What Food To Try in St Catharines and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in St Catharines for 2024.
National currency: Canadian Dollar, symbol — C$ (international currency code CAD).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in St Catharines cafes and restaurants
$18.5
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $10.56
$67.9
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $45.28
$9.4
Combo Meal
Starting from $8.3
What to Try in St Catharines
Must-try Dishes
Peameal Bacon Sandwich - Peameal Bacon (savory breakfast treat) - Thick-cut, salty slabs of peameal bacon, served on a fresh bun with a drizzle of mustard. Locals love to grab this for a hearty breakfast at nearby delis on weekends.Butter Tart - Butter Tarte (sticky, sweet delight) - A flaky pastry shell filled with a gooey mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs, topped with raisins or pecans. You'll find locals savoring this sweet indulgence during tea time or as a post-lunch pick-me-up at local bakeries.
Pork Vindaloo - Vindalho de Porco (spicy and tangy) - A rich, spicy dish with marinated pork simmered in a tangy vinegar sauce, often served with rice. It's popular for weekend dinners where families gather around a shared table as the heat brings out lively conversation.
Beef on a Bun - Beef on a Bun (local specialty) - Slow-cooked roast beef piled high on a soft bun, often drenched in flavorful gravy. This classic is a late-night favorite, best enjoyed from food trucks during festivals or after hockey games.
Perogies - Pierogi (stuffed dumplings) - Dumplings filled with potato, cheese, or sauerkraut, often topped with sautéed onions and sour cream. You’ll catch locals sharing a plate at community events, making it a fun social dish to enjoy together.
Vegan Chili - Chili Vegano (hearty and filling) - A robust mix of black beans, lentils, and seasonal vegetables simmered to perfection. Perfect for lunch, this dish is often served at cozy cafés, with locals enjoying it as a comforting, healthy option when the weather turns cool.
Spicy Sausage Roll - Sausage Brisée (savory pastry) - Flaky pastry stuffed with zesty sausage, usually enjoyed as a quick snack on-the-go. You’ll see locals munching on this treat during outdoor markets, making it a favorite street food throughout the summer.
Harvest Bowl - Bowle de Récolte (seasonal mix) - A colorful bowl filled with quinoa, roasted seasonal veggies, and drizzled with a tangy dressing. This dish is popular in fall when locals seek out warm, nourishing meals, often enjoyed at farm-to-table cafés.
Desserts & Drinks
Hot Chocolate - Chocolat Chaud (rich hot beverage) - Decadent dark chocolate melted with warm milk, often topped with whipped cream. Locals enjoy this comforting drink during chilly winter months, especially after ice skating in the parks.Wellington Ale - Eau de Wellington (local craft beer) - A smooth amber ale brewed with a blend of malts and hops, offering a subtle honey flavor. Perfect to sip in the summer while enjoying a barbecue with friends or during local festivals.
Fresh Pressed Apple Cider - Cidre de Pomme (sweet apple drink) - Made from freshly pressed Ontario apples, this drink is refreshing and slightly tangy, served cold for those hot summer days. On weekends, you'll find it at farmer's markets and local orchards where it's often paired with cinnamon-dusted donuts.
Butter Tart - Tarte au Beurre (sweet pastry) - A flaky pastry shell filled with a sweet blend of butter, sugar, and eggs, often with raisins or pecans. This is a staple dessert at family gatherings or events like the St. Catharines Farmers' Market, best enjoyed warm for that gooey center.
Frozen Yogurt - Yogourt Glacé (chilled creamy dessert) - Silky smooth yogurt made from local milk, often mixed with seasonal berries and topped with crunchy granola. Perfect as a cooling treat on hot afternoons, especially during the Niagara Icewine Festival in the winter when it's served alongside local wine tasting.
By the way, if you're looking for something unique, ask about the apple cider slushies available in the fall!
