The foodism team is always seeking out the best restaurants in Toronto. Whether we’re on official business, or simply out enjoying a night with friends and family, we’ve always got one eye trained on all the details — judging each spot for the inventive creations, stellar drinks program, impeccable service and alluring atmosphere that set the best restaurants in Toronto apart from the rest.
We take a lot into consideration to determine foodism’s best restaurants in Toronto each year. We try to make it out to as many of the new Toronto restaurant openings as we can to see if they’re worth the hype or just a flash in the pan. But we also try to visit old favourites and legacy spots to see if they maintain the quality of their most beloved, iconic dishes, and remain amongst the best restaurants in Toronto year after year.
With all of the sultry snack bars and speakeasies in Toronto that serve killer cocktails alongside excellent plates, it can be hard to determine whether an establishment belongs among the best restaurants in the city or if it’s better placed on foodism’s list of the best bars in Toronto. While we choose restaurants for this list where guests can enjoy a full dinner, we know that there are also some amazing brunch spots in the city that could be considered among the best restaurants in Toronto. We also factor in the occasions when people are most likely to dine out — the hefty price tags that come with fine dining and Toronto tasting menus aren’t for everyday dining, so we know that the best restaurants in Toronto also have to be some of the most romantic restaurants in the city or offer an ambiance fit for celebrating.
Admittedly, coming up with a list of the best restaurants in Toronto involves a lot of eating and drinking for a small team — especially when one is restricted to Toronto’s best vegan restaurants. There are more than 9,300 restaurants in Toronto, and we would love to visit each and every one, because this city is so full of incredibly talented chefs and mixologists making diverse and delicious bites and sips in every corner. We honour some of them every year at our annual foodism ICON Awards, and we know there are so many more deserving that may never get all the accolades.
But we are only human writers, telling you our perspective about our personal, lived experience, and the exceptional meals that we’ve had in the last 12 months. There are so many more places that deserve to be listed among the best restaurants in Toronto, but these are the ones we’ve actually been to and were blown away by the flavours, originality, consistency and service. We’re willing to give our stamp of approval to all of these Toronto restaurants — add them to your bucket list, and when you go, tell them foodism sent you. We promise you’re in for something special and memorable at each one.
Here are foodism’s best restaurants in Toronto for 2026.
foodism’s list of the best restaurants in Toronto for 2026
23. MSSM
Multiple Locations
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The more accessible "younger sibling" of the one-Michelin-star Sushi Masaki Saito, MSSM is where chef Saito’s protégés execute his curated menu of premium edomae-style omakase in a high-fashion, hip atmosphere. Guests sit side-by-side in a long row taking in all the action in the lively environment while hip-hop and R&B plays over the speakers. Graffiti-style art decorates the walls and neon lights illuminate the chefs’ deft skill as they prepare each piece behind the counter.
Nigiri is the main event, so if you’re not a fan of raw fish, this one isn’t for you. But if you appreciate the quality of a premium piece that’s marinated and sliced (and sometimes seared) to perfection, you’ll see why this is one of the best restaurants in Toronto.
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Read more22. Stefano’s Diner
1265 Dundas St. W.
It may not have glitz and glamour, but it has heart: Stefano’s Diner, near Dundas and Dovercourt, serves all-vegan diner food. Every bite of dishes like the decadent lasagna or ripened nut-based brie are comfort bombs; the sandwiches, though, satisfy our deepest cravings. The stacked red fife focaccia sandwich teeters tall with layers of mortadella; house-made vegan meat swims in the sugo-flooded meatball sandwich; and the filet in the chicken burger is coated in a secret house spice blend.
You can choose from wine by the glass, a small beer and cider collection and non-alcoholic options, but the cocktails are where it’s at. The For Your Eyes Only mixes Canadian Club with tobacco bitters and cardamom syrup, and the Picante Panini is a spicy sipper with mezcal and reposado tequila.
Stefano's remains unflinching in its mission to provide more sustainable, plant-based bites while still scratching Toronto's itch for satisfying proteins, comfort food and excellent value — that’s what scores it a spot on our list of the best restaurants in Toronto.
People can't stop raving about this all-vegan Dundas West diner
Toronto's first fully plant-based diner, Stefano's wows with Italian plates and meaty two-hander sandwiches that will have you pinching yourself.
