7 Best Restaurants in Toronto, Ontario

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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.

louf

$$$$ | Yorkville Fodor's choice

Bringing people together around the table, this charming two-level eatery is fully accessible and blends rich Palestinian flavors with the freshest seasonal fare from Ontario. The menu draws on centuries-old techniques and a mix of Indigenous, Palestinian, and locally sourced ingredients—think za’atar, scallops, squash, and house-made bread—each plate telling its own story rooted in land, memory, and tradition. The weekend-only brunch is just as noteworthy, with satisfying dishes like labaneh and hummus that are perfect for sharing. Created by Chef Fadi Kattan and Nicole Mankinen the restaurant offers meals that feel like a joyful celebration.

501 Davenport Rd., Toronto, ON, M4V 1B8, Canada
416-323--0596
Known For
  • Innovative cocktails and mocktails
  • Palestinian dishes with a modern twist
  • Popular weekend-only brunch
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. No brunch weekdays. No dinner Sun.

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Maha's

$$ | Little India Fodor's choice

From the falafel-wrapped Scotch eggs to the Pharaoh's po' boy with fried shrimp, it's hard to go wrong at this cheerful, intimate family-run Egyptian brunch joint, located at Little India's eastern edge. A grab-and-go sister café serves Leslieville at 978 Queen East.

226 Greenwood Ave., Toronto, ON, M4L 2R2, Canada
416-462--2703
Known For
  • Award-winning lentil soup
  • Cardamom lattes
  • Long waits on sunny days and weekends
Restaurant Details
Closed Wed. No dinner

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Tabülè

$$ | Leslieville Fodor's choice

Bold Middle Eastern flavors and spices are showcased at Tabülè, where traditional appetizers include baba ghanoush and hummus served with flatbread, and standout falafel fried to a deep golden brown and served with thick, rich tahini sauce. Grilled meats and seafood are also excellent.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Diwan at the Aga Khan Museum

$$$ | North York

Much like the museum that houses it, Diwan is an architectural wonder that incorporates walls, ceilings, and hanging lamps salvaged from a 19th-century Damascus merchant's home. The menu reflects the museum's mission by incorporating Middle Eastern, Indian, and Persian cuisine, with seasonal meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. The use of top-notch (and, when possible, local) ingredients is paramount to executive chef Mark McEwan's mandate.

77 Wynford Dr., Toronto, ON, M3C 1K1, Canada
416-646--4670
Known For
  • Impressive dishes like sweet onion bhaji fritters
  • Eye-popping mix of a modern building and antique details
  • Crisp service
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. No dinner Tues.--Thurs. and Sun.

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Eat Nabati

$ | Kensington Market

Enter a Middle Eastern paradise where vegans and the health conscious can feast on delicious mock-meat renditions of classics like chicken shawarma and beef kebabs doused in a variety of flavored tahinis, like beet and lemon. Chef Isra re-created her grandmother's Egyptian recipes so faithfully that not even she can tell them apart.

160 Baldwin St., Toronto, ON, M5T 3K7, Canada
289-277--0008
Known For
  • Rotating desserts
  • Everything is made fresh and worth the wait
  • The rice and lentils are comfort in a bowl

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Fat Pasha

$$$ | The Annex

A hit with locals, this cozy, low-lit spot is Middle Eastern food at its finest. The menu is a love letter to classics like hummus, shawarma, and falafel, with a few novel creations thrown in for good measure.

414 Dupont St., Toronto, ON, M5R 1V9, Canada
647-646--1698
Known For
  • Showstopping halloumi-stuffed cauliflower
  • Large platters of dips, falafel, pita, and pickles
  • Hidden back patio
Restaurant Details
No lunch weekdays

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Papyrus

$ | Greektown

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.

337 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada
647-352--3878
Known For
  • Hard-to-find Egyptian street food dishes
  • Konafa and saffron rosewater ice cream for dessert
  • Friendly, knowledgeable service
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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