Canadian chain serving hand-stretched fried dough shaped like beaver tails with sweet toppings. Must-try Canadian treat found at tourist areas.
BeaverTails is a Canadian pastry chain founded in Ottawa in 1978 by Grant and Pam Hooker, who began selling their hand-stretched fried dough pastries at the Byward Market before expanding to locations across Canada and internationally. The pastry itself — a flat, oval piece of fried whole-wheat dough stretched by hand to resemble the tail of a beaver — is topped with sweet toppings and eaten fresh from the fryer. The classic toppings include cinnamon and sugar, hazelnut chocolate spread and banana, maple butter, and a strawberry cream preparation, though seasonal and regional variations are offered at different locations. BeaverTails is most famously associated with Ottawa's Rideau Canal, where the chain's canal-side kiosk has been serving skaters on the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink since the 1970s, making a warm BeaverTail in the cold a quintessentially Canadian winter experience. The chain has locations in tourist areas across Canada — at ByWard Market, Whistler, Banff, and Niagara Falls among others — and is considered one of the most authentically Canadian sweet treats a visitor can try.
Signature dishes
- Cinnamon & Sugar BeaverTail — $7
- Maple BeaverTail — $8
Good to know
- Hours
- Varies by location
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
Multiple locations in tourist areas
45.4215, -75.6972 View on map
Highlights
- Canadian pastry icon founded in Ottawa in 1978 — hand-stretched fried whole-wheat dough
- Rideau Canal kiosk in Ottawa offers the most iconic setting: skating rink + warm BeaverTail
- Classic toppings include cinnamon and sugar, hazelnut chocolate, and maple butter
- Found at tourist destinations across Canada: ByWard Market, Whistler, Banff, and Niagara Falls
- Genuinely Canadian treat with no exact equivalent anywhere in the world
Tips for visiting
- The Rideau Canal location in Ottawa is the most atmospheric — visiting by skate in winter is the full experience
- Cinnamon and sugar or maple butter are the most classically Canadian toppings
- BeaverTails are best eaten immediately while still warm — the texture degrades as they cool
- The pastry is larger than it looks — one is usually sufficient for a single person
- Lines at popular tourist locations (especially the canal) can be long on weekends — arrive early in the session
Accessibility
BeaverTails kiosks and counters are generally at street level with step-free service windows. The outdoor settings at locations like the Rideau Canal involve winter ice and snow conditions that may be challenging. Most tourist-area locations are accessible by paved, level paths.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BeaverTail?
A BeaverTail is a flat, oval piece of hand-stretched fried whole-wheat dough, named for its resemblance to a beaver's tail, topped with sweet toppings and eaten fresh. It was invented in Ottawa in 1978.
Where is BeaverTails most famously associated?
The Ottawa Rideau Canal location is the most iconic, where skaters on the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink have purchased warm BeaverTails for decades. The experience is a defining Canadian winter image.
What is the best topping?
Cinnamon and sugar is the original and most popular topping. Maple butter and hazelnut chocolate with banana are also beloved choices. Seasonal specials vary by location.
Are BeaverTails available year-round?
Availability depends on location. Some outlets (like tourist areas) operate year-round. The Rideau Canal location operates only during the skating season, typically January through March.
Is BeaverTails a uniquely Canadian food?
Yes. BeaverTails originated in Canada and remains strongly associated with Canadian identity. The pastry has no direct equivalent elsewhere and is widely considered one of the authentic Canadian foods a visitor should try.