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$$ | King West |
In a quiet dining room tucked into the first floor of a house just off King West, this adventurous pizza parlor serves New York--style pies with topping combos like braised beef tongue and smoked bacon, or anchovies and crispy chicken skin. While there are pasta offerings on the menu, diners can also slurp cheesy bone marrow and order decadent house-made Twinkies for dessert.
96 Tecumseth St., Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2H1, Canada
Known For
- Cozy interior
- Adventurous menu items
- Daily specials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Mon.–Tues.
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$$$$ | King West |
European bistro meets local forager is the theme at Edulis, where the five- and seven-course tasting menus are devoted to classic rustic dishes. Rough-hewn wood walls and burlap breadbaskets evoke a farmhouse feel, and the soft lighting adds to the intimate atmosphere.
169 Niagara St., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1C9, Canada
Known For
- Affordable lunchtime specials on weekends
- Standout seafood dishes
- Truffle menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs.–Sat., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Distillery District |
With a 5,000-square-foot, year-round patio and stunning floor-to-ceiling murals, El Catrin is the hottest place in the Distillery District. Delicious eats include traditional tacos al pastor with shaved pork and pineapple salsa, ceviche, 24-hour-braised short rib in mole sauce, and guacamole prepared table-side. Finish the evening on a sugar high with churros rolled in sugar served with a trio of chocolate, strawberry, and dulce de leche dipping sauces.
18 Tank House La., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4, Canada
Known For
- Adventurous diners can sample flash-fried crickets
- More than 100 types of mescal and tequila available
- Huge patio open year-round
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | Queen West |
Known as one of the city's tried-and-true French bistros, this brightly decorated spot lives up to expectations with a menu full of excellent standards, including steak frites, rare venison chop, and mussels in white wine. The long bar at the front of the restaurant is a great spot for drinks or solo dining.
492 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2L9, Canada
Known For
- Short but well-curated wine list
- Three-course prix-fixe dinner
- Great brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner weekends. Closed Tues.
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$$ | 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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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Little India |
From the "mindblowing chicken sandwich" to the Pharaoh's po' boy with fried shrimp, it's hard to go wrong at this cheerful, intimate family-run Egyptian brunch joint, located at Little India's eastern edge.
226 Greenwood Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4L 2R2, Canada
Known For
- Award-winning lentil soup
- Cardamom lattes
- Long waits on sunny days and weekends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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$$$$ | Yorkville |
The modern dining room at One, inside the Hazelton Hotel, is all rich woods, smoked glass, cowhide, and onyx—and thankfully the food lives up to all the razzle-dazzle. "Lobster spoons" with vermouth butter and miso-glazed black cod share space on a broad, varied menu with fresh pastas and exceptional house-aged steaks sourced from Prince Edward Island and Alberta.
118 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1C2, Canada
Known For
- Buzzy streetside patio
- Excellent seafood and steak
- Top-notch service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | Chinatown |
Downtown Toronto's quintessential dim sum eatery overlooks all of Chinatown from its secret rooftop perch at the Dragon City Mall. Carts with towers of bamboo steamed baskets containing shrimp dumplings or black-bean-sauce chicken feet ("phoenix claws" in Chinese), banquet-size platters of noodles, and traditional delicacies like black or yellow curried cuttlefish are pushed around the hall by gregarious servers who tick off boxes from your order list as they are served. There's also an extensive à la carte menu.
280 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1H2, Canada
Known For
- Surprisingly expansive views through the huge windows
- Traditional Cantonese dim sum service
- Savory chive-and-shrimp dumplings
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$$$ | Harbourfront |
Making the most of its proximity to Sugar Beach, Against the Grain is a sunbathing destination minutes from downtown, with a stellar patio in full sunny view of the lake. Shareable apps like nachos and wings, plus a great craft beer selection, capitalize on the laid-back vibe. Sink your teeth into comfort food mains like the jerk chicken, house-made veggie burger, or the steak frites and Caesar.
25 Dockside Dr., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1B6, Canada
Known For
- Great water views
- Popularity with the after-work crowd
- Diverse comfort food menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | Chinatown |
Like the art gallery in which it's located, this bistro was designed by starchitect Frank Gehry, whose touches are seen in the minimalist decor and geometric ceilings. The dishes themselves, like the Basque-style eggs with chorizo, or grilled cornish hen with dandelion greens on coconut curry, are plated as works of art.
