The HIT list: 10 of Toronto's hottest restaurants to check out this spring
Spring has sprung and as Torontonians awake from winter hibernation one thing is certain: this city is hungry.
Between all the new eateries that opened over winter, newly doled accolades and, that insatiable urge to start annexing every patio table in sight, here’s a list of the hottest restaurants to check out this spring.
Alo
Having taken top spot on the 2017 list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants , the reservation books are full up for months at this restaurant from Chef Patrick Kriss’ and Amanda Bradley.
Address: 163 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Instagram: @alorestaurant
Awai
White bean and black truffle soup, artichoke barigoule ravioli, confit apple flan tatin… it all sounds so good you might not have noticed it’s all vegan. As Toronto’s interest in plant-based eating continues to grow, expect restaurants like this one from Chef Nathan Isberg to thrive.
Address: 2277 Bloor Street, Toronto
Instagram:@awairestaurant
La Banane
Chef Brandon Olsen’s French bistro replaced The Saint Tavern on Ossington at the onset of 2017 and has since had diners swooning over seafood towers, Eurobass en croûte, and one-of-a-kind desserts.
Address: 227 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Instagram: @labananeresto
Baro
Two words: Rooftop patio.
For those that miss the Latin fiesta that was Valdez, redirect your affection towards this 4-storey spin-off on King West. Find the first-floor sizzling (AND serving brunch on weekends), meanwhile, upstairs keeps cool with a raw bar and the top tier attracts sun seekers as the weather starts to warm up.
Address: 485 King Street West, Toronto
Instagram: @barotoronto
Doma
Monthly menus feature half a dozen dishes and a couple desserts big on Korean flavours and French inspiration. Here, you can cherry pick from selections including Korean pancakes and sticky pork ribs, or opt to taste the whole menu for $65 per person.
Address: 50 Clinton Street, Toronto
Instagram: @domatoronto
Grey Gardens
How does your garden grow? In Kensington Market, this recently opened wine bar from Black Hoof’s Jen Agg is flourishing. On the menu from chef Mitchell Bates (formerly Momofuku), a collection of small plates, snacks, noodles, and entrees including fried fish and caviar, sweet potato and black truffle ravioli, and oxtail paired with celeriac and Dungeness crab.
Address: 199 Augusta Avenue, Toronto
Instagram: @greygardens199
Lake Inez
At Robbie Hojilla’s new joint on Gerrard, the beer list in all-Ontario but the food menu is much broader. The menu features regional specialties from across Asia including Filipino BBQ and lumpia, Japanese-style devilled eggs, and Malasian-style roti with Korean kalbi.
Address: 1471 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Instagram: @lakeinez
Pinky’s Caphe
So Fly Rice, Pho Beef Dip You Dip I Dip, and backyard BBQ are what’s in store at this offshoot from the same folks behind Han Moto. The new spot in Little Italy specializes in Vietnamese style snack foods that are sure to be popular as the weather warms up.
Address: 53 Clinton Street, Toronto
Instagram: @pinkys_caphe
Reverie at Weldon Park
Tucked away in the back of this Little Italy bar, this kitchen is dishing out composed seasonal dishes. While the spring menu has yet to launch, the very prospect is intriguing following up a debut menu this winter that featured bacon dates, fire shrimp, and black rice arancini with lobster.
Address: 569 College Street, Toronto
Instagram: @reverieatweldonpark
White Lily
If you haven’t been yet, stop stalling. The doughnuts are a must at breakfast where bacon and eggs with grits and gravy compete for your attention against buttermilk griddle cakes paired with thick slabs of bacon. At dinner, there’s patty melts dressed like Reubens and kale salads tossed in ranch, with ricotta and raisins.
Address: 678 Queen Street East, Toronto
Instagram: @whitelilydiner