Read more21. Ricky + Olivia
996 Queen St. E.
Long before tariffs and the buy-local movement peaked in 2025, Ricky Casipe and Olivia Simpson were championing the bounty of Ontario at their Leslieville restaurant, aptly named after the married couple. That deep-rooted commitment to local ingredients is what makes Ricky + Olivia one of the best restaurants in Toronto today.
Ricky + Olivia is where the two first met and shared their first kiss (back when 996 Queen Street East was Wayla Bar & Lounge). However, it was while running the seasonal food program on Westcott Vineyards’ patio in Niagara that they truly fell in love with local wine and the ingredients grown right here in the province.
The narrow restaurant is a local love story in several acts. At the front, a desk and a wall lined with fun, funky and entirely Ontario wines set the tone. Local producers like Therianthropy and Tawse often host tastings where the wine-curious can meet the makers.
Walk a little further and you’re in a dimly lit, moody lounge. Keep going and you’ll hit the dining room — the main artery of the restaurant — where activity hums and an open-concept kitchen lets you spy on Casipe and the team at work. The interior is whitewashed with exposed brick and pops of colour from painted chairs and Keith Haring-esque murals, plus plenty of foliage and wine bottles dangling from macramé hangers.
Ricky + Olivia, an all-Ontario wine bar in Leslieville, is serving 90s nostalgia
Wine lovers Ricky Casipe and Olivia Simpson bring their Niagara know-how to Ricky + Olivia, a brick-and-mortar spot showcasing the best of the province with fun twists on childhood favourites.
Read moreCasipe leans into his playful side with the menu, elevating nostalgia-fuelled ’90s childhood classics with a few clever tweaks. The steak tartare — made with hand-cut hanger steak, iceberg lettuce, Cheez Whiz, and a sous-vide egg yolk, served with deep-fried saltines — takes its cue from the Big Mac. We pray daily that the burger, served on a sweet pandesal bun, never leaves the menu.
Lastly, there’s a small but perfectly formed patio at the north end, with space for about 10 guests and even more four-legged friends. The effect is that multiple experiences await in each nook — you’ll just have to keep coming back.
The cocktails are just as thoughtful, with a seasonal approach that mirrors the kitchen. There is such a commitment to local ingredients that Casipe and the team have even experimented with Ontario-grown olive variations for martinis. Plus, pawpaw — Ontario’s only native tropical fruit — is plundered to make a rum punch.
20. The Berczy Tavern
69 Front St. E.
This Old Town restaurant already has a bit of a headstart when it comes to winning us over. Housed in a heritage building across from Berczy Park — yes, the one with the dog fountain — The Berczy Tavern is a stunner. But beneath the soaring ceilings and exposed brick, Michael Angeloni is turning out some of the city’s most thoughtful plates — a big part of why this has become one of the best restaurants in the city. The room hums with piano bar-energy, complete with live music; top-tier cocktails; a tight wine program; and warm, attentive service that makes you happy to tip generously.
Best known for Amano Trattoria, Angeloni hasn't strayed too far from his Italian roots, but The Berczy Tavern allows the chef to flex his culinary muscles in exciting new directions. Italian, French and Spanish flavours show up in vibrant dishes like charred octopus, duck confit and ravioli. At the same time, the restaurant’s commitment to local proteins, in-house butchery, seasonal Ontario squash, and thoughtful share plates served with housemade brioche gives it a distinctly Canadian point of view.
Take a walk down memory plate at this nostalgic Old Town eatery
The Berczy Tavern takes a bite out of chef Michael Angeloni's culinary resume with dishes inspired by plates from his legendary former stints like Grand Electric and Black Hoof.
Read moreWhat we love most is the way Angeloni doffs his cap to bygone restaurants. The tuna tostada, inspired by his time as executive director at the now-closed Grand Electric, is a bright bite filled with yellowfin tuna, avocado mayo and jalapeño that brings back warm and fuzzy memories of the Parkdale favourite. The chicken liver mousse — silky smooth and served with grilled maitake mushrooms, pickled pearl onions and a sherry vinegar sauce — is a nod to his time at The Black Hoof.
