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Introducing Toronto’s 2024 Best of the Best, where we’ve scoured the city to uncover everything from the juiciest burgers to the coolest cold plunges, the sharpest tailors and the most talented tattoo artists. In this three-part series, we kick things off with the first instalment: food. Whether you’re craving a perfectly grilled steak or the best vegan eats in town, this guide serves up the top spots you need to try right now.
1. BEST SUSHI
Founded by Taro Akiyama in 1996, TARO’S FISH is a legendary Toronto fish market and sushi spot, renowned for its fresh, high-quality seafood and its supply to the city’s top restaurants. 800 Sheppard Ave. E.
2. BEST FISH & CHIPS
OLDE YORKE FISH & CHIPS, a Leaside legend since 1997, nails authentic British fare with no fuss. It’s the spot where locals line up for hearty portions and a cosy, checkered charm. 96 Laird Dr.
3. BEST BURRITOS
WILBUR MEXICANA keeps it simple with a concise menu of three burritos, each a must-try. And to add some heat, Wilbur offers a self-serve hot sauce and salsa bar. 552 King St. W.
4. BEST POUTINE
Hit NOM NOM NOM POUTINE for massive fries smothered in gravy and squeaky cheese, with hearty options such as Super Dog and pulled beef. 707 Dundas St. W.
5. BEST BUTCHER
CUMBRAE’S, a four-time Best Of winner, including 2023, excels in sustainable meat from local farms. Although Cumbrae’s offers pies and soups, the beef remains the star. 714 Queen St. W.
6. BEST HOT DOGS
Definitely not your average weiner joint, GRANDMA LOVES YOU serves the best in the city, including the standout Japan Dog — loaded with avocado, cucumber, sea- weed and wasabi mayo. 40 St. Clair Ave. W.
7. BEST PAD THAI
At PAI, try chef Nuit Regular’s famous Pad Thai: a warm nest of noodles with a flawless balance of sweetness and spice. 18 Duncan St.
8. BEST BREAKFAST
WHITE LILY DINER serves all-day brunch with highlights like steak n’ eggs. Run by Ben Denham and Ashley Lloyd, it features fresh ingredients from their own farm — talk about fresh! 678 Queen St. E.
9. BEST ROTI
ROTI CUISINE OF INDIA is a cosy spot serving curries on rice or in roti, with a surprising Jamaican twist. One bite of their roti, and the bold flavours will knock your socks off. 308 Dupont St.
10. BEST UDON
MENAMI offers a selection of 16 house-made udon noodle dishes, among them the impressive new maze udon, featuring tender miso-sauced ground pork. 5469 Yonge St., North York
11. & 12. BEST PIZZERIA PIE
PIZZERIA BADIALI brings an old-school New York slice experience to Toronto, with long lines for its light, airy crust fermented for two days for maximum flavour. 106 Dovercourt Rd.
NORTH OF BROOKLYN serves authentic, handcrafted pies with a perfect balance of thin,crispy crust, rich flavours and evenly spread sauce and cheese. 1728 Avenue Rd.
13. BEST BUTTER TARTS
Treat yourself to award-winning tarts at CIRCLES and SQUARES, honoured at Ontario’s Best Butter Tarts Festival for its classic,
Snickers, maple pecan and pumpkin spice butter tart flavours. 197 Bartley Dr, North York
14. BEST PIES
At SWEETIE PIE, every pie is crafted by hand with love and care. Haven’t tried the award-winning chocolate pecan or lemon shortbread? You might as well sample them both. 1639 Bayview Ave.
15. BEST COOKIES
Born from a simple hobby, multiple Best Of winner MIDNIGHT COOKIE satisfies cravings anytime, whether it’s 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. Try the sinfully rich Kinder cookie — decadence at its finest. 3 Manor Rd. E.
16. BEST CAKES
Channel your inner Marie Antoinette and elevate your event with LA ROCCA’s luxurious cakes, from simple elegance to honey-soaked pistachio, crafted with premium ingredients and artistry. 2638 Yonge St.
17. BEST PANCAKES
In Little Italy, OLD SCHOOL’s Blueberry Hill pancakes steal the show. Served in a castiron pan with blueberry compote, bacon and a hefty scoop of brown sugar butter, it’s pure indulgence. 800 Dundas St. W.
