[Tony]

Here's a place where we can post our secret favorite places to eat in the City! (Please include any mouth-watering pictures you find :slob: )

Here are some of my recommendations:

Dim Sum: Sky Dragon - Dragon City in Chinatown

Deli: Caplansky's - 356 College Street

Mexican: El Jacal - 1056 Bloor Street West

Korean Pork Bone Soup: Ka-Chi - 612 Bloor Street West

[Ramako]

Mexican: Tacos El Asador (690 Bloor Street West)
Burgers: Allen's (143 Danforth Avenue) or Big Smoke Burger (formerly Craft Burger, multiple locations)
Pizza: Pizzeria Libretto (221 Ossington Avenue) or Queen Margherita (1402 Queen Street East)

[Travis007]

I love Khao San Road @ 326 Adelaide Street West. Great ambiance and best Thai food in the city hands down. I was there few weeks ago for my friend's birthday, the place was buzzing on Friday night. Arrive before 6 pm if you want to avoid the line ups.

[Gresto]

Didier on Yonge. Not only great food, but the decor is stunning. Only caveats: Expensive, and the maitre d', who is the wife of the chef, leaves a lot to be desired in terms of hospitality.

Gamberoni on Yonge north of Lawrence. Excellent Italian food.

Pizza: A nondescript little place called Napoli Vince's near Bathurst/Finch makes the best pizza I have tasted in Toronto.

[Ramako]

I love Khao San Road @ 326 Adelaide Street West. Great ambiance and best Thai food in the city hands down. I was there few weeks ago for my friend's birthday, the place was buzzing on Friday night. Arrive before 6 pm if you want to avoid the line ups.

My girlfriend and I just discovered this place last week. It was really good.

(But nothing beats Baan Thai in Halifax.)

[caltrane74]

Dim Sum - Yesterday went to Rol San with my honey.

It was ok.

[yaletown_fella]

If you want a really good value $5 breakfast try Karine's at Village by the Grange. But if ya want the free coffee be prepared to eat at the crowded dated food court.

Also the chicken noodle soup at the Grange Thai joint is surprisingly very good!

[Travis007]

The Chinatown dim sum joints have been in steady decline in recent decades with a large portion of the Chinese community moving north into the suburbs. Most of the best Chinese food can be found in Scarboro, Markham, and Richmond Hill.

BlogTo ranks Lai Wah Heen @ the Metropolitan Hotel (downtown, 108 Chestnut Street) as best in Toronto though.

Complete list here:

http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_dim_sum_in_toronto/

[caltrane74]

Do you know how expensive this place is?

Lai Wah Heen

[caltrane74]

Check out Peter Mooking at Kultura.

[LeftCoaster]

My fav burgers in town: Burgers priest on Queen E, MaGoo's in Etobicoke and Apache in Etobicoke.

Gourmet burger Co and Craft (Big Smoke) make a good one too

If you guys want great izakaya (Japanese sake/tapas bar) try Guu, they are on church and just opened up a new location on Bloor.

[Travis007]

Guu is live!! The food amongst the best Japanese in the city, and the ambiance is unreal. The place is like an epic party with so many people and energy. The lineups are pretty intense though, but definitely worth it.

DonDon Izakaya, at 130 Dundas Street West (which is still undergoing renovations) is supposed to rival Guu when it opens. Guu's set the bar pretty high for izakaya standards in the city, so will be interesting if the new joint lives up to expectations. I actually work in the area, so will definitely check it out.

[caltrane74]

Looking for a set menu, ruby watchco in Riverdale, chef Lynn Crawford.

Great Service, but a little pricey. - thankfully I got my meal there on the house.

If you actually pay, $75 bux a plate plus tip and taxes.

[caltrane74]

One of my favorite lunch time spots is by the airport near my office. Eglinton Avenue just west of Orbitor. Japanese Steakhouse / Tepannaki - 25 to 30 bux for a lunchtime plate.

Shrimp
Lobster
Chicken
Beef
Soup
Salad

[caltrane74]

Hothouse - St. Lawerence Market.

Ok food, moderately priced. ( depending on how much wine you plan on having ! Lol)

[Tony]

Vietnamese Pho: Pho Com Vietnam - (southwest corner of Jane & Finch) I've tried countless pho restaurants in the City and somehow this has ended up being the best of them all!!

Vietnamese Bun Bo Hue: (Hue style beef noodle soup) Pho Linh - 1156 College Street - by far the best Bun Bo Hue in the City.. freshly made available only on the weekends!

