From January 25th to February 7th Winterlicious is back, which means it’s time to explore some of the best restaurants in the city without breaking the bank!
From Yorkville to West Queen West to the Financial District, there are tons of amazing options, and we’ve rounded up the best places to check out during Winterlicious.
Reservations are now open, so make sure to book yours while there are still spots available (they’ll fill up fast!).
Bar Buca
Instagram/ @barbuca
This Italian-inspired kitchen and bar is the perfect King West hot spot to duck into if you’re wanting to check out Winterlicious. They only accept walk-ins, so whether you can’t commit to a reservation or you just find yourself in the area, this is the spot for you. Their menu, created by Chef Rob Gentile, is packed with flavour and features lot of vegetarian options. We recommend the Pasta E Broccoli, the Calamari Grigliata, and the Panna Cotta for dessert!
Cactus Club
Instagram/ @cactusclubcafe
Originally hailing from the west coast, Cactus Club has become a Toronto staple. Drinks after work? Cactus Club. Power lunch with your team? Cactus Club. Girls night? Cactus Club. Fantastic Winterlicious offerings? Cactus Club. Their lunch menu features some of their classic dishes (hello Butternut Squash Ravioli and Feenie Burger) and is a great choice for a power lunch. From their dinner menu, we recommend the Peppercorn Sirloin, Grilled Dijon Salmon, and the Key Lime Parfait Duo to finish it off.
Bosk
Instagram/ @boskto
Located in the Shangri-La Toronto, Bosk is a sophisticated, polished and delicious Winterlicious option. Their asian-inspired dishes (with a distinctly Canadian flare) are packed with flavour, and the environment is stunning; the recipe for a perfect date night! We recommend the Hen Egg Pasta Sheets, the Slow Cooked Beef Short rib and the Prawn Terrine. Their wine wall also holds over 700 bottles, so your server will be able to recommend the perfect one to compliment your meal.
The Drake
Instagram/ @zalbertsen
This Toronto classic is the perfect blend of culture, art, and delicious food. Their Winterlicious menu, this year created by Chef Zac Albertson, is perfect for the cold snap Toronto’s currently facing (Beer Cheese Soup, hello!). Walking into The Drake, you will immediately feel welcomed and at home with staff eager to greet you day and night. While you’re checking out the Winterlicious menu, why not make it a full night with a show at The Underground; they always have amazing artists coming in, check out their listings here.
Mistura
Instagram/ @mistura_sopra
Mistura may be one of the lesser known restaurants participating in Winterlicious, but don’t sleep on this one. Their classic Italian food is second to none, with family recipes that have been on the menu for upwards of 20 years. We recommend trying out the Beet Risotto (it has delicious chunks of gorgonzola cheese throughout it), Nonna’s Lasagna and Tiramisu to finish!
Cafe Boulud
Instagram/ @abhishekdekate
Cafe Boulud in the Four Seasons Toronto is a full culinary dining experience that isn’t to be missed. From the mind of Chef Daniel Boulud, the menu is a bright mix of fresh and classic flavours. Be sure to order the Butternut Squash Soup, and the Grapefruit Sundae for dessert.
Insomnia
Instagram/ @insomniatoronto
This go-to Annex hotspot located at Bloor and Bathurst is known for their cocktails and brunches, and specifically for their famous home fries. For Winterlicious this year, you can take advantage of their brunch offerings with their $23 lunch seating, featuring classics like the PB & J Buckwheat Short-Stack, Eggs Memphis, and their Vegan Chocolate Layer Cake! If you’re going for dinner, the Fried Chicken and Waffles paired with one of their cocktails is a must.
Honourable Mentions:
Oretta
Instagram/@oretta
Located on King St. West just west of Bathurst is the ultra-Instagrammable Oretta. Visitors can slide into the art deco-inspired space for a $28 lunch seating featuring dishes like Beef Carpaccio, Burrata Pugiliese, veal ragu, pan seared salmon, and Sicilian Cannolo, or plan a dinner date for $48 per person and nosh on mains like flat iron steak and pan seared sea bass. Whatever dish you choose, you won’t regret it!
Noce
Instagram/@noce
Another Italian spot that can’t be beat is Noce, and they’ve got 20 years of experience to prove it. Head to this Queen West establishment for a $33 lunch that features wood fired arctic char, grilled Cornish hen, “Sex In A Pan” (aka Nutella and vanilla pudding in a pecan crust topped with mascarpone cheese, chocolate, and sponge toffee. Or indulge in their $53 dinner seating and experience a delicious wood fired Ontario veal chop and salmon crudo.
