Canadian Cuisine or Locally Sourced Ingredients (Different Areas in Downtown)
• Canoe: Expensive/great view (Financial District), 66 Wellington St. W, 54th floor (located in the Toronto Dominion Centre) https://www.canoerestaurant.com/
• Chefs Hall: Upscale food court, Canadian and global cuisine (Financial District), 111 Richmond St. W (located in the Richmond-Adelaide Centre) https://www.chefshall.com/
• Chefs’ House: Student-run/future chefs of Canada/fine dining at a reasonable price (Culinary School of George Brown College, Old Town District), 215 King St. E (East of Yonge St.) https://www.thechefshouse.com/
• 360 Restaurant, CN Tower: Fine dining with Canadian sourced ingredients. One of the world’s highest revolving restaurants at 351m/1151 ft with incredible views of Toronto and Lake Ontario. Dinner reservations at $75 minimum per person includes access to the Main Observation Deck. https://www.cntower.ca/dine-at-360-restaurant/overview
• Luma: Contemporary, fine dining cuisine with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. 350 King Street W (located in TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival on the 2nd floor) https://www.lumarestaurant.com/
• Richmond Station: Bi-weekly new tasting menu built around local and seasonal ingredients. 1 Richmond St. W (at Yonge St.) https://richmondstation.ca/
Old Town
• Pravda Vodka Bar: Vodka drink specialities with eclectic global menu, plus happy-hour special. 44 Wellington St E https://pravdavodkabar.com/
• Terroni Adelaide: Southern Italian (located inside historic York County Court House, 1852-1900 57 Adelaide E, sister to Terroni on Queen St. W) https://www.terroni.com/
• Piano Piano: New Jersey styled Italian housed in a whimsical setting called by the designers “Narnia meets the circus,” 55 Colborne St. https://www.pianopianotherestaurant.com/
• Patrician Grill: Diner fare since 1967 (with its original décor), 291 King St. E https://patriciangrill.com/
• George Street Diner: Old-styled diner specializing in Irish breakfasts and soda bread. Cash or debit only, 129 George St. http://thegeorgestreetdiner.blogspot.com/
• The Cavern: Cave-like bar under the Hostelling International Toronto hostel. Live music, trivia nights, young crowd. 76 Church St. https://www.blogto.com/bars/the-cavern-bar-toronto/
• Balzac’s on Market St.: Gourmet coffee shop next to St. Lawrence Market with patio seating, 10 Market St. https://balzacs.com/pages/cafe-locations
• The Works Church and Wellington: Burgers and pub food. rooftop patio with wonderful views of the St. Lawrence Market area. 60 Wellington St. https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/the-works-church-wellington-toronto/ and https://worksburger.com/
• Chefs’ House: Student-run/future chefs of Canada/fine dining at a reasonable price (Culinary School of George Brown College), reservations recommended, 215 King St. E (East of Yonge St.) https://www.thechefshouse.com/
• Hothouse Restaurant: Family friendly restaurant with pizzas, pasta, and a variety of other global dishes. Terrific Sunday buffet with live jazz. 35 Church St. https://www.hothouserestaurant.com/
• Le Papillon: French and Quebecois (French-Canadian) cuisine. 69 Front St. E http://www.papillononfront.com/
• The Sultan’s Tent and Cafe Moroc: French Moroccan cuisine in a lavish setting with luxurious fabrics, cushions & rugs. Belly-dancing. Dinner only. 49 Front St. E https://www.thesultanstent.com/
• P.J. O’Brien Irish Pub & Restaurant: Authentic Irish pub. 39 Colborne St. (behind the King Edward Hotel) https://pjobrien.com/
• BENARES Cucina Indian: Traditional Indian cuisines from different regions, housed in historic building with lovely Indian décor and exposed brick. 49 Front St. E https://benares.ca/
