When you think of Saskatoon, do the words “culinary hub” come to mind? To be honest, it didn’t pop into mine either, but after a recent partnership with Discover Saskatoon where I explored the culinary scene in Saskatoon it does now.
Discover Saskatoon did a fantastic job in planning a five day itinerary that allowed me to not only see how the restaurant scene in Saskatoon was evolving, but to meet some of the locals who are turning the Paris of the Prairies into the aforementioned culinary hub.
As with any movement, for it to succeed it needs people believing in it. The movement behind the changes in the culinary scene in Saskatoon is being driven by chefs who are focusing their menus to take advantage of the abundant fresh and local ingredients. It’s being driven by farmers who are employing innovative techniques on their farms to produce better products. It’s being driven by restaurateurs who travelled the world working in famous kitchens and have returned to set up shop. It’s being driven by immigrants who’ve embraced Saskatoon and sharing their food culture.
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Some Quick Facts About The City Of Saskatoon
Before we talk about the people, food, and places to eat in Saskatoon here are some quick facts about the city itself.
The city of Saskatoon is named after the Cree word “misâskwatômina”, which refers to the saskatoon berry. One of the most popular dishes made with this berry is the famous Saskatoon Berry pie. While I don’t have a big sweet tooth I couldn’t come to Saskatoon and not try a few bites of this famous pie at different restaurants who put their own unique spin on it. Of all the places we had Saskatoon berry pie, the one at Odla was my favorite (more on that meal later on).

Nighttime views of downtown Saskatoon
Saskatoon is often called the “Paris of the Prairies”, a nickname made popular, not coined, by the late Gord Downie from the band, The Tragically Hip in their 1992 hit, “Wheat Kings”. The nickname “Paris Of The Prairies” came about because of the nine distinctive bridges that span the South Saskatchewan River.
Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in all of Canada receiving an average of 2381 hours of sunlight per year.
Saskatoon is home to the Meewasin Valley Trail. A world famous trail that runs for over 90km along both sides of the South Saskatchewan River.

Inner City by Josh Jacobson
Saskatoon is also famous for its “100 year plan” which is a long-term strategy focused on sustainable urban development, public transit, and revitalization to accommodate future population growth. It’s such a visionary plan that cities the world over have adopted, and implemented, many of the measures outlined within it.
Some Of The People Shaping The Culinary Scene In Saskatoon
While in Saskatoon I had the opportunity to talk to a number of folks in the food industry in Saskatoon. From farmers to restaurateurs to local chefs, and more. The restaurant industry in Saskatoon is full of people with very interesting stories.
One thing that struck me was the strong sense of community in the local restaurant industry. Everyone knows each other and will often go out of their way to lend a hand whenever it’s needed. They share information, they share products, and they rely on each other, and that’s what makes the culinary scene in Saskatoon such a beautiful thing.
Chef Christie Peters of Primal & Pop Wine Bar
Christie Peters is a model-turned-chef-turned-restaurateur. After realizing that she wouldn’t be a model forever she set out to learn a new skill. For a brief period, she considered becoming a welder but instead headed to Vancouver and approached Chef Rob Feenie with an offer to work for free. As luck would have it, they were short-staffed at his restaurant and they offered her a trial shift. That trial shift was the start of a long culinary career. The folks at Feenie’s recognized her potential and paired her with Chef Kyle Michael to hone her skills. They quickly became best friends, travelled together, cooked together, and eventually got married.

From L to R – Davindra, Chef Chrisie Peters of Primal & POP Wine Bar, and Raymond Cua of Travelling Foodie
Famous Kitchen Stints
Over the years, her skills and her love for cooking took her to kitchens all over the world, including a three-and-a-half month stint in the fermentation lab at the world-famous Noma. According to Christie “I wanted to learn more preservation skills because Saskatchewan has a long, long winter and such a short growing season”. After stints in the U.S. and Europe, Christie and Kyle moved back to Saskatoon where they’ve opened up a number of very successful restaurants.
