As one of North America’s largest cities, Toronto is the perfect place for food lovers to serve locally sourced dishes straight to your dining room. Toronto has restaurants serving weekly specials made from fresh seasonal ingredients, so you get the best taste of the food you are having.
So, if you are a massive fan of food and are in Toronto, then we are providing you with Toronto’s top restaurants in no particular order. Here, you will get dishes made from top-notch ingredients sourced from local ingredients. Serving all types of in-house dishes specially curated by the best chef, you will get to see and savour all types of food in these restaurants.
1. PAI
PAI started serving in 2014 and has been recognized by the Royal Thai Government. This restaurant serves some of the best Thai dishes, specially curated by Chef Nuit, and their food will enlighten your taste buds. Plus, they will always serve you food made from fresh ingredients.
Recommended Dishes: The Pad Thai, Gaeng Kiaw Wan in A Coconut, Khao Soi and Grabong
Address: 18 Duncan St
2. Richmond Station
Run by Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich, Richmond Station is a bustling spot offering a weekly tasting menu made of seasonal cuisines. It is a sustainable eatery with delicious food and robust wine.
Recommended Dishes: Station Burger, Beef Tartare, Gojujang Duck Wraps, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Opera Cake
Address: 1 Richmond St W
3. Grey Gardens
Located in Kensington Market, living up to its bohemian-luxe address, Grey Gardens gives you a vintage vibe without feeling dowdy. Their menu stands out with dishes like sweet shrimp with compressed watermelon radishes and a dry-aged Peking-style duck breast served fresh on homemade sauerkraut and duck fried rice.
Recommended Dishes: Smoked Fish Dip, Albacore, Scallop Crudo, Red Tail Bread, Cavatelli Surf and Turf
Address: 199 Augusta Ave
4. Alo
Chef Patrick Kriss opened Alo in 2015 at the corner of Queen and Spadina, which was sure[singly never the poshest or most interesting address in Toronto. Situated on the third floor of a historic Victorian building, Alo serves French-inflected cuisines. It has a seasonal menu made specially from seasonal ingredients.
Recommended Dishes: Onion Rings Topped with Siberian Caviar, Chicken Wings Stuffed with Black Truffles, and Apple Pie Sundae
Address: 163 Spadina Ave
5. Akira Back
Chef Akira Back is the owner of a Michelin-star restaurant in Seoul, and Akira Back is his namesake restaurant in Toronto. A creation of Studio Munge, the charcoal black interior, outfitted with black marble columns and layers of gold detailing underneath a curving blue graphic veiling, is an absolute pleasure to the eyes.
This restaurant is not just good to look at, but this magnificent space offers the perfect setting to tuck into the delectable menu of Japanese cuisine made with a Korean twist. The sushi made here is really special, unagi topped with ponzu aioli and foie gras.
Recommended Dishes: 24-Hr Wagyu Short-Rib, Ab Wagyu Tacos, Mushroom Pizza, Tuna Pizza, Two of A Kind Carpaccio, Brother from Another Mother, Scallop and Cigar Dessert
Address: 80 Blue Jays Way
6. Edulis
Run by a husband-and-wife duo, Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo, Edulis is all about enjoying a gathering at a table to share authentic Canadian cuisines and be greeted like a close friend. They have a changing menu with a strong focus on vegetables, seafood, and wild mushrooms.
Recommended Dishes: Joselito Jamón, scallops, mackerel and pigeon dishes and other seafood options
Address: 169 Niagara St
7. DaiLo
DaiLo believes that eating well is a fundamental part of living well and it offers modern Asian cuisine through a la carte and a unique multi-course tasting menu by Chef Nick Liu.
Recommended Dishes: Jellyfish Slaw, Whole Fried Trout, Ground Beef, Hakka Wontons and Pumpkin Dumplings
Address: 503 College St
8. Scaramouche Restaurant
Scaramouche, located in midtown near Casa Loma on the first floor of a posh condo building is made up of two restaurants in one. One side features Haute cuisine, whereas on the other side, there is a more casual pasta bar & grill. Both of these offer unbeatable views of the city with large portions of dishes.
Scaramouche is also a multiple award winner for its impeccable service, complimentary valet parking, and stunning views of the city.
Recommended Dishes: Foie Gras Terrine with Sea Salt Brioche, Yellowfish Tuna Tartare with Sesame Tempura, Riesling Jelly, Pickled Grapes, and Triple Crunch Mustard, White Chocolate, and Coconut Cream Pie, and House-Made Gnocchi Parisienne with Wild Mushrooms, Spinach, Peas, and Truffled Porcini Sauce.
