These unique Toronto restaurants offer the perfect chance to experience the incredible flavors of one of the world’s most multicultural cities
As a travel journalist, I have been writing about stellar “foodie” destinations for many years, yet, for no explicable reason, I have never written about my hometown. I was born, bred, and educated in Toronto and I am justifiably proud of what is arguably the most vibrant multicultural metropolis in the world.
Resulting from this merry melting pot of cultures from all over the planet, dining in Toronto offers up a smorgasbord of unique delights in its diversified ethnic neighborhoods. Like other amazing multicultural cities such as New York and Paris, a Toronto food tour could take you in any number of mouthwatering directions. You could start your day with a cappuccino in Little Italy, head to one of Toronto’s six Chinatowns for dim sum, chow down on Thai pad kra pao as a snack, and enjoy an authentic Indian vindaloo for dinner without missing a beat.
Unique Toronto Restaurants
There’s a posh cosmopolitan side to Canada’s largest city where luxurious hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants will dazzle even the most demanding of patrons. So join me as I walk you through some of the most unique Toronto restaurants so that you can experience the breadth and wonder of Canada’s largest city.
Cocktails at Toronto’s Grand Dame the Fairmont Royal York
When the Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St. W.) opened its doors in 1929, it was the finest hotel in the British Empire. Today, it’s no longer the city’s most trendy luxury hotel in Toronto, but it’s certainly the Grand Dame of where to eat in Toronto.
Enjoy lavish cocktails at the snug Art Deco-inspired Library Bar. The Library Bar is a charming haven for culinary enthusiasts seeking an intimate and sophisticated setting to indulge in delectable bites and exquisite cocktails.
Library Bar is renowned for its Birdbath martini made with QUILL vodka or gin specially crafted by Fairmont’s world-class mixologists. The drink combines Cocchi extra dry vermouth, house orange bitters, and fleur du sel.
For those seeking more than just cocktails, the Library Bar’s culinary offerings are just as enticing. From the mouthwatering charcuterie board to the indulgent lobster mac and cheese, the menu is filled with an array of small plates and entrees that are perfect for sharing or savoring on your own.
Classic appetizer pairings include oysters Rockefeller, crab dip, and truffled mushroom toast. For heartier fare, try the Bay Street Prime Rib sandwich. You can check out all of their offerings here.
A Taste of Paris at Le Select Bistro
Toronto doesn’t really have a French neighborhood, but Le Select Bistro (432 Wellington St. W) has been an institution in the French culinary scene since 1977 when it opened in its original location on Queen St. W.
Le Select Bistro is one of the most unique restaurants in Toronto. The culinary team focuses on locally sourced ingredients, expertly prepared dishes, and elegant presentation, this luxury French dining experience in Toronto offers a truly unforgettable culinary experience.
With its zinc bar, Art Deco fixtures, and vintage posters, you might think you’ve been transported from downtown Toronto to the terraces of Paris’ Left Bank. Chef Ted Corrado’s crafts authentic Parisian bistro fare, such as French onion soup, coquilles St. Jacques, sole meuniere, and other French classics that will not disappoint even the most ardent Francophile.
Italian Inspiration Meets Canadian Ingredients at Don Alfonso 1890
Among the select few Michelin-starred restaurants in Toronto, Don Alfonso 1890 was named the second-best Italian restaurant in the world — among Italian restaurants outside of Italy, of course — according to the 50 Top Italy list for 2023.
Having had the pleasure of dining at the original family-run Da Alfonso 1890 on an Amalfi Coast, food tour, I wasn’t surprised at the quality of the food and service. It was there that I had the best meal of my life!
Don Alfonso’s new Toronto location, perched atop the Westin Harbour Castle hotel, has terrific views of Lake Ontario and the downtown Toronto skyline, but the spectacular cuisine is why this has been declared one of the best locations for authentic Italian dining in Toronto.
From the a la carte menu, starters include Ontario Wagyu beef tenderloin, eel gelato with sturgeon caviar, and Quebec Muscovy duck breast. Moving onto the main courses, you might be tempted by Nova Scotia lobster with wild Ontario mushrooms and trout roe, wild turbot from British Columbia, or a vegetarian mélange of crispy onion, zucchini, asparagus, cauliflower with a beet/garlic mayonnaise.
Save room for the hazelnut parfait. For an unforgettable splurge, go for the Don Alfonso 1890 multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
Slice & Dice at La Scuola di Eataly
Not all unique dining experiences in Toronto involve getting pampered, sometimes it means getting your hands a bit messy, or even enjoying dining in Toronto with children. Try your hand at making Neapolitan-style pizza in a wood-fired oven or rolling ravioli at La Scuola di Eataly (55 Bloor St. W.)
There are culinary activities to suit all ages and tastes at La Scuola di Eataly. The Kids’ Pizza Class invites an adult and child (age 4 to 13) to a hands-on session of rolling dough and topping individual “pies.” Want to learn the secret of making pillowy light gnocchi dumplings? Sign up for a class.
Eataly stands for “Eating Italian” which encompasses the history and the food culture of Italy. The first Eataly opened in the city of Torino in 2007.
Since then, Eataly has expanded, with more than 35 locations throughout Italy and the world. It is a veritable emporium of Italian products, restaurants, and culinary experiences.
