Explore Trendy Toronto Restaurants
Toronto, a vibrant city known for its multicultural diversity, is also a food lover's paradise. The city's culinary scene is as diverse as its inhabitants, offering a wide range of cuisines from around the world. Among the city's gastronomic offerings, there are several trendy Toronto restaurants that have been making waves in the food industry. These establishments are not just about good food, but also about unique dining experiences, innovative menus, and stylish interiors. Whether you're a local or a tourist, these trendy Toronto restaurants are worth exploring for their exceptional culinary offerings and the unique dining experiences they provide.
Mother tongue
4.4
(642)
Intimate, stylish cocktail bar & restaurant with Filipino & Pan-Asian influences.
Reviews:
The food here is incredibly delicious, and the atmosphere is hip and comfortable. The staff were friendly and we had a lovely time! My main complaint is that the prices are really high for what you get - $18 for 4 dumplings is exorbitant.
Aaron Brown
I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews about this restaurant and was looking forward to trying their food and their drinks. After having tried most of their appetizers and a few drinks, I am not sure that the experience was one worth having again. The longganisa bola bola dish seemed like it had a disproportionate amount of fat inside the casing. The cheese on top offered some variation to the taste, but otherwise it would have just tasted very flat. The wagyu sandwiches were promising, but I feel like they didn’t do the meat justice with the type of bread, the way the bread was toasted, etc. The sandwich just didn’t really seem cohesive. The filling in the duck dumplings was good. It’s unfortunate however that the dumpling itself carrying the filling was rigid and felt stale. The overall bite fell short because of that. It’s the same as having pasta and the sauce being tasty but the pasta not being cooked properly which just distracts from the whole thing and brings down the entire experience. I certainly appreciate the work that goes into this food. For the kind of things I described above, it just feels like there’s a kind of uninspired energy behind executing the dishes and it comes across, if that makes sense.
A.J. R.
I was really looking forward to trying this place for summerlicious on a Thursday evening. I had seen great reviews. However, our experience was completely different. They have a small patio at the front, a bar area inside, then more of a restaurant room in the back, and a cocktail place downstairs. That restaurant room in the back is crazy loud. The music is very loud so every body has to speak loud and the noise level is not enjoyable. It was hard to hear even the waitress. We ordered some drinks and our food. I had the Berde beauty. I loved that they have mocktails on their menu. I also love that they have pandan flavor. My cocktail was not bad but it was too sweet even though I love sweet things so much. Maybe the balance was off. We waited for our food for the longest time ever, 1 hour and 45 minutes. We saw the people at the table next to us who had arrived way after us get their appetizer. So we ask the staff if they can check on our food. It’s not normal. They come back a while later with the check. The noise level issue… We said that we are hungry and want our food, we had not asked for the check. Finally, they come with the food BUT they serve the main dish first. That’s ok cause we’re so hungry. Then when I’m not even done eating my main dish, they bring the appetizers. It has never happened to me in my life. And the tables are so small that there is no space to leave a water bottle on it and you have to rely on staff to refill your water glass. We had the Korean Beef Short Rib which was good as the meat fell off the bone, and the Hoisin Duck Confit which was an interesting mix of French style duck confit and pekin duck. It was not bad but we thought that for both dishes, they could serve more sides. The mini salad and cucumber portion on my plate was disappointing. We got Steelhead Trout Crudo and Longganisa Bola Bola. The longganisa is served in the shape of a meatball. I am aware that there are quite some fatty elements to Filipino cuisine but inside the balls were a lot of big chunks of fat. It’s too much fat to my liking and maybe it’s not for everyone. Then we got our desserts. The Lemongrass Crème Brûlée was good. I liked that there is a twist with the flavor. However, when you eat it with the sugary top layer, the lemongrass flavor goes unnoticed. The Peach Mango Pearls was enjoyable. The staff did apologize multiple times and said there had been a mix up which caused this unpleasant experience. They did end up comping our food, which we appreciated and even left a tip on what the total value would have been. Hence the 2 star rating. However, I don’t think I would come back. I feel that for the price of the dishes, you can have better value for your money and better service elsewhere.