Thinking Of Sustainability In The Culinary Scene Of Saskatoon
Sustainability has become a big part of Christie’s life, and is a practice that she implements at both of her restaurants, Primal and POP Wine Bar. These two restaurants deserve permanent spots on the list of places to eat in Saskatoon.
Most of the furniture at award-winning Pop Wine Bar came from now-defunct spots around Saskatoon. At her restaurants she also uses every part of the vegetable or animal to reduce waste and costs. This practice of making things we’d normally throw out into delicious experiences for her diners really showcases her culinary creativity.
With 20 years of cooking experience under her belt, and owner of two of the most well known restaurants in Saskatoon, Christie is now trying to focus on teaching. Her mission now is to share her knowledge and experience, and search out and bring even more high-quality ingredients to Saskatoon.
Chef Brian Gibbons of Odla
Like many of the other chefs I met, Brian Gibbons spent time outside of Saskatoon before coming back to the city to take his place in the city’s culinary scene.
Born and raised in a small farming community south of Saskatoon, Brian left university to pursue a career in music. He hitchhiked, hopped trains, and busked to make enough money to get by. Kind strangers offered him a sofa to sleep on, or a place to do laundry, and he repaid their kindness with a home cooked meal, something appreciated the world over.

Chef Brian Gibbons of Odla
Back Home In Saskatoon
Upon returning to Saskatoon he found that working in restaurants in Saskatoon was a natural fit for a self-proclaimed misfit. He was able to follow his passion and engage in something creative. He took advantage of the community spirit in the culinary scene in Saskatoon and worked with a number of well-respected chefs around town, including Chefs Christie Peters and Kyle Michael at their first restaurant, The Hollows. It was there that he connected with Scott Dicks and Lacey Sellinger who approached him with the opportunity to work with them at Odla.
According to Brian, Saskatoon is a city that is university-and-youth-driven, and filled with creatives driving their respective communities, “We punch well above our weight not only in the restaurant industry, but in the music and arts scene, too. It’s a gorgeous city with an amazing and all-public river valley, beautiful seasons, salt-of-the-earth citizens and I could not be any more proud to call a city home”.
The Culinary Scene In Saskatoon
Spend 30 minutes talking to Brian about Saskatoon, and its food scene, and you’ll understand the pride he feels for the city. He describes it as one filled with “honest food that’s meant to nourish you”, and it reflects the people who live there.
Sustainability, hyper locality, and rustic flavours may be what the global food industry is leaning towards now, but this is how it has always been in Saskatoon. Cooks grew up preserving food on their grandparents’ farms, pickling garden vegetables for the cellar, fermenting sauerkraut, stretching ingredients to their limits, and reducing waste.
I asked Brian about the high level of collaboration in the culinary scene in Saskatoon. “We’re a small community. We make it through the hard times together and celebrate the good times by each other’s sides. We’ve always found comfort in our neighbors. Saskatoon is an isolated city filled with people who grew up in even more isolated communities. We’re all we’ve got, and damned if we won’t ride-or-die for each other”.
Arlie LaRoche of Farm One Forty
Arlie LaRoche runs Farm One Forty, a 140-acre farm about twenty minutes from downtown Saskatoon. She practices regenerative and holistic farming, which means that her farming techniques allow things to grow naturally. Her cattle, sheep, and pigs graze outside and roam freely, which helps to keep the land healthy by letting it regrow and regenerate. According to Arlie it also makes the meat more flavorful. She shows respect to nature and thus creates a healthy ecosystem.

Arlie LaRoche of Farm One Forty
She has also made the decision to not ship her produce too far; she chooses to sell only to locals to encourage people to get to know their farmers and build a better connection with their food. This is a farming practice that farmers in other parts of the country are now leaning towards but in Saskatoon, this practice is the norm.
Arlie and her husband opened Odla, a farm-to-table restaurant in Saskatoon’s Broadway neighbourhood. She has since stepped away from the day to day operations of the restaurant but still supplies them with beef, lamb, pork and produce from her farm.
