35 Celebration-Worthy Restaurants in Toronto

1. Alo

MICHELIN Star winner in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and previously the winner of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants four years in a row, you must experience one of Alo's tasting menus at least once in your lifetime. Reservations open in advance in two-month blocks. The menu is primarily French with international influences, and dinner will easily be a three-hour affair. Each course is a work of art and a delight for the taste buds.

2. Osteria Giulia

With a frequently changing menu of seafood-focused, Ligurian-inspired fare, it’s no wonder Chef Rob Rossi’s upscale Italian restaurant has earned itself a MICHELIN Star from 2022 to 2024. Osteria Giulia's dimly lit main dining room is the perfect place to celebrate an intimate affair. Start with the Focaccia di Recco—a traditional Ligurian flatbread—before diving into one of the craveable pasta dishes.

3. DaNico

It didn’t take long for the new kid on the block, DaNico, to make waves in Toronto earning its own MICHELIN Star after being open for less than a year. But Executive Chef Daniele Corona is no newcomer to Toronto’s dining scene after helming Don Alfonso 1890, which earned a star under his leadership. DaNico’s signature tasting menu is a multi-sensory experience with whimsical touches, like the caprese salad inside a tomato, mini dried rigatoni carbonara and strawberry panna cotta shaped like a strawberry.
 

4. Giulietta

Giulietta is another award-winning restaurant by Chef Rob Rossi that earned a MICHELIN recommendation. This eatery does classic Italian, like Cacio e Pepe and Pappardelle al Ragu, really well. Their pizzas are also stellar. If you're looking for something hearty or to share, opt for the Bisteca alla Fiorentina. Try to snag a seat at the chef's bar, which offers a prime view of all the action in the kitchen.
 

5. Edulis

Scoring a reservation at this 33-seat restaurant is no easy feat, but it is worth all the patience and effort. Husband-and-wife duo Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo have earned countless accolades and continuous praise for their multi-course tasting menu that changes every week at Edulis. Edulis has earned a MICHELIN Star for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

6. Lucie

Naming Lucie after his grandmother, owner Yannick Bigourdan (formerly of Splendido and Nota Bene, and current owner of The Carbon Bar) brings the flavours of the south of France to Toronto’s financial district. Paying homage to “Mamie Lucie”, he and Chef de Cuisine Arnaud Bloquel reimagine classic dishes from Bigourdan’s childhood here. Dine à la carte, or choose from the Table d’Hôte, Menu Émotion, or Le Comptoir de Lucie menu. The champagne cart is a nice touch.
 

7. Bar Prima

Walking through the doors at Bar Prima is like stepping into another era, complete with white jacket-suited waiters and bartenders, and amber-coloured Murano glass blocks. Headed up by Chef Craig Harding and Julian D'Ippolito from La Palma, you’ll find a compact menu of elevated Italian fare. The Lobster Fra Diavola is a must-try.
 

8. Restaurant 20 Victoria

With only 20 seats in the dining room, Restaurant 20 Victoria is as intimate and cozy as you can get. But don’t let this deter you because their ever-changing, 7+-course menu is spectacular. So much so, they’ve earned their place in the MICHELIN Guide with a star in 2023 and 2024. Expect seasonal ingredients on the menu, including sustainably sourced seafood and produce from within Ontario.

9. Lyla

The vibes are 10/10 at this swanky new spot on Sudbury St., which transports you to somewhere in the Mediterranean with its domed archways and fresh seafood counter. Lyla is a welcomed addition to the West Queen West neighbourhood. Care for a caviar bump with a glass of prosecco to start? From there, indulge in delicious selections from the garden, land, and sea. The beef tartare, burrata with walnut tapenade, and branzino puttanesca are musts.
 

10. MIMI Chinese

Neon lights, rich, red banquettes, and statement wallpaper adorn the interior of MIMI Chinese. It’s best to go with a group, as the menu is designed for sharing and you’ll certainly want to try all the dishes on it! Taking inspiration from the diverse regions of China, you’ll find spicy, sour, sweet, and savoury flavours on the menu. Go with the Chef’s Choice Menu ($120) to sample a bit of everything or order à la carte. Don’t leave without trying the Four Foot Belt Noodles.
 

11. DASHA

Go here for contemporary pan-Asian food in a showstopping, two-story space featuring floor-to-ceiling murals—complete with a karaoke lounge at the back. The Dasha Experience tasting menu ($75) includes their Soup and Siu Mai dumplings and classic General Tao Chicken.

12. Lee

An old fave, Lee briefly closed its doors before reopening last summer inside the restored Waterworks complex at Richmond & Portland. You can expect nothing short of perfectly executed plates at Chef Susur Lee’s flagship restaurant. If you haven’t tried the signature Singaporean Slaw, Chef Susur’s iconic, 24-ingredient salad, you are truly missing out.
 

