We waited a long time to have Michelin restaurants in Toronto. Rumours circled for years before the Michelin Guide finally came to the city. The first list left a lot of us puzzled, and some disappointed, but now with the 2024 announcement recognizing 100 Michelin restaurants in Toronto and expanding into surrounding regions like Niagara, it finally feels more representative of our culinary scene.
The best restaurants in Toronto could go toe-to-toe with some of the most renowned spots around the globe. In the last decade, we’ve become a world-class cocktail city with the best bars in Toronto serving up gastronomic tipples with unexpected flavour combinations and farm-fresh ingredients. Venture outside the cluster of downtown Toronto restaurants and the wide breadth of diverse culinary options is unmatched by any other city in the world. Our food scene is incredibly special, and the number of Michelin restaurants in Toronto and beyond recognizes that.
While it isn’t the be-all and end-all of gastronomic distinction, the Michelin Guide is a well-trusted source. What started out as a tire company recommending stops for weary travellers — and encouraging them to drive further to wear out their tires and subsequently buy more — has become the top name in culinary excellence.
According to Michelin, one star signifies high-quality cooking worth a stop; two stars acknowledge excellent cooking worth a detour; and the highest three stars is awarded to restaurants with cuisine so incredible, it’s worth planning an entire trip around. The Bib Gourmand recognizes “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.” For Toronto, the criteria is two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for less than $60 before tax and tip.
For the average person (and their bank account), eating their way through all the Michelin restaurants in Toronto and the surrounding area is no easy feat. So, we've whittled the full Michelin Guide Toronto list down to the newest additions and most noteworthy destinations. These are our picks for the best Michelin restaurants in Toronto that you absolutely should add to your culinary wish list.
One Michelin star restaurants in Toronto
1. DaNico (new for 2024)
440 College St.
View on Instagram
A reservation at DaNico, Liberty Entertainment Group’s prestigous Italian restaurant, is something to sculpt your entire month — nay, your year — around. Schedule a babysitter, cancel that kickboxing class, get glammed up and dust off your nicest threads. You’ll want to fully enjoy this.
Set in a heritage bank building across the street from Sneaky Dees, there’s no question DaNico is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Toronto. We’re talking Italian mohair velvet booths, marble counters, eye-popping Versace ceramics and sultry dark-wood finishes. There’s a 30-foot tall wine cellar with over 3,000 bottles (and Ashleigh Forster, Michelin's Sommelier of the Year to pick the right label for you). Stunning pieces by Salvador Dali, Damien Hirst and Mr. Brainwash are additional eye-candy.
Executive chef Daniele Corona, who led Don Alfonso 1890 to a Michelin star in 2022, is at the helm here. His signature eight-course tasting menu and à la carte offerings are inspired by the Amalfi coast, with modern Asian influences. The calamarata allo scoglio, for example, pairs thick rings of gragnano pasta with wild Japanese fish, Mediterranean shrimp and Spanish octopus. Dinner at DaNico is an intimate affair that you’ll be raving about for weeks to come.
2. Hexagon (new for 2024)
210 Lakeshore Rd. E.
View on Instagram
Nestled on a quiet strip of Oakville’s charming downtown, about 35 minutes from Toronto, Hexagon sits behind an assuming wood door and blue awning. Chef-owner Rafael Covarrubias’s elegant and sophisticated French eatery serves inventive and imaginative plates that could easily double as works of art. Opt for the tasting menu and wine pairings and revel in Covarrubias’s culinary creativity and mastery of local, seasonal ingredients.
3. Restaurant Pearl Morissette (new for 2024)
3953 Jordan Rd.
View on Instagram
There is farm-to-table and then there is Restaurant Pearl Morissette, a fine-dining restaurant in the Niagara region where you may actually cross paths with a chicken on the way to your table. This dining destination, which opened in 2017, has steadily built a stellar reputation from its consistently jaw-dropping dishes and hyper-seasonal ingredients, many of which are plucked from Pearl Morissette’s garden, just metres away. Co-chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson’s menu is a small but mighty lineup of local purveyors — Linton Pasture Pork, Affinity Fish Tamarack Farms — with a farming ethos in line with their regenerative mindset. It’s little wonder that they picked up the Green Star for outstanding sustainable and eco-friendly culinary practices, in addition to their one-star distinction. Stay for a tasting at onsite winery Pearl Morissette, or add the wine pairing option to your meal so you can sample exceptional local and international pours.
