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What to eat in Canada? Top 100 Canadian Foods

Last update: Thu Mar 20 2025
Top 100 Canadian Foods
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Canadian Foods

01
Montreal smoked meat
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Montreal smoked meat is a type of deli meat sandwich that originated in Montreal, Canada. It's similar to corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, but the meat used has its own distinct preparation process and flavor profile. Pastrami was invented in Romania, a cured beef product prepared by pickling and smoking the fatty and succulent cuts of brisket, then covering them with a coating of various spices and peppercorns.


Reuben Schwartz, a Romanian immigrant, started making smoked meat in Montreal in 1928, a product similar to the original pastrami. Called viande fumé in the Quebec province, it is a much sturdier product with an intense, smoky flavor. 

MOST ICONIC Montreal smoked meat

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02

Rice Dish

VANCOUVER, Canada and  one more region
4.3
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Uramaki, California roll, or upside-down sushi is a unique sushi variety which has its origins disputed between Los Angeles and Vancouver, although most people claim that it was invented in California in the 1960s by a Japanese chef named Ichiro Mashita.


This sushi roll is prepared with sushi rice, nori, fish (mostly tuna or salmon), avocado, and cucumber. It differs from other sushi types because the rice is on the exterior, wrapped around nori seaweed that is in the inner part and surrounds the filling. 

MOST ICONIC Uramaki

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03
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Cedar-plank salmon is a fish delicacy that involves cooking salmon on cedar planks, a unique method of cooking which is believed to have been originally practiced by the Native Americans who mostly used Western red cedar (a type of cypress). The wood planks, which must be free from any surface coatings or chemicals, are typically immersed in water into which coarse salt, fruit juice, or wine can be added.


Once dried and heated on the grill, the planks are topped with salmon fillets that can either be left with their skin intact or skinned. Salmon is typically marinated in oil, seasonings, and fresh aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, dill, oregano, parsley, juniper berries, or even fir needles. 

MOST ICONIC Cedar-plank salmon

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04
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Originating from Toronto, this simple sandwich consists of thick slices of fatty and crispy peameal bacon on a Kaiser bun. The bun soaks up the bacon's juices, developing its own meaty texture in the process. The sandwich is usually paired with mustard, and nowadays there are even modern versions with added cheese, eggs, tomatoes, or lettuce.


The bacon is called peameal because it used to be rolled in ground yellow peas, and although it's now typically rolled in cornmeal, the name peameal bacon remains unchanged.

MOST ICONIC Peameal bacon sandwich

1
05

Potato Dish

QUEBEC, Canada
4.2
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Even though its name stems from the French boudin—a word that usually refers to the pudding-like fillings of sausages—this soppy treat originating from the French Canadian province of Quebec consists of french fries drowned in a thick, brown gravy dotted with clumps of pale, soft, semi-creamy cheese curds.


The potatoes are more coarsely cut than regular fries, and they are sometimes even fried twice so that the exterior remains crispy while the interior remains soft, whereas the cheese does not melt but just softens, adding that special squeakiness to the dish, and the gravy is made with either beef or chicken stock with the addition of vinegar. 

MOST ICONIC Poutine

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4
5
06

Snack

CANADA and  one more region
4.2
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A local delicacy in the cuisine of the Midwestern United States and Canada, deep-fried cheese curds are made from curds that form before cheeses like cheddar are formed into blocks or wheels and left to age. Fresh curds have a rubbery texture and squeak slightly when bitten into, which is why they are sometimes referred to as squeaky cheese.


The squeak is a sign of its freshness, and after about twelve hours, the curds begin to lose their squeak, so they should be eaten on the day they are produced. Since there are many cheese factories and dairies in Wisconsin, the best and freshest cheese curds are produced in that state. 
07
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Beaver tails are sweet, flat, and thin Canadian pastries made from whole wheat flour. The dough is hand-stretched and shaped to look like a beaver's tail - unsurprisingly, one of Canada's national symbols. The shaped dough is fried (a technique referred to as float-cooking) on canola oil and smothered with butter and a variety of different toppings.


Beaver Tails originated from a recipe created by Grant Hooker's family and have been served commercially since 1978. It is believed that the pastry evolved from a yeasty, wheaty dessert made from excess dough that was first made on early Canadian and American farms. 

MOST ICONIC Beaver tails

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08

Snack

MONTREAL, Canada
4.2
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This bagel variety came to Montreal with the wave of Eastern European Jewish immigrants during the early 1900s. There are varying theories about the creator of the first Montreal-style bagel – some claim it was a baker named Isadore Schlafman, while others say it was Hyman Seligman from Dvinsk, who sold them from a horse-drawn carriage.


