First Nations Food

The Edmonton area, also known as Treaty Six Territory, offer diverse ways to enjoy indigenous foods, from passed-down recipes to inventive modern takes, and from fine dining to food truck catering or home delivery. Whether you’d rather dress up for a night of culinary experiences, share casual fare at an event, or munch on traditional recipes from the comfort of your own home, this list has something for everyone interested in connecting to the history of the land. 

Bernadette’s

Owners Chef Scott Jonathan Iserhoff and Svitlana Kravchuk have been shown much appreciation from the community for their launch of Bernadette’s in 2024, an indigenous fine dining experience with “Kokhum’s (Cree for ‘grandmother’) hospitality.” Frequently changing menus featuring local and wild seasonal produce—with dishes largely inspired by Chef Iserhoff’s upbringing in northern Ontario—brings a refreshing edge to this downtown Edmonton restaurant, with dishes such as raw elk, oysters, rotating dumplings, ocheshishak (risotto) and vinaigrettes, bison cheeks and steak, bright cocktails and natural wines. Such items help Bernadette’s mission to share stories and inspiration through food.

Mitsoh

Created with a vision to restore and share honoured indigenous foods on a national scale, Mitsoh brings traditional recipes to grocery stores and markets across Canada. Pemmican, a centuries-old foodstuff made with dried game (they use bison), animal tallow and berries, was the founding focus of Mitsoh, as well as dried bison, but owner Ian Gladue has now expanded his product line to also include bannock. Bannock was the focus of his first business, Native Delights, which went from food cart to food truck to restaurant, and still offers food truck and catering services. 

Tee Pee Treats

Owner Curtis Cardinal has come a long way since selling bannock out of his backpack at pow-wows in 2010, though this grass-roots foundation is still apparent in everything he does. Bannock is infused in all of his creations, from hot dogs to cinnamon cheesecake. He still continues “bringing the bannock” through his successful five-star catering business and community event, “Giving Back to the Streets,” which regularly feeds, clothes, and entertains at least 600 Edmonton folks for free. Tee Pee Treats has also had many successful pop-up restaurants and currently offers delivery.

Bannock Broz

After a successful spring-time pop-up tent launch in 2024, followed by a food trailer, owners Joseph Rucchin and his wife Tanya harnessed this momentum to open a more permanent location in Enoch Nation’s community centre. A feel-good price point, weekly specials and a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere with casual food-fair all add to Bannock Broz charm, but the real star of the show is the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Loaded with green peppers, steak, onions, and cheese housed in bannock, this fan favourite has patrons near and far regularly making the trip.

Homefire Grill

Launched by the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation, it may not be chef-owned but Homefire Grill is the most longstanding indigenous-run restaurant on this list, serving Edmonton fire-roasted comfort food with local ingredients for 20 years. While there is a lot of Western influence, such as pizzas, burgers, pastas, fries and a simple kid’s menu, many of these dishes feature indigenous ingredients such as elk, bison, Saskatoon berries, bannock and scallops. Their wood burning ovens in the open kitchen—and fireplace in the centre of the dining room—provide both comforting meals and ambience for all ages.

Where to Find Them:

Bernadette’s

• 10114-104 St., Edmonton
• 587-879-4317
• bernadettes.ca

Mitsoh

• 780-760-7668
• mitsoh.com

Tee Pee Treats

• 780-616-9200
• teepeetreats.com

Bannock Broz

• Enoch Community Centre
• Hwy 60, Whitemud Dr., Enoch
• 587-907-8208
• enochcommunitycentre.com/amenities/bannock-broz

Homefire Grill

• 18210-100 Ave. Edmonton
• 780-489-8086
• homefiregrill.ca

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