Where to Eat in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

Fort McMurray Restaurants for Casual, Fun Dining and Good Food

Dec 12, 2008

Choose from chains like Tim Horton's and Smitty's, buffets at the Sawridge, Tio Mario for Italian food and steaks, or The Fish Place for seafood and Northern Alberta fun.

Fort McMurray is the busy city near the oil sands mines of northeastern Alberta, Canada. Perhaps because of all the young men working there, the restaurants offer large portions of high-quality food.

Fast Food Chains - Tim Horton's

The burger and chicken chains found across Canada are here too. Tim Horton's (coffee, donuts, sandwiches, soup) may be Canada's best-known fast food place, thanks to their ads tugging our hockey-loving heartstrings.

Tim Horton's - 2 locations: 9701 Hardin Street (downtown), and 105 Thickwood Boulevard.

Family Restaurant - Smitty's Pancakes

Another Canadian favourite, Smitty's offers an all-day breakfast as well as lunch and dinner menus. A good place to meet for coffee downtown, the Fort McMurray Smitty's is easy to find in the Stonebridge Hotel beside Peter Pond Mall. Lots of parking, family atmosphere, casual.

Lunch Buffet - Hearthstone Grille, Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre

The Hearthstone Grille offers a la carte menus, but the buffet has such good food it is definitely the better choice when hunger hits. Sample offering at lunch ($16.00 per person):

The chefs respect the ingredients here. The hot vegetables are cooked perfectly - not overdone, and the roast beef is tender and juicy. Breakfast and dinner buffets also.

The Hearthstone Lounge & Grille, Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre, 530 MacKenzie Boulevard, 1-888-729-7343.

Tio Mario Restaurant - Fresh, Wholesome Italian Food, Alberta Beef, Seafood

Described on its website as "a good, simple family restaurant" that serves "fresh, wholesome food", Tio Mario Restaurant lives up to that promise. The atmosphere is relaxed, quiet enough for conversation, but pleasantly lively in the background. Dinner jackets definitely not required, ties optional. Complete meal for around $40 plus drinks.

Tio Mario serves Italian food, steaks, seafood and specials. The portions are generous, for example, a 10 ounce steak with 30 shrimp. The ingredients are fresh and well-prepared, especially the Alberta beef and the lamb (when available). The focus seems to be more on the meat, with a few vegetables on the side. Everything is made in-house - no reheated or pre-packaged meals here.

Tio Mario is a fine choice for an evening out, with or without dressing up - either style would fit in here. The wine cellar offers a pleasing and inviting selection including three Italian reds from Tommasi.

The Fish Place for Seafood Lovers in Fort McMurray, Alberta

The Fish Place: no frills and the best advertising a restaurant can hope for - lineups at the door. They take reservations, so call ahead.

Besides a menu of fish and seafood, there is a special order-ahead (at least a week) Crab Boil for $38.99 per person plus tax and service charge. Available for tables of 4 to 25, this is a no-fork, no-plate, dive in kind of meal to share with good friends and family. Don't dress up. Throughout the meal, the server will dump (there is no better word) on the plastic tablecloth before you:

Contact Fort McMurray Tourism (1-800-565-3947) for local information, and Travel Alberta (1-800- ALBERTA) for Northern Alberta travel tips. Both organizations provided assistance to the writer.

The copyright of the article Where to Eat in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada in Alberta Travel is owned by Jill Browne. Permission to republish Where to Eat in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.