Best Food & Restaurants in Toronto Canada: Homejourney Guide

If you are searching for the Best Food and Restaurants in Toronto Canada, focus on walkable neighbourhoods like Downtown, King West, Queen West and Yorkville, where you can try everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to casual Asian comfort food, all within a 10–15 minute stroll or a few TTC subway stops.

This guide is written from the perspective of a Singapore-based traveller who has visited Toronto Canada multiple times and is used to planning trips with the same detail and safety mindset Singaporeans apply to MRT transfers and estate choices. It also links back to Homejourney’s broader international travel and lifestyle pillar, including things to do Toronto, Toronto attractions and Canada travel content such as Complete Guide to Things to Do in Toronto Canada | Homejourney .

Why Singapore Travellers Love Toronto’s Food Scene

Toronto is often described as one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and you taste that diversity in almost every meal. For Singapore visitors used to hawker centres and malls like Jewel or VivoCity, Toronto offers a similarly convenient cluster of cuisines—just spread across walkable neighbourhoods instead of a single building.

The city’s restaurant landscape includes:

Fine dining & Michelin-rated spots such as Alo, Edulis and Osteria Giulia, frequently ranked among Canada’s best restaurants.[5][3]
Neighbourhood favourites in areas like Little Italy and Ossington, including Giulietta and General Public.[1][2][3]
Quick eats in transport hubs such as Union Station’s Union Food Court—useful if you are timing a meal around GO Transit or VIA Rail connections.[2]

Peak tourist and dining seasons are late spring to early autumn (May–October), when patios open and it is comfortable to walk 10–15 minutes between restaurants and Toronto attractions like the CN Tower and Harbourfront.

Essential Neighbourhoods for Food in Toronto

1. Downtown Core & Entertainment District

If you like the convenience of staying near City Hall or Union Station—similar to booking a hotel near City Hall MRT in Singapore—Downtown Toronto is efficient for both meetings and meals. From here, most places listed below are a 10–20 minute walk or a short TTC ride.

Alo – Frequently ranked among Canada’s top restaurants, Alo is known for its meticulous tasting menus and polished service.[5][6] Expect a multi-course dinner, advance online reservations, and prices comparable to high-end tasting menus in Singapore.
Union Food Court (Union Station) – Located at 65 Front St W, this modern food court offers multiple casual options and is open roughly 8/9am–9pm depending on the day.[2] It is the best choice if you have only 45–60 minutes between trains.
JOEY King St / Earls Kitchen + Bar (Financial District) – Reliable, mid- to upper-mid range chains popular with office crowds and travellers.[1] Think of them as the Toronto equivalent of a consistently good restaurant brand you might gravitate to in Raffles Place.

2. King West & Queen West

King West and Queen West are ideal if you enjoy the vibe of Tiong Bahru or Keong Saik in Singapore—trendy but still liveable, with plenty of dining, bars, and boutