Lori Cruddas and her husband Rob Niedermayer
Sound Off

Best neighbourhoods for PG foodies

Aug 1, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Some of us eat to live. Some of us live to eat. If you’re in the second category, you’re in the right place. Prince George has a vibrant food scene for you to explore. We live in a small enough city that wherever you live, you’ll have access to great food experiences within a short drive, but living in one of these neighbourhoods will make it even easier to enjoy our local cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops.

Downtown

Downtown Prince George is the heart of our local food scene. Boasting a wide range of local and chain restaurants, cafes and two craft breweries, it’s hard to go wrong here. Many of the locally owned businesses also use local ingredients, which is great for our economy.

My personal downtown favourites are The Copper Pig, North 54, Cimo Mediterranean Grill, Café Voltaire, Betulla Burning and CrossRoads Brewing. They are all places I frequent because of their knowledgeable approach to their menus and staff training. I have a life-threatening egg allergy, so I’ve gotten to know servers and owners and they all know exactly what is in their recipes.

Other popular downtown spots for a drink, dinner, brunch or a coffee include: The Black Clover, Karahi King, The Keg Steakhouse, Margo’s Café, Nancy O’s, North City Donair, Pastry Chef, Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, Ritual Coffee Bar, Trench Brewing, Twisted Cork, White Goose Bistro, Zen Noodle House and Zoe’s Java House.

You can pick up your own fresh local produce at the weekly farmers’ market. Held indoors year-round, they operate an additional outdoor space in the warmer months. Pick up your fresh local meat, veg and bread daily at Birch & Boar Charcuterie & Provisions.

Housing options downtown include the future Park House Condos development currently under construction opposite City Hall. Neighbourhoods in the downtown area offer a range of property types close to downtown amenities:

· Crescents

The Crescents is known for its characterful streets and heritage homes. Bordering with downtown, you’ll be able to walk or bike to many of your favourite restaurants and cafes in a few minutes.

· Millar Addition

Tree-lined streets and views of the Fraser River make this neighbourhood an ideal choice for those who want to access downtown amenities and plenty of greenspace.

· South Fort George

On the border of Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, you can enjoy music and food trucks at one of the annual festivals hosted at the city’s largest park. You’re also tantalizingly close to the summer location of local favourite Frozen Paddle Ice Creamery (outside The Exploration Place).

College Heights

College Heights is one of the most in-demand neighbourhoods in Prince George. Many buyers are attracted by the beautiful family homes, excellent schools and accessible big box stores, but this area also has its own food scene.

Alongside the big box stores, there are a number of chain restaurants in this neighbourhood like Original Joe’s and Taco Del Mar. College Heights is home to a few locally-owned favourites including Spicy Greens, Ramen Ya SENDO and the Salted Cracker. Pick up your fresh bread, deli meats and pizza at Jolley Market Foods.

It’s only a short drive from here to the restaurants and pubs in the Superstore area, including Boston Pizza, Montana’s, Mr. Mikes Steakhouse, Canadian Brewhouse and locally-owned favourites Westwood Pub, Dragon Stone Mongolian Grill and Playgrounds Café.

Hart

A popular family neighbourhood north of downtown, the Hart has its own restaurant offerings. North City Donair is take-out only, while Northern Palace, Mr. Sushi and the Salted Cracker all offer dine-in or take-out options, making eating out in the Hart very convenient. The Alpine Pub is a friendly neighbourhood pub with an outdoor patio.

Check out the food vendors at The Hart Night Market, which runs during the summer months and features many local artisans and small businesses.

Our local eateries are numerous and diverse, and there are many more places to explore outside of the areas featured in this article. Support them when you can; they make our city fun to live in and create wonderful social environments for getting together with family and friends.