Before baking, these bagels are boiled in kettles of honey water. Unlike New York-style bagels, these contain no salt and are less dense, with a slightly sweeter flavor. They are rolled and cut by hand and have a large hole in the center. Because Montreal bagels are wood-fired, it results in a crispy exterior and a chewy interior of the dough. 

MOST ICONIC Montreal-style bagel

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09
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A warm and light piece of traditional Canadian Saskatoon berry pie is a regional trademark, especially when accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side. It is made with Saskatoon berries, native to Western Canada, which grow from the Plains to the coast of British Columbia.


The indigenous people of Canada used Saskatoon berries as a food source, grinding them into a paste and drying them for storage over the winter. Later, they were used in pemmican, pies, and various desserts. The city of Saskatoon in Canada is, in fact, named after these same berries, which are also protected by the Slow Food initiative. 

MOST ICONIC Saskatoon berry pie

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10
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Pancakes are traditionally consumed across North America and Canada, made from a starchy batter, eggs, milk, and butter. Their origin is probably German, with the traditional Pfannkuchen recipe being brought by German immigrants who settled in the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.


The pancake has a similar appearance and flavor as the French crêpe but differs in diameter (5 to 10 cm) and thickness. The thickness is achieved by the use of a leavening agent, either baking soda or nutritional yeast. American and Canadian pancakes are typically served for breakfast, in a pile, topped with maple syrup and butter. 

MOST ICONIC Pancakes with maple syrup

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1
2
3
4
11
Sweet Pie
QUEBEC, Canada
4.1
12
Pizza
NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
4.1
13
14
Spread
QUEBEC, Canada
4.1
15
Sauce
WINNIPEG, Canada
4.1
16
17
18
Beef Dish
CALGARY, Canada
4.0
19
Savory Pie
CANADA  and  one more region
3.9
20
Cheese
OKA, Canada
3.9
21
22
Wrap
HALIFAX, Canada
3.8
23
24
Savory Pie
QUEBEC, Canada
3.7
25
26
27
28
29
Appetizer
TORONTO, Canada
3.5
30
Poultry Dish
CANADA  and  one more region
3.5
31
32
33
34
35
36
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
37
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
38
Cheese
LA SARRE, Canada
n/a
39
Side Dish
NEWFOUNDLAND, Canada
n/a
40
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
41
42
43
Flatbread
NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada
n/a
44
Cheese
NOTRE-DAME-DU-LAC, Canada
n/a
45
Cheese
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
n/a
46
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada  and  one more region
n/a
47
Cheese
SAINT-RAYMOND, Canada
n/a
48
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
49
Dumplings
NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada
n/a
50
51
52
Cheese
BERTHIERVILLE, Canada
n/a
53
Savory Pie
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
54
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
4.0
55
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
56
Stew
NUNAVUT, Canada
n/a
57
58
Burger
ALBERTA, Canada
n/a
59
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
60
Cheese
MONTREAL, Canada
n/a
61
Feast
NEWFOUNDLAND, Canada
n/a
62
Beef Dish
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, Canada
n/a
63
Sweet Pastry
THUNDER BAY, Canada
3.4
64
Stew
QUEBEC, Canada  and  one more region
3.4
65
Pancake
NEWFOUNDLAND, Canada
n/a
66
67
Pudding
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, Canada
n/a
68
69
70
Cured Game Meat
CANADA  and  one more region
2.7
71
Stew
NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
n/a
72
73
Meat Jelly Dish
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Canada  and  one more region
n/a
74
Sweet Pastry
NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada
n/a
75
Potato Dish
QUEBEC CITY, Canada
n/a
76
77
Cookie
CAPE BRETON ISLAND, Canada
n/a
78
Sweet Pie
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, Canada
n/a
79
Cheese
SAINT-BENOÎT-DU-LAC, Canada
n/a
80
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
81
Cheese
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, Canada
n/a
82
Cheese
SAINT-RAYMOND, Canada
n/a
83
Cheese
SAINT-HUBERT, Canada
n/a
84
Cheese
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
n/a
85
Savory Pie
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, Canada
n/a
86
87
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
88
Cheese
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
n/a
89
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
90
91
Cake
WINNIPEG, Canada
n/a
92
93
Casserole
NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
n/a
94
Cheese
STRATFORD, Canada
n/a
95
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
96
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
97
Cheese
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, Canada
n/a
98
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
99
Cheese
QUEBEC, Canada
n/a
100
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Canadian Food Producers

01
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Garden To Cup Organics is an organic tea brand that offers a wide range of high-quality, sustainably grown teas. Their goal is to provide tea lovers with fresh, flavorful, and pure teas, all cultivated without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides.


