137 Best Restaurants in Toronto, Ontario

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.

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—whenever the restaurant can procure them—fried sea smelts flown in from Greeze.

Luxurious takes on diner and brunch classics dominate the seasonally evolving menu at this cute corner eatery. Stop in early for eggs, grab the Angus burger or fish-and-chips at lunch, or dig into pastas and beef tartare at dinner.

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. 

Mott 32 is the perfect pairing to its host, the luxurious Shangri-La hotel, and Peking-style duck is king at this highly decorated Cantonese eatery. The sought-after birds are sliced and diced tableside, served with smoked applewood skin that you can dip into brown sugar for a unique experience. Fire-engine red hot-and-sour soup dumplings and decadent wild mushroom lettuce cups make for satisfying starters, while adventurous eaters might go for braised whole fish maw or bird's nest soup. 

Founded in 1984, Nami is one of Toronto’s first authentic Japanese restaurants, continuing to serve fresh sushi sourced both locally and from Japan to a dedicated clientele. The kimono-clad servers and cozy wood booths evoke the charm of an older Kyoto. Along with its regular menu, Nami features daily specials and seasonal promotions, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to try.

In hotly debated "best pizza in the city" barroom discussions, this local pizza chain is one of the top contenders. This location is a top spot in the Village for a tasty and crispy pie, slice, or handful of garlic knots.

The modern dining room 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.

Otto’s brings a nightlife-worthy spin to street snacks. The owners are former club promoters who fell in love with Berlin’s most popular street eats and set about bringing them to Toronto. You can sample shaved-meat-stuffed pita wraps, kebabs, and currywurst (sausages smothered in a ketchupy curry sauce).

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.

This fast-casual take-out spot is an offshoot of one of the city's top catering companies, the Food Dudes---and though the salads and proteins here are produced in massive quantities, everything is handled with a deft, flavorful touch. Pick a combo size, then choose from the daily mix of multicultural offerings in the display case. Favorites include moist grilled salmon, various types of chicken (jerk, peri peri, shawarma, etc.), and hearty sides like truffle mac and cheese.

This Egyptian take-out spot is a welcome herbivore-friendly destination on this souvlaki-heavy strip. Many of the satisfying, delicious dishes here are vegan, with koshari (a savory lentil, pasta, and tomato dish), ful (spiced, slow-simmered fava beans) and tameya (crisp, herbaceous Egyptian falafel) the biggest draws.

This beloved neighborhood staple has been serving fresh and delectable seafood dishes since its opening in 2015. Oysters take center stage on the menu, alongside crowd-pleasers like pan-seared steelhead trout, the signature PD burger, and the irresistible seafood tower, piled with oysters, pickled mussels, crab legs, and more. Be sure to try the black walnut old-fashioned and the lychee lime margarita—both crafted to evoke the elegance of a pearl in the water.

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.

Folks flock from all over town for this take-out counter's fried chicken sandwiches from lunch until the wee hours.

When you're having a late-night craving for Vietnamese food, this is the place for authentic bowls of pho or hearty curries with a crusty baguette to sop up the sauces. To drink, savor a slow-drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk or an exotic fruit milkshake in flavors like soursop or avocado.

No matter what day or time, it's usually busy here, so reservations (which are now taken) are recommended. While the decor is slightly cliché, with Renaissance-style wall paintings, the classic Italian food is actually quite good, but the pizzas are the real attraction. With thin-crust, the pies are tossed in full view of the appreciative crowd, then baked to perfection.

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.

If you love Italian cuisine, this Toronto institution serves authentic sourdough Neapolitan and NYC-style 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.

This traditional pub will transport you straight to Dublin the moment you step inside. The lively, friendly atmosphere is a favorite among longtime customers who come to enjoy a pint or an authentic Irish meal, such as Kilkenny Ale-battered fish-and-chips, hearty beef-and-Guinness stew, or rich bread pudding soaked in whiskey and custard—just like gran used to make. Behind the first-floor bar, the Pat Quinn Lounge features a large projection TV, making it an ideal spot to watch sports or enjoy live music on weekends. The Fireplace Lounge, located on the second floor, offers a cozy and intimate space, perfect for unwinding with friends.

The upscale-yet-whimsical take on vegan food caused quite a stir when it opened in 2016, and the restaurant (now one of two 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 spinach and artichoke dip that will fool even the pickiest cheese lover.

Chef Shawn Adler prepares dinner-plate-covering native "tacos" at his rustic 12-seater café and similarly sized front patio. Mains include piles of toppings for fusion brunch--focused dishes that incorporate everything from Indian curries, poached duck eggs, and edible flowers. If your main dish does not include fry bread, it can always be ordered on the side for the traditional experience.

This laid-back neighborhood institution has been popular with art students and broadcast-media types since the 1980s. The food is international, leaning toward Southeast Asian with European accents.

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.

Every dish served is a work of art at this modern French-fusion establishment that offers a portfolio of lunch and dinner tasting menus for culinary thrill-seekers. The seven-course dinner menu offers luxuries like caviar-topped upgrades, dry-aged bison steak, and a wine pairing with presentations from the head sommelier. While the dishes change quarterly, there is a consistent Haitian influence that shows up where least expected.

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.

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.

One of the city's fave ramen joints has the distinction of being one of a select few eateries invited to serve their wares at the presitigious ramen museum in Yokohama, Japan. The "pork blaster" ramen with eight slices of chashu is the crowd favorite—but if you're feeling particularly extravagant, there's also a version topped with Angus roast beef.

The longtime favorite for students and shoppers seeking an affordable meal occupies a second-floor dining room above Yonge Street. The menu features a wide range of curries and stir-fries, with favorites including classic pad Thai and Islamic noodles—a secret menu item made with coconut Panang curry sauce poured over a generous platter of noodles and vegetables.

In operation since 1948, this diner holds the distinction of being Toronto’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. It’s a go-to spot for the pre-theater crowd, families, mildly hungover locals, and everyone in between. The menu features classic staples such as Caesar salad, chicken pot pie, and freshly squeezed juices at brunch.