dish at the world’s only perogi drive-thru.
With 12-15% of Saskatoon’s population being of Ukrainian descent, Baba’s Perogies is a popular spot renowned for handmade perogies and other Ukrainian specialties like cabbage rolls and borscht.
Located in the north-industrial area on 51st Street East, this family-run restaurant sells over 10,000 perogies per day and, in peak seasons like Christmas, they go thru 2,500 pounds of potato in a week.
The Super Combo is a great way to taste a sampling as it comes with perogies, cabbage rolls and a smokie (a type of sausage that’s been smoked over wood for added flavour).
Website / Address: 720B 51st St, Saskatoon, SK S7K 4K4 (Located in North Star Business Center)
Botte Chai Bar
Located in Riversdale, Botte Chai Bar is the first and only Persian cafe in Saskatoon offering a fusion of Middle Eastern and Western flavors, inspired by Iranian cuisine including recipes passed down by the owner’s family.
As a chai bar, expect a diverse tea menu from tea features like their house Persian tea and masala chai tea to herbal tea infusions like caramel latte rooibos and white peach oolong.
The food menu focuses more on traditional dishes like beef and potato kotlet wrap, whereas brunch features interesting Persian-inspired omelette platters.
I have never had dates and feta together in an omelette but that omelette platter was delicious with caramelized Medjool dates, fried feta and bacon bits.
A nice combination of sweet, tangy and salty mixed into the fluffy egg. I recommend adding a Persian sausage on the side too.
The cozy ambiance at Botte Persian Cafe makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing meal, or a coffice session while sipping on tea or Turkish coffee.
1) Masala Chai Latte – black tea-based masala blended with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, cloves, steamed milk and brown sugar
2) Persian Paradise Iced Tea – blend of berry teas, lemon, mint and chia seeds
– Beef and Potato Kotlet Wrap
– Dates and Feta Omelette Platter with Persian sausage
Website / Address: 123 Avenue B S #117, Saskatoon, SK S7M 5X6
Hearth Restaurant
In Saskatoon, you can dine at one of Canada’s 100 Best restaurants housed inside the museum with the world’s largest collection of linocut prints by Pablo Picasso.
Located at River Landing in Central Business District, Remai Modern opened in 2017 with 406 of Pablo Picasso’s linocut print works as well as 23 of his ceramic works.
This art museum also features an amazing sense to the richness of Saskatoon by showcasing a ton of regional contemporary art by artists who are working in the community housed in a beautifully designed building, which received an Award of Excellence from Canadian Architect magazine in 2012.
On the ground floor of Remai Modern is where you’ll find a quintessential Saskatoon restaurant, Hearth, which ranked No. 88 in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2024, alongside some of my favourite Ontario restaurants like Alo and Restaurant Pearl Morissette.
The modern decor with art from Remai Modern and cozy atmosphere with views of the South Saskatchewan River makes the dining experience at Hearth even better.
Opened in 2018 by owner-chefs Thayne and Beth, initially at a different location, Hearth’s philosophy is all about what’s amazing in Saskatchewan.
1) Trout and Beet Tartare – Steelhead trout, smoked beets, tartar aioli herbs, cured egg yolk, potato chips
2) Half Covered Wagon – Seedlip Spice, bourbon, lemon, sugar, egg white
Here you’ll find ever changing seasonal food using local and foraged ingredients (some by the chefs themselves), using recipes inspired by Beth’s grandma.
The chanterelle mushrooms is a huge ingredient in Saskatchewan and is even joked by Beth that it should be in the Saskatchewan flag because the mushrooms in the province are that special.
Chefs Thayne and Beth actually go out every year to harvest as much chanterelle mushrooms as they can.
Ask anyone what to order at Hearth, and they’ll tell you to get the Mushrooms dip, which of course has these chanterelle mushrooms.
And add me as another one telling you because it was my favourite dish at Hearth!
This signature Mushrooms dish is so popular that it’s the only item to never come out of their ever changing menu. It sounds so simple yet highly addicting, fresh and delicious.
If you also see chanterelle mushroom pasta on the menu, you’ll want to get that too. If not, you can’t go wrong with other homemade pasta like the Potato and Ricotta Agnolotti.
You’ll be surprised by the Potato Doughnuts here as well as its very unique and not like the doughnuts we’re all thinking of.
