Top Restaurants with the Best Food in Toronto 

Toronto, the vibrant and diverse metropolis of Canada, is a city renowned for its rich cultural tapestry, stunning architecture, and, of course, its exceptional culinary scene. From authentic international flavors to innovative local creations, Toronto’s dining landscape offers something for every palate. Certainly, I am not a professional food taster. But as a Toronto real estate agent who is fully aware of the best in each neighborhood, I prepared a list of top 10 restaurants with the best food in Toronto. Here, I’ll take you on a gastronomic journey through some of the top restaurants in Toronto, where you can savor the very best food this city has to offer.

10. PAI Northern Thai Kitchen

If you are a big fan of the Asian foods, the good news is that one of the best Thai foods is served right at Duncan St, in the Entertainment District neighborhood. The taste of traditional foods are beyond belief. At PAI, you can actually taste and experience what a true pad Thai should be. The number of items available in the menu makes your decision even harder.

Their authentic Thai dishes would fascinate you, including Thai Sausage with spicy rice, Gaeng Hunglay (braised oxtail), Khao Pla Tawt (crispy fillet), Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers) and many Asian flavored types of noodles. The highly recommended dish here is Beef Massaman, a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. In addition to Thai ice tea and ginger beer, you can enjoy drinking different cocktails and Canadian or Irish whiskey in this cozy restaurant.

9. Canoe Restaurant & Bar

Canoe serves one of the best Canadian cuisines in the city. The food, the beverage, the waiters and even the view in this restaurant is so good. You can find the high quality of sea foods, tarts and pies, chardonnay and champagne served in the lovely environment. This cozy restaurant is located at 66 Wellington St W at the 54th floor, in Downtown Toronto.

Don’t miss the waiters’ offers for chocolate mousse, or juice, enjoy the wonderful taste of their special ones. They have multi-course tasting menus and à la carte dishes. The mostly mentioned dishes in reviews include: seafood—especially salmon, steaks and soups. The highly admired aspect in Canoe mentioned by their guests is the cool ambience, marvelous staff and service. Visit Canoe’s bar in the evening, and get pleasure from the fine cocktails with a beautiful panoramic city views.

8. Café Boulud

Café Boulud is a French café and restaurant located in the Four Seasons Hotel, in the Yorkville neighborhood of Toronto. The environment in Café Boulud is so welcoming and the interior design is so stylish. The beautiful mixture of green leather banquettes, life-size paintings on the walls and art-deco light accessories creates a kind of nostalgic vibe. All the minimalist furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows give the feeling of sitting in an art gallery rather than a restaurant.

The menu has so many wonderful items ranging from house-made pork sausage or delicious duck, to fabulous salads and the amazing desserts. Diners can select their artistry designed dishes from four different culinary muses: classic French cuisine (La Tradition), seasonal delicacies (La Saison), the vegetable garden (Le Potager) and international flavors (Le Voyage). They also serve a wonderful weekend brunch which is really worthy to test. The wine director in Café Boulud can help you to choose a delicate wine paired with delicious foods.

7. Buca Italian Restaurant

The three-story-high ceilings dining room of Buca restaurant with raw bricks and cozy intimate wine bar induce the whole friendly environment of an Italian restaurant. Buca is located at 602 King St. W. and they have a daily menu based on daily fresh market products. But the constant items include home-made sausages and spiced prosciutto. The taste of Roman-style Italian pizza and ravioli flavored with olives and preserved lemon is marvelous.

Buca with professionally cooked pig, lamb loin or veal tenderloin can be meat lovers’ heaven. The whole feast will be perfect by a glass of grappa or choosing from the sizable list of Italian wine. However, the special features are in its charcuterie collection including culatello ham, smoked lonza and spicy lardo, and dried horse meat bresaola. At the end you better save room for gelato and crispy shells of cannoli, filled with creamy fillings usually containing ricotta.

6. Richmond Station

This new farm-to-table restaurant belongs to a 27-year-old chef, Carl Heinrich, who won Top Chef Canada. Carl decided to invest his $100,000 prize money in the Richmond Station located at Financial District, downtown Toronto. He has a team of young and methodical cooks to serve one of the best foods in the city.

