For 2015, Restaurant Roundup is going with the theme: Where To Eat This Weekend. Every other week we’ll be profiling a different city in Canada with a list of great dining recommendations for you to check out — from fancy to hole in the wall and everything in between! This week, we check out not-to-be-missed Regina restaurants with Nicole from Culinary Cool.
Breakfast/Lunch in Regina
Breakfast Bistro
Breakfast Bistro has quickly become a breakfast and lunch hot spot thanks to their fresh, locally-sourced (when possible) ingredients, and Greek influence. The breakfast menu hits all the favourites such as French toast, Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings, and four variations of Eggs Benedict. If you’re more in the mood for lunch, I recommend the Greek Meatball Ciabatta. The meatballs are gluten-free, hand-made with an old family recipe, and some of the best I’ve ever had. The Apple and Brie Melt is also at the top of my list. They’re fully licensed, so order up a mimosa, or instead try their Greek-style iced coffee, which is a personal favourite of mine. The Breakfast Bistro offers up a breakfast, soup, and lunch feature daily. It’s a busy spot, so getting there early is in your best interest. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Sprout Catering
Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall just west of downtown, you’ll find Sprout Catering, one of the most delightful little places to grab a fresh, unique and healthy weekday lunch or Sunday brunch. One of my favourite Sprout creations is the Apple Brie Ham Sandwich, which is served on a croissant and features an Apple Butter Mustard. They’ve got a smoothie menu to satisfy every palate, my favourite being the Tropical smoothie, but the Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana is a close second. They offer up gluten-free and vegetarian options, and touch on many international cuisines. Sprout Catering’s store-front is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Reservations recommended for Sunday brunch.
Abstractions Café
Abstractions Café is one of those hidden gems that’s truly adding to Regina’s culinary diversity. You’ll find hearty soups, sandwiches and salads on the menu; however, you’ll notice something a little different. Ingredients such as sumac, tahini and zaatar stand out immediately. It’s this Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influence that sets them apart and keeps me coming back for more. The falafel is arguably the best in the city, and you certainly don’t want to miss out on trying the grilled zaatar. The restaurant is quaint and cozy, and the food is homemade, healthy and big on flavour. Open Monday to Saturday.
Dinner Out in Regina
The Backyard
If you’re looking for a truly unique Saskatchewan dining experience, then you must try The Backyard. It features almost all-locally-grown ingredients, such as sheep’s milk to make my all-time favourite Sheep’s Milk Sorbet, or Crowdie cheese, prairie grits and meat from local ranchers. The menu is different each weekend and features grains, vegetables and other ingredients in season at the time. Open Friday and Saturday evenings from March to October. By reservation only.
Flip Eatery & Drink
Flip takes a modern, sophisticated spin on comfort food, using local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. Their menu seems familiar but also breathes new life into old favourites. If there’s one thing that defines Saskatchewan comfort food it’s perogies, and you’ll almost always see them on their menu, likely made with aged cheddar and paired with a Flip signature sausage. I’m quite fond of their spaetzle, and like most everything on their menu it changes with the seasons. Open Monday to Sunday.
Caraway Grill
In a city that has more than its fair share of Indian restaurants, Caraway Grill is in a class all its own. Their curries are thick and saucy, full of spice and flavour, and the portions are certainly enough for two meals. The prices are very reasonable. You must get the pakoras to start! The butter chicken is always a safe bet, but their lamb dishes are by far the star of the menu. Parking and seating is very limited so arrive early. Open Monday to Saturday.
Other Treats in Regina
Café Français
True to its name, Café Français is a French bakery and coffee shop situated halfway between downtown and the east end. They produce the very best French pastries, lunches, and gourmet coffee and tea. You must order the French Onion Soup; however, the Croque Monsieur is a Café Français signature and my all-time favourite sandwich selection. The brioche is always pillowy soft and the flavour options are ever changing. If I have to make one beverage recommendation, it would be the macchiato frappe. Rain or shine, -40 with a windchill or 40 above with 100% humidity, this is my drink of choice. Open Monday to Sunday.
China Pastry
China Pastry has been around for 22 years, originally selling Chinese food with the pastry only available on weekends. In 2014, they sold their Chinese food restaurant and set up a bakery strictly selling their infamous Chinese pastries, which are essentially soft buns with an assortment of toppings and fillings. A baker’s dozen is only about $15, and they have a variety of sweet and savoury buns including my two favourites, the hot dog bun and the bacon and scallion bun. The cocktail bun has a sweet coconut filling, and the owner will be quick to tell you that her favourite is the Mexican bun. Take-out only, as there is no seating. Open Thursday to Monday.
Zam Zam Wraps
Zam Zam’s is a Middle Eastern restaurant located in Regina’s east end as well as in the Cornwall Centre downtown. The service is the friendliest of any restaurant I’ve ever been in, and you’ll always be offered a sample of their homemade lentil soup. They offer a variety of wraps made with your choice of chicken, lamb, falafel or beef. I prefer the Middle Eastern Platter, which is served with rice, choice of meat, a small salad, hummus and the most addicting roasted potatoes ever. They call the potatoes zotatoes, and they come served with a homemade garlic mayo that makes my heart sing. Open Monday to Sunday.
More Great Places To Eat This Weekend
- Where To Eat This Weekend: Waterloo Region Edition
- Where To Eat This Weekend: Winnipeg Edition Part 2
- Where To Eat This Weekend: Toronto Edition
- Where To Eat This Weekend: Cape Breton Island Edition
- Where To Eat This Weekend: Halifax and Dartmouth Edition
- Where To Eat This Weekend: Central Vancouver Island Edition
- Visit our whole Where To Eat This Weekend Archive
Where to Eat This Weekend: Regina Edition was written by Nicole Harling. Nicole is the blogger behind Culinary Cool, and moonlights as a culinary instructor at Schoolhaus Culinary Arts where she teaches home cooks about regional cuisine as well as kitchen skills. She recently took the leap into freelance recipe development and writing, and is very stoked about it. When not writing or teaching, Nicole enjoys travelling and binge watching T.V. shows on Netflix. Follow along with Nicole’s food and travel adventures on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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I am thrilled that I have actually eaten at one of these restaurants-the Caraway Grill! It was excellent food, and worth the wait for a table.