The wine program is another shining star at The Berczy Tavern. Trust your sommelier's suggestions — that nutty dessert wine might not be your first pick, but we bet it makes your dessert sing as beautifully as the jazz singer. It’s a fitting finale to a delicious evening.
19. Hawker
291 Augusta Ave.
After a change of leadership and with an ambitious new executive chef at the helm, this small plates restaurant in Kensington Market has hit its stride and become one of the best restaurants in Toronto. While à la carte options abound, it’s imperative that you reserve a seat at the chef’s table for the brilliant six-course tasting menu.
This vegan restaurant is a food nerd's dream-come-true
Executive chef Leah Steduto's experimental plant-based plates defy definitions — but it's her harmonious approach to service that blows me away.
Read moreSit back and relax as executive chef Leah Steduto whips up intricately layered plant-based plates with enviably calm precision and technical mastery, behind the pass. The seasonal menu highlights local foraged produce with a focus on house fermentation, yielding some wildly creative flavours. Steduto isn’t afraid to get eclectic; dining at Hawker, the menu is focused, bold and a food nerd’s dream.
For special occasions, the all-vegan wine pairing is absolutely worth it. Passionate sommelier Abi is an oenophile through and through, and his enthusiasm as he explains each pour is infectious. His vino list ranges from funky international finds (everything from a peppery Bordeaux gamay noir to a bright, orange Alsace gewurztraminer) to Ontario gems (like a Revel sweet vermouth).
18. The Lunch Lady of Saigon
93 Ossington Ave.
Inspired by the late Nguyễn Thị Thanh’s Saigon street stall, famously catapulted to global recognition by Anthony Bourdain, The Lunch Lady was one of Toronto’s biggest new openings last year. Its emphasis on premium, traditional Vietnamese ingredients and flavours have impressed us enough to put it in the top 20 best restaurants in Toronto. We’d put money on it making the Michelin Guide this year, too.
If you can only try one thing, the noodle soups (which rotate daily) are bursting with flavour — but there are plenty of Vietnamese classics here, too. Pho is served with 24–hour beef broth; the nui xao bo is indulgent, with marrow butter; and tiger prawns get a kick from chili lime sauce in the tom chien gion.
Don’t sleep on the creative drinks, either, which occasionally take inspiration from Vietnamese flavours. The Ca Phe is an espresso martini made with Vietnamese coffee; traditional pho spices like anise, cassia and cloves make it into the old fashioned.
17. Bernhardt’s
202 Dovercourt Rd.
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Describing Taverne Bernhardt's as just a chicken restaurant would seriously undersell what the team is doing at this gorgeous Dovercourt haunt. Yes, there’s rotisserie chicken and other “rotating birds” from the team behind Dreyfus, but the Ontario vegetable dishes — think sunchokes, maitake mushrooms, endives — arrive with enough colour and flavour to make even the staunchest carnivores swoon.
The owners’ Montreal DNA runs through everything, from the tone — which feels more like a dinner party than a restaurant — to the cozy dining room and sharp, thoughtful wine list. Inside, it’s all warm wood panelling and tight quarters: a narrow bar where cocktails are whipped up while servers slip past in choreographed squeeze. In the summer, the front patio hums with life — the kind of place that makes enduring winter feel like it was all worthwhile. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but the balance of precision and personality cements Taverne Bernhardt’s as one of the best restaurants in Toronto.
Taverne Bernhardt’s isn’t flashy or showy — it’s the kind of neighbourhood spot someone recommends, and you instantly trust their taste. Crispy potatoes in tomato sauce. The last bite of a beet dish you lunge for, risking a stain on your shirt. A glass of natural wine the server somehow knew would be perfect with the fish you didn’t plan to order but couldn’t resist.
Eventually, you have to leave — but not before a scoop of soft serve, a small, perfect way to say goodbye.
16. Belle Isle
1455 Gerrard St. E.
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We’ve loved Lake Inez for years, with its whimsical menu descriptions and cozy French bistro vibes. However, when sister spot Belle Isle opened just a few doors down on Gerrard Street East, our hearts were stolen in an instant — and it didn’t take long for it to become one of the best restaurants in Toronto.
Zac Schwartz, Ali Yaqubian, Patrick Ciappara and Jay Moore have done it again, creating an adorable space with the charm of its sibling, plus an added cool factor that makes you want to come back in the hopes that some of it rubs off on you.
