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$$$ | Harbourfront |
Ride the Queens Quay Terminal escalator to one of the city's hidden fine dim sum experiences. The view overlooking Lake Ontario is nearly as delicious as the restaurant's menu of traditional Cantonese classics like har gao shrimp dumplings, broad snow pea leaves decorated with chunks of king mushroom, and various fresh seafoods from the tank prepared with homemade sauces.
207 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada
Known For
- Traditional handmade dim sum
- Diverse tea selection
- Excellent service
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$$$ | 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
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$$ | Entertainment District |
If you love Italian cuisine, this Toronto institution serves authentic sourdough Neapolitan pizzas and a selection of traditional antipasti to discerning locals. It caters to all dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and vegan. The King Street location is a great date spot, too.
545 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1M1, Canada
Known For
- Lunchtime specials
- Family-style menu options
- Outstanding negroni selection
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$$$ | 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.
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$$$ | Entertainment District |
A den of oceanic delicacies, this playful basement raw bar is frequented by solo diners and showbiz types. Among the options are soft-shell steamer clams, a variety of smoked fish, East Coast lobster rolls, plus a rotating list of more than 20 varieties of oysters (including perfect Malpeques from owner Rodney Clark's own oyster beds on Prince Edward Island). A zap of Rodney's in-house line of condiments or a splash of vodka and freshly grated horseradish are eye-openers.
Ask about the daily "white-plate" specials.
469 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1K4, Canada
Known For
- Impressive wine list
- Maritime hospitality
- Fun, vibrant vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Entertainment District |
"Shook" means market in Hebrew, and the quality and creativity of the chefs will get your taste buds dancing. Weekday brunch apps like the kibbeh (stuffed buckwheat dumplings) create a minimalist explosion for the senses, plated with truffle honey and sour labneh. Heavily-spiced veggie shawarmas, like the celeriac (that has a three-day prep process) come served on stand-up trays, and classic breakfast shakshouka arrives piping hot in a cast-iron pan with pita for you to scoop up the smoky, soupy mixture of eggs and a bushel of blistered sour cherry tomatoes.
77 Portland St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Separate weekday and weekend brunch menus
- Creative cocktails
- Fluffy three-flour pitas that are baked in-house
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$$$ | Financial District |
Open shelving lined with Italian provisions decorates this cool pizza joint, but it's the thin-crust pies, bubbled and blistered to perfection, that keep diners coming back. The menu suits all pizza lovers—from the simple Margherita to extravagant options like the Bruma, a white pizza with pancetta, egg, and black truffles. Daily pasta specials can be hit or miss, but desserts—like a warm, oozing round of flourless chocolate cake—are universally delicious.
57 Adelaide St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5C1K6, Canada
Known For
- In addition to the pizza, the pastas are quite popular
- The secluded back patio is lovely in good weather
- Stunning location inside a former courthouse
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$$$$ | Financial District |
On the fifth floor of the historic Dineen Building, overlooking the Financial District, the Chase's marvelous lighting fixtures and floor-to-ceiling windows are a glamorous setting for the fish-and-oyster-focused menu. Dishes like whole fish or whole grilled octopus (also available as half) are meant for sharing, as are opulent seafood platters layered with shrimp, oysters, and king crab.
10 Temperance St., Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1Y4, Canada
Known For
- Elegant atmosphere
- Lovely rooftop patio
- Outstanding raw bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
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$$ | Entertainment District |
Toronto's oldest bar, established in 1849, has upscaled its traditional sports bar menu to gastronomic proportions. Grab a patio perch in warmer months to take the pulse of the bustling King and Bathurst, while dining on offerings like XL-sized marinara meatballs, thick and crispy battered fish-and-chips with requisite mushy peas, or a juicy prime-rib sando washed down with a local beer. The evening cocktail game mimics the revamped food options, with suggestions for both classics and playful modern twists.
667 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1M9, Canada
Known For
- Live rock bands Wednesday through Sunday
- Half-price wings on Tuesday
- Friendly and attentive service
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$$$$ | Entertainment District |
The swanky Ritz-Carlton dining experience comes to Toronto in the form of TOCA, where the menu of elevated Italian food takes advantage of local ingredients. To really up the ante you can reserve seats at the chef's table, at a private dining nook in the kitchen. Splurge on the Sunday Market Brunch, which includes a cold seafood station of oysters, shrimp, and lobster, as well as made-to-order omelets and all-you-can-drink mimosas and bellinis.
181 Wellington St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2H5, Canada
Known For
- 30-minute "express" lunch option on weekdays for business diners
- The Sunday Market Brunch
- The cheese cave
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$$$ | Entertainment District |
Just off King Street in the Hôtel Le Germain, Victor presents a French-themed menu in a swanky atmosphere with abstract industrial brass tube lighting, wood floors, and subdued teal banquettes. Start with fried artichokes or roasted mushrooms for the table; add a serving of buttery roasted scallops or a smoke-saturated blackened trout; and pair with a bottle of white from their extensive French, Italian, and Californian wine list.
30 Mercer St., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1H3, Canada
Known For
- Great spot for a pre-theater dinner or romantic date night
- Quiet location, unlike other busy spots in this neighborhood
- Carefully curated wine, beer, and cocktail list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$ | Financial District |
The Walrus brings life, and a hodgepodge of quirks, to the typically buttoned-up Financial District, giving young cubicle tycoons a space to blow off steam amid loud music, funky lighting, and stone-sculpted bar tables. Health-oriented gluten-free options like quinoa bowls topped with buttery grilled avocado even out the surf, turf, and Asian fusion--styled menu.
187 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3C2, Canada
Known For
- Happy hour specials from 2 to 5
- Selling 70--80 pizzas a day
- Ping-pong bar within a bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: recommended
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$ | Entertainment District |
This fun, lively counter-service joint serves up Southern California–style Mexican street food like burritos and tacos. It's more than the average fast-food joint, though, and patrons like to linger with friends over beers.
552 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1M3, Canada
Known For
- The hot sauce bar
- Great value
- Outstanding guacamole
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$$ | King West |
You don't need to wait around until Oktoberfest to drink great German beer and indulge in delicious bratwurst; just walk into WVRST, a modern beer hall on King West. Choose amid the selection of sausages, from the traditional pork to vegetarian, or get a little wild with selections such as pheasant, duck, or bison.
609 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1M5, Canada
Known For
- Dozens of craft beers and ciders on tap
- The outstanding double-fried duck-fat fries
- German beer-hall vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
