If you’ve talked to our team recently, we’ve probably mentioned Thunder Bay’s epic food scene. It’s hard to keep it to ourselves! Thunder Bay’s geographically-isolated position along the shores of Lake Superior in Northern Ontario makes it tricky to import exotic ingredients from distant locations. Instead, Thunder Bay chefs, food producers, mixologists, bakers, and farmers must rely on one another to produce and create. This has led to the development of fantastic partnerships, cool tastes of place, and a food story that is totally and completely unique to Thunder Bay. Keep reading for our round-up of the must-visit spots in Thunder Bay.
You Need to Try: Family-style tasting menu
Hot Tip: Tuesday is burger night. There will be a line and it will be worth it. Farm-to-table is the name of the game at Tomlin , where the menu changes regularly and its curation is a collaborative effort by the whole kitchen team. A true foodie stop in the city, we recommend heading here if you’re celebrating something special or are seeking out a great cocktail. While we can’t guarantee that these dishes will be on the menu when you visit, past seasonal faves have included pork belly with kimchi-jigae, charred broccolini, a sweet corn and sausage dish, and so much more. We recommend ordering the family-style tasting menu,which will have you on your toes and pleasantly surprised every step of the way!
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Breweries and Cocktail Bars
Lakehead Beer Co. + Tomlin Subdivision
Right in downtown Thunder Bay, Lakehead Beer Co. and Tomlin Subdivision share a home that is full of flavour. Lakehead does three flagship beers really well: an IPA, a Pilsner and a Light Lager, all served straight from the brite beer tank for the freshest pint possible. We recommend checking out the IPA for a juicy, dry-hopped little number made using Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops. Order up a pint or two, then head over to the counter at Tomlin Subdivision to grab one of their famous subs or some of the best dang Detroit-style pizza you’ll ever have. We love the Buffalo chicken ‘za. Finally, we recommend checking out this spot on a Tuesday for trivia or a Thursday for open mic night—this is your chance to see a great lineup of talented local musicians.Dawson Trail + Station 22
Priding themselves on crafting simple brews well, Dawson Trail is a no muss, no fuss kind of brewery. Step inside and order up a flight; we loved the German pils, but don’t hesitate to ask the staff for a recommendation based on your palate. Their team brews using locally-grown grain malted just down the road, and you’ll taste the care they’ve put into sourcing fresh ingredients. Next, slide yourself just down the counter and put in an order at Station 22 , the in-house restaurant. We enjoyed feasting on their nachos made with corn tortilla chips, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, bacon, green onion, spiced ground beef, tomato, banana peppers and salsa roja, served with a thick sour cream. The potato skins were pretty top notch, but if you’re looking for something a little different, try the pancetta leek dip—yum!Barkeep
Barkeep might just be the coolest spot to hang out in Thunder Bay. Inside, you’ll find a large u-shaped bar, ambient lighting and a cocktail list curated with an impressive amount of care. We recommend starting with the Rice Tipsy Treat, a fun homage to an epic meal savoured by the owners featuring tequila, umeshu, tamarind, toasted rice, lime and chilli. We also tried the Crooked Little Heart, a cocktail made with gin, white rum, curaçao, aperol, cranberry, egg white, served smoking thanks to the torched cedar that adds an aromatic note to the experience. Looking for alcohol-free options? That’s no problem either! The menu includes a range of zero-proof cocktails, like the Pomelo Nojitos featuring pomelo, grapefruit, mint and soda, or the Virgin Barkeep Caesars among other great options. Pair your drink choice with a few delicious snacks like their Little Pickle Plate, Sea Salt Pistachios or Soy Sauce Almonds—yum!Sleeping Giant Brewing Company
Found on the outskirts of town, Sleeping Giant Brewing Company is a pretty big player in the Ontario craft beer game. Around since 2012, they’re known for their fun takes on classic brews like the Stouty McStoutface or the Mr. Canoehead Hoppy Red Ale. Book a tour in advance, join in on one of their fun events or grab a spot outside on the patio on a beautiful day (our favourite option!). Our summer go-to is their seasonal Citra Saison with notes of orange and lime. Before you leave, be sure to shop their in-house gift shop stocked with tons of cool merch, local products and more.Farmers’ Markets and Food Producers
Thunder Bay Country Market
This local farmers’ market is your gateway to understanding what Thunder Bay is all about. The market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday, and it’s full of great vendors selling their delicious wares. You’ll find familiar faves like Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. and Thunder Oak Cheese alongside lesser-known vendors who are building local businesses from the ground up! This is a great spot to grab a few savoury souvenirs or to source your next meal.Goods & Co.
