-
$$$ | Entertainment District |
Lapinou (bunny) is a French term of endearment you might hear lovers whisper between bites at Toronto's neo-bistro with a frequently rotating menu and 1920s flair. Every dish is a work of modern art, fusing French traditions with creative twists like grilled asparagus slathered with a bechamel-like sauce, dotted with puffed buckwheat. Other dishes that graced the menu include a culture-clashing duck breast cooked in a delicate Chinese XO sauce, and fanciful desserts like strawberries in sabayon cream, and honeyed gouda layered over puff pastry crisps.
642 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1M7, Canada
Known For
- Locally sourced seasonal ingredients
- Private patio seating
- Extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Recommended
-
$$$ | The Annex |
This low-lit, warrenlike bistro has hardly changed at all since the '90s—and the regulars like it that way. The open kitchen turns out reliable French fare like steak tartare, seared scallops, and duck confit; desserts include flourless chocolate cake and house-made ice cream. Get a quieter table in one of the inner dining rooms, or belly up to the bar and watch the action.
166 Bedford Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2K9, Canada
Known For
- Bustling atmosphere
- Inexpensive wine and cocktails
- Helpful, unpretentious service
-
$$$ | West Queen West |
Once a classic Toronto diner, this intimate spot from local restaurateur Jen Agg pays homage to its greasy-spoon roots but with a French twist. The frequently evolving menu balances steak frites and Nicoise salads with tuna melts, onion rings, and grilled cheeses. It's also a rare Toronto spot to eat fondue.
892 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1G3, Canada
Known For
- Vintage diner setting
- Excellent wine list
- Late-night fondue
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$$ | Queen's Park |
Crowd-pleasing, reliable Italian fare—pizzas, pastas, and a few meaty mains—is the name of the game at this spacious Italian trattoria, part of a small local family of restaurants.
101 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Good thin-crust pizzas
- Warm, modern decor
- Tasty Italian sweets
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends
-
$$$ | Danforth |
This long-running Greek spot has a loyal local following, thanks to consistently good food, a sizable menu, and friendly service. Classics like fried calamari and horiatiki salads crowned with flavorful feta are here, along with some unusual options like whole quail and fried smelts flown in from Greece.
456 Danforth Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Tasty souvlaki and dips
- Long Greek wine list
- Funky decor with wrought iron and mosaics
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$$ | The Beach |
Luxurious takes on diner and brunch classics—think Benedicts and open-faced turkey sandwiches—dominate the ever-evolving menu at this cute corner eatery. There's something for everyone, including a menu for the under-10 set, but dishes like fried truffled mushrooms and smoked pork loin are decidedly refined.
1963 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Signature steak and eggs
- Interesting cocktails and microbrews
- Sunny front patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
-
$$$ | Parkdale |
This Hawaiian-inspired restaurant and tiki bar is a hip hangout, delicious eatery, and occasional nighttime hot spot. The menu includes pineapple fried rice served in an actual pineapple, poke bowls, and plenty of vegan options (fried "chicken" from its sister takeout spot Lovebird is available). The cocktail menu is big, bright, and sprawling, featuring both old-school drinks and playful tropical creations (some named after Drake songs). A back room, once home to the nightclub Wrongbar, hosts DJ events and parties.
1279 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6K 1L6, Canada
Known For
- Hawaiian-inspired share plates
- Colorful cocktails served in watermelons and coconuts
- Lively nightlife crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
-
$$$ | West Queen West |
Whether you order them baked, fried, or raw, oysters are the thing at this casual neighborhood spot. A chalkboard spells out what's fresh, along with sizing and prices for each, and there is an excellent selection of house-made condiments. The main thing here is obviously the bivalves, but the seafood chowder is also excellent.
872 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1G3, Canada
Known For
- Extensive selection of oysters from Canada's east and west coasts
- Oyster shucking class on Sunday
- Sustainably sourced seafood
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
-
$$$ | Harbourfront |
Ride the Queens Quay Terminal escalator to one of the city's hidden fine dim sum experiences. The view overlooking Lake Ontario is nearly as delicious as the restaurant's menu of traditional Cantonese classics like har gao shrimp dumplings, broad snow pea leaves decorated with chunks of king mushroom, and various fresh seafoods from the tank prepared with homemade sauces.
207 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada
Known For
- Traditional handmade dim sum
- Diverse tea selection
- Excellent service
-
$$$ | Entertainment District |
A pink sky at night makes for dining delights at this extravagant eatery with surrealist schooner elements and wall-sized wood carvings. The captain's bounty of a menu features a gooey eight-cheese lobster mac with oversized rigatoni, tuna tartare prepped tableside scooped into Bibb lettuce leaves, and succulent octopus that bursts in the mouth like pomegranate candy.
480 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1L7, Canada
Known For
- DJs on the weekend
- Playful twists on classic cocktails
- Charcoal-grilled seafood creations
-
-
$$$ | Ossington |
Authentic thin-crust pizzas are fired in an imported wood-burning oven at this pizza joint that adheres to the rules set by Naples's pizza authority. Go classic with the Margherita D.O.P.---with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and fior di latte mozzarella---or branch out with nduja (spicy salami) or duck confit pies.