13. Aburi Hana

It is truly a pleasure to see Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa in meticulous action at Aburi Hana’s open-concept kitchen. His modern Kyō-Kaiseki offering has earned him one MICHELIN Star for the past three years running. The execution here is flawless. You’ll be treated to fresh, seasonal ingredients transformed into delicious dishes resembling art. Chef Nakagawa’s signature dish, the Maguro Flower, is a showstopper.
 

14. Quetzal

It’s rare to find places in Toronto that make their own tortillas from heirloom corn nixtamalized in-house. These tortillas are then cooked on a comal clay plate oven—even rarer, a 26-ft-long wood-burning oven. Grab a seat at Quetzal’s chef’s counter so you’re amidst all the action. Opt for the Curated Menu or order à la carte. Try the Empanada Oaxaqueña, a blue corn masa tortilla filled with lamb barbacoa.

15. Vela

Don’t just go to this MICHELIN-recommended restaurant for the swanky vibes. Vela serves some seriously good new American cuisine and some of the tastiest pasta in the city, like their famous burrata canestri and mushroom rigatoni that can be topped with fresh black truffles.
 

16. Café Renee

Go for the viral Ravioli du Dauphiné, but stay for everything else. Café Renee is Executive Chef Nick Liu’s take on modern French cuisine with Italian influences. In a converted Victorian row house, the interior gives Parisian bistro with its white subway tile and banquette seating. Order French classics, like tartare, steak frites or steak au poivre, or decadent pasta dishes, like rigatoni alla vodka, and the ricotta & spinach gnudi.  Be sure to check out Charlemagne Cocktail Bar upstairs.
 

17. Lapinou

You’ll want to go down the rabbit hole at this MICHELIN-recommended French neo-bistro and wine bar. Lapinou’s stunning, moody interior is matched by its impeccable cuisine. Try the fried rock shrimp, lobster canestri, and BBQ short rib with a black truffle glaze. They also have cinq a sept $10 drink and snack specials from Tuesday to Saturday.

18. Parquet

This cozy spot on Harbord has a classic and understated, yet sophisticated atmosphere (and yep, it really does get its name from that type of flooring). Parquet serves up French-inspired fare. Dishes are unique and rich, and the wine list (of mainly French wines) is robust. They have a seasonal tasting menu on offer, or you can order à la carte. Try the salt cod beignets and duck confit.
 

19. And/Ore

Take your pick of an above-ground (And) or below-ground (Ore) dining experience at this multi-level establishment. It’s led by Chef Missy Hui (winner of Chopped Canada and former Executive Chef of the McEwan Group), who impresses with her creative yet refined dishes. Stick to And for a more casual or after-work outing of share plates and tapas, and venture downstairs to Ore for a more upscale evening. The 6-course tasting menu at Ore features local, seasonal ingredients and takes you on a journey through land and sea.
 

20. Bosk

The aromas of black tea, bergamot, vanilla and sandalwood please the nose upon entering the Shangri-La Toronto. Bosk’s menu has seen many iterations, but Chef de Cuisine Troy Cabarios’ current offerings have been some of my favourites. Bosk’s location makes it the perfect place for a pre-theatre dinner or drink. But do stay a while because you’ll want to take your time with the hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dishes.

21. Soluna

Pulsating beats, Tulum-esque décor, live dancers and DJs make Soluna’s nightclub environment a great backdrop for celebrating a special occasion with élan. During warmer months, enjoy the rooftop terrace, which has a slightly different vibe than the main room. For dining, choose from a variety of tapas, raw bar selection, salads and proteins. The menu draws inspiration globally.
 

22. La Plume

La Plume is Oliver & Bonacini’s dazzling new French restaurant at The Well. Enjoy the grandeur of the gold birdcage-adorned bar in the main dining room, or be seated in one of the gorgeous upper-level dining rooms. Venture through a specially marked door in the bathroom to find the boudoir-inspired speakeasy, Bonne Nuit. Ordering something from their tartare bar is a must (they have classic beef, venison, trout, scallop and mushroom), and don’t miss the truffle omelette, seared whole branzino and Paris-Brest to finish.
 

23. Ultra Supper Club

As someone who celebrated her birthday at the former incarnation of this supper club on Queen West in the late aughts, I was particularly excited to see the revival of Ultra this year. And it’s taken on a whole new persona and location at Yonge & St. Clair. There are two beautifully appointed dining rooms—one decked out in gold and yellow and the other in black—and a rooftop patio for the warmer months. Order several plates to share from the pan-Asian menu, like the truffle wagyu wontons, miso sablefish, biang biang noodles and mushroom fried rice.