Address: 1 Benvenuto Pl
9. Fat Pasha
The restaurant owner/chef Antony Rose Twist has made Pasha a fun, lively, and great place to gather your friends. It is a funky eatery with county-chic décor serving comfort food with a Middle Eastern/Jewish twist for lunch/brunch or dinner in a setting that feels like home even when you are far away.
Recommended Dishes: Za’atar Butter Flank Steak, Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini, Pomegranate Seeds, and Halloumi. Also try “schmaltzy” a chopped liver and egg with sour pickles, onions, and schmaltz.
Address: 414 Dupont St
10. Bar Raval
Bar Raval is a Spanish tapas bar offering a tantalizing array of Jamon, conserves, and pintxos alongside crafted cocktails and fine spirits in a beautifully designed space that transports you to Barcelona’s Raval neighbourhood. This is the perfect place to discover College St in Little Italy and to start or end a night with your friends.
Recommended Dishes: Smoked Mackerel, Juicy Shrimp, Mushroom Tower, House Sobrassada and Steak
Address: 505 College St
11. Mamakas Taverna
A welcoming bistro-like spot serving shared meze plates & main dishes like seafood & grilled lamb, Mamakas Taverna is one of the most notable restaurants in Toronto’s west end. Their full-flavoured, fresh, contemporary take on tavern classics will surely make your night out even more fun. The food, music, and décor reflect owner Thanos Tripi’s memories and passed down family recipes.
Recommended Dishes: Spanakopita, Rack of lamb, Lavraki, House Dips, Lamb Chops and Baklava Cheesecake
Address: 80 Ossington Ave
12. Udupi Palace
A vegetarian Indian restaurant, Udupi Palace is known for its varied menu of chaats, particularly the Dahi poori, bite-sized spheres of crispy dough holding spiced potato and cooling yogurt, with mint and tamarind chutneys waiting for your hands to grab them. The paper-thin dosa is the crowd-stopper at this restaurant.
Recommended Dishes: Paper Masala Dosa, Idli Manchurian, Mysore Masala Dosa, Ghee Masala Dosa and Channa Bhatura
Address: 1423 Gerrard St E
13. Barnsteiner’s Restaurant
Opened by the well-known Michelle and Herbert Barnsteiner, Barnsteiner’s is a true labour of love. It offers a rustic, pan-European-inspired menu and is a great place for groups with diverse palates.
Here, you can order anything and everything from appetizers like oysters and calamari to pasta, pizza, and a hearty main dish like schnitzel and steak. Their cooking style is unique and will make you come back here again. They also have an impressive wine list along with the food menu.
Recommended Dishes: Wild Mushroom Soup, Wiener Schnitzel, Kaese Spaetzle and Calamari
Address: 1 Balmoral Ave
14. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen is a relaxed, modern spot that serves international fare & brunch and has an open kitchen. They make their food with locally sourced items fresh onto your table.
Recommended Dishes: Veda’s Choice, Rosemary Bacon and Mrs Biederhof’s Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
Address: 85 Hanna Ave #104
15. Gusto 101
Gusto means tasty in Italian and so the food made here is absolutely tasty. It opened in 2012 and has been serving up modern takes on Southern Italian Classics.
Located in a repurposed garage in the heart of downtown Toronto, this restaurant has become a neighbourhood gathering space. Their tasting menu is variable and their dining room is beautiful.
Recommended Dishes: Kale Salad, Truffle Pasta, Mafalde Ai Funghi Margherita Pizza, Jerk Chicken and Tiramisu
Address: 101 Portland St
16. Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos
A trendy taqueria fixing up Beja-style tacos & seafood in a Kensington Market, Seven Lives was established in 2012 with the mission to serve the freshest and tastiest Beja-style tacos.
Recommended Dishes: Shrimp Tacos, Fish Tacos and Octopus Tacos
Address: 72 Kensington Ave
17. SCHOOL Restaurant
SCHOOL Restaurant is a chic eatery with industrial décor & 2 patios, serving brunch, lunch & dinner along with drinks. As one of Toronto’s most popular brunch spots, SCHOOL goes back to basics in its cooking techniques. It is a classic space for brunch, mimosas, and lots of coffee, serving both sweet and savoury items.
Recommended Dishes: Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Golden Hashbrown Poutine, Stack’d High Buttermilk Pancakes, Apple Crumble Cakes and Waffles
Address: 70 Fraser Ave
18. Chiado Restaurant
Albino Silva, one of the most critically acclaimed chefs in North America, serves Portuguese flavours through the creative presentation of Chiado. They take fresh fish from the Azores islands and use them to make fresh cuisines for you. Make sure to taste their decadent dessert to complete the refined dining experience.