4. The Pine (new for 2024)
7535 County Rd. 9
View on Instagram
Jeremy and Cassie Austin first launched The Pine as a dinner series in Grey County, before upgrading to a brick-and-mortar location on Collingwood’s downtown strip. Then, in the spring of 2024, the sustainably-focused eatery relocated to a converted garage in Creemore where they serve delightful multi-course tasting menus. The 24-seat dining room — all clean lines and light wood — may be sparsely decorated, but the 14-18 courses speak volumes. With names like Tea Egg and The King’s Parcel, the menu might not give much away, but trust the process as beautiful plates and shapes are presented in front of you. Regional is the linchpin here with much of The Pine’s produce coming from a family farm. Even the wine menu is resolutely Canadian, with a huge focus on a small but well-chosen Ontario selection.
5. Aburi Hana
102 Yorkville Ave.
View on Instagram
Most seats at this Yorkville destination for Kyō-Kaiseki cuisine are located at the chef’s counter, giving you a prime viewing spot to witness the inner workings of chef Ryusuke Nakagawa’s skilled team. Watch the theatrics unfold as ingredients from land and sea (designed to showcase the changing seasons) are flame-seared, unveiled in a plume of smoke from custom-made serveware, and plated in front of you.
Be warned: This multi-course, sensory performance is not for the half-hearted diner. Guests are asked to dress appropriately, refrain from wearing strong perfumes and to turn their phones on silent. However, if you're food-obsessed and keen for an immersive and rare dining experience, we promise you’ll be giving a standing ovation by the end of the night.
6. Alo
163 Spadina Ave.
Alo has all of the polish, sophistication and exceptional service that you would expect from an old-school fine dining establishment, infused with chic modern design and a contemporary atmosphere. But as high-end as this experience is, it’s not pretentious or stuffy. Reservations open up a month in advance for a two-month time period, but the pure bliss you'll experience during your visit will far outweigh the sweaty stress of trying to get a booking.
The multi-course tasting menu in the dining room or six courses in the bar room (at a slightly lower price point), is a masterclass in seasonality, flavour combinations and inventive execution. At the time of our visit, standouts included a delicate crudo and rich, buttery foie gras presented as a perfect slice of pie with a texture so smooth it could have gotten us into bed.
The savoury mushroom risotto was a flavour explosion unlike anything we’ve ever had before, and we nearly wept when it was finished. We opted for the wine pairings with every course, which are expertly selected to add depth to every dish. The portions are small, but this is a tasting menu, not a stuff-your-gut menu. If you’re looking for a flavour experience that verges on the sensual, Alo is well-worth the $225-per-person price tag at this Toronto Michelin restaurant.
7. Edulis
169 Niagara St.
View on Instagram
Snagging a reservation at the Michelin-starred Edulis is like trying to get a pair of coveted concert tickets: sweaty keyboard keys, heart racing, praying your credit card doesn’t decline. It's exhilarating and anxiety-inducing, but so worth it — if you’re cool with paying for the whole meal upfront including tip when you book your table (not including alcohol or additional dishes you order at the restaurant).
Look for the charming red house on Niagara Street, which has been converted into one of Toronto’s top Michelin restaurants, although it still very much feels like you're dining in someone's eclectic home. They even print your name on the menu. You won't find a single ring light in sight inside the intimate, candle-lit space.
Chef-owners Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemeth serve exceptional seafood and seasonal delights with wine pairings so spot-on they have been known to cause people to blurt out a string of expletives. Any time is a good time to scoff fresh Canadian tuna, wild mushrooms and excellent cheese — but if we had to pick, black truffle season might be the best time to splurge on a lights-out meal here.
8. Quetzal
419 College St.
This alluring College Street restaurant has found its stride with chef Steven Molnar at the helm, and earned a Michelin star for it. This is Mexican cuisine like you've never experienced in Toronto.
Once you pass through the white-brick front, you're transported into a buzzy and inviting world under the canopy of Quetzal's striking curved ceiling, designed to emulate the white tarps over outdoor Mexican markets, made modern art museum.
Towards the back, the galley kitchen's wood-fire pit and grill spans a whopping 28 feet, providing both a challenge and an enticing kiss of char to vibrant dishes like a mouth-watering lamb barbacoa empanada, and a whole grilled sea bream with salsa roja and cruda.
Five years on, Quetzal is a tight ship and the pinnacle of Toronto dining
Not long after it opened in 2018, the future of Quetzal seemed unclear. Today, it's one of the most complete dining experiences in the city and deserving of all the fanfare.
