The Best Restaurant 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.

Hello Nori

$$ | Financial District

Front-row sushi bar seating, ultra-fresh ingredients, and minimalist wood-sculpted trappings keep diners coming back for these briny hand rolls and raw sashimi boats. The secret is a nori \"humidor\" that keeps seaweed sheets in a perfectly dry and crispy condition, making every bite as satisfying as the last. Sit back and marvel as chefs grill meats before your eyes with a hand torch and a binchotan charcoal stick.

70 York St., Toronto, ON, M5J 1S9, Canada
416-557--6674
Known For
  • Hazy rice beer from a local craft brewery
  • Late-night specials with half-price drinks
  • Truffled lobster and uni hand rolls

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