Where to eat in Toronto? A complete guide

Going to a new city means discovering the local food scene!

Toronto is one of the best cities in Canada for eating out, the options are endless and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices of restaurants. Here’s a little guide we’ve put together for you, by type of food!

Local / Canadian:

• Tim Hortons: Do a coffee break or get your breakfast, it’s must if you want to feel like a local (coffee, bagels, sandwichs, donuts…) – $ (very cheap)
• Aloette restaurant: Comfort Canadian Food – $$ (affordable)
• St Urbain Bagels: to get your real Canadian bagel fix – $ (cheap)
• Rose and Sons: sandwichs, their specialty is cured meat like pastrami and smoked meat – $$ (Affordable)

For poutine the options are endless:

• Nom Nom Poutine
• Poutini’s
• Smokes Poutinerie
• Holy Chuck Burger
• Leslieville Pumps
• BQM

And there’s much more!

Asian:

• Khao San Road: for authentic Thai food – $$ (affordable)
• Pai: amazing northern thai food – $$ (affordable)
• Inspire restaurant: a modern Asian and European fusion eatery offering delicious cuisine and beverages – $$ (Affordable)
• Daldongnae Korean BBQ: for the greatest Korean BBQ
• Kyoto House: Always fresh, satisfying, and reasonably priced, sushi this all-you-can-eat spot is a go-to for all you new university students! – $$ (affordable)
• Gyubee: An all-you-can-eat Japanese BBQ restaurant
• Miss Things: they offer massive tropical tiki drinks and their Pan-Asian/Hawaiian dishes are super unique and delicious! – $$ (Affordable)
• Mother’s Dumplings: This Asian spot does dumplings better than anyone else and they never disappoint! – $$ (Affordable)
• Ghandi Roti: Best roti in town!
• Pukka: Pukka on St. Clair West offers a fresh take on Indian cuisine. – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)

Healthy/Vegan:

• Calii Love: Calii Love is great for a solid poke bowl or delicious coffee while lounging in one of these white chairs.
• Planta: Planta is vegan, sustainable, and super gorgeously decorated. They offer pizza, salads, burgers…
• Kupfert and Kim:  The menu varies slightly from location to location, but you can expect generous portions in the form of superfood-stacked bowls, many of which are under $11. They offer smoothies, salads, bowls… – $$ (Affordable)
• Hibiscus: They specialize in sweet and ​savory crepes, which are a well worth ordering (especially the brie and pecan or the goat cheese with tomato and basil), but their salad is the way to go if you’re in search of a quick and affordable healthy lunch – $$ (Affordable)
• Fresh: Portions, no matter what you order, are substantial, to say the least. And even the small versions of their hearty salads and the “baby” versions of their rice and noodle fresh bowls are filling. Choose from a huge selection of warps, salads, sandwiches and those aforementioned bowls. – $$ (Affordable)

American:

• Jack Astors: Great burgers and anything american – $$ (Affordable)
• Bobbie Sue’s Mac and Cheese: for the greatest mac and cheese! – $$ (Affordable)
• Adamson Barbecue: This spot serves barbecue galore!! It’s an authentic Texas-style barbecue joint that is basically a meat-lovers dream come true. – $$ (Affordable)
• Burgers Priest: This iconic Toronto burger place is a must-stop for a classic burger and fries. (PS: they have a secret menu…) – $$ (Affordable)
• Crown and Dragon: best wings in town! They also have burgers and appetizers – $ (cheap)
• Holy Chuck Burger: Best burger un town! – $$ (Affordable)

Brunch: 

