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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.
A Toronto landmark since 1959, Barberian’s is known for wheeling, dealing—and plenty of eating. It also has a romantic footnote in history: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton got engaged here (for the first time). One of the city’s oldest steakhouses, it serves classic dishes like Caesar salad and jumbo shrimp cocktail. Mains focus on steak, but the fish of the day and grilled free-range capon are also solid picks.
The Toronto flagship of a Vancouver-based casual fine-dining chain, this massive, modern Financial District spot is one of the district's trendiest dining destinations. Stellar dishes include butternut ravioli topped with sage, prawns, and truffle butter, and a 45-day dry-aged Angus ribeye drenched in a brandy-based sauce, sprinkled with juicy peppercorns.
Bucking the trend toward relaxed fine dining, Harbour Sixty's four-floor complex goes for sheer opulence, the drama of which is apparent from the get-go as you walk up stone steps to the grand entrance of the restored Harbour Commission building. The kitchen rises to the occasion with starters like blinis with beluga caviar and mains like Australian wagyu tomahawk steaks and a shareable seafood tower. The fluffy coconut cream pie is a must-eat dessert.
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