Through Farm One Forty and Odla, Arlie is helping people understand that local, sustainably produced food is better for everyone. It’s not just about eating—it’s about feeling connected to the food, the farmers, and the community around you. For her, that’s what real food is all about.
Where To Eat Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner In Saskatoon
The culinary scene in Saskatoon is bursting at the seams with standout restaurants – I was astounded to learn that the city boasts one of the highest numbers of restaurants per capita in Canada! Local chefs use creative techniques and blend Prairie traditions with fresh, local flavors. They work closely with local farms to bring in farm-fresh meat and produce which helps make diners more connected to the land. In Saskatoon you’ll find bakeries milling their own flour, pizzas being served out of the back of a converted postal truck, and upscale spots with menus that change with the season.
There are many places to eat in Saskatoon so make sure to add these stops to your culinary itinerary when exploring the city.
Best Breakfast Restaurants In Saskatoon
Poached Breakfast Bistro
Address: 259 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1K8
Poached Breakfast Bistro is a restaurant with two personalities. It goes from brunch spot by day to Flint Saloon, a cocktail bar, at night. Located in the Central Business District, they’re known for their various egg dishes.

The sun filled dining room of Poached
This cozy spot has perfected the art of breakfast, especially when it comes to their eggs Benedict, it’s not what you find at other restaurants. They offer their perfectly poached eggs over different accoutrements such as butternut squash or creamy vegetables. I opted for something that I thought was unique and creative: their poached eggs over crab and shrimp risotto cakes. I wish more places served this but I doubt it’ll be as good as this one. With each bite you could taste the sweetness of the crab even though there was shrimp and pollock in there. The hollandaise sauce was the perfect consistency and you could see little bits of herbs in it. Everything worked so well with each other.
Poached is the perfect place to kick back and savor a leisurely Saskatoon brunch.
Hometown Diner
Address: 210 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK, S7M0W9
Hometown Diner is located in Riversdale, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Saskatoon. Don’t go to Hometown Diner expecting to find a traditional diner where customers sit on one side of the counter and servers sling eggs and pour coffee from the other. Instead, you’ll find a modern space filled with sunlight, exposed brick walls, comfortable booths, lots of art, and plenty of plants.
Hometown Diner is opened 7 days a week and serves breakfast and lunch. On the menu you’ll find a number of elevated classic breakfast dishes. Do you like avocado toast? Well theirs comes with a poached egg, lemon zest, sesame seeds, tomatoes, chili flakes, and garlic, on sourdough.
A burger for breakfast? Yes, please! The Hometown Burger is a 5oz patty with bacon, pickles, pickled onion, American cheddar, and secret sauce on a sesame seed bun. Don’t sleep on this burger as it hits all the right notes especially when you add a side of fries which are more like crispy baby potatoes than regular fries.
Most of their ingredients come from local growers and farms, and everything is made in-house. Delicious food, warm and friendly service, easily accessible, and located in a historic part of town, don’t leave Saskatoon without visiting Hometown Diner.
Pique Café
Address: 130 4th Ave N, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 5T6
At Pique Café it’s all about the attention to detail. The cafe, owned by Taszia Thakur and her husband Karan Thakur, is less than a year old, and the space is bright and cozy. As you wait in line you can watch pastry chefs make their pastries and bread by hand in a large glass-enclosed area.
Their goal is to use as many organic ingredients as possible. Like many of the restaurants in Saskatoon, only locally-sourced meats, eggs, and produce are used. Their breads and pastries are made with Saskatchewan-grown-and-milled flours.
We had a few dishes there but the Schmoo doughnut was the item that blew me away. It was literally the best doughnut I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of doughnuts! Theirs is a spin on the classic Schmoo torte, a dessert that I’ve never heard of, but is quite popular in Western Canada. It’s made with layers of pecan angel food cake, whipped cream, and caramel sauce. When I saw it I thought it would be way too sweet but it was perfect!
If you’re looking for something a little more savory then I highly recommend their Beef au Poivre which is made with tender thick-cut brisket, caramelized onions, shallots, microgreens, and brie on a homemade baguette. If you’re there for breakfast get the Smoked Salmon Croissant, which is a homemade croissant filled with house-smoked Sockeye salmon, pea shoots, dill chutney, creme fraiche, and topped with a perfectly cooked sunny side egg.
