Plenty of restaurants and stores across Canada offer free birthday stuff on (or around) your special day.
On-the-go staples such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons and sit-down spots such as The Keg and Swiss Chalet offer free food and drink items. And there are also oodles of free makeup, clothing items, and discounts at favourites such as Sephora and Old Navy.
Key Takeaways
- Several Canadian establishments offer free food, drinks, gifts, and discounts on your birthday.
- For most birthday offers, all you have to do is sign up for the restaurant or store rewards program.
- Read over the terms of birthday offers to make sure you’re eligible.
How to get birthday freebies in Canada
To receive these birthday freebies, most places require you to complete a few steps, (potentially) including the following:
- Sign up: for their mailing list or rewards program BEFORE your birthday.
- Buy something: You may have to make a purchase to qualify for your free birthday treat.
- Show ID: Verify your birthday with government-issued identification.
- The date matters: Check with the business if you’ll be able claim your freebie on your birthday only, within a week or so, or within your birthday month.
Restaurants that offer birthday freebies
Many restaurants in Canada offer free drinks and food items for guests on their birthday. Take a look below to find eateries offering a free treat on your birthday.
Denny’s
The birthday gift: At Denny’s you’ll be able to create your own Grand Slam Breakfast (pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausages) as a free birthday treat. This offer is available at most Denny’s in Canada, but not all of them.
How to claim it: Present a valid piece of photo ID to claim your birthday Grand Slam meal. This offer is only available on your actual birthday.
Red Robin
The birthday gift: Gourmet burger chain Red Robin offers a free gourmet burger on your special day (in its British Columbia and Alberta locations).
How to claim it: Join the Red Robin Royalty program and opt into receiving text messages and emails from Red Robin. You will need a valid ID to confirm your birthday, and you must make an accompanying $4.99 purchase in order to claim your birthday burger. Red Robin’s birthday burger can be claimed on any day in your birthday month.
Cobs Bread
The birthday gift: Cobs Bread serves up a free cinnamon bun on your birthday.
How to claim it: You must sign up for the Cobs Newsletter at least 7 days before your birthday in order to be able to claim a birthday cinnamon bun. You also must have made at least one purchase at Cobs in the year prior to claim your free item. You can claim your birthday cinnamon bun on your birthday and up to 14 days afterward.
Boston Pizza
The birthday gift: Boston Pizza offers a free birthday dessert on your special day.
How to claim it: To claim a birthday dessert, you must first be a member of Boston Pizza’s MyBP Loyalty Club. Boston Pizza will send you a notice about a week before your birthday and give you two weeks to claim your free birthday dessert. No other purchase is required.
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The birthday gift: Cora’s offers 3X bonus points to those on their birthdays, but no free food items. This offer is valid at all Cora’s locations, with no exclusions.
How to claim it: Join the Cora Enthusiast Program and complete the loyalty profile to claim your birthday points. These points can be redeemed up to 30 days past your birthday.
IHOP
The birthday gift: IHOP customers in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta can claim free pancakes on their birthday.
How to claim it: Join IHOP Rewards to claim your free birthday flapjacks.
Buffalo Wild Wings
The birthday gift: Enjoy a birthday gift of 6 free chicken wings at Buffalo Wild Wings on your birthday.
How to claim it: Join Buffalo Wild Wings’ Blazin’ Rewards Program to claim your birthday wings. This birthday offer is available at all locations, with no pre-booking necessary.
Applebee’s
The birthday gift: Applebee’s offers a free birthday treat, but it doesn’t specify what the item will be.
How to claim it: Sign up for Applebee’s email club in order to receive notice of your free birthday gift.
Thrifty’s Food
The birthday gift: At its British Columbia locations, Thrifty’s Food offers a free 8-inch by 12-inch birthday cake for a child’s first birthday. The birthday cakes are available in either blue, green, or pink frosting.
How to claim it: Free birthday cakes must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance. A birth certificate is required to verify the child’s age upon pickup.
Mandarin Chinese Buffet
The birthday gift: A special e-coupon for a birthday buffet feast from the Mandarin!