317 Dundas St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1G4, Canada
Known For
- Prix-fixe meals inspired by gallery exhibits
- French meets western Canadian dishes
- Handcrafted cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Financial District |
A culinary tribute to beer, the creative menu here incorporates its star ingredient in every dish, but in subtle and clever ways without causing a malted-flavor overload. Start the hoppy journey with a taster flight of three draft beers, and follow that with a beer-bread pizza made with oatmeal stout or a bowl of mussels in a beer-based broth.
18 King St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1C4, Canada
Known For
- Cozy interior with an open kitchen
- Great patio in summer
- Delicious beer-focused desserts
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$$ | West Queen West |
Head to this colorful café for locally roasted espresso and reasonably priced Mediterranean brunch. Inspired by Greek kafeneio meeting places, it's a great spot to while away a few hours.
1024 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H6, Canada
Known For
- Full brunch menu with Greek touches
- Fresh bread on weekends
- Locally roasted coffee
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$$ | Chinatown |
Fried dumplings stuffed with juicy shrimp and pork or the health-conscious steamed spinach and black mushroom wrappers are the stars of the show but ordering from the selection of northern Chinese staples is highly recommended too. Top crowd-pleasing picks are the ultra-thinly sliced semi-cooked potato threads cooked in a jolting spicy vinegar, and noodley tofu strips boiled and lightly stir-fried with pork and veggies.
328 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2E7, Canada
Known For
- Fast service
- Dumplings wrapped fresh by staff in the window
- Homey atmosphere
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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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$$ | Queen's Park |
For generations, hungry Torontonians have ended up at this reliable round-the-clock diner for classic breakfasts and greasy-spoon dishes. Burgers and Benedicts are staples, but the menu makes room for a variety of comfort food crowd-pleasers like lasagnas, meat loaf, and steak. Save room for rice pudding.
20 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1K2, Canada
Known For
- Retro diner atmosphere
- 24-hour service
- Upstairs patio
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$$ | Entertainment District |
This delicious restaurant has been a vegan mecca for over 20 years and will make even the most die-hard meat eaters happy. The menu has evolved far past their power shake and rice bowl origins, and while the Balance bowl still tops the charts with its jicama, tofu, and addictive peanut sauce, they now offer everything from pizzas to decadent breakfast items like a crispy, corn-flake-coated almond butter French toast.
147 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2L7, Canada
Known For
- Cold-pressed juices and smoothies
- Garden-like atmosphere
- Young, lively crowd
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$$$ | Entertainment District |
Lapinou (bunny) is a French term of endearment you might hear lovers whisper between bites at Toronto's neo-bistro with a frequently rotating menu and 1920s flair. Every dish is a work of modern art, fusing French traditions with creative twists like grilled asparagus slathered with a bechamel-like sauce, dotted with puffed buckwheat. Other dishes that graced the menu include a culture-clashing duck breast cooked in a delicate Chinese XO sauce, and fanciful desserts like strawberries in sabayon cream, and honeyed gouda layered over puff pastry crisps.
642 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1M7, Canada
Known For
- Locally sourced seasonal ingredients
- Private patio seating
- Extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Recommended
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$$$$ | Entertainment District |
Le Sélect occupies a special place in the heart of Toronto's Parisian cuisine aficionados. The sprawling plush booths, zinc bar, and mosaic flooring create the ideal ambience for buttery escargots with pillowy pain au lait (milk buns), hearty bowls of saffron-tinged bouillabaisse, and an oversized apple tarte tatin for two, drizzled tableside with rich caramel sauce.
432 Wellington St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1E3, Canada
Known For
- Large front patio and private dining rooms
- Extensive wine list with over 1,200 bottles
- Seafood towers and whole-fish specialties
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Recommended
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$$$$ | Entertainment District |
The game will always be playing but this upscale, airy establishment is not your average sports bar. Show up post-game and you're likely to spot at least one of the Toronto Raptors or visiting team members dining on a platter of decadent appetizers like thick, creamy Dungeness crab cakes, or mounds of steak tartare decorated with a layer of silver-dollar-sized truffle shavings. The veal Parmesan steak is another creation in a class of its own, and gold-leaf-flecked cookies served with a butterscotch sauce make for a decadent way to finish things off.
455 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1K4, Canada
Known For
- Weekend brunch
- Intimate private patio
- Rapper Drake is a frequent patron
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Recommended
