9 Best Restaurants in Toronto, Ontario

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Toronto’s calling card—its ethnic diversity—offers up a potent mix of cuisines. But with that base, the city’s chefs are now pushing into new territory. Gone are the days of chefs gunning for white linen tablecloths; now pop-up vendors such as Fidel Gastro’s Lisa Marie and Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos draw a cult following big enough to open up brick-and-mortar locations.

And it’s not enough to have consistently good food: kitchens are pushed to be creative and embrace food trends. Spanish tapas and Korean fusion have replaced French and Thai as the newest crazes in the city and izakayas are out while ramen is in. Farm-to-table shows no sign of slowing down, with many menus citing the source of their meats and produce. While Toronto is still young as a foodie travel destination, it’s drawing in the crowds, or at a minimum world-famous chefs such as Daniel Boulud and David Chang, who have landed in Toronto with Café Boulud and Momofuku. And as locals will tell you, first come the chefs, then come the savvy foodie travelers, always posting a tweet or photo to Instagram at the city’s newest hot spots.

Brick Street Bakery

$ | Distillery District Fodor's choice

Since 2002, the popular bakery has taken pride in making its products from scratch, using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients and no added preservatives. If the smell of freshly baked bread and buttery croissants doesn’t lure you into this charming spot, the decadent sweets on display—such as cinnamon buns, butter tarts, or scones—certainly will. For heartier appetites, options include pulled pork and vegetarian sandwiches, as well as steak-and-stout pie.

27 Trinity St., Toronto, ON, M5A 3C4, Canada
416-214–4949
Known For
  • No indoor seating and minimal outdoor seating (most people take their fare to go)
  • Handcrafted sandwiches and soups
  • Freshest bread in the neighborhood

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Dipped Donuts

$ | Kensington Market Fodor's choice

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, ON, M5T 1L9, Canada
647-906--3668
Known For
  • Organic ingredients sourced from Kensington Market shops
  • Vegan options
  • Strong coffee from local Propeller Specialty Roasters
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Little Pebbles

$ | Kensington Market Fodor's choice

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), a giant ten-times-sized classic croissant (made to order 24 hours in advance) and others prepared in a half-dozen ways, from churro-caramel sweet to ham-and-pesto savory.

160 Baldwin St., Toronto, ON, M5T 3K7, Canada
416-792–0404
Known For
  • Creme brulee latte
  • Ceremonial-grade matcha imported from Japan
  • Gooey mochi (sticky rice dough) stuffed with chocolate and strawberries

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Blackbird Baking Co.

$ | Kensington Market

Hearty sandwiches stuffed with toppings like mortadella, grilled veggies, and spreads made in-house are accompanied by selections of traditional brioche buns, and creative palm-size Viennoiseries at the local legendary boulangerie. It helps to get there earlier in the day to take score of other baked delights like tomato danishes and quirky chocolate corks.

172 Baldwin St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1L8, Canada
416-546--2280
Known For
  • Organic grains
  • Crusty sourdough loaves
  • Providing baked goods for restaurants around the city

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Bobbette and Belle

$ | 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, ON, Canada
416-466–8800
Known For
  • Macarons in a rainbow of flavors
  • Whimsically decorated cupcakes
  • Locally roasted espresso
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Craig's Cookies

$ | 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, ON, M4Y 2C6, Canada
416-519--5336
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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Dear Grain

$ | Ossington

On an Ossington strip with plenty of restaurants but not many bakeries, you'll find this 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, ON, M6J 2Y7, Canada
416-532–7243
Known For
  • Fresh sourdough bread
  • Full coffee bar
  • Local gourmet wines, spreads, condiments, and snacks

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Nadège

$ | 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, ON, M6J 2R5, Canada
416-203--2009
Known For
  • Location on the corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park
  • Chocolates in cute packaging
  • Rainbow-color macarons

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The Night Baker

$ | Little Italy

Known for hefty, soft-centered cookies, from Oreo and s'more to Filipino-inspired delicacies, this bakery also ships its wares across Canada and the United States (in case you get a craving once you're back at home).

825 College St., Toronto, ON, Canada
416-901–5590
Known For
  • Rotating cookie flavors like ube and pandan
  • Coffee and glasses of milk to drink
  • Gelato options
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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