Only two and a half hours from Toronto lies one of Canada’s tastiest new culinary adventures.
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I’m talking about a meal from Naagan, a restaurant in Owen Sound, Ontario. Headed by chef Zach Keeshig, the restaurant serves up a twelve-course fixed tasting menu that features Ojibwe cuisine.
With experience at multiple restaurants, including Michelin-starred eateries, Keeshig returned to Owen Sound, close to where he grew up in Neyaashiinigmiing, to launch his own homegrown project. It’s highly intentional and intimate, offering fine dining tasting menus.
Founded in 2024, it’s already nabbed national attention. Think: creativity, unique flavor profiles, and foraged ingredients you might not have tasted before.
So, what’s on the menu at Naagan, which means dish in Ojibwe? And how can you reserve a table to sample the most unique meal in North America? Let’s dig in.
(I first heard of Naagan from food blogger Aashim Eats, in case you want other great recs in the Toronto area. You can check out his posts on Naagan and Chef Keeshig, if you want to learn more about the restaurant.)
Inside Naagan
Naagan is open from Thursday to Sunday and takes reservations starting at 6:30 pm. The restaurant is small and seats only 17 diners. Ingredients are either grown and foraged by Keeshig or are sourced from the immediate area.
Even the plates at Naagan are sourced from nearby indigenous artists, giving you a culturally immersive experience from just about every angle.
As with many fine dining establishments, that dedication to nearness and freshness means that the menu changes significantly with the season. Expect to taste bison heart, sorrel, sumac, and other flavors that grow right in Owen Sound (A note: Naagan doesn’t cater to dietary needs due to the ever-revolving list of ingredients.)
As already mentioned, the tasting menu showcases the best in American flavors, cooking practices, and ingredients. As the website reads, think of it like ‘progressive indigenous cuisine’. The twelve-course tasting menu will cost you $155, with an optional $55 medicinal drink pairing.
Want to make a reservation? You can do so from Naagan’s website. Make sure to check out special dining events scheduled for November, including a veg dinner. (Or, if you’ll be in Toronto at the end of the month, check out the Naagan pop-up at RILY Kitchen.)