221 Ossington Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2Z8, Canada
Known For
- Casual atmosphere
- Vegan and gluten-free options
- New York and Neopolitan pizza styles
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
-
$$$ | Old Town |
This traditional pub will make you feel like you're in Dublin the second you step inside. Tuck into an authentic meal of Irish Kilkenny Ale–battered fish-and-chips, beef-and-Guinness stew, and bread pudding steeped in whiskey and custard, just like Gran made. The bar upstairs is even cozier than the one on the main floor.
39 Colborne St., Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1E3, Canada
Known For
- Broken up into different areas for music lovers, sports fans, and other groups
- Dependably good pub grub
- Affable staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
-
$$$ | Yorkville |
The upscale-yet-whimsical take on vegan food at Planta caused quite a stir when it opened in 2016, and the restaurant (now one of four in the city) is still a favorite of the Yorkville crowd. Menu standouts include satisfying thin-crust pizzas with plant-based mozzarella, an excellent veggie burger, and a queso dip that will fool even the pickiest cheese lover.
1221 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3P5, Canada
Known For
- Bold, trendy decor
- Fun cocktails and local beer
- Plant-based sushi
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$$ | Chinatown |
The idea here is that traditional Asian street food can exist side by side with modern haute cuisine, against a backdrop of fiery open kitchens and cavernous dining rooms. Experimental entrées borrow European ingredients like cauliflower couscous, maple syrup, and pan-seared foie gras on brioche. The cocktails make use of unconventional ingredients like spiced chamomile mist, bee pollen, and curry-infused gin.
241 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2E2, Canada
Known For
- Nightly "Lucky 7" cocktail hour
- Tasty beef cheek banh mi
- Dim sum--style appetizers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
-
$$$ | Financial District |
Repurposed wine bottles and wine glasses assembled as giant chandeliers hover above the tables at Reds Wine Tavern, offering a nod to the lengthy list of international wine picks. The menu is global, skipping from seared tuna tostadas with guacamole and daily curries to comfort foods like lobster grilled cheese and a variety of steaks.
77 Adelaide St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3P1, Canada
Known For
- Everything made from scratch
- Bread baked right on the premises
- Business lunches and after-work drinks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat.--Sun.
-
-
$$$ | North York |
Experience the future of food service at this all-you-can-eat Japanese joint where most items are brought to your table by real robots with storage compartments for bellies.
865 York Mills Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1Y6, Canada
Known For
- Robot waiters
- Tablet ordering
- Family fun
-
$$$ | Entertainment District |
A den of oceanic delicacies, this playful basement raw bar is frequented by solo diners and showbiz types. Among the options are soft-shell steamer clams, a variety of smoked fish, East Coast lobster rolls, plus a rotating list of more than 20 varieties of oysters (including perfect Malpeques from owner Rodney Clark's own oyster beds on Prince Edward Island). A zap of Rodney's in-house line of condiments or a splash of vodka and freshly grated horseradish are eye-openers.
Ask about the daily "white-plate" specials.
469 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1K4, Canada
Known For
- Impressive wine list
- Maritime hospitality
- Fun, vibrant vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$$ | Financial District |
Open shelving lined with Italian provisions decorates this cool pizza joint, but it's the thin-crust pies, bubbled and blistered to perfection, that keep diners coming back. The menu suits all pizza lovers—from the simple Margherita to extravagant options like the Bruma, a white pizza with pancetta, egg, and black truffles. Daily pasta specials can be hit or miss, but desserts—like a warm, oozing round of flourless chocolate cake—are universally delicious.
57 Adelaide St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5C1K6, Canada
Known For
- In addition to the pizza, the pastas are quite popular
- The secluded back patio is lovely in good weather
- Stunning location inside a former courthouse
-
$$$ | Rosedale |
Local Italian mini-chain Terroni has several locations around the city but this one, with the ground-floor Bar Centrale wine bar inspired by Italian train stations, is especially popular. Head upstairs to the bi-level Terroni for locally beloved thin-crust pizzas, seafood spaghetti, and Italian cheeses and mushrooms, along with stunning views.
Service is particular: no substitutions, no cheese on seafood dishes, and they won't cut your pie for you. Some find it a deal breaker; others say it adds to the Italian authenticity.
1095 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M4W 2L8, Canada
Known For
- Excellent thin-crust pizzas
- Gluten-free and vegan options
- Bustling bar scene
-
$$$ | Old Town |
The scent of smoky Texas-style barbecue from Carbon Bar’s wood firepit immediately hits your nose and activates your salivary glands when you enter the spacious, sophisticated, yet laid-back spot. Ordering the Pitmaster barbecue platter is a must: it comes with five types of meat and is worth sharing with a group or tackling alone if you dare. Friendly waitstaff easily rhyme off the restaurant’s drink menu and they’re proud to share that the Carbon Bar has one of the largest bourbon listings in Toronto—no surprise that it's popular with the after-work and weekend crowd.
99 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1S1, Canada
Known For
- Pitmaster platter with five types of meat
- One of the largest bourbon listings in Toronto
- Casual and spacious venue great for groups
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