18. BEST NACHOS
SNEAKY DEE’S King’s Crown nachos are a deliciously chaotic masterpiece, a Taste Test and Best Of champ, they come heaping with toppings like frijoles and seasoned ground beef. 431 College St.
19. BEST LOBSTER ROLL
Known for its oysters, family-run business RODNEY’S shines with its lobster roll: a toasted bun loaded with chunky lobster meat and served with crispy shoestring fries. 469 King St. W.
20.BEST BIBIMBAP
For food that warms the soul, mom-and-pop shop SUNRISE HOUSE in Koreatown serves comforting dishes like kimchi stew with tuna and ra bokki. 661 Bloor St. W.
21. BEST JAMAICAN PATTIES
ISLAND FOODS, one of Toronto’s first Caribbean restaurants, has stuck to its authentic 1974 recipes, proving that tradition still reigns supreme. 1310 Don Mills Rd.
22. BEST RAMEN
RAMEN ISSHIN stands out with its complex broths. The Red Dragon ramen dazzles with wok-fried pork, braised belly, peanuts and a rich miso-tonkotsu broth. 3175 Rutherford Rd., Concord
23. BEST GREEK SALAD
Though the seafood takes the spotlight at bustling Greek hot spot MAMAKAS, don’t miss the horiatiki salad, featuring a gigantic slab of feta on top. 80 Ossington Ave.
24. BEST BANH MI
Chinatown storefront BANH MI NGUYEN HUONG run by the parents of Banh Mi Boys since the ’80s, churns out hundreds of banh mi and rice paper rolls daily. 322 Spadina Ave.
25. BEST STEAK HOUSE
Yes, people love the House of Chan, they love Black + Blue — but for us, the best steakhouse is the classic French style that CÔTE DE BŒUF, with roughly 18 seats, serves up. 130 Ossington Ave.
26. & 27. BEST DELI SANDWICH
PANCER’S ORIGINAL, a classic since 1957, and CENTRE STREET DELI, Thornhill’s top lunch spot, are tied for iconic deli status. 3865 Bathurst St., 136 Centre St., Thornhill
28. BEST BRISKET SANDWICH
Five-time Best Of winner BLACK CAMEL’s slow-roasted brisket sandwich is a five- day labour of love, slow cooked for 14 hours overnight and served on a soft Portuguese kaiser roll. 4 Crescent Rd.
29. BEST VEAL SANDWICH
Marcus Burt and his father serve up a dinner plate–sized veal sandwich at PAPAMIO’S, topped with grilled mushrooms, caramelised onions, peppers and tomato sauce. 934 Manning Ave.
30. & 31. BEST CLUB SANDWICH
It’s a tie between the two classics: AVENUE DINER’s time-honoured club sandwiches and WINDFIELDS’ gourmet upgrade. 222 Davenport Rd., 801 York Mills Rd.
32. & 33. BEST DOUGHNUTS
HARRY AND HEELS Located inside the Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria just might be the softest and most flavourful you’ve ever had. 832 Dundas St. W.
Think plant-based treats can’t be delicious? These ultra-fluffy, doughnuts — ring dipped, filled, fritters and cronuts from MACHINO — beg to differ. Vegan never tasted so good. 556 Bloor St. W.
34. BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Rosedale’s cool factor skyrockets with MANITA, a vibrant new spot blending Mediterranean and Canadian classics in the former Rosedale Diner space. 1164 Yonge St.
35. BEST GELATO
HOTEL GELATO is a Forest Hill favourite, winning Best Of three times. Meanwhile, MIZZICA, run by Italian expat Paolo, offers a rotating selection of delicious flavours. 532 Eglinton Ave. W., 307 Queen St. W.
36. BEST JERK CHICKEN
Toronto’s best-kept secret? TROPICAL JOE’S in Gerrard Square. Enjoy Caribbean eats with a Canadian twist like the Jerk chicken over rice and peas, or try the jerk chicken poutine! 1000 Gerrard St. E.
37. BEST MEATBALLS
At 7 NUMBERS, chef Rosa’s meatballs, with a core of mozzarella surrounded by savoury meat and topped with home- made sauce, are the epitome of Italian comfort food. 516 Eglinton Ave. W.
38. BEST PHO
When a recent cold waylaid Post City’s publisher, he set out to find T.O’s best pho. MI MI emerged on top, offering colossal portions, unbeatable flavour and the best vermicelli rice noodles. 686A Gerrard St. E.
