Lai Wah Heen is a cantonese restaurant in Chinatown, Toronto.
Lai Wah Heen reopened on the second floor of the DoubleTree Hilton in July 2025 after a two-year hiatus, chefs Heyden Sin and Huang Zhenqing.
Signature dishes: Refined dim sum tasting, Cartless dim sum
Must order: The dim sum tasting; the kitchen still presses every dumpling to order.
Tip: Reservation-only since the 2025 reopen. The NYT once called it the best dim sum in North America under founder Canson Tsang.
Address: 108 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor, DoubleTree by Hilton, Toronto, ON M5G 1R3
Pho Hung on Spadina is the Chinatown Vietnamese counter the Nguyen family opened in 1985, with a 30-year broth recipe and the famous fried chicken wings.
Signature: Pho tai, Bun bo Hue, Fried chicken wings
Order: The pho tai with brisket, plus a half order of fried chicken wings on the side.
Tip: Cash discount under $20. Three locations in Toronto; Spadina is the original and busiest.
Pho Hung on Spadina is the Chinatown Vietnamese counter the Nguyen family opened in 1985, with a 30-year broth recipe and the famous fried chicken wings.
Signature: Pho tai, Bun bo Hue, Fried chicken wings
Order: The pho tai with brisket, plus a half order of fried chicken wings on the side.
Tip: Cash discount under $20. Three locations in Toronto; Spadina is the original and busiest.
Pizzeria Libretto on the Danforth is the AVPN-certified Neapolitan pie chain since 2009, the Margherita with San Marzano DOP and fior di latte.
Signature: Margherita pizza, Verace Pizza Napoletana certified pies
Order: The Margherita pie or the Funghi with mushrooms and pecorino.
Tip: Walk-ins easier weeknights. Sister University, Yonge and Etobicoke locations carry the same pizza; the Ossington original is now Bar Libretto, late-night pivot.
Pizzeria Libretto University on University Avenue is the downtown business-lunch branch of the AVPN-certified Neapolitan chain, vegan and gluten-free pizzas.
Signature: Margherita, Vegan and gluten-free pies
Order: The Margherita or the Diavola with hot calabrese salami.
Tip: Lunch the easier walk-in. The downtown crowd thins after 14:00.
Cafe Diplomatico on College Street is Little Italy's reference patio room since 1968, wood-fired pizza and veal sandwiches with the city's longest-running.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Veal sandwich
Order: The veal sandwich and an espresso at the patio bar.
Tip: Patio seats fill by 18:00 in summer. Inside booths take walk-ins year-round; the espresso bar opens at 09:00.
Bitondo Pizzeria on Clinton Street has run a Little Italy storefront since 1960, panzerotti and meatball sandwiches with hot sauce and sweet peppers.
Signature: Panzerotti, Meatball sandwich
Order: The panzerotti, folded over and fried with mozzarella and tomato.
Tip: Cash only. Closed Sundays and Mondays. The tiny room seats six; most customers eat on the curb.
Sotto Sotto on Avenue Road has run Roman-style Italian below street level in Yorkville since 1993, chef Massimo Renzi's fresh pasta in an exposed-brick room.
Signature: Fresh pasta, Veal piccata
Order: A handmade pasta of the day and the veal piccata.
Tip: Drake's photo hangs on the wall and he eats here. Book ahead; the room seats 50 tightly.
