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$$$ | Little Italy |
Inside a breathtaking room swathed in undulating waves of wood, you'll find Bar Raval, a tapas restaurant known for some marvelous food and drink. Stop by during the day and order a couple pintxos (a single-serving snack served on a skewer), feast on tins of smoked seafood and heartier tapas for a full meal, or stop in late for a nightcap.
505 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1A4, Canada
Known For
- Popular covered patio
- Standing-only tables (plus a couple stools)
- Varied drinks list with sherry, vermouth, cocktails, and "weird wine"
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No reservations.
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$$$$ | Yorkville |
Spearheaded by world-renowned restaurateur Daniel Boulud, Café Boulud occupies the coveted dining room of the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and presents itself as a serene, airy French brasserie decked out with sage-green banquettes and gilded accents. The café does simple, well-executed classic and contemporary French fare, like mouthwatering rotisserie duck, a signature Frenchie burger and cocktails like the French 55.
60 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3V6, Canada
Known For
- Classic French food
- Celebrity chef connection
- Inventive desserts
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$ | Kensington Market |
These award-winning cakey brioche donuts are fried fresh in the wee hours of the morning, dipped, and then ready to fly off the shelves by the time the converted storefront opens at 8:30 am. From the milky London Fog with an Earl Grey glaze to mini salted caramel Boston Creme bombs, you just can't go wrong.
161 Baldwin St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1L9, Canada
Known For
- Organic ingredients sourced from Kensington Market shops
- Vegan options
- Strong coffee from local Propeller Specialty Roasters
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Leslieville |
A Leslieville staple, this brunch spot occupies an airy two-floor space with huge windows in a converted old home just north of the main Queen East drag. It's a lovely spot for hearty, homey dishes like cheddar jalapeño waffles, washed down with coffee in vintage Corningware mugs.
265 Broadview Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4M 2G8, Canada
Known For
- Gorgeous modern dining room
- Great variations on eggs Benedict
- Long waits at peak times
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$ | Kensington Market |
Japanese perfectionism merges with French tradition at this minimalist coffee and pastry shop. The owners are always dreaming up new croissant creations like a flaky croissant cube (that needs to be seen to be believed), and the croffle, a—you guessed it—croissant/waffle hybrid prepared in a half-dozen ways, from churro-caramel sweet to ham-and-pesto savory.
160 Baldwin St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3K7, Canada
Known For
- "happy hour" coffee specials from local De Mello Roastery
- Ceremonial-grade matcha imported from Japan
- Gooey mochi (sticky rice dough) stuffed with chocolate and strawberries
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$$ | Financial District |
It's hard not to feel a little giddy sitting in the opulent whiskey-barrel-inspired dining room on the 31st floor of the St. Regis. Upward gazes are met with a swirling painted ceiling with floral glass chandeliers to mimic melting ice cubes. The French-leaning menu features stunners like a fruit-speckled scallop ceviche served on ice in a half shell, rough-cut beef tartare accented by a fermented black garlic reduction to be devoured with taro chips, and a showstopping truffle butter, sous-vide whole organic chicken served both roasted and fried. Cocktails are dainty and balanced wizardry with elaborate details like dehydrated Aperol–salted rims and vegan egg white foam.
325 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4G3, Canada
Known For
- 13-layer chocolate king's cake
- 400 brown spirits on the drink list, Canada's largest collection
- Salted brioche buns served straight from the pan
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: recommended
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$$$$ | Yorkville |
The modern dining room at One, inside the Hazelton Hotel, is all rich woods, smoked glass, cowhide, and onyx—and thankfully the food lives up to all the razzle-dazzle. "Lobster spoons" with vermouth butter and miso-glazed black cod share space on a broad, varied menu with fresh pastas and exceptional house-aged steaks sourced from Prince Edward Island and Alberta.
118 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1C2, Canada
Known For
- Buzzy streetside patio
- Excellent seafood and steak
- Top-notch service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | Chinatown |
Downtown Toronto's quintessential dim sum eatery overlooks all of Chinatown from its secret rooftop perch at the Dragon City Mall. Carts with towers of bamboo steamed baskets containing shrimp dumplings or black-bean-sauce chicken feet ("phoenix claws" in Chinese), banquet-size platters of noodles, and traditional delicacies like black or yellow curried cuttlefish are pushed around the hall by gregarious servers who tick off boxes from your order list as they are served. There's also an extensive à la carte menu.
280 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1H2, Canada
Known For
- Surprisingly expansive views through the huge windows
- Traditional Cantonese dim sum service
- Savory chive-and-shrimp dumplings
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$$ | Church–Wellesley |
No late-night craving goes unsatisfied at this decades-running 24-hour eatery specializing in lighter fare. Soups like Moroccan or vegetarian chili and sandwiches like sloppy joes and herbed chicken with honey mustard are comforting and filling. There is also a brunch menu.
7 Charles St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1R4, Canada
Known For
- Optimal socializing on the hidden rooftop patio
- Cozy atmosphere with lots of candles
- Home-style fare
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$ | Distillery District |
If the smell of fresh bread and buttery croissants doesn't draw you into this charming bakery, the decadent sweets on display—like cinnamon buns, butter tarts, or scones—certainly will. For heartier appetites there are items like pulled pork sandwiches and steak-and-stout pie.
27 Trinity St., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4, Canada
Known For
- No indoor seating and minimal outdoor seating, most people take their meals to go
- Handcrafted sandwiches and soups
- Freshest bread in the neighborhood
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$$ | Little Italy |
Holding court over a central Little Italy corner since 1968, Diplomatico is popular for its big sidewalk patio with umbrella-shaded tables, one of the best places in the city for people-watching. "The Dip," as it's locally known, serves reliable red-sauce Italian fare until late into the night.
594 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1B3, Canada
Known For
- Classic Italian dishes
- Large portions at reasonable prices
- Great people-watching
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$ | Ossington |
On an Ossington strip with plenty of restaurants but not many bakeries, Dear Grain is a veritable mecca of sourdough. The first standalone shop (or "Sourdough Studio") for the bread brand that built a cult following during the pandemic, this shop has a big wall of fresh daily loaves plus pastries, wines, tinned fish, local condiments and spreads, and even picnic boxes with meats and cheeses you can take over to nearby Trinity Bellwoods.
48 Ossington Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2Y7, Canada
Known For
- Fresh sourdough breads
- Full coffee bar
- Local gourmet wines, spreads, condiments, and snacks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | |
Egg Club’s breakfast sandwiches are hailed as some of the best in the city because of their expertly folded eggs, which are housed in a sweet and soft Japanese milk bread called shokupan. Sandwiches are made in an open kitchen before your eyes and sauces are also created in-house. Add the hash brown to your order to experience a sweet and savory, heavenly potato creation.
88 Dundas St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1C9, Canada
Known For
- One of the best breakfast sandwiches in the city
- Sandwiches made from Japanese milk bread
- Hash brown made from a secret potato mixture
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Cash not accepted
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$$ | Entertainment District |
Don't let the opulent interior at this busy breakfast spot fool you: the meals here are affordable (and yummy). It's one of the closest brunch restaurants to the Rogers Centre, making it a good place to grab a cup of coffee and some pancakes before an afternoon Jays game.
25 Lower Simcoe St., Toronto, Ontario, M5J 3A1, Canada
Known For
- Velvet chairs and grand chandeliers
- Small but cozy side patio
- Extensive vegan brunch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | Kensington Market |
Located smack in the middle of Kensington Market, locals flock to this highly versatile cultural hub that effortlessly merges brunch restaurant, gelateria, and evening cabaret. The sprawling front and back patio make it an ideal location for soaking in local culture over an umami-rich Japanese omelet and pink sakura latte, or cocktails paired with late-night Latin-themed bites. The choices are truly endless.
230 Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2L6, Canada
Known For
- Eclectic menu
- Film screenings
- Creative coffees, smoothies, and cocktails
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$$ | Queen's Park |
For generations, hungry Torontonians have ended up at this reliable round-the-clock diner for classic breakfasts and greasy-spoon dishes. Burgers and Benedicts are staples, but the menu makes room for a variety of comfort food crowd-pleasers like lasagnas, meat loaf, and steak. Save room for rice pudding.
20 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1K2, Canada
Known For
- Retro diner atmosphere
- 24-hour service
- Upstairs patio
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$$ | The Annex |
Aside from European-style baked goods and all-day breakfasts, this spot also serves Old World recipes like cabbage rolls, schnitzel, and potato-cheese pierogi slathered with sour cream. It's beloved by the pastry-and-coffee crowd and by students wanting generous portions from early morning until late at night.
483 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1Y2, Canada
Known For
- Sunny patio
- Huge selection of house-made desserts
- All you can eat pierogi on Wednesday
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$$ | Leslieville |
This combination general store and barbecue joint has long been a refuge for locals in need of a poutine, breakfast sandwich, or butter chicken at odd hours.
913 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1J4, Canada
Known For
- Barbecue sandwiches
- Late-night service
- Wide selection of candy and snacks
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$$ | Little India |
Whether you're looking for imported pesto potato chips, a bottle of wine, a fresh cappuccino, or a hearty salad, this Italian bodega has you covered.
1501 Gerrard St. E, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Italian groceries
- Flavorful panini on house-baked bread
- Great thin-crust pizzas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$ | West Queen West |
This hot-pink patisserie is a top destination for Torontonians with a sweet tooth. Long glass cases are filled with French macarons, cakes, and fanciful pastries, as well as savory options like croissant sandwiches and salads, while the walls are lined with a candy shop's worth of sweets (all made in-house). There's delicious espresso, as well as ice cream offered in a second storefront around back.
780 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2R5, Canada
Known For
- Location on the corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park
- Chocolates in cute packaging
- Rainbow-color macarons