39. BEST SHAWARMA
SHAWARMA EMPIRE is the go-to for Palestinian-style shawarma. With long lines and rave reviews, their grilled pita is packed with meat, veggies and homemade sauce. 1961 Lawrence Ave E., Scarborough
40. BEST VEGETARIAN
Vegans and carnivores love PLANTA for its cult-favourite Bang Bang Broccoli and convincing sushi, proving you don’t need meat to have a satisfying meal. 1221 Bay St.
41. & 42. BEST CHARBROILED BURGER
Since the ’60s, GOLDEN STAR has served no-frills burgers. At BURGER SHACK, enjoy a Banquet Burger, a local favourite of Drake and Max Domi. 7123 Yonge St., Thornhill; 233 Eglinton Ave. W.
43. BEST SPANIKOPITA
Mamakas hits the jackpot with its SOUVLA pop-up, offering mouth-watering spanakopita: buttery handmade phyllo brimming with greens and feta. 105 Scollard St.
44. BEST BAGUETTES
No need to miss Paris — with THOBORS, you can savour the wonderfully dense and flavourful baguettes made from the highest-quality ingredients. 627 Mount Pleasant Rd.
45. BEST SOURDOUGH
Evoking the charm of Parisian patisseries, PETITE THUET’s Alsatian sour- dough is renowned for its crackling crust and soft, airy interior. 1162 Yonge St.
46. & 47. BEST CAESAR SALAD
Set in Casa Loma, BLUE BLOOD serves a can’t-miss tableside caesar with herbed croutons, doublesmoked bacon, anchovies and Reggiano. 1 Austin Terrace
The caesar salad at OCTAGON, a high-end steak house is a tableside show. A cart rolls up, and staff prepare it with flair, turning a salad into a performance. 7529 Yonge St., Thornhill
48. BEST BUTTER CHICKEN
Two-time winner, BANJARA has truly mastered the art of butter chicken. Succulent tandoori meat is simmered in a rich, tomato gravy that’s creamy and packed with flavour. 796 Bloor St. W.
49. BEST BAGELS
A Toronto landmark, two-time Best Of winner BAGEL WORLD offers over a dozen flavours daily, along with an array of breakfast options and delectable pastries too. 10 Disera Dr., Thornhill
50. BEST CROISSANTS
RAHIER PATISSERIE, a Leaside gem since 1996, boasts award-winning croissants and three Best Of nods. Founded by François Rahier, it’s lauded by top chefs for quality. 1586 Bayview Ave.
51. BEST BARBECUE
THE BACKYARD SMOKEHOUSE is a meat-lover’s haven and an Annex staple that marinates all its meats with signature spices. The 100 per cent halal menu includes flavourful burgers, chicken and pulled pork. 264 Dupont St.
52. BEST MACARONS
Each bite of a macaron at NADEGE reveals a delicate crunch, followed by layers of indulgent buttercream, decadent ganache or sumptuous jam. 494 Bloor St. W.
53. GLAM DIM SUM
In Toronto, dim sum choices abound, but DYNASTY remains a crowd favourite. Highlights include shrimp-filled har gow dumplings and stellar siu mai. 69 Yorkville Ave.
54. FRESH FISH
If you’ve visited the Dalmatian coast, you’ll appreciate JOSO’s menu, which provides an authentic Croatian culinary experience. Try the nero risotto — a secret family recipe. 202 Davenport Rd.
55. CHOCOLATE
Come with high expectations and CHOCOLATE CHARM won’t disappoint with its drool-worthy handmade truffles, mint daisies, almond bark and swans. 3541 Bathurst St., North York
56. SALAD-TO-GO
FOREST HILL FARMHOUSE offers both delicious and visually appealing salads named after Toronto neighbourhoods like Spadina Spring Roll and Village BLT. 2 Lola Rd.
57. TANDOORI CHICKEN
Marinated in tandoori spices and creamy yogurt, topped with vibrant green herbs, THE COPPER CHIMNEY‘s chicken is a slam dunk. 2050 Avenue Rd., North York
58. KOUGIN-AMANN
While GOÛTER’s croissants are delightful, its intricately layered and caramelized kouign-amann is even more exquisite — some say the best outside of Paris. 300 Eglinton Ave. W.
59. SAMOSA
INDIAN STREET FOOD CO’s samosas are like a meal in themselves, boasting epic proportions. Plus they’re topped with chutney, so no dipping needed! 1701 Bayview Ave.
