My Guide to The Best Restaurants in Toronto

Discover Toronto's culinary scene with our foodie guide to the best restaurants in Toronto. Delight in the places you must eat in toronto!

Street view of a city with tall modern skyscrapers alongside older brick buildings, much like where you'd find some of the best restaurants in Toronto. People are walking on the sidewalk, and streetlights line the road. A traffic light shows a red signal.

Last week, I spent a couple of days in Toronto, Ontario, wining and dining my way through the city. I present to you my favourite finds from that week in my must eat in Toronto foodie guide.

No place was immune from my repertoire: from a smoked fish counter to one of the top restaurants in the city, I tasted some incredible dishes at times of dubious provenance. I saw Toronto in a new light: lively, diverse, and experimental. These were my favourite finds.

A plate showcasing eggs Benedict with velvety hollandaise sauce, crispy roasted potatoes, a fresh green salad, and an orange slice garnish. It's the kind of dish you'd find at one of the best restaurants in Toronto. A fork rests on the side of the plate.

Check out my travel section to see more of my foodie travel guides. For a focus on Canadian cities, see my Quebec foodie guide.

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Reflection

A person wearing a purple coat walks down a covered sidewalk, where the wall is adorned with vibrant graffiti featuring abstract and geometric designs, reminiscent of the lively art scene near some of the best restaurants in Toronto.

But first, I need to tell you something. I would love to tell you about the Olivier salad I made for Russian New Year's. I would love to tell you about the great chickpea hummus G made last night. I would love to tell you about how after I wrote my last post, the one about intentions, I went out there and quietly, mindfully conquered the day.

But instead, I want to tell you about how I (almost?) got hit by a car that very same morning. On the way to work, In my attempt to catch a red light, I hurried through an intersection in direct antithesis to everything I committed to in my resolutions that very same morning. I let the morning rush get the better of me. I let myself forget about caution and intentionality.

A car coming from my right didn't see me. The driver was also hurrying, not slowing down before the intersection. She passed an inch away from me, running into the new coffee machine that I was swinging back and forth. In my attempt to avoid the car, I fell on my left side, my things scattering all over the road. My lipstick, phone, and tampons—all reminders of exactly the wrong things in life to value.

So now I walk to work slowly, gingerly. I look to every side several times. My hands shake. I am afraid.

But I am also more robust, for I remember that was a close call.

At one of the best restaurants in Toronto, a person with short hair wearing a pink shirt sits at a table with drinks. They hold a glass of light-colored beverage, while a carafe and two other glasses await. Coats hang on the wall behind them, adding to the cozy ambiance.

Be mindful, friends. When you're crossing the road, when you're driving, when you're cooking. When you're loving and when you're saying goodbye. Take care, but don't be hesitant - just think of what you do fully, truly.... And once you've decided, commit.

Must Eat In Toronto Foodie Guide Commences!

An oyster stall at St. Lawrence Market

A small tray of opened oysters with lemon wedges rests on a wooden surface, reminiscent of the fresh delights you'd find at the best restaurants in Toronto. Nearby, a plastic container holds seaweed salad with a fork inserted, while scattered oyster shells complete the scene.

92-95 Front Street East, Toronto, ON

First off my Toronto foodie guide is a mandatory stop at the St. Lawrence Market. Though I have been to it countless times, I still love the tourist trap that is St. Lawrence Market. From the mustard shop to the famous peameal bacon sandwiches at Carousel Bakery, this market is a haven for iconic Canadian comfort food. If you're looking for a lighter meal or some fresh seafood, head straight to one of the oyster stalls. They will let you choose your oysters, crack them for you, and even give you some lemon wedges to go. It's one of Toronto’s best market experiences for seafood lovers.

Insomnia

Two plates of food sit enticingly on a wooden table, reminiscent of the offerings at the best restaurants in Toronto. One plate boasts eggs Benedict, potatoes, and greens, while the other features toast, bacon, greens, and orange slices. Drinks and condiments accompany a hand reaching toward this delectable spread.

563 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON

The brunch at Insomnia is worth the wait. Their eggs benedict were really great, especially when had on gluten-free rice cakes... But the chief delight at the meal is the spice-coated hash-browns the chef whipped up: tomatoey, zesty, and a bit spicy, far from your typical breakfast potatoes. Insomnia offers a mix of comfort food in Toronto's bohemian heart, and it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Green Beanery Coffee

565 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON

While waiting for your table at Insomnia, we popped next door to Green Beanery for some coffee. We ended up liking it so much that G's dad, who was with us on this trip, got his breakfast there and gave up on Insomnia (a mistake, in my eyes). We then went back there the next day for more coffee. Fair trade and made with compulsory hipster disdain, the cups here are good and generous, for a very affordable price.

