AYCE
Meet Cusine · 371 Princess Street · (613-531-8788): Korean-style AYCE BBQ grill for beef, chicken, pork (and other selections like seafood, vegetables, noodles). Recently re-opened this year (previously it was non-BBQ) and offers great food at a good price ($37/person when I went, varies like over holidays). The orders come relatively quickly and the meat is fresh. It’s also quite close (~15min) walk from SOMB. However, the variety of menu options might be limited compared to other AYCE BBQ places.
Sakura Japanese Restaurant · 1350 Bath Road · (613-531-8882): Japanese-style Sushi AYCE with teriyaki, sushi, tempura, noodles, sashimi, etc. with a great selection on the menu and good quality food. The pricing is decent ($39/person for dinner when I went) however requires either driving (12min) or taking the bus (30min) to get there from SOMB. Also offers Bento and a la carte options which are great as well.
Sapporo Sushi · 277 Bath Road · (613-531-2662): Sushi AYCE located roughly in-between Sakura and Meet Cuisine, with good sushi/sashimi menu options and offers both standalone and AYCE options. I haven’t went there but heard great things and it has amazing reviews online. This place also might require driving or bus to get there, since it’s not close to SOMB.
On Campus: across Queen’s, there is a Pita Pit and a KHAO Pho Now, which offers inexpensive food but not much special. Inside SOMB, there is a Peach Food Bank that offers food rescued from Queen’s campus vendors, occasionally with Asian food options available (options change every day).
Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese
Cambodiana · 161 Brock Street · (613-531-0888)
Phnom Penh · 335 King Street East · (613-545-2607)
Pat’s Restaurant · 887 Division St · (613-344-0450)
Cambodiana, Phnom Penh, and Pat’s are a collection of Thai restaurants in Kingston that were started by the same group and therefore have similar menu items. These places have delicious Thai foods and they do not skimp out on flavour! Phnom Penh is a popular place to go to among students for ridiculously large portions and delicious food. Cambodiana is the most affordable of the three. Pat’s still remains the best Cambodian and Thai in Kingston, and although it is far from the downtown area, it is worth the trek.
Mango Thai and Pan-Asian Cuisine· 161 1/2 Princess Street · (613-549-3815): While it tries to fill the Thai fine-dining void in Kingston, Mango Thai and Pan-Asian is a hit or miss. The food is good and moderately priced (with student discounts), and the atmosphere cleaner and classier than your typical Thai spot. It is above average, but it certainly isn’t the best here. Recommended by several QMeds but is not the most authentic Thai.
Wok In · 30 Montreal Street · (613-549-5369): This tiny restaurant at Montreal and Princess looks a little sketchy, but don’t let the location throw you off. Wok In serves delicious Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian food. Although the menu is limited, everything is done well and made from scratch in huge portions. Best of all, it’s cheap: most meals cost about eight bucks. Check out the #1. Recommended by several QMeds but may be cash and take out only, with a 1hr wait in the evening.
Mekong· 394 Princess Street · (613-549-5902): Quite possibly the cheapest Asian food around and very convenient (next to Metro). It has great Pho but even better Pork Chops and Spring Rolls. Costs around $13-18 for a meal but the portions are quite large. Great place to go to for students on a budget but with a craving for Asian cuisine.
Hakka Horizon · 304 Bagot Street · (613-542-4258): Newly opened restaurant offering Fusion Thai, Indo Hakka, and Chinese food, with great portions and a good taste at an amazing price too. Great reviews as well. It was slightly too spicy/salty for me but suited the taste of many. It’s also convenient near HDH as well.
Other Options: Thai House Cruise Kingston (near east downtown, great reviews and recommended by many QMeds), Apsara Angkor Cuisine Restaurant (near east downtown great reviews), Cambodian Village Restaurant (near east downtown, great reviews), Thai Express (near Metro, food chain)
Indian
Curry Village · 169A Princess Street · (613-542-5010): The owners of Curry Village and Curry Original once owned an Indian restaurant together, but due to irreconcilable differences, the two parted and opened their own places. Curry Village offers a 15% student discount; make sure you ask for it and show your student card.