Nathalie M
If you're looking for a dining experience that is truly unforgettable, then look no further than Mother Tongue in Toronto. This restaurant is a must-visit for foodies and anyone looking for a unique culinary adventure. Each dish is bursting with bold and exciting flavours that are sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for small plates, shareable dishes, or entrees, you'll find something that suits your palate perfectly. The atmosphere at Mother Tongue is also something to be praised. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, with an elegant and contemporary feel that sets the mood for a sophisticated night out. The lighting is just right, creating an ambiance that is both warm and inviting. But what really sets Mother Tongue apart from other restaurants is the exceptional service. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfection. Whether you need recommendations for dishes or drinks, or have dietary restrictions, the team at Mother Tongue will accommodate your needs with ease. Overall, Mother Tongue is a gem in Toronto's dining scene that shouldn't be missed. From the exceptional food to the elegant ambiance and top-notch service, it's a dining experience that will leave a lasting impression.
Robert Penketh
This was my first stop for food in Toronto and the food was amazingggg. Ordered several dishes with a group of people and everything was so good. The sea bass was my absolute favorite. Our server, Theo was super sweet and extremely knowledgeable about the menu in its entirety.
ElizabethSade Fasanya
348 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1R7, Canada
Lee
4.5
(2321)
Susur Lee's stylish eatery for creative Asian & French-influenced dishes meant for sharing.
Reviews:
Definitely a great place to grab dinner whether it’s date night, a birthday or even girls night out. Food is so flavourful. Can’t rave about their slaw enough. Service is good, no complaints. Staff members are friendly and attentive.
Shell Lee
A great place for date night! The service was super. When food was brought out they explained everything on the dish. The atmosphere was good. I would recommended going to this restaurant. The Singapore style slaw amazing! Slow braised beef is a must. Spring roll hamburger was good! I would come back
Alexa Cardarelli
I contacted Lee weeks prior as I was planning to celebrate my marriage here, after I got married we came to the restaurant for us to have dinner (four people, 2 couples). First I did ask for something to be offered as a tasting menu which they said they noted and would offer when we arrive and also asked for nice seating for us as it’s a special occasion. We arrived at 8:30pm and was seated outside on the patio in a corner with zero atmosphere and clearly were to busy inside so just seated us outside as a after thought. They didn’t note it was a marriage celebration as mentioned when booking and we was forgotten about numerous occasions to the point I almost had to get up to get help as we didn’t even get to order food till almost 10pm, our first dish came out to us just before 10:30pm, we waited almost 2 hours to eat something. It was ridiculous. First 2 hours we had no attention as the restaurant was clearly very busy. However after this we was continuously interrupted by staff asking us how things were, if we needed anything and trying to take half empty plates away or glasses which were not yet finished. We payed over 350 for 4 people and got mediocre food, terrible service and a night not to remember, whilst we are trying to converse we are interrupted and trying to eat we are asked but first 2 hours nothing. Terrible experience, considering how excited I was to try Lees restaurant I was left very underwhelmed, over priced food, salad was amazing everything else was actually not great. To finish off, my guests requested something to celebrate our marriage and our came one yes one small ball of desert, which was meant to be a gesture….. I have a sweet tooth and I didn’t finish it, no one did, it was hideous! Should of gone to other selection of fine dining restaurants and enjoyed the experience on such a important day to us than to be left outside in the cold when I had made reservations weeks in advance! Do not share your special day here, they do not make it special.
Sunil Bagha
One of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. I always order the signature Singapore style slaw, and cheese burger spring rolls. I also usually order feature foods and cocktails as this place offers exciting drinks at all times. I respect chef Lee as a leader in the food industry and definitely recommend this to whoever wants to have a pleasant and delicious meal outside.
Amir
The food is a work of art and delicious. Each dish bursts with flavour and are an adventure on the palate. Definitely recommend for a special occasion or a treat for those that appreciate great food. Make sure you ask to be seated away from the door during the colder months. Photo attached is of the cod, it was fabulous! Must order the Singapore Slaw (sorry, missed the photo opportunity)
SRS
497 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Y3, Canada
Ēst restaurant
4.4
(281)
Intimate setting featuring tasting menus with diverse local cuisine, plus international wines.
Reviews:
Everything was amazing! I love the menu’s, the cocktail and dinner. Our server was great, very personable, and so sweet (Ashley) l. All of the food was so good! I highly recommend this place. The steak tartar, short rib, and tenderloin were all great.