Read more9. Don Alfonso 1890
1 Harbour Square 38th Floor.
Don Alfonso 1890 could be considered something of a Michelin nepo baby. After all, the fine dining spot is the first North-American outpost of the legendary Michelin-starred restaurant on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. However, this one-star restaurant’s success isn’t just inherited. The menu at this fancy dining spot is every bit as lofty as its location at the top of The Westin Harbour Castle. Dishes look like works of art and you may not be entirely sure which part to eat, but every bite of eel gelato, sturgeon caviar and aged risotto tastes incredible.
Bib Gourmand restaurants in Toronto
10. La Bartola
588 College St.
The fairy tale of La Bartola on College Street is one of good tacos and secret dinners. The restaurant is the plant-based passion project of realtor-turned-chef Iván Castro, a Mexico City native whose thoughtful and creative takes on Oaxacan cuisine have earned him a coveted Bib Gourmand recognition three years in a row. Castro gained confidence as a chef by hosting secret vegan dinners in his home to rave reviews from those lucky enough to secure an invite.
La Bartola officially began as a popular vegan taco pop-up at food festivals around the city before moving into the cozy space it currently calls home in Little Italy. The air buzzes with energy here; latin music bursts out of speakers in the dining room, waiters scurry to and fro and a TACOS sign hovers above the bar like a neon deity. At the dining tables, guests dip handmade tortillas into white mole topped with roasted parsnip, pine nuts, sesame seeds and mezcal, or dig into artfully decorated tetelas with Oaxacan fried beans. Art paying homage to Mexican women, the stewards of Castro’s culture and cuisine, decorate the walls.
I had one of the best meals of my life at La Bartola, and everything was vegan
The restaurant's story is one of family, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and believing in your dreams. Today, La Bartola is on the Michelin Guide and it's the best vegan restaurant in Toronto.
Read more11. Grey Gardens
199 Augusta Ave.
Jen Agg might not be a fan of the Michelin Guide, but the Michelin Guide is most definitely a fan of Agg and her brand of trailblazing restaurants. Grey Gardens in Kensington Market is a wine bar that oozes effortless charm and somehow tricks you into having a sneaky amazing dinner when you were only in the market for a glass of chardonnay. Suddenly, it’s a hop and skip from bison carpaccio and heavenly pasta into semifreddo for dessert, and you’re left wondering why on earth you’ve never been here before. Rest assured, you will be back.
12. Enoteca Sociale
1288 Dundas St. W.
For years, Dundas West's Enoteca Sociale has answered our carb-loving prayers with heaping plates of house-made pasta that's earned them a Bib Gourmand award. Their bucatini all’ amatriciana with guanciale (juicy bits of cured pork cheek), pecorino and tomato sauce with a hint of chili heat is a dish you'll keep coming back to over and over again like a pair of fave indoor-only sweatpants. For an indulgent bite, the roasted chestnut ragu signorine (a ruffled pasta made of chestnut flour) with bianchetto truffle is truly bellissimo. When in doubt, get the tried-and-tested cacio e pepe.
13. SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli
5631 Steeles Ave. E., Unit 5
The intoxicating, peppery alchemy of smoked meat envelops you the moment you arrive at SumiLicious. On this corner of an unassuming Scarborough shopping plaza, it's all about low and slow.
Long before you first bite into Sumi's stacked Montreal-deli-style sandwich, its juicy hunks of brisket were dry-rubbed with owner Sumith Fernando's secret spice blend, left to marinate in the fridge for 10 days, smoked for 12 hours and steamed for another six.
The result? A beyond tender, buttery-tasting beauty that made us emote only in sounds and curse words until our brain caught up to our taste buds. It's no wonder SumiLicious won a Bib Gourmand award — it's also the only Scarborough restaurant on the Michelin Guide.
After moving from Sri Lanka, Fernando cut his teeth for 17 years at Montreal's smoked-meat mecca Schwartz's Deli. It was Fernando’s and his wife Shalika's dream to open their own place, which, dare we say, Schwartz doesn't hold a candle to.
Michelin Guide recommended restaurants in Toronto
14. Langdon Hall (new for 2024)
1 Langdon Dr.
View on Instagram
Cambridge’s Langdon Hall was one of the restaurants to benefit from the Michelin Guide’s extension beyond Toronto this year. However, we would have loved to see a star distinction for Jason Bangerter’s seasonally inspired menu, which picks vegetables directly from its garden. Langdon Hall has carefully worked with local farmers, foragers and artisans to build an exceptional lineup of plates that are as delicious as they are artfully constructed. A meal spent here, in the middle of the Carolinian forest, overlooking the immaculate grounds, is dreamy — but your night needn’t end there. Book yourself an overnight stay at the Langdon Hall Country House, Hotel & Spa so none of your party has to be the designated driver.
