Whenever I speak to someone from a big city about moving to Prince George, inevitably the question of restaurant options comes up. This is a bigger cause for concern than any city service or amenity for most potential new residents! They’ve grown accustomed to the great food you can access in a metropolis – will there be any comparison in BC’s Northern Capital?
The short answer is absolutely! What follows is a brief list of the independent places to feast in our downtown that will delight every foodie’s desire for amazing fare and great drinks.
Lunch on the run
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Soup, a sandwich and handmade crackers from the Salted Cracker.
Everybody wants good food at lunchtime, even those who are running between meetings or job sites. In downtown Prince George, there are several on the go offerings to choose from, the most prominent being North City Donair, the Pastry Chef Bakery, and the Salted Cracker. Of course you can stay and enjoy your meal at these excellent spots, but if you really have to get moving while avoiding the drive-thru, these places are the ticket.
Sit down lunch
Prince George’s restaurant industry has grown in light of the office lunch rush downtown. Of these choices, the noon-hour standouts are Nancy O’s (a gastro-pub), Cimo Mediterranean Grill, White Goose Bistro and Wasabi Sushi. With quality ingredients and record times from order to food served, customers can enjoy their meals without feeling the pinch of the clock.
Happy Hour or after work drinks
Thanks to recent legislative changes, Happy Hours are now allowed in the most beautiful place on earth. People looking for excellent Happy Hour drinks and appies can find them at Betulla Burning, the Oakroom Grill and Nancy O’s. Trench Brewing and Crossroads Brewing are great places to grab a drink after work, although they don’t have Happy Hours quite yet (Trench is working on it). The beer doesn’t get any fresher than local breweries! And for the after-work cocktail connoisseur, the Copper Pig’s excellent selection of classic drinks, fine whiskeys, and original mixes are sure to sate your thirst.
Dinner
It’s hard to condense the list of excellent places to eat supper downtown. For South Asian food, the Karahi King’s curries are unbeatable, while just a block away authentic forno fired pizza is available at Betulla Burning. Fine dining, including set menus, is offered at North 54 with daily chef creations, as well as White Goose Bistro and the Twisted Cork. While the downtown isn’t very big, a different dining experience can be had every night of the week.
The pubs
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An Irish Captain cocktail at the Black Clover.
I’ve mentioned a few drinking establishments already, and I will only repeat one – the Copper Pig, for both its excellent share plates and its delicious desserts. But if one is looking for a night on the town, several establishments offer entertainment and great drinks. Of these, the choices range from the traditional fare of the Don Cherry’s Sports Grill to local brews and eats at Kask and The Black Clover Irish pub – all within crawling distance of each other.
Brunch
Brunch culture is a growing feature in the downtown, most notably at Kask and Nancy O’s. If you want to venture outside of the downtown, the Northern Lights Estate Winery also offers a great brunch menu. This is definitely a demand-driven side of the local restaurant industry, as the rise in new residents and students in Prince George has created the market. Local features are also found on this menu, with many ingredients purchased at the farmers’ market located next door.
Clearly, Prince George has food and drink to match any palette, whatever the occasion or the time of day. From solid deli-style lunches to fine dining menus, there’s no shortage of local and world food options. Come and find out for yourself – Cheers and Bon Appetit!
