Festival Bites: Insiders Dish on the Best Food Spots

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Hours spent absorbing music, theatre and dance at Canada’s finest summer festivals can work up an appetite. To help you narrow down your choices, local artists and festival organizers offer their top picks of nearby restaurants, cafés and bars. And, this year, the La Scena Musicale team shares their favourite spots in Montreal!


Nuba. Photo: Paulina Gonzalez/Courtesy of Nuba

Early Music Vancouver’s Summer Festival

Selections by Idan Cohen | Choreographer of Bach Dances (Aug. 1)
www.earlymusic.bc.ca

Favourite Spot for a Meal: Nuba

“I’m always searching for Middle Eastern food that brings me a sense of home, and Nuba truly does. It’s one of the best places in the city for beautiful Lebanese cuisine, and I’m always happy to support my Lebanese neighbours, brothers and sisters through food, culture and shared hospitality.”

Try the … Najib’s Special

Favourite Spot for a Drink: Alchemy Bar and Kitchen

“This spot has a hidden-away feeling; it feels cozy at night and is known for creative craft cocktails.”

Try the … “Rumour Has It” Cocktail

Favourite Spot for Sweets: Mister Artisan Ice Cream

“They make the ice cream fresh to order using liquid nitrogen right in front of you, with clouds of mist swirling through the room like stage effects. Then, they torch the top so it actually crackles like a real crème brûlée. It’s theatrical, sensual, and a little magical. Perfect after a show.”

Try the … Crème Brûlée Ice Cream


The Elora Festival

Selections by Evangeline Drost | Marketing and Box Office Coordinator
www.elorafestival.ca

Favourite Spot for a Meal: The Evelyn

“The Evelyn is a charming French-inspired restaurant located in the heart of Elora. The restaurant features beautiful indoor and outdoor seating, cocktails and a curated menu and wine list that changes with the seasons. Attendees of The Elora Festival will enjoy a beautiful  atmosphere with delicious food made from local ingredients.”

Try the … French Onion Soup

Favourite Spot for a Drink: The Elora Brewing Company

“The Elora Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in a 160-year-old limestone building on the main street in Elora. The brewery is known as a local spot for good food, great hangs, music and a large selection of their own beers.”

Try the … Elora Borealis Pale Ale

Favourite Spot for Sweets: Scoop Ice Cream

“Scoop Ice Cream is a favourite handmade-ice-cream shop, focusing on using local ingredients in small batches. The menu features a number of staple flavours, and includes a few special seasonal flavours, making this place a must-stop for a sweet treat.”

Try the … Chocolate Ice Cream

Bonus: The Lost and Found Cafe


Stelvio Toronto. Photo: Courtesy of Stelvio Toronto

Opera 5’s Toronto Opera Festival

Selections by Cecilia Livingston | Composer of Parlios (June 12-14)
www.opera5.ca

Favourite Spot for a Meal: La PaletteStelvio Toronto

“I’ve celebrated many milestones at La Palette, and Stelvio is a new-to-me-find that I can’t wait to return to.”

Try the … Steak / Frites (La Palette) & Gnocchi Casarecci (Stelvio)

Favourite Spot for a Drink: Drom Taberna

Favourite Spot for Sweets: Venerosa Gelato


Flora Hall Brewing. Photo: Ben Welland

Ottawa Chamberfest

Selections by Carissa Klopoushak | Artistic Director
www.chamberfest.com

Favourite Spot for a Meal: Union Local 613

“This stylishly old-timey spot is a favourite for Southern-inspired comfort food, inventive cocktails and late-night bites in a warm, lively atmosphere. Whether you’re grabbing dinner before a concert, sneaking away between performances or winding down after an evening event, it’s the perfect extension of the Chamberfest experience.”

Favourite Spot for a Drink: Flora Hall Brewing

“This cozy brewpub is a go-to for craft beer, creative non-alcoholic options and a relaxed atmosphere that fits perfectly into a festival day. Many on the Chamberfest team regularly recommend it and enjoy going themselves!”