The Night Oven Bakery
Address: 216 Avenue D N, Saskatoon, SK S7L 1M6
The Night Oven Bakery is a bakery, in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood of Saskatoon, that should be the poster child for the farm-to-bakery concept as they try to use 100% locally sourced ingredients. Of course, being a bakery means they use less ingredients than full service restaurants, but it also means that the ones they do use are of the highest quality.
They mill their own flour using locally-grown organic grain like Red Fife Wheat, Spelt, Dark Buckwheat, Khorasan, Durum, Einkorn and Rye. As a matter of fact, they’re the only bakery in the province with an in-house mill. They also supply many of the restaurants in Saskatoon with flour for their breads.
Their Sourdough breads at The Night Oven are made with heritage grains, while their pastries are both sweet and savory. Whether it’s their pastries or many loaves of bread, everything is made by hand and baked in a wood-fired oven. They’re open 7 days a week and each day they feature a different bread.
Get yourself a couple of their cannelés, and a spelt sourdough before leaving.
Best Restaurants For Lunch in Saskatoon
Odd Couple
Address: 228 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W9
Odd Couple was our first food stop after landing in Saskatoon. This family-run restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Saskatoon for Asian food. When we say that it’s family-run we’re not kidding. It’s owned and operated by Andy Yuen, his wife Rachel, and parents Sam and Jane.
The family immigrated to Saskatchewan back in 1996 but often make trips back home to get inspiration for new dishes at their restaurant.
The menu at Odd Couple isn’t focused on one type of Asian cuisine but instead made up of dishes of Vietnamese, Japanese, and Cantonese origins. Think of the menu as being Canadian-Asian.
We started our lunch off with their Vegan Spring Rolls, and yes, this carnivore loved, and recommends, starting your meal off with them. The Singapore noodles were perfectly made with the distinct but subtle flavours of curry and wok hei. We also had the Ginger Beef with Jasmine rice but this was a little too sweet for my liking.
Botte Persian Cafe
Address: 123 Avenue B S #117, Saskatoon, SK S7M 5X6
Botte Persian Cafe is Saskatoon’s first Persian inspired teahouse. The owners migrated from Iran many years ago and in 2018 opened a spot that reminded them of home.
What started out as a tea shop transformed into a takeout spot during the pandemic with Persian inspired recipes from owner Parvis Yazdanis, and his mom.

Chef Diana Gray of Botte Persian Cafe
Guyanese born Chef Diana Gray collaborated with Parviz to create a menu that is Middle Eastern inspired but using local Saskatoon ingredients. Diana has been part of the culinary scene in Saskatoon for a long time as she operated a cafe for a number of years. She recalls that twenty five years ago she introduced avocado to her menu and people weren’t very open to it. Over the years Saskatoon has gotten more diversified and palates are changing to the point where people are now seeking newer, bolder flavours. This is one reason why Botte Persian Cafe is so busy.
The restaurant hasn’t strayed from their tea shop roots and the menu has a very nice section of teas and tea based drinks. The rest of the menu consists of brunch items, wraps, sandwiches, rice bowls, and entrees that are a bit heavier and more suited for dinner. And of course, a ton of Persian dessert options.
The Aush (vegetable and legume soup) is a must try, rich in flavours and layered with textures, perfect for a cold day in the Prairies. Their omelettes are also quite unique and are the perfect Persian fusion way to start your day. One of the omelettes we tried was made with caramelized Medjool dates, fried feta cheese and bacon bits. It was a delicious blend of sweet and savoury.
Baba’s Homestyle Perogies
Address: 720B 51st St, Saskatoon, SK S7K 4K4
There are drive-thru pharmacies, drive-thru banks, and chapels that provide drive-thru wedding ceremonies, but only in Saskatoon will you find a drive-thru pierogi restaurant. As a matter of fact, it’s the only place in the world where you’ll find a drive-thru pierogi restaurant. Don’t worry, if you’re not in the mood to eat in your car, you can always step inside as they do have a small seating area.
