Just north of Toronto, Vaughan is a city that blends cultural diversity with an epic food and drink scene! From craft breweries and global flavours to nostalgic diners and unforgettable desserts, Vaughan is a place where every meal feels like a discovery.
Here’s how to spend three delicious days exploring the best bites and sips this city has to offer.
Day 1: Craft Brews, Comfort Eats and Global Dining
Sip and savour your way through Vaughan’s craft breweries, global eateries and more.
Mascot Brewery
1033 Edgeley Blvd #3 Vaughan, ON (View Map)
Kick off your Vaughan adventure at Mascot Brewery, a Black-owned brewery and taproom that’s become a cornerstone of Vaughan’s craft beer community. Their space has all the right vibes for a spontaneous tasting flight, a laid-back hangout with friends or even an afternoon of board games.
The tap list is always evolving, so every visit feels like a chance to discover something new they’re brewing. We opted to try a sample flight sipping through some of the brewery’s most popular choices including their Paulie’s Italian lager, New English lager and their refreshing Watermelon Beet sour.
Beyond the beer, Mascot’s ethos runs deep. The founders created the Black Owned Collaboration (BOC) initiative, rooted in their personal journey in craft beer and the recognition of how few Black-owned spaces existed in the industry.
The idea began with curiosity about other Black brewers’ stories and has grown into a movement that uplifts and shines a light on Black-owned breweries, inspiring others to feel they belong and to see themselves as leaders in the space. It’s not just about beer, it’s about community, representation and inclusion.
Salty Dawg Saloon
9732 Hwy 27, Woodbridge, ON (View Map)
Next, head over to the Salty Dawg Saloon, a spot with rich history in Vaughan. Once known as an underground hangout, it has since grown into a beloved casual spot that locals adore. Equal parts cozy watering hole and go-to dining destination, their menu shines with flavourful wood-fired sandwiches and pizzas.
During our visit, we caught the tail end of Vaughan Flavours, the city’s signature culinary program that showcases participating restaurants through special prix fixe menus. At Salty Dawg, the experience began with a choice of a cheese plate or a refreshing chickpea salad.
For the main, the lamb–LandShark plate was a standout, featuring expertly-grilled lamb chops paired with crisp salad and a LandShark beer. Dessert sealed the deal with a classic tartufo gelato for a sweet finish to an unforgettable meal.
Hot Tip: Vaughan Flavours will be back February 2026, so keep your eye out for this delicious program and all the participating stops across the city.
Bevi Birra
7500 Hwy 27 Unit 20, Woodbridge, ON (View Map)
Keep the good times rolling at Bevi Birra, a uniquely curated bottle shop and local favourite gem run by best friends and known for its Italian-inspired flavours and warm, welcoming vibe. Their focaccia, made fresh in house daily, is the delicious foundation for their stacked sandwiches.
We tried the “Giovanna”, loaded with hot sopressata, garlic ricotta, pepperoncino, honey and arugula, or the hearty crowd favourite “Ribeye Steak” layered with provolone, rosemary aioli, caramelized onion and arugula.
For something sweet, the house-made tiramisu is a can’t miss choice. To sip, we paired our bites with the crisp Pronto Italian Lager by Halo Brewery and the bold Glorious and Free IPA from Dominion City Brewing, a special Trans-Canada collaboration brewed entirely with Canadian ingredients to support local growers and breweries.
Before you head out, stay a while and make your way upstairs for a friendly game of pool. It’s a fun way to round out a meal that’s all about good food, good drinks and good company!
Day 2: Nostalgic Bites, Arcade Fun and Sizzling Plates
Day 2 is all about fun an these spots serve it up a-plenty!
Gordo’s Diner
200 Edgeley Blvd, Concord, ON (View Map)
Start Day 2 on a fun and hearty note at Gordo’s Diner, a nostalgic spot filled with colourful booths, jukeboxes at every table and walls lined with 60s posters and memorabilia.
Here, hearty portions of diner classics shine, from French toast dripping with syrup and butter to a stacked BLT breakfast sandwich or the filling Meat Lovers omelette with bacon, ham, sausage and cheddar cheese.
For a real throwback finish, we suggest you pair your plate with a classic frosty milkshake for the ultimate start to the day!
Olive Branch
1 promenade Circle Unit 101 Thornhill, ON (View Map)
For a midday pick-me-up, make a stop to The Olive Branch inside Promenade Mall, a premier independent kosher grocer spanning 35,000 square feet that blends specialty shopping with a welcoming community feel.
From fresh deli and bakery counters to produce, ready-made meals and hot grab-and-go options, the store is designed to be more than a place to shop, it’s an experience. We headed straight to the pâtisserie counter for a croissant cookie and a warm, brewed coffee for a sweet break to the day.
After enjoying every last crumb, we stretched our legs walking through the mall and landed at Bowls and Blasters, a lively arcade and bowling alley with its own kitchen and bar. If you’re looking for casual eats, pre-dinner cocktails and a round of games with friends, this should definitely be on your itinerary.
3 Mariachis Mexican Restaurant
9200 Weston Rd. Woodbridge, ON (View Map)
After working up an appetite with a few rounds of bowling and arcade games, you’ll be more than ready for something hearty.
