Breakfast Near the Comfort Inn
(distance from hotel given in parentheses)
Angel’s Diner Family Restaurant (in hotel)
190 Weber St. N. 7am-9pm (Fri, Sat), 8am-9pm (Sun).
Home style cooking, with large portions of omelettes, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, and sandwiches. $9-15.
Williams Fresh Café (550 m)
33 University Ave. E. 7am-9pm
Coffeeshop franchise with limited but inexpensive breakfasts: bagel sandwiches, quiche, waffles. $4-8.
Starbucks (750 m)
247 King St. N. 6am-12am (Fri), 6:30am-12am (Sat), 7am-12am (Sun).
Freshii (850 m)
255 King St. N. 8am-10am (Fri), 11am-9pm (Sat), 11am-8pm (Sun).
Health-minded, counter-serve food chain offering tossed-to-order salads plus soups and burritos.
Seven Shores (1.4 km)
10 Regina St. N. 7am-6pm (Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat, Sun).
Cooperatively-owned, vegetarian-friendly outpost for thoughtfully sourced breakfasts, smoothies, wraps. $9-12.
Breakfast Near the Delta Hotel
(distance from hotel given in parentheses)
Proof Kitchen and Lounge (in hotel)
110 Erb St. W. 7am-1am
Upscale-casual dining for eclectic comfort fare, weekend brunch, and bar food. $15-20.
Seven Shores (700 m)
10 Regina St. N. 7am-6pm (Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat, Sun).
Cooperatively-owned, vegetarian-friendly outpost for thoughtfully sourced breakfasts, smoothies, sandwiches. $9-12.
Café 1842 (700 m)
59 King St. N. 7:30am-11pm
Tasty skillets, omelettes, egg benedict, waffles, sandwiches. $10-15.
Angie’s Waterloo (350 m)
47 Erb St. W. 7am-2pm (Fri), 7:30am-3pm (Sat), 8am-3pm (Sun).
Angie’s Famous German Platter, which includes pork schnitzel, farmer sausage, Oktoberfest sausage, two eggs, toast, and homefries, was featured on The Food Network, but don’t let that deter you from this otherwise unpretentious diner serving a variety of country-style food. $9-14.
Symposium Café (550 m)
4 King St. N., Waterloo. 8am-12am
Popular franchise serving everything from eggs benedict breakfasts and late-night burgers. Quality and service not as good as Seven Shores, but greater selection. $8-12.
Settlement Co. (600 m)
23 King St. N., Waterloo. 7:30am-9pm (Fri), 8am-9pm (Sat), 8am-8pm (Sun).
Limited selection, but excellent coffee, eclectic toast menu, and tasty granola and baked goods. Waffles served from 11am-8pm Premade sandwiches and salads also available.
Death Valley’s Little Brother (DVLB) (850 m)
84 King St. N. 8am-11pm (Fri), 9am-11pm (Sat), 9am-7pm (Sun).
No robust breakfasts, but this cozy, modern haunt offers perfect coffee and espresso drinks, artisanal baked goods, and, later in the day, an astounding selection of scotch.
Dinner Near Campus
Inexpensive/Casual (Mains $8-10)
Bao Sandwich Bar
62 Balsam St., B106, Waterloo. Open to 10pm. Accepts online orders.
This gem, hidden behind an apartment building north of campus, specializes in modern approaches to Bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches) and Gua Bao (Taiwanese steamed buns). Splurge on the Duck Dynasty Poutine. Avocado options for vegetarians. Enter off Larch St., north of Balsam St.
Shawerma Plus
220 King St. N. Open to 10pm Accepts online orders.
Unfussy Mediterranean eatery with great falafel sandwiches.
Mozy’s Shawarma
247 King St. N. Open to 3am Accepts online orders.
Syrian eatery made famous locally for its shawarma.
Burrito Boyz Waterloo
258 King St. N.
Fresh burritos and quesadillas made to order. Free guacamole and big portions.
Frat Burger
247 King St. N.
Gourmet burger and beer joint. Vegetarian options include quinoa burger, portobello burger, and vegetarian gravy.
Princess Café
46 King St N.
Tasty panini, salads, soups, coffee, and micro-brews. Several vegetarian options. Cozy, friendly. Late-night grilled cheese menu (Cheeses Murphy) served to 3am.
