Must-see restaurants in Toronto

  • House of Gourmet

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    A popular, fluorescent-bulb-lit restaurant specializing in Hong Kong–style congee, noodles, barbecue and seafood – more than 800 dishes of them! (It takes…

  • Lee

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Truly a feast for the senses, dinner at acclaimed cuisinier Susur Lee's self-titled flagship is an experience best shared. Slick servers assist in…

  • Athens

    East Toronto & Rosedale

    As Greek as Greektown (aka The Danforth), modern and beachy Athens serves traditional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients: grilled calamari, lamb…

  • Forno Cultura

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    An Italian bakery tucked into a basement-level shop, Forno Cultura offers a full line of bread and pastries made with ingredients imported from Italy –…

  • Aunties & Uncles

    Toronto

    There's usually a line on the sidewalk outside the picket fence of this always-bustling brunch/lunch joint with a simple menu of cheap and cheery homemade…

  • Boxcar Social

    Toronto

    An industrial-chic cafe/bar/coffee haven, Boxcar Social has enviable views of Lake Ontario. The menu matches the vibe, with fresh takes on salads and…

  • Pizzeria Libretto

    Toronto

    Pizza Libretto crafts what is arguably the best pizza in town. The secret? A wood-fired oven built by a third-generation pizza-oven builder with stones…

  • Richmond Station

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Reservations are strongly advised at this busy and uncomplicated restaurant, brainchild of celebrity Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich. Dishes are …

  • Ruby Watchco

    East Toronto & Rosedale

    Creative farm-to-table comfort food is the game at this homey restaurant, run by two of Toronto's top chefs. (Chef Lynn even stars on the Food Network hit…

  • Los Guaca-Moles

    Toronto

    Tucked just off Bloor St, Guaca-Moles serves authentic Mexican dishes in a black-painted converted brick house. Choose from classics like elote (Mexican…

  • Buca

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    A breathtaking basement-level restaurant with exposed-brick walls and a soaring ceiling, Buca serves artisanal Italian fare such as homemade pasta and…

  • Assembly Chef's Hall

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Home to a diverse set of global cuisines by some of Toronto's top chefs, this is less food court and more sprawling upscale eatery. There's everything…

  • Dipped Donuts

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    A tiny shop selling freshly made, light, moist and fluffy doughnuts with innovative toppings and glazes. Not into lemon-poppyseed glaze with blueberry…

  • Parka Food Co.

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    A starkly white, casual restaurant serving insanely delicious vegan comfort food: burgers made from marinated portobello mushrooms and blackened…

  • Ravi Soups

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    This one's pretty simple: a small menu of seven soups (the likes of corn chowder with blue crab or porcini-mushroom wild-rice bisque), five wraps (curried…

  • Kekou

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    Whiskey, black-sesame or oolong tea: no, they're not cocktails but excellent, Asian-inspired ice creams. The delicious flavors aren't overly sweet or…

  • Oretta

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    One of Toronto's most popular Italian restaurants, known for its iconic pink art-deco interior and delicious brunch menu. It’s a romantic spot perfect for…

  • Loblaw's

    Toronto

    Yeah, it's a grocery-store chain, but this flagship is a must-stop for its high-quality prepared-foods section: sushi made to order, grilled meats, thin…

  • Seven Lives

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    What started as a pop-up taqueria is now a hole-in-the-wall place with lines of people snaking out the door, waiting to order Baja-style fish tacos: light…

  • Annex Food Hall

    Toronto

    Find some of the best tasty, quick eats at this industrial-chic food hall: vegan bowls, steamed-bun sandwiches, fried chicken, Bangkok-style street food,…

  • Commoner

    Toronto

    The Commoner is a swanky gastropub in Roncesvalles Village. Lush jewel tones and antique pieces fill the massive yet welcoming space, and the patio is…

  • Smith

    Toronto

    Come to this bohemian-chic eatery in the heart of the Village for brunch, when the classics are served with flair: eggs Benedict with leek fondue, a short…

  • Bonjour Brioche

    East Toronto & Rosedale

    The smell of freshly baked croissants will pull you into this little French bakery-cafe. Inside, a no-frills dining room bumps up against glass cases of…

  • Trattoria Nervosa

    Toronto

    In the heart of fancy Yorkville, this restaurant is an attitude-free oasis. The patio is a good corner from which to people-watch well-heeled passersby…

  • Pai

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Pai is known for its spectacular food and lively ambience, so you'll pretty much always see lines out the door no matter the time of day. The khao soi …

  • Okonomi House

    Toronto

    Okonomi House is one of the only places in Toronto dishing up authentic okonomiyaki (savory Japanese cabbage pancakes filled with meat, seafood or…

  • Bang Bang Ice Cream

    Toronto

    From burnt toffee to banana pudding, Bang Bang has more than two dozen house-made ice-cream flavours to try. Choose regular scoops, ice-cream sandwiches…

  • Sign of Senator Restaurant.

    Senator Restaurant

    Toronto

    Art deco buffs will delight in the Senator's curved glass windows, fluted aluminum counter face and original booths. Meals are refreshingly simple and…

  • Riviera

    Toronto Islands

    Next to the boardwalk, this cozy gallery-cafe has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options: soba-noodle salad, a scallion-aioli 'burger' and butternut…

  • Patria

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Everything works beautifully in this expansive, stylish and modern restaurant specializing in Spanish tapas and cuisine. Knowledgeable servers help…

  • Thompson Diner

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    At the sexy Thompson Toronto hotel, this classic diner with a modern twist is open 21 hours a day (it serves all-day breakfast). Whenever you're there,…

  • Fuwa Fuwa

    Toronto

    Meaning 'Fluffy, Fluffy,' Fuwa Fuwa specializes in Japanese soufflé pancakes. Traditionally served after weddings as a sign of good fortune, here they're…

  • Grand Electric Parkdale

    Toronto

    Got a craving for tacos? This hip Mexican joint in the West End serves up some of the best in the city, and the wings are pretty darn awesome, too. There…

  • Burger's Priest

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Some say Priest's simple burgers are the best in town: fresh-ground beef, soft bun, grilled to perfection. A top choice: 'the Priest' (of course), crowned…

  • Nami

    Old Town, Corktown & Distillery District

    Nami, meaning 'wave' (as in tsunami), is unmissable for its cool blue-neon wave on the outside of the building. Bustling about the black-lacquered…

  • Terroni

    Old Town, Corktown & Distillery District

    The Adelaide St branch of this popular Italian eatery (there are two others in Toronto, and more in LA) occupies a historic courthouse with high vaulted…

  • Union

    Toronto

    This dandy little kitchen serves a delicious fusion of French- and Italian-inspired dishes that it touts as 'simple done right,' though you could argue…

  • Schnitzel Queen

    Old Town, Corktown & Distillery District

    This poky German takeout specializes in golden-delicious breaded-schnitzel sandwiches that make great picnic fodder. These mammoth creations are excellent…

  • King Slice

    Toronto

    A monster slice is sometimes all you want. And King Slice produces just that: thin, crispy pies with gooey cheese and loads of toppings, in slices so big…

  • Salad King

    Toronto

    An institution among students of neighboring Ryerson University, the colorful and somewhat misleadingly named Salad King dispenses large bowls of standard…

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