Bright, bold and full of flavour we made our way to 3 Mariachis Mexican Restaurant. Pairing vibrant décor and warm hospitality with a menu of authentic Mexican cuisine, we opted to start with the birria tacos served with house-made consommé, made for dipping.
Along with tacos we tried the sizzling mixed grilled molcajete, a hot volcanic bowl loaded with chicken, steak, shrimp, cactus and cheese. The sizzling bowl is made with both red and green salsa and a delicious addition to your table for sharing with friends alongside chips and fresh house-made guac!
To top it all off, we couldn’t resist trying their Mexican Bulldog margaritas. Crowned with an upside-down Coronita, it adds that extra fun and festive touch.
Medusa
3901 Hwy 7, Vaughan, ON (View Map)
To end Day 2 of exploring Vaughan’s flavours, we made our way to Medusa, the city’s premier spot for traditional Greek grill and seafood, to savour a taste of the Aegean.
We opted to start with the dramatic flaming saganaki, a pan-seared graviera cheese flamed in front of you table-side with ouzo that set the tone for a lively meal. ‘
For mains, the souvlaki dinner with tender pork, lemon potatoes, rice, tzatziki and a fresh Greek salad was both hearty and comforting, while the prawn saganaki brought vibrant flavours with tiger prawns, feta, cherry tomatoes and toasted sourdough that we used for soaking up every drop of the rich sauce.
Dessert was a sweet finale with galaktobouriko, a flaky phyllo custard topped with pistachio almond ice cream and crushed pistachios. You’ll leave with a full belly, a happy heart and the warm feeling of having been well taken care of, making Medusa’s an ideal stop to close out your second day!
Day 3: Deli Traditions, Sweet Treats and Bold Flavours
Ready for your final day? Us either. Be sure to savour every bite.
Centre Street Deli
1136 Centre St. Thornhill, ON (View Map)
Kick off your final day in Thornhill with breakfast at the legendary Centre Street Deli, a beloved institution with decades of history serving up hearty Jewish deli classics. Slide into a booth and enjoy a diner-style breakfast like a fluffy spinach and feta omelette or the ever-popular Western omelette.
If deli breakfasts aren’t your thing, Centre Street might just change your mind with “un-deli but delicious” options like a simple bacon and egg sandwich. Known for its generous portions and comforting staples, Centre Street is also a delightful spot to return later in the day for their classic smoked meat sandwich, latkes or a piled-high deli platter.
That Pretzel Dough
2316 Major MacKenzie Dr W unit 3, Maple, ON (View Map)
Next up we made our way to Maple. We popped into That Pretzel Dough, a newer bakery in Vaughan known for its fresh pretzels, doughnuts and other irresistible pastries. We grabbed a variety of goodies to try including a large classic pretzel and a warm gooey cinnamon bun to enjoy with coffee inside the bakery and couldn’t resist snagging some butter tarts to bring along with us for later.
With our treats in tow, we took a quick detour for to North Maple Regional Park to take a midday pause at one of Vaughan’s beautiful green spaces. A stroll through the trails makes for a peaceful reset before lunch. With plenty of seating and open spaces, we settled in front of the rolling hills of the park to savour our sweet treats while soaking up the view.
The park’s wide-open landscapes and peaceful atmosphere made it the ideal spot to slow down before diving back into Vaughan’s vibrant dining scene.
Essence Bistro
140 Woodbridgee Ave, ON (View Map)
For lunch, enjoy a deliciously elevated meal at Essence Bistro. The restaurant space mixes mid-century style with earthy finishes and plenty of greenery. During our visit, we tried their Vaughan Flavours prix fixe menu. Starting with a chicken light soup, we moved on to the salmon served with romanesco cabbage and carrot salad, dressed in a zesty grapefruit dressing. Finishing the meal we couldn’t help but try the creamy cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries.
Although the Vaughan Flavours program has wrapped up for the summer, Essence Bistro’s regular menu is just as fresh, unique and delicious. The avocado and egg toast on sourdough was a clear standout, especially when paired with the Violet 75 cocktail, a stunning purple blend of gin, prosecco and house-made lavender butterfly pea syrup that tasted every bit as refreshing as it looked.
After your meal, be sure to browse their shop, Essence Juice Bar, located right next door for cold-pressed juices or smoothies to grab on the go or to browse through natural beauty and food products to take home with you.
Copacabana
205 Marycroft Ave, Woodbridge, ON (View Map)
Cap off your flavour journey in Vaughan with dinner at Copacabana, a lively Brazilian steakhouse where the rodizio menu shines with endless skewers of sizzling meats that are carved in front of you table-side. From juicy picanha beef and parmesan crusted filet mignon to tender peri peri chicken and garlic shrimp, you’ll be leaving with a happy and very full belly!
We paired the experience with a glass of VQA wine from Reif Estates, though their cocktail menu is also boasts curated matches for your feast. Alongside the meats, the gourmet salad bar and share plates like braised beef ribs with cassava purée and crispy brussel sprouts help break up the meal with some delicious variety. It’s the ultimate spot to celebrate the bold flavours, vibrant atmosphere and generous dining experiences that captures Vaughan’s epic culinary side!
Let’s hit the road and savour the flavours of Vaughan!
With so many delicious stops waiting to be discovered, there’s no better time to start planning your own foodie adventure! Check out visitvaughan.ca to map out your journey today.