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Ella's Uncle

A woman stands behind a cafe counter in one of the best restaurants in Toronto, arranging pastries like stacked cookies and scones. In the foreground are two cups of coffee and a glass of orange juice. The setting is well-lit, with a window in the background.

916 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON

Some of the best coffee I've had in Canada was hiding at Ella's Uncle. We ducked in there while waiting for a table at legendary Saving Grace, which we never got into at the end, and were surprised by the cute atmosphere and the truly delicious brew. G went for the Red Ella, which included cayenne peppers and a double shot of espresso, and I got something with maple syrup—his was better. Oh, and he loved his chocolate chip cookie, a Toronto version of the classic.

Sneaky Dee's

A wicker basket contains a serving of nachos topped with lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, and cheese. A bottle of hot sauce and a plate with a fork are on the table beside it. This delightful setup could be spotted at one of the best restaurants in Toronto. The surface has a scratched texture.

A bowl of salad with avocado slices, grilled tofu, and sprouts sits next to two orange chopsticks. Alongside are two clear cups, a bottle of water, and condiments on the white table—imagine this vibrant scene at one of the best restaurants in Toronto.

431 College St, Toronto, ON

Full disclosure: We walked in here in the middle of a huge fighting, red eyes puffed from crying. The last thing we wanted is a stuffy meal where waiters hover over you... And that's the last thing you'd get at Sneaky Dee's. It was grungy and large, anonymous enough that you could sit at your table and just have fun with your company, and the drinks were cheap and generous. We also ordered a serving of vegan nachos that was fairly decent, though I wouldn't come here to eat it (mind you, the cheese-topped nachos looked drool-worthy).

Subway platform at Spadina station with white tiled walls and black lettering on the sign, a nod to the best restaurants in Toronto nearby. A red circle adorns the upper left wall, with tracks visible in the foreground, all framed by an open train door.

Fresh

A hand reaches for a cucumber slice being dipped into a bowl of hummus topped with chickpeas and parsley, reminiscent of the vibrant flavors found at the best restaurants in Toronto. A side dish with pickles, olives, and peppers is nearby, with cucumber slices artfully arranged alongside.

326 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON

I own all the Fresh cookbooks, and have long been dying to eat here... But my experience was a bit mixed. The Bloor location was a bit loud and impersonal, and I didn't feel comfortable or cozy. The food was delicious, but we really got the sense that they were trying to cram as many people as possible into a small location (which, given Fresh's popularity, is definitely likely). All in all, I wouldn't recommend it for a fancy meal, but I'd say this is a sold brunch/lunch/dinner option for a couple or a boisterous young bunch.

Fat Pasha

A sesame seed bagel sandwich from one of the best restaurants in Toronto is wrapped in aluminum foil on a wooden table. The sandwich is cut in half, revealing layers of cream cheese, tomato, and cucumber.

414 Dupont St, Toronto, ON

I tried Fat Pasha on a weeknight, and the place was packed to the brims (hence the terrible smartphone photos). They serve Middle Eastern, almost Israeli food, and though the prices are on the higher side, the food was spot on. Especially the smoked eggplant dip. We started the night with arak shooters, an experience I wouldn't wish upon anyone who doesn't truly love anise flavour - it's like getting punched in the face by a bowl of anise floral water. Nonetheless, this place is definitely a must eat in Toronto spot! Sitting at the bar here is also truly enjoyable.

Schmaltz

414 Dupont St, Toronto, ON

Schmaltz is a part of the Fat Pasha empire, yet it couldn't be further apart from the nightlife, slightly hipster atmosphere of Fat Pasha with its bold Israeli flavours. Schmaltz pays homage to old world Jewish delicacies, chief among them the smoked salmon it makes in-house. The bagels are excellent, and the eat-in lunches are very generous. Take note that this tiny place is often packed during lunch hour, so try going at a different time.... or get your food to go.

Airport food at Boccone

A white plate of salad with chickpeas, radishes, tomatoes, and greens sits on a wooden table. Nearby are two glasses—one with white wine and another with water—evoking the charm of the best restaurants in Toronto. A menu is partially visible in the background.

Toronto Pearson International Airport

One thing I didn't expect to include on this must eat in Toronto list was an airport restaurant. Yet Boccone surprised me on all fronts. The house wine was crisp, the giardiniera salad generous and very well-balanced, and the overall atmosphere during the crazy Christmas flight schedule was actually enjoyable. The prices are typical of an airport restaurant—higher than they should be—but at least the food is good. I would like to check out Boccone's city location on Yonge St.