Restaurants in Ontario
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A
Gypsy Co-op
Trendy Queen West eateries come and go, but this bohemian food room – with its quirky decoupage tabletops, retro lighting and abused floorboards – is an enduring favorite. Contemporary cuisine with international twists – try the red snapper fillet with curried Jamaican pumpkin.
reviewed
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B
Sassafraz
With a red-carpet parade of celebs filing through (Jude Law, Matthew McConaughey, Joan Collins etc), Sassafraz feels more like LA than TO. Jazz combos serenade weekend brunchers; sassy receptionists distribute clientele between the sun-drenched patio and indoor courtyard. The food? Predictably good.
reviewed
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C
Whalesbone Oyster House
If the local chefs are purchasing their fish from Whalesbone's wholesale wing (or should we say 'fin'), then there's really no doubt that it's the best place in town for seafood. The on-site restaurant offers up a short list of fresh faves like lobster, halibut and scallops ceviche on small plates.
reviewed
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D
Phil's Original Bbq
'Real smoke. Real slow. Real good.' American barbecue-belt immigrants, these folks are passionate about 'cue. Order up a mess of heartbreakingly tender beef brisket and dry-rub smoked meats and smother the lot in homemade sauces. On the down side, service can be a little 'northern' (brrrr…).
reviewed
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E
Goldstone Noodle Restaurant
The chefs at this mirror-walled restaurant put on a real show, plating up humongous mounds of noodles mixed with chunks of glazed duck and orange-stained squid. Other dismembered beasts hang on hooks above, while diners leave decimated piles of bowls, scoured clean of contents. Apocalyptic dining!
reviewed
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Kinniwabi Pines
What would you expect to find lurking behind the facade of a highway motel in remote northern Ontario? Food from Trinidad, mon! Add some spice to your trip and try the baked pork or the stewed catfish. European and Chinese dishes are also available for those who don't care to dare their palate.
reviewed
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F
Global Cheese
WOW, have you ever seen such an amazing cheese shop? Crowds elbow for a spot near the counter where staff, hidden behind teetering stacks of cheese, distribute slivers of Greek feta, Canadian gouda, Argentine parmesan and Swiss emmenthal. Taste a few, order a wedge then hit the streets.
reviewed
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G
The Rectory
Propped up next to the boardwalk, this cozy gallery-cafe serves light meals, cups of tea and weekend brunch with views of Tommy Thompson Park. Reservations recommended for brunch and dinner; quick snacks and drinks are more casual. Try to nab a seat on the lakeside patio if the sun is shining.
reviewed
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Pie Plate
Simple but delicious lunches (we devoured the pear and brie sandwich) at reasonable prices. It wouldn't be an Ontario bakery without butter tarts, but there's also thin-crust pizzas, meat pies, salads and a few beers on tap. A great place to fill up your belly while touring the wine country.
reviewed
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Simon's
Having been in the family for 124 years, the knick-knacks and artifacts that stuff every nook and cranny of this museum-like diner are of themselves worth a visit. The food and service at Simon's are great too, and you can gawk at old images of the Falls or read the guestbook while you wait.
reviewed
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York Street Kitchen
This technicolor bunker at the bottom of an old riverside warehouse dishes up homestyle cooking: show-stopper sandwiches on homemade bread, brie fritters, salads, quiches and desserts. Try the 'Mennonite' sandwich: sausage, cheddar, corn relish, tomato, honey mustard, mayo and lettuce.
reviewed
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H
Boulangerie Moulin de Provence
Suddenly the Market's golden boy after a visit by President Obama, Moulin de Provence offers up glass displays filled to the brim with sugary goodness. The 'Obama Cookies' are a big hit, but we recommend going for the flaky croissants, which hold the official title as the city's best.
reviewed
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I
John’s Italian Café
John’s classic joint wouldn’t look out of place in New York’s Little Italy, or even New Jersey. The tree-shaded patio is the perfect summer-night stage for a bottle of Chianti and a fresh cornmeal-crust pizza piled high with toppings. The coffee’s good too.
reviewed
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J
Harbord Fish & Chips
This graffiti-covered, white-brick fish shack wins big smiles for its generous portions of haddock, halibut and shrimp, all freshly fried. Get yours wrapped up in newspapers, or chow down at outdoor paint-peeling picnic tables while your laundry spins at Coin-O-Rama across the street.
reviewed
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K
Mama Mia’s
There are plenty of quick-fire Italian eateries and pizza joints around town, but this one has been serving tasty and authentic pastas, seafood and carnivorous feasts since the ’60s. The Brooklyn/Brando atmosphere is relaxed and friendly – a good place to bring the kids.
reviewed
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L
El Trompo
El Trompo is a rustic, hole-in-the-wall taqueria, specializing in corn quesadillas, guacamole, huitlacoche cheese dishes and, of course, tacos. Heartfelt Spanish renditions of Righteous Brothers classics bounce off the adobe-mottled walls and resonate across the bright sidewalk patio.
reviewed
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M
Allegro Ristorante
Fan-shaped napkin sculptures adorn the white-clothed tables at this classic ristorante - a favorite along Ottawa's Corso Italia. Try some interesting twists on standard Italian cuisine, including the 'fettuccine Natasha' - noodles with vodka, cream, smoked salmon and caviar.
reviewed
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N
Utopia
This local fave is bang in the middle of Little Italy, but Utopia’s menu stretches beyond pizza and pasta. Moroccan chickpea soup, baked chicken and French brie sandwiches, Tex-Mex burritos, a worldy wine list and dozens of types of mayonnaise – think local, eat global.
reviewed
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O
Swatow
Catering to a late-night crowd, the menu here covers cuisine from Swatow (a city now known as Shantou, on the coast of China's Guangdong province). Nicknamed 'red cooking' for its potent splashings of fermented rice wine, the house noodles are fiery. Cash only; be prepared to queue.
reviewed
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Mercatto
One of an effervescent string of Italian deli-cafes, Mercatto serves up creative panini, pasta, risotto, frittata and pizza dishes at a central dining bench beneath entirely out-of-place chandeliers. Espresso in the morning or wine at night; dine in or take out: you've got options.
reviewed
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Q
Pan Chancho
Enter past the large peel-wielding pig to uncover this gourmand's paradise. Light and savory lunches fuse unlikely ingredients into palate-pleasing dishes. Try the fennel and cream-cheese spread – perfect on any of the freshly baked breads. Students will get a handy 15% discount.
reviewed
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R
Sleepless Goat
With a name that sounds like an Alanis Morissette lyric, it's no surprise that this low-key joint attracts gaggles of artists and angsty intellectual types. A self-proclaimed co-op, the restaurant is run by a clan of savvy cooks who churn out the tastiest veggie options in town.
reviewed
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Bloor Street Diner
Humbly named but actually pretty swanky, the recently updated Bloor Street Diner impresses with a Parisian-style patio, a distinguished wine list and a massive weekend brunch buffet (with live music). Hit the cafe section out the front in the mall for speedy take-out sandwiches.
reviewed
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Duke of York
Admittedly it's a chain, yet the very Brit, student-filled Duke of York pub is the place for traditional ploughman's lunches, bangers and mash, Brick Lane curries, savory pies and, of course, fish and chips (wrapped in pages from a British daily!). Children are welcome upstairs.
reviewed
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U
Flying Saucer Drive-in
For extraterrestrial fast food, you can’t go past this diner on the Lundy’s Lane motel strip. Famous 99¢ breakfasts are served until noon (eggs, fries and toast), but heftier meals in the way of steaks, seafood, fajitas, burgers and hot dogs are also on-board.
reviewed