If you’re feeling for seafood, the Trout & Beet Tartare is different and refreshing.
And you’ll want to end on a sweet note with their Sticky Toffee Pudding.
1) Mushrooms – Wild & cultivated mushrooms, mornay sauce, house ciabatta
2) Pike Conserva – Gently cooked pike, cucumbers, citrus, puffed wild rice, chilies, nice olive oil
1) Ice cream sandwich – Raspberry and red wine ice cream between peanut butter cookies
2) Panna Cotta – Vanilla panna cotta w/ rhubarb compote and wild rice, beet & sunflower seed crumble
3) Sticky Toffee Pudding – Date cake w/ toffee sauce & vanilla ice cream
Website / Address: 102 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0L3
Las Palapas Resort Grill
Located in Nutana neighborhood, Las Palapas Resort Grill is a Mexican restaurant that transports you to the tropics with its lively atmosphere and a summer patio.
You come here for the vibes which is unlike any restaurant I’ve visited in Saskatoon. The colorful decor and festive ambiance reminded me of being in a Margaritaville or an all-inclusive resort in Cuba.
Here you’ll want to hang with family and friends over some drinks with Tex-Mex snacks like the Coconut Shrimp (Camarones de Coco Yucateco).
They have a nice selection of margarita from classic to frozen to Saskatoon berry margaritas, but do ask what their weekly margarita is as well.
I had their Aperol Spritz Margarita weekly feature, and it was unique and refreshing. A combination I didn’t expect at all!
Website / Address: 910 Victoria Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0Z6
Odd Couple
Located in Riversdale, Odd Couple is a family-owned restaurant operated by Andy Yuen, his wife Rachel, and parents Sam and Jane.
As immigrants from Hong Kong, Andy and Rachel make trips back to their home country, and they use that to get food inspiration in Asia that they can bring back to Odd Couple.
Odd Couple is one of the best places to eat Asian food in Saskatoon among locals, and being featured on Food Network’s ‘Big Food Bucket List’ was icing on top.
Inspired by Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisines, the menu offers classics like Singapore Noodles and Satay Chicken Rice Noodle Soup to Asian-Western fusion dishes like Bacon Fried Rice and Kung Pao Shanghai Noodle.
Start your meal at Odd Couple with the Vegan Spring Rolls which is something I wouldn’t think to order but I’m glad we did! Pro Tip: Ask for their homemade chili oil to dip/drizzle with these rolls.
Cocktails are creative with Asian twists. The refreshing Thai Basil Gin Sour, which I tried and recommend, has Thai basil while the Moon Walk has Vietnamese coffee.
Wok cooking is a staple in Asian food, and I recommend the Wok-fried noodles here.
Go with the Singapore Noodles if you prefer a dryer noodle dish, and go with the Kung Pao Shanghai Noodles for saucier noodles with a sweet and savoury taste.
1) Singapore Noodles – Wok-Fry Rice Vermicelli Noodles w Sliced Lemongrass Chicken Breast, Shrimp, Egg, Curry, Garlic Chilli
2) Kung Pao Shanghai Noodle – Shanghai Egg Noodle Wok-Fry with Jicama, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Peanut & Spicy Kung Pao Sauce
3) Ginger Beef + Jasmine Rice – Canadian AAA Beef Deep-Fried and then Wok-Fry w Onion, Bean Sprouts, Bell Peppers and Ginger Dark Soy
1) Vegan Spring Rolls – Taro Root, Carrot, Black Fungus, Onion, Rice Paper, Deep Fried, Vegan Garlic Chilli Vinaigrette
2) Crab Rangoon – Fried Dumpling with Cream Cheese, Blue Crab and Shrimp. Pineapple Sweet & Sour Sauce
3) Thai Basil Gin Sour 1.5oz – Saskatoon BlackFox No. 3 Gin / Thai Basil / Fresh Lime / In-House Lavender Bitters / Soda
Website / Address: 228 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W9
Odla
Located in Broadway, Odla is a farm-to-table restaurant that celebrates Saskatchewan’s agricultural bounty.
The elegant decor and warm ambiance create an intimate yet casual dining experience with bar seating, main dining area and a patio.
With the ethos that “Your food shouldn’t travel farther than you do,” Odla sources from over 50 local producers including their partner farm, Farm One Forty, who supplies grassfed beef & lamb and pasture raised pork for their whole animal butchery.
