Where to Eat in Waterloo

If youre new to Waterloo, you may not have gotten many recommendations for where to go out. Lucky for you, we have the inside track. Weve rounded up a few favourite local eateries to introduce you to Kitchener-Waterloos dining scene.

Red House

6 minute drive from Louie; 30 minute walk

The Red House is a fun, energetic, and unpretentious little bistro focused on fresh local ingredients and quality cocktails. Located in a literal red house with a cozy dining space, the restaurant is the first from chef Dan McCowan, a young area native who cut his teeth at restaurants like Jump by Oliver & Bonacini in downtown Toronto.

The menu features several international-inspired dishes, including the Red House signature curry, Moroccan stuffed zucchini, Cioppino fish stew, Guyanese Bara dumplings, bavette steak, and in-season Ontario peach salad.

Public Kitchen & Bar

10 minute drive from Louie

Public Kitchen is a small-plate eatery with a very impressive bottle shop and cocktail menu. The format allows you to work your way through a wide selection of more than 20 dishes (if you’re hungry) including eggplant focaccia, smoked salmon rosti, pork belly, and Basque-style cheesecake and panna cotta for dessert.

Public is also hosting Gord’s Burgers as a lunch pop-up, with burgers, fried chicken, milkshakes, and more, some of which you can also get on the dinner menu.

If you’re not quite ready to dine-in, the menu is also available for takeout. That includes the fried chicken family dinner, and the cheese tasting which featuring a selection from their “cheese cave.”

The Crazy Canuck

7 minute drive (Uber/cab ride) from Louie

If you’re looking for more traditional bar fare with a little extra ‘umph’, your best bet is The Crazy Canuck. Not only can you get ribs, burgers, and clubs, but it also offers Po-Boy Hoagies, donair, as well as specialty poutine and house made pizzas.

The recurring specials include Fish Fryday and Taco Tuesday, and the bar also hosts games nights, and live stand-up comedy. If you’re less keen on calorie-dense pub food, you’d be hard-pressed to find a pub with better produce. It is, after all, right next to St. Jacob’s, Canada’s largest year-round farmer’s market.

Mel’s Diner

3 minute drive from Louie; 10 minute walk

You can’t put together a list like this without some good old fashioned comfort food. Fortunately, Mel’s Diner is right around the corner from the condos at Louie.

Big portions, fair prices, all-day breakfast, homemade burgers, and of course, diner favourites like meatloaf, Monte Cristos, and Reubens, Mel’s is a staple in the community. Can’t decide which day of the week to visit, burgers are $7 on Mondays, kids eat free on Wednesdays, Fridays have $4 domestic beers, and Sunday you can get half-priced pie.

Beertown Public House

5 minute drive from Louie; 24 minute walk

If you’re a fan of craft beer, check out Beertown in the Waterloo city square. The Waterloo location of this exceptional chain has a great rotating selection of specialty beers and features that let you sample and share (including something called the “Paddletron 3000”).

They also offer a large menu of upscale pub favourites like lobster rolls, smashed lamb burgers, a brisket platter, poke bowls, and Korean lettuce wraps.

Thinking of making the move to Waterloo? Consider Louie a new mid-rise condominium in the heart of the city. Register today.