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Tours in Toronto |
The selected restaurants have been grouped into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
In 2001 the city council passed a by-law requiring that all restaurants must be smoke-free. The exceptions to this somewhat contentious rule are eating establishments that define themselves as ‘bars'.
Restaurant prices are subject to a provincial sales tax (PST) of 8% (10% on alcohol) and a federal goods and services tax (GST) of 6%. All taxes are usually added to the bill at the end of the meal. In addition, it is customary to tip at least 15% for good service.
The restaurants below have been divided into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over C$100)
$$$ (C$70 to C$100)
$$ (C$35 to C$70)
$ (up to C$25)
These prices are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include service charge, tax or tip.
In 2001 the city council passed a by-law requiring that all restaurants must be smoke-free. The exceptions to this somewhat contentious rule are eating establishments that define themselves as ‘bars'.
Restaurant prices are subject to a provincial sales tax (PST) of 8% (10% on alcohol) and a federal goods and services tax (GST) of 6%. All taxes are usually added to the bill at the end of the meal. In addition, it is customary to tip at least 15% for good service.
The restaurants below have been divided into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over C$100)
$$$ (C$70 to C$100)
$$ (C$35 to C$70)
$ (up to C$25)
These prices are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include service charge, tax or tip.
Gastronomic
Chiado
Located smack in the middle of Little Portugal, Toronto's sizeable Portuguese community could not ask for a better ambassador. The simple, elegant decor is accentuated by the paintings that adorn Chiado's walls. Seafood dominates, with fresh fish flown in daily - anything with tentacles finds a worthy end on the grill. Those partial to land-bound critters will find solace in the braised rabbit, pheasant or veal.
864 College Street, Little Portugal
Tel: (416) 538 1910.
Website: www.chiadorestaurant.ca
Price: $$$
Located smack in the middle of Little Portugal, Toronto's sizeable Portuguese community could not ask for a better ambassador. The simple, elegant decor is accentuated by the paintings that adorn Chiado's walls. Seafood dominates, with fresh fish flown in daily - anything with tentacles finds a worthy end on the grill. Those partial to land-bound critters will find solace in the braised rabbit, pheasant or veal.
864 College Street, Little Portugal
Tel: (416) 538 1910.
Website: www.chiadorestaurant.ca
Price: $$$
Opus
A meal at Opus, in an unassuming townhouse on a quaint, leafy street, is much like dinner at a friend's house - only with waiters and an outstanding chef. Waiters are attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The menu changes monthly and reflects the seasons - traditional French fare, such as smoked duck and rack of lamb, made with regional ingredients, often makes an appearance.
37 Prince Arthur Avenue, Yorkville/Annex
Tel: (416) 921 3105.
Website: www.opusrestaurant.com
Price: $$$
A meal at Opus, in an unassuming townhouse on a quaint, leafy street, is much like dinner at a friend's house - only with waiters and an outstanding chef. Waiters are attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The menu changes monthly and reflects the seasons - traditional French fare, such as smoked duck and rack of lamb, made with regional ingredients, often makes an appearance.
37 Prince Arthur Avenue, Yorkville/Annex
Tel: (416) 921 3105.
Website: www.opusrestaurant.com
Price: $$$
Trendy
Lolita's Lust
In an increasingly franchised part of Greektown, Lolita's Lust remains a funky favourite. Bohemian in atmosphere, this upscale eatery features a delightful range of meat and fish dishes from around the globe. Tucked away like a best-kept secret the intimate Lolita's Lust is a dimly-lit hotspot frequented by celebrities when they are in town. Reservations are essential.
513 Danforth Avenue, Greektown
Tel: (416) 465 1751.
Website: www.lolitaslust.ca
Price: $$
In an increasingly franchised part of Greektown, Lolita's Lust remains a funky favourite. Bohemian in atmosphere, this upscale eatery features a delightful range of meat and fish dishes from around the globe. Tucked away like a best-kept secret the intimate Lolita's Lust is a dimly-lit hotspot frequented by celebrities when they are in town. Reservations are essential.