The best way to experience Odla is through the 4-course tasting menu served family-style, celebrating the best of Saskatchewan, and I recommend the wine pairing too.
You’ll be in for a treat.
Everything is done in-house for their seasonal menu, from house burrata, handmade breads and pasta down to the cultured honey butter and cellared beetroot balsamic vinegar that they age themselves.
In the 4-courses, you’ll get to try traditional dishes like Chicken Liver Pate and Gnocchi to interesting and creative dishes like the Bao Bun (a delicious mashup of Lamb Bao and popular Nova Scotia food, Halifax donair) and House Burrata (their take on a Caprese with with a basil puree on top and local greens dressed with aged balsamic vinegar and tomatoes underneath).
If you are doing ala carte, my top 4 picks (covering shareable, bites and main) would be the House Burrata, Chicken Liver Pate, Bao Bun and Steak Frites.
Saskatoon is home to the Saskatoon berry, which is commonly used in desserts, jams and sauces. A popular Prairie dessert is the Saskatoon berry pie which you can also try at Odla.
1) House Burrata – tomato, basil puree, greens, beet balsamic
2) Saskatchewan Sourdough – house made bread with honey butter, Newfoundland sea salt
3) White Wine pairing: La Ballon – France – Souvignon Blanc/Vermentino 2021
1) Brussels Sprouts – fennel honey, pecorino, cashews
2) Pickerel – pan seared, greens, tomato, asparagus, niçoise dressing, crispy capers, potato croutons
3) Steak Frites – hanger steak, chimichurri, shoestring fries, bone marrow mayo
4) Chicken Liver Pate – focaccia, sour cherry, crispy gizzard
5) Grilled Zucchini – whipped feta, rhubarb
6) Red Wine Pairing: Tete Rouge “Bagatelle” – France (Natural) – Cabernet Franc
1) Bao Bun – lamb & pork donair, cucumber, pickled beet slaw, donair sauce
2) Greens – greens, crispy dill chickpeas, hemp seeds, carrot vinaigrette, parmesan
3) Gnocchi – pea shoot pesto, spring peas, radish, feta crumble
4) Rose Wine Pairing: Gruber Roschitz Rose – Austra (Organic) – St. Laurent
1) Saskatoon Berry Pie – with ice cream
2) Chocolate Mousse – sea buckthorn, sea salt
3) Dessert Wine Pairing: Errazuriz – Chile – Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Website / Address: 801 Broadway Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7N 1B5
Primal
Located in Riversdale neighborhood, Primal by chef-owners Christie Peters and Kyle Michael specializes in rustic Italian cuisine with a cozy and intimate atmosphere and attentive service.
Rated among Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants multiple times since opening in 2015, expect an impeccable menu focused on handmade pasta and locally sourced meats, using Saskatchewan heritage grains and whole animal butchery.
With Saskatchewan having the second largest bison herd and bison being an essential part of Indigenous culture, you’ll commonly find bison in Saskatoon restaurants and Primal is no different.
The bison cheek is divine, perfectly fork-tender and delicious with the sauce Diane. The bison carpaccio is also a great way to start the meal.
The roasted bone marrow is also a favourite, but don’t forget to do the bone marrow luge after.
Of course, you cannot skip their handmade pasta, and the pillowy and rich pork agnolotti is a must!
End your meal with the smoothest butterscotch budino you’ll ever have.
1) house made fried bread
2) smoked marinated olives
3) panzanella salad, cucumber, tomato, red onion, focaccia, basil
4) bison carpaccio, pickled walnut, fried artichoke, garlic aioli, greens, parmesan
Website / Address: 423 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X3
Wanuskewin Heritage Park and Restaurant
Indigenous culture is a huge part of Saskatoon, and here you can visit Canada’s longest-running archaeological dig to learn and discover Indigenous cuisine and experiences.
Located 15 minutes outside the city, Wanuskewin Heritage Park is an incredibly significant cultural heritage site that celebrates Northern Plains culture, unique from East and West Coast.
This is completely The Plains, The Prairies.
Wanuskewin, meaning ‘seeking peace of mind’ in Plains Cree, has been a gathering place for over 6,400 years, serving as a hub for trade, ceremonies, and hunting.
Here you’ll learn stories about the land, history and culture from its natural surroundings and cultural exhibits.
Be sure to check out the trails where you’ll find an amphitheater and tipis (you can also do tipi sleepovers!).
This proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site also has an Indigenous restaurant serving bison, elk, bannock and more.
Bison Poutine and Wanuskewin Charcuterie (bison jerky is amazing!) are great for sharing. For a hearty meal, Hot Elk on Bannock hits the spot.
That day, I learned the bannock is made differently across Indigenous communities. The one I had here is completely different from the bannock I had in Northeastern Ontario.
I also saw an interesting dessert called Lard and Berries… pork lard. Would you try it?
1) Hot Elk on Bannock – Grilled elk patty with mushroom, onion & gravy served open-faced on baked bannock
2) Wanuskewin Charcuterie – Chef’s choice of assorted cured bison meats, pickled vegetables, cheese, maple dijon, fruit & bannock crostini
3) Bison Poutine – French fries, cheese curds, gravy & seasoned ground bison
Website / Address: 4 Penner Rd, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J7
Best Bars in Saskatoon
Looking for places to drink in Saskatoon? Here some of the best bars from speakeasy to natural wine bar, in alphabetical order.
Bokeh on the Plaza
Located in River Landing inside Alt Hotel Saskatoon, Bokeh on the Plaza is a trendy spot for both classic and craft cocktails. Perfect for a nightcap when you’re staying there.
Excited to see how Saskatoon berries are used in the city, I highly recommend the Dusk Til Dawn which uses Lucky Bastard’s Saskatoon Berry Liqueur.
Website / Address: 480 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5R4
Parlor
Located in Central Business District, Parlor is a chic and stylish cocktail bar serving wide selection of rotating craft cocktails, some using herbs and flowers grown from their rooftop garden.
This speakeasy has no signage outside so it’s easy to miss! If you see the St. Tropez Bistro sign, then you’ve made it.
Sours and Egg White-based cocktails typically use whiskey and pisco so be sure to get the Too Nice To Be Mean cocktail which uses El Jimador Tequila Blanco.
An amazing and pretty cocktail with the purple color from butterfly pea flower.
Website / Address: 236 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1K9
POP Wine Bar
Located in Riversdale, Pop Wine Bar is Saskatoon’s first and only natural wine bar opened by the chef-owners of Primal, Christie Peters and Kyle Michael.
I got to sit down and chat with Chef Christie on how POP Wine Bar started.
During Christie’s time at Noma in Copenhagen, she found there was a ton of natural wine bars, one in every corner, and they were packed.
There, she got to try wines that she’s never heard of and she thought, “why can’t we get this in Saskatchewan?”
As her previous Saskatoon restaurant, The Hallows, closed and she was thinking of a new project, she thought why not open a natural wine bar.
Natural wine fits into their overall ethos: similar to farm-to-table cooking, but farm-to-table wine, with care on where the wine comes from, how it’s made, how the winemakers do it and their story as well.
Ranked No. 42 in Canada’s 100 Best Bars in 2024, this wine bar is unlike other wine bars you’d find in Canada.
The atmosphere alone is like being in someone’s home. Comfortable and relaxing yet intimate as opposed to the usual modern and chic wine bars.
Here you’ll find natural wines unique to Saskatoon, including rotating nature wine features called “Current Obsessions.” The passionate and knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect wine for you.
Don’t miss their food menu of casual yet elevated fare. Bison tartare is a must!
While you can never go wrong with fresh 2 Buck a Shuck Oysters especially during Happy Hour, the Kimchi Baked Oysters is sure to surprise as well.
1) Bison Tartare – yolk, haystack potato
2) Fresh shucked oysters from New Brunswick
3) Poutine with Truffle Mayo 4) Perello Olives
5) Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Rosato (Current Obsessions menu)
Website / Address: 334 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X2
Where The Locals Eat in Saskatoon
I love eating where the locals eat so I asked the local Reddit community for their favourite places to eat. Here are the top local restaurants in Saskatoon according to locals.
Specialty Food & Drinks
Here are some specialized food and drinks you must try in Saskatoon from food truck to chocolate shop, in alphabetical order.
ChaChos Taqueria Mexicana
Located in Riversdale, ChaChos Taqueria Mexicana is a Mexican takeout spot that shares the kitchen and courtyard patio of Botte Chai Bar.
Their authentic tacos came highly recommended by a local I met at the Meewasin Naughty by Nature event.
