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$$ | King West |
In a quiet dining room tucked into the first floor of a house just off King West, this adventurous pizza parlor serves New York--style pies with topping combos like braised beef tongue and smoked bacon, or anchovies and crispy chicken skin. While there are pasta offerings on the menu, diners can also slurp cheesy bone marrow and order decadent house-made Twinkies for dessert.
96 Tecumseth St., Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2H1, Canada
Known For
- Cozy interior
- Adventurous menu items
- Daily specials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Mon.–Tues.
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$$ | Ossington |
Like the appealingly bare-bones aesthetic of its space (exposed brick, hardwoods, and candlelight), this creative contemporary Pan-Asian bistro offers unadorned dishes that are jammed with flavor. After traveling for a year, chef-owner Tom Thai returned to Toronto with inspiration from Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean to produce a menu featuring tapas-style offerings like arctic char ceviche, lamb and duck prosciutto dumplings, and grilled side ribs with a sticky shallot glaze. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so get here early or late to avoid the rush.
207 Ossington St., Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2Z8, Canada
Known For
- Well-priced wine list
- Sharing plates
- Seasonal back patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Entertainment District |
Named for a street in Bangkok bursting with nightlife and excellent street eats, Khao San Road lives up to its moniker. The squash fritters are a head-turning crispy delight that you'll want to order when you see them show up at another table. For heartier dishes, try for the khao soi, a dish of egg noodles in a rich coconut milk sauce, or try the warming massaman, a tamarind-infused curry with peanuts, potatoes, and deep-fried shallots.
11 Charlotte St., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1P7, Canada
Known For
- Ingredients sourced directly from Thailand
- Busy, vibrant atmosphere
- All of the noodle dishes are standouts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun., Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Leslieville |
A Leslieville staple, this brunch spot occupies an airy two-floor space with huge windows in a converted old home just north of the main Queen East drag. It's a lovely spot for hearty, homey dishes like cheddar jalapeño waffles, washed down with coffee in vintage Corningware mugs.
265 Broadview Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4M 2G8, Canada
Known For
- Gorgeous modern dining room
- Great variations on eggs Benedict
- Long waits at peak times
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$$ | Little India |
From the "mindblowing chicken sandwich" to the Pharaoh's po' boy with fried shrimp, it's hard to go wrong at this cheerful, intimate family-run Egyptian brunch joint, located at Little India's eastern edge.
226 Greenwood Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4L 2R2, Canada
Known For
- Award-winning lentil soup
- Cardamom lattes
- Long waits on sunny days and weekends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Leslieville |
Bold Middle Eastern flavors and spices are showcased at Tabülè, where traditional appetizers include baba ghanoush and hummus served with warm flatbread, and standout falafel fried to a deep golden brown and served with thick, rich tahini sauce. Grilled meats and seafood are also excellent.
810 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1H7, Canada
Known For
- Moroccan-chic decor
- Varied drinks list
- Colorful back patio
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$$ | Church–Wellesley |
No late-night craving goes unsatisfied at this decades-running 24-hour eatery specializing in lighter fare. Soups like Moroccan or vegetarian chili and sandwiches like sloppy joes and herbed chicken with honey mustard are comforting and filling. There is also a brunch menu.
7 Charles St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1R4, Canada
Known For
- Optimal socializing on the hidden rooftop patio
- Cozy atmosphere with lots of candles
- Home-style fare
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$$ | Financial District |
A culinary tribute to beer, the creative menu here incorporates its star ingredient in every dish, but in subtle and clever ways without causing a malted-flavor overload. Start the hoppy journey with a taster flight of three draft beers, and follow that with a beer-bread pizza made with oatmeal stout or a bowl of mussels in a beer-based broth.
18 King St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1C4, Canada
Known For
- Cozy interior with an open kitchen
- Great patio in summer
- Delicious beer-focused desserts
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$$ | Rosedale |
This tiny café, just outside the Rosedale subway station, serves some of the city's favorite sandwiches.
4 Crescent Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1S9, Canada
Known For
- Five-day roasted brisket and pulled pork
- Quick service, even during busy lunch rush
- Optional toppings of caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and a variety of sauces
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$$ | Little Italy |
Holding court over a central Little Italy corner since 1968, Diplomatico is popular for its big sidewalk patio with umbrella-shaded tables, one of the best places in the city for people-watching. "The Dip," as it's locally known, serves reliable red-sauce Italian fare until late into the night.