Baba’s Homestyle Perogies is a family-run restaurant that’s an institution in the culinary scene in Saskatoon thanks in part to the city’s large Ukrainian population. Ukrainian immigrants first settled in the province over a century ago and their rich traditions, including the food, live on. With such a rich history it’s no surprise that 13% to 15% of the province’s population is of Ukrainian descent.
During the busy times of the year, like Christmas, Baba’s will go through over 2,500 pounds of potatoes in a week. All of their perogies and cabbage rolls are handmade. To get a proper taste of their menu you have to order the Super Combo plate which comes with 5 perogies, 2 cabbage rolls, and a smokie (a delicious smoked sausage).
Postal Pizza
Address: The Streets Of Saskatoon
Postal Pizza is a food truck that’s owned by Chef Devereaux Gatin and operates in Saskatoon. Honestly you can’t miss them as their food truck is an actual 1974 Dodge B300 postal truck that was restored and converted into a mobile pizza making machine that specializes in Neapolitan style pizza.
We caught up with the Postal Pizza truck outside of Cafe Del Ray which, coincidentally, is also owned by Chef Gatin.
Devereaux, a classically-trained chef, went to culinary school and worked in British Columbia before heading off on a trip through Asia(South Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia). It was while on this trip that he got the idea of creating a business around the street food he experienced. Unfortunately the logistics just didn’t work out as Asian street food needs fresh and flavourful ingredients and sourcing that on a consistent basis proved to be very difficult in Saskatoon.
After deciding to pivot away from the Asian street food Devereaux went back to BC and spent time perfecting his dough.
In 2021 Postal Pizza hit the streets and it quickly became one of the most popular food trucks in Saskatoon. From May to October you can often find the Postal Pizza truck on the street outside of Cafe Del Ray.
Las Palapas Resort Grill
Address: 910 Victoria Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0Z6
If you can’t escape to Mexico when winter rolls around in Saskatoon, the next best thing is to head to Las Palapas Resort Grill for the food, cocktails, and Mexican vibes.
Las Palapas Resort Grill is located in the Nutana neighbourhood, on Main St., just a couple blocks west of the busy Broadway Avenue. The first thing that caught my attention as we walked in was the explosion of colours throughout the restaurant. Las Palapas is much bigger than I expected as there are multiple dining rooms each with their own theme and colour schemes.
The menu at Las Palapas Resort Grill has everything that one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. From delicious starters, to rice bowls, to burritos, to tacos, everything is made fresh and most dishes can be made gluten-free.
The cocktail menu features a nice selection of margaritas that blends classic Mexican flavours with local ingredients like Saskatoon berries.
We started with a couple of margaritas, then moved onto their Camarones De Coco Yucateco (Coconut Shrimp). I could never go to a Mexican restaurant and not have tacos so I chose their shrimp, fried chicken, and chipotle beef. They were all quite tasty but my favorite was the chipotle beef.
Best Dinner Restaurants In Saskatoon
Primal
Address: 423 2th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X3
Primal is located in Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighborhood and is owned and operated by Chef Christie Peters and her husband Kyle Michael. Since opening back in 2015 the restaurant has made a number of appearances on the Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list.
According to their website they are focused on “Creating time honoured Italian food & handmade pasta using Saskatchewan heritage grains & whole animal butchery”. Pair that ethos with their impeccable service and warm, inviting atmosphere and you can see why diners rave about them.
The dishes that the Chefs Peters and Michael create are the products of local sourcing. Their hand cut pastas are made with locally-milled grains, and the meats are ethically raised on local farms. Nothing goes to waste. The menu changes with the season so they’re able to constantly showcase fresh ingredients.
We spent a couple of hours talking to Chef Peters at POP Wine Bar, her other award winning restaurant in Saskatoon, and she told us all about her commitment to local farmers and the city’s growing culinary scene.