Other Options: Flavors of India (west of Princess St), Daal Roti Premium (near Metro, great reviews), Tasty Indian Bar and Grill (near east downtown), Bombay Velvet (near east downtown, great reviews), Taj Curry House (near east downtown)
Middle Eastern
Shelby’s Legendary Shawarma · 575 Princess Street · (613-344-2075):has amazing shawarma and rice/salad combos at an affordable price, with great portions. It’s slightly far from SOMB (near west of Princess Street) but is a regular lunch/dinner spot for many students.
Other Options: Tahini’s (downtown), Sindibad (downtown, great reviews), Osmow’s Shawarma (downtown), Dr. Shawarma and Curries (downtown)
Japanese, Korean, and Chinese
SIMA Sushi · 66 Princess Street · (613-542-8040): Though it is slightly more expensive, the quality of the sushi more than justifies the cost. In fact, we won’t hesitate to say that SIMA rivals some of the better sushi joints found in major metropolitan cities.
Take Sushi · 120 Princess Street · (613-544-1376): Take is a great place for Sushi…in Kingston. The sushi isn’t as good as in larger cities, but it is still tasty, and if you have a craving, it is a good spot to go. Try the Blue Mountain roll. Take also has great bento box specials at lunch time Monday to Friday.
The Shuroop Sushi Bar and Ramen House · 354 King Street East · (613-544-6278): Amazing place for sushi rolls and a great variety of ramen options. Quality is great too, with fresh sashimi, though the price overall tends to be on the expensive end. The ramen broth also has a somewhat generic taste but is tasty in general.
Gangnam Style · 337 Princess Street · (613-531-6087): Very tasty Bibimbap, Bulgogi, Fried Chicken, and Korean food in general at a good price (though slightly pricey). It’s convenient in downtown and is a great choice to hang out or get takeout.
Seoul 2 Soul · 282 Princess Street · (613-507-6777): Another good Korean spot with great reviews about the Bulgogi, Soup Bowls, and more. The quality of beef was slightly less than Gangnam Style in my opinion, but it may depend on the day.
PodoNamu · 264 Princess Street · (613-777-9949): Another good Korean spot (all three are basically next to each other) with amazing reviews on its fried chicken and gam ja tang. No personal experience (apart from delivery orders) but this spot was recommended several times from peers.
Sunflower Chinese Restaurant · 41 Montreal Street · (613-507-2688): A great Chinese place with quite authentic Chinese food and quite close to Chinese food elsewhere, with good portions and flavor. Great ribs, fried noodles or rice, and combo deals. Though, some dishes like chicken balls or fried meats may be occasionally mushy.
Silver Wok · 373 King Street East · (613-544-6634): Another good place with great portions and flavors (from peers and not from personal experience). A second contender for one of the Chinese places most similar to authentic places elsewhere . The price is decent but tends toward the pricey end.
Northern Chinese BBQ · 185 Princess Street · (613-531-8188): A 3rd great Chinese place similar to elsewhere with large variety. Great stir-fried beans, beef, ribs, chicken, and vegetables, and deep fried dishes are usually crispy. Though, some dishes might have too much flour. Many recommend the spicy dishes there too.
VIP (Chinese Food) · 528 Princess Street · (613-530-2828): VIP offers cheap Chinese food along with great lunch and dinner meal specials for the reasonable price of about $10. Amazing value but may fall somewhat far from Chinese food elsewhere.
Dim Sum Kingston · 501 Princess Street · (613-766-0194): Offers a wide variety of dim sum at a cheap price but with several dishes that are subpar (such as siu mai and watery congee). Some slightly better dishes include fried rice, with great deals available. Rated on average 2.3/5 by the QMed Dim Sum tasting group and not recommended.
Edo Japan · 412 Princess Street · (613-549-2628): Part of a food-chain so the quality is limited (teppanyki but standard ingredients with a normal slightly salty flavor). Overall it’s a great lunch spot considering its location (also next to Metro), great service and cleaniness, and value (has meals as low as $10, including a drink).
Other Sushi Options: Kpop Sub Sushi (not sushi but sushi wraps, great reviews), Sima Sushi (near east downtown), Jina Sushi (west princess), Sushiya Zen (east downtown, great reviews)
Other Ramen/Noodle Options: Kinton Ramen Kingston (food chain, classic ramen), Sophie's Noodle House (ok choice near downtown), Spicy Noodle House (moreso a bubble tea spot than for noodles but tastes ok)
Other Chinese Options: Northern Chinese Restaurant (recommended by several QMeds), East Side Village (north of Princess)