Earlier in the fall I revisited Toronto where I spent 7 days eating around the city. The city is known for its incredible multiculturalism, with its motto being “Diversity Our Strength.” It’s often cited as one of the most diverse cities in the world, with over half of its population born outside of Canada and representing a multitude of ethnic groups and languages.

Enjoyed dinner Riley’s Fish and Steak situated in the heart of downtown Toronto, Riley’s captures the timeless allure of an elevated American steakhouse paired with a high-end raw bar. The dining room feels luxurious yet welcoming, making it a natural magnet for celebratory dinners and polished evening affairs. Beyond its prime cuts cooked to precision, the kitchen shines with its gleaming seafood counter, serving up freshly shucked oysters and towering chilled platters that instantly set a celebratory tone.

Had a wonderful dinner with my friend Rochelle who joined me. The restaurant opened in April downtown in a centrally located spot near the theatres and stadiums. They have seating for 500 people across the main dining room, outside patio and private rooms. They also have an expansive wine cellar with over 1,000 bottles representing Canada and other regions around the world.

The dining room is beautiful and there is live music most nights including the night I was there.

We started off with the Riley’s Sourdough which was filled with garlicky goodness. We paired it with a couple tasty mocktails.

We then enjoyed a couple of their plentiful salads:

Kate’s Salad – with avocado, hearts of palm, mango peppers, shaved carrots, baby kale and champagne vinaigrette; and the Greek Horiatiki – with tomato, cucumber, Macedonian feta, peppers, crispy capers, olive tapenade and red wine & oregano vinaigrette.

Then came one of the tableside dishes;

Salt-Baked Chilean Sea Bass – it was served with saffron & fennel white wine nage, mussels, and forbidden rice and we both loved it.

Squash & Portobello Wellington: baked with portobello mushroom, spinach, roasted red pepper, puff pastry, roasted garlic & pink peppercorn gastrique

Asparagus as a side with citrus sabayon and toasted almonds.

Henri, their Wine Director poured a bottle of Fri Zero rose bubbles that is alcohol-free which we both loved to go with the seabass and other dishes.

For dessert we had the outstanding Grand Alaska (for 2) which is also served tableside. It’s an interactive show of sorts that you will love and it was a delicious one at that.

Rileys Fish and Steak is located at 155 Wellington St W in downtown Toronto’s Financial District.

Tucked away on Dupont Street, Anthony Rose’s Schmaltz Appetizing is a love letter to the classic Jewish appetizing counter traditions of New York. Operating primarily as a bustling walk-up spot, it elevates morning routines and weekend brunches with hand-sliced, house-cured salmon, rich gravlax, and smoky fish spreads. Every order is anchored by fresh, chewy bagels and custom cream cheeses, making it an essential neighborhood stop for anybody seeking traditional deli comfort on the go. Their sister restaurant is Fat Pasha which brings a boisterous, high-energy dining experience to Annex foodies with its bold fusion of Middle Eastern street food and Ashkenazi Jewish classics. Built around the joy of family-style sharing, the vibrant menu features massive, punchy flavors—most famously showcased in their iconic whole-roasted cauliflower smothered in halloumi, tahini, and pomegranate seeds. Combined with an inventive cocktail list and a sun-drenched patio, it remains one of the city’s favorite spots for lively group gatherings.

Enjoyed experiencing the restaurants over dinner with friends and new friends, Bonnie, Leonie and our host Chef Anthony Rose.

Started off with some of the tasty Fat Pasha dips: the hummus, muhammara, and whipped feta with honey along with some of their crunchy falafel, tahini, pickles and pita.

I then had the delicious #67 pastrami sandwich

For dessert we all shared some of their Togo Sundaes as well as some of the amazing Chocolate Kokosh (from one of the nearby bakeries).

Schmaltz Appetizing and Fat Pasha are located at 414 Dupont Street in Toronto.

Operating as both an Israeli-inspired bakery and a daytime cafe on St. Clair West, Romi’s has quickly captured the hearts of local food lovers. The space fills the morning air with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked braided challah, pillowy pita, and sweet rugelach. By lunchtime, the counter transforms into a destination for savory comfort, serving generous hummus bowls, crispy falafel, and golden chicken schnitzel that draw long lines of regulars throughout the week.

I had a lovely salad along with the delicious Keves (Ontario ground lamb) dish.