How do we describe Goods and Co. ? It’s like a mall if malls were full of cool, local businesses making craft cocktails, serving unreal bipimbap and selling local produce, maple syrup, pottery, clothing, jewelry and more. This collective of Thunder Bay businesses is all kinds of fun to visit, and there’s something for everyone. We recommend taking your time to explore the whole thing at your leisure but if you’re tight for time here are a couple of can’t-miss suggestions.Thunder Oak Cheese
Run by the Scheps, a Dutch family who immigrated from Holland with a longstanding cheesemaking pedigree, Thunder Oak Cheese specializes in crafting traditional farm-to-table Goudas on their farm just south of Thunder Bay. Take a relaxing road trip out of the city to the Thunder Oak Cheese farm, where you can sample all sorts of Goudas including dill, cracked black pepper, Fenugreek, and even cumin & cloves. In addition to the cheese, the farm shop is also home to a number of Dutch specialty goods like stroopwaffels, cookies, herbaceous licorice and more. Trust us, it’s really gouda.Slate River Dairy
Slate River Dairy is an homage to what our food should be—fresh from the farm. Owners Jim and Wilma Mol are passionate about their products, which becomes very clear when you strike up a conversation with them! Named after the Slate River that bends right through their property, Slate River is a beautiful spot to explore, but you’ll have to head inside the building to find their flagship product: fresh milk. We recommend grabbing a bottle of their regular milk as well as the chocolate milk and enjoying a few sips outside before heading on your way. This is a milk experience unlike any other: Slate River milk comes straight from the cow! Unlike standardized milk from the grocery store (think 1%, 2%, homogenized, etc.), the only process this milk goes through is pasteurization at 63 degrees Celcius. It tastes a wee bit sweet and a whole lot of good. Also on deck? Yogurt, buttermilk, butter, cottage cheese and more. Don’t forget your cooler!Bay Meats Butcher
Bay Meats Butcher is run by two former tax accountants! This shop full of preservative-free goodness. Find a great selection of jerkies, pepperettes (or mints as we like to call them) and smoked products that are sure to hit the spot. If you’re heading to one of the many epic hikes available around Thunder Bay, we recommend stopping in and stocking up. Try the maple jerky or teriyaki jerky (all made with Canadian beef) for a tangy treat. You can also shop their line of smoked spices (you need the smoked paprika in your life) or pick up ham and garlic kielbasa for sandwiches—yum!NOMAD
Part café, part gift shop, part market, part-restaurant—we weren’t really sure where NOMAD should fit on this list, but we knew it had to make an appearance. NOMAD takes airport shopping to a whole new level, and we can’t wait for this to become the new normal in airports! Conveniently located in the departure terminal, consider this your final stop to stock up on the essentials: beer from Sleeping Giant and Lakehead, Heartbeat Hot Sauce, goods from Tea Horse, art by local artists, coffee from St Paul Roastery, and so much more. You can also grab a coffee, gelato, or a treat from Pine Tree Catering. Whether you were worried about fitting your goods in a carry-on or forgot a souvenir for somebody back home, NOMAD is a life saver.Restaurants
Great restaurants abound in Thunder Bay! Keep reading for some of our go-to spots.Thai Kitchen
Thai Kitchen is busting at the seams with rich, bright, vibrant flavour! Located right downtown on Cumberland Street, you haven’t really visited Thunder Bay until you’ve visited Thai Kitchen. Seriously, ask any local. Thai Kitchen pride themselves on harmony in their food (sweet and spicy, Western and Eastern, savoury and bright), and you can see (and taste) that philosophy in every dish. We recommend diving into the Tom Ka Gai with coconut chicken, fresh mushrooms, chilies, lemongrass, lime leaf and galanga, or the well-known Ginger Chicken Stir Fry made with zingy fresh ginger. Hint: Top it all off with their well-spiced curry puffs and a jasmine bubble tea for maximum enjoyment!Tomlin
Where: 202 1/2 Red River Rd, Thunder Bay, ON ( View Map )You Need to Try: Family-style tasting menu
Hot Tip: Tuesday is burger night. There will be a line and it will be worth it. Farm-to-table is the name of the game at Tomlin , where the menu changes regularly and its curation is a collaborative effort by the whole kitchen team. A true foodie stop in the city, we recommend heading here if you’re celebrating something special or are seeking out a great cocktail. While we can’t guarantee that these dishes will be on the menu when you visit, past seasonal faves have included pork belly with kimchi-jigae, charred broccolini, a sweet corn and sausage dish, and so much more. We recommend ordering the family-style tasting menu,which will have you on your toes and pleasantly surprised every step of the way!