Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with over 140 languages and dialects being spoken here. This makes it one of the best cities to taste foods from across the globe.
Voyalific will take you through each continent, each top restaurant, and each customer favourite. When booking a Voyalific local, ask for a foodie! They will have places (just like this) to recommend and even more local spots to explore.
This list should keep you fed for a while.
North America
Boralia – Canadian fare inspired by natives & early settlers – 59 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Y9
This is the place to really ‘sample’ Canada and try flavours that may be outside of your comfort zone. The chefs showcase Canada’s bounty and heritage, without being afraid to push boundaries. The flavours are robust and hearty, with menu items featuring the original date of conception for each dish. It is a modern take on preparing unique and challenging Canadian heritage dishes with locally sourced ingredients. It is recognized as one of the GTA’s best restaurants and an upscale Canadian classic. It isn’t cheap, but it sure is worth it.
Customer Favourites: Liver and Foie Gras Parfait, and the L’éclade Mussels smoked with pine needles.
Pow Wow Cafe – American, Canadian – 213 Augusta Avenue Toronto, ON M5T 2L4, Kensington Market
This small restaurant offers an outdoor terrace, books for sale, and an open kitchen where you can watch the cooks preparing hearty dishes. It is a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, with staff that are knowledgable and helpful. The food is presented beautifully, arriving full of colour and freshness – tastes as good as it looks! Amazing flavours and all ingredients cooked to perfection. The servings are large and well worth the price for a lovely brunch.
Customer Favourites: Pork Taco, Bannock, Hot Basil Tea
Bannock – Contemporary, Canadian – 401 Bay Street Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
Tasty, tasty comfort food made with love and simple ingredients. This restaurant is located in the Hudson Bay complex near Queen and Bay, providing great service, reasonable prices, and amazing food. In this set up, you can watch the cooks work away in the kitchen, making for a bustling atmosphere. It is vegetarian friendly and the friendly staff is always willing to provide recommendations.
Customer Favourites: Eggs Benedict with a Flare, Tabouleh Salad, Fogo Island Cod led Eggs, Shrimp Cakes, BLT Bannock, and the Fish Taco.
Canoe – Canadian – 66 Wellington Street W | Toronto, ON M5K 1H6
This place comes with a view. Set on the 54th floor, with a front row seat to the CN tower, the lake, sunsets, and the city below. The menu offers an extensive wine list, and meals that are straight to the point. It is the perfect location for an anniversary dinner, or a business lunch.
Customers Favourites: Mushroom Soup, Lobster Club, Cod and Duck.
Antler Kitchen & Bar – Canadian – 1454 Dundas Street W | Toronto, ON M6J 1Y6
This restaurant is located in West Toronto about 15 minutes drive from the financial district. A bit out of the way, but many would attest it is worth the distance. It is a foodie’s delight, serving the best of Canada’s wild game – needless to say, not your vegan hangout. The menu is inventive and delicious with a bistro-like setting and friendly staff.
This place takes their cocktails seriously, and with a small venue it is best to make reservations so you won’t be disappointed.
Customer Favourites: Venison Tartar, Wild Boar Gyoza, Game Burger, Rabbit Pappardelle, and the Bison Rib Eye
South America
Los Colibris – Mexican – 220 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H 1K4
Delicious Mexican food with a creative flare to each dish. Get the best of Mexico with a Haute Cuisine style here in Toronto, made by the talented executive chef Elia Herrera. The servers are knowledgable, patient, helpful and friendly. The meals are not as spicy as one would expect, but they offer surprises in different ways – like ice cream sandwiches in between deep fried churros for dessert – YUM.
Customer Favourites: Arrechero, Lamb, and the aforementioned Churro Sandwich
Seven Lives – Mexican, Latin – 69 Kensington Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2K2, Canada
Think of this place as a food truck with a storefront. Expect long lines, no place to sit, cash only, and delicious food. Go in expecting that and you won’t be disappointed. At $6 a taco, you can try them all at the best taco stop in Kensington.
Customer Favourites: Gobernador, Fish taco, and Baja taco
La Bella Managua – Nicaraguan, Latin, Central American – 872 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1M5
The Latin American atmosphere is alive and well here, with colourful and authentic surroundings, good music, and a bustling restaurant. The food is outstanding, with massive portions and high quality. Many South American visitors in Toronto stop in here to get a taste of home. The prices are low for food, and high for drinks.
