6 Best Restaurants in Toronto, Ontario

Café Boulud

$$$$ | Yorkville Fodor's choice

Spearheaded by world-renowned restaurateur Daniel Boulud, Café Boulud occupies the coveted dining room of the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and presents itself as a serene, airy French brasserie decked out with sage-green banquettes and gilded accents. The café does simple, well-executed classic and contemporary French fare, like mouthwatering rotisserie duck, a signature Frenchie burger and cocktails like the French 55.

La Palette

$$$ | Queen West Fodor's choice

Known as one of the city's tried-and-true French bistros, this brightly decorated spot lives up to expectations with a menu full of excellent standards, including steak frites, rare venison chop, and mussels in white wine. The long bar at the front of the restaurant is a great spot for drinks or solo dining.

492 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2L9, Canada
416-929–4900
Known For
  • short but well-curated wine list
  • three-course prix-fixe dinner
  • great brunch
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner weekends. Closed Tues.

Le Paradis

$$$ | The Annex

This low-lit, warrenlike bistro has hardly changed at all since the '90s—and the regulars like it that way. The open kitchen turns out reliable French fare like steak tartare, seared scallops, and duck confit; desserts include flourless chocolate cake and house-made ice cream. Get a quieter table in one of the inner dining rooms, or belly up to the bar and watch the action.

166 Bedford Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2K9, Canada
416-921–0995
Known For
  • bustling atmosphere
  • inexpensive wine and cocktails
  • helpful, unpretentious service

Recommended Fodor's Video

Le Sélect Bistro

$$$$ | Entertainment District

Le Sélect occupies a special place in the heart of Toronto's Parisian cuisine aficionados. The sprawling plush booths, zinc bar, and mosaic flooring create the ideal ambience for buttery escargots with pillowy pain au lait (milk buns), hearty bowls of saffron-tinged bouillabaisse, and an oversized apple tarte tatin for two, drizzled tableside with rich caramel sauce.

432 Wellington St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1E3, Canada
416-626–6262
Known For
  • large front patio and private dining rooms
  • extensive wine list with over 1,200 bottles
  • seafood towers and whole-fish specialties
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Recommended

Le Swan

$$$ | West Queen West

Once a classic Toronto diner, this intimate spot from local restaurateur Jen Agg pays homage to its greasy-spoon roots but with a French twist. The frequently evolving menu balances steak frites and Nicoise salads with tuna melts, onion rings, and grilled cheeses. It's also a rare Toronto spot to eat fondue. 

892 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1G3, Canada
416-536--4440
Known For
  • vintage diner setting
  • excellent wine list
  • late-night fondue
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

Victor

$$$ | Entertainment District

Just off King Street in the Hôtel Le Germain, Victor presents a French-themed menu in a swanky atmosphere with abstract industrial brass tube lighting, wood floors, and subdued teal banquettes. Start with fried artichokes or roasted mushrooms for the table; add a serving of buttery roasted scallops or a smoke-saturated blackened trout; and pair with a bottle of white from their extensive French, Italian, and Californian wine list.

30 Mercer St., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1H3, Canada
416-883–3431
Known For
  • great spot for a pre-theater dinner or romantic date night
  • quiet location, unlike other busy spots in this neighborhood
  • carefully curated wine, beer, and cocktail list
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch