Restaurants in Waterloo

Smoke-N-Bones imbues every morsel of succulent, slow-cooked barbecue with the smoky notes of the American South alongside a slate of thick, juicy burgers and hearty sides. Beyond the stone masonry of the towering A-frame entrance, a dining room framed by high wooden rafters and columns of raw timber mingles its rustic, rough-hewn ambience with the bluesy hum of live musicians picking guitars, playing fiddles, or challenging each other to auctioneering duels. Customers choose from seven different in-house sauces to match signature dry-rub ribs, brisket, and pulled pork with flavours from a range of barbecue traditions, and 8-ounce burgers, Angus steaks, fried chicken, and New Orleans specialties transport palates to southern climes.

The warmth of the Mediterranean sun pervades Nu Panino's kitchen, where chefs stick to southern Italian recipes as they prepare fresh salads and sandwiches topped with spicy meats and grilled veggies. Though some of the deli’s concoctions—such as the Greek salad—reach beyond Italy’s borders for inspiration, the deli stays true to the birthplace of the Renaissance with meats such as veal scaloppine, cured sausage, and prosciutto. When they aren’t slathering tomato sauce on sandwiches during the lunch and early-dinner rushes, the deli’s staff caters parties and lengthy interrogations with cold-cut platters, assorted deli trays, and pasta.

Though its menu pays deference to the pizzas, burgers, and chicken wings on tap at more traditional sports bars, C J Burgers & Pizza draws its primary inspiration from its Greek owners, who stack plates with the Mediterranean-style gyros and skewered pork souvlaki of their native land. Maple Leafs fans pile into the cozy restaurant on game nights to follow their team's travails on TV screens stationed above a full-service bar that stocks top-shelf spirits. Cheering fans can seek hands they haven't high-fived yet on the heated outdoor patio, which overlooks North York's bustling downtown.

Situated within Quaker Barrel Unique Antique & General Store, The Mad Hatter's Tea Room is a memorable Talbot Trail destination for flights of fine loose-leaf teas. The tea room's bright red door opens to a carefree, homestyle atmosphere with furnishings and decorative flourishes that evoke the beloved children's tale Alice in Wonderland. A whimsical menu of light fare and myriad loose-leaf specialty teas are complemented by frequent appearances from the fully costumed Mad Hatter himself, who emerges to reclaim his Mad Hatter's table or gossip about who wears a toupee with guests on Alice's couch. A selection of for-sale _Alice in Wonderland_–themed collectibles includes decorative china plates and framed prints, with the fanciful, all-things-Alice mood spilling out onto the Queen of Hearts outdoor seating area complete with a grassy, wood-fenced garden.

Boasting more than 30 years in business, Under the Volcano’s chefs fill the stomachs of fiesta seekers with hearty, traditional Mexican dishes. Bestselling items include chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican staples stuffed with chicken, shrimp, or beef slow-roasted in-house. Deep-fried ice cream and refreshing swigs of specialty margaritas and sangria provide sweeter refreshment. Vibrant colours, walls painted with images of big-billed toucans, and string lights create a casual, fun dining atmosphere, akin to a pyjama-pants party.

With a turn-of-the-century dining room soaked in stained glass and shades of mahogany, The Parlour extends its opulence to a menu of gastropub and international cuisine. A half-pound burger sports a crispy beret of bacon and old cheddar ($16), and grilled beef tenderloin lounges on a divan of sweet-pea risotto ($30). Diners can also peruse the substantial wine list or hide behind it for impromptu games of peek-a-boo. Additionally, The Parlour's Sunday brunch adds a dash of elegance to weekend routines, warming bellies with salads ($8–$10), egg dishes ($9–$12), and sandwiches ($9–$12).