[Tony]

Burgers: Yellow Griffin Pub - 2202 Bloor Street West - excellent specialty burgers!

[caltrane74]

That's in my second 'hood of High Park - where My girlfriend lives. - I've always wanted to go there when strolling Bloor West. - might go there tonight depending on how big a lunch I have this afternoon.

[suburbanite]

Dammit, now you guys just want to make me live in the city even more. Can't wait to be close to all these great restaurants.

[LeftCoaster]

Vietnamese Pho: Pho Com Vietnam - (southwest corner of Jane & Finch) I've tried countless pho restaurants in the City and somehow this has ended up being the best of them all!!

Vietnamese Bun Bo Hue: (Hue style beef noodle soup) Pho Linh - 1156 College Street - by far the best Bun Bo Hue in the City.. freshly made available only on the weekends!


Thanks for the tips, I've been trying to find some good Vietnamese spots in the city.

[north 42]

Every time I'm in Toronto, I try to stop at KI for amazing sushi and Japanese food. Really cute place and it has the most amazing rock shrimp ever!!!

[Gresto]

Another one I like is The Corner House on Davenport.

[Travis007]

I went to Guu Sakabar on Bloor (just east of Bathurst) on the weekend. Totally live place! Definitely the best authentic Japanese Izakaya in the city. Great interior design, ambiance, and energy. All of the servers had great enthusiasm and made the overall experience really enjoyable. The female waitresses were total babes too. The servers passionately shout out (in Japanese) each order they take . Felt more like a party than a meal with the music and energy. Really fun place to go with a lot of people. Food was great, the seafood was fresh. Less sushi oriented, focus more on Izakaya (bar) food. Also had impressive selection of sake.

Went on a date at Yuzu (@ 236 Adelaide West) the other day. Also a great place, more of a traditional restaurant. Great selection and high quality of sushi.

[yaletown_fella]

So far the best sushi place ive been to in Toronto for value & quality is new generation.

[Vascilli]

What's the best place for pho downtown? North of Queen, west of Yonge, east of Spadina, south of Bloor.

[Tony]

So far the best sushi place ive been to in Toronto for value & quality is new generation.

I'm not incline to goto a place where two employees get into an argument and one got murdered. ;)

[Tony]

What's the best place for pho downtown? North of Queen, west of Yonge, east of Spadina, south of Bloor.

If you're willing to cross to the west side of Spadina, there's Pho Hung at Spadina & St. Andrew. Also if you're willing to cross to the north side of Bloor, there's another Pho Hung across from the ROM.

I don't know if they're the "best" but they're pretty popular.

I'm not really impressed with the Pho places in Chinatown overall. My usual spot for Chinatown Pho is Pho Pasteur on the south side of Dundas, west of Spadina. Between the weak menu selection at Pho Hung, plastic in my milkshake from Pho Pasteur, fragments of a dish scrubber in my Pho at Xe Lua, white-washing of Pho 88.. I just don't know anymore. :P There's also a Pho Ai My on the east side of Spadina at Sullivan too.. never been. Of course, the two I actually liked, both closed over the years. :(

[Tony]

Sushi Buffet: Gallery Sushi - 275 Dundas St W (Village by the Grange). Higher quality than most Sushi buffet places and their seaweed salad is awesome. I haven't been in a while though and hope things haven't changed.

Trinidadian / Caribbean - The Friendly Trini - West side of Dundas St., just north of Dundas West Subway Station. New place, with no frills...good food at excellent prices. The guy is super friendly too.

[Andrewjm3D]

District Sushi in Riverside is my hands down favorite Sushi joint in the city. It's like no other typical Sushi restaurant with Asian themed interiors. It's more like a nightclub inside where very few people sit there sipping hot tea but instead are enjoying a glass of wine or beer with their meal. This place even has a great back patio. Service is amazing, the food top shelf and the prices are on par with most other Sushi Restaurants in the city.

I highly recommend a trip to Riverside.......

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBEU444kyXPT9Yjd4_rJF708aWLJKsappeDixgBMcPa1dJtX3H7J472t_l

http://media.weblocal.ca/r/650x500/photos/NE3-4kPpZt_x--/district-modern-japanese-bistro-toronto-on.jpg

http://media.weblocal.ca/r/650x500/photos/NE3-4z7LTm_x--/district-modern-japanese-bistro-toronto-on.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

I find that the best sushi places are the ones that usually look the least typical. They've got nothing to prove. Back when I was living in Vancouver one of my fav places was a place called California Sushi in a strip mall in Coquitlam. The kinda place you would totally dismiss but it was some of the best sushi in the city and the prices were very reasonable.