The brand emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and ethical farming practices, ensuring that each cup of tea is not only healthy but also contributes positively to the planet. Their offerings include a variety of teas, such as black, green, herbal, and flavored teas, all sourced from the finest organic tea gardens. 
BEST Garden To Cup Organics Teas and Herbal Infusions
02

Cheese

SAINTE-HÉLÈNE-DE-CHESTER, Canada
4.7
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La Moutonniere is a cheese producer based in Quebec, Canada, specializing in sheep milk cheeses. The company offers a variety of artisanal cheeses crafted using traditional methods. Some of their popular cheeses include La Moutonnière Feta and Le Bedon rond.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2018, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

BEST La Moutonniere Cheeses
03
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Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc., located in Bécancour, Quebec, Canada, was established in 1992. The company specializes in the production of organic dairy products, including a variety of cheeses and butter. Their products are made using milk from cows raised on organic feed without the use of synthetic hormones or pesticides.


Fromagerie L'Ancetre emphasizes environmental sustainability in their production processes.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2019, 2018

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023, 2019, 2018

04

Cheese

CHESTERVILLE, Canada
4.7
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Fromagerie Tournevent specializes in producing goat cheese and is recognized for its eco-friendly approach, embracing sustainable farming practices to minimize environmental impact. It also focuses on the production of chèvre, leveraging traditional cheese-making techniques.
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2018

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000

BEST Fromagerie Tournevent Cheeses
05
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Glengarry Cheesemaking, based in Lancaster, Ontario, specializes in producing fine artisanal cheeses. The company, which has obtained several awards, offers a range of products including the famous Lankaaster cheese - a gouda-style cheese aged to different maturity levels.


They provide cheesemaking supplies and host educational workshops on cheese production.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2016, 2015, 2011

06

Chocolate

NORTH YORK, Canada
4.7
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Mellis Chocolate is a luxury chocolatier known for its handcrafted, award-winning bonbons that blend premium ingredients with innovative flavors. Their creations reflect a commitment to quality and the art of chocolate-making, offering an unforgettable gourmet experience for chocolate lovers.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold

2023

International Chocolate Awards - Bronze

2023, 2018, 2017

Academy of Chocolate - Bronze

2024, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2017

BEST Mellis Chocolate Chocolates
07

Cheese

DRUMMONDVILLE, Canada
4.7
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Agropur, based in Quebec, is one of Canada's largest dairy cooperatives. The cooperative was founded in 1938 and has grown significantly over the decades. Agropur processes and distributes a wide variety of dairy products, including cheese, milk, and yogurt.


The cooperative is owned by dairy farmers in Canada.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003

08

Cheese

SAINT-ANTOINE-DE-TILLY, Canada
4.7
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Fromagerie Bergeron is a cheese producer based in Quebec, Canada. It specializes in producing Gouda-style cheeses and offers a variety of flavors, including spiced and smoked versions. The company emphasizes traditional cheese-making methods while incorporating modern techniques to enhance production efficiency and sustainability.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2015, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

BEST Fromagerie Bergeron Cheeses
09

Spirit

DIAMOND VALLEY, Canada
4.7
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Eau Claire Distillery, established in 2013, is Alberta's first craft distillery, located in Turner Valley. The distillery emphasizes a farm-to-glass philosophy, utilizing locally sourced grains and traditional methods, including horse-drawn farming with Percheron draft horses.


Housed in a restored 1929 building that once served as a movie theatre and dance hall, Eau Claire produces a range of artisanal spirits, such as gin, vodka, and whisky, and offers tours and tastings to showcase their commitment to quality and heritage.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Gold

2023

10
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Atalanta Corporation/Mariposa Dairy is a producer based in Canada that specializes in crafting goat and sheep milk cheeses. Their products include a variety of cheese types, from cheddar to specialty cheeses tailored for distinct flavor profiles. They employ traditional cheese-making techniques while also integrating innovation in their production processes for enhanced quality and variety.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2023, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