Grab one of the tiny two-tops with a ringside seat to the action, and watch chefs Keith Siu and Ronan Shaftoe — a recent shakeup that’s paid off in a big way — chop, season and toss Cantonese and Hong Kong-inspired creations in the wok. The dan dan noodles are so rich and unapologetically saucy, like a sacrilegious spicy spaghetti bolognese your nonna would absolutely give the stink-eye.
The translucent cheung fun, stuffed with lamb shank terrine, is doused in soy. It’s the kind of dish that will have you fumbling with your chopsticks as you battle it out for the last slippery bite. The shrimp toast is one of the best we’ve had, and you can't end your meal without getting the now-iconic jiggly and NSFW Jell-O shot dessert, which arrives in rotating flavours.
The cocktails at Belle Isle are also top-notch and worth a stop alone. We’re not sure what we enjoy more, the vegetal hit of aquavit and house brine or its name: This Cold Pizza is Curing My Depression. Looks like we’ll have to go back to decide.
15. Louf
501 Davenport Rd.
One of few restaurants in the city putting Palestinian culture on full display, Louf’s impact extends far beyond excellent and innovative cooking — earning it a spot among the best restaurants in Toronto.
Set in a two-story converted house in the plush residential neighbourhood at the foot of Casa Loma, dining at Louf feels like being invited into someone’s home. Palestinian art adorns the walls across from large floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the restaurant in natural light. Over the speakers, Palestinian artists play a variety of genres from enchanting melodies and ballads to pop songs.
The menu comes from Palestinian chef and co-owner Fadi Kattan, who honed his culinary chops in France before opening a restaurant in Bethlehem, and travelled across Palestine cooking traditional dishes alongside grandmothers for a documentary series.
At Louf, chef Kattan plays with traditional flavours and dishes, serving classics alongside inventive takes and creative recreations. Savoury, sweet and tangy flavours mingle together in beautifully spiced dishes that are hearty and warming.
The cocktails are just as intriguing, balancing the herbaceous notes of Palestinian ingredients with subtle sweetness. Local wines are well-represented, but the pours from Galilee are the standouts.
Compared to some of the higher price points on this list, Louf is a more accessible, comfortable, high-end dining experience that feels like being invited into a culturally significant moment in someone’s home. It’s a must visit for anyone who believes in the beautiful diversity that Toronto is a reflection of.
Everyone needs to dine at Louf Palestinian restaurant in Toronto
Louf Palestinian restaurant in Toronto is a beautiful celebration of Palestine and an acknowledgement of its people — and it's needed now more than ever.
Read more14. Morrellina’s
146 Christie St.
A Seaton Village hidden gem, Morrellina’s shines with its rustic "fatto a mano" charm of a neighbourhood trattoria. There’s still an elevated, contemporary edge that we love, though, that makes it one of the best restaurants in Toronto. Pastas are fresh and handmade, menus are seasonal and dishes change on a whim. Think imported burrata with capocollo and roasted pears, or Sangiovese-wine beef shoulder with cheesy mashed potatoes served with truffle pâté.
Created by chef Lina Hatem, this restaurant only seats 18 guests and oozes romance (and cheese — lots of cheese). From the eye-catching mural to the flower-adorned entryway, this spot is a satisfying blend of cute, cozy and comforting.
13. Lyla
60 Sudbury St.
Hidden in between West Queen West and Liberty Village, one of the best restaurants in Toronto has been flying under the radar since it opened two years ago, quietly cooking up some of the best plates in the city.
While it’s billed as a Mediterranean restaurant, chef Michael Madeiros leans on global flavours and especially Asian influences to craft his creative plates. Carpaccio is made with bluefin tuna, and given a citrusy kick from blood orange and wasabi aioli. Spanish croquettes marry jamon iberico béchamel with hamachi sashimi and a gochujang aioli.
Lyla is an underrated culinary gem that you should have tried already
Still relatively new, Lyla Toronto deserves all the fanfare for executive chef Michael Madeiros's passionate and skillful cooking. If you haven't tried it, it should be next on your list.
