3 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.

Banh Haus

$ | Chinatown

Imagine yourself lost at a Saigon night market at this trendy sandwich and snack bar that specializes in Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches. Not satisfied with the traditional crusty white bread, Banh Haus offers whole-wheat and fried banh tieu (Vietnamese donut) buns as a vessel for fillings like grilled lemongrass chicken, five-spice sweet pork sausage, or deep-fried tiger shrimp. Other modernized street food classics include rice-paper-wrapped summer rolls and green mango salad.

81 Huron St., Toronto, ON, M5T 2A8, Canada
Known For
  • Exotic fruit smoothies
  • Vietnamese coffee drinks
  • Patio with micro-stool seating
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner Tues.--Thurs.

Something incorrect in this review?

Pho Pasteur

$$ | Chinatown

When you're having a late-night craving for Vietnamese food, this is the place for authentic bowls of pho or hearty curries with a crusty baguette to sop up the sauces. To drink, savor a slow-drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk or an exotic fruit milkshake in flavors like soursop or avocado.

525 Dundas St. W, Toronto, ON, M5T 1H3, Canada
416-351--7188
Known For
  • South Vietnamese--style goat curry
  • Open around the clock
  • No-frills decor

Something incorrect in this review?

Rustle and Still

$ | The Annex

Located where the Annex's western edge blends into Koreatown, this quirky café offers spins on Vietnamese sandwiches and mains, plus coffee and baked treats.

605 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON, Canada
647-350--8893
Known For
  • Lattes made with matcha, pandan, and hojicha
  • Hearty banh mi sandwiches (including vegan options)
  • Plant-laden decor
Restaurant Details
No dinner

Something incorrect in this review?

Recommended Fodor's Video