AWARD-WINNING TORONTO EATS

Toronto finally enters the Michelin-starred restaurant world

BY NICOLA BROWN

It’s been a long time coming. For many years Torontonians have been well aware of just how great their city’s food scene is. Diversity, skill, passion and creativity have fuelled many of the best dining experiences I’ve had anywhere in the world, right on my doorstep. Now the world has new insight into the culinary excellence of Toronto: 13 Michelin Stars and 17 Bib Gourmands, the latter recognizing highquality food at good-value, were awarded in September 2022, the first time the Michelin Guide set foot on Canadian soil.

Showcasing the best of Toronto’s culinary diversity, here are my top picks for the Michelin Bib Gourmands you should make a reservation at right now.

LA BARTOLA

MEXICAN, VEGETARIAN $$

At this dimly-lit, cozy date night spot, chef Iván Castro’s vegan Mexican cooking finds sumptuous flavour in ancient Aztec and Mayan staples like plants, seeds and grains, without you noticing there’s no meat. Order the: white mole with parsnips and maitake mushrooms.

R&D

ASIAN $$$

Alvin Leung and Eric Chong of MasterChef Canada fame run the unconventional R&D. Dishes combining French, Chinese and Korean flavours are unexpected and very satisfying. Order the: “@wok_lobster” with charred corn and vermicelli, or the foie gras dim sum.

ENOTECA SOCIALE

ITALIAN $$

Request the chef’s tasting menu and a seat at the bar to watch the tiny, busy kitchen compose your dishes—refined Italian comfort food with well-studied flavours at once familiar, yet also pleasantly distinct. Order the: Bitter Nonna cocktail.

FAT PASHA

MIDDLE EASTERN $$

Renowned Toronto chef Anthony Rose brought the salatim platter to a crescendo at Fat Pasha. Garlic labneh, fattoush, fried halloumi, shakshuka, tahini brownies. Share everything. Drink wine. Fight about which is the best. Order the: fat salatim platter.

WYNONA

ITALIAN, MEDITERRANEAN $$

Warm woods and breezy minimalism are the perfect backdrop for a weeklychanging menu of seafood crudos, fresh scratch-made pastas, heavily seasonal ingredients and interesting wines. Order the: tonnarelli pasta with octopus, olives, paprika oil and dandelion.

THE ACE

GASTROPUB $$

1950s diner meets Toronto brunch at this unassuming local favourite amid the dogand-stroller crowd on Roncesvalles. Order the: seasonal brioche French toast with rhubarb and strawberry compote, topped with vanilla bean whipped ricotta.

GREY GARDENS

CONTEMPORARY, SEAFOOD $$$

Jen Agg’s restaurants are a symphony where food, service, design, music and atmosphere are orchestrated perfectly. Order the: fluke with shellfish oil, saffron and chervil; the scallop with green strawberry and cucumber, a wine pairing, a Manhattan and everything else.