Guidebook for Kitchener
Food Scene
They make fabulous stone-oven pizzas, and have fresh coffee, pastries, bagels and croissants. The model is 'honour system' - there is no cashier. You make your selections (or order your pizza) and then stuff money in a box (like depositing fare on a bus)! They won't answer the phone - you need to walk in to order. But it is worth it - an iconic presence that could only work in a community like this one.
20 locals recommend
City Cafe Bakery - West Ave.
175 West AveThey make fabulous stone-oven pizzas, and have fresh coffee, pastries, bagels and croissants. The model is 'honour system' - there is no cashier. You make your selections (or order your pizza) and then stuff money in a box (like depositing fare on a bus)! They won't answer the phone - you need to walk in to order. But it is worth it - an iconic presence that could only work in a community like this one.
Swiss Chalet Rotisserie & Grill
525 Highland Rd WReliable, healthy comfort food - nearby.
This place is iconic. Be prepared - it is a large 'Southern Roadhouse' style restaurant, with 'rustic' decor, where the servers wear T-shirts adorned with jokes about pulled pork. But - they have huge servings of the best, award-winning BBQ meats. They cook many of their BBQ meats overnight, serve a good array of local draft beers, and there are often line ups of people in suits for lunch. Arrive early - because of the long preparation times, if they run out of a particular slow-cooked meat, you are out of luck on that one! They make it clear they won't compromise on quality.
35 locals recommend
The Lancaster Smokehouse
574 Lancaster St WThis place is iconic. Be prepared - it is a large 'Southern Roadhouse' style restaurant, with 'rustic' decor, where the servers wear T-shirts adorned with jokes about pulled pork. But - they have huge servings of the best, award-winning BBQ meats. They cook many of their BBQ meats overnight, serve a good array of local draft beers, and there are often line ups of people in suits for lunch. Arrive early - because of the long preparation times, if they run out of a particular slow-cooked meat, you are out of luck on that one! They make it clear they won't compromise on quality.
A little pricey, but worth it. This is a favourite for faculty hosting invited speakers visiting U Waterloo & Laurier. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the chef/owner is renowned.
20 locals recommend
Bhima's Warung
262 King St NA little pricey, but worth it. This is a favourite for faculty hosting invited speakers visiting U Waterloo & Laurier. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the chef/owner is renowned.
Good food, nice vibe, great place to hang out. Right beside Vincenzo's, which is a wonderful place to shop for the foods-of-the-world, and the Paula Diamond White Art Gallery (selling fabulous Canadian art, and where they clearly love what they do, and are incredibly unpretentious and friendly)! A great little area to shop and chill out.
32 locals recommend
The Bauer Kitchen
187 King St SGood food, nice vibe, great place to hang out. Right beside Vincenzo's, which is a wonderful place to shop for the foods-of-the-world, and the Paula Diamond White Art Gallery (selling fabulous Canadian art, and where they clearly love what they do, and are incredibly unpretentious and friendly)! A great little area to shop and chill out.
The Concordia Club was established in the 1800s, and was the site of the first Waterloo Region Octoberfest. This lovely German-themed restaurant and club does an amazing brunch buffet (as well as other meals), or you can order a la carte. The servers are in traditional German dresses, for a truly authentic atmosphere. A great place to take a large group for a meal.
9 locals recommend
Concordia Club
429 Ottawa St SThe Concordia Club was established in the 1800s, and was the site of the first Waterloo Region Octoberfest. This lovely German-themed restaurant and club does an amazing brunch buffet (as well as other meals), or you can order a la carte. The servers are in traditional German dresses, for a truly authentic atmosphere. A great place to take a large group for a meal.
This restaurant is right beside the St.Jacob's Farmers Market. The food is simple, hearty, and always great, and there is lots of it (it is a great value). Pasta, sandwiches, and burgers, steaks and schnitzel, souvlaki, fish & chips, grilled salmon, and prime rib. There is a separate kids menu (and kids eat free on Tuesdays). We take our parents and our kids, and three generations are happy. We've never had a bad meal. Arrive early, there are often line ups.
7 locals recommend
Jack's Family Restaurant
20 Benjamin RdThis restaurant is right beside the St.Jacob's Farmers Market. The food is simple, hearty, and always great, and there is lots of it (it is a great value). Pasta, sandwiches, and burgers, steaks and schnitzel, souvlaki, fish & chips, grilled salmon, and prime rib. There is a separate kids menu (and kids eat free on Tuesdays). We take our parents and our kids, and three generations are happy. We've never had a bad meal. Arrive early, there are often line ups.
Drinks & Nightlife
Arabella Park Beer Bar
740 Belmont Ave WCraft beers in a nice village!
On campus at the University of Waterloo. Go where the local students go. Terrific theme nights and dancing, great food, and a selection of local beers on tap.
The Bombshelter Pub
200 University Ave WOn campus at the University of Waterloo. Go where the local students go. Terrific theme nights and dancing, great food, and a selection of local beers on tap.
Craft coffee and whisky - the locals seem to love it.
30 locals recommend
Death Valley's Little Brother
84 King St NCraft coffee and whisky - the locals seem to love it.
Shopping
This is the closes shopping mall (there is an Apple store, The Bay, and most other large clothing stores).
47 locals recommend
Conestoga Mall
This is the closes shopping mall (there is an Apple store, The Bay, and most other large clothing stores).
Outdoor and indoor market, with a fabulous array of fresh produce and meats, and craft vendors. A great place to grab lunch.
168 locals recommend
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market & Flea Market
878 Weber St NOutdoor and indoor market, with a fabulous array of fresh produce and meats, and craft vendors. A great place to grab lunch.
There is a wide array of shops and restaurants, There is also a summertime splash pad that is free and fabulous for kids (up to around age 11 or 12 years).
15 locals recommend
The Boardwalk
245 The BoardwalkThere is a wide array of shops and restaurants, There is also a summertime splash pad that is free and fabulous for kids (up to around age 11 or 12 years).
Essentials
Sobeys Highland
274 Highland Rd WFull grocery store.
Entertainment & Activities
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
40 Benjamin RoadSee live plays nearby!
Centre In The Square
101 Queen St NLive shows, music, plays, and symphonies.
Movie theatre is close to the food court - so you can grab a snack as well.
12 locals recommend
Galaxy Cinemas
550 King St NMovie theatre is close to the food court - so you can grab a snack as well.
Landmark Cinemas 10 Waterloo
415 The BoardwalkLocated among restaurants and shopping.
Arts & Culture
This is a Children's Museum, and is a fabulous place to take the 12-and-under crowd. There are always new exhibits, and so many interactive stations. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon or a day!
76 locals recommend
THEMUSEUM
10 King St WThis is a Children's Museum, and is a fabulous place to take the 12-and-under crowd. There are always new exhibits, and so many interactive stations. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon or a day!
Coupled with the Doon Heritage Village, it gets rave reviews.
35 locals recommend
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
10 Huron RdCoupled with the Doon Heritage Village, it gets rave reviews.
Everything Else
University of Waterloo - 33,230 undergraduate and 5,860 graduate students
11 locals recommend
University of Waterloo station
University of Waterloo - 33,230 undergraduate and 5,860 graduate students
Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Ave W18,589 Students