• Wish: definitely one of the most adorable brunch spots in all of Toronto. – $$ (Affordable)
• Lady Marmelade: cheap and delicious food. Their specialty are breakfast poutine and egg benedict. Quite packed on the weekends! – $$ (Affordable)
• Emma’s Country Kitchen: Emma’s Country Kitchen is known for their breakfast, as well as their homemade frozen comfort foods and delicious baked goods like donuts that have made TV appearances. – $$ (Affordable)
• Bonjour Brioche: a favourite neighbourhood spot serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Lines snake out the door on weekends as brunch-goers wait their turn for delicious eggs benny, fresh baguettes and, of course, brioche. – $$ (Affordable)
• Mildred’s Temple Kitchen: Mildred’s interior is sleek and modern, with very high ceilings and a large open kitchen. – $$ (Affordable)
• School:  School is a bakery, cafe, bar and restaurant that consistently serves one of the best brunches in the city.This includes their legendary and over-the-top takes on French toast, pancakes, and even breakfast poutine. – $$ (Affordable)
• Le Petit Déjeuner: Le Petit Dejeuner is an eccentric all-day breakfast spot especially renowned for their Belgian waffles and eggs benny. – $$ (Affordable)
• Rose and Sons: This is a brunch where you can feel comfortable diving headfirst into a half-pound pastrami platter while discussing your next yoga retreat to Tulum.- $$ (Affordable)

European:

• Scaddabush: comfort Italian food (pasta and pizza) – $$ (affordable)
• Tennessee Tavern: eastern Europe food in a charming dim-lit location – $$ (affordable)
• La Palma: meals inspired from Italy and Spain – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)
• Café Cancan: adorable French bistro not only serves a delicious, satisfying menu, but is also recognized for their stunning interior and exterior – $$$ (expensive)
• Oretta: traditional Italian dishes inside a not-so traditional location – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)
• Gusto 101: real southern Italian food and experience! – $$ (Affordable)
• Le Notre: Serving traditional French dishes and select wines in quite the romantic setting, Le Notre Bistro is also recognized for paying tribute to the diversity of the community – $$$ (expensive)
• True True:  This craft-your-own pizza shop definitely takes a twist on the typical wood-fired pizza concept. – $$ (Affordable)
• Piano Piano: They serves fresh past dishes, homemade pizzas, delicious salads and more! – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)
• Capocaccia Tratorria: for creamy pasta or crispy pizza! – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)

Bar:

• 416 Snack Bar: Serving up good food, good drinks and good music, 416 Snack Bar is always a safe bet for an awesome night out. – $ (Cheap)
• Bar Isabel: for Spanish tapas in a nice bar – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)

South American:

• Seven Lives: for some mindblowing tacos – $ (cheap)
• Chubby’s Jamaican: serving tropical cocktails and delicious Jamaican snacks inside their cozy, light atmosphere; Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen is a place you need to try – $$ (affordable)
• Grand Electric: for tacos and amazing cocktails – $ (cheap)
• Baro: Their Latin inspiration spreads from their food to decor, including their gorgeous patio. – $$ (Affordable but can get expensive)

Middle East:

• Simit and Chai Co. : a Turkish bakery in Toronto that offers something completely unique. They make their own specialty bagels that are street-style from Istanbul and classic Turkish coffees!

Desserts:

• Uncle Tetsu: for fluffy japanese cheesecake – $ (cheap)
• Fuwa Fuwa: for fluffy japanese cheesecake – $$ (affordable)
• Eva’s chimneys: for decadent ice creams (donut / churros cones) – $$ (affordable)
• Sweet Jesus: for crazy ice creams – $$ (affordable)
• Beaver’s tail: to try out the most Canadian dessert of all: fried flat donuts covered with brown sugar and cinnamon (or other toppings if you’re feeling adventurous) – $ (cheap)

Gastronomic:

• Canoe: get a taste of fine dining with a breathtaking view on Toronto – $$$$ (very expensive)
• 360 Restaurant: eat on top of the CN tower! – $$$ (expensive)
• Grey Gardens: This up-scale cuisine restaurant is surprisingly located in Kensington Market and serve dishes like oysters, ravioli, duck, beef carpaccio and more! – $$$ (expensive)

Can’t decide?

• Earls: will please everybody! You can find western food, sushi, pizza… – $$ (affordable)
• Moxies: Executive Chef Brandon Thordarson has created a menu that draws on inspiration from around the world. Steaks, Pizzas, Burgers and Pasta share the menu with great Share items like chicken wings and sushi cones – $$ (affordable)