Recommended Dishes: Calamari, Duck Confit, Skate Fish with Risotto, Grilled Octopus and Creme Brulee
19. Byblos Downtown
An Eastern Mediterranean restaurant that calls coastal influences with contemporary techniques, displaying each family-style dish that comes out of the kitchen. Downstairs is a more laid-back affair based on a beautifully designed lounge space.
Upstairs, is a dark forest green dining room with moodily lit lights and quiet nooks here and there which is ideal for couples who are there for a romantic meal together. Order grilled branzino with chermoula, saffron Toum, and watercress with sweet jewelled barberry-flecked rice.
Address: 11 Duncan St
20. Canoe
Serving inventive Canadian cuisine & exceptional views, Canoe is a stylish, swanky space on the 54th floor. Canoe serves crafted dishes that reflect the country’s diversity. Canoe offers a breathtaking, stunning view of Toronto with a glittering skyline sprawling beyond the horizon.
Chef Ron McKinlay exquisitely crafted menu is an amazing experience. The menu features foie gras from Quebec, the flakiest fresh Pacific fish, and fine Ontario produce.
Once here order tea-smoked duck breast, Ontario burrata with birch-pickled cucumbers and prairie seeds, or the Quebec foie gras with rhubarb, pink peppercorn, and sumac meringue and rib eye.
Their duck-liver breast is special, it is served with duck-liver mousse, parsnip, and poached Niagara pear.
Address: M5K 1H6 ON, 54th floor 66 Wellington St W, Canada, Toronto
21. Campechano
A Mexican restaurant serving tacos & quesadillas boasting homemade tortillas, plus drinks served in a laid-back, bright space. Campechano has multiple locations across Toronto.
They recently expanded their original King West taqueria and opened up a brand new and even cozier spot-on College St. Each location offers traditional, Mexico City-style tacos made with fresh-pressed homemade corn tortillas. Their menu offers simple dishes in a colourful inviting space.
Address: M5V 1T4 ON, Adelaide St W 504, Canada, Toronto
22. Honest Weight
A restaurant offering inventive seafood in a New England-style fishmonger restaurant. The owner Victoria Bazan finds the best chef for her restaurant and delivers unexpected, like house-steamed cockles or Azoream limpet clams.
They also serve a variety of clams, crab, scallops, and shrimp. Order their grilled squid served atop romesco, as is the fish sandwich. People who are big fans of seafood and are in Toronto should order from here.
Address: 1Y3 M6P ON, Dundas St W 2766, Toronto, Canada
23. Miku Toronto
A Japanese restaurant with soaring ceilings serves flame-seared sushi which is the specialty of this restaurant. If you are a sushi lover and want to have some good Japanese cuisine in Toronto, you should visit Miku.
Miku opened in 2015 with over 700 feet of square area, a raw bar, a large patio, and a sushi bar. Miku is ABURI Restaurant’s first East Coast location in Toronto expanding from Japan, then to Vancouver.
At Miku, you get to dive into their specially-curated menu combining traditional Japanese multi-course dining with modern west coast culinary secrets using the freshest and finest ingredients.
Address: M5J 2R8 ON, 10 Bay St. #105, Toronto, Canada
24. Yasu Toronto
A sushi restaurant with a one menu option, a prix fixe Japanese chef’s choice of 20 pieces in small digs. Yasu is Canada’s first Omakase sushi bar serving the finest fish from around the world.
Yasu has made it easier to get access to the freshest seafood just the same as in Japan. They return to the roots of sushi, in which simplicity was the key ingredient in bringing the taste of Japanese traditional sushi. They have been using classical methods to draw out the umami of seafood.
They freshly slice their fish and placed it atop warm, loose rice then brush it with a touch of nigiri soy for a perfectly balanced bite.
Yasu brings forward the message of capturing the real essence of sushi. They bring fresh items and seasonal ingredients and prepare them at the sushi bar and serve it immediately for the maximum flavour and freshness right into your mouth.
Address: 1G4 M5S ON, Harbord St 81, Canada, Toronto
Wrapping Up
Toronto welcomes many visitors every year from across the world. The place welcomes people from different cultures across the world and the good part, it also offers all different types of cuisines from multiple diversities across the world.
Toronto has some of the best restaurants of varied cuisine. So, if you are a foodie then you should visit the restaurant in Toronto.
Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Ananya Sreen