If you’ve known Monique and I for any length of time, you know that one of our very favourite things is food. We are not ashamed to admit how often and how much we eat (ok, just a teensy bit)! Abbotsford has transformed over the last decade, providing it’s residents with some really fabulous culinary establishments that wouldn’t be out of place in Vancouver, Whistler or Victoria. We really appreciate the local cafes, bistros and restaurants that we love the most for providing great tasting, locally sourced and hand crafted eats.
If you’re new to Abbotsford, or have lived here all your life, we thought we’d share out top 10 favourite places to eat in this beautiful flourishing city we call home. We’ve stuck with locally owned and operated businesses, because we find it’s important to support our local economy.
1. Duft & Co Bakehouse
We go here on the regular. They bake and prepare everything that morning, so it’s always fresh and delicious! Saturdays are donut day. Do not miss it. Their rotating lunch menu, as well as their staple sandwiches, have never let us down. Nothing you order here will disappoint you! Seriously, we spend so much money here.
2. Mitch Miller’s Canadian Grill
This place has an extensive menu, which seems daunting at first, but don’t be discouraged! This place has great prices for the size of their meal, AND they specialize in gluten free items, with a dedicated and separate gluten free kitchen. This place shouldn’t be overlooked.
3. Fieldhouse Brewing
If you’re looking for great tasting beer and food to go with that, look no further! This brewery has some really cool concoctions, and everything is made on site. The tasting room has a great laid-back vibe, and in the summer venture out to their beer lawn, where you can sip some beverages, eat some tacos, and listen to great live music. They have some of the best tasting beer pretzels around! Made locally by our next favourite place…
4. Oldhand Coffee
Don’t let that name fool you. While it certainly does have delicious artisan coffee available for you, it has so much more! Like excellent pastries (the earl grey snickerdoodle, oh my!) and gourmet sandwiches, some of which are grilled, and full of cheese. Mmmmmmmm. But ALSO they serve beer, wine and cocktails. Really good ones. Don’t miss their nachos after 5pm!
5. Brambles Bistro at Tanglebank Gardens
This place has such a great feel to it. Hidden on the outskirts of Abbotsford on a family run ‘boutique’ nursery, you feel like you’re escaping regular life for awhile. They have great service, and great food. Peruse the plants and flowers for sale, maybe take one of their workshops, then finish your visit with a very tasty meal. Voila! Your Saturday is set.
6. Bow & Stern
For amazing seafood, come here! One of the best places for fish and chips there is. While I haven’t tried it myself, I have it on very good authority that their clam chowder can’t be beat. Their seafood always tastes fresh, and is prepared to the highest standards.
7. Clayburn Village Store and Tearoom
This establishment dedicated to all things British has been around for a very long time, and for good reason. If you’re looking for a light lunch, in a historic building, with proper British tea, this is where it’s at. If you’re looking for something sweet, come check out their HUGE candy selection! Seriously, this place is a kid’s heaven. Plus, the garden opens up when the weather gets nice, giving you best al fresco dining in Abbotsford. The same couple have owned and operated this business since the beginning, and their pride in what they do shows.
8. O’Neill’s Home Cooking
Set back on a side street in downtown Abbotsford, this is truly the best kept secret lunch spot around. The menu is quite limited, but you won’t be dissapointed. It centres around their classic breakfast sandwich (buttered homemade sweet potato bun topped with cooked ham, a fried egg, cheese, mayo and honey mustard). The owner, who is the face of the establishment, and quite a character, bakes all the sweet potato buns in house. Go hungry, and be prepared to be very full from one of these very large and filling sandwiches.
9. Brodeur’s Bistro
For something a little different, try Brodeur’s Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, or one of their excellent po boys. Everything on the menu is influenced by French Canada, or the Creole south. They have great service, and such a great selection of menu items. There’s something for everyone! The portion sizes can’t hurt either, often I take half my meal home to be enjoyed later.
10. Restaurant 62
The Fraser Valley’s #1 farm to table restaurant, this fine dining establishment has set the standard for quality, locally sourced, expertly crafted meals. The menu changes with the season, so you’ll always be able to try something different. If you love wine as much as we do, you won’t be disappointed here. Restaurant 62 has won a Wine Spectator’s Award for Excellence every year for the last ten years. Plus, they cater!
We know there are so many more excellent places to eat in Abbotsford. What are your favourites? Tell us in the comments!