Eclectic Bites At Kensington Market and St. Lawrence Market
Toronto boasts two fantastic markets: Kensington and St. Lawrence. Kensington Market, bordering on downtown Chinatown, is crammed with culinary treasures. Among the many incredible foodie spots in Kensington Market is The Global Cheese store. This Toronto fromagerie sells cheeses from all over the world and is very generous with tasting samples.
Among the many foodie experiences in Kensington Market, there are a few that can’t be missed. Jimmy’s Coffee serves up perfect javas; Dipped makes gourmet donuts crafted with love and a lot of butter. From Chinese dim sum to Vietnamese pho to Mexican tacos to Jamaican patties—you can graze globally at these unique Toronto eateries.
St. Lawrence Market, near Union Station, is the oldest market in Toronto. This historic spot offers a great variety of fish, meat, produce, cheese, and baked goods to throngs of Torontonians each day.
Foodies, such as the late Anthony Bourdain, raved about the peameal bacon sandwiches at Carousel Bakery. The line-ups at Buster’s Sea Cove are worth the wait. Buster’s menu features a variety of seafood options, including fish and chips, lobster rolls, seafood chowder, grilled fish, and seafood tacos.
Don’t miss The Market Gallery on the second floor of St. Lawrence Market displays rolling exhibits that reveal the cultural, physical, and social development of Toronto.
Dive Into The Flavors Of Little India
Toronto’s Little India is among the most unique places to eat in Toronto. This community came to life in the early 1970s. Realizing that South Asian immigrants to Toronto missed their Bollywood films and music, an enterprising Gian Naaz opened The Naaz Theatre, drawing immigrants by the hundreds. It’s closed now but Toronto’s Little India, hailed as the largest South Asian marketplace in North America, continues to thrive.
From Coxwell Avenue west for six blocks, both sides of Gerrard Street are choc-a-bloc with curry restaurants, sari, spice, and tea shops. These unique food experiences are paired with Bollywood music and an authentic Indian vibe.
One of these days I’ll get to India, but in the meantime, when I need more curry leaves or a Bollywood fix, Little India is just a streetcar ride away. Don’t miss Lahore Tikka House, this popular restaurant offers authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine, including delicious tandoori dishes and biryanis. Udupi Palace is a can’t-miss vegetarian restaurant that serves up delicious South Indian cuisine, including dosas, idlis, and vadas. Their sambar and chutneys are especially tasty.
Get a taste of Indigenous Cuisine at Tea-N-Bannock
If you’ve never bit into a bison burger on a bannock bun or cinnamon-dusted fried bear paws, head to Tea-N-Bannock (1294 Gerrard St. E.) near Little India to experience one of the most unique Toronto restaurants.
Launched in 2002, this unpretentious restaurant serves up authentic indigenous cuisine with some modern twists. Bannock, the traditional bread of the First Nations Peoples of North America comes baked or fried. Wild rice accompanies many of the most popular dishes at Tea-N-Bannock including wild Arctic Char.
Labrador tea, made from Rhododendrons picked near the boreal forests and swamps of Northern Ontario, has a refreshing taste and is known for its medicinal properties that can aid respiratory problems, colds, and coughs. In fact, moose and deer nibble on the plant to sustain themselves over harsh winters.
Grilled smoked salmon comes with salad and a sweetgrass vinaigrette. And for those with a sweet tooth, the desserts at Tea-N-Bannock don’t disappoint—especially the wild blueberry crumble.
The Tea-N-Bannock team is led by chef Thomas Norton of the Saugeen Nation and owner Enos Miller. Many items (teas, bannock, wild rice popcorn, maple syrup, blueberry jam) are on sale so you can enjoy a “pow wow” at home.
If you’re interested in making your Indigenous-style cuisine, you can check out these great Indigenous-style recipes here.
Vegetarian with a Mexican Twist at Rosalinda
I am not a vegetarian, but I do love the plant-based dishes at Rosalinda (133 Richmond St. W.) where lively wines and seasonal produce come together. Their “chorizo” tamale is made with quinoa and tempeh. The “chicharron” substitutes pork crackling with roasted taro flour, roasted flax seeds, wheat, and garlic salt. Wash down your tacos and fritters with a flight of three different mezcals.
In addition to the food, Rosalinda also offers a great selection of cocktails, including their popular Rosalinda margarita, which is made with tequila, lime, and hibiscus syrup.
Star-spangled Sushi at Sushi Masaki Saito
If dishing out $680 per person for fish and rice sounds preposterous, dinner at Sushi Masaki Saito may not be your cup of sake. However, jet-setting chef Saito is the only person in the world to have earned two Michelin stars in both Toronto and New York. What makes it so special? Everything: the fish, the rice, the vinegar, and the wasabi.
Many of we lesser informed Japanese food aficionados think that it’s the freshest fish that makes the best sushi. Not so for chef Saito who ages it for as long as a week to deepen the flavor and transform the texture.
Though it’s common in Japan, aged Edomae sushi, as it’s called, is almost unheard of in North America. The menu is based on the chef’s daily inspirations. Sushi Masaki Saito (88 Avenue Rd.) is located in Toronto’s posh Yorkville area.
Have You Eaten At These Unique Restaurants In Toronto?
Toronto is packed with incredible places to eat and some phenomenally unique restaurants. As one of the world’s most multicultural cities, Toronto is packed with incredible flavors. Among the delightful food experiences, you’ll find everything from Michelin-star luxury to under-the-radar culinary wonders.
If you have a favorite unique Toronto restaurant, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below, and I’ll be sure to add it to our list.
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