So, we turned to the experts — Torontonians themselves. We asked our readers on Narcity Canada's Facebook page: "What's your favourite restaurant in Toronto, regardless of the price?"
The answers rolled in. While a few familiar names emerged, the sheer variety of responses proves just how vibrant and diverse Toronto's culinary landscape truly is.
So, whether you're celebrating a special occasion, want to spoil somebody in your life, or simply want to indulge in some of Toronto's finest dining, these restaurants — according to Narcity readers — are always worth the splurge.
From the submissions, here's a list of 11 standout spots that came very highly recommended.
Barberian's Steak House
Cuisine: Steakhouse with fine wine
Address: 7 Elm St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: According to its website, Barberian's Steak House was founded in 1959 by Harry Barberian and has since become a Toronto landmark.
Now owned by Harry's son, Arron, who took over in 1994, the restaurant is renowned for its charcoal-grilled steaks.
Barberian's also boasts an impressive two-storey underground wine cellar, housing more than 30,000 bottles. Its wine list spans over 110 pages.
This year, it earned a spot on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list, coming in at number 93, a one-spot climb from the previous year.
Barberian's Steak House's Menu
Buca
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 604 King St. W., Toronto, ON (temporarily closed for renovations); 53 Scollard St., (Yorkville) Toronto, ON; 2 St. Clair Ave. W. Suite 100, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Buca is known for its elevated Italian cuisine. Its original King Street West restaurant is temporarily closed for renovations, which, once complete, will bring the total number of locations in Toronto back to three.
According to its website, Buca was founded with a deep respect for Italy's regional culinary customs, emphasizing quality, culture, and clever design.
"Using only the finest, seasonal ingredients sourced from specialty purveyors and farmers," the site notes, "we maintain an appreciation and passion for Italian culture."
Buca also has a location in Vaughan.
Buca's Menu
Canoe
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Canadian
Address: 66 Wellington St. W., TD Bank Tower, 54th Floor, Toronto, ON,
Why You Need To Go: Canoe is a renowned dining destination celebrated for its contemporary Canadian cuisine.
Perched atop the TD Bank Tower, the restaurant offers sweeping views of Lake Ontario and the CN Tower, making it both visually impressive and a culinary delight.
According to its website, Canoe aims to reflect the richness of Canada's diverse landscape in every dish it serves.
It was included in Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2025 list, coming in at number 50.
Canoe's Menu
Harbour Sixty
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Steakhouse and Italian
Address: 60 Harbour St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: After more than two years of renovations, Harbour Sixty reopened in March with a bold new rebrand.
The first two floors continue to house the iconic steakhouse that longtime patrons know and love. On the third floor, guests will find Estelle, an elegant private event space, while the fourth floor is home to Arianna, a sleek new modern Italian restaurant.
Altogether, the revamped building delivers a multi-level dining experience that you won't forget.
Harbour Sixty Menu
The Keg
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Address: Various locations across Toronto
Why You Need To Go: The Keg is a classic go-to. Though it's a nationwide chain, its consistently high-quality steaks make it a local favourite for everything from date nights to family dinners.
It was by far the most popular response to our question, showing just how well-loved The Keg is among Torontonians.
There are seven locations across the city: The Esplanade, King West, Leslie Street, Mansion (Jarvis Street), North York, Yonge & Eglinton, and York Street.
The Keg's Website
Maison Selby
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 592 Sherbourne St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Maison Selby is a French restaurant set within the historic C.H. Gooderham House, a landmark built in the 1880s by one of Toronto's most prominent families.
Blending old-world charm with modern flair, Maison Selby offers a menu filled with classic French favourites and a curated selection of hand-crafted cocktails.
The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, making it a versatile spot for any occasion.
Maison Selby's Menu
Mandarin
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Chinese-Canadian
Address: Various locations across the GTA
Why You Need To Go: Mandarin is a much-loved restaurant chain renowned for its all-you-can-eat buffet, serving a diverse mix of Chinese and Canadian cuisine with its own unique twist on both.
With over 100 dishes to choose from, it's a place you'll never leave hungry. As one reader put it: "Mandarin. For the ultimate pig-out."
There are several locations across the GTA, including midtown Toronto (Yonge & Eglinton), Scarborough, Etobicoke, North York, Rexdale, Markham, Mississauga, Vaughan, and Brampton.
Mandarin's Pricing
The Old Spaghetti Factory
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 54 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Old Spaghetti Factory is a longtime favourite with decades of history and a loyal following.
Known for its nostalgic charm and wallet-friendly three-course meals, it offers a dining experience that feels both comforting and unique.
Toronto's location is tucked into a lively pocket of the city, right beside The Scotland Yard Pub, with Bar Cathedral between the two establishments.
There are 15 Old Spaghetti Factory locations across Canada in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, with Toronto proudly home to the only one in Ontario.
The Old Spaghetti Factory's Menu
Terroni Adelaide
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 57 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Gruppo Terroni has several locations across Toronto, but one reader gave a special shoutout to the Adelaide Street spot.
Renowned for its delicious Italian cuisine and elegant atmosphere, this location has been serving guests since 2007.
Housed in the historic Adelaide Street Court House, it spans four floors. It features a range of rooms ideal for group dining and private events of all sizes, according to its website.
Terroni's Menu
Scaramouche Restaurant
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: French haute
Address: The Benvenuto, 1 Benvenuto Pl., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Scaramouche serves refined, contemporary food in midtown Toronto, complemented by stunning views of the city skyline.
A staple of the city's dining scene for decades, it has earned a devoted customer base through its commitment to exceptional service, quality, and consistency.
Scaramouche Restaurant's Menu
Sotto Sotto
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 120 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: In the heart of Yorkville, Sotto Sotto is a legendary Toronto restaurant known for its celebrity clientele and intimate atmosphere.
It gained pop culture fame after being name-dropped in Drake's 2013 track Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2, where he raps: "After hours at Il Mulino or Sotto Sotto, just talkin' about women and vino..."
Drake is far from the only star to dine here — Oprah, Elton John, and Brad Pitt are just a few of the big names who've been spotted there.
In December 2014, Sotto Sotto's original location was destroyed by a fire. Remarkably, it reopened just two months later, a few doors down, continuing its legacy.
Sotto Sotto's Menu
That's a few more Toronto restaurants to add to your foodie bucket list!
Save on waste with Fresh Prep's reusable cooler bag and thoughtfully designed ingredient containers. Courtesy of Fresh Prep