🦆part i - why i made this

Every single year when I tell someone how much I love Waterloo (the city in Ontario) I almost always get the same response. Really? Theres nothing to do here. This place sucks. This city is so boring. blah blah blah i never go out of my way to find cool stuff etc…

I am delighted to see that people are actually interested in this city now - in part due to the awesome effort of Socratica that I’ve been witnessing (which I am not affiliated with but simply a fan!). I’ve never seen anyone ask for recommendations in this city to do as a tourist but since there is non zero demand I’ll gladly provide 😸

I spend a lot of time dilly dallying, exploring remote towns, trying new local resturants, and I’m glad Waterloo is getting some recognition. I think I am reasonably qualified to give out these recommendations.

I have put google map links for easy saving - here is just a glimpse of my personal google map for Waterloo :)

Hope someone out there enjoys! <3

Just scratching the surface… I remove a spot if I go there and I dont like it

🥘part ii - places to eat

• Poppy’s Bagels

  • Item: The Ruby (my favorite), lox is also great

    • This is in my top 5 sandwiches in the GTA, the pastrami is to die for. This local couple makes all their bagels in house and this place is absolutely worth it. Get the Mama for a fun dessert as well 🙂 Located uptown Waterloo near campus!

    

    Glorious bagel cross sections

• The Humble Lotus

  • Item: Any of the rolls, but notably the Spider Roll (Soft Shell Crab)
    • Jarret and My are wonderful people and this resturant is just a quick ion stop away from Waterloo in downtown Kitchener. They also have private tastings (omakase style) that you can inquire about.

• Oka Sushi

  • Item: Anything its very well priced LOL
    • This is near Laurier and very close to campus, amazing sushi for its price point. My favorite thing to do is grab poke bowls and some rolls here, walk to Waterloo park and have a picnic with this (great date idea thank me later!)

• Eby Street Bodega

  • Item: ANY SANDWICH
    • It pains me to ungatekeep this rn its my fave sandwich, but everything is good. Small menu. Right across the Kitchener Farmers market. Cute spot to

  

• Wildcraft

  • Item: Great pastas but their dessert was my favorite - no longer on menu last time i went but they had a matcha creme brulee back in the day
    • A very fancy place if you’re looking to splurge! Fun fact, the owners also own Bauer Kitchen in Uptown Waterloo by Vincenzos

• Korner Kitchen

  • Item: The Texas Benedict omg!! Worth the price

    • This place is always packed - even on like a Tuesday at 1 PM - and for good reason. Best breakfast in the area IMO
    • Near the climbing gym in Waterloo

    

    Texas Benny and one of their crepes, plus an okay bagel (Poppys is better)

• La Cucina

  • Item: Pizzas are phenomenal
    • Great italian in downtown kitchener near an ion stop!

• Obvious places that everyone recommends that I also vouch for

  • Four All Ice Cream
  • Lancaster BBQ (may I also recommend Crowfoot Smokehaus if you have a car, another great bbq joint in Waterloo!)
  • Vincenzos (the gelato is great to!)
  • Sweet Lou’s cookies
    • Lou is the nicest man you’ll ever meet and this place closes at like 3 am
  • Shawarma Plus
    • Putting this hear to vouch that the Lamb Wrap Arabaicana style is in my top 10 bites of the GTA

🌄part iii - things to see and dooooo

Might need a car for some, unfortunately a lot of cooler things do require it

• Watch a Sunset/Sunrise at Laurel Creek

  • Very popular spot with a small lookout structure as well. Amazing place for a photowalk
  • IF UR INTO BIRDING HMU AND THIS IS A DECENT SPOT