Read moreCauliflower is usually a dish that blends, unnoticed, into a parade of other plates, but at Lyla, it’s a star. Perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and served in a bed of hummus with pops of pomegranate, it reaches unholy levels of deliciousness. We’ve never seen a table fight over the last forkful of cauliflower before coming here. The only thing that could rival it is the Linguine all'Aragosta: thick noodles and bite-sized pieces of Atlantic lobster soaked in a savoury, creamy, tomato-y, VSOP lobster bisque sauce with a kick from gochujang.
The cocktails and wine are great, too, and the atmosphere strikes a beautiful balance between feminine and masculine, where floral pendant lights meet rugged brick columns.
12. The Chase
10 Temperance St., Fl 5
For some of the freshest, most succulent seafood in Toronto, we choose The Chase every time.
Celeb chef Cory Vitiello is behind the menu that sees quality ingredients dressed up into crudos, glazed to delicious effect or grilled to perfection. Made with squid ink pasta, drenched in roasted lobster sauce and topped with a half-butter-poached-lobster, the lobster spaghetti is the most unforgettable date we’ve ever had. The cocktails and wine list are just as worthy of your attention and affection, too.
Set on the rooftop of the low-rise Dineen Building, the gorgeous cream coated dining room, sparkling with chandeliers and city lights shining through the large windows, is the perfect backdrop for such an opulent meal. The excellent service is the cherry on top.
Dinner at The Chase restaurant is a show-stopping seafood feast
Nestled on a rooftop in downtown Toronto, The Chase restaurant delivers unbelievably fresh seafood dishes, meaty mains and delicious cocktails in an opulent atmosphere fit for any special occasion.
Read more11. Bar Prima
1136 Queen St. W.
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Chef Craig Harding and executive chef Julian D’Ippolito put brilliant spins on Italian classics at Bar Prima, a glamorous West Queen West spot that opened its doors in 2023. Stepping inside, we feel like we’ve entered a nattily-attired time machine. Blue leather-clad benches, a glittering gold ceiling and a wall of Murano glass are stunning — the space is drop-dead gorgeous. Old-school Italian-American elegance mingles with high-energy modern hospitality here.
The food, though, is what secures Bar Prima’s spot as one of the best restaurants in Toronto. We get misty-eyed with nostalgia over the Scallops Rockefeller with bechamel, prosciutto and gremolata. The chicken liver and caviar maritozzi is one of our favourite things on any menu, ever. Alongside a lean list of signature cocktails, Bar Prima makes a killer dirty martini — order one and thank us later.
10. Henry’s Restaurant
922 Queen St. W.
There’s a relaxed, romantic charm about this casual fine-dining restaurant and wine bar that we can’t get enough of. It’s got that West Queen West, effortlessly cool vibe, in a polished space where a more mature crowd can be comfortable. But it’s the food and drinks that really earn it a spot among the best restaurants in Toronto.
The wine list is impeccable, with rare bottles you’ll never find at LCBO spanning from Old World options to local pours. The knowledgeable, friendly staff are happy to guide your choice or recommend a pairing with whatever’s on your plate — and the plates always impress.
Whether it’s for brunch or dinner, each time we’ve visited Henry’s we’ve been blown away by the unique combinations. Global flavours meet seasonal ingredients in inventive and creative ways that always leave us wanting more. We would visit again and again just for a glass of wine and the obsession-worthy, earth-shatteringly crispy shrimp toast.
Henry's Restaurant & Wine Bar
Casual fine dining spot in Toronto, Henry's restaurant's back garden patio is as romantic as they come. Sip on wine from their novel-sized selection and dine on incredible fare in the magic of it all.
Read more9. Arbequina
325 Roncesvalles Ave.
Arbequina chef and owner Moeen Abuzaid didn’t set out to be a chef, but we’re really glad restaurant life found him. Born and raised in a Palestinian refugee camp, Abuzaid later headed to New York, where he hustled with little money and just enough English. Arbequina, which opened in Toronto in 2024, is a celebration of everything he’s learned, rooted deeply in his culture.
In Roncesvalles, Abuzaid takes classic Jordanian-Palestinian dishes like mutabbaq and za’atar bread and gives them the fine-dining treatment, creating a totally new experience that stays true to his heritage. The food is layered but humble, beautiful yet satisfying: grape leaves charred on the stovetop with seabass; a deceptively simple kale salad that reveals bulgur, kohlrabi and watermelon; and a chicken that’s brined, then roasted over three days, served with a Middle Eastern hot sauce.