513 Danforth Avenue, Greektown
Tel: (416) 465 1751.
Website: www.lolitaslust.ca
Price: $$
Budget
Bar Italia
Beyond the bar, choked with well-dressed, good-looking types downing Martinis and pints of beer, there is a warm yet minimalist restaurant that serves superb Italian fare. The salads, panini and daily pasta specials are all excellent. The wine selection is mostly Italian and French with a decent domestic beer menu. In the summer, a patio seat cannot be beaten for watching the world go by. Brunch weekends. No lunch winter weekdays.
582 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 535 3621.
Website: www.bar-italia.ca
Price: $$
Beyond the bar, choked with well-dressed, good-looking types downing Martinis and pints of beer, there is a warm yet minimalist restaurant that serves superb Italian fare. The salads, panini and daily pasta specials are all excellent. The wine selection is mostly Italian and French with a decent domestic beer menu. In the summer, a patio seat cannot be beaten for watching the world go by. Brunch weekends. No lunch winter weekdays.
582 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 535 3621.
Website: www.bar-italia.ca
Price: $$
Fresh on Bloor
Anybody who wants to eat at this packed health-food restaurant (decorated in relaxing greens and blues) must be prepared to queue. Still, the gastronomic experience on offer is definitely worth the wait. With over 40 different juices from the fruity to the bizarre, there is definitely something to tempt everybody's palate without any guilt. Fresh, flavoursome organic food is the point here, and portions are plentiful. Reservations are not accepted. There are two sister restaurants and juice bars: Fresh on Crawford, 894 Queen Street West, and Fresh on Spadina, 147 Spadina Avenue.
326 Bloor Street West, Annex
Tel: (416) 531 2635.
Website: www.juiceforlife.com
Price: $
Anybody who wants to eat at this packed health-food restaurant (decorated in relaxing greens and blues) must be prepared to queue. Still, the gastronomic experience on offer is definitely worth the wait. With over 40 different juices from the fruity to the bizarre, there is definitely something to tempt everybody's palate without any guilt. Fresh, flavoursome organic food is the point here, and portions are plentiful. Reservations are not accepted. There are two sister restaurants and juice bars: Fresh on Crawford, 894 Queen Street West, and Fresh on Spadina, 147 Spadina Avenue.
326 Bloor Street West, Annex
Tel: (416) 531 2635.
Website: www.juiceforlife.com
Price: $
7 West Café
Open 24 hours, this place retains a casual café feel over all three floors. Tasty pizzas, delicious sandwiches and fresh salads are all good choices. As well as a decent wine and beer list, teas and speciality coffees are also house favourites. A cosy and nice place to unwind.
7 Charles Street West, Yonge and Bloor
Tel: (416) 928 9041.
Price: $
Open 24 hours, this place retains a casual café feel over all three floors. Tasty pizzas, delicious sandwiches and fresh salads are all good choices. As well as a decent wine and beer list, teas and speciality coffees are also house favourites. A cosy and nice place to unwind.
7 Charles Street West, Yonge and Bloor
Tel: (416) 928 9041.
Price: $
Teatro
Decorated in olive green with a red trim, Teatro is a lively but intimate (the small bistro tables are very close together) restaurant in Little Italy. It is also as popular as they come, because it offers excellent food. The French/Mediterranean bistro menu includes several delicious pasta dishes as well as classics like wild mushroom risotto and moules marinieres.
505 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 972 1475.
Website: www.teatrotoronto.ca
Price: $$
Decorated in olive green with a red trim, Teatro is a lively but intimate (the small bistro tables are very close together) restaurant in Little Italy. It is also as popular as they come, because it offers excellent food. The French/Mediterranean bistro menu includes several delicious pasta dishes as well as classics like wild mushroom risotto and moules marinieres.
505 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 972 1475.
Website: www.teatrotoronto.ca
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
Brownes Bistro
Prized by the well-heeled residents of Rosedale, this long-lived neighbourhood bistro might be lacking in culinary adventurousness and is equally unpretentious in décor, but its longevity and continued popularity speak for its quality. Some of the dishes come with a nice Gallic touch, and the meat dishes are deliciously tasty. The pastas and pizzas are lovely.