The friendly vibe in this restaurant made it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy Canadian cuisine at one of the busiest parts of the city. The staff are very friendly and professional. You can just stop in the middle of your busy working day and relax while drinking a great cup of latte, bubble tea or vanilla iced coffee.

The menu has different items from oysters, beef tartare, rainbow trout and a wonderful huge burger to carrot salads, caramel ice cream and lemon pie. You can also enjoy the variety of drinks including Malbec red wine, draft beer or craft beer. Richmond Station also has a Chefs’ Table, which is a table sitting towards an open window into the kitchen’s prep area.

5. Scaramouche Restaurant Pasta Bar & Grill

The stunning taste of French cuisine in this lovely place would be perfect with the panoramic views of the city skyline. The place consists of a top-floor restaurant and downstairs pasta bar. Scaramouche has an incredible professional team managed by Executive Chef Keith Froggett, which made it one of Toronto’s best restaurants for over 30 years. Scaramouche was selected as Top Restaurant in Toronto twice by Gourmet magazine.

The quiet ambience and coolly elegant hospitality plus high quality finest ingredients made this place so special. The menu has many French cuisines (grilled octopus and yellowfin tuna), seasonal local ingredients such as Saskatchewan chanterelle mushroom brioche toast, and a list of different appetizers and desserts.

Everything tastes perfectly fine at Scaramouche. From caviar with crème fraiche, bacon-wrapped venison loin, and grilled lobster to tasty mascarpone cheesecake, ginger cake with poached rhubarb and wonderful coconut-white chocolate cream pie. The wine list is also interesting, including some of the best vintages in Canada. Enjoy drinking champagne and watching the view of Toronto’s skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Scaramouche.

Read More : The Best Pasta Places in Toronto

4. Edulis Restaurant

Address: 169 Niagara St.
Cuisine: Spanish and Portuguese

Edulis, as one of the top restaurants of Toronto, is a charming gem nestled in the heart of Toronto’s culinary scene, stands as a testament to the city’s diverse and evolving gastronomic landscape. This intimate restaurant, located at 169 Niagara Street, has garnered a well-deserved reputation for offering a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

Edulis, which takes its name from the Latin word for “edible,” places a strong emphasis on seasonality, sustainability, and the use of locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s ever-changing menu reflects the bounty of Ontario’s farms, forests, and waters, making it a true celebration of Canadian cuisine.

Edulis Features

The atmosphere at Edulis is warm, inviting, and unpretentious. The rustic decor, complete with wooden accents and a cozy fireplace, creates an ambiance that feels like a comfortable and welcoming home. The restaurant’s small size adds to its intimate charm, making it a perfect choice for a romantic dinner or a special celebration.

Edulis offers a tasting menu that changes regularly to showcase the freshest ingredients available. Diners can expect dishes that highlight the natural flavors of ingredients, expertly prepared and beautifully presented. From foraged mushrooms to locally caught seafood, each plate is a work of art that pays homage to Canadian terroir.

In addition to its culinary excellence, Edulis boasts an extensive and carefully curated wine list, featuring both local and international selections. The knowledgeable staff is more than happy to recommend wine pairings to enhance your dining experience.

Overall, Edulis is a culinary treasure in Toronto, where passion for food, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to seasonal ingredients come together to create an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or someone looking to explore the world of Canadian cuisine, Edulis is a must-visit destination that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds and your heart.

3. R&D – Toronto

Address: 241 Spadina Ave.

Cuisine: Asian Fusion

One of the top restaurants in Toronto is R&D. This top restaurant is located in the vibrant heart of Toronto at 241 Spadina Avenue, is a culinary masterpiece that beautifully blends tradition and innovation. This exceptional restaurant is the brainchild of renowned chef Alvin Leung, known as the “Demon Chef” for his fearless approach to cooking and his innovative take on classic Chinese cuisine.

R&D’s name, which stands for “Research and Development,” reflects Chef Alvin Leung’s commitment to pushing culinary boundaries. The restaurant marries traditional Chinese flavors with modern techniques and global influences to create a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.

R&D Features

The restaurant’s interior is a harmonious blend of sleek, contemporary design with subtle nods to Chinese heritage. It’s a space that manages to be both elegant and approachable, setting the stage for a memorable culinary journey.

