Best Restaurants in Toronto: Where to Eat in 2024
Toronto is North America's most diverse food city. Period. You can find authentic regional specialties here that don't exist anywhere else on the continent. The dining scene is driven by a massive immigrant population and a high concentration of tech and finance capital. This creates a unique ecosystem where a $5 Jamaican patty is just as respected as a $500 omakase menu. You aren't just eating Canadian food here; you are eating the world. Whether you want Michelin-starred refinement or a late-night snack in a parking lot, Toronto delivers.
Must-try dishes in Toronto
You cannot leave the city without trying these specific items. They represent the history and the current state of the local palate.
- Peameal Bacon Sandwich: Far superior to standard "Canadian bacon," this is lean pork loin rolled in cornmeal. Head to St. Lawrence Market to get the original version.
- Jamaican Patties in a Coco Bread: A subway station staple. It is a spicy beef turnover tucked inside a sweet, buttery bun.
- Khao Soi: Toronto has an obsession with Northern Thai cuisine. This coconut curry noodle soup is the city's unofficial comfort food.
- Sushi Pizza: A local invention consisting of a deep-fried rice crust topped with salmon, tuna, or crab, avocado, and spicy mayo.
- East African BBQ: Specifically beef mishkaki or ribs. Toronto’s Somali and Ismaili communities have made this a cornerstone of the Scarborough food scene.
Best restaurants for a splurge
When you need to drop serious money on a meal, these three spots offer the best return on investment in terms of technique and atmosphere.
Alo (Chinatown)
Alo consistently ranks as one of the best restaurants in Canada. It is a French-inflected tasting menu experience located on the third floor of a Victorian building. The service is robotic in its perfection, but the atmosphere remains warm. Expect highly technical dishes that highlight seasonal Canadian ingredients with classic Parisian flair.
Edulis (King West)
This is the spot for people who actually love food, not just the "scene." Edulis focuses on wild-caught seafood and foraged mushrooms. The menu changes constantly based on what the owners find that morning. It’s intimate, honest, and focuses on the Mediterranean tradition of letting high-quality ingredients speak for themselves.
Don Alfonso 1890 (Harbourfront)
Located atop the Westin Harbour Castle, this restaurant offers a Mediterranean tasting menu with a massive side of skyline views. It is the North American outpost of a multi-Michelin-starred Italian dynasty. The "Crunchy Golden Organic Egg" is legendary. It’s expensive, flashy, and perfect for a high-stakes anniversary or business deal.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These are the workhorse restaurants where locals actually eat on a Tuesday night. They offer consistent quality without the need for a suit.
PAI Northern Thai Kitchen (Entertainment District)
PAI is almost always packed, and for good reason. Chef Nuit Regular is credited with transforming Toronto’s Thai food scene. The basement space is loud and energetic, modeled after the hippie town of Pai in Thailand. The Green Curry and Pad Gra Prow are the gold standards here.
7 Numbers (Eglinton West)
This is an "Old School" Italian soul food spot. There are no menus; the servers tell you what the kitchen is cooking that day. It usually involves incredible meatballs, fresh pasta, and braised meats. It feels like eating in a boisterous family dining room. It’s loud, unpretentious, and affordable.
Bar Raval (Little Italy)
Bar Raval looks like the inside of a hand-carved mahogany ship. It’s a Spanish pintxos bar where you stand at high-top copper counters. Order a stiff cocktail, some tinned seafood, and the spicy octopus. It’s the closest you will get to Barcelona without leaving Ontario.
Maker Pizza (Multiple Locations)
Matty Matheson’s pizza empire revolutionized the local pie scene. The crust is three days in the making—airy, charred, and structurally sound. The "Dr. Pepper" pepperoni pizza is the fan favorite. It’s casual enough for takeout but high-quality enough to justify the premium price tag.
Best cheap eats and street food
You don’t need to spend more than $15 to get a world-class meal in Toronto if you know where to look.
Loga’s Corner (Parkdale)
This is the go-to spot for Tibetan momos (dumplings). You can get a plate of ten beef or veggie momos for a bargain. They are juicy, handmade, and served with a lethal hot sauce. It is a quintessential Parkdale experience—no frills, just high-quality comfort food.
California Sandwiches (Little Italy)
A Toronto institution since the 1960s. They specialize in massive Italian veal sandwiches topped with tomato sauce and onions. Get the "hot" version only if you can handle real heat. The original Claremont Street location is the one to visit for the authentic atmosphere.
Banh Mi Nguyen Huong (Chinatown)
This cash-only spot in Spadina Chinatown offers the best value in the city. You can get a traditional Banh Mi—pork pâté, pickled carrots, and cilantro on a baguette—for less than the price of a coffee. It’s fast, efficient, and better than any chain sandwich shop.
Square Boy (The Danforth)
For a taste of old-school Toronto, go to Square Boy. They serve charcoal-grilled burgers and souvlaki on a stick. It hasn't changed in decades, including the prices. It’s a nostalgic dive that serves one of the most consistent gyros in the city.
Best breakfast and brunch
Toronto takes brunch very seriously. Be prepared to wait in line at these spots on weekends.
Maha’s Fine Egyptian (Greenwood)
Maha's serves Egyptian brunch dishes that blow standard eggs-and-bacon out of the water. The Maha’s Mind Blowing Chicken and the Date Grilled Cheese are mandatory orders. Their honey-cardamom latte is one of the best coffee drinks in the city. It’s small and busy, so arrive early.
White Lily Diner (Riverside)
This is a modern take on the classic diner. They bake their own bread, smoke their own meats, and even have their own farm. The smoked turkey club and the homemade donuts are standouts. It’s clean, bright, and serves some of the most technically proficient "simple" food in town.
Lady Marmalade (East Chinatown)
Famous for their Benny’s. You can customize your eggs benedict with everything from pulled pork to brie and avocado. The space is beautiful—high ceilings, blonde wood, and plenty of natural light. It’s the quintessential modern Toronto brunch spot.
Best rooftop or view dining
The city skyline is best viewed with a drink in hand. These spots offer great food alongside the scenery.
Canoe (Financial District)
Located on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, Canoe is a tribute to Canadian ingredients. You get a panoramic view of Lake Ontario and the CN Tower. The food is high-concept Canadian: think venison, bison, and seasonal saltwater fish.
Kost (King West)
Situated on the 44th floor of the Bisha Hotel, Kost feels like a beach house in the sky. It has a Californian-inspired menu and a rooftop pool. It’s the best place in the city for a sunny lunch or a sunset cocktail with a direct view of the downtown core.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you don't have a reservation, head to these pockets and follow your nose.
- Kensington Market: A multicultural microcosm. You’ll find everything from Jamaican patties to Swedish fika to Mexican tacos within three city blocks. It is entirely pedestrian-friendly.
- Ossington Avenue (between Queen and Dundas): This is the heart of the city's trendy dining scene. It has the highest concentration of "cool" restaurants, wine bars, and craft breweries per square foot.
- Scarborough (Lawrence Ave East): This is where you go for the real deal. It’s the epicenter of Middle Eastern, Sri Lankan, and Caribbean food. You’ll need a car or a long bus ride, but the shawarma and kothu roti are worth it.
- Greektown (The Danforth): One of the largest Greek neighborhoods in the world. It’s lined with souvlaki spots, high-end seafood grills, and traditional bakeries.
Please note that restaurant hours and reservation policies change frequently; check the official website before your visit.