How to claim it: Sign up for Mandarin’s newsletter, Mandarin Dish, at least one day before your birthday to receive the buffet feast coupon in your inbox. You must have at least 3 paying adults in your party to claim the offer. The Mandarin’s birthday offer is valid one week before and one week after your birthday. Valid ID is required when redeeming the birthday e-coupon.
Wacky’s
The birthday gift: Wacky’s, an arcade, bar, and restaurant, offers a $10 play card for your birthday. You will also be eligible to win free chicken wings for a year!
How to claim it: Sign up for Wacky’s VIP to get your free birthday prizes, and you will get a free appetizer just for signing up. This offer applies to Ontario customers only.
South Street Burger
The birthday gift: Get a free South Street Burger on your birthday courtesy of a buy one get one free coupon delivered to your inbox.
How to claim it: Sign up for South Street’s Birthday Club to receive your coupon in the mail on your birthday. You must sign up at least 72 hours before your birthday to get the coupon, which is valid for 14 days. This offer is valid at Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta locations only.
Lone Star Texas Grill
The birthday gift: Get a free dessert at Lone Star Texas Grill on your birthday.
How to claim it: Sign up for Lone Star’s newsletter, The Sizzle, in order to claim your birthday prize. You will also have to spend at least $30 on your meal to claim your birthday dessert. The Sizzle will also deliver other offers and discounts to your inbox as well. Lone Star’s birthday offer is for Ontario only.
McDonald’s
The birthday gift: Kids get a free Happy Meal on their birthday.
How to claim it: You must sign up for the McDonald’s newsletter in order to get a free happy meal for your child on their birthday.
Montana’s BBQ & Bar
The birthday gift: Receive a free dessert on your birthday at Montana’s BBQ & Bar. Birthday diners can also receive 10% off their bill if they purchase at least $30 worth of food and/or drink.
How to claim it: Sign up for Montana’s Grill Lovers Club to receive your birthday perks. You’ll need to sign up for the Grill Lover’s Club at least 7 days before your birthday to get the perks. Your birthday offer will be sent via email, and you have 14 days to use it before it expires. Valid ID is required.
Red Lobster
The birthday gift: Claim a free birthday coupon from Red Lobster.
How to claim it: You must sign up at least 10 days ahead of your birthday to Red Lobster’s Fresh Catch News to claim your birthday coupon.
Kettleman’s Bagels
The birthday gift: Enjoy a free birthday gift of a dozen Montreal-style bagels at Kettleman’s locations in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.
How to claim it: To claim your birthday bagels, you will have to sign up for the Kettleman’s App first. You can redeem your free birthday bagels through the app. When you sign up for the app, enter your birthday for your birthday reward to be automatically applied at checkout.
New York Fries
The birthday gift: Enjoy a free regular fries on your birthday at participating New York Fries locations.
How to claim it: You need to join the NYF Fry Society loyalty program to claim free birthday fries. You also have to have spent at least $50 with your Fry Society loyalty card at New York Fries in order to claim your birthday fries.
Swiss Chalet
The birthday gift: Enjoy a free dessert at Swiss Chalet on your birthday.
How to claim it: You will need to sign up for Swiss Chalet’s Rotisserie Mail newsletter (via the Swiss Chalet app) to get your free birthday drink. When you sign up for the Swiss Chalet app you get a free appetizer, with a max value of $9.49, when you purchase an adult entree.
Harvey’s
The birthday gift: A free pie will be yours on your birthday by visiting any Harvey’s location.
How to claim it: To claim your free pie, you must join Harvey’s’ Burger Aficionado Club. After you join, you’re entitled to an order of free Frings at any Harvey’s restaurant in addition to a free birthday pie.
Coffee and sweet-treat places with free birthday stuff
Tim Hortons
The birthday gift: Tim Hortons offers a free drink or breakfast sandwich on your birthday.
How to claim it: Sign up for Tims Rewards in order to be eligible for a birthday freebie. Enter your birthday information in the app, and you will be automatically notified of your free item on your birthday. Redeem your free birthday item at a Tims restaurant by scanning your Rewards app or card.