Food and Groceries in St Catharines
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $2.6 |
| Bananas | $1.35 |
| Oranges | $2.99 |
| Potatoes | $2.41 |
| Apples | $3.53 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $1.66 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.41 |
| Imported Beer | $2.85 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $13.58 |
| Milk 1L | $2.16 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $14.11 |
| Chicken | $10.45 |
| Cigarettes | $12.07 |
| Rice | $3.72 |
| Local Cheese | $10.9 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
In St. Catharines, mealtime customs vary quite a bit from other cities, revealing a cultural tapestry woven with local flavors and traditions. Walking through downtown around noon, you’ll notice the lunch rush transforming parks into temporary dining spots, with office workers flocking to food trucks that offer everything from gourmet tacos to comforting poutine. This typical scene shows how locals embrace both food trucks and parks as prime lunch options.
Typical meal times here start with breakfast around 7:00 to 9:00 AM, lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and dinner usually peaking between 5:30 and 8:00 PM. Dining often extends later into the evening, especially on weekends at popular neighborhoods like the idyllic St. Paul Street, which boasts a vibrant nightlife. A quick lunch at a food truck can cost anywhere from $10 to $15 CAD, while grabbing a sit-down meal might run you $20 to $35 CAD per person in more casual restaurants.
In St. Catharines, cash is still widely used, but debit and credit cards have become the norm, especially in more established eateries. Many locals prefer to tip 15-20% for good service, although some trendy places have started adopting a no-tipping policy, incorporating service charges into prices. This can be a bit confusing for visitors who might overlook the details on the menu.
Speaking of customs, you'll notice locals often share communal tables in cafes or bistros, a reflection of the friendly atmosphere. On a particularly busy day, like the first warm Saturday of spring, be prepared for the lunch crowd to fill every popular spot quickly—timing is everything. Arriving just before noon or around 2 PM can save you from long waits.
One common mistake tourists make is thinking they can walk into popular restaurants without a reservation, especially during peak dining times. Trust me, you’ll want to book ahead, particularly for dinner on weekends when places are bustling.
In terms of pricing trends, certain areas, especially near the waterfront, are slowly creeping up in cost, while local favorites farther north remain budget-friendly. Seasonal changes also affect prices; expect to pay a bit more for fresh, local produce in summer compared to the cooler months when imports dominate.
As you navigate the local scene, you'll find that the spirit of St. Catharines is distinctly reflected in its food culture, featuring communal sharing, casual dining, and a willingness to explore a rich variety of global cuisines.
Typical meal times here start with breakfast around 7:00 to 9:00 AM, lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and dinner usually peaking between 5:30 and 8:00 PM. Dining often extends later into the evening, especially on weekends at popular neighborhoods like the idyllic St. Paul Street, which boasts a vibrant nightlife. A quick lunch at a food truck can cost anywhere from $10 to $15 CAD, while grabbing a sit-down meal might run you $20 to $35 CAD per person in more casual restaurants.
In St. Catharines, cash is still widely used, but debit and credit cards have become the norm, especially in more established eateries. Many locals prefer to tip 15-20% for good service, although some trendy places have started adopting a no-tipping policy, incorporating service charges into prices. This can be a bit confusing for visitors who might overlook the details on the menu.
Speaking of customs, you'll notice locals often share communal tables in cafes or bistros, a reflection of the friendly atmosphere. On a particularly busy day, like the first warm Saturday of spring, be prepared for the lunch crowd to fill every popular spot quickly—timing is everything. Arriving just before noon or around 2 PM can save you from long waits.
One common mistake tourists make is thinking they can walk into popular restaurants without a reservation, especially during peak dining times. Trust me, you’ll want to book ahead, particularly for dinner on weekends when places are bustling.
In terms of pricing trends, certain areas, especially near the waterfront, are slowly creeping up in cost, while local favorites farther north remain budget-friendly. Seasonal changes also affect prices; expect to pay a bit more for fresh, local produce in summer compared to the cooler months when imports dominate.
As you navigate the local scene, you'll find that the spirit of St. Catharines is distinctly reflected in its food culture, featuring communal sharing, casual dining, and a willingness to explore a rich variety of global cuisines.