I've gotta put in a plug for a buddy of mines new restaurant. They just opened off the corner of Dundas and Ossington and the food is unreal. He had been raving about the chef they managed to hire for weeks so I had high expectations and I was still amazed. It's called Yours Truly and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal in the west side. Its open from 5ish to late.

http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Eat/December-2011/Yours-Truly-brings-late-night-snacks-and-an-affordable-four-course-prix-fixe-menu-to-Ossington/

http://yours-truly.ca/

[Travis007]

Went to the Trattoria Mercatto inside the Eaton Centre for lunch yesterday. Great restaurant, the calamari and pizzas were delicious! I loved the decor with rustic wooden tables and metal chairs and bar.

[DrNest]

I will have to add the Big Fat Burrito in Kennsington Market.
Doesn't look fancy, but the food is cheap and the burritos huge and beyond tasty!

[Travis007]

BlogTO has compiled a list of best sandwich places in Toronto. I've tried The Fish Store, delicious and impressive selection of sandwiches. California Sandwiches is also a favourite spot for us on the westside.

http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_sandwiches_in_toronto/

[caltrane74]

There is a new Panera Bread at Dundas Square - very comfortable upstairs area, and free wifi - for all you iphone and tablet addicts!!!

[Travis007]

Yeah, Panera Bread is a nice hang out spot. There's a bunch of great new food places opening in the area in recent years like Marble Slab (a Waterloo favourite), and Salad King. Hopefully the Lalani group can get their act together and rebuild something nice on the old Empress Hotel site. It's horrible to have an empty lot in a prime downtown location for so long.

[Gresto]

I went to Pangaea at Bay and Bloor the other day. The Bison entree was out of this world, and the maple tart dessert was simply delectable.

[Andrewjm3D]

On Clinton at Gore (Kind of funny those two streets cross I know) just south of College street in Little Italy. Bitando's has the best Panzarotti I've had in the city. They only make one kind, tomato and cheese but it's sooooo good. Lightly deep fried and the ingredients are very fresh. They make them non stop all day long because they move so fast. I've been in line a few times and had them sell out before I get to order.

Damn, might have to get one tomorrow now.

http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/photos/2009/05/pizzeria_father-son_01.jpg

[Travis007]

Thanks for the tip! These old school mom and pop food joints are a dying breed in Little Italy. Gotta check this one out. :)

[Ramako]

Everyone needs to go to The Mad Italian (http://www.maditalian.ca/) immediately and try their delicious pizza cones:


http://www.groupon.com/images/site_images/1941/7943/The-Mad-Italian2.jpg
http://canadianblogs.net/8-for-two-zazzu-hot-pizza-cones-and-two-soups-or-side-salads-at-the-mad-italian-up-to-17-98-value-two-locations-available

[Andrewjm3D]

I saw those last Friday. Just a block away from Bitando's. I'll have to get one to eat for while I wait in line for my Bitando's Panzarotti.

[Ramako]

I saw those last Friday. Just a block away from Bitando's. I'll have to get one to eat for while I wait in line for my Bitando's Panzarotti.

They're delicious. Perhaps one day they'll be known as a quintessential Toronto dish. They're great to eat outside on cold days.

[Travis007]

Guu Izakaya now has some strong competition. DonDon Izakaya @ Bay/Dundas is live!

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/opening-daily-dish/2012/02/01/introducing-dondon-izakaya/

[Richlord11]

Have you tried Salad King (http://ilovetoronto.com/restaurant-reviews/2011/11/salad-king-yonge-toronto) on 340 Yonge Street ?

Their name is kinda misleading but don't get fooled, but if you like Asian cuisine go and try them - one of the best Thai food I have ever eaten!

[Dwils01]

I will be in Toronto on Tuesday and wanted to know some good fast food places around downtown. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Travis007]

Hey Dwils!

You should try Big Smoke Burger (http://bigsmokeburger.com/), Hero Burgers (http://www.heroburgers.com/locations.php), Salad King (http://www.saladking.com/index.html), The Fish Store (http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/thefishstore) and Burrito Boyz (http://www.burritoboyz.ca/).

Cheers! :cheers:

[Dwils01]

Thanks,

I'll be in Toronto a few times in March as well so I will give all of these a try.