15. Taline (new for 2024)
1276 Yonge St.
View on Instagram
Summerhill’s Taline is a love letter to Armenia dreamed up by three brothers, Saro and Serouj and Sebouh Yacoubian. Named after their late mother, the restaurant is decorated with black and white photographs of the family and has a menu that utilizes traditional Armenian techniques. Everything on the Lebanese menu is strenuously sourced and made from scratch, like the dips made from feta and fermented cheese, as well as the babaghanoush, labneh and hummus.
The standout dish for us was the fall-off-the-bone Ontario-raised lamb chops, butchered in-house and adorned with Ras El-Hanout and thyme, served with a side of jajekh (Armenia’s version of tzatziki) and bulgur salad. And don’t miss the lineup of show-stopping cocktails, which Tao Zrafi, a finalist on Netflix's Drink Masters, helped to create.
Discover Armenian food and incredible cocktails at this Summerhill gem
Taline, a new(ish) spot in Toronto's Summerhill hood, is a love letter to Armenia dreamed up by three brothers. Plus, their cocktail program was given a sprinkling of magic from a Netflix-famous bartender.
Read more16. Famiglia Baldassarre (new for 2024)
122 Geary Ave.
View on Instagram
If you found yourself wandering down the very industrial Geary Avenue, you might never expect to stumble upon some of the freshest, most authentic pasta in the city. Those in the know flock to Famiglia Baldassarre, a small pasta factory, Wednesday to Friday from 12–2 p.m. for freshly made plates of ravioli, tagliatelle and spaghettoni that are piled high and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. There are no reservations, and only 10 seats; lineups stretch down the block. The menu, etched onto a small chalkboard, changes daily, so check their Instagram for the most up-to-date information. Pick up some butter, wine, bread and other products on your way out from their grocery section.
17. Alobar Yorkville
57a-162 Cumberland St.
While it may have lost its Michelin star, Alobar is still a worthy destination for a lights-out meal. The presence of ‘bar’ in the title is a bit of a misnomer here: Alobar is a full-on restaurant with a strong showing of classic seafood options (chilled lobster, dover sole) and plenty of well-executed cocktails.
Once you’ve found your way through the Yorkville laneways and into this swanky, cozy lounge, you’ll be treated to the winning combo of chef Patrick Kriss and chef de cuisine John Buan’s culinary expertise, and the award-winning service we’ve come to expect from the Alo Food Group. You must (MUST) end the evening with Alobar’s now-infamous raspberry-chantilly mille-feuille, which is so bewitching, it deserves its own episode of Chef’s Table.
18. Gia
1214 Dundas St.
View on Instagram
Jenny Coburn and Stacey Patterson have struck gold with their ‘plant-forward’ Italian concept, landing on Toronto’s Michelin Guide three years running. Whether you’re vegan or a sworn carnivore, Gia is ready to wow you with fresh, house-made pasta (try it in the truffle agnolotti and thank us later). Most menu items can be made vegan on request, with a few exceptions, like the delightful burrata starter and ricotta gnocchi.
Even without any meat on the menu, Gia serves some of the most delicious Italian food in Toronto. Their lively, stylish dining room hums with exclamations of approval from guests digging into Gia’s creative, comforting plant-based fare. Start with TVP meatballs and a creamy cashew brie, served with an Ontario peach jam; then, dig into bright green spinach ravioli or the lions mane bistecca that’s the spitting image of a medium-rare steak. Gia’s desserts are the fireworks at the end of your hearty meal; the coconut vanilla affogato, made with dairy-free ice cream from Death in Venice and finished with warm espresso, is a dream come true.
The 26 best vegan restaurants in Toronto for 2024, ranked
From Ethiopian eats to comforting Italian classics, Toronto's top vegan restaurants run the gamut. Whether you're craving a vegan burger, stat, or planning date night, these spots have got you covered.
Read more19. Pai
18 Duncan St. and 2335 Yonge St.
Pai is as beautiful as the love story between owners Jeff and chef Nuit Regular. The couple met while Jeff was backpacking through Nuit's native Thailand, and before long had plans to move back to Canada, bringing Nuit's authentic Thai cooking with them. They now own Pai Northern Thai Kitchen in the Entertainment District and Pai Uptown at Yonge and Eglinton (along with Sukhothai, Selva and Kiin).