Starbucks
The birthday gift: Starbucks offers a free drink or breakfast sandwich on your birthday but you must be part of Starbucks’ Rewards program to claim this birthday gift.
How to claim it: Join Starbucks Rewards at least 7 days prior to your birthday. After doing so, you must make at least 1 points-earning purchase before being eligible to claim a birthday reward. Check your Starbucks Rewards account to ensure a free food or drink item is available on your birthday.
Cold Stone Creamery
The birthday gift: Enjoy a Buy One Get One Free creation coupon at Cold Stone Creamery to get an ice cream creation on your birthday.
How to claim it: You must be a member of Cold Stone Creamery Club to snag your birthday coupon.
Chatime
The birthday gift: Enjoy a free drink reward on your birthday at Chatime.
How to claim it: You must download the Chatime app and register your birthday in your profile to claim your free drink reward. You also have to make a purchase of at least $2.50 before you can claim your birthday freebie.
Baskin Robbins
The birthday gift: A free scoop of ice cream from Baskin Robbins.
How to claim it: Baskin Robbins requires you to sign up for Club 31 before you can get your birthday scoop. You must remember to supply your actual birth date in order for Baskin Robbins to send you a coupon for your free scoop via email. The free scoop is only available at participating Baskin Robbins franchises.
Menchie’s
The birthday gift: Get up to $5 worth of free frozen yogurt on your birthday
How to claim it: You must join the Smileage Rewards Program to get your birthday frozen yogurt. You can claim your birthday frozen yogurt 1 week before or 1 week after your birthday, and only on one transaction.
Dairy Queen
The birthday gift: Birthday customers at Dairy Queen get a free coupon on their special day.
How to claim it: You must be a Blizzard Fan Club member to claim your birthday coupon. You’ll also get a welcome coupon when you sign up for the Blizzard Club.
Booster Juice
The birthday gift: You’ll get a free regular-sized smoothie from Booster Juice’s "Classics" category on your birthday.
How to claim it: You have to sign up for the Booster Rewards program to get your free birthday gift. Sign up at least 7 days before your birthday and include your date of birth in your profile to be eligible.
Jugo Juice
The birthday gift: A free Jugo Juice large smoothie. Even when it’s not your birthday, when you buy 7 smoothies at Jugo Juice, you will get your 8th one free.
How to claim it: You need to sign up for Jugo Juice Rewards to get your birthday smoothie. You’ll get a free small smoothie when you sign up for the reward program.
David’s Tea
The birthday gift: David’s Tea will add 5 free bonus points to your David’s Tea membership to put towards the purchase of a tea or other drink.
How to claim it: To claim your birthday points you must be a member of the David’s Tea rewards program, the Frequent Steepers Club.
Marble Slab
The birthday gift: Indulge in a free scoop of ice cream at Marble Slab on your birthday.
How to claim it: Sign up for Marble Slab’s newsletter, Marble Mail at least 48 hours prior to your birthday in order to claim your free sweet treat, along with other offers delivered directly to your inbox.
Cosmetic stores with birthday freebies
Lancome
The birthday gift: A free birthday gift is available from Lancome, which sells fragrances, makeup, and skincare. Lancome does not specify what that gift is.
How to claim it: Join the Lancome Loyalty Program to get your free birthday gift. You will also get bonus points joining as a welcome gift, along with a 15% discount off of your order.
Sephora
The birthday gift: Sephora offers 5 free birthday gift options. Visit the Beauty Insider benefits page after joining Sephora’s loyalty program to see what those options are (may vary by location).
How to claim it: You must be a Sephora Beauty Insider to collect your gift. If you are shopping online, you will have to spend at least $25 to claim your birthday gift.
Clinique
The birthday gift: Receive a free skin care-related birthday gift from Clinique.
How to claim it: You have to join Clinique’s Smart Rewards loyalty program to claim your birthday gift. You will also have to make a purchase of $45 or more to get your gift, and have gained between 0 and 249 Clinique points.
MAC Cosmetics
The birthday gift: Receive a complimentary (and unspecified) gift from MAC Cosmetics on your birthday if you have spent a certain amount of money at MAC Cosmetics.