24. DaiLo

Chef Nick Liu’s New Asian cuisine at DaiLo is simply remarkable. A FeastON-certified restaurant, they are committed to sourcing ingredients locally. The menu does make seasonal changes. However, there are certain staples that always remain, like the Hakka brown wontons with the house XO sauce, which is made using an old family recipe. Allow the chef to cook for you by ordering the DaiLo’s Choice or Premium menu.
 

25. Casa Madera

Prepare to be wowed and entertained at Casa Madera by live percussionists, DJs and dancers. It’s a gourmet experience for all the senses. Cocktails, which pay homage to the four elements, are set on fire and topped with citrus bubbles. French omelettes are sliced open and topped with snow crab tableside. Weekend brunches are lively affairs, complete with white napkin waving.
 

26. Canoe

There's a reason this Toronto classic has been around for over two decades (they celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2020). The quality of food and service are unparalleled at Canoe, where every last detail is looked after. Serving seasonal contemporary Canadian cuisine inspired by our country's rich and diverse landscape, you can find both à la carte options and tasting menus at Canoe. 

27. RUNWAY 06 Restaurant (formerly MARKED Restaurant)

In the heart of the Entertainment District, RUNWAY 06 is a go-to spot for South American flavours. Each room has a different concept and colour palette, and you’ll be delighted by the live dance entertainment that parades through the restaurant and hypes up the crowd. Enjoy dishes like shrimp a la parrilla, roast chicken coxinha, ceviche, mojo pork and cassava fries.
 

28. TOCA

TOCA is the Ritz-Carlton Toronto's contribution to fine-dining Italian in the city. Its menu was created in collaboration with an award-winning chef from Rome. Here, you'll find a variety of pasta and entrées, like braised lamb shank with truffle risotto. Choose from seating in the large dining room or Chef's Table, and ask for a visit inside the famous cheese cave.
 

29. George Restaurant

George is a MICHELIN-recommended restaurant that serves globally-inspired dishes with seasonal ingredients. Main dining choices include à la carte and tasting menus of five, seven and ten courses, with optional wine pairings. Private events can be hosted in one of several Georgian Rooms or the heated 19th-century private courtyard. 

30. Louix Louis

13-layer chocolate cake covered in Guayaquil chocolate sauce and adorned with edible gold leaf? Yes, please! Louix Louis—located on the 31st floor at the St. Regis Toronto —is marked by a two-storey Grand Bar and a larger-than-life ceiling mural reminiscent of the inside of a whisky glass. Order a bespoke cocktail from a selection of over 500 spirits. On the menu: cowboy, tomahawk and NY steaks, whole sea bass with meunière sauce and sides like truffle parmesan fries and charred broccolini.
 

31. Reign

With a name inspired by royalty, Reign is a Canadian brasserie located on the ground level of the Fairmont Royal York. The moody main dining room is massive and divided into different sections, suitable for private and group dining. You'll also find a bar and bakery here. Reign offers buffet-style breakfast and all-day and dinner menus with items like various steaks, lobster linguine, beef tartare and duck à l’orange. Pro Tip: After dinner at Reign, head to CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails—the swanky hotel lobby bar—for a nightcap.
 

32. Maison Selby

Maison Selby is a charming bistro, café and cocktail bar from the Oliver & Bonacini group located in the over 135-year-old Gooderham House. Usually open for all-day dining and weekend brunch, it serves French classics like steak frites, Coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon. Not to be missed is the Maison Selby French Onion Beef Cheek Burger.

33. Miku

This Japanese restaurant chain originated on Vancouver's shores and arrived in Toronto in 2015. Miku is one of the best places in the city to get premium quality, fresh sushi. Light pours in through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the 200-seat dining room, which features a mural hand-painted by a Japanese artist. You must try their signature aburi-style sushi. The flame searing entirely changes its flavour profile and texture.
 

34. KÖST

The Bisha Hotel is one of Toronto's chicest spots. You can relax at the Lobby Lounge of this boutique hotel or catch some of the most excellent views of the CN Tower and Toronto skyline at KÖST, its restaurant on the 44th floor and one of the top hotel rooftop bars in the city.
 

35. Constantine

On the ground level of the Anndore House on Charles Street, Constantine serves fine dining ‘Middle-terranean’ (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean) with influences of coastal Italy in its well-appointed, 145-seat dining room. Canestri Arrabbitata, Beverly Creek Lamb Burger and Chicken Liver Mousse are just a few of the dinner menu items created by Executive Chef Craig Harding (formerly of Campagnolo restaurant). Is your mouth watering yet?