• Bindia Indian Bistro: Nouveau Indian cuisine. 16 Market St. https://www.bindia.ca/
• The Flatiron: A Firkin Pub: Pub fare from the Firkin chain housed in the historic Gooderham (Flatiron) Building with patio sitting, 49 Wellington St. E https://www.firkinpubs.com/theflatironandfirkin/
Harbourfront District
Queen’s Quay Terminal Building (207 Queen’s Quay West) Restaurants
• Pearl Harbourfront: Upscale Chinese cuisine & dim sum with lake views. http://www.pearlharbourfront.ca/harbourfront/
• The Goodman Pub and Kitchen: Large pub with great outdoor seating on the lake. http://fabrestaurants.ca/restaurant/the-goodman/
• Joe Bird: Casual restaurant specializing in saucy, smoked, and deep-fried chicken, drinks, to-go breakfasts, and The Fix Ice Cream Bar. https://www.joebird.ca/ and https://www.joebird.ca/the-fix-1
Other Harbourfront Restaurants
• The Slip: Casual fare, Lakeside Patio (warm months only). Located in Harbourfront Centre/235 Queens Quay W, http://www.theslip.ca/
• Amsterdam BrewHouse: Pub fare with a craft brewery, indoor and outdoor seating on the lake. 45 Queens Quay W, https://amsterdambeer.com/pages/brewhouse-by-the-lake
• Aria: Upscale Italian that boasts 35 feet high windows. 25 York St. (next to the Scotiabank Arena), https://ariaristorante.ca/
• Don Alfonso 1890: Michelin starred upscale Italian on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, boasting beautiful lakeside views. Toronto 1 Harbour Square, https://www.donalfonsotoronto.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local&utm_content=Toronto
• Harbour 60: One of Toronto’s best steakhouses housed in the 1917 Toronto Harbour Commission Building. 60 Harbour St, https://harbour60.com/
• Kinka Izakaya: Japanese cuisine, the restaurant is a pioneer of the Izakaya dining experience in Canada. Located in One York Street building/110 Harbour St Unit 108A, https://www.kinkaizakaya.com/location/harbourfront/
• Miku Toronto: Upscale Japanese Aburi cuisine and sushi. 10 Bay St. (located in Waterpark Place building) https://mikutoronto.com/
• KINTON RAMEN HARBOURFRONT: Casual. 110 Harbour St Unit 108B (located in One York Street building). https://www.kintonramen.com/
Financial District
• Black + Blue: High end steakhouse and seafood. 2,000-square-foot, 70-seat patio with lush greenery and electronic retractable roof (open 6 months of the year). 130 King St W https://blackandbluesteakhouse.ca/toronto-home/
• Canoe: Expensive/great view (Financial District): 66 Wellington St. W, 54th floor (located in the Toronto Dominion Centre) https://www.canoerestaurant.com/
• Chefs Hall: Upscale Food Court, Canadian and global cuisine (Financial District): 111 Richmond St. W (located in the Richmond-Adelaide Centre) https://www.chefshall.com/
• The Rabbit Hole: Whimsical, slick British-inspired pub food, cocktails, craft beer, and wine: 21 Adelaide St. W. https://www.therabbitholepub.ca/
• Leña Restaurante: Stylish South American cuisine: 176 Yonge St. (located in the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, on the corner of Yonge and Richmond) https://www.lenarestaurante.com/
• The Chase: Sophisticated, contemporary fine dining with lovely views (includes terrace open during warmer weather): 10 Temperance St Fl 5 (located in the historic Dineen Building, corner of 140 Yonge St.) https://www.thechasetoronto.com/
• King Taps: Casual, 2-storey pub with outdoor patio and sports viewing: 100 King St. W. (located in First Canadian Place) https://kingtaps.com/
• Bymark: Contemporary seasonal menu subterranean restaurant (though with patio): 66 Wellington St. (located in Toronto Dominion Centre) https://mcewangroup.ca/bymark/
• Richmond Station: Bi-weekly new tasting menu built around local and seasonal ingredients. 1 Richmond St. W (at Yonge St.). https://richmondstation.ca/
