You can check out some of Toronto's best restaurants for a lot cheaper than it would've cost you any other time of the year and that's thanks to Winterlicious.
Winterlicious starts on January 26 till February 8, and you can book your reservations today at various Toronto restaurants. The question remains though — where can you find the best bang for your buck?
The city's annual event offers diners an experience they can't say no to because, as part of the deal, participating Toronto restaurants offer customers prix fixe menus at set prices to give them a taste of what the spot offers.
The set menus start at $20 and can get up to $75 per person depending on the chosen place and time of day. But this is a great way to explore some of Toronto's hidden gems and find your new favourite restaurants.
We've put together a list of eight Toronto restaurants to check out this Winterlicious season that will cost $27 or less per person for a three-course meal.
Café ZUZU
Price: $27
Address: 555 Dundas St. E., Toronto
Cuisine: Italian
Why You Need To Go: Cafe ZUZU is a restaurant by the Gusto 54 Group in Toronto, which owns places like Gusto 101 and Trattoria Nervosa. Cafe ZUZU is one of their latest additions and serves up delicious Italian food with a 1950s flair.
In their Winterlicious lunch menu, diners can expect to indulge in an appetizer, main dish and dessert. Some of the offerings include Little Gem Salad, Brussels Caesar, Rigatoni, Butternut Squash Risotto and cannoli.
But you might want to grab a coffee and pastry when you're there for lunch too, because those look delicious as well.
La Carnita Queen
Price: $27
Address: 780 Queen St. E., Toronto
Cuisine: Mexican
Why You Need To Go: For $27, diners can enjoy a lunch menu filled with some of La Carnita's specialties. The menu includes your choice of starter, Mexican Street Corn, Cali Salad or Carne Asada Short Ribs. You'll then have a choice of two main dishes and the options include:
- Carne Asada Taco
- Pollo Frito Taco
- Achiote Chicken Taco
- Pork Belly Al Pastor Taco
- Sweet Potato Taco
- Mexican Chorizo Taco
- Vegan Chorizo Taco
- Mushroom Tostada
Now, that's a lunch deal we can get behind!
Bar Bacan
Price: $20
Address: 369 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto
Cuisine: Latin American
Why You Need To Go: Bar Bacan is a family-run restaurant with the aim of making customers feel like they are at home when dining there. This Parkdale hidden gem offers a $20 set menu for Winterlicious, and the options sound so delicious.
You'll choose between Patacón with Coleslaw, Empanada, or Spinach Buñuelos for your appetizer.
As for the main dish, Arepa Pabellón with Yuca Fries, Costeña Arepa with Yuca Fries or Vegetarian or Vegan Arepa with Yuca Fries are on the menu.
And finally, for dessert, Alfajor with Dulce de Leche, Cheesecake, or Viña Cheesecake with Dulce de Leche will be your choice.
Doesn't that all sound mouthwatering?
Tabule BV
Price: $27
Address: 2901 Bayview Ave., Toronto
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Why You Need To Go: This Middle Eastern restaurant offers a wide range of options to choose from that would cater to anyone's cravings, especially during the winter. Their menu also has items that are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.
Winterlicious at Tabule Bayview has four appetizers that diners can choose from, including Lentil Soup, Hallum Salad, Cauliflower or a combination plate that comes with hummus, baba ganoush, tabulè and falafel.
For the main, you can expect to indulge in Tawuk, Kefta Burger, Salmon Kebab or Bayview Bowl. And as you know, no meal is ever complete without dessert, and at Tabule, you'll choose between Rice Pudding, Knaffa Ashta or Baklava.
Amano Italian Kitchen
Price: $27
Address: 65 Front St. W., Toronto
Cuisine: Italian
Why You Need To Go: This Italian restaurant is located in Union Station, which means it's the perfect place to grab a meal while in the city. And for those who work in the Financial Distrcit, the affordable deal is walking distance away.
At Amano Italian Kitchen, you'll get your hands on a starter like Arancini or Fried Olives, a main dish like a Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Amano Fries or Rigatoni Bolognese and dessert, which includes cannoli, biscotti or cookies.
Italian food for lunch is always a great idea, am I right?
The Host Fine Indian Cuisine
Price: $27
Address: 87 Elm St., Toronto
Cuisine: Indian
Why You Need To Go: Indian food is always so hearty, especially during the coldest months of the year, and The Host Fine Indian Cuisine will not disappoint you because its aromatic flavours are delicious.
During their lunch special, you'll have a choice between Samosa, Haryali Palak Kebab, or Chicken 65.
Whereas for your main dish, diners will have the option to choose Chana Masala, Malai Matar Paneer, Aloo Baingan, Butter Chicken or Goat Masala.
And at The Host, you can indulge in Gulab Jamun, Gajjer Halva or Kesari Kheer to end the meal just right.
Bangkok Garden
Price: $27
Address: 18 Elm St., Toronto
Cuisine: Thai
Why You Need To Go: this restaurant is located in a historic building in Toronto and tucked away on Elm Street, close to the Eaton Centre.
Choose between a Satay, Thai Fish Cake or Chicken Spring Rolls for your appetizer. Your main dish choices include Shrimp Pad Thai and Curry Sauce, Phad Tom Yum Stir Fry, or Honey Garlic Fish Stir Fry.
And to end the meal right, for dessert, your options will be Sweet Potatoes with Tapioca Pearl, Mango Pudding and Pandanus Jello.
So, if you are craving authentic Thai food with decor that matches that energy, check out Bangkok Garden this season.
District Restaurant & Bar
Price: $27
Address: 303 King St. W., Toronto
Cuisine: Canadian
Why You Need To Go: This Toronto restaurant is located in the heart of the Entertainment District and prides itself on healthy eats. Not only do they have meat dishes, but they also cater to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
District's appetizer choices during its Winterlicious event include Butternut Squash Soup and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, while the lunch menus feature a Vegan Cheeseburger, Honey Dijon Chicken or Spinach Chicken Wrap.
For dessert, diners can indulge in a Vegan Cheesecake, Chocolate Torte or Hazelnut Gelato.
Hummus, labneh, halawa, debes and tahini from Miss Aida in Toronto with a side of warm pita bread.
Three brunch plates from Miss Aida in Toronto.
Aida Ceasar and Zaatar Paloma.
