29 Bucket List Restaurants Every True Torontonian Needs To Visit At Least Once
Yum!
When it comes to food, Toronto sees itself at the top with some of the best restaurants around.
Every true Torontornian has been to most, if not all of these restaurants. They provide you with AMAZING food that will have you coming back-and you can't call yourself a true Torontornian, until you've been to these places at least once (or if you're like me, multiple times). These places are known to all, but if you're new to the city, don't worry. Check out the bucket list below to transform yourself into the true Torontornian that you are:
Terroni
Where: 720 Queen Street West // West Queen West
Type: Italian
Most popular item: Margherita
Price: 💸💸
Why should go: New York City might say they do pizza best, but only true Torontonians can proudly say it's Toronto after they eat here.
Barberian's Steakhouse
Where: 7 Elm Street // Garden District
Type: Steakhouse
Most popular item: Rib Steak
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Why you should go: They have a giant wine cellar (talk about entering heaven) that will pair with the juicy steaks you consume.
Scaramouche
Where: 1 Benvenuto Pl. // Casa Loma
Type: French
Most popular item: Lamb with mustarded crust
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Why you should go: Classy place, killer view- basically an escape to Paris.
Lakeview Restaurant
Where: 1132 Dundas Street W // Trinity Bellwoods
Type: Diner
Most popular item: Deep fried mac n' cheese balls, all day breakfast foods
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: Two words- ALWAYS. OPEN. (Where else are you going to be able to get mac n' cheese balls at 3am after a drunk night out???)
Fring's
Where: 455 King Street W. // Entertainment District
Type: Electic
Most popular item: Fried chicken waffles, truffle fries
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Why you should go: A picture in front of the iconic LED sign is an Instagram favourite that's sure to kick up your like game, and that's enough reason to cross this off your bucket list!
The Burger's Priest
Where: Multiple Locations
Type: Burgers
Most popular item: The Priest
Price: 💸
Why you should go here: This burger joint is a Toronto classic that lives up to the expectations of being the best burger in town. Paired with some classic fries, this is the best place for your cheat days.
Lahore Tikka House
Where: 1365 Gerrard Street E. // Little India
Type: Pakistani
Most popular item: Lamb biryani
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: You will be taken on a little journey to Pakistan through the food. It's a colourful place, with flavourful foods to boot. If you don't go to this little gem in Little India at least once, you're doing Toronto wrong.
Salad King
Where: 340 Yonge St. // Garden District
Type: Thai
Most popular item: Chicken pad thai
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: This Toronto staple is in the heart of downtown, so chances are you've seen passed it multiple times. And if you're lucky enough to be a Ryerson student, you also get 20% off (sorry U of T)!!
Caplansky's Deli
Where: 356 College St. // Little Italy
Type: Deli
Most popular item: Smoked meat sandwich
Price: 💸 💸
Why you should go: For those that don't have the time and money to go to Montreal for a smoked meat sandwich, Caplansky's is the go-to to fulfill that void.
360 Restaurant
Where: 301 Front Street W. // Entertainment District
Type: Eclectic
Most popular item: Prime ribs
Price: 💸 💸 💸 💸
Why should you go: Not only is this a great date night location at the top of the CN Tower, it has the best view of home. Be ready to ultimately caption your Instagram photo, "views from the 6ix".
The Grenadier Cafe
Where: 200 Parkside Drive // High Park
Type: Brunch
Most popular item: Eggs benedict
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: In the heart of High Park, this year round cafe is your best city escape. Gather your friends, significant other, or even go solo (treat yo self, always!), and brunch a Sunday away.
Buster's Sea Cove
Where: 93 Front Street E. // Old Toronto
Type: Seafood
Most popular item: Crab cakes, Fish n' Chips
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: You haven't had great street seafood until you've gone here. Plus being located right inside the St. Lawrence Market will give you major east coast vibes.
Fran's Restaurant
Where: 20 Yonge Street // Discovery District
Type: Diner
Most popular item: Morning glory waffles
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: A 24hr diner that is a rite of passage for true Torontornians -don't bother calling yourself one if you don't stumble in here at 2am craving just about the entire menu.
Alo
Where: 163 Spadina Avenue // Entertainment District
Type: French
Most popular item: Scallops
Price: 💸 💸 💸 💸
Why should you go: One of the best restaurants in Canada (7th place to be exact according to Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Magazine). This place is a true Toronto fine dining treasure.