How to claim it: You will have to join the MAC Lover Rewards program to be eligible for a free birthday gift. You will get a 15% off code as a thank-you for joining. To claim a free birthday gift at MAC, you have to reach at least the Silver ($150 spent) or Gold ($500 spent) status levels to claim a gift. You’ll get an email alerting you when you are eligible for a birthday gift.
Urban Decay
The birthday gift: The cosmetic and cruelty-free makeup outfit Urban Decay offers a free birthday gift on your special day.
How to claim it: You need to become a member of Urban Decay’s Beauty Junkies rewards program to claim a birthday prize. The program’s basic tier, the Obsessed tier, makes you eligible for a free birthday gift.
Clothing stores that offer free birthday stuff
American Eagle
The birthday gift: A $5 birthday coupon (via email or text) will be yours from American Eagle.
How to claim it: You will need to sign up for American Eagle’s Real Rewards program to get a $5 birthday discount. The email will arrive via email or text, and you will have to present this communication when redeeming your coupon. AE’s birthday gift can be used at any time during your birthday month.
Banana Republic
The birthday gift: Banana Republic offers a birthday gift to its newsletter recipients, but that gift is selected at the company’s discretion.
How to claim it: Enroll in the Loyalty Rewards program and sign up for its newsletter to get a free birthday surprise. You must sign up for the newsletter at least 7 days prior to your birthday to be eligible.
DSW
The birthday gift: You will receive a $5 birthday gift to shop for shoes when you sign up for the DSW VIP rewards program, including the starter Club-level membership and the Gold-level membership ($200 spent). Once you reach the Elite level ($500 spent), you will get a $10 gift for your following birthday.
How to claim it: Sign up for the DSW VIP rewards program to receive the birthday gift. You must provide your birthday upon signup. Your birthday coupons can be claimed at any time during your birthday month.
Pennington’s
The birthday gift: Pennington’s offers a surprise birthday gift so long as you sign up for V.I.Penn Rewards.
How to claim it: You sign up for V.I.Penn Rewards and provide your birthday when doing so. If you are shopping online, log in to your account to claim your birthday surprise. Pennington’s birthday surprise can be claimed any time during your birthday month.
RW & Co.
The birthday gift: RW & Co. offers birthday gifts to members of its rewards club. RWInsider members will get a $15 birthday gift. RWInsider+ members receive a $20 gift, and RWGold members receive a $25 birthday gift.
How to claim it: Sign up for RW & Co.’s RWInsider rewards program.
The Gap
The birthday gift: The Gap offers bonus points to members of its rewards program on their birthdays. Core tier members will receive 125 points on their birthday. Enthusiast-level members will get 250 birthday points. Icon-level members receive 500 birthday points.
How to claim it: You will need to sign up for the Good Gap Rewards program in order to claim Gap’s birthday bonus points. To be eligible for these birthday gifts, you must provide your birthday when signing up.
The Shoe Company
The birthday gift: The Shoe Company offers Shoe VIP members a 20% discount on their birthday.
How to claim it: You must join the Shoe VIP program to get The Shoe Company’s birthday reward. You can use the birthday coupon within 30 days of your birthday.
Warehouse One Jeans Store
The birthday gift: A 10% discount on your first order when you join Warehouse One’s rewards program.
How to claim it: Join Warehouse One Perks rewards program to claim your birthday prize, which is emailed to you during your birthday month.
Old Navy
The birthday gift: Old Navy offers a free gift on your birthday, but the type of gift is not specified.
How to claim it: Sign up for the Old Navy newsletter to be eligible for a birthday reward. Birthday gifts are not offered to residents of Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
Nike
The birthday gift: Nike offers online discounts on your birthday, but nothing for free.
How to claim it: Become part of Nike Member Canada to get birthday discounts. Discounts are sent by email, but they tend to expire quickly so act fast.
City-specific birthday freebies
Toronto
- What A Bagel: The Toronto bagel chain/bakery offers a free half-dozen bagels on your birthday. You must sign up for What A Bagel’s email newsletter to get birthday bagels. You must show a valid ID to verify your birthday.
