Niva's Restaurant — Restaurant in Thunder Bay

The location of Niva’s Restaurant is a Thunder Bay landmark, as it was formerly The Blue Parrot restaurant. While the two dining establishments could not be more different, Niva’s carries on the tradition of being an iconic Thunder Bay eatery. Their menu consists of comfort foods only and offers something for every palette.

From Gramma-quality hot turkey sandwiches to the mile-high clubhouse, Niva’s offers so much more than just the city’s best Finn pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. For me, it is always the Finn pancakes with strawberries minus the whipped cream that my Ella takes instead.

The Finn pancakes are not just my favourite; they remind me of a simpler time. When all I worried about was my kids and how I had screwed them up by knowingly marrying the wrong guy. Whenever I needed to distract them after their father left, I would take them for Finn pancakes, especially to the Scandinavian House. So, whenever I visit Niva’s, I feel the world unwind for a moment and accept the opportunity to reconnect...

I’ve been to Thunder Bay four times now. Ate at Niva’s the first time and really enjoyed it. The food was great and the place had this cozy, charming vibe. But ever since then? No luck. Every other time we’ve tried to go back, they’ve been closed. That’s three trips in a row now.

What’s extra frustrating is that Google will say they’re open, so we get our hopes up, make the drive, and then show up to an empty parking lot and a “sorry, we’re closed” sign. They’re also almost always closed on long weekends, which just makes it harder for people visiting from out of town.

I get that things happen and sometimes you need to close up, but it takes two seconds to update your hours online. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference... especially for people who aren’t local. As much as I liked the food the first time, the inconsistency just makes it not worth the...

Reception got it wrong how many were to be seated, then when we made it to our table? The waitress literally yelled at us for asking if we could get a high chair for our one year old son!!!!! When we explained to the manager about what employees were doing? She brushed it off as if yelling at families for asking for a high chair was nothing out of the ordinary!!!! We were shocked and our children were understandably upset so we left and will not ever go back!!!!! No place to bring children or even to go if you want decent service. Especially if you are Anishnaabe. Didn't see them yelling at the non-natives asking for high chairs so maybe it was race thing???? Either way terrible and stay away from the waitress Donna. We waited 25 minutes patiently with 4 children under 7 whom were well behaved I might add only to be treated that way....I can't stress...