Osgoode Hall Restaurant
Where: 130 Queen Street W. // Downtown Core
Type: Eclectic
Most popular item: Steak frites
Price: 💸 💸 💸
Why should you go: This is the hotspot for all lawyers and politicians, but is 100% not just for them. You scope out some wonderful eye candy here while getting your hands on an exclusively prepped meal that many more deserve to eat!
Lake Inez
Where: 1471 Gerrard Street E. // Little India
Type: Asian
Most popular item: Japanese devilled eggs
Price: 💸 💸 💸
Why should you go: Walk down far enough in Little India and there lies Lake Inez. This place takes Asian fusion cuisine to new heights and is a must on the bucket list.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
Where: 190 University Avenue // Financial District
Type: Asian
Most popular item: Ramen
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: George Clooney was there this past week and you can have ramen anyway you want it, need I say more?
Buca
Where: 53 Scollard Street // Yorkville
Type: Italian
Most popular item: The Burrata Pizza
Price: 💸 💸 💸
Why should you go: This place is raved by celebs that come and go, and the treatment is just as classy. You can never go wrong with some classic Italian food, or Buca!
Byblos
Where: 11 Duncan Street // Entertainment District
Type: Mediterranean
Most popular food: Lamb ribs
Price: 💸 💸 💸
Why should you go: This place makes your average middle eastern cuisine look, well, average. Byblos is an neighbourhood hotspot, and a go-to post work dinner location.
Playa Cabana
Where: 111 Dupont Street // The Annex
Type: Mexican
Most popular item: Short rib tacos
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: Can't have a bucket list of restaurants and not visit a Mexican one! Taco Tuesday date anyone?
Kelly's Landing
Where: 123 Front Street W. // Financial District
Type: Pub
Most popular food item: The Landing Burger
Price: 💸 💸
Why should you go: This place is a great blend of good eats and sports bar. The outdoor patio over looks the bustling Front St, making it a great people watching location with a cold Kelly's Caesar is your hand.
Union Restaurant
Where: 72 Ossington Avenue // Trinity Bellwoods
Type: French
Most popular food: Elk sliders, sticky ribs
Price: 💸💸💸
Why you should go: Cute location, cute Instagram worthy food, not the overrated nightclub...enough said.
Chaban
Where: 872 The Queensway // The Queensway
Type: Korean
Most popular item: Kimchi pancake
Price: 💸💸
Why should you go: A true Torontorian knows that amazing food can be found a bit further away in Etobicoke, and Chaban is 100% one of those places. Korean cuisine is a hot trend that Toronto has done really well.
El Catrin
Where: 18 Tank House Lane // Distillery District
Type: Mexican
Most popular food: Baja tacos
Price: 💸💸
Why should you go: To put it simply, this is THE place for Mexican in the city, it's a favourite amongst locals, and if you have yet to go- get it together!
Wilber Mexicana
Where: 552 King Street W. // Fashion District
Type: Mexican
Most popular item: Tacos (duh)
Price: 💸💸
Why should you go: You can never have too many favourite Mexican restaurants, really.
SU & BU
Where: 106 John Street // Entertainment District
Type: Hawaiian
Most popular item: Sushi Burger
Price: 💸💸
Why should you go: Plain old sushi can get so boring. Live a little.
Boku Sushi
Where: 41 Gristmill Lane // Distillery District
Type: Seafood, Sushi
Most popular item: Oysters
Price: 💸💸💸
Why should you go: Because sometimes all you really do want is to go into the biggest sushi coma!
Pokito
Where: 420 Queen Street W // Queen West
Type: Hawaiian
Most popular item: Poke bowls
Price: 💸💸
Why should you go: Poke bowls are all the rage and Pokito is a place that helps poke bowls live up to their hype.
The Host
Where: 14 Prince Arthur Avenue // The Annex
Type: Indian
Most popular item: Lamb roganjosh
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: A neighbourhood, and Toronto favourite, they are are your ideal Indian restaurant
Bar Isabel
Where: 797 College Street //Little Italy
Type: Spanish
Most popular item: Basque cake
Price: 💸💸💸
Why should you go: The red lighting adds so much sex appeal to this restaurant, it makes for a steamy place for a date night.