4 Woodlawn Avenue East, Summerhill
Tel: (416) 924 8132.
Price: $$-$$$
Prized by the well-heeled residents of Rosedale, this long-lived neighbourhood bistro might be lacking in culinary adventurousness and is equally unpretentious in décor, but its longevity and continued popularity speak for its quality. Some of the dishes come with a nice Gallic touch, and the meat dishes are deliciously tasty. The pastas and pizzas are lovely.
4 Woodlawn Avenue East, Summerhill
Tel: (416) 924 8132.
Price: $$-$$$
JOV Bistro
Situated uptown, this New York-style neighbourhood restaurant offers a lovely dining experience. Since early 2005, the kitchen has been headed by chef Masayuki Tamaru, and, although a master of fusion food, his speciality is classic French cuisine, which he does with aplomb. Bistro food of high sophistication is on offer at JOV Bistro nowadays, and it has proved popular with the regulars, so reservations are recommended.
1701 Bayview Avenue, Uptown
Tel: (416) 322 0530.
Website: www.jovbistro.com
Price: $$-$$$
Situated uptown, this New York-style neighbourhood restaurant offers a lovely dining experience. Since early 2005, the kitchen has been headed by chef Masayuki Tamaru, and, although a master of fusion food, his speciality is classic French cuisine, which he does with aplomb. Bistro food of high sophistication is on offer at JOV Bistro nowadays, and it has proved popular with the regulars, so reservations are recommended.
1701 Bayview Avenue, Uptown
Tel: (416) 322 0530.
Website: www.jovbistro.com
Price: $$-$$$
Rol San
Rol San is easy to overlook amid the hundred or so Chinese restaurants that line Spadina Avenue between College Street and the Lakeshore, especially as it has the same large round tables, plastic tablecloths and bright cardboard signs announcing specials in Chinese. However, this restaurant serves delicious dim sum (such as deep fried shrimp and chive cake) by day and crave-worthy portions of fried rice, Szechwan shrimp and crispy chicken until the wee hours (0400).
323 Spadina Avenue, Chinatown
Tel: (416) 977 1128.
Price: $$
Rol San is easy to overlook amid the hundred or so Chinese restaurants that line Spadina Avenue between College Street and the Lakeshore, especially as it has the same large round tables, plastic tablecloths and bright cardboard signs announcing specials in Chinese. However, this restaurant serves delicious dim sum (such as deep fried shrimp and chive cake) by day and crave-worthy portions of fried rice, Szechwan shrimp and crispy chicken until the wee hours (0400).
323 Spadina Avenue, Chinatown
Tel: (416) 977 1128.
Price: $$
360 The Restaurant at the Tower
Floor-to-ceiling windows, 114 storeys above the lakeshore, with a view as good as it gets - blue lake as far as the eye can see to the south and Toronto spreading out in every other direction. And because 360 is the world's largest revolving restaurant, none of the view will be missed. The food is not quite as memorable, but it is still pretty good. In recent years, 360 has won awards for its cuisine and wine as well as its ambience. A reservation at this restaurant also includes a post-dinner walk on the glass-floored lookout - for those who can stomach it.
CN Tower, 301 Front Street West, Downtown
Tel: (416) 362 5411.
Website: www.cntower.ca
Price: $$$
Floor-to-ceiling windows, 114 storeys above the lakeshore, with a view as good as it gets - blue lake as far as the eye can see to the south and Toronto spreading out in every other direction. And because 360 is the world's largest revolving restaurant, none of the view will be missed. The food is not quite as memorable, but it is still pretty good. In recent years, 360 has won awards for its cuisine and wine as well as its ambience. A reservation at this restaurant also includes a post-dinner walk on the glass-floored lookout - for those who can stomach it.
CN Tower, 301 Front Street West, Downtown
Tel: (416) 362 5411.
Website: www.cntower.ca
Price: $$$
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