District Eatery
Instagram/@districteatery
District Eatery’s Winterlicious lunch and dinner run on the more affordable side, with a $23 lunch option that includes Grilled Peach and Beet Salad, Bowl of Zen (District’s take on the tuna poke), and Vegan Cheesecake. The dinner option will run you $33 for three courses with items like Piri Piri Roasted Chicken, Philly Carbone Flatbread, and Garlic Oil Zucchini Pasta. With lots of vegetarian and vegan options — and an amazing cocktail selection to boot — District Eatery is a a great option for everyone in your friend group!
Featured image: Instagram/ @boskto
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Toronto’s best patios are a staple of the summer season. While immediate proximity to your home or office is a bonus, the cream of the crop are destination-worthy and most definitely worth the trip. Explore a neighbourhood you might not venture to and you might just discover a hidden gem. The trifecta of food, friends, and fancy drinks all but guarantee a good time.
Bar Reyna
The queen of Yorkville has now been crowned with Bar Reyna reimagining the space that was once Caren’s Wine and Cheese Bar. The back patio is a jaw-dropper; a chic space with banquette style seating, and charming wooden feature walls which all but beckon you to lose track of time (and how many copper pineapples you’ve tipped). The retractable roof keeps this patio party going year-round, and who can resist a menu devoted to French fries?
Image via Bar Reyna
Trattoria Nervosa
Celebrating their 20th anniversary this month, Trattoria Nervosa has been a cornerstone in Yorkville’s restaurant scene. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in people watching, including famously hosting Blue Ivy and her parents when they were in town in 2013. Owned by the Gusto 54 Group, the kitchen pours out upscale Italian eats and pairs them perfectly with their old world wine list or pitchers of sangria.
Image via @NervosaTO
Chabrol
With more seats outside than in, Summer may be your best time to visit Chabrol, the hidden jewel of Yorkville. Only open since last fall, the sister restaurant to Cava specializes in French food, with Doug Penfold executing classic cuisine in a kitchen that is no bigger than most walk in closets. Slightly shaded and set back from the busy avenue, this patio is a perfect perch for those who wish to see without being seen.
Image via @advera
Bar Buca
The concrete jungle may surround Bar Buca, but with wafts of freshly planted rosemary and even more drool-worthy aromas permeating from the kitchen, Bar Buca’s patio is truly a downtown oasis. Part grab and go, part sit and swoon, this eatery has gourmet finds like the stunning Caprese Salad ($11), Insalata d’Arancia ($10) or the porky Porchetta ($14) all paired flawlessly with their deluxe cocktail program. Smart money stops by between 4pm and 7pm for their aperitivo ‘happy hour’, with a picture-perfect platter of gourmet bites that will whet any appetite.
Image via Bar Buca
El Catrin
Distillery District darling El Catrin is a favourite for downtown patio-goers, and for good reason. The massive space is punchy and fun – with hits of colour from the playful décor and swathed in mood lighting that makes Distillery such a destination for countless date nights. Tipples here are mainly tequila based, which pair nicely with their share-style menu that goes beyond mere tacos.
Image via @shinyapplecider
Miku
If the humidex is high head south to the lake, with Miku’s brand new patio, giving diners a brief reprieve from the heat with gentle breezes swooping in from the nearby lake. Miku’s patio is a breath of fresh air, with not only a dining area but also a laidback lounge perfect for sake sipping. Aburi style sushi lends itself well to the lakeside location.
Image via @wildxsight
Auberge du Pommier
The cottage in the city that is Auberge du Pommier is still as quaint and charming as it always has been, now surpassing its 29th year on Yonge just a pinch past York Mills. Swathed in greenery, this lush patio terrace evokes the French cuisine that current Chef Malcolm Campbell has been executing on with great success, including the delectable weekday afternoon Champagne menu, which sees guests clinking glasses of Perrier-Jouët and noshing on midday nibbles like fresh market oysters or steak tartare.
Image via Oliver & Bonacini
Colette
White lattice surrounds the beautiful patio that houses Colette, part of the Thompson Hotel (which of course has a splendid rooftop that is not to be missed). Sidled up to Wellington Ave West, this quiet patio is a relaxing space to reinvigorate to start your day, but even better with a squad for a little cinq a sept with a special menu dubbed Île de Colette meant for especially for the summer season.
Image via @colettetoronto
Macho Radio Bar
The sunny patio at Macho Radio Bar is a nifty find in City Place. The patio is a flanked by a colourful pergola that echoes the party theme inside. Pitchers of sangria wash down a little too easily, especially paired with their Chorizo Queso Fundido ($10) or Macho Fries ($12). The patio vibe here replicates a day at the beach mood so try and snag one of the back booth tables for extra-long fiesta fun.
Image via @machoradiobar
Did we miss any of the best patios in Toronto?
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