13 Best Restaurants in Old Town and the Distillery District, Toronto

With a 5,000-square-foot, year-round patio and stunning floor-to-ceiling murals, El Catrin is the hottest place in the Distillery District. Delicious eats include traditional tacos al pastor with shaved pork and pineapple salsa, ceviche, 24-hour-braised short rib in mole sauce, and guacamole prepared table-side. Finish the evening on a sugar high with churros rolled in sugar served with a trio of chocolate, strawberry, and dulce de leche dipping sauces.

This intimate establishment serves refined, European classic fare made with thought and painstaking care, beautifully presented and delicious on the palate. Warm and friendly staff greet guests inside this modern space with old-world charm; here, the pace is relaxed, and the restaurant’s minimalist kitchen is on full display. Advanced reservations are required for the dining room, where guests partake in the seasonal tasting menu which can be accompanied by thoughtful wine pairings—spots are released mid-month for the coming month. If you’re unable to obtain a coveted dining room reservation, the restaurant’s bar area is open for walk-ins where you can order from a curated à la carte menu.

Fulfill your dessert fantasies by picking up a sweet treat from Roselle, one of the city’s finest dessert shops. Stephanie Duong and Bruce Lee opened Roselle in 2015; since then, they’ve fed the sweet cravings of Torontonians with their playful take on classic flavors using French techniques. Offering curbside pickup only, the seasonality of Roselle’s offerings sets them apart and contributes to their enduring popularity: their pavlova toppings change several times a year; their summer soft-serve ice cream is creamy and refreshing; and their rotating cake cup flavors are perfectly portioned treats. Staples such as the banana éclair and Earl Grey cake slices are available year-round, and the shop also specializes in cookies and caramels.   

Bindia serves delicious North Indian fare that will make your taste buds sing the moment you taste juicy meat and freshly baked naan cooked in its tandoor oven. This neighborhood staple is conveniently located in the heart of the St. Lawrence Market, offering casual, warm, and friendly service. Choose to sit in its modern dining room or, during the warmer months, get a table on its patio to people-watch and take in the sights and sounds of the local community.

If the smell of fresh bread and buttery croissants doesn't draw you into this charming bakery, the decadent sweets on display—like cinnamon buns, butter tarts, or scones—certainly will. For heartier appetites there are items like pulled pork sandwiches and steak-and-stout pie.

Enjoy classic and modern Catalan tapas at this lively restaurant where guests are taken on a tasting journey by executive chef Ramon Simarro. Shareable plates allow for maximum sampling of Madrina’s menu, alongside a large selection of Spanish wines and gins (more than 70) to complement your meal. Order à la carte to try items such as the Iberico ham croquetas or the whole fried sea bass; alternatively, the restaurant offers a nine-course chef’s tasting menu. 

One of the best spots to try bier schnapps (a traditional German-style spirit that is akin to tequila), this gastropub features classics with a twist such as crispy cornish hen with Sriracha maple glaze, or ultrameaty chicken wings. Even salads are anything but boring, like the red quinoa salad with sweet and tangy sherry vinaigrette. Fondue is served up with a duo of Oka and aged cheddar with roasted beets, house-made bratwurst, apples, and mini potatoes. For dessert, opt for Nonna's sugar donuts; they're melt-in-your-mouth and pillowy soft.

Established in 1984, Nami is one of the first authentic Japanese restaurants in Toronto and continues to serve fresh sushi sourced locally and from Japan to a loyal clientele. Kimono-clad servers and wood booths replicate an older version of Kyoto. In addition to its standard menu, Nami offers daily specials and seasonal promotions—there’s always something new and interesting to try.

Located on a quiet side street, NEO COFFEE BAR is a well-loved shop that serves quality coffees and teas, with a focus on creating Japanese fusion pastries. Opened in 2015, the shop’s beautiful space combines the best of Japanese and Scandinavian design with its warm wood finishes, concrete surfaces, and minimalist furniture, which has won it design accolades. Aesthetics aside, NEO is a warm and hip community hub with a loyal clientele due to its friendly service and use of quality, organic ingredients to create delicious drinks and sweets; popular menu items are the matcha latte and roll cakes, as well as seasonal drinks and pastries.

This neighborhood staple has been serving fresh and delicious seafood dishes for more than 15 years. Oysters make up the backbone of Pearl Diver’s menu, alongside popular menu items like pan-seared steelhead trout, the PD burger, and the mouthwatering seafood tower adorned with oysters, pickled mussels, crab legs, and more. The black walnut old-fashioned and the lychee lime margarita—created to replicate a pearl in the water—are must-order drinks.

This traditional pub will make you feel like you're in Dublin the second you step inside. Tuck into an authentic meal of Irish Kilkenny Ale–battered fish-and-chips, beef-and-Guinness stew, and bread pudding steeped in whiskey and custard, just like Gran made. The bar upstairs is even cozier than the one on the main floor.

Try adventurous, rich ice cream and vegan sorbetto flavors such as Mango Passion Fruit, Cajeta Swirled Goat Cheese, or Roses of Paradise at Scooped by Demetres. This spot is owned and operated by beloved Toronto dessert shop Demetres, which has been creating artisanal, handcrafted ice creams for more than 30 years. Their creations are made with the finest ingredients sourced from around the world, such as chocolates from Belgium and vanilla from Indonesia, resulting in a rotating menu of 20 decadent and memorable flavors. Make sure to get your scoop (or two) in their famous waffle cone, which is freshly made in-store.

The scent of smoky Texas-style barbecue from Carbon Bar’s wood firepit immediately hits your nose and activates your salivary glands when you enter the spacious, sophisticated, yet laid-back spot. Ordering the Pitmaster barbecue platter is a must: it comes with five types of meat and is worth sharing with a group or tackling alone if you dare. Friendly waitstaff easily rhyme off the restaurant’s drink menu and they’re proud to share that the Carbon Bar has one of the largest bourbon listings in Toronto—no surprise that it's popular with the after-work and weekend crowd.