Here are our favourite spots to eat meals. There’s two other pages for coffee/tea and sweets. We’ve roughly organized these based on location in the city.
Downtown
Bitter Melon
- Brave, creative new wave Taiwanese food.
Chubby’s Jamaican Restaurant
- Delicious, trendy Jamaican joint
Fresh (vegan)
- A local chain of yummy vegan fare
Haidilao Hot Pot
- This chain is global, but if you don’t have one in your city, you’re missing out on high quality hot pot. It starts with high quality produce and meat, plus excellent broth. The attention to detail in the restaurant’s design is fun, and amounts to the minimum effort and maximum relaxation for the eaters.
Pai (Thai)
- Chef Nuit owns a series of Thai restaurants all doing their own thing, but this was the one that started it all. Best Thai street food outside of Thailand 🙂
Rodney’s Oyster House
Rosalinda (vegan)
- Really delicious vibrant takes on various Latin cuisines, all plant-based.
West End
Dreyfus
- This restaurant just down the street from us is quintessential Montreal cuisine. What does that mean? Creative takes on French classics, that can be a little surprising and daunting at first but then greets you with a hearty hug and firm pats on the back. Packs a punch but stays elegant. Plus exquisite wines. This place is pretty small, so try to make a reservation or just expect a little wait (that’s fine, there are lots of excellent bars in the neighbourhood).
Fat Pasha
- Really really delicious Middle Eastern and European Jewish Cuisine in a funky setting. The dips are excellent, especially the one with lamb. In my opinion, the star is the whole head of cauliflower!
Fonda Balam
- Delicious house drinks that catch up with you quickly and juicy quesabirria tacos served with a cup of extra broth for dipping. What more could you need? An elevated ice cube-like diner design brings brightness and refreshing punch to this Mexican restaurant. One of our fave places in the city.
Grey Gardens
- The menu here is a bit weird in a good way, just like all establishments by restaurateur Jen Agg. It’s not a place you come for hearty portions, but if you want to eat food that feels like art and drink a sublime cocktail, this is a place that comes to mind. Try something new and share with your friends.
Hancook
- If you’ve been missing Dak Galbi (Korean hot pan spicy chicken) in your city, this no-frills place will satisfy that very specific craving. This dish is something Judy had often with dear friends in high school, and there was definitely a hole in her Toronto life until she found this place.
Harbord House
- This is our local pub! HH makes exquisite dishes that really transcend pub food, because nearly everything is made from scratch. The specials are always fun and surprising. The sticky toffee pudding occupies Noah’s dreams. The patio upstairs sits in the trees and is very serene. This place is a real community hub.
Heavenly Perogy
- Delicious delicious Ukrainian food in the basement of a church (hence Heavenly!).
Jianbing Club
- Chinese crepe sandwiches make the best breakfast! Too often the jianbings outside of China are a soggy mess, but the ones at this place are *just right*
La Cubana
- Cute, casual spot for a cubano and a crisp Jarrito. An unassuming good time. Although, there is now a speakeasy Bar Habana in the backroom of this diner, and it also looks like a good time! Party in the front and in the back. On the Ossington strip full of other tantalizing spots.
La Bella Managua
- Nicaraguan hole-in-the-wall that packs refreshing flavours. We order take-out from here often. Noah’s fave is the fried cheese.
Mama Chef ; Seor Ak San
- Two really cozy, no-frills Korean spots, on the same block.
Mamakas
- A lush Mediterranean culinary experience. Get every dip, you won’t regret it. The lamb and octopus dishes are absolute standouts. Don’t forget a bottle of sparkling Greek wine to wash it all down.
- Fun fact, we broke up here in 2017. We’ve since returned here and made many other happy memories.
Manita
- Really lovely European vibes on this terrace with wine and cocktails. Makes one of the best burgers ever and the fafafel and fries are awesome too. Everything is good without being fussy.
Omai
- Intricate creative Japanese fusion. Food is treated with reverence and care here.
Oroshi Fish
- A first-rate fish market and sushi counter… hidden in an alleyway.
Saving Grace Diner
- The most cozy perfect brunch, run for years by a lovely mother-daughter duo in a small residential-sized kitchen. So creative and the perfect place to wake up in on a Sunday. Take a stroll in nearby Trinity Bellwoods park afterwards.
Takht-e Tavoos
- A lovely Persian brunch place that packs so much flavour.
East End
Bodega Henriette
George Street Diner
- An elevated diner that uses organic produce from local farms. I’ve never seen yolks so orange. Truly kind staff. Really hits the spot every time. They also filmed a Shawn Mendes music video and Daniel Radcliffe flick here.
Lady Marmalade
Maha’s
- Egypitan brunch that people line up down the street for. Unique and hearty. This restaurant is an ode on homesickness.
White Lily Diner
- Our favourite restaurant in Toronto, period. Elevated diner offerings made with produce from their own farm. Housemade donuts. Creamy grits. Everything seasoned to perfection. The grooviest 70s playlists.
Wynona
Uptown
Rosedale Diner
A diner with a heavy Israeli slant and doing some very interesting dishes with the best wine list! Could for a hearty meal, then cross the street to go to the biggest wine shop you’ll ever visit (it’s a former train station).
Tala/Tinuno
- Filipino kamayan (feast) for days!! You can order a large tray of fish, veggies, seafood, and meats, and literally nothing else is as satisfying. Pro-tip, the garlic rice (THE BEST) is unlimited, and you could ask for an extra helping right before wrapping up your food taking it to go.
North/Scarborough
Pho 88
- Judy’s family has been eating here since 2000, and they’ve barely updated the decor at all. The service is not amazing. That’s because it’s ALL. ABOUT. THE. FOOD. If you tell Judy there’s better pho elsewhere, you’re just trying to start a fight. Everything is good but the XL House Special has fueled the Gu Family for years.