Blackshop Restaurant & Wine Bar has been awarded Gold recognition in the Food & Drink Best Steak category of the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards for the Cambridge/Waterloo Region, the restaurant announced. The distinction carries weight beyond a single dish: the awards are determined through nominations and voting by local community members, meaning the result reflects how residents themselves view the business rather than the judgment of an industry panel. The full results are published on the Best Steak winners page.
The recognition matters for a region whose dining scene competes for local loyalty and visitor spending. A community-voted award can function as a signal to diners choosing where to spend on a special occasion, and for Blackshop it reinforces a positioning built on modern European cuisine rather than a single signature item. The restaurant, located at 595 Hespeler Road in Cambridge and minutes from Highway 401 and area hotels, serves chef-driven menus built around seasonal ingredients and European techniques, alongside a wine list drawn from producers around the world.
The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Asela "Ace" Bulner, whose more than 15 years of culinary experience spans Europe, the UAE and Canada. His menus pair traditional technique with Sri Lankan and global flavours, and his background includes work with sports teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and with golf clubs. The executive team also includes Director of Hospitality Kevin Da Silva and Sales Manager Minnie Da Silva.
For readers and the broader hospitality industry, the announcement points to a business investing in both everyday dining and private events. Blackshop is open seven days a week, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with a patio, fireplaces and on-site parking on the property. Its event spaces range from The State Room, seating up to 22 guests, to The Atrium, accommodating up to 80; The Guild Room and The Anvil Room each seat up to 46 for dinner, and the combined State Room and Atrium seats up to 80 or holds 100 for a cocktail reception. The Guild Room opens onto the covered patio, while the Anvil Room can be arranged as a workshop space for 16 people.
Private bookings include the space for up to three hours, dedicated servers, floor plan customization, a microphone, wireless internet, TV displays and a sound system. Menus are customizable with hors d'oeuvres, shareable trays and prix fixe options, and can accommodate gluten, dairy, vegan and vegetarian needs. Sample dishes include Seared Scallops and Beef Tartare among appetizers and Ontario Beef Tenderloin and Wild Pacific Halibut among main courses.
Blackshop serves guests throughout Cambridge and Waterloo Region, and details are available at https://blackshop.ca/. The restaurant said it remains focused on its modern European menu and its mix of dining and event spaces as it continues to welcome diners and event guests in Cambridge.