11
Cheese
CHARLOTTETOWN, Canada
4.7
12
13
14
15
Cheese
ONTARIO, Canada
4.7
16
17
Wine
ABBOTSFORD, Canada
4.7
18
19
20
21
22
Beer
QUEBEC, Canada
4.7
23
Cheese
BALDERSON, Canada
4.7
24
25
26
27
Beer
TORONTO, Canada
4.7
28
Cheese
VAUGHAN, Canada
4.7
29
Spirit
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, Canada
4.7
30
Wine
RICHMOND, Canada
4.7
31
32
33
34
Spirit
PICTON, Canada
4.7
35
36
37
38
Spirit
CANADA, Canada
4.7
39
Liqueur
ONTARIO, Canada
4.7
40
Wine
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Canada
4.7
41
42
Beer
NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada
4.7
43
Beer
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
4.7
44
Beer
PENTICTON, Canada
4.7
45
Beer
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
4.7
46
47
Beer
VANCOUVER, Canada
4.7
48
Beer
VANCOUVER, Canada
4.7
49
50
51
52
Wine
ONTARIO, Canada
4.7
53
Wine
ONTARIO, Canada
4.7
54
55
56
57
58
Beer
ABBOTSFORD, Canada
4.7
59
60
61
Spirit
NORTH VANCOUVER, Canada
4.7
62
Spirit
QUEBEC, Canada
4.7
63
64
Beer
QUEBEC, Canada
4.7
65
66
Beer
VANCOUVER, Canada
4.7
67
68
69
70
71
Beer
NORTH YORK, Canada
4.7
72
Spirit
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
4.7
73
74
Spirit
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
4.7
75
76
77
Spirit
SALABERRY-DE-VALLEYFIELD, Canada
4.7
78
Spirit
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
4.7
79
Spirit
NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
4.7
80
81
82
Beer
ALBERTA, Canada
4.7
83
84
85
86
Spirit
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
4.7
87
88
89
Beer
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Canada
4.7
90
91
Beer
MONCTON, Canada
4.7
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Canadian Food Products

01
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AWARDS

International Chocolate Awards - Gold

2023

International Chocolate Awards - ‘Best in competition' overall winners

2023

02
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Soma Chocolatemaker produces a chocolate called Guasare, known for its rich and complex flavor profile. The Guasare cacao beans are sourced from Venezuela, specifically from the region where the rare and ancient variety of Criollo beans are found.


These beans are highly prized for their nuanced taste and aromatic qualities. Soma Chocolatemaker carefully crafts the Guasare chocolate to highlight the beans' natural flavors, resulting in a product that is celebrated by chocolate enthusiasts for its depth and richness.
AWARDS

International Chocolate Awards - Gold

2018

International Chocolate Awards - Best in competition' overall winners

2018

03
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L'Ancetre Organic Old Cheddar is a premium-quality cheese produced by Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc. This cheddar is known for its distinct, bold flavor and smooth, creamy texture, which is the result of a meticulous aging process. The cheese is made from certified organic milk sourced from local farms, emphasizing the brand's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.


Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc. ensures that no artificial preservatives or additives are used in the production of this cheese, maintaining its natural and wholesome characteristics.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2019, 2018

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023, 2018

04
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

05
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AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2005, 2004, 2002

06

Cheese

SAINTE-HÉLÈNE-DE-CHESTER, Canada
5.0
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Their cheese "Cabanon" is a washed-rind sheep's milk cheese, crafted with care using raw milk. It has a soft and creamy texture with a strong, pungent aroma that mellows as the cheese ages. The flavor profile is rich, earthy, and slightly tangy, making it a favorite for cheese enthusiasts seeking robust, complex flavors.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2009, 2006, 2005

07

SAINTE-HÉLÈNE-DE-CHESTER, Canada
5.0
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La Moutonnière's Feta is a distinct and flavorful cheese made from sheep's milk. Known for its crumbly texture and tangy flavor, this feta is traditionally brined, which enhances its salty and savory notes. The cheese is creamy yet firm, making it versatile for various culinary applications.


It pairs well with salads, Mediterranean dishes, and can be enjoyed on its own or as a topping for various dishes. La Moutonnière emphasizes quality and sustainability in their cheese-making process, using high-quality sheep's milk to create this beloved product. 
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2012, 2008, 2005

08
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Celtic Blue Reserve is a gourmet cheese product crafted by Glengarry Cheesemaking, which is known for its unique and award-winning cheeses. This particular cheese is a soft, creamy blue cheese with a mild yet distinct flavor profile. It features a slightly tangy, earthy taste with hints of mushroom, thanks to its blue veins.


The texture of Celtic Blue Reserve is smooth and buttery, making it highly versatile for both cooking and direct consumption, whether spread on crackers or melted into sauces. The cheese has also gained recognition in the culinary world, highlighted by its accolades at cheese competitions.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2016, 2015

09
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Nosey Goat is a cheese product made by Upper Canada Cheese Company. This company is known for its artisanal cheeses crafted from the milk of Guernsey and goat herds.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2024, 2023

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best

2023

10
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Cheese
SAINT-ANTOINE-DE-TILLY, Canada
5.0
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Cheese
DRUMMONDVILLE, Canada
5.0
34
35
36
SAINTE-HÉLÈNE-DE-CHESTER, Canada
5.0
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
Beer
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
5.0
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
Cheese
DRUMMONDVILLE, Canada
5.0

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Canadian Foods” list until March 20, 2025, 3,732 ratings were recorded, of which 3,286 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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