Moderate (Mains $10-20)
Taco Farm
8 Erb St. W. Open to 11pm (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Very popular and highly-rated establishment pairing creative tacos and seasonal ingredients with craft margaritas and beer. Featured on the Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here!
My-Thai Restaurant
51 King St. N. Open to 10pm (Fri, Sat) and 9pm (Sun).
Spacious, comfortable setting for Thai curries, noodles, and soups. Lots of vegetarian and gluten-free selections.
The Jane Bond
5 Princess St. W. Open to 2am (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Offbeat, retro haunt featuring vegetarian dishes and craft beers, plus live music and outdoor seating.
Masala Bay Fine Dining
38 Regina St. N. Open to 9:30pm (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Journey through the entire gamut of Indian culinary art with Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, and Northern Indian cuisine served in a cheerful, warm setting. Open buffet and a la carte options ($15-20). Reservations required.
Huether Hotel
59 King St. N. Open daily to 1am
Originally a commercial hotel to Waterloo’s first brewery, this haven for beer drinkers now features two restaurants (Lion Brewery and Barleyworks), a café (Café 1842), and a live jazz venue (The Jazz Room) with world-class musicians playing most Friday and Saturday nights.
Abe Erb Brewing Co.
15 King St. S. Open to 2am (Fri, Sat), 11pm (Sun).
Celebrated Canadian brewery and restaurant with late-night menu. Burgers can be made vegetarian (quinoa, chickpea); other mains include seafood pot and elk meatloaf.
Beertown Public House
75 King St. S. Open to 1am (Fri, Sat), 12am (Sun).
On the pricier side of moderate (mains $15-22), this trendy pub has a delicious menu and generous beer selection. Reservations recommended.
Ethel’s Lounge
114 King St. N. Open to 1am (Fri, Sat), 12am (Sun).
A staple favourite. Burgers, tacos, beer, attitude, retro kitsch in uptown Waterloo.
21 Fir: Whiskey Bar & Kitchen
100 King St. S. Open to 2am (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
A prohibition-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar serving comfort food staples, elevated cocktails, and an extensive collection of whiskey. Shareable appetizers (including frog legs), flatbreads, burgers, salads.
Upscale (Mains $20-35, reservations typically required)
Bhima’s Warung
262 King Street N. Closed on Sundays.
Creative Southeast Asian fair featuring Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes. Charming atmosphere and very good cocktails. Excellent vegetarian menu on request.
King St. Trio
40 King St. S. Closed on Sundays.
Sophisticated establishment offering New Canadian cuisine and seafood meals in a romantic atmosphere.
Red House
30 William St. W. Closed on Sundays.
A cozy, vibrant, homey bistro for New Canadian eats and handcrafted cocktails.
Solé Restaurant & Wine Bar
83 Erb St. W. Open until 9pm on Sundays.
Steak, seafood, nouveau Italian in a gorgeous heritage building.
The Bauer Kitchen
187 King St. S. #102. Open to 1am (Fri, Sat) and 11pm (Sun).
Menu features locally-sourced ingredients and includes duck confit wings, excellent salads, and pizzettas. Lively atmosphere sometimes translates into poor acoustics.
White Rabbit
47 King St. N. Open daily to 2am.
Creative gastropub food offered in a relaxed, trendy environment. Open for late-night eats.
Loloan Lobby Bar
14 Princess St. W. Open to 12 am (Fri, Sat), 11pm (Sun).
The newest attraction in town, with good reason. Go for the spectacular French colonial décor and stay for the imaginative cocktails and menu of Southeast Asian flavours.
Dining in Downtown Kitchener (Near the Apollo Cinema)
Inexpensive/Casual (Mains $8-10)
The Adventurer’s Guild Café
36 Ontario St. N. Open to 2am (Fri, Sat), 11 pm (Sun).
We include this board game and videogame café on account of its proximity to the Apollo Cinema, site of keynote address, reception, and screening on Friday evening. Menu consists of an array of panini sandwiches.
Fat Bastard Burrito
306 King St. W. Open to 3am (Fri, Sat), 6pm (Sun).
Franchise burrito chain but decent quality. Fine in a pinch.
Rainbow Caribbean Cuisine
29 King St. E. Open 9am-10pm.
Bright, clean café with best chicken (or chickpea) curry roti this side of the Grand River.
