Picture choosen by: Mr.David Birch Food & Drink in Canada Canadian cuisine covers a wide variety. European menus are available in all major cities while the French influence is easily discernible in Quebec where many restaurants specialize in French cuisine. Waiter services in restaurants are common while dress requirements and billing procedures may vary. A selection of European/US wines and spirits are imported.

Things to know:
You may only purchase spirits from specially-licensed liquor stores or restaurants displaying the sign ‘Licensed Premises’. Usually, customers are allowed to bring their own beer and wine. A wide range of alcohol is sold in most hotels, restaurants and bars. Bars may have table counter service and payment is usually made after each drink. Opening hours vary depending on province.

National specialties:
• The hundreds of miles of coastline offer varied seafood.
• The central plains provide first-class beef and agricultural produce.
• Some more unusual produce might include elk, bison and caribou.

National drinks:
• Canadians enjoy their own rye whisky.

Legal drinking age: The minimum drinking age is either 18 or 19, depending on the province/territory. See Food and Drink in the individual provinces/ territories sections. Nunavut is an exception because alcohol is prohibited in some communities.

Tipping: Normal practice is usually 15% of the bill, more if service is exceptional. Tipping your server is standard practice in bars and nightclubs.