60. PEKING DUCK
For 40 years, PEKING MAN never fails to impress. The duck is first class: golden brown and crisp, its juicy succulent meat is rich without being too fatty. 4300 Steeles Ave. E., Markham
61. SMOKED SALMON
Mastering its recipe for over 60 years, KRISTAPSONS’s traditional, small-batch technique not only preserves flavour and nutrients but makes for a show-stopping centrepiece. 3248 Yonge St.
62. CHINESE DELIVERY
The Chen family’s French-Taiwanese heritage shapes C’EST BON’s name and cuisine. The menu highlights classic Sichuan dishes alongside traditional Thai options. 2685 Yonge St.
63. FRIED CHICKEN
At GRATEFUL CHICKEN, enjoy juicy birds cloaked in some seriously crispy buttermilk batter, alongside champagne, to cheer the flavour fiesta. 111 Richmond St. W.
64. BEST BAR
Still buzzing after two decades, COMMUNIST’S DAUGHTER, with all its quirky charm, remains a weekend hot spot for locals seeking a lively time. 1149 Dundas St. W.
65. BEST BUBBLE TEA
The popular chain has locations across Asia and stands out in a saturated market by using oat milk as opposed to whole
milk, making the drinks thicker and sweeter. BARONESS is known for its brown sugar pearls but also serves smoothies and iced teas. 421 Yonge St.
66. BEST NORTHERN ITALIAN
We swear it’s not just’cause Drake loves it, but SOTTO SOTTO sure knowsits pasta. All the faves are here — cacio e pepe, linguine alla puttanesca, rigatoni ai quattro formaggi — dished out with a side of romance. 120 Avenue Rd.
67. BEST CUPCAKES
BOBBETTE & BELLE has earned its popularity. Try the carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting or ultimate chocolate one to see what all the fuss is about. 3347 Yonge St.
68. BEST FILIPINO
WILSON’S HOUSE OF LECHON in the burgeoning barbecue intersection of Bathurst and Wilson is our go-to. The chicken and pork skewers grilled over open charcoal are perhaps the city’s best. 365 Wilson Ave.
69. BEST WINGS
This spot is related to the space that boasts the second oldest wings in Buffalo. Twin T.O. brothers brought Buffalo’s best to Hogtown with DUFF’S FAMOUS WINGS. 1604 Bayview Ave.
70. BEST FOR CELEBRATIONS
Helmed by Patrick Kriss, the classically prepared, contemporary French cuisine and ambience at ALO makes it the home of one of the coveted seats in town. Snag a reso here and be the hero of the night. 163 Spadina Ave.
71. BEST PUB
Whatever your heart desires, THE ABBOT has it all. Get the club sammie (maple-ginger glazed chicken with bacon on brioche) or the shepherd’s pie (rosemary gravy–laced beef and veg with mashed potatoes). 508 Eglinton Ave. E.
72. BEST FRESH PASTA
Stop by EATALY for the fresh pasta bar — take it and make it at home and you won’t believe the quality.Try the caccio e pepe round ravioli or our fave, ricotta and spinach -filled square raviolis. Don’t forget to grab pistachios for garnish. 55 Bloor St.W.
73. BEST FRENCH BISTRO
DREYFUS is the brainchild of Joe Beef alum Zach Kolomeir. Beyond tiny, this could be Toronto’s smallest high-end eatery. Not since Susur Lee opened on Niagara Street has such a wee place produced such big flavours. 96 Harbord St.
74. BEST JUICE BAR
We love GREENHOUSE JUICE for its organic cold-pressed liquids that are pumped full of superfood ingredients.The Gatsby with kale and apple is a must. 5 Macpherson Ave.
75. BEST JAPANESE BAKERY
This delicious bakery in Markham is serving the best thing since sliced bread: shokupan, a fluffy style of bread popular in Japan. IKI SHOKUPAN‘s addictive, pillowy breads can be enjoyed like traditional bread, or eaten on its own. 1271 Denison St., Unit 47
76. BEST SMASH BURGER
RUDY is hailed at the city’s OG smash burger and it still remains top choice. Focusing on fresh ingredients and simplicity, the Rudy Burger features a 4 oz patty, American cheese and signature sauce on a soft Martin’s Potato Roll. 619 College St.