Some of the dishes we tried were the house-made fried bread, roasted bone marrow, the panzanella salad, bison carpaccio, slow cooked bison cheek and a pork agnolotti.
I’ve tried bison quite a few times before but the bison cheek, and the carpaccio, at both of Chef Peters’s restaurants in Saskatoon were the best I’ve ever had. Bison has played a very important part in the history of this part of Canada so each animal that’s butchered is treated with the utmost respect. The bison cheek was fork-tender and was paired perfectly with the sauce.
Hearth Restaurant
Address: 102 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0L3
Over the past few years I’ve noticed a trend where museums have collaborated with restaurateurs to open award winning, in-house, restaurants. This trend has continued in Saskatoon with a delicious pairing between the iconic Remai Modern museum and Hearth Restaurant.
The award winning museum is located steps away from the South Saskatchewan River and the dining room and patio of Hearth Restaurant offers lovely views. Imagine being able to enjoy a meal in one of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants while enjoying river views on a patio of a museum that houses the world’s largest collection of Pablo Picasso’s linocut prints.
A Brief History Of Hearth Restaurant
Hearth is owned and operated by Beth Rogers and Thayne Robstad, partners in real life as well as in business. The couple first met in 2008 and then travelled and worked in restaurants in Vancouver and Toronto. They came back to Saskatoon in 2014 and opened the first iteration of Hearth in 2018. Back then it was a local neighbourhood spot whose menu celebrated the farm to table movement.
The Menu At Hearth Restaurant
The couple is big on foraging, hunting and fishing so their seasonal menu really is a celebration of Saskatchewan’s ingredients. As a matter of fact when we visited we didn’t get to meet Beth and Thayne because they were on a fishing trip.
The growing conditions in Saskatchewan produces some of the world’s most flavourful chanterelle mushrooms. Chanterelles are a favorite of the team at Hearth and you’ll find it featured in quite a few menu items as well as throughout the restaurant, on their shirts, and on their website.
One of the most popular dish is the mushroom dip and even though their menu changes seasonally this has never been removed. It’s absolutely delicious and was one of the best things I ate on this trip. How could it not be? Chanterelle mushrooms in a mornay sauce with house made ciabatta.
Other menu items we enjoyed were the Pike conserva, Trout and beet tartare, Homemade pasta with chanterelle mushrooms, Potato and ricotta agnolotti, Potato doughnuts, and ended with a few sweet treats. Here’s something that people who know me may be surprised to hear: I really enjoyed the Sticky toffee pudding and I’d definitely order this dessert again.
Odla
Address: 801 Broadway Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7N 1B5
I know by now I’m beginning to sound like a broken record because I’m going to mention the fact that Odla is another restaurant in Saskatoon that’s championing the Eat Local movement. This isn’t a flash in the pan thing for them as Odla was started by Arlie La Roche who owns Farm One Forty and is known for her holistic approach to farming. Odla works with over 50 local producers so one can see why they live by the quote on their website: “Your food shouldn’t travel farther than you do”.
As I mentioned above, Arlie isn’t involved in the day to day operations of Odla anymore, but instead supplies the restaurant with some of their produce and quality meats. This partnership between farm and restaurant ensures that every dish at Odla is made with flavourful ingredients.
Menu At Odla
Odla is located along Broadway Avenue in Nutana, one of the more popular neighbourhoods in Saskatoon. Nowadays the job of creating their mouth-watering dishes fall to Chefs Scott Dicks and Brian Gibbons. The menu is seasonal and everything from pasta to burrata to chicken liver pate is made in-house. One of my favorites of the night was the Bao Bun – lamb donair with cucumber, pickled beet slaw, donair sauce served in a house-made bao bun. The flavours and textures were spot on and I loved the playfulness of serving donair in an Asian steamed bun.
To get a true sense of the menu at Odla I’d suggest trying the 4 course tasting menu. It’s served family style and you basically say to the chefs: “My tastebuds are in your hands, make them happy!” This option comes with a protein, house made burrata, handmade breads and pasta.
