Restaurants in Canada vs. in England

In my opinion, Bri'ish food gets a bad rap and is actually pretty delicious, but how does the overall restaurant experience compare between Canada and in England?

Diversity

On the diversity front, both countries are absolutely killing it. I’ve had the pleasure of trying some rare (and incredible) cuisines in both, like Yemeni food in Calgary and Sri Lankan food in Oxford.

Delicious (and spicy) Sri Lankan food

Each country also has its own take on some cuisines - for example, Calgary gave the world ginger beef, while the UK claims chicken tikka masala. England shines when it comes to doner kebabs, while Canada has amazing banh mi game. Of course, London as a city is on another level when it comes to variety, but in Canada, diverse food is more evenly spread across its cities.

Pricing

Surprisingly (at least to me), eating out in England is generally more expensive than in Canada after converting the currency.

Many Canadian buffets are top-tier value, such as Sizzling Grill in Calgary (Coventry)

That said, English restaurant prices usually include tax and tip (though some restaurants will tack on a 10%+ service charge). So, the price gap isn’t as shocking when you factor that in.

However, if you use The Fork app in the UK/Europe (mentioned in my travel apps blog post) you can get up to an additional 50% off at some restaurants, making them cheaper than practically any Canadian equivalent. Honestly... I just really want this app in Canada 😭.

On average, Canada takes the win on pricing, but England takes the crown for special deals.

Atmosphere

One of my favourite things about England? More often than not, an inconspicuous-looking pub or restaurant turns out to be steeped in history and super cozy inside. Some of the best cheap eats are tucked away in beautiful spots such as the Oxford Covered Market.

Brown's Café in the Oxford Covered Market

Canada, of course, does have some beautiful restaurants (especially with views!), however, historic ones are rare (given the country's young age). If you do find one, you can expect to pay a premium.

So, as someone who isn't much into upscale dining, I have to give England the win for atmosphere.

Service

Service is much more laid-back in England than in North America; you won't often find your server checking in on you and asking how the food is. You usually have to request the bill yourself after your meal, but on the plus side, this means you won't feel rushed out the door.

Whether this is good or bad really comes down to personal preference. My own? I mainly prefer being left to my own eating devices :).

Flavour

How does the actual food compare?

Well, to be honest, English people (admirably) have zero shame when it comes to loving foods that most Canadians would turn their noses up at. Cold pork pie? Liver and bacon? Mushy peas? They eat them proudly. Personally, I actually enjoy most of their odd-sounding dishes, and overall, English cuisine is perfectly indulgent and comforting. That said, there will always be tourists who aren’t thrilled when they bite into a black pudding for the first time.

Terrible British meal (left) vs. Amazing British meal (right)

Unsurprisingly, both Canada and England have restaurants with foods that range from plain terrible to *chef's kiss* amazing (for me, the local chippy was that). I haven’t noticed a clear winner in terms of overall restaurant quality, but I always do my due diligence and check reviews before committing to a place.

The Verdict?

Each country has its own specialties and quirks, and I honestly can’t pick a clear winner. But I am grateful to have experienced the highs (and occasional lows) of both!

Hope I helped whet your anappetite :).

Until next time,

Ana