Toronto, a rising culinary hotspot, recently gained four new Michelin stars, four Bib Gourmands, and a Green Star. This recognition reflects the city’s diverse, melting pot, food scene and while there, I aimed to experience as much as possible from different price points to various internationally inspired cuisines.
I largely prioritized Michelin-recognized spots, both high end and budget friendly, that are many of which are considered local favorites by Torontonians. If you’re looking for some of the best occasion restaurants to try while in The Six, be sure to dine at any of these delicious spots.
The Best Daytime Dining Experiences in Toronto
On a jam-packed day where I bopped around central Toronto’s different coffee shops, breakfast nooks, and favorite sandwich shops, two restaurants caught my eye as having the best atmosphere and food for Torontonians and visitors for a daytime jaunt. There’s no shortage of great day time restaurants in and around the Greater Toronto area, but my evaluation key here was a combination of impressive executive chefs, a menu sure to dazzle, and a vibe that would make any jetlagged traveler smile after a long travel day.
Join our Travel Tribe! Sign up for our newsletter now!
For Brunch or Breakfasts: KŌST at the Bisha Hotel Toronto
KŌST, the Bisha Hotel Toronto’s rooftop restaurant and bar, is a vibrant and airy dining spot that blends California, west-coast cool with the Bisha Hotel’s unmistakable modern rockabilly. While it was a bit too chilly for me to indulge in KŌST’s al fresco dining option, the restaurant’s terrace is truly the best place to be when the good weather comes out to play. With expansive views, 44 floors up, of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario and a fun menu that harkens to Baja California, this “modern beach house” is a great option for those looking for a cheery environment with tasty cocktails and brightly flavored food.
While open for every meal of the day, KŌST is particularly TikTok-famous for its Everyday Brunch, which runs seven days a week from 7:30AM to 3:00 PM. The brunch menu features sweet treats like Tropical Pancakes and a KŌST Smoothie Bowl as well as some savory delights like chorizo, rosti potatoes, and a plethora of Mexico-coded salads.
- Location: Bisha Hotel, 44th Floor, 80 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
- Hours: Open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM, Friday & Saturday from 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Price Range: $$-$$$
A Bright Vibe for Lunch at Chubby’s Jamaican Restaurant
Chubby’s Jamaican Restaurant is proof that the Michelin Guide has its eye on down-to-earth dining, and boy did they ever get this one right. In this island-infused dining room that feels like you’ve been transported to a Caribbean grandmother’s house (in the absolute best way possible) Chubby’s offers classic comfort food with a Jamaican twist. Leaning into co-owner Angela Lawrence’s Jamaican heritage and helmed by Jamaican hospitality staff and chefs, the menu is equal parts island flavor and favorite lunch time eats.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the dishes on Chubby’s menu, and there’s even a cheeky little homage to its Canadian locale in their Oxtail Poutine dish on the brunch menu. The same, fun playfulness of the menu is reflected in the restaurant’s dining rooms. Located in a lovingly restored 19th century rowhouse, the restaurant spans across two floors of seating, two patios, and two bars and features vibrant pops of tropical motifs.
- Location: 104 Portland Street, Toronto
- Hours: Open Monday-Wednesday from 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Thursday & Friday from 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Sunday from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: $$
The Ultimate Evening Dining Hot Spot
As the absolute epitome of what it means to fine dine in a city like Toronto, Alder, located in the garden levels of the Ace Hotel Toronto, absolutely takes the crown as the ultimate dinner spot. Curated by Michelin-recognized Chef Patrick Kriss, Alder is both an elevated dining experience for the discerning connoisseur as it is approachable for guests looking to celebrate a special occasion. The restaurant itself is a lively blend of contemporary touches with chic mid-century modern foundations that’s only enhanced by the chef’s Mediterranean focused menu. With an open-concept kitchen where guests can observe the culinary staff execute their craft and the most personable and professional service staff, you’ll be, all at once, in awe of and perfectly comfortable with the environment around you.
Alder’s curated dishes focus heavily on the wood fired or roasted elements of Mediterranean dining, and every plate incorporates an unexpected or secret ingredient that enhances the dish’s flavor unlike anything I’ve seen in that cuisine. Guaranteed, you’ll never get seafood prepared quite like this anywhere else in the world. This same sentiment extends to their desserts as well. As a former London resident, I enthusiastically ordered their European styled desserts, and was both delighted and gobsmacked that it was, legitimately, one of the best dishes I have had the pleasure of tasting.
In my humble foodie opinion, the mark of a true fine dining experience is the service. At Alder, it was an incredibly friendly, personable affair and yet the staff did not compromise on being knowledgeable or diligent in any way. I knew I was in a fine dining establishment with the consistent rotation of cutlery, vigilant water top ups, and consistent check-ins, and yet I felt entirely at ease, chatting with the staff like they were friends – friends who happened to be experts in food, wine, and cocktails. It was the best way to end my night, and my short time, in Toronto.
- Location: 51 Camden St., Toronto
- Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Friday & Saturday from 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM; Open for Brunch Saturday & Sunday from 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- Price Range: $$$-$$$$
My Toronto Restaurant Wishlist
Toronto’s Asian Cuisine Scene
As a Korean-American writer who moonlights as an academic in East Asian studies, I’m keen to jump into Toronto’s Asian cuisines. The reviewer-lauded Mapo Korean BBQ on Bloor Street is at the top of my list. Torontonians are definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to the Korean food scene, and Mapo Korean BBQ’s glowing reviews intrigue me all the more.
Another restaurant I’m queuing up for my next Toronto trip is Kiss My Pans, a blend of Singaporean cafe and Japanese cheese shop. It piqued my interest, not just for its Southeast Asian flavors, but its unique blend of culinary cultures from around the continent. It’s a local favorite, and even celebrities, like the golden girl of the moment Michelle Yeoh, calls herself a fan of chef-owner Jeanne Chai’s fusion take on her hometown cuisine.
Unique Michelin Recognized Choices
Lastly, the restaurant I’m most curious to try, both for its menu and its sustainability practices is White Lily Diner, a “creative bakery” that’s earned a Green Star in the Michelin Guide. Michelin Green Stars, like its classically known counterparts, are annually awarded to restaurants that exhibit exceptional sustainability practices that hold their ethical and environmental operations to the highest of standards. White Lily Diner is Toronto’s only Green Star – and Bib Gourmand-awarded to boot – specializing in updated takes on classic diner favorites. While they excel in farm-to-table breakfasts, I’ll be eager to try them for any meal.
As a self-proclaimed foodie (as in, I really, really love food, particularly good food), I’m always eager to explore a region’s offerings, and a place like Toronto is so compelling because the city’s dining scene is absolutely teeming with culinary life. An incredibly diverse city with cuisines represented from all over the globe, Toronto satiates every part of my food-loving soul.
Leave a Reply