Arbequina is named after a cultivar of olives, something that (once pressed) features prominently across the menu. The wallpaper in the simple dining room features olive trees and Palestinian birds. There’s also a focus on low waste, using seeds and other items that would typically end up in the trash to make vibrant salsas and other offerings. Though the restaurant is alcohol-free, Arbequina offers a thoughtfully curated list of mocktails — blending flavours like prickly pear with Scotch bonnet pepper — as well as a selection of dealcoholized wines.
To the untrained eye, these beautifully plated dishes might read as typical fine dining fare, but hearing Abuzaid and his business partner and wife, Asma Syed-Abuzaid, share their story in the warmth of the space feels like being welcomed into their home and their hearts — which, in our humble opinion, is exactly what makes it one of the best restaurants in Toronto.
8. Yan Dining Room
195 Dundas St. W.
Once in a while, a chef comes along who doesn’t just change your palate, but reshapes how you think about food entirely. Eva Chin is one of those chefs. Her talent is undeniable — but beyond technique, she is a storyteller, using her multi-course menus at Yan Dining Room inside Hong Shing to reinterpret Cantonese cuisine with depth, intention and personal narrative.
Blending local Canadian ingredients — seafood and peak-season vegetables — with regional Chinese influences, Chin layers meaning into each dish. Classic Cantonese barbecue meets a bright pop of rhubarb acidity; a shredded potato salad becomes a tangy ode to her mother; while her baijiu-soaked drunken oysters offer a cold, briny counterpoint and a subtle nod to her father’s heritage.
Chin has passed through some of Toronto’s most notable kitchens, but it’s here, at Yan Dining Room, where she seems at the height of her powers. In the intimate, private dining room, she speaks directly to guests, guiding them through each chapter of the menu: her story, told course by course. No longer constrained by someone else’s vision, she’s free to experiment, to ferment, to push boundaries. The result is a neo-Chinese tasting menu that feels both deeply personal and almost radical, offered just three nights a week — the kind of singular experience that earns Yan Dining Room a place among the best restaurants in Toronto.
7. Radici Project
588 College St.
This Toronto tasting menu spot in Little Italy made headlines with its Italian-Japanese fusion fare when it opened last year. At first blush it might sound gimmicky, but the artful mastery and reverence in each dish have earned it a spot as one of the best restaurants in Toronto. Chef Emiliano Del Frate’s creative and skillful cooking blends his heritage with his wife and manager Kayo Ito’s Japanese culture in a beautiful marriage of flavours that feels natural and seamless.
The menu is rooted in local, farm-to-table ingredients and seasonality — when we visit in winter, the dishes are hearty and creamy. Del Frate makes risotto with Japanese rice, resting the flavour on the rice starch to deliciously decadent effect. A crab salad with pops of briny, umami caviar spotlights the fresh, salty-sweet taste of crab. Crispy chicken karaage acts as a vehicle to sop up a creamy, herbal, sorrel sauce and mushroom salt.
Each dish is unique and alluring in its own way, offering something wonderfully unexpected to the palate. It’s the kind of menu where, if you’re not paying close attention, you’ll have trouble explaining what you ate afterwards. It’s a gastronomic journey as whimsical as Alice diving down the rabbit hole, but Del Frate has the culinary chops to back it up with solid flavour and texture combinations that make it look like it all came easily to him.
Wine and sake pairings add to each dish, opening up the flavours and adding complexity without overpowering. Everything here flows smoothly together, from the plates and drinks to the cordial service and the earthy, humble-but-polished atmosphere.
6. Akin
51 Colborne St.
When Toronto got the Michelin Guide in 2022, some of the city’s tasting menus began to blend into one long parade of wagyu and scallop, with tiny tweezed garnishes. Akin doesn’t play that game. Right from the get-go, it’s clear that this is something else entirely — a little louder, a little quirkier and a whole lot more fun.
Of course, there’s an element of flash. Translucent donuts masquerading as congee; hot pot on a spoon, designed to be devoured in a single bite; plates that look like art installations. But somehow it works — every course is deeply rooted in chef Eric Chong’s personal history, from cooking in global kitchens to home-cooked comfort food glorified.
