Dining in Regina
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Regina, Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan is known as the land of living skies and centred in this vast prairie province is the city of Regina. Regina is Saskatchewan’s capital city and, despite its seeming isolation, is a vibrant community with a varied culinary scene. Flavours are drawn from native vegetation and game, the hard work of pioneers that have built this province’s agricultural heritage and the city’s diversity of people, many of whom have immigrated from other countries and brought with them their own native recipes.
Regina’s restaurants and bars are concentrated in the main part of town on Albert Drive and downtown. Most restaurants display their menu in the window and wandering leisurely through the town to choose an eatery is a delightful part of the dining experience.
HEARTY PIONEER BREAKFASTS
Living on the land is hard work, which is why having a big, nutritious ‘pioneer’ breakfast, has become part of the Saskatchewan culture. It is easy to find a hearty meal at one of the many convenient family restaurants around town.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery on Prince of Wales Drive has traditional, Canadian-style breakfasts with crispy bacon, whole wheat toast and eggs, and children will enjoy the friendly kids’ menu and stacks of pancakes smothered with maple syrup. Alternatively, a lighter breakfast can be found at a bakery or coffee shop. The Great Canadian Bagel serves a refreshing breakfast with freshly baked bagels and toppings that are easy to grab on the go, while the Northgate Bakery also serves breakfasts treats such as rolls, danishes and muffins.
HIGH ENERGY LUNCHES
Regina is best explored by foot—especially since historic sites are concentrated in the downtown area—and luckily, many cafes are conveniently located nearby so visitors can easily refuel. Healthy meals and light lunches such as salads, sandwiches, and soups can be found at most eateries. The Green Spot Cafe is an ideal place for just such a meal. The vegetarian restaurant is situated downtown and has a varied menu of simple cuisine as well as exotic Asian dishes like dim sum, sushi and curries.
JAVA JOLTS & COOL TREATS
Many of Regina’s people are of English descent, who continue the tradition of a small afternoon meal—which is usually a cup of tea or coffee and a light snack. Freshly brewed coffee, tea, hot chocolate and a variety of snacks can be enjoyed at Aegean Coast Coffee and Tea, Atlantis Coffee Company, and Java Express. During the particularly hot Saskatchewan summer days, the best way to cool off is with an ice cream treat and both Milky Way Ice Cream and Polar Palace Ice Cream serve up classic hard ice cream as well as other icy creations like sundaes and banana splits.
HOMESTYLE PRAIRIE DINNERS
There are many casual dining spots around town that offer hearty food, including pizza parlours, steakhouses, barbeques and family restaurants. Western Pizza is a great place to go with a group since the large menu offers more then just pizza and items that are good for sharing such as chicken wings, dry ribs and onion rings.
Montana's Cookhouse serves up juicy, fire-grilled ribs and steaks, and the backcountry atmosphere, kids’ menu and games make it an easy destination for the whole family. Barbeque enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Smokin' Okies BBQ on Quance Street, where the chefs specialize in pulled pork, baby back ribs, beef brisket, and steaks with classic side dishes like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread and hushpuppies.
FINE CITY DINING
Regina has several upscale establishments that feature Canadian and international fare. Chefs specializing in regional cuisine often cultivate relationships with local producers to garner the freshest and most flavourful ingredients from the surrounding area. The RoofTop Bar and Grill is a contemporary restaurant with a complex menu that includes locally sourced game and livestock. The flame-broiled black and blue bison burger and blackened striploin are particularly popular options among restaurant patrons. Many local ingredients are incorporated into their menus; fresh greens, squashes and berries complement summer dishes while root vegetables such as potatoes, beets carrots and parsnips strengthen winter meals.
For a small city, there is a surprisingly diverse cuisine scene in Regina, and Asian, Latin and Mediterranean fare is particularly popular. Michi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, opened by Japanese immigrants who came to Saskatchewan in the 1970s, serves authentic Japanese cuisine prepared by veteran chefs. Siam Authentic Thai Restaurant also serves authentic Thai fare made in traditional style from imported ingredients. Diners at Casa Latina will revel in the fusion of Latin and Dominican flavours. The large number of menu items are good for sharing with friends and family and specialties include paella and seafood, specifically fish, lobster, mussels and shrimp.
SWEET SASKATCHEWAN ENDINGS
Saskatchewan has a short growing season but it is intensely hot and the highly adaptable Saskatoon berry is well suited to the extreme seasons. This berry has a sweet, nutty taste, and has been used by First Nations people for thousands of years. Today the Saskatoon berry is the pride of the province and is often featured in locally made desserts.
Cafes offer up a selection of homemade cookies, bars and squares, which can be easily packed away for a quick burst of energy on the go, or patrons can sit down to a slice of berry pie or a piece of berry crumble, such as those made from scratch and served in the snug, cozy atmosphere of Northgate Bakery.
A DRINK AFTER HOURS
In the evenings, lounges, nightclubs, pubs and sportsbars sprinkled around town start to fill up quickly. Visitors and residents alike can kickback at the Mulligan's Lounge, a relaxing lounge with plush seating, dim lighting and a large drink selection. Patrons can enjoy a genuine dark ale at one of Regina’s traditional Irish pubs, the Blarney Stone or Fibber McGee's, and locals and visitors will enjoy the best of cowboy culture at the Pump Roadhouse, a popular country style nightclub with live music and a fun party atmosphere.
