Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar

Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar

Someone from this business manages this listing.
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+1 807-628-8588+ Add website
Hours
Tue
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles

RATINGS
Food
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$6.00 – $40.00
CUISINES
Italian, Steakhouse, Contemporary, Wine Bar, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this an Italian restaurant?
About
At Caribou, the surroundings are comfortable and the focus is contemporary cuisine of exceptional quality. We are a North American bistro providing you amazing food and top-notch service. In our restaurant, we do not stick to just one type of cuisine. Our chefs are inspired by foods and dishes from Italy to Korea, and more. Signature dishes created by Chef Craig Vieira include certified Angus tenderloin, cedar plank salmon, black and blue ahi tuna and wood oven pizzas. To complete your meal, try one of our desserts that are prepared in-house by our pastry chef. In addition to providing a variety of cuisines from an array of culinary backgrounds, we present an extensive wine list that was compiled by our wine expert, Jeff Hupka. At caribou, we are pleased to offer you a wine list chosen for quality and value with exceptional selection. Our list includes an excellent vintage selection of rare and world class wines, as well as over 30 wines by the glass. Our wine philosophy is focused to bring you a great dining experience enhanced with carefully selected wines to complement your meal. If you're in the mood for a variety of wines, try one of our wine flights. Caribou has been listed in "Where to Eat in Canada" for several years running and the wine list has earned the "Wine Spectator Award of Excellence" every year since 2002. For an unforgettable experience, come join us at Caribou for a delicious meal and a delectable glass of wine.
PRICE RANGE
$6.00 – $40.00
CUISINES
Italian, Steakhouse, Contemporary, Wine Bar, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles490 reviews
Excellent
304
Very good
133
Average
41
Poor
6
Terrible
6

Morgan B
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • couples
after trying to find a restaurant for date night, they were available to reserve my partner and I for dinner. they showed me what was gluten-free and recommended a dishes that I could eat and it was so delicious along with the dessert coffee we had amazing, amazing service! and date night was a success
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ed S
Minneapolis569 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • couples
We really liked the atmosphere, a little modern, good lighting, and relatively quiet. They had a good selection of wines both by the glass and bottle. The menu had a good selection of pasta and several meat entrees. Our waitress was Madison and she was outstanding. She provided a couple of samples wine pours to help us make our wine decision. She was just a delight to talk with. We would definitely go back for the food, wine and wonderful wait staff.
Written January 20, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Samer K
Ontario25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • none
I went with my family (including relatives who were visiting from Southern Ontario) recently, and the food and the service were so excellent. The food was fantastic, and the dishes were all perfect! We were extremely impressed with the professionalism and organization of the chefs in the kitchen. We were very touched by the owner checking on my son (who was crying over a delay in eating caused by taking a photo). When we invite our closest friends and family, this is the restaurant we go to. We absolutely loved it!
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
We are pleased to hear that you had a great experience at Caribou. Hope to see you again soon. Cheers.
Written August 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

mackenzie
Thunder Bay17 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • couples
My partner and I went for both of our birthdays and we both agreed we weren’t overly impressed. The waiter wasn’t very personable and he did the absolute minimum requirements as a server. For a fine dining restaurant we expected a bit more character in the establishment, but we sat at a sad, bare grey and oak table with cutlery rolled with paper napkins, and diner style salt & pepper shakers. I don’t remember it ever being like that. I ordered a glass of wine and it seemed like a small glass, but the base of the glass was chipped. The food itself was good. Prepared perfectly, tasty…but again, for the “fine dining” atmosphere this restaurant advertises we were not offered freshly grated Parmesan cheese or at the least fresh pepper. There was no fresh garnish and perhaps I’m mistaken but I though fresh bread was to be served to the table. All and all, yes this might just be me being picky, but for the price points, there are other restaurants in better locations that hold themselves to a higher standard that wouldn’t allow a chipped glass to be served to the table, and wouldn’t bring pasta out without fresh parm. Personally, those little things go a long way, especially when you’re spending more than average on a meal, it should be an experience, and this place just didn’t have it. For someone out of town visiting that may be interested. Check elsewhere before settling for this one.
Written June 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob Tom
Hi Mackenzie, I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your overall experience at Caribou. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent service, food, drink and dining experience. I do apologize for the chipped wine glass, it should have been discovered before arriving at your table. I am pleased to hear that the food was enjoyed, but I feel that a few points you mentioned must be corrected. We do offer a salt shaker on the table filled with fine sea salt and a small peugeot pepper grinder at each table. We do not offer fresh pepper as the grinder on the table provides this. Wines by the glass are listed at 7oz serving size. We pour half into your wine glass at table side, and the remainder in a wine carafe to be poured out as needed. During covid and after, we have re-evaluated certain aspects of the overall restaurant. Our bread and dips are offered on the menu for purchase. More parmesan will happily be presented at your table if asked, as we do top some of our pasta dishes with parmesan and some we do not. We do not advertise Caribou anywhere as fine dining. We do state that Caribou offers a casual, relaxed atmosphere for dining, along with great service. We take great pride and consideration in our menu. Items are priced accordingly and re-evaluated on a monthly basis. Everywhere prices for food, wage, utilities etc are always increasing, and with that so does menu pricing as well. We do our best, and if we feel pricing is just too high, we look at other alternatives. That being said, quality is never sacrificed and our food is prepared fresh, with quality ingredients, local ingredients and prepared with pride. If you happen to reconsider and give us another chance, please let me know directly through email at info@caribourestaurant.com and I would happily make sure you are taken care of on your next visit. If you ever feel something is not right, please let your server know, and we will be sure to make it right. Thank you for sharing your experience and for your feedback, Craig Vieira General Manager
Written June 8, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Will J
19 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • none
The meal i had of Seafood linguine and half caesar salad was awesome . What i was disappointed in was the fact that the only steaks you offer is flat iron and sirloin. I went there to have a prime rib or ribeye. My girlfriend ordered the flat iron and it was overdone and really not as tender as the one's i mentioned would have been. Oh and one more thing, i ordered a marguerita and had to send it back to have more simple syrup added, it was soooo sour to start with. Sending it back corrected that.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