Café Pyrus
16 Charles St. W. 8:30am-7pm (Fri), 9am-6pm (Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun).
Fresh, organic ingredients are emphasized by this haven for vegans and vegetarians. Relaxed coffeeshop environment. Salads $6-9; robust sandwiches $10-12.
Pho Dau Bo
301 King St. E.
Unassuming atmosphere with consistently great phos and other Vietnamese and Thai culinary delights. Accepts online orders.
The Guanaquita Restaurant
273 King St. W., 2nd floor.
Good Salvadorean restaurant, located above Frankie’s Pub. Don’t leave without trying the pupusas. Most entrées are $10-15 and will leave you feeling more than sated.
Moderate (Mains $10-20)
B@THEMUSEUM 10 King St. W. Open to 12am (Fri, Sat), 9 pm (Sun).
Very popular and cozy venue with consistently good dinners. Vegans will enjoy the Buddha bowl; other highlights include shakshouka, duck sliders, and ramen bowl with fish balls.
Northern Thai
95 Queen St. S. Open to 10:30pm (Fri, Sat), 9pm (Sun).
Cheery, comfortable space for Thai dishes very well prepared. Most entrées under $15.
Bobby O’Briens
125 King St.W. Open to 2am (Fri, Sat), 12 am (Sun).
Irish-themed pub.
Rhapsody Barrel Bar
179 King St. W. Open to 12am (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Rustic-chic venue serves “elevated” pub grub. Live music most weekend nights.
East African Café
50 Ontario St. S. 12pm-9pm (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Slow service but the exceptionally tasty and fresh Ethiopian cuisine is worth the wait. Wonderful platters for vegetarian and vegan diners.
Ye’s Sushi
103 King St. W. Open to 10:30pm (Fri, Sat), 10:00pm (Sun).
A faster and more affordable alternative to Kinkaku Izakaya (below). Lesser quality sushi but certainly acceptable.
Upscale (Mains $20-35, reservations typically required)
The Berlin
45 King St. W. 5pm-10pm (Fri, Sat), 11am-2pm (Sun).
Executive chef Benjamin Lillico (formerly of Langdon Hall, Cambridge) offers an inventive, bistro-inspired menu including (at the time of this writing) wild boar ragu and Ontario spring lamb. Vegetarian options on request. Mains $28-40.
Grand Trunk Saloon
30 Ontario St. S. 11:30am-1am (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Modern takes on Southern grub & creative cocktails served in a hip, laid-back place with live bands. Popular entrées Octopus & Grits, Smoked Tempeh Frito Pie, and Catfish & Shrimp Étoufée. Order a cocktail from a Wenn diagram. Mains $17-25.
Kinkaku Izakaya
217 King St W. Open to 10:30pm (Fri, Sat), 9:30pm (Sun).
Top-rated sushi restaurant, featuring an expansive and high-quality all-you-can-eat menu, approx. $27 pp. Reservations are not accepted. Be prepared to wait up to an hour for a table.
Ellison’s Bistro
14 Charles St. W. 5pm-10pm (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
This tiny restaurant features authentic soul food prepared with utmost care by chef Elvis Ellison, who almost always takes time to come out from the kitchen and greet his customers.
271West Restaurant
271 King St. W. Open to 9:30pm (Fri, Sat). Closed on Sundays.
Highly-rated restaurant featuring fresh handmade pastas, bread baked on-site, local produce, and regional meats.
TWH Social
Open to 12am (Fri, Sat), 9pm (Sun).
Located in the basement of the Walper Hotel
Other Noteworthy Spots
City Café Bakery
175 West Ave., Kitchener. Open daily 6:30am-6:00pm
Offering the best wood-fired bagels in Canada as well as sourdough breads, pizzas, donuts. Cash only, and pay on the honour system!
Vincenzo’s
150 Caroline St. S. Closed on Sundays.
An upscale grocery store, not a restaurant, but many ready-made foods and Italian sandwiches made to order, and a smattering of tables for quick meals. Astounding cheese counter sans Toronto prices.
Thrive Energy Lab
191 King St. S., Unit 105. Closed on Sundays.
Inspired by former Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier, this spot features a wonderful menu of vegan, raw, and nutrient-dense foods, including innovative, luscious desserts. Mains $9-13.
Sabletine Fine Pastries
203 King St S. 8am-6pm (Fri), 9am-5pm (Sat), 10:30am-4pm (Sun).
French pastry shop with to-die-for croissants. Not suitable for vegans.