Regina’s restaurants and bars are concentrated in the main part of town on Albert Drive and downtown. Most restaurants display their menu in the window and wandering leisurely through the town to choose an eatery is a delightful part of the dining experience.
HEARTY PIONEER BREAKFASTS
Living on the land is hard work, which is why having a big, nutritious ‘pioneer’ breakfast, has become part of the Saskatchewan culture. It is easy to find a hearty meal at one of the many convenient family restaurants around town.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery on Prince of Wales Drive has traditional, Canadian-style breakfasts with crispy bacon, whole wheat toast and eggs, and children will enjoy the friendly kids’ menu and stacks of pancakes smothered with maple syrup. Alternatively, a lighter breakfast can be found at a bakery or coffee shop. The Great Canadian Bagel serves a refreshing breakfast with freshly baked bagels and toppings that are easy to grab on the go, while the Northgate Bakery also serves breakfasts treats such as rolls, danishes and muffins.
HIGH ENERGY LUNCHES
Regina is best explored by foot—especially since historic sites are concentrated in the downtown area—and luckily, many cafes are conveniently located nearby so visitors can easily refuel. Healthy meals and light lunches such as salads, sandwiches, and soups can be found at most eateries. The Green Spot Cafe is an ideal place for just such a meal. The vegetarian restaurant is situated downtown and has a varied menu of simple cuisine as well as exotic Asian dishes like dim sum, sushi and curries.
JAVA JOLTS & COOL TREATS
Many of Regina’s people are of English descent, who continue the tradition of a small afternoon meal—which is usually a cup of tea or coffee and a light snack. Freshly brewed coffee, tea, hot chocolate and a variety of snacks can be enjoyed at Aegean Coast Coffee and Tea, Atlantis Coffee Company, and Java Express. During the particularly hot Saskatchewan summer days, the best way to cool off is with an ice cream treat and both Milky Way Ice Cream and Polar Palace Ice Cream serve up classic hard ice cream as well as other icy creations like sundaes and banana splits.
HOMESTYLE PRAIRIE DINNERS
There are many casual dining spots around town that offer hearty food, including pizza parlours, steakhouses, barbeques and family restaurants. Western Pizza is a great place to go with a group since the large menu offers more then just pizza and items that are good for sharing such as chicken wings, dry ribs and onion rings.
Montana's Cookhouse serves up juicy, fire-grilled ribs and steaks, and the backcountry atmosphere, kids’ menu and games make it an easy destination for the whole family. Barbeque enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Smokin' Okies BBQ on Quance Street, where the chefs specialize in pulled pork, baby back ribs, beef brisket, and steaks with classic side dishes like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread and hushpuppies.
FINE CITY DINING
Regina has several upscale establishments that feature Canadian and international fare. Chefs specializing in regional cuisine often cultivate relationships with local producers to garner the freshest and most flavourful ingredients from the surrounding area. The RoofTop Bar and Grill is a contemporary restaurant with a complex menu that includes locally sourced game and livestock. The flame-broiled black and blue bison burger and blackened striploin are particularly popular options among restaurant patrons. Many local ingredients are incorporated into their menus; fresh greens, squashes and berries complement summer dishes while root vegetables such as potatoes, beets carrots and parsnips strengthen winter meals.
For a small city, there is a surprisingly diverse cuisine scene in Regina, and Asian, Latin and Mediterranean fare is particularly popular. Michi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, opened by Japanese immigrants who came to Saskatchewan in the 1970s, serves authentic Japanese cuisine prepared by veteran chefs. Siam Authentic Thai Restaurant also serves authentic Thai fare made in traditional style from imported ingredients. Diners at Casa Latina will revel in the fusion of Latin and Dominican flavours. The large number of menu items are good for sharing with friends and family and specialties include paella and seafood, specifically fish, lobster, mussels and shrimp.
SWEET SASKATCHEWAN ENDINGS
Saskatchewan has a short growing season but it is intensely hot and the highly adaptable Saskatoon berry is well suited to the extreme seasons. This berry has a sweet, nutty taste, and has been used by First Nations people for thousands of years. Today the Saskatoon berry is the pride of the province and is often featured in locally made desserts.
Cafes offer up a selection of homemade cookies, bars and squares, which can be easily packed away for a quick burst of energy on the go, or patrons can sit down to a slice of berry pie or a piece of berry crumble, such as those made from scratch and served in the snug, cozy atmosphere of Northgate Bakery.
A DRINK AFTER HOURS
In the evenings, lounges, nightclubs, pubs and sportsbars sprinkled around town start to fill up quickly. Visitors and residents alike can kickback at the Mulligan's Lounge, a relaxing lounge with plush seating, dim lighting and a large drink selection. Patrons can enjoy a genuine dark ale at one of Regina’s traditional Irish pubs, the Blarney Stone or Fibber McGee's, and locals and visitors will enjoy the best of cowboy culture at the Pump Roadhouse, a popular country style nightclub with live music and a fun party atmosphere.
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