The downtown location garnered a Michelin recommendation, but each Pai location has its own charm: The original, pint-sized spot is colourful and charming, with the buzzy energy of the Thai village it gets its name from, while the uptown location is a sprawling space beautifully decorated with lanterns and murals. At both, you'll find Nuit's delicious Thai cooking with staples like flavourful gaeng panang, creamy kaho soi and pad thai.
20. Sara
98 Portland St.
When the Michelin Guide came to town, it was no surprise to see this skinny Food Dudes’ space inside a rowhouse on Portland Street given some fanfare. Unlike some of the other standouts on the recommended list, Sara doesn’t pigeonhole itself with a designated style of food, giving its tasting menu the freedom to zigzag lines across global styles of cuisine. Wagyu reuben comes hot off the heels of butternut squash latkes, all followed by fried chicken and branzino. Slip your phone into the table well to avoid distractions and give yourself fully to the flavours. We recommend taking it up a notch with a splendid wine pairing — and it doesn’t hurt that the servings are pretty generous.
21. Ardo
243 King St. E.
Do you ever stumble upon a restaurant and wonder how on earth you let it slip under your radar? That’s Ardo for us. This Michelin-recommended, unpretentious eatery is finally getting the attention it deserves. Located on King East, Ardo is a slice of Sicily, co-owned by husband and wife team (cuuuute), chef Roberto Marotta and Jacqueline Nicosia, who met on the Italian coast before moving to Canada to open their own restaurant together (double cute).
The dishes give diners a taste of the sea and, like any good relationship, aren’t overcomplicated — even the simple house-made bread with Sicilian olive oil tastes special. Don’t miss the delicate raw tuna carpaccio with crunchy celery, capers and cucumbers.
22. Maha’s Egyptian Brunch
226 Greenwood Ave.
Maha's is a family Toronto Michelin restaurant in every sense of the word. Cozy benches lined with colourful pillows; shelves brimming with trinkets and knick-knacks of all shapes and sizes; and a fridge plastered with photos, notes and magnets make the space feel more like a home kitchen than a restaurant. Settle into the comfortable space for some of the best brunch food you'll ever have.
Owned and operated by head chef-owner Maha Barsoom and her two children, chef Monika Wahba and barista Mark, the restaurant is an extension of the family's home and their Egyptian culture. At the top of our list, the Pharaoh’s Po’ Boy is a crispy shrimp sandwich drizzled with tehina and tomeya; the date grilled cheese is the perfect combination of sweet and savoury; and Maha’s Mind Blowing Chicken is like a shawarma wrap explosion.
Maha's Egyptian Brunch is the most underrated restaurant in Toronto
One of the city's best brunch spots, Maha's brings a true taste of modern Egyptian food to Toronto. We chat with chef Monika Wahba to find out what makes the menu so special.
Read more23. Dil Se
335 Roncesvalles Ave.
View on Instagram
Roncy might just be our favourite Toronto neighbourhood, especially now that we've had the pleasure of dining at Dil Se. Follow the comforting scent of charcoal fire and prepare for an epic meal of Northern Indian dishes — around 133 items! The menu is large, but each dish, inspired by the food chef Mani Ram grew up with, is executed with precision and love. After all, Dil Se means 'From the heart' in Hindi. Everything is beyond good, but some of our faves are the fragrant vegetable biryani and Ram's famous chicken kamasutra braised in cashew nut gravy and saffron imported from India.
24. Madrina Bar y Tapas
2 Trinity St.
Traverse across the cobbles in the Distillery District, wander into Madrina Bar y Tapas, and suddenly it feels like you’ve taken a Narnia-esque backdoor into Barcelona — and we’re not mad about it. You'll spot the Iberian hams first, just waiting to be carved and served on a charcuterie board.
Studio Munge's design is seamless, with cool tiled floors, brick walls and terracotta touches that work perfectly for the Gaelic vibes. Catalan chef, Ramon Simarro, is the feather in Madrina's cap. After working in many of Spain's Michelin-starred restaurants (Via Veneto and Alkimia in Barcelona), Simarro makes his Canadian debut, bringing twists on classic tapas and paella, gastronomic culinary flair and an entire gin and tonic section of the menu — order a glass and admire the dramatic tableside pour.
25. Mother’s Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave.
Brian Du
Sure, they have other things on the menu, but as the name suggests, the dumplings are the real draw here. One of the more wallet-friendly options recommended by the Michelin Guide, Mother's serves whole plates of piping hot dumplings for under $15. Choose from steamed, boiled or pan-fried and fillings that range from the simple pork and chives to more interesting combinations like melon, tofu and vegetable noodle.
Head to the Michelin Guide website for the full Toronto list.