When you see the menu, they only really do one thing here, but they do it perfectly: Beef Quesa Birria Tacos here are divine!
Slow braised chuck beef on crispy corn tortilla that takes me back to Mexico. Be sure to get the consomme too.
Website / Address: 123 Avenue B S, Saskatoon, SK S7M 5X6
Postal Pizzas & Cafe del Rey
Postal Pizzas is a food truck specializing in Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Classically trained chef Devereaux Gatin did culinary school in Kelowna, BC and travelled in Southeast Asia where his love for street food there inspired him to open Postal Pizzas.
According to Chef Dev, in Saskatchewan and specifically in Canada, we don’t really have the ability to do street food in that same way as Southeast Asia, but the compromise is to do a food truck.
Why did he end up with pizza?
For Chef Dev, “pizza is like a very connecting piece for a lot of people. Everyone has memories of pizza. A lot of people have a sort of connection to it or they’ve had really good pizza that resonates a memory in their mind.”
When he came back from his trip, he found this 1974 Postal Truck that served Canada Post and has been retired. He bought the truck and spent 2.5 years converting it into a food truck.
What’s good with a food truck is they not only sell to street but also corporate events and weddings.
Especially for weddings, they’re able to give core memories to people through their pizza on the couple’s special day with a fun intimate experience that’s more casual than a big elaborate plated dinner for a wedding.
What stands out with Postal Pizzas is their pizza dough which uses at least a 37-hour double fermentation with yeast and cold fermentations.
The result: flavorful textured crusts that are light yet crispy too!
Usually, I don’t care for end crusts in pizza because they are simply excess carbs but I cannot help myself from finishing them all since the dough was so good.
Their simple pizza selection sticks to classics like Margherita and Pepperoni, but you can also find a rotating Feature Pizza like Spicy Soppressata with Shishito Peppers.
While the food truck may be stationed in other parts of the city, it’s homebase is Cafe del Rey located in Central Business District.
And while you’re there, you’ll also want to grab some great coffee, or a refresher in a hot day.
1) Feature Pizza: Spicy Soppressata, Shishito Peppers, Cheese Blend, Parm & Oregano
2) Margherita
3) Three Cheese Truffle Mushroom
Website / Address: 345 3 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S6V 5M1
Sunnyside Dairy Farm
In Saskatoon, you can try local, farm-fresh (pasteurized) milk on tap at the first dairy farm in Saskatchewan!
Located 30 minutes north of Saskatoon, Sunnyside Dairy Farm is a creamery and farmyard market, where you can enjoy local, home-grown, farm-fresh food, meats and dairy products.
The milk on tap is probably the best milk I’ve ever tasted!
Here you can also interact with their farm animals and grab some hay to feed cows and rabbits.
Website / Address: Corman Park No. 344, Saskatchewan S7K 3J7
Those Girls at the Market
Located in Central Business District, Those Girls at the Market is renowned for its health-focused handcrafted chocolate that are vegan, organic and free of dairy, gluten, nuts and soy.
Kinesiologist turned professional chocolatier, Julianna Tan started Those Girls at the Market with her fitness nutritionist sister one summer to sell healthy chocolates at the local farmer’s market, all without prior knowledge of chocolate making.
After selling out on their first day, the rest is history!
Julianna says, “the cool thing about chocolate is the ingredients itself is actually very healthy for us. If you look at the history of the past of chocolate, it’s very medicinal and ceremonial.”
Unfortunately, we’ve come to see chocolate as junk food that we should limit enjoying, and Julianna is here to rekindle our connection with chocolate:
It’s not necessarily just a treat. It should be part of our everyday life.
She has since perfected her chocolate making craft and opened The Little Market Box with co-owner Shawnda Blacklock as a Daily Farmers’ Market & Artisanal Shop, where her chocolate shop also resides.
Chocolates by Those Girls at the Market use a very particular cacao native to Ecuador, arriba nacional, in which she makes all the chocolate herself.
The chocolates are amazing with the espresso being my favourite from the classic line!
A standout seasonal flavour that blew my mind is the Sour Cherry because I’ve never seen a fruit-based white chocolate before and it wasn’t sweet like most white chocolate. If you see it, try it!
1) Coffee
2) Sour Cherry
3) Classic
Website / Address: 332 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X2
Saskatoon Culinary Experiences
Here are some of the unique culinary experiences you can do in Saskatoon, in alphabetical order.