IanMumford
Ottawa331 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • couples
We were delighted to return to Caribou. It continues to impress. They offer a very interesting dinner menu. Each dish was bursting with flavor and served at exactly the right temperature. Our server was knowledgeable, but a tad brisk. Prices are on the high side- but it is worth it! This has to be the #1 restaurant in TB! Bravo.
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Thank you for the high praise. We are delighted that you took the time and dined with us and enjoyed your Caribou experience. Cheers.
Written November 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

andrewh0use
London5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • couples
From the moment we were seated for our dinner to the moment we left, everything was top-notch. Our server, Joe, was friendly, knowledgable and efficient and helped us with our menu selections as well as wine. We had thin crust pizza with fig and pear to start. My wife had the tuna tanaki which was perfectly rare and served on sticky rice with the precise amount of wasabi mayo and some delicious cucumbers and bean sprouts on the side. I had the piri piri chicken which was a substantial portion, perfect amount of heat, delicious roasted pepper on the side with fantastic fries. We enjoyed a few glasses of Pinot Grigio and were able to recork the leftover bottle to take home. Although perfectly sated, we saved room for a small bowl of budino pudding with whipped cream as the ultimate finish. This was one of the finest meals we’ve eaten out in a very long time. Not a single thing could have been changed to make this evening any more delightful.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Hi Andrew. Thank you for dining with us and taking the time to share your experience with a thoughtful review. The piri chicken and tuna tataki are 2 of my personal favourties. Thanks again and look forward to seeing you again. Cheers.
Written October 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

KiloDeltaTango
Oakville26 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • couples
Very good food, service and atmosphere. Restaurant has been operating for many years and in our opinion has always been one of the best in the city. I would say it has slipped slightly from its early years, but still a reliable choice for good food.
Written February 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nikkiintime
Toronto22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • couples
Great food and great service. We also loved that they took reservations. This place was better than the Tomlin, where we had to wait two hours for a table and they refused to take a reservation. Don’t waste your time there. Caribou was excellent. The lamb was perfect and risotto balls delicious. The rabbit pasta was unique and scrumptious. We finished with a tasty dessert of caramel and berry flavours. Would definitely return again to Caribou, when visiting Thunder Bay. It’s on par with Toronto restaurants.
Written October 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Thank you for your kind review. We are pleased to read that you enjoyed your experience with us. Thank you for dining at Caribou, and we hope to see you again in the future.
Written October 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rink64
Thunder Bay316 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • none
K, that was without a doubt the best takeout in my life. Ontario's locked down, you can't dine in anywhere. It's our anniversary today and I can't believe I haven't had Caribou in 3.5 years. Always been either my #1 or #2 for decades now. 1. Caesar salad. More than double the size I expected, and same quality as dine in. We were both blown away. 2. Misto Fritti appetizer. Perfect. Not one selection in this medley was tough or over cooked, and the lemon aioli sauce was spot on. HUGE portion (for an appetizer) as well. 3. My salmon: melted in my mouth like butter, fantastic wood oven taste, rice and asperagus perfect. Huge portion as well. I'm like, "are we at Cracker Barrel or something"? What Five Star restaurant doesn't have small portions? Caribou definately does not have small portions. 4. My wife's Bucatini (I sampled): perfect. Huge portion. I don't even know how to articulate how incredibly hard it is to serve PERFECT takeout. It's a 15 min drive home! I expected maybe 8 or 9 out of 10 and would have been super satisfied with that. We had one of my top 3 places TWICE at the beginning of the Pandemic and they sucked both times. Another 5 star place I've had 3 times was SO substandard the one time we had their takeout. The other in my top 3 (#1 for a while now) I haven't visited and feel awful about that, but man, the Caribou is going to make me think twice about who's number 1! Thanks Craig, that was rediculous....
Written January 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Thank you for you review, but more importantly your support over another lockdown. The staff are happy to hear that your meal was enjoyed and everything travelled well and was hot. Cheers.
Written January 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kathy M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • none
I had one of the best dining experience at this restaurant that I have had in years. The server was top notch. Not to mention very easy on the eyes. His attention was impecible. Can't say enough about his timing. Not too aggressive that we felt rushed but we were never ignored. The food was the best I have had in years. Delicious. You could totally tell that a top notch chef was in the kitchen. The server talked us into the ceasar salad and it did not disappoint. The only regret I have is that I do not live in Thunder Bay and cannot enjoy this wonderful establishment on a regular basis.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob S
Thank you so much for your kind review. We are pleased to hear that your Caribou experience was enjoyed . Thank you,
Written September 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