Kate Dyer
Went as a group for Summerlicious and everything was delicious. Good service was a little slow as the kitchen was slammed, but the staff were all very friendly and checked in with updates frequently. The chartered octopus is exceptional, followers closely by the truffle burrata. Both the beef tenderloin and braised short rib were delicious options a well
Patrick Cuyegkeng
I wanted to take my cousin out for her birthday and decided to try ēst. I’ve seen their posts on Instagram and some of the reviews on here. I was kind of weary as you need to cancel 72 hours in advance, you dont typically see that. Our reservation was for 5:30pm, the restaurant was empty and two more people arrived shortly after. We ordered the fried cauliflower and octopus to start. The cauliflower was pretty tasty, the octopus on the other hand didn’t have much flavour. It was also pretty chewy. For our mains, my cousin got the pesto pasta, I ordered carbonara and we got the fries to share. I noticed my cousin wasn’t enjoying her pasta, she said it didn’t feel like it was cooked. So I tried it and it didn’t find it good at all. The pasta had too much of a bite and the sauce wasn’t flavourful. On the other hand, I felt like the carbonara was extremely dry. Although the fries and dip it came with was very delicious.. as well as the butter that was served with the bread. The drinks were ok, a bit pricey for what you get. I wanted the lychee martini but they didn’t have the lychees and added raspberries instead. If I would have known, I would have just gotten the espresso martini. Overall, I wouldn’t return. The restaurant is pretty expensive for what you get. My cousin barely touched her pasta and when the waitress asked what was wrong, I told her. There was no initiative to make things better. I’m very disappointed with my experience here.
Christina Shmordok
We came here for dinner last night prior to a concert a few doors down. Our server was friendly and accommodating. Helpful with our questions and very attentive. We had the Crispy Cauliflower, Charred Octopus, Irish Organic Salmon, and Braised Beef Short Rib. Everything was excellent! Super flavourful and beautifully plated. We will definitely be back!
Brittney K
Discovered this wonderful restaurant as part of Summerlicious and so impressed. From the apps of Octopus and Steak Tartare to the Tenderloin and Braised Short Ribs to a wonderful desert. Wine list was good with great pricing, local beer was a treat to discover. Service was excellent and the atmosphere just perfect.
Robert Martin
729 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1, Canada
Leña restaurante
4.2
(2472)
Chic South American restaurant featuring elevated lunch & dinner menus, plus cocktails & bar bites.
Reviews:
Overall the experience was good. The food was flavourful and reasonably innovative. The interior decor is stunning! The negatives? - We weren’t asked how we wanted our eggs and they were delivered extremely over-easy. Notably, both tables alongside us abandoned their eggs because it was overly soft. Eggs, like steak, should always be cooked to guests’ preferences. - I asked for butter, and without being notified, I was charged $1.50. While an objectively small sum, the principle of charging for condiments when you order a dish with bread is extremely disappointing from a principle perspective. I really don’t think this is the experience you want to let guests depart with because now I have principled reluctance to returning here again.
Rayand Ramlal
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Lenã restaurant 😍 beautiful decor, delicious food, and a friendly staff. The moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by the tasteful and inviting ambiance. The interior was adorned with exquisite details, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. Now, let's talk about the food. Every dish I tried was a culinary delight. From the appetizers to the main course and desserts, each plate was meticulously prepared and bursting with flavors. The menu offered a wide range of options to suit various preferences, and the quality of ingredients was exceptional. What truly enhanced my experience was the warm and attentive staff. From the moment I arrived until I left, they provided exceptional service. Their friendly demeanor and knowledge about the menu made me feel welcomed and well taken care of. Overall, this restaurant offers a remarkable combination of beautiful decor, delicious food, and friendly staff. It's a place where you can indulge in a memorable dining experience. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an exquisite culinary adventure in a stunning setting.
Alessandra C
I really enjoyed my lunch today at Leña. The hostess was friendly and bubbly. The atmosphere was pleasant. Service was great! Very friendly and prompt. The food options were wonderful and we enjoyed all the dishes and drinks we ordered. Highly recommended.
