6 Best Restaurants in Toronto, Ontario

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.

Scooped by Demetres

$ | Distillery District Fodor's choice

Taste bold ice cream and vegan sorbetto flavors like mango–passion fruit, cajeta-swirled goat cheese, and roses of paradise at this beloved Toronto standby. Dessert brand Demetres owns and operates this shop and has been crafting artisanal ice creams by hand here for more than 30 years. The team uses top-quality ingredients from around the world—including Belgian chocolate and Indonesian vanilla—to create a rotating menu of 20 rich, unforgettable flavors. Don’t miss your scoop (or two) in their signature waffle cone, made fresh in-store.

Avoca

$ | Greektown

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.

Bang Bang

$ | Ossington

The lines might be long at this ice cream shop specializing in artisanal options like "Cinnamon Toast" (malted cinnamon ice cream) and "London Fog" (Earl Grey tea)—but oh is it worth the wait. The flavors are good on their own, but the queues form for their incredible ice cream sandwiches made with freshly baked cookies, Hong Kong waffles, carrot cake, and cinnamon buns.

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The Big Chill

$ | Little Italy

If you're craving a specific ice cream flavor or topping, chances are this long-standing ice cream parlor will have it ready to go.

Ed's Real Scoop

$ | 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.

Summer's Ice Cream

$ | Yorkville

Yorkville is filled with ice cream and gelato shops, but Summer's is the most beloved. A family-run shop since the '80s, this ice cream parlor doesn't do anything fancy or trendy but excels with the classic, made-in-house flavors. There are always at least 26 of them, with favorites like chocolate fudge brownie, pralines 'n' cream, and Toronto Pothole (a little bit of everything) often seen on cones throughout the village.

Toronto

Toronto

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