Akin is a place to come when you want an experience, not just a good meal. It’s not trying to be subtle, but that’s kind of the point. Toronto’s newest Michelin-starred restaurant and the Guide’s Young Chef Award winner lean in all the way — and pull off a top-notch dining experience in the process, carving out a spot of its own alongside the best restaurants in Toronto.
Finally, a Toronto tasting menu that didn't send me to sleep
The blind tasting menu of Asian cuisine at Akin takes diners on a journey through chef Eric Chong's career and childhood, proving that this style of dining doesn't have to be a snooze fest.
Read more5. Sushi Kiwami
599 Yonge St.
This sushi spot on Yonge Street may be a relative newcomer, but it still feels undiscovered — the kind of place you’d be tempted to gatekeep (we won’t). Tucked behind a curtain, there’s a whole world of theatre and harder-to-find seafood waiting inside, earning it a spot on the list of best restaurants in Toronto.
Executive chef Yuta Arase is in charge, bringing decades of experience to Toronto, along with seafood flown in from Japan three times a week. The lineup shifts constantly, but you might find yourself sampling goose barnacle, uni, otoro, pufferfish or crab. The space is modern and intimate, but instead of that deathly pall of silence as guests watch mind-bogglingly precise slices of sushi being cut, Sushi Kiwami draws people in.
The atmosphere feels more like a fun dinner party at a kitchen island. Arase greets guests with a bow and a smile, and then things loosen — diners chat across seatings, wasabi is freshly grated, platters are presented with a bit of flourish, and the chef raises a toast with sake. There’s corkage, too, which only adds to that convivial, house guest energy.
Strangely, the restaurant has become almost more famous for its viral melon cake: a hollowed-out honeydew, sliced open ceremonially with a huge Japanese knife to reveal sponge cake, whipped cream and fruit inside. It’s not the best bite you’ll have here, but it perfectly captures the vibe.
It’s omakase, just not as you know it.
4. Don Alfonso 1890
1 Harbour Square, 38th Floor
It took some time for this restaurant-turned-pandemic-pop-up to settle down, but now that it’s found a permanent home in the stunning space above the Westin Harbour Castle, Don Alfonso 1890 has been raking in the accolades. In addition to being one of the best restaurants in Toronto, it’s also been crowned the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy.
In the magnificent cream-coloured space, roses are carved into the ceiling, crystalline chandeliers hang like jewelry and floor-to-ceiling windows offer up views of twinkling skyscrapers or the endless blue lake — depending on where you’re seated. If you arrive at the right time of day, the sky might paint a striking orange sunset for you, too.
From the comfortable atmosphere and the courteous, accommodating service to the dishes themselves, everything at Don Alfonso feels effortlessly easy. Chef Davide Ciavattella’s creativity abounds in the sauces, seasonings and accoutrements, adding inventive complexity to familiar Italian plates. The result is a tasting menu where interesting flavour combinations draw you into every delicious bite, without overwhelming the senses. There’s subtlety, intrigue and wide appeal; it’s the kind of tasting menu that anyone could easily enjoy, set in an atmosphere worthy of romance or special occasions with friends and family.
Wine pairings serve to enhance the experience, balancing the flavours on the plate and taking guests through a journey of winemaking craftsmanship and storytelling. The cocktails and mocktails are top notch, too.
Don Alfonso 1890 is exactly what a Toronto tasting menu should be
In a gorgeous dining room with a view, Don Alfonso 1890 serves a Toronto tasting menu where every bite is bliss, the wine pairings are exceptional and you actually leave full (and a little drunk).
Read more3. Alo
163 Spadina Ave.
Chef Patrick Kriss’s OG Toronto tasting menu spot is no stranger to best restaurants lists and accolades. Since the Michelin Guide arrived in Toronto, it’s held onto its coveted star. We hate to be predictable by putting it so high on our list, but Alo is predictably incredible.
On our first visit, we sat in The Parlour Room, an intimate, cocktail bar-style space that feels cool, sophisticated and relaxed all at once. While the service is impeccable no matter where you sit, our most recent meal in the white-table-cloth, main dining room takes things up a notch. Earthy, minimal decor leaves plenty of room for the dishes to shine, and a wall of large mirrors reflect the whole experience, including your jaw-on-the-floor facial expressions, back at you. The elegance is overpowering — we find ourselves sitting a little taller, talking a little quieter and basking in every serene moment that feels curated just for us.