If you’d rather not be surprised then the menu items we tried that I would recommend are the Bao Bun, Steak Frites, and the gnocchi. Surprisingly, I’d also recommend trying the Saskatoon Berry pie if it’s available. I don’t have a sweet tooth and I’ve tried quite a few of these pies but the one at Odla was my favorite of the bunch. It was just sweet enough and the pastry was nice and buttery. The slight tartness of the berry filling was nicely balanced by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The entire meal was an experience with dishes complementing each other and being perfectly paired with different wines. It is definitely one of the best places to eat in Saskatoon.
Must Visit Bars In Saskatoon
We can’t talk about the culinary scene in Saskatoon and give recommendations on places to eat in Saskatoon without talking about the cocktail offerings in the city. The places below pair their wines and cocktails with great food to elevate the whole experience.
POP Wine Bar
Address: 334 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X2
POP Wine Bar, located in the Riversdale neighbourhood, is the second restaurant in Saskatoon that’s owned and operated by Chefs Christie Peters and Kyle Michael. This place is made for lovers of unique wines and well shaken cocktails. The couple is serious about sustainability, although Christie did disclose that they splurged on the chandelier that hangs above the hostess booth at the entrance. From the artwork to the furniture, almost everything has been repurposed from spots around Saskatoon.
POP is a natural wine bar that’s also known for their oysters, charcuterie, and cocktails. Oysters in the Prairies? Oh yes! They come from New Brunswick and they’re damn delicious!
The natural wines is another must try when you visit POP. These wines are produced on a small scale and made with very little intervention. Pesticides are not used, wines are made without additives, and there’s minimal filtration. This type of wine is exactly what you’d expect to find at POP Wine Bar as it reflects the farm-to-table beliefs that Chef Peters brings to both of her restaurants.
Don’t sleep on the food menu when you visit POP Wine Bar. The oysters we had were spectacular, but if you have to get just one dish from the food menu make sure you get the Bison Tartare. It came with an egg yolk, chives, and crispy potato sticks. We mixed everything together and it was one of the best tartare bites I’ve ever had.
PARLoR
Address: 236 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1K9
If you didn’t know that this speakeasy existed you’d easily walk right past the entrance on 2 Avenue in the Central Business District of Saskatoon. There’s no signage on the exterior of the building, and the entrance is a nondescript door to the left of the St. Tropez Bistro entrance. Walk up the long flight of stairs and through the door on the right to get to this cocktail emporium.
PARLoR is owned by Jason Strohan and Cher Diller and was an apartment in a previous lifetime. As you walk in you’re greeted by a long bar where the magic happens. You’ll find a couple of seating sections including one that was the living room in the previous apartment. There’s also a rooftop garden where many of the herbs that are used in their concoctions are grown.
Their cocktail list is very impressive and include classics made with rum and gin to extra special ones made with Hennessy Paradis Rare Cognac. If whiskey is more your style don’t fret as they have over 100 whiskies for you to try.
I’m a sucker for cocktails with egg white and the one called “Too Nice To Be Mean” caught my eye. It was made with El Jimador Tequila Blanco and butterfly pea flower giving it a lovely purple colour.
Bokeh On The Plaza
Address: 480 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5R4
Bokeh On The Plaza is located in the lobby of the Alt Hotel. It’s in a prime location as it’s just steps away from the Remai Modern museum, the South Saskatchewan River and right downtown. The location makes it the perfect meet-up spot for both locals and visitors.
Inside you’ll find a chic, modern space with a menu that has something for everyone from charcuterie boards to small plates to entrees. They’re known for their cocktails but also offer a number of other options such as whiskies and local craft beers.
I had the Pineapple Express which was made with Mezcal, pineapple juice, lime juice, Laphroaig spray, simple syrup.
Where To Stay While Visiting Saskatoon
Alt Hotel
Address: 480 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5R4
The Alt Hotel was my base while I was exploring the culinary scene in Saskatoon. The hotel itself was opened in 2019 and it’s located right next to the South Saskatchewan River and about a 10 second walk away from the Remai Modern and all the chanterelle mushrooms at Hearth Restaurant. The location alone makes it one of the best hotels to stay at in Saskatoon. This was my second time in an Alt hotel in less than a year. My first visit was at the Alt Hotel in St. John’s, NL in June of 2024.