L_ThunderBay
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • none
July 15, 2020 - Four friends and I wanted to check out the patio at the Caribou and managed to confirm a reservation for 830pm. Knowing that the restaurant would be busy, we got to the restaurant at 8:30PM on the dot and notified the server who told us that they would get us from our car when our table was ready. 8:50PM, we follow up with the server and ask if our table is ready while also explaining that it would be raining in potentially 20 minutes. The server notified us that there was only 10% chance of rain and that the current occupants at our table were paying and it would be ready for us shortly. With this re-assurance, we stayed in the car and 25 minutes later was finally escorted to our table at 9:15PM, 45 minutes later than our original confirmation. At this point we were just happy to be able to grab a seat and order. After receiving our waters, the server notified us that it would rain and we should hold off on ordering. We complied and it started to rain. We were told that they could not serve us due to weather. No apologies were provided to us by the manager and nothing was communicated other than a goodbye. This entire ordeal would have been solved if this restaurant communicated with their guests sooner. We had confirmed a reservation for 8:30PM and was not seated until almost ONE hour after that time. If the guests were just paying, why did it take 20 minutes for that payment to go through when they knew hours before that a 8:30PM reservation was waiting? Where was the accountability of the staff to notify us earlier that our reservation may be cancelled? Unacceptable.
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Please accept our sincerest apologies for your experience on our Caribou patio on July 15th. Our patio has limited seating, and there was only one table that could accommodate your party size. Unfortunately our guests at that table designated for your group, took longer than anticipated to leave for a variety of reasons. Due to Covid 19, we need extra time to sanitize the table and seats to ensure everyone's safety. The weather that night also played a very significant issue with your visit. The severity of the storm caught everyone by surprise, and we did our absolute best to vacate the patio as quickly and safely as possible. We did check the weather network consistently, and it did not indicate a storm approaching. Yes you are correct that the manager didn't come by to apologize personally for the delay in seating as they should have, but in this instance, it was warranted. The manager instructed your server that the best cou4rse of action would be holding off on ordering after you were seated, incase it started to rain and further ruining your evening. The manager is responsible for the safety of all patrons and staff on the patio at all times. The storm damaged umbrellas making them unsafe to use and without the restaurant being open indoors, due to Covid stage 2, there was no way to serve you in a mannerly fashion or offer you a suitable solution for your evening. We also stated when making the reservation that we may have to cancel due to the weather, as there is no shelter from the rain, much less a storm. I do sympathize on how frustrating issues like this can be, but due to the significant storm, we could not serve you in any capacity. Once again i do apologize to you and your party. If you would care to discuss this situation further please call or email me directly. Sincerely, Craig Vieira General Manager
Written July 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Alan C
Bloomington80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • friends
Thunder Bay is so fortunate to have Caribou. Food is always great and service impeccable. The only drawback is it gets a little loud when the place is packed, but nothing can be done about that. If you ascribe to the rule that a restaurant is great when there’s a lineup and a full house then Caribou fills that order!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate you as our guest and for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review. Cheers.
Written February 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

C8ELB
Thunder Bay2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • none
Due to the pandemic, we ordered take home food for the first time from a fine dining establishment. We were a bit leery about how it would taste at home. Well, it was truly amazing! The quality was superb and the service was excellent! We will definitely be ordering again.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caribou_Restaurant
Thank you for your order and support over this difficult time.
Written January 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sel8
Thunder Bay District367 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • couples
My husband and I stopped by for drinks and apps on a Tuesday after work. We sat at the bar, where a lovely and engaging young lady was bartending. She was very helpful when I was looking for a particular type of drink and her choice was stellar. My husband had the crab cakes and I had the Misto Fritti. Both were delicious! The Caribou has a lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food!
Written May 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CARIBOU RESTAURANT + WINE BAR, Thunder Bay - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Reservations - Tripadvisor

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