Entertainment District, on or near Adelaide St. West (for restaurants in the district on King St. West and Queen St. West, see those streets’ sections)
• Smoke’s Poutinerie Adelaide: (218 Adelaide St. W) Casual, French-Canadian poutine (fries/gravy/cheese curds and various toppings) https://smokespoutinerie.com/store/smokes-poutinerie-adelaide/
• The Porch (250 Adelaide St. near Duncan St, above the Rock ‘n’ Saloon): Casual seasonal pub fare, beer, cocktails, and rooftop patio.) https://www.theporchto.com/
• Ravisoups: (322 Adelaide St. W) Casual international/Asian-infused soups and wraps with a cute little patio https://ravisoup.com/
• General Assembly Pizza: (333 Adelaide St W) Casual Neapolitan-Canadian pizza. https://www.gapizza.com/
• Pi Co University: (170 University Avenue at Adelaide St. W) Casual Neapolitan-style Pizzas/Canadian chain but good https://www.pi-co.ca/
• Bar Hop Brewco: (137 Peter St at Queen St. W) Craft beer and pub fare with rooftop patio, (Evening Hours Only) https://www.barhopbar.com/
• The Shore Club: Surf and turf, with cocktail bar and wine (155 Wellington St W, between John St. and Simcoe St., south of David Pecaut Square) https://theshoreclub.ca/toronto/
King St. West:
Entertainment District/King St. W
• Elephant & Castle: (212 at Simcoe St.) British pub style of a decent chain in a 1907 historic building https://www.elephantcastle.com/
• Aroma Fine Indian Cuisine (287) https://www.aromafineindian.com/
• Casa Mezcal: (291) Mexican, rooftop patio bar (young crowd at night) https://casamezcal.ca/
• Hey Lucy’s: (295) Casual Italian https://heylucy.ca/
• OB Canteen: (330, inside TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival, ground level with patio) Casual varied menu https://www.obcanteen.com/
• Luma: (350, inside TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival, on the 2nd floor ) Contemporary, fine dining cuisine with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients (evenings only and limited days). https://www.lumarestaurant.com/
• Pigeon Café Toronto: (337) Casual bistro fare from brunch (a speciality) to dinner with a menu inspired by the café’s home locations in Montreal, Quebec with its blend of that city’s heritage of French, Jewish and American Canadian classics. Pigeon prides itself on its (tongue-in-cheek) “World’s Worst Coffee” along with cock and mocktails, all served under a a large, indoor tree. https://pigeoncoffee.com/pigeon-king-menu
• La Fenice: (391-A) Upscale Italian https://www.lafenice.ca/
Fashion District/King St. W
• Tut’s Egyptian Street Food: (467) Counter-serve https://www.tutsrestaurant.ca/
• Rodney’s Oyster House: (469) Oyster bar https://rodneysoysterhouse.com/
• Baro: (485) Latin American, rooftop patio, Dinner Only https://barotoronto.com/baro-rooftop/
• CIBO Wine Bar: (522) Somewhat expensive, trendy spot but authentic Italian http://www.cibowinebar.com/cibo_ks/index_ks.html
• Wilbur Mexicana: (552) Terrific tacos and burritos featuring a huge selection of hot sauces and salsas. *No website but see on Facebook and Instagram for information.
• Ruby Soho: (587) Casual shared plates and craft cocktails https://www.rubysohobar.com/
• Añejo Restaurant: (600) Mexican https://www.anejo.ca/
• WVRST: (609) Craft beer, sausages, and fries https://wvrst.com/
• Forno Cultura: (609 basement) Italian bakery also featuring savory items, with emphasis on natural ingredients and organic flours. Italian sodas and coffees as well. https://fornocultura.com/
• Lavelle: (627) Contemporary Brazilian and Japanese, with rooftop patio, pool, and lounge bar https://chezlavelle.com/reservations/
• Oretta: (633) Trendy, expensive Italian https://www.oretta.to/kingwest/home
Fashion District/Portland St. (between King St. W and Adelaide St. W, close to Bathurst St.)
• Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen (104, north of King): https://chubbysjamaican.com/
• Gusto 101: Italian (101, north of King) https://gusto101.com/
• SARA: Expensive/International Small Plates/Minimalist (98, north of King) and Dinner Only: https://www.sara.restaurant/
• Chica-Spanish (75, south of King): https://barchicatoronto.com/
Queen St. West: (Entertainment, Fashion, and West Queen West Districts)
Entertainment District/Queen St. W
• Queen Mother Café: (208) Casual, Laotian-Thai specialties, with a few Canadian American dishes and desserts with a cute back garden patio/a Toronto institution since 1978 https://www.queenmothercafe.ca/
• Little India: (255) Casual Indian fare, family-run with a nice lunch buffet https://littleindia.ca/
• Rudy: Counter-serve, smash burgers, fried chicken and poutine (69 Duncan St. at Queen St. W., near Queen Mother Café) https://rudyresto.com/
• Rivoli Toronto: (367) Creative bar food/semi-night club with performance space. A Toronto institution since 1982 https://www.rivolitoronto.com/
• Soluna Toronto: (314) “Bohemian minimalism” atmosphere/restaurant, bar, and patio, featuring eclectic fare inspired by different regional costal regions around the world. Supper Club experience runs Thurs.-Sun. 9PM onward (must be 25 and over and show ID). Dress code is business casual and enforced. https://solunatoronto.com/
• Peter Pan Bistro: (373) Casual café food with cute patio https://peterpantry.ca/
Fashion and West Queen West Districts
• Short Turn: (576) Asian-infused tapas/small plates, cocktails, and draft beers. Opened in spring 2023 with a fun interior meant to evoke the Toronto streetcars of yesteryear and sister hangout of nearby 416 Snack Bar (see below). Open 5 PM-2 AM, https://www.416snackbar.com/
• 416 Snack Bar: Asian-infused tapas/small plates, cocktails, and draft beers. (181 Bathurst St.), near 576 Queen St. W, sister hangout, Short Turn, Open 5 PM-2 AM, https://www.416snackbar.com/
• North of Brooklyn Pizzeria: (650) Brooklyn-style pizza, also serving beer and wine, in a casual but chic-industrial setting. https://www.northofbrooklyn.com/
• Terroni: (720) Southern Italian in a casual-chic setting (sister restaurant to the Terroni on 57 Adelaide/Old Town, located inside historic York County Court House, 1852-1900) https://www.terroni.com/
• Offworld Bar: (739 Space/celestial themed decor and cocktails and snacks night spot. “an ambiance that feels part-nightclub and part geek den” (Streets of Toronto). Young crowd. https://www.offworldbar.com/
• Karahi Boys: (741) Pakistani cuisine with nice patio. https://karahiboys.com/
Kensington Eateries (Mostly Counter-Serve or Casual):
Kensington St.
• Rasta Pasta:(61) Jamaican-Italian fusion. http://eatrastapasta.ca/
• Sleepy Pete’s: (69) Breakfast and lunch sandwiches, only opened 8-4, closed on Tues. and Weds. https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/sleepy-petes-toronto/
• Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos: (72) https://sevenlivesto.ca/
• The Dirty Bird Chicken and Waffles: (79) https://www.thedirtybird.ca/
Other Kensington Market Eateries
• Tacos 101: 178 Baldwin St. https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/tacos-101-kensington-toronto/
• Eat Nabita: Vegan/Egyptian/Canadian, 160 Baldwin St. https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/eat-nabati-toronto/
• Amadeu’s Restaurant: Portuguese, 184 Augusta Ave. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g155019-d681839-Reviews-Amadeu_s_Restaurant-Toronto_Ontario.html
• Grey Gardens: Wine bar and seafood, Only Evenings, 199 Augusta Ave. http://www.greygardens.ca/
• Film Café: Eclectic Japanese street food plus all day breakfasts, and a variety of desserts and speciality drinks. Regular live music and trivia nights. Fun young crowd but great for all ages. 230 Augusta Ave, https://filmcafetoronto.com/home
• Wanda’s Pie in the Sky: Pies, tarts, cakes, and light lunch fare, 10AM-6PM only, 245 Augusta Ave. http://wandaspieinthesky.com/
• Mashion Bakery: Chinese bakery, 345 Spadina Ave (near Nassau St. just outside Kensington Market, officially in Chinatown) https://foursquare.com/v/mashion-bakery/4cc09208873c236aef9ab323
West of Kensington Market: Market 707
(Street food stalls of many different cuisines): Open from 12-5 PM.
707 Dundas St W/Alexandra Park
https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/market-707-toronto/