Restaurants Worth the Detour (By City)

Last updated: June 2026

It’s easy to end up with a forgettable meal when you don’t know the area. These are the restaurants I’d go back to. Prices listed in the posts have likely changed by a few dollars due to inflation.

🇨🇦 Montreal, Quebec

  • Vin Mon Lapin (Montreal, Quebec) → Wonderful natural wines and strong starters. Book well in advance through OpenTable.
  • Le Vin Papillon (Montreal, Quebec) → My favourite spot in Montreal, even better than Vin Mon Lapin. Book through OpenTable. If you can’t get a reservation, try walking in late in the evening, after 10:00 p.m.
  • Olive et Gourmando (Montreal, Quebec) → Now accepting reservations on their website. If you don’t have a reservation, expect to wait at least an hour during brunch. The sandwiches are my go-to dishes.

🇨🇦 Banff, Alberta

Fairmont Banff Springs — Especially worthwhile during the off-season, when the quieter pace makes it easier to enjoy the Fairmont Gold lounge, spa pools, hotel activities, and the history and atmosphere of the iconic castle-like property. Full review → Fairmont Banff Springs: Is Fairmont Gold Worth It?

🇨🇦 Canmore, Alberta

Crazyweed Kitchen — A relaxed Canmore restaurant with mountain views, an affordable wine list, and one of the better happy hours near Banff. The beef tartare, burrata and pickled fried chicken were excellent. Full review → Crazyweed Canmore Review: Happy Hour, and Mountain Views.

🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts

  • Oleana (Boston, Massachusetts) → Make a reservation through Oleana’s website. This was the best meal we ate in Boston. Service is excellent.
  • Neptune Oyster (Boston, Massachusetts) → No reservations. Expect to wait in line for the best raw clams and fried oysters. So good, I came twice.
  • Peach Farm (Boston, Massachusetts) → Must go if you like Cantonese-style lobster.
  • James Hook (Boston, Massachusetts) → Touristy for sure, but if you’ve never had a lobster roll, this is the place to go. The rolls are packed with the plumpest, juiciest lobster meat.

🇺🇸 Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Raku → Off strip. One of Las Vegas’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurants, known for charcoal-grilled skewers, house-made tofu, and seasonal specials. Reservations recommended: (702) 367-3511.
  • Shang Artisan Noodle House → Off strip. Watch hand-pulled noodles being made to order. Try the beef noodle soup or dan dan noodles.
  • Bobby’s Burgers → A solid Strip option for burgers, fries, and shakes when you want something quick and reliable.
  • Lefty’s J’s Island → Off strip. Generous Hawaiian plates featuring short ribs, fried chicken, barbecue meats, and macaroni salad.

🇺🇸 New York City

  • Tim Ho Wan (East Village) → Enjoy dim sum at the famed Hong Kong restaurant known as the world’s most affordable Michelin-starred brand.
  • Cafe China (Midtown Manhattan)→ Eat spicy Sichuan food at the only Chinese restaurant in NYC to hold a Michelin star for seven consecutive years, between 2012-2019.
  • Ivan Ramen (Lower East Side) → Order the rich Chicken Paitan ramen at one of New York’s best-known ramen shops, recommended by the Michelin Guide.
  • Cheong Fun Cart (Chinatown) → Try freshly made cheung fun, from $1.75 to $3.50. Best bite for your dollar. 

🇬🇷 Greece

  • Atlantikos (Athens, Greece) → Expect a line-up. This is the spot for cheap and delicious seafood.
  • To Elliniko (Naxos, Greece) → You can make a reservation online on To Ellinko’s website. My favourite restaurant in Greece. Try the fish and other local specialities.
  • Meraki (Santorini, Greece) → The most local and affordable restaurant to eat in Santorini. You won’t regret going.

🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan

  • Harajuku Gyoza Lou (Tokyo, Japan) → The long lineup is worth the wait. Delicious gyoza and refreshing lemon sours at dirt cheap prices.
  • Iroriya Higashiginzaten (Tokyo, Japan) → Try the famous Ikura bowl and watch the servers come out with the drums and theatrics. Better yet, no lineup if you book a reservation via TableCheck.
  • Yakitori Sanki (Tokyo, Japan) → Excellent yakitori and sake. My number one pick for Tokyo. Book your reservation via TableCheck.

🇬🇧 UK (Liverpool, Newcastle, London, Edinburgh)

  • Belzan (Bib Gourmand) (Liverpool, England) → Come at 5:00 p.m. for the early fixed-price menu: two courses for £35 or three courses & a glass of wine for £49. You’ll need to Uber out to Belzan if you are staying in the heart of Liverpool.
  • Yanni’s Fish and Chips (Liverpool, England) → Conveniently located in the city centre. Order the fresh, lightly battered fish.
  • Geordie Bangers (Newcastle upon Tyne, England) → Excellent sausages and meat pies. This is a must visit spot if you are in Newcastle.
  • The Broad Chare, Bib Gourmand (Newcastle upon Tyne, England) → Lovely beers and bites in the pub section. Reservations are needed for the upstairs restaurant.
  • Salt Horse (Edinburgh, Scotland) → Incredible list of beers and some tasty burgers. Very reasonable prices for Edinburgh.
  • Prince of Wales Pub (London, England) → Indian grilled meats and curries in a pub atmosphere.

🇲🇽 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

  • Pezcabo (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) → Torres de Mariscos ($12 US), Sierra Instante tosado ($6 US). If you aren’t a walker, I would recommend getting an Uber to Pezcabo. It’s an out-of-the-way spot.
  • Taco spots in Cabo (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) → As a Canadian, I bring pesos for a better return. Note that each place usually does one or two taco particularly well.

Disclaimer: I pay for all my meals. No invitations or comped dining.