Favourite Spot for Sweets: The SconeWitch

“This beloved bakery has completely redefined what a scone can be, serving fresh sweet and savoury creations made with quality local ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick treat between concerts or pairing a warm scone with a coffee before an evening performance, it’s great for a cozy pick-me-up.”

Bonuses: Bar Lupulus; Jackson Café; Clocktower Brew Pub


New Brunswick Summer Music Festival

Selections by Laura-Beth Bird | Arts Administrator
www.nbsummermusicfestival.ca

Favourite Spot for a Meal: The Coffee Mill Restaurant

“Fredericton is a breakfast town, and we have so many spots to choose from that it’s hard to pick just one! You can’t go wrong with The Coffee Mill. The Prospect Street location serves breakfast and lunch. It’s a favourite of the locals for a reason.”

Try the … Cinnamon Rolls

Favourite Spot for a Drink: Picaroons Brewing Company

“Picaroons is one of the best spots for a sunny-day drink with friends, they have the best beer garden on the river, and it’s dog-friendly! Picaroons also creates a limited-edition custom beer each year for the NBSMF, and it’s only available at their brewery.”

Favourite Spot for Sweets: Boulangerie Seoul

“Run by Leo and Sarah, this café focuses on authentic French pastries and great coffee. This is a great place to find delicious treats, and is a hidden gem in our city.”

Bonus: The Fredericton Markets

“If you want to try a bit of everything and pick up local treats, don’t miss the Thursday Night Market in the Garrison, and the Boyce Farmers Market on a Saturday Morning.”


Bistro à Jojo. Photo: Jean Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons

La Scena Musicale’s Montreal Food Guide

Selections by Don Adriano, Wah Keung Chan & Dino Spaziani

Favourite Spot for a Meal: La Cage, Time Out Market Montréal & Bagatelle Bistro

“The food is deceptively good for a place called La Cage aux Sports, and the location is extremely convenient, right on Sainte-Catherine,  just steps from Place des Arts. In the summer, if you’re lucky, you can sit on the terrace and listen to a show while eating. The Montreal Jazz Festival has a stage almost right in front of it, so the atmosphere can be pretty great.” DA

“Time Out hosts 15 restaurants from some of the city’s top chefs (specializing in Asian, Mexican, Portuguese, Italian, and Caribbean dishes, among others), seven bars and a cooking academy. The venue vibes with trendy music and art exhibits. My wife and I have enjoyed the exquisite sushi (presented like pieces of art!), the super tasty ramen soups, and the delightful paella. Parking at the Eaton Centre is $8 after 5 p.m. and on weekends, which makes for a great deal when shopping and eating out.” WKC

Try the … Chicken Wrap (La Cage) & Viande Braisée (Bagatelle Bistro)

Favourite Spot for a Drink: Bistro à Jojo & Time Out Market Montréal

“When I go to Bistro à Jojo, I always enjoy a drink while listening to some blues. It’s a classic.” DA

Try the … “Mocktails, all of them (Time Out Market)” DS

Favourite Spot for Sweets: Boulangerie Samos & Dairy Queen

“This Greek place, Samos, is on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. [It’s] worth grabbing something and strolling along the closed street in the summer.” DA

Try the … Bougatsa (Samos) & Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard Treat (Dairy Queen)

Bonus: Heirloom Vin & Pizza

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About Author

Kaitlyn Chan is an editorial assistant and production coordinator for La Scena Musicale. She has a BA in English Literature with a minor in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. An avid reader and writer, Kaitlyn has been published in UBC’s Student Journal: ONE (2021) and has written book reviews for UBC’s online magazine Young Adulting Review for several years. Kaitlyn has a background in singing—attending vocal lessons and performing with school choirs from a young age—and enjoys training for triathlons in her free time.

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