- Impact Kitchen: Join health-focused Impact Kitchen’s Loyalty program and get a free smoothie on your special day. When you join the loyalty program you will also get a free baked good.
- iHalo Krunch: Get a free birthday cone from this Asian-fusion inspired ice cream parlor. Present government-issued ID at the High Park, Danforth, or Trinity Bellwoods location for your free cone.
- Medieval Times: At the classic knights-and-jousting dinner & show, members of Medieval Times’ rewards program, the Queen’s Court, will get special birthday offers via email.
- Elmwood Spa: Spend $150 on an a la carte service (like Water Therapies) at this Toronto spa to get a free birthday lunch. You can claim the birthday lunch on any weekday (not weekends) during your birthday month. You must present an ID when redeeming your free lunch.
Vancouver
- Cartems Donuts: Get a free donut on your birthday from this Vancouver donut chain. Present your ID at either the Mount Pleasant or Coquitlam location and you’ll get a free donut. The birthday offer is only good on your birthday.
- Grounds for Coffee: You will receive a free cinnamon bun from Vancouver coffee chain Grounds for Coffee on your birthday, at either their Alma Street or Commercial Drive locations. Download the Grounds for Coffee App to join its loyalty program. After Signing up, you will get a free coffee along with bonus points every time you make a purchase.
- Uphoria Yoga: Sign up for a month-to-month membership and get a free class on your birthday. You must stay a minimum of three months before billing is changed to month-to-month in order to claim this birthday gift. Members are entitled to 10% off of spouse passes and the kids program.
Montreal
- Scandinave Spa: Get 25% off at Scandinave Spa’s Old Montreal location on a thermal journey, thermal journey + massage, or a massage only. Your birthday booking can be scheduled any day of the week at any point during your birthday month. The discount will be applied at payment, and you must bring ID to verify your birth date.
- Montreal Science Centre: Book a kid’s birthday party at the MSC and each guest will receive a free small popcorn. The MSC will also provide a surprise birthday gift for the birthday child. Your party will also have access to interactive activities, IMAX, and activities led by MSC staff.
Calgary
- Costa Vida: Join the Costa Vida Rewards Program for a free dessert on your birthday at this Mexican chain restaurant. You will receive a $5 off coupon when registering your account, along with other offers and perks dropped in your inbox.
- Cowboys Dance Hall: This downhome dance hall offers a free birthday package. In it you and your party will be welcomed via a VIP list. Your party will have free access to the video game arcade all night. A Platinum pass is included for you and a +1 for a year. You will also get the choice of two tickets to an upcoming event or concert at the CDH (the Golden Ticket). A Birthday Scavenger Hunt is also included – compete for the "legendary prize!"
Ottawa
- Blue Cactus Bar & Grill: This Byward Market spot offers a complimentary entree on your birthday (the dish with the least value at the table). If it is not your actual birthday but you are celebrating your birthday, you’ll get a free dessert instead. Sign up for their birthday club for these birthday items, and bring ID to verify your birthday at the restaurant.
- Big Rig: This Ottawa brew pub’s West End location (Iris Street) offers any dessert item on their menu (except the Chocolate Chip cookie) for free to birthday guests.
FAQ
Can I get free meals for birthdays at restaurants?
Yes, you can eat for free at certain restaurants on your birthday. For breakfast, you can have a Grand Slam at Denny’s or free pancakes at IHOP.
Where can I get free stuff on my birthday?
Many stores offer birthday freebies when you sign up for their rewards program. You can get discounts at Aldo, Anthropology, The Body Shop, and Value Village. You're also eligible to enjoy a birthday gift from Old Navy, Reitmans, and Sephora.
Where can I find free stuff in my birthday month?
There are a couple of stores that offer free stuff for redemption within your birthday month. Red Robin offers a free gourmet burger and you can get 20% off at Anthropology to be used in your birthday month.
Where can I get freebies for my pet’s birthday?
Petsmart offers a free birthday surprise for your furry friend if you sign up for the Petsmart Treats program. Ren’s Pets also gives you a free treat for your pet’s birthday if you’re a Ren’s Rewards member.
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Comments
Hey Rachelle,
Thanks for pointing that out! I've updated the article accordingly.