Nestled on a quiet strip in Dovercourt Village, Taverne Bernhardt’s exudes the effortless charm of a beloved local bistro. The star of the show is undeniably its golden, rotisserie-roasted chicken served alongside rich, natural jus, but the rotating seasonal vegetable dishes consistently steal the spotlight. Pair the rustic, homey cooking with a thoughtfully curated list of low-intervention natural wines, and it becomes easy to see why this neighborhood sanctuary feels like dining in a close friend’s dining room.

A beautiful late Summer evening that I enjoyed with friends Debbie and Amy in Toronto on the outside patio. To start, we had a couple of salads: the Bright Summer beans with green tahini and the Tomatoes special.

We then had a Half rotisserie chicken that came with 1/2 Potatoes and 1/2 fries, coleslaw, buns and gravy.

We finished with Ontario blueberry + super vanilla ice cream softserve with crumble and 3 spoons.

The very cute neighbourhood eatery is known for its juicy rotisserie chicken, vegetable creations using local Ontario produce and a curated list of organic wines.

Taverne Bernhardt’s is located at 202 Dovercourt Road in Toronto.

Chef Eyal Shani’s Miznon brings the electric energy of Tel Aviv to Yorkville, offering a high-spirited fast-casual spot centered around stuffed pita sandwiches. The kitchen takes wild culinary risks that pay off effortlessly, stuffing pillowy, freshly steamed pitas with everything from slow-cooked ribeye to classic Mediterranean street foods. Complete with energetic soundtracks, open-kitchen theater, and their signature whole-roasted baby cauliflower, Miznon turns a casual bite into an absolute event. I had my favourite Broken chicken plate and the best char baked sweet potatoes.

Specializing in authentic Sicilian granita and small-batch gelato, Futura Graniteria brings a rare slice of Italian summer tradition to St. Clair West. Their standout offering is traditional shaved ice granita crafted from real fruit, nuts, and espresso, served alongside warm, fluffy brioche buns for authentic dipping. Minimalist and intensely focused on quality craft, this sweet shop serves up an unforgettable frozen treat experience that stands far apart from standard ice cream parlors. I had the delicious Tahini gelato and Fig leaf gelato.

Bar Eugenie brings modern French bistro elegance and an inviting aperitivo spirit to Harbord Village. The intimate dining room radiates a romantic warmth, perfect for lingering over classic French bistro dishes reimagined with fresh, seasonal Ontario produce. Supported by a boutique wine list emphasizing small French growers and regional labels, it stands out as a cozy neighborhood retreat for date nights and quiet celebrations.

The night after we dined there they won their first Michelin Recommended Award, and it was well deserved. My friend Henri and I started off with their house Sourdough.

Other dishes that we enjoyed Kanpachi, Green Peppercorn Squid, Trout Amandine and the Cabbage.

For dessert we each had the delicious Coffee Soft Serve topped with caramel sauce and almonds.

The neighborhood restaurant, located in Harbord Village, serves a seasonal ingredient-driven shareable menu in a beautiful intimate space.

Bar Eugenie is located at 89 Harbord Street in Toronto.

Limon Midtown delivers a bright, coastal Middle Eastern dining experience with laid-back beachside flair. The warm, brick-lined interior sets the stage for colorful mezze spreads, creamy scratch-made hummus, and perfectly charred grilled skewers. It strikes a rare balance between fresh, healthy eating and satisfying comfort food, offering locals and beachgoers a welcoming spot to unwind over vibrant Mediterranean flavors. It was a late dinner for me and I was fully satisfied after having the Stuffed chicken in pita.

Speclalizing in Nepalese cuisine Gorkha is located in the Regent Park area of Toronto, well-regarded for its momos and traditional comfort dishes, the restaurant’s standout offering is its authentic Thakali Thali (Thakali Khana Set). Started off with some of their tasty Steamed Chicken Momos with sauces.

I had this Thali set for lunch; the traditional feast centers around steamed basmati rice (bhat) flanked by rich, slow-cooked yellow lentils (dal), fragrant stir-fried greens (saag), and gently spiced potato and cauliflower (alu gobi). Served alongside a crisp papadum, house-made fermented pickles (achar), and a tender goat curry (you could get goat, chicken or vegetables), every bowl on the tray complements the next.

This particular thali set is rooted in the culinary traditions of the Thakali people from Nepal’s Mustang region, this deeply satisfying platter delivers a harmonious balance of flavors, textures, and spiced aromas. The Thakali Thali at Gorkha Palace offers an immersive culinary journey to the Himalayas right in downtown Toronto.

Gorkha Palace is located at 1 Oak Street in Toronto.

I look forward to discovering more new and long standing restaurants in future Toronto visits.

By: Richard Wolak