:cheers:

[Travis007]

Great Korean bar on Yonge, south of Bloor called Hana. OMG can't get enough of the spicy chicken!!

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/hana-korean-cuisine

[Homer000]

I am not really fond of spicy food but I must say, that their spicy chicken ROCKED! :tup:

[Richlord11]

I have got another great tip for all the Asian cuisine lovers out there!

Woo Buffet (http://juliekinnear.com/blogs/woo-buffet-restaurant-review.html) on the corner of Yonge and Dundas.

They offer food from many different Asian countries such as Thai, Chinese, Korean etc, they have got a great salad table and very reasonable all-you-can-eat offer for lunch.

[Richlord11]

Hey guys, can somebody recommend me a good rib place?

I have a feeling I haven't eaten good ribs in ages.

[Southcore]

Hey guys, can somebody recommend me a good rib place?

I have a feeling I haven't eaten good ribs in ages.



http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_bbq_restaurants_in_toronto/

I'm not much of a ribs person but I've been to some of the places in the link above for other things (fried chicken, pulled pork, burgers) and have enjoyed what I've had.

Also, Buster Rihno's in Oshawa is fantastic apparently, haven't checked it out yet though.

[Richlord11]

http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_bbq_restaurants_in_toronto/

I'm not much of a ribs person but I've been to some of the places in the link above for other things (fried chicken, pulled pork, burgers) and have enjoyed what I've had.

Also, Buster Rihno's in Oshawa is fantastic apparently, haven't checked it out yet though.

Buster Rhino's looks very promising! Will definitely check it out soon.

BTW thanks for the list!

[Tony]

I can vouch for Barque. Try the wings too, they're awesome.

[Tony]

My usual Dim Sum place has been replaced btw to: Forestview Chinese Restaurant

Better quality than Sky Dragon, but more pricey.

For the best quality in Chinatown, you'd have to go to the newly opened restaurant "Gold Diamond" in the former Bright Pearl Restaurant building at the corner of Spadina and St. Andrews. It also stocks generally attractive younger wait staff too for some reason.

[Ramako]

Apparently Burger's Priest is opening a third location, and this one will actually be close to downtown at Queen & Spadina. That's a good location for them.

[LittleItalyCleveland]

I'm very excited to be in Toronto next weekend! Can somebody direct me to a great beer bar or brewpub...I heard lots of good things about Granite City brewery. I also want to check out your Great Lakes Brewing, I'll need some solid convincing that our Great Lakes takes second fiddle. I'm a huge fan of English style ales, so any recommendations for bars/pubs that specialize in that I'd be most appreciative.

[LeftCoaster]

Barvolo has an extensive list including several rotating cask ales. Top beer bar in the city IMO.

If you want something a bit more in the financial district beirmarkt or beer bistro have good selections as well but their atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired IMO.

[LittleItalyCleveland]

thanks Leftcoaster- I checked out their page, the place looks great, and it seems to be a quick walk from the Wellsley station- perfect!

[M.R.Victor]

I'll chime in with some of my favourite places:

Japanese Tapas: Ryioji (http://www.torontolife.com/tag/ryoji/), on College Street

Korean Tacos: Banh Mi Boys (http://www.banhmiboys.com/), one location at Queen and Spadina, another opening up at Yonge and Gerrard

Beer and bone marrow: The County General (http://thecountygeneral.ca/) at Queen and Shaw

Gourmet southern comfort: Electric Mud Bbq (http://www.thegridto.com/life/food-drink/electric-mud-bbq/), just west of Queen and Dufferin

[LeftCoaster]

Great list! I've been to all those places but Ryioji, if you liked the other 3 i should try it.

Also if you're looking for good 'non-korean' tacos the owners of electric mud have their original restaurant grand electric which makes great tacos and even better ribs.

[Doady]

Korean Tacos: Banh Mi Boys (http://www.banhmiboys.com/), one location at Queen and Spadina, another opening up at Yonge and Gerrard

Really? That sounds more like Vietnamese place...

I ate at a Korean resto in Chinatown a few weeks ago, the one just north of Dundas. The Kimchi fried rice in the hot bowl was great.

I love eat dim sum too, usually eat at the Emerald restaurant in Mississauga. Not sure which is best though.

[M.R.Victor]

It could very well be a vietnamese place, or some form of asian - north american fusion, thought I assumed it to be korean due to their generous use of kimchi. The Kalbi Beef tacos, Beef Cheek Bao, and kimchi fries are to die for. The Yonge and Gerrard location is currently experiencing line-ups out the door even though they're still in their soft-opening week, and I proudly consider myself among the willing addicts.