Customer Favourites: Ceviche, Cerdo con Yuca, Carne Asada, Pez Dorado, and Tres Leches for dessert
Patois – Caribbean, Jamaican, Fusion – 794 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V1
Jamaican flare in the big city, with Jamaican patties, kimchi potstickers and other Asian/Caribbean specialties in festive digs. The restaurant is quirky and fun, with great service and an interesting menu which combines different styles fused together. They offer great group rates for drinks, pitchers, and lots of food to share – go with 4 friends and get the whole shebang (yes, that is actually what the special is called, costing $109.00 CAD for everything on the menu).
Customer Favourites: OG Fried Chicken, Pickled Watermelon, Pineapple Bun Burger, and Shrimp Chips.
Asia
Bangkok Garden – Thai, Asian Cuisine – 18 Elm St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G7
There are many Thai places to choose from in the city, but this is one of the best. Wonderful food, staff, ambiance, and serving sizes. The restaurant offers take out, or a dine-in experience. This is a great spot for a date, business meeting, or travellers – in this elegant, quiet, impressive room, and calming ambiance. Enjoy your lunch or dinner unhurried, in the lovely high-ceilinged space with delicious food and a friendly atmosphere.
Customer Favourites: Shrimp Pad Thai, Pineapple Curry
Kasa Moto – Japanese, Sushi, Asian – 115 Yorkville Ave | 115 Yorkville, M5R 1C1, Toronto, Ontario
This roof-top restaurant is located in the heart of Yorkville, along a narrow footpath with restaurants and boutiques, near Bloor/ Yonge street. It is good food, great service, and customers from all over the world. The menu provides a good selection of Asian dishes, beers, and cocktails. Fine Asian cuisine, with a nice ambiance, a bar, and a great spot for date night to try something new and enjoy the warm weather outdoors.
Customer Favourites: Rice and Truffles
Dailo – Asian, Chinese – 503 College St, Toronto, ON M6J 2J3
Asian brasserie & snack bar with French-Inspired Chinese fare & Dim sum. What a mixture! It is a place to sample and savour tiny morsels of food, to experience as many flavours as you can. It is a busy spot with a lively vibe, with friendly and helpful staff to provide suggestions and hot towels before and after the meal. Food is perfectly cooked and served on a wooden plank for extra style points. The wine list is extensive and pairs well with the tempting list of desserts.
Customer Favourites: Steamed Sea Bass, Braised Lamb Neck Rendang, and Duck
Tibet Kitchen – Asian, Tibetan, Nepalese – 1544 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1A6
Looking to try Tibetan food or just looking to try more? This is a great spot to get it without the expense or the fuss. Delicious for lunch or dinner, and a great new discovery for any adventurous foodie. The menu provides lots of choices with steamed buns, noodles, spicy meat dishes, curry and more. If you’re coming from town, hop on the Queen Street Car to see the bustling city streets on the way to one of it’s great Asian restaurants. Great prices, service, food, on tap beer selections, and good vibes!
Customer Favourites: Beef Momo, Spicy Pork, Fried Rice, Sweet Corn Chicken Soup, Veggie Lhasa Momos.
Tich – Indian – 2314 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Brick wall interiors makes for a trendy spot with delicious Indian food! They have a small patio available, vegan options are plenty, and an extensive food and drink menu that won’t disappoint. Ingredients are fresh and flavourful, from appetizers to desserts. The naan is a must have add-on.
Customer Favourites: Onion Bhaji, Chicken Pakoras, Lamb Vindaloo, Madras Chicken, Lamb Korma, Hara Mirch Chicken Tikka, Hyderabad Lamb Shank, Lamb Biryani, and Yellow Daal Tarka.
Europe
Jamie’s Italian – Italian – 401 Dufferin St. Toronto, Ontario M6A 2T9, Canada
Have you heard of this guy named Jamie Oliver? He teaches kids what vegetables are on TV and is a pretty well known chef. This is his restaurant. The British chef set up shop in Toronto, and the whole city gets a taste of his sizeable fresh-made pasta. The menu features salads, pasta, homemade pizza, and meat entrees. Great customer service, casual atmosphere, reasonable prices, and high quality food.
