15 editor picks in Toronto.
15 restaurants in Toronto, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Toronto.
Bar Raval on College Street opened 2015 as Grant van Gameren's pintxos counter, Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2022 with mahogany-carved Partisans interior.
OrderA round of pintxos at the counter with a glass of vermouth.
TipWalk-ins only. Arrive before 17:30 for an easy stool; weekend nights run two hours deep on the lineup outside.
Bar Isabel on College Street has been Grant van Gameren's Spanish-influenced tavern since 2013, Michelin Plate the last three guides and an Iberian wine list.
OrderThe whole grilled octopus and a bottle from the Iberian wine list.
TipReservations on the website, but the bar takes walk-ins from 17:00 weekdays. The kitchen runs late on Friday and Saturday.
Canoe on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower runs a Canadian-ingredient tasting menu since 1995, the city's reference business-lunch and skyline dinner.
OrderThe full Canadian tasting menu with the wine pairing.
TipClosed weekends and statutory holidays. Lunch at 11:30 is the cheapest way into the room; full dinner runs $200+ per head.
Pai on Duncan is chef Nuit Regular's northern Thai kitchen since 2014, the khao soi from Chiang Mai that set Toronto's modern Thai standard.
OrderThe khao soi, northern Thai egg noodles in coconut curry with crispy noodles on top.
TipNo reservations; expect 45 minutes at 19:00. Lunch 11:30 and 14:30 the easier window; uptown sister at 2335 Yonge.
Buca King West has run modern Italian on the King strip since 2009, chef Rob Gentile's pastas and house-cured salumi in a converted laneway warehouse.
OrderThe salumi board and a long pasta from the seasonal list.
TipSister Bar Buca next door at 604 King is the walk-in spritz counter. The full dining room books well ahead Friday and Saturday.
Aloette on Spadina is Patrick Kriss's all-day diner below Alo since 2017, the burger and rotisserie chicken the surviving favourites at lower price.
OrderThe Aloette burger and a slice of lemon meringue pie.
TipWalk-ins only at the counter; the booths book on OpenTable. Easier weekday lunch than weekend brunch.
Mother's Dumplings on Spadina has run northern Chinese comfort food in Chinatown since 2005, Shenyang-born Zhen Feng pressing dumplings by hand.
OrderThe pan-fried pork and chive dumplings and a green onion pancake.
TipWalk-in only; frozen dumpling fridge by the door for takeaway. Cash and card accepted, but cash moves the line faster.
Cafe Boulud at the Four Seasons Yorkville is Daniel Boulud's Toronto brasserie since 2012, Lyon classics plus contemporary plates from the wider group.
OrderThe seasonal tasting menu or the duck a la presse from the brasserie list.
TipThe dRink terrace bar above runs cocktails from 16:00 with hotel views. Lunch the easier reservation than dinner.
Akira Back at the Bisha Hotel is chef Akira Back's first Canadian outpost since 2017, the 2nd-floor Japanese-Korean fusion room behind the hotel lobby.
OrderThe tuna pizza and the AB tacos with hamachi.
TipReservations on OpenTable. Sister Kost on the 44th-floor penthouse upstairs.
Byblos Downtown on Duncan Street is Charles Khabouth's Eastern Mediterranean room since 2014, family-style plates across the historic Storys Building.
OrderThe mezze board to start and a wood-grilled main from the menu.
TipThe first-floor bar runs spritzes from 16:00 and accepts walk-ins. Second floor needs a reservation.
Mamakas Taverna on Ossington is owner Thanos Tripi's 85-seat Aegean kitchen since 2015, traditional Greek taverna cooking from scratch each day.
OrderThe whole grilled fish, dressed Aegean style with lemon and olive oil.
TipSister Bar Mordecai sits next door for a pre-dinner drink. Weekend lunch runs into early dinner without a break.
Khao San Road on Charlotte Street has run Bangkok-style street food downtown since 2011, the boat noodles and crispy pad see ew the city standard.
OrderThe boat noodles with beef and the pad see ew with extra char.
TipReservations the only way in for dinner; lunch walks in. Closed Sunday lunch.
Bymark on Wellington in the TD Towers atrium is Mark McEwan's downtown chophouse since 2002, floor-to-ceiling wine cellar and the city's reference business.
OrderThe dry-aged ribeye, or the Bymark burger with truffle and brie at lunch.
TipLunch service the easiest reservation. Sunday closed; Saturday dinner only. The McEwan Group runs three other rooms in town.
Buca Yorkville in the Four Seasons hotel is the King Street Food Co.'s northern outpost since 2014, chef Rob Gentile's pasta and crudo plus a wine bar.
OrderA handmade pasta and a wood-fired Roman-style pizza.
TipSister to Buca King West. Reservations on OpenTable; the courtyard entry on Yorkville Avenue.
Allen's on the Danforth has run an Irish pub kitchen since 1987, 340 whiskies and 140 beers, the strip's longest pub two stops from Broadview station.
OrderA shepherd's pie or burger with a flight of Irish whiskey.
TipWalk-ins welcome. Live Irish music Tuesday and Friday nights; the back garden runs through summer.