[Tony]

Well Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich (like a sub).

I might have to check this place out sometime.

A couple of decent Mexican places: Rancho Relaxo (300 College St) and Sabor a Mexico (341 Jane St)

Skip the fashionable new one in the Junction.. while pretty high quality and quite tasty, it's way too expensive for pitiful amount of food you get and uber-slow service.

[Doady]

"Banh mi" is actually just the Vietnamese word for bread. It can refer to a sandwich, but it does not refer specifically to any particular type of sandwich.

An actual Vietnamese sandwich/sub would be something like "banh mi thap cam", which is probably the typical kind you see in the sandwich shop. Another type is "banh mi xiu mai", which is the meatball sub. If you eat dim sum, you will probably eat siu mai, which is similar to xiu mai, and the pronounciation is actually very similar too.

The best Viet sandwich shop is I know is Nguyen Huong in Chinatown, but they sell a lot great food other than sandwiches too. I usually get the sticky rice as well.

[Copes]

Hey guys, visiting my parents in Toronto for the first time since they moved. The girlfriend and I want to take them out for a nice meal at a relatively fancy spot. We have reservations tomorrow night at Bymark... just wondering if this is a good call? I really just made a choice based on online reviews.

Thanks.

[MTLskyline]

Going to Toronto next week and have a craving for Greek food. Any suggestions?

[telyou]

Going to Toronto next week and have a craving for Greek food. Any suggestions?

Volos in downtown is a great higher end restaurant. If you go i definitely recommend getting Soutzoukakia, Exohico and Kritharoto. You'll rarely find these dishes in any Greek restaurant in North America.

Others in Greektown would be Pantheon, Messini, Mezes, Ouzeri, Omonia. I've also heard good things about Zorbas.

[LittleItalyCleveland]

Going back to Toronto during Memorial Day weekend, or as they say in Canada, the last full weekend in May. Have plans to stroll Spadina and the St. Laurence Mkt for some great eats. How is the Kensington Mkt for food, never been there?Also, thinking about watching the Jays play the O's, how is the Rogers Cntr for a game? Last time I was in Toronto I really enjoyed Barvolo's nice selection of casks and Granite City's English Ales...what other beer bars are easily accesible by public transit in the TO? Thanks

[suburbanite]

The Roger's Centre is no classic ballpark that's for sure. You can tell that it was deisgned for multiple purposes in mind when you're there, but it's still a good time.

Beer Bistro has the best beer menu I've encountered and great food too. It's located on King St. just East of Yonge right downtown, and you'd probably be able to walk there from the Roger's Centre.

[DrNest]

Going back to Toronto during Memorial Day weekend, or as they say in Canada, the last full weekend in May. Have plans to stroll Spadina and the St. Laurence Mkt for some great eats. How is the Kensington Mkt for food, never been there?Also, thinking about watching the Jays play the O's, how is the Rogers Cntr for a game? Last time I was in Toronto I really enjoyed Barvolo's nice selection of casks and Granite City's English Ales...what other beer bars are easily accesible by public transit in the TO? Thanks

There are some great eats in Kensington Market, I've never had anything bad at any of the places I've been too. I particularly like the huge burritos at Big Fat Burritos on Augusta Ave.

As for St Lawrence Market. It's a lot of fun to wander around, but I would avoid the food here. My wife and I have tried several times at a number of different stalls, but nearly always this has resulted in one or both of us getting the trots.

[LittleItalyCleveland]

The Roger's Centre is no classic ballpark that's for sure. You can tell that it was deisgned for multiple purposes in mind when you're there, but it's still a good time.

Beer Bistro has the best beer menu I've encountered and great food too. It's located on King St. just East of Yonge right downtown, and you'd probably be able to walk there from the Roger's Centre.

Beer Bistro is on the list, thanks. Also walking distance from where we'll be staying... the Hilton on University and Richmond :cheers:

DrNest- I've only had a croissant at the bread vendor on the basement level at St. Lawrence- it was quite good. I want to try the Peameal Bacon Sandwich and whatever seafood sounds good at Busters Sea Cove, but your mention about the squirts has me somewhat leary.

Thanks for responses

[DrNest]

I was going to also recommend the Academy of Spherical Arts, because the food there was very good, and the whisk(e)y selection beyond amazing. But I've just found out it has closed. Does anybody know why and what happened? I've done some Google searches, but it's hard to get an accurate picture from ramblings on various review sites.