R&D’s menu is a symphony of flavors, offering a contemporary spin on classic Chinese dishes. From Peking duck served with house-made bao buns to inventive dim sum creations like truffle shumai, each dish is a work of art that delights both the eyes and the palate. The tasting menu is a fantastic way to experience the full range of Chef Alvin Leung’s culinary creativity.

One of the standout features of R&D is its cocktail program, which is as inventive as its food. Mixologists craft unique cocktails that incorporate Asian ingredients and flavors, offering a perfect complement to the bold and diverse dishes.

R&D is not just a restaurant; it’s an exploration of flavors and a testament to the ever-evolving nature of cuisine. For those seeking a dining experience that combines tradition with innovation and creativity with authenticity, R&D is a must-visit destination in Toronto. It’s a place where culinary boundaries are pushed, and the result is an unforgettable gastronomic adventure that leaves guests eagerly anticipating their next visit.

2. SukhoTHAI Restaurant

Address: 52 Wellington St E.
Cuisine: Thai

SukhoTHAI is a beloved Thai restaurant that consistently delivers authentic and flavorful dishes. Their menu includes classic Thai favorites like pad Thai and green curry, all prepared with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

Sukhothai restaurant in Toronto has firmly secured its place among the city’s top restaurants, consistently ranking in the coveted list of Top 10 Restaurants with the Best Food in Toronto. Located at 52 Wellington St E, this culinary gem is a testament to the city’s diverse and thriving food scene.

Sukhothai has carved a niche for itself by offering authentic and delectable Thai cuisine. Its menu is a vibrant celebration of the bold, complex flavors that define Thai food. From classic pad Thai to aromatic green curry and mouthwatering mango sticky rice, every dish is a symphony of taste and texture.

SukhoTHAI’s Features

The restaurant’s interior reflects the warmth and richness of Thai culture, creating an inviting and cozy atmosphere that adds to the overall dining experience. Sukhothai’s dedication to using high-quality, fresh ingredients and traditional cooking techniques ensures that each meal is a memorable journey through the vibrant flavors of Thailand.

Sukhothai’s commitment to delivering exceptional Thai cuisine has earned it a loyal following among locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a Thai food enthusiast or new to the cuisine, SukhoTHAI offers an authentic and unforgettable culinary adventure that captures the essence of Thailand’s gastronomy right in the heart of Toronto.

1. Bar Isabel

Address: 797 College St.
Cuisine: Spanish, Tapas

Bar Isabel in Toronto is a culinary gem that consistently earns its place among the city’s top restaurants, proudly securing a spot in the prestigious list of Top 10 Restaurants with the Best Food in Toronto. Located at 797 College St., this Spanish-inspired eatery is a hotspot for food enthusiasts seeking a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

Stepping into Bar Isabel feels like entering a bustling Spanish tavern, complete with warm, dim lighting and an inviting atmosphere. The restaurant’s lively ambiance adds to the overall charm, making it a perfect spot for sharing small plates with friends or indulging in an intimate dinner.

What truly sets Bar Isabel apart is its menu, which showcases the vibrant and bold flavors of Spain. From succulent tapas to hearty dishes, each plate is a fusion of Spanish culinary tradition and modern creativity. Diners can savor dishes like octopus with romesco sauce, Iberian ham, and mouthwatering churros for dessert.

Bar Isabel’s carefully curated wine and cocktail list complements the menu perfectly, offering a wide range of options to pair with the diverse flavors. The knowledgeable and attentive staff ensures that each visit is a memorable dining experience.

For those in search of a culinary adventure that transports them to the heart of Spain, Bar Isabel is an essential destination among Toronto’s top restaurants. It’s a place where passion for food, a commitment to excellence, and a lively atmosphere converge to create a dining experience that lingers in the memory long after the meal is over.

Conclusion

Toronto’s culinary landscape is a testament to its cultural diversity and culinary creativity. These top restaurants not only offer exceptional food but also create memorable dining experiences. Whether you’re a local looking to explore new flavors or a visitor eager to savor the city’s gastronomic delights, Toronto’s dining scene is sure to leave you craving for more. So, don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in the best food Toronto has to offer and embark on a culinary journey you won’t soon forget.