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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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$ | 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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$$$$ | Financial District |
It's hard not to feel a little giddy sitting in the opulent whiskey-barrel-inspired dining room on the 31st floor of the St. Regis. Upward gazes are met with a swirling painted ceiling with floral glass chandeliers to mimic melting ice cubes. The French-leaning menu features stunners like a fruit-speckled scallop ceviche served on ice in a half shell, rough-cut beef tartare accented by a fermented black garlic reduction to be devoured with taro chips, and a showstopping truffle butter, sous-vide whole organic chicken served both roasted and fried. Cocktails are dainty and balanced wizardry with elaborate details like dehydrated Aperol–salted rims and vegan egg white foam.
325 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4G3, Canada
Known For
- 13-layer chocolate king's cake
- 400 brown spirits on the drink list, Canada's largest collection
- Salted brioche buns served straight from the pan
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: recommended
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$$$ | The Annex |
On a quiet stretch of Harbord lies this low-lit modern trattoria, popular with couples and families alike. The menu spans from antipasti and fresh pastas (the mushroom cavatelli and giant ravioli are crowd-pleasers) to excellent blistered-crust pizzas and picturesque desserts—but whatever you order is bound to be great.
88 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1G5, Canada
Known For
- Delicious updated Italian classics
- Striking rose-patterned wallpaper and front mural
- Sister snack bar (Piccolo Piano) located across the street
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$ | Old Town |
Fulfill your dessert fantasies by picking up a sweet treat from Roselle, one of the city’s finest dessert shops. Stephanie Duong and Bruce Lee opened Roselle in 2015; since then, they’ve fed the sweet cravings of Torontonians with their playful take on classic flavors using French techniques. Offering curbside pickup only, the seasonality of Roselle’s offerings sets them apart and contributes to their enduring popularity: their pavlova toppings change several times a year; their summer soft-serve ice cream is creamy and refreshing; and their rotating cake cup flavors are perfectly portioned treats. Staples such as the banana éclair and Earl Grey cake slices are available year-round, and the shop also specializes in cookies and caramels.
362 King St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1K9, Canada
Known For
- Seasonal pavlova using fresh fruit
- Creating playful desserts using French techniques
- Rotating cake cup flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs., Debit and credit cards only
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Church–Wellesley |
No late-night craving goes unsatisfied at this decades-running 24-hour eatery specializing in lighter fare. Soups like Moroccan or vegetarian chili and sandwiches like sloppy joes and herbed chicken with honey mustard are comforting and filling. There is also a brunch menu.
7 Charles St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1R4, Canada
Known For
- Optimal socializing on the hidden rooftop patio
- Cozy atmosphere with lots of candles
- Home-style fare
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$$$ | Danforth |
Slide into a well-worn wood booth or sit at a checkered table at this low-key steak house, complete with oak bar and pressed-tin ceiling. The steaks and Guinness-braised lamb shanks get rave reviews, but the hamburgers, ground in-house, might be Allen's secret weapon.
143 Danforth Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4K 1N2, Canada
Known For
- Willow-shaded patio in summer
- 300-plus types of whiskey
- Decadent desserts
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$ | Danforth |
Pick up a frosty treat—and some truffles or chocolate bars to take home—at this ice cream shop and chocolatier just off the main Danforth drag.
176 Hampton Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4K 2Z1, Canada
Known For
- Ice cream made in-house
- Vegan gelato options
- Wide array of beautiful truffles
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$ | Leslieville |
Known for making Pinterest-perfect cakes for some of the city's splashiest fetes, this charming bakery also offers bite-sized baked goods for a spot of on-the-go luxury.
1121 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Macarons in a rainbow of flavors
- Extravagantly decorated cupcakes
- Locally roasted espresso
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$ | Church–Wellesley |
On the ground floor of the renovated Anndore House hotel, this sprawling spot's open kitchen turns out varied fare like Middle Eastern mezes, pastas, and gorgeously plated desserts. Grilled meats are great here---especially the lamb burger---but vegetarian options abound.
15 Charles St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1S1, Canada
Known For
- Buzzy, loungelike atmosphere
- Grilled Mediterranean specialties
- Daily afternoon happy hour specials
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$ | Church–Wellesley |
Actor-turned-baker Craig Pike started this local chain of cookie shops as a small pop-up, but they've since gone viral and then turned ubiquitous throughout the city. The signature is a simple but addictive chocolate chip cookie with a little bit of salt to balance out the sweet, though there are many, many more options in this Church Street location's glass display case. The chocolate chip base becomes a vessel for all sorts of fillings like peanut butter cups, Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies, chocolate bars like Twix and Toblerone, and, for a cookie-within-a-cookie, Oreo.
483 Church St., Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2C6, Canada
Known For
- Always changing cookie flavors
- Ice cream sandwiches made with freshly baked cookies
- Craft coffee drinks and "shots" of organic milk for a dollar
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$$$ | Yorkville |
Eataly's wonderland of fresh Italian groceries can also be enjoyed on-site in seven different restaurants, bars, counters, and cafés. There's the Trattoria Milano for northern Italian dishes and aperitivo, La Piazza for shareable plates like salumi and cheese, La Pizza & La Pasta (pretty self-explanatory), Birroteca for fresh beer in partnership with Indie Alehouse, multiple big patios to sip drinks like Aperol spritzes and wines, plus multiple cafés for pastries, sandwiches, pizzas, chocolates, and gelatos.
55 Bloor St., Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A6, Canada
Known For
- Fresh pasta and pizza made on-site
- Extensive Italian wine and cocktail list
- Multiple options, from small cafés to sit-down eateries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Hours vary, check website
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$ | The Beach |
This neighborhood scoop joint, featuring a long list of house-made flavors, is a hot spot for locals and families in the summer months. A second location serves Leslieville at 920 Queen Street East.
2224 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 1E9, Canada
Known For
- Signature flavors like burnt marshmallow
- Mix of ice cream, gelato, and sorbet options
- House-made waffle cones
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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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$$ | The Annex |
Aside from European-style baked goods and all-day breakfasts, this spot also serves Old World recipes like cabbage rolls, schnitzel, and potato-cheese pierogi slathered with sour cream. It's beloved by the pastry-and-coffee crowd and by students wanting generous portions from early morning until late at night.
483 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1Y2, Canada
Known For
- Sunny patio
- Huge selection of house-made desserts
- All you can eat pierogi on Wednesday
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$ | The Beach |
Every boardwalk needs a solid burger place—and this cute takeout counter ably covers all bases, from burger and hot dog combos to soft serve and house-made canned cocktails.
1681 Lake Shore Blvd. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 3W6, Canada
Known For
- Crispy-edged smash burgers
- Cult-fave spicy chicken sandwich
- Psychedelic retro decor
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$$$$ | Little Italy |
Traditional Italian food gets a modern twist at this intimate eatery offering a wide, delicious variety of updated Italian dishes. Pastas and pizzas are both excellent, but there's standout seafoods and meats—like a showstopping strip loin for two—mixed in among the numerous veg-forward options.
972 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M6H 1A5, Canada
Known For
- Ultramodern interior design
- Signature grilled octopus
- Sizeable list of Italian wines and aperitivi
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | 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
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$$$ | 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