Both the six- and 10-course blind tasting menus (priced at $185 and $245, respectively) are works of art. Brimming with creativity, each dish is a masterclass in seasonality, flavour combinations and inventive execution.
Food nerds will have a field day with the way ingredients are presented. We still dream about a buttery foie gras served as a perfect slice of pie with a texture so smooth it could have got us into bed. A selection of sashimi-style tuna belly leaves us in a state of pure, speechless euphoria. Each dish is an experience unlike anything we’ve had before.
Expertly curated by foodism ICON Award winner Christopher Sealy, the optional wine pairing elevates the flavours of each course. While they’re intended to match the food on the plate, each glass has beauty and intrigue in its own right.
From start to finish, Alo promises an unforgettable night of culinary and wine exploration that gastronomists and curious foodies will fall in love with.
2. Sushi Yugen
150 York St.
Watching in awe as chef Kyohei Igarashi deftly prepares each dish with expert precision gives us a special appreciation for each delicate morsel he hand-delivers to us during the 16–18 course kaiseki and omakase experience at Sushi Yugen. In the Toronto restaurant’s intimate back room, chef Igarashi serves his creative takes on Japanese cuisine to the eight guests sat around the counter. Instead of the seclusion that often comes with fine dining, we’re part of the action, taking in each step of the culinary journey with all of our senses.
Showing artistry and mastery through an 18-course tasting menu is no easy feat, and chef Igarashi manages to nail every single dish we try during our visit. "Yugen," refers to an awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words, but it's translated to "profound mystery and beauty." It's a fitting name for a dining experience that takes you through an unknown and unfamiliar experience of magnificent flavours presented with beautiful and curious plating.
Sushi Yugen is the closest thing to dining in Japan without leaving Toronto
Japanese chef Kyohei Igarashi came to Toronto to head up Sushi Yugen, where he serves an incredible, authentic omakase menu full of creativity and artistry that goes way beyond sushi.
Read morePremium ingredients like bluefin tuna and sea urchin are sourced from Japan with seasonality at the forefront. Dishes like the flavourful uni (sea urchin) rice bowl with raw tuna, sushi rice, roe and caviar have never left our thoughts.
Gracious servers float around in kimonos, instructing diners on how best to enjoy each dish and serving sake pairings from their wide selection, which ranges from full-bodied and fruity to light, crisp and refreshing.
While other Japanese restaurants nod to their heritage, Sushi Yugen goes all out, honouring Japan in every detail. It’s an immersive, almost reverent experience that gives guests a true taste of dining in Japan.
1. DaNico
440 College St.
We were skeptical. Anything this fine-dining coded, with service this on the nose — and white tablecloths in 2026? Pah. We were desperate to scoff, and yet we left DaNico completely transformed. Stepping into the grand space on the corner of Bathurst and College is like a time machine — the towering doors reclaimed from an Italian palazzo open onto a space that feels like a cathedral. Ceilings go on forever, windows that look like organs allow light to fall into the dining room in ethereal slices, and omnipotent figures in the large artworks peer over diners as they slice into wagyu and twirl handmade tagliatelle.
DaNico offers an à la carte menu, but the tasting menu is where chef Daniele Corona’s creations shine the brightest. Each course orchestrates a mini ballet at the chef’s pass, as servers arrive soundlessly to collect dishes in custom-made plateware, before whisking them to your table. Spills vanish with a fresh napkin and a joke, never a fuss. The sommelier guides with enthusiasm, pouring Italian bottles you’d never find on your own — and skipping the nerdy jargon altogether.
As for the food, there’s not a dud in the pack — exactly what you’d hope for from a $240 Signature Tasting Menu. With close to 20 bites, once the bread service, canapés and multiple desserts are factored in, it’s no easy feat.
Chef Corona, who feels like he’s just hitting his stride here at DaNico, moves from smoked mackerel to pigeon with ease, weaving Ontario ingredients through the tastes, textures and lens of his native Italy. This is how you earn top billing among the best restaurants in Toronto.