Black Fox Farm and Distillery
In Saskatoon, you can try whisky from the only distillery in the world that ages whisky outdoors!
Located 15 minutes from the city, Black Fox is one of the few farm-to-still distilleries in North America, growing 90% of their ingredients, including honey, haskap berries, and pumpkin flowers.
In 2021, these grain farmers turned distillers launched their whiskies to rave reviews, winning the Master award in World Whisky Masters and Gold in the Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition.
Here you can do a Black Fox Excursion experience that takes you through the farm to the distillery then to a tasting in the patio, learning about their whole farm-to-still process.
It was my first time ever seeing whiskey aged outdoors. Black Fox does this unique way of aging to leverage Saskatoon’s extreme temperature swings to mature whisky faster.
They use Italian juniper for their gin and distill spirits in a hybrid still setup of pot and two column stills.
And two other things that stood out to me about Black Fox:
- They distill Triticale, a hybrid grain between wheat and rye.
- Each whisky bottle carries a unique coin with a code you can enter on their website to reveal its specific details, such as grain location and barrel temperatures.
Of course, a trip to Black Fox won’t be complete without tasting their handcrafted spirits.
My favourites were the Oaked Gin, Limited Edition Lilac Gin, and Single Grain Whiskey.
Website / Address: Comp 117 Site, 245 Valley Road, 319 RR3, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J6
Meewasin Naughty by Nature
The Cree word for “Beautiful,” Meewasin has been the river’s caretaker for over 45 years.
This non-profit organization is globally renowned for its 100-Year Plan by famous architect Raymond Moriyama, who designed Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum and Ontario Science Museum.
With 109-km of trails along the river with 3 layers of trails on either side of the river, extending above and beyond Saskatoon, this makes Saskatoon the largest public urban waterfront in the world.
National Geographic named Meewasin one of the Top 50 Places to See in Your Lifetime, and Reader’s Digest ranks it among the Top 10 Greatest Canadian Hikes.
Meewasin hosts events that combine nature and culinary experiences in their conservation area.
The “Naughty by Nature” event at Beaver Creek Conservation is a fun night out in nature with hiking and local food & beverages.
Here you’ll join Meewasin storyteller and conservationist Jamie Harder to explore wildlife mating and courtship strategies.
Queue Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On.
Start with a make-your-own cocktail featuring Black Fox #3 Gin and local ingredients, then enjoy a trail tour with Jamie
The night includes a charcuterie box (optional add-on) from Style & Graze and beer from 9 Mile Brewery or gin soda from Stumbletown Distilling.
Website / Address: Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Chief Whitecap Trail, Corman Park No. 344, Division, No. 11, Saskatoon, SK S7T 1B1
Where to Stay in Saskatoon For Your Food Trip
Alt Hotel Saskatoon
Located in River Landing, Alt Hotel Saskatoon is one of the best hotels to stay with easy access to the city’s top attractions.
I stayed at the River View King Bed Room, which I highly recommend for beautiful views!
The room was modern and nice with a comfortable bed, Nespresso coffee machine, rainfall shower. Plus, there’s a 24-hour gym at the hotel if you need to burn off calories.
This 3-star hotel is conveniently located by the waterfront on the Meewasin Trail and decent walking distance to a lot of the places to eat & drink I visited in Saskatoon.
Plus, Bokeh on the Plaza is just downstairs!
Don’t miss some of the happenings on the river front at night where you’ll find locals enjoying and dancing.
Website / Address: 480 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5R4
Reviews: Booking.com / Agoda
MAP: Where To Eat, Drink & Stay in Saskatoon
Here’s a handy map of all the places to eat & drink in Saskatoon featured in this article.
If you’re looking for other places to stay in Saskatoon, here’s a handy map of accommodation deals with prices:
I didn’t know what to expect on my first time in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan, but I had such a great and delicious time with its diverse culinary scene, welcoming people, and commitment to local ingredients.
I hope this travel guide gives you an idea on some of the best places to eat & drink in Saskatoon and what makes Bridge City’s culinary scene so special.
I’m excited to see how Bridge City’s culinary scene continues to evolve. In the meantime, please let me know where to eat & drink in Saskatoon for my next visit!
Happy #Saskatooning!
This travel guide is through a culinary project with Discover Saskatoon. As usual, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
You can learn more about Discover Saskatoon on their website here.
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