Paul Smith
Big disappointment in the food we got, especially the price. Service was rough and seemed like we were forgotten for our main entree waiting after our apps The only good thing we had was the mushrooms, but nothing out of the ordinary you couldn't get elsewhere Would not recommend: - tuna tartare: really fishy like it was frozen. The yogurt sauce is odd. Way too much fried crisp components for a tiny portion of bad fish - veal was overcooked and lacked any flavor outside of pepper It's the first time experiencing 4 apps coming first within 5 mins before the drink did. Is the food already prepared in advanced and reheated??? Ambiance is nice, perhaps go for a drink or two, but also loud. Wouldn't go for the food
Kev N
I went to Lena without making a reservation during happy hour on a Saturday, and while it was busy, the staff were incredibly gratuitous and quick at preparing a table for myself and my friend. The staff were super kind, and the drinks were good. The happy hour prices are affordable. The decor is absolutely beautiful.
Jennifer Mah
176 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5C 2L7, Canada
Kiin
4.5
(800)
Inspired by delicate royal Thai cuisine, this marble-tiled restaurant serves artfully composed food.
Reviews:
Had one of the best dine-in experiences here, me and my friend were lucky to be seated at the chefs table. We got to witness how hardworking and focused the team was working together from the kitchen to the service team from afar. Their whole team really puts their heart and attention to detail to each dish, it was entertaining watching them. They really engaged and took the time to educate their clients down to the ingredients, best ways to eat a certain dish and even down to how its crafted. We were lucky enough to even have a personal conversation with the chef himself. They delighted us with a nice surprise dish that went beyond and elevated our experience. Food was beautiful, phenomenal and delicious, one of the best Thai foods I had ever had. Will be visiting again, been raving to all my friends and family about this place.
Charlie Lorn
This restaurant was recommended by a friend and also a Michelin guide recommended restaurant. We booked reservation few weeks ago. The place was very nice. The lighting was just good. We were friendly greeted by the person at the entrance. We came for birthday celebration. They took us to our table, a birthday note was already placed on the table. Every staff that passed by said happy birthday. We took some time to read the menu, but staffs were very knowledgeable and patient with us. We ordered from the tasting menu as it was our first time there. Every dish that came to our table, the staff would explain to us what it was, and recommended us the way to eat it. Every plate was nicely decorated and placed for us. Food was delicious and beautiful. Everything was so impressive. I recommend this restaurant.
Anice L
Good food! I came here for lunch today around noon. We were seated promptly upon having a reservation. We ordered moo ping, dumpling, boat noodles, pad Thai chicken and chicken fried rice. On the drinks we ordered the owliang ( Thai coffee) All the food were really good. I really enjoyed the moo ping and It’s one of my favourite Thai dishes. Service was amazing, our server was always checking up on us and ensuring we taken cared of.
Sally Liang
I visited Kiin with my partner for a quick dinner, and we were pleasantly surprised to secure a reservation just 15 minutes in advance. The food was delectable, especially the coconut soup which I thoroughly enjoyed. As a vegetarian, I would have appreciated more vegetarian options, but my partner relished the meat dishes. We also ordered a bottle of sake. The server was exceptionally friendly, and the overall atmosphere was delightful.
Julia Portny
Family took me here for my birthday, 🎂 and it was a really quaint and rustic atmosphere. Give you quaint 60s 70s vibe. We went with the set menus and boy did it not disappoint. Some of the best Thai food we've ever had. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to make our next reservation. And to top it off they even took the time to write a personalized Thank you birthday card. Now that's how you earn a tip.
Joshua Jet
326 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1R3, Canada
Ardo restaurant
4.4
(647)
Modern space with open kitchen serving housemade pasta, pizza & traditional Sicilian dishes.
Reviews:
The food here was great. We had the gnocchi and the squid ink pasta - the gnocchi was the perfect consistency and the sauce complimented it well. The squid ink pasta could’ve maybe been the TINIEST bit more softer (and I like chewy pasta in general) but it wasn’t hard or anything and the sauce was tasty and I felt they gave a lot of shrimp. We had a cannoli for dessert and it was really tasty. I’d say though the downfall of this place is probably the service. When we arrived (with a reservation) there was a huge group business dinner taking place at the restaurant. They were blocking the entrance and we stood around waiting for someone to come around and help us for at least 5 minutes. Overall the servers didn’t really engage with us much and we were often left not checked on for long periods of time. For a somewhat nicer place, the service was probably on par of a low level restaurant. However, their food was good, and the servers weren’t rude - they weren’t just overall friendly. I had a pretty good first experience overall.
