8 Toronto restaurants you'll definitely want to try the next time you're downtown
Downtown Toronto this weekend and not sure where to go? Why not skip your usual haunt and check one of these must-try restaurants off your bucket list instead?
From corn dogs and caviar to classic steak and fries, these Toronto restaurants offer the latest in inventive fusion foods, fine-dining dim sum, and quirky happy hours.
So mix things up and explore what downtown Toronto has to offer. Otherwise, you're just wasting an opportunity to expand your palate and indulge your inner foodie.
Jade Yorkville
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: French-Asian
Address: 137 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This is Yorkville’s newest hotspot. If you were a fan of Bitter Melon in Toronto, you’ll be happy to know its former chef Hermawan Lay has moved his innovative flavour combos to Jade’s kitchen. The menu is an exciting blend of French and Asian cuisine, with offerings like corn dogs and caviar (white sturgeon caviar on a smoked farmer sausage with halloumi). Inspired by its namesake stone, the space is filled with jade, from its upper-level dining area to its lower-level lounge, so you’ll be surrounded by opulence wherever you are.
Ficoa
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Canadian
Address: 585 College St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Its happy hour, or “Pachanga hour” on Thursday and Friday nights from 8 p.m. to close is unique. Every time you order a cocktail, it comes with a complimentary snack. The more drinks you get, the heftier the bites become. There’s even a mini steak on mashed potatoes and duck wings with caviar.
The menu itself is eclectic and brings out seasonal flavours complemented by multicultural influences in the city. The core tasting menu changes weekly and consists of 16 plates across seven courses over two hours.
Lyla
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Italian
Address: 60 Sudbury St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Chef Michael Madeiros, who comes from years of experience in Australia working in Michelin kitchens, is serving up a slew of tasty dishes. Start with caviar bumps, (or a full caviar tower if you’re feeling extra fancy) and work your way through a Mediterranean-Italian fusion menu.
From the Harrisa-spiced Cornish hen to ricotta and black truffle tortellini and perfectly cooked steaks that come with a side of bone marrow, Lyla has something for everyone. Wash it all down with their signature Grove martini with caper and chive-infused vodka. They’re open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and a late-night bar menu.
Mott 32
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Chinese
Address: 190 University Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: It’s one of the most awarded fine-dining Chinese restaurant brands with eight locations around the world. It’s taken over Momofuku’s previous space at the Shangri-La and has three floors of dining space with lavish finishes — so you know it’s going to be special.
Signature dishes include an applewood roasted Peking duck served table side, a recreation of barbecue pork with top-grade Iberian pig and marinated jellyfish. They are also one of the first fine-dining Chinese restaurants to offer a vegetarian menu with plant-based alternatives, so it’s a great place no matter what your preference.
Martine’s Wine Bar
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 293 Palmerston Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: For a farm-to-table experience right here in the city, Martine’s Wine Bar is the place to be. From the same team behind Bar Raval, chef Luke Haines comes up with the vegetable-forward menu from whatever comes off the truck every two weeks. A wood-burning oven cooks a lot of the meals, while house-made pasta is made on an old-school chitarra.
Biff’s Bistro
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 2 Front St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Biff’s has always delivered solid, no-frills French bistro cuisine. Classics like French onion soup and coq au vin are a must at this 24-year-old establishment.
The restaurant had been temporarily closed for a while, but now they’re back with a refreshed space (right next door to their previous location) and a revamped menu. From Tuesday to Saturday, you can also snag yourself some half-priced wine and oysters during happy hour (4-6 p.m.).
J’s Steak Frites
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Parisian steakhouse
Address: 577 College St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: They do steak and they do it well. J’s Steak Frites only has one prix fixe menu for $60 per person, which includes the day’s cut of steak, a salad and unlimited French fries. You can ask for extra sauce and house-made bread at an extra charge, and of course, they have a dessert menu.
The focus here is really on top-quality ingredients and a cheery atmosphere. Their Queen Street location did so well that they opened another one on College.
So if you get easily overwhelmed by menus, or you simply just want some good steak, this is the place for you.
The Berczy Tavern
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Canadian/American/Mediterranean
Address: 69 Front St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you love live music, The Berczy is a new dining room and piano bar situated across from the Flatiron building.
Set up as a fine-dining bistro, the menu is full of Canadian-American eats with Mediterranean influences tossed in — think chicken liver mousse, rare beef salad with a fish sauce vinaigrette and grilled octopus. They also just launched their brunch menu accompanied by a live piano.