Customer Favourites: Mushroom Fritti, Salmon, Antipasto, Beef Bolognese Pasta, and the Epic Brownie (warm fudge brownie with vanilla bean gelato and caramelized popcorn)
Otto’s Bierhalle – German, Eastern European – 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H3, Canada
This spot is off the beaten path, but has been gaining a lot of attention for it’s gorgeous meals and location close to the Queen W and Ossington – so make the reservation. Menu options are well thought out, creative, and at a great value. All meals are freshly made, with lots of flavour, and beautiful presentation. Share food and still leave feeling full! Beer menu is huge – it is a German restaurant, after all.
Customer Favourites: Cheese/Pretzel Fondue, Deep Fried Sauerkraut Nuggets, Pork Schnitzel, Rouladen, Bratwurst, and Spatz & Cheese
Fat Pasha – Middle Eastern, Mediterranean – 414 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V9
This fun bohemian vibed restaurant has an outdoor garden, an open kitchen, and a bustling indoor space. The terrace is covered, with overgrown plants, communal tables, and lights – making for a patio oasis. The menu has delicious and interesting approaches to many traditional dishes, offering vegan and vegetarian options as well. Dishes are plated invitingly, with fresh ingredients made to share!
Customer Favourites: Eggplant Schnitzel, Hummus, Lamb, and Baked Cauliflower.
Africa
Rendez Vous Ethiopian – Ethiopian, Eritrean – 1408 Danforth Ave, Toronto, Ontario M4J 1M9, Canada
This Danforth Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant is not fine dining – but it will give you authentic food and a real cultural experience. Come ready to eat with your hands, and ask the server to adjust the spice/heat to your preference (if needed). The prices are very reasonable and the portion sizes are incredible. The surrounding scents of smoky coffee and frankincense fill the air, leaving a relaxing aroma throughout.It is authentic and a local favourite for sure.
Customer Favourites: Kitfo Dulat, and Cha-Cha
Maha’s – Egyptian – 226 Greenwood Ave, Toronto, ON M4L 2R2
A trip to Toronto should always include a stop at Maha’s for an authentic Egyptian meal. It is widely recognized as a tiny restaurant, serving the best Egyptian Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch you can find in Ontario. All dishes are prepared from scratch, and carefully crafted. Food is fresh, flavourful and delicious – and people know it. Be prepared to wait in long line ups and have limited seating. The place is bustling from the time it opens till closing time at 3-4pm. The ambience and decorations take you out of Canada for anyone who longs for their hometown in Egypt.
Customer Favourites: Falafel, Foul, Cheese with Dates Sandwich, Foole, Drinks, and Side Dishes.
Keeffaa Coffee – African – 368 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5A 1T1, Canada
This charming cafe is quaint and rustic, with swirls of warm spice aromas winding through the air. It serves organic, fair-trade Ethiopian coffee and authentic Ethiopian food. It has a patio out back, an open concept kitchen, wonderful coffee, and delicious vegetarian food.
What may be most special about this restaurant is the owner, Elsabet. She runs the place, cooks the food fresh, and serves. The place is small, meaning you can carry on a conversation with Elsabet while she cooks your meal. She welcomes everyone like family, and the warmness of her restaurant is a reflection of her personality. “Keeffaa House is a gem of a place and the owner is the beautiful pearl.”
Customer Favourites: Spicy Cinnamon Tea, Lentil Soup, Veggie Platter, Spiced Coffee
Australia
Kanga – Australian – 65 Duncan St, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2C5, Canada
Australian Meat Pies! Australian cuisine in Toronto is hard to come by, but this is place may be all you need for an Aussie abroad. The pies are delicious, flakey pastries, with savoury fillings. It is a small location with counter space and stools for seating, therefore you may be more inclined to grab and go. Many rave about their frozen pies, buy 4 popular flavours for 24$, keep them in the freezer and enjoy at a later date.
Customer Favourites: Pepper Steak, Butter Chicken, El Diablo
Antarctica
Unfortunately, there are no Antarctica cuisine restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area (that we could find).
We hope this inspires you to get out of the house for date night, or encourages you to try a new type of food, or even gets you on a plane to taste all of the food a country has to offer.
Honourable Mentions to: Hemingway’s, George Restaurant, Fanny Chadwick’s, Miku, Figo, and many more!
Stay hungry, and keep exploring.
Written by: Nicole Roach (a fellow foodie)
Featured photo by: @ipeiris