The Alt Hotels can be described as modern and eco-friendly. The rooms and public areas show lots of exposed concrete with large windows letting in tons of sunlight.
The rooms themselves aren’t very big but are very comfortable. They’re designed in a way where every inch is thoughtfully used. Each room comes with a workspace, coffee maker, and rainfall showers. The floor to ceiling windows made the room seem much bigger and offered up beautiful views of the South Saskatchewan. One evening I sat by the window enjoying an amazing lightning show from a passing Prairie rainstorm.
Delta Hotels Bessborough
Address: 601 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 4H9
While I didn’t stay at the Delta Hotels Bessborough on this visit I thought I should include it in this article because of the hotel’s history and significance to the city of Saskatoon. I also decided to include it because the Delta Hotels Bessborough is home to the 2025 Travel Media Association Of Canada Conference and I’m looking forward to staying there at that time.
The Bessborough, or The Bess, was designed by architect Archibald Schofield and during the Great Depression it’s construction provided a vital economic boost to the city. The hotel opened in 1935 and is one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. It’s recognized as a cultural and historical landmark in Saskatoon and is one of the most photographed buildings in Saskatoon.
Other Hotels In Saskatoon
If these hotels aren’t what you’re looking for then there are many other hotels, condos and other accommodations in and around Saskatoon, use the map below to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Local Ingredients, Well Travelled Chefs and Saskatoon’s Culinary Scene
When I took off from Toronto on my way to Saskatoon I really didn’t know what to expect when I landed. Ok, I expected it to be flat, and it was!
During the days where I explored Saskatoon I met chefs who left the city but returned to make their mark. They live the concept of sustainability. They appreciate the local ingredients and try their best to not waste any part of the vegetable, or animal. The winter months forced people to learn the art of pickling and fermenting their vegetables. Nose-to-tail butchery is a way of life.
The sense of community is another thing that struck me. Everyone is more than willing to help out if they’re needed without batting an eye. Chef Gibbons from Odla put it best “Saskatoon is an isolated city filled with people who grew up in even more isolated communities. We’re all we’ve got, and damned if we won’t ride-or-die for each other”.
Go visit the Paris of the Prairies and meet the people, it’s only then that you’ll feel the sense of community and fully understand what I’m talking about.
Huge thanks to Discover Saskatoon for hosting us on this trip. Even though I was compensated for this article all opinions expressed are completely my own.
What an interesting spread of eateries in Saskatoon. I like the name; it sounds kinda hippy. I appreciate that most of these restaurants employ sustainability in their food production and service. The food pictures are making me drool. Saskatoon seems to have a strong food culture that every Food Explora like myself will enjoy. Thanks for putting us on to another place to visit.
I’m glad you liked it. Sustainability is a way of life in Saskatoon. The winters are long and cold so they’ve had to learn how to survive and make the most of what they have.
I have a cousin who loved living in Saskatoon, and have heard such great things about the bridges and lights. Thanks for a great article!
Thank you, I’m so glad you liked it.
Nice place I would like to visit someday
Saskatoon sounds like an adventurous place to visit, and the food must be really good.
It really is.
I’ve never been to Saskatoon, but is the food scene is making me reconsider? Yes, definitely! Thanks for sharing these places!
I didn’t know what to expect before touching down but my tastebuds were very happy.
Sounds like a really interesting place with so much to do. I’ll have to add it to my list!
There’s a lot more to do than just eat. I’m saving those tips for my next post.
You make me hungry with all the food lol… We cross canada few time but never stop in Saskatoon.. I will have to stop and visit some of the restaurants.:O)
Saskatoon is an underrated city so I definitely recommend you paying them a visit.
Hi Davindra,
Great article! I plan on joining TMAC this year and attending the Saskatoon conference.
Thank you Merle. That’s great news, I’ll see you in Saskatoon!!