Kimberly W
I was pleasantly surprised by the food at ARDO. A small and quiet place which has the perfect atmosphere and food. The chickpea fritters were dalacious and gnocchi tasted absolutely perfect. I can't wait for my next visit. Highly recommend to everyone.
Yasir Azhar
What a hidden gem! Would give this first experience a strong 4.5/5. Ordered the tuna carpaccio and panelle chickpea fritter to start. Would recommend the panelle to share and this second one, I’d personally reorder. Had the Tartufo as the main. Love it and so recommend getting the table up at the kitchen bar. Knocked off a half point as I wish the sardine butter flavour was there— so this was the only miss for me. Ordered a cannoli for dessert which was divine. Highly recommend checking this place out! The service was outstanding and you almost feel transported to Italy here!
Anouchka Ramkishore
Authentic Sicilian Italian restaurant in Toronto . As soon as we walked in we were greeted and seated to our table, reservations recommended. Our server was friendly and informative. The food was fresh and delicious thanks to the chef at the open kitchen. See you soon
Robbi Cello
Nice spot. Hard to find parking in this area. The staff were nice and our waiter was great. The Octopus was very good. The gnocchi was good but a small portion for the price. The pizza was good but we've had much better for much less. All in all a good little sicillian spot. I chose it because it was close to where we were and the web showed a lobster pasta dish that turned out not to be on the menu. In truth, we're over these overpriced small restaurants. Our lunch (pasta from Pasta Bros) at The St. Lawrence Market was a fifth the price, more food and much much better in all respects. Just the honest truth. No need to spend this much on pasta unless you want the sit down dinner atmosphere.
Father Huntsman
243 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1J9, Canada
Le swan
4.5
(638)
Handsome art-deco style French diner offering bistro classics & comfort fare plus wine & cocktails.
Reviews:
Fantastic! It was overall a great experience, I personally liked the pace because it gave us time to really indulge and take our time with eating. I would say that we did ask for medium and it was more along the side of medium rare - rare, however the steak, fries and beans were all very flavourful. The atmosphere is great and makes you feel like you’re not in Toronto, I would definitely recommend visiting!
Chelsea
We were in the Ossington/Queen area and decided to try out this place since it has high ratings. The inside is very casual but a great set up. The menu is kept small and therefore all items on the menu are worth ordering. We decided to order the quarter rotisserie chicken as well as the steak frites. Steak was medium rare and they executed that well while the fries were good. The chicken was as most rotisserie chicken dry on the inside but they did have great gravy to pair it with. I liked the food but it wasn't anything super special. The dessert looked interesting so may want to try that if I come back.
Durugshan W
Steak Frites were good. The size of the steak was small but logical for the price point. It was very juicy but a little too juicy. The fries were good. The green beans were good. The fondue was good too, but the heat of the cheese died and was getting dry, and the proportions of bread, broccoli and cheese weren’t calibrated as we were left with surplus of bread and lacked broccoli. The salad we liked very much! The drinks were great as well. What was most disappointing was the time interval between each dish. There was a SIGNIFICANT amount of time just twiddling our thumbs from cocktails, to salad, to fondue, to steak frites… And there wasn’t a lot of customers at the time of our visit.
Michelle Lee
Extraordinary food. Cocktails were not our cup of tea. First, the food. The tartare is obviously a must have, among the best in the city. Steak frites also, obviously extraordinary. The jambon and raclette baguette is an incredible combination of flavours. The patty melt is seemingly so simple, and yet was so tender and...melty. the corns dogs are a great side. The cocktails were a little disappointing; the ocean Mary, while a great idea on paper, is very spicy and salty. The swan 75 was less than stellar. Service was extraordinary. Highly recommend for the food and service, less so for drinks.
Alexander
We had a great time here. Server was super and the vibe was amazing. Good selection of wines. Food was ok. Interesting takes on pretty normal dishes. Was quite expensive, but not the best food on the street. I would go back for the atmosphere - probably try different dishes. Overall, really enjoyed it.
Kyle Rich
892 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3, Canada