As the seasons change, let your tastebuds go on a similar journey. Embrace this time of year by getting out and indulging in new experiences. One of the most unique experiences Sudbury has to offer is its eclectic collection of local cuisine, and that has never been more true than it is today.
Of course, everyone has their local favorites. Whether it’s a night of fine dining at Ristorante Verdicchio, or a more casual night out at Hardrock42, we all have our go-to’s depending on the mood we’re in. However, we never experience anything new from staying in our comfort zones.
There has never been a better time to explore what the city has to offer. Throughout the past year, more new local restaurants have opened up in Sudbury than any year in recent memory. From Japanese-style BBQ, to vegan delights, to Middle Eastern shawarma plates — you can now find food from all over the world without ever having to leave the city.
We have rounded up a list of the 10 best new restaurants to visit in Sudbury, each offering their own authentically Sudburian dining experience. We guarantee there’s at least several on this you haven’t been to yet, so let’s dive right in. Bon Apetit!
Please note that restaurants are not listed in any particular order.
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Wagyu Japanese BBQ
Wagyu Japanese BBQ is one of the Sudbury’s newest restaurants, and can be found in the plaza on Lasalle Blvd. across from New Sudbury Centre. Wagyu, meaning “best” in Japanese, strives to live up to its name with its all-you-can-eat menu of BBQ’d meats and vegetables. According to the reviews circulating online, it’s doing an excellent job of bringing authentic Japanese-style BBQ to Sudbury.
The format of a Japanese BBQ works by having you cook your own food. Plates of prepared meat and vegetables are brought out to you, where you then cook the food on a grill built into your table. You can customize your plate however you like for a unique dining experience every time. Not to mention you can eat as much as you’d like, so don’t be afraid to ask for seconds! For more information, visit their Facebook page.
2. Beards
Beards is a brand new, strictly vegan cafe located in the Donovan area. The buzz for this new cafe is generating quickly, and if you haven’t checked it out yet you might be one of the last few to do so. Cookies, scones, and cupcakes are baked on-site and offered alongside locally sourced coffee. Whether you want to grab-and-go, or unwind in a peaceful setting, Beards offers both. Boasting a near-perfect 4.9 star rating on Facebook, Beards is sure to delight whether or not you typically follow a vegan diet. If you don’t believe us, just check out their Facebook page and try not to let your mouth water over the exquisite treats that are posted daily.
3. Taco Sol
Taco Sol offers authentic Mexican food in the Downtown area. Dishes are made from scratch, in-house, using real Mexican recipes. Everything is adorned with special spices, peppers and vegetables that will propel your palate on a trip to Mexico and back. Entrees include tacos or burritos which you can customize to your liking in a variety of ways. Grab a side of freshly made guacamole and top that meal off with a plate of churros, and you have yourself a night of traditional Mexican dining you won’t soon forget. For more information about Taco Sol you can visit their website.
4. Scarlet Tomato
Technically located in Azilda, Scarlet Tomato is an infusion between Canadian and Italian cuisine. All of the favorite Italian comfort food that Canadians love are included on the menu at Scarlet Tomato. From veal parmesan, to seafood linguini, to some Italian-inspired burgers you won’t be able to find anywhere else. You’ll find a wide variety of palate pleasers at Scarlet Tomato — and according to reviews published so far on Facebook and TripAdvisor, the menu appears to be a hit. With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, everything is designed around comfort. If you’re looking for a mix between casual and fine dining, with dishes that are sure to please, Scarlet Tomato is certainly worth the short drive out of the core Sudbury area. For more information you can visit their website.
5. Cairo
Did you ever think you would see Egyptian food in Sudbury? Tucked away in the Downtown area, Cairo Cafe & Take-Away offers a menu of garlic-infused Egyptian style food that you can either eat in or take out. Cairo has quickly developed a reputation for its outstanding shawarma, with rave reviews on both Facebook and TripAdvisor. For the non-meat eaters, Cairo offers an exceptional falafel dish, which also makes a great side order for meat eaters as well. Though it may be tricky to find, Cairo is absolutely worth hunting down for a dining experience that’s as close to Egypt as you can get in the Nickel City. For more information, visit Cairo’s Facebook page.
6. Taphouse Northern Grill
Taphouse Northern Grill, located in what used to be known as the 1500 Pub, could not be any different from its predecessor. For one, the drink selection has grown exponentially, with 23 craft and premium beers on tap and more being added regularly. Let’s not forget about the food either, which has also been upgraded. The Taphouse menu features burgers you can barely wrap your mouth around, and plates of pasta you’ll almost assuredly be eating for leftovers the next day. With a jovial atmosphere and large high definition televisions covering the walls, every seat at Taphouse is the best seat in the house. If you’re looking to fill your belly amongst good company, do it Sudbury style at Taphouse Northern Grill. For more information you can visit their website.
7. Fired Up Pizza
Fired Up Pizza shares a location with Taphouse Northern Grill but offers a menu all on its own. Fired Up is one of Sudbury’s most recent success stories, with humble beginnings as a food truck to now having it’s own physical location in a historical city building. That’s proof the demand for Fired Up Pizza exceeds what can be delivered by a food truck. Now their pizza can be enjoyed all year long, so why not see what all the fuss is about? In a city that’s dominated by large pizza chains, Fired Up is your newest option for a local pizza joint that’s proven it can compete with some of the bigger names in the business. For more information you can visit their website.
8. Durham Social
Durham Social is more than just a facelift on the old Respect is Burning. It’s a completely new experience, redesigned from the ground up. However, it’s still an experience that fans of Respect is Burning will love just the same. While still retaining Respect is Burning signage on the outside, what you’ll get on the inside is an amalgamation of unique new concepts. Durham Social also serves as a popular nightlife location, but the owner has been quoted as saying it’s always about food first. The menu leans toward Italian fare, though it’s unlikely you’ll find the same type of entrees at any traditional Italian restaurant. Even if you’ve been to Respect is Burning before, it’s worth checking out what they’ve done with the new place. For more information you can visit their Facebook page.
9. Red Fang Tavern
Red Fang Tavern shares a location with Respect is Burning under the Durham Social umbrella, but it’s worth highlighting individually due to the fact that it’s separated as its own establishment. When you hear the word “tavern” your mind doesn’t tend to conjure up food, but when that tavern shares a kitchen with Respect is Burning you can expect some of the finest nighttime dining in the city. At Red Fang Tavern you can enjoy your food and beverages amongst live entertainment, which ranges anywhere from acoustic singer-songwriters to house music DJs depending on the night. For more information, including a calendar of live entertainment events, you can visit their Facebook page.
10. Smoke’s Poutinerie
Ok, we know, we cheated a bit with this one. Smoke’s Poutinerie isn’t exactly local, it is a chain of Canadian fast food restaurants with a menu that consists entirely of different types of poutine. But really, what’s more synonymous with Sudbury cuisine than poutine? Some will argue that our city has mastered the art of topping fries with cheese curds and gravy, but Smoke’s takes it to another level. Unless you’ve visited a location in another city, we can virtually guarantee you haven’t been here yet because its primary location isn’t opening until the new year. For now there’s just a small outlet at Laurentian University’s cafeteria in the Fraser Building. For more information about what you can look forward to in the new year, you can visit their website.
Conclusion
There you have it, 10 of the best new restaurants, all opened within the past year. Each one offers something different from the next — a fresh appetizing adventure for all you foodies out there. Even if you visited just one new restaurant a week, there’s enough here to try something new all through the holiday season and well into the new year. Do you have a favorite new restaurant that didn’t make our list? If so, please leave a comment below and we may include it as an honorable mention.