594 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1B3, Canada
Known For
- Classic Italian dishes
- Large portions at reasonable prices
- Great people-watching
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$$ | West Queen West |
Head to this colorful café for locally roasted espresso and reasonably priced Mediterranean brunch. Inspired by Greek kafeneio meeting places, it's a great spot to while away a few hours.
1024 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H6, Canada
Known For
- Full brunch menu with Greek touches
- Fresh bread on weekends
- Locally roasted coffee
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$$ | Little Italy |
At this classic Toronto wing joint, crispy flats and drumettes are served with pristine celery sticks and creamy dill or blue-cheese dressing. The "medium" sauce is still fairly hot—but for those truly willing to tempt fate, the options go all the way up to "armageddon."
558 College St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1B1, Canada
Known For
- Pub grub--focused menu
- Loud, lively atmosphere
- Great for families
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Chinatown |
Fried dumplings stuffed with juicy shrimp and pork or the health-conscious steamed spinach and black mushroom wrappers are the stars of the show but ordering from the selection of northern Chinese staples is highly recommended too. Top crowd-pleasing picks are the ultra-thinly sliced semi-cooked potato threads cooked in a jolting spicy vinegar, and noodley tofu strips boiled and lightly stir-fried with pork and veggies.
328 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2E7, Canada
Known For
- Fast service
- Dumplings wrapped fresh by staff in the window
- Homey atmosphere
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$$ | Kensington Market |
Enter a Middle Eastern paradise where vegans and the health conscious can feast on delicious mock-meat renditions of classics like chicken shawarma and beef kebabs doused in a variety of flavored tahinis, like beet and lemon. Chef Isra recreated her grandmother's Egyptian recipes so faithfully that not even she can tell them apart.
160 Baldwin St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3K7, Canada
Known For
- Rotating desserts
- Everything is made fresh and worth the wait
- The rice and lentils are comfort in a bowl
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$$ | |
Open in one form or another since the 1980s, this neighborhood eatery strives to capture both contemporary and authentic Japanese washoku-style cooking. Think tempura, teriyaki, sushi, sashimi, poke bowls, and creative maki rolls. Hot pots and udon noodle bowls are a great way to warm up in the colder months.
429 Spadina Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M5P 2W3, Canada
Known For
- Some of the area's best sushi
- Devoted local following
- Lovely bar area
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.
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$$ | Entertainment District |
Don't let the opulent interior at this busy breakfast spot fool you: the meals here are affordable (and yummy). It's one of the closest brunch restaurants to the Rogers Centre, making it a good place to grab a cup of coffee and some pancakes before an afternoon Jays game.
25 Lower Simcoe St., Toronto, Ontario, M5J 3A1, Canada
Known For
- Velvet chairs and grand chandeliers
- Small but cozy side patio
- Extensive vegan brunch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | Kensington Market |
Located smack in the middle of Kensington Market, locals flock to this highly versatile cultural hub that effortlessly merges brunch restaurant, gelateria, and evening cabaret. The sprawling front and back patio make it an ideal location for soaking in local culture over an umami-rich Japanese omelet and pink sakura latte, or cocktails paired with late-night Latin-themed bites. The choices are truly endless.
230 Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2L6, Canada
Known For
- Eclectic menu
- Film screenings
- Creative coffees, smoothies, and cocktails
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$$ | Queen's Park |
This local mini-chain does a brisk business in fresh, slow-cooked rotisserie chicken, either sold as combo meals or atop customizable salads.
661 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Hearty, well-rounded salads
- Tasty side soups
- Grab-and-go service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends
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$$ | Queen's Park |
For generations, hungry Torontonians have ended up at this reliable round-the-clock diner for classic breakfasts and greasy-spoon dishes. Burgers and Benedicts are staples, but the menu makes room for a variety of comfort food crowd-pleasers like lasagnas, meat loaf, and steak. Save room for rice pudding.
20 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1K2, Canada
Known For
- Retro diner atmosphere
- 24-hour service
- Upstairs patio
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$$ | Entertainment District |
This delicious restaurant has been a vegan mecca for over 20 years and will make even the most die-hard meat eaters happy. The menu has evolved far past their power shake and rice bowl origins, and while the Balance bowl still tops the charts with its jicama, tofu, and addictive peanut sauce, they now offer everything from pizzas to decadent breakfast items like a crispy, corn-flake-coated almond butter French toast.
147 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2L7, Canada
Known For
- Cold-pressed juices and smoothies
- Garden-like atmosphere
- Young, lively crowd
