Why You Should Avoid Chain Restaurants At All Costs When Visiting Niagara Falls

Major attractions that have become notorious tourist traps present a tricky dilemma for discerning travelers. On one hand, some popular destinations have become famous beyond all proportion compared to what you actually get to see — just take the underwhelming Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. On the other hand, some sights draw millions of visitors each year because they are must-see places for a good reason. You wouldn't want to go to Paris without at least glimpsing the Eiffel Tower, and Niagara Falls is regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of North America. Unfortunately, eating can come at a premium if you dine at chain restaurants.

Situated on the border between the United States and Canada, the Niagara Falls are a staggering sight. There are actually three falls: American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side of the line, and the epic and world-famous Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian. The facts are astonishing: Almost 700,000 gallons of water tumble over the lip of the Horseshoe Falls every second, plummeting up to 184 feet with a continuous roar as loud as thunder. 

Around 12 million visitors each year come to witness this spectacle, crowding viewpoints, taking helicopter tours, and boarding boats to cruise through the perpetual mists. The sheer numbers of people inevitably means there are tourist traps to avoid in Niagara Falls on both sides of the border, and eating can be expensive if you fall back on nearby familiar favorites.

Wherever you go around the world, it is common knowledge that tourist trap restaurants will often pump up prices to make the most of the extra footfall. This isn't solely a cynical ploy to wring out a few extra bucks from each diner; it costs a lot to run a business in a prime location and proprietors need to make their investment worthwhile. Even so, tourists will often resign themselves to paying over the odds just for the convenience or pleasure of dining at the attraction they have traveled to see, especially if a premium view is involved.

It is no surprise that dozens of large restaurant chains have set up in the vicinity of Niagara Falls. On both sides of the border you will find familiar names such as Hard Rock Cafe, Applebee's, Turtle Jack's, and TGI Fridays. CBC News revealed in February 2023 that some chain restaurants on the Canadian side of the border added extra fees to the bill such as a Niagara Falls Destination Fee (NFDF) with a range of vague excuses from improving the tourist experience to laying on fireworks. Meanwhile, Tripadvisor users have grumbled about outlets of their favorite chains becoming tourist traps with inflated prices. One visitor complained that their favorite special at Outback Steakhouse cost $55 instead of the usual $17.99 at their local franchise, while diners at IHOP Wyndham Fallsview have suggested that the view and location is not worth the elevated price of pancakes.

The good news is that you don't have to rely on predatory chain restaurants with over-inflated prices and sneaky fees near Niagara Falls. There are plenty of places that serve up cheap eats with an extra order of local character such as Betty's Restaurant, a family-run diner that has been open since 1967. Famed for its fish and chips, Betty's also offers daily specials and affordable breakfasts until 2 p.m. For more out-of-this-world breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, and steaks, get yourself beamed up at the quirky Flying Saucer Restaurant. The fun UFO-shaped diner really runs with the intergalactic theme and the menu is packed with pocket-friendly favorites. Early birds can enjoy the Galaxy Special for just $7.99 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Another local institution that is worth leaving the roar of the falls for is Country Fresh Donuts. The modest cash-only cafe is beloved for its unusual combo of freshly baked donuts and wonton soup. For more Asian fare, head out to Pho Xyclo for a large menu of super-fresh Vietnamese dishes at reasonable prices. If classic American bar food is more your thing, Chip 'n Charlies is a friendly joint opened by two old friends back in 2005. Favorites including chilli, burgers, and pizza all come in under the $20 mark, and stick around for live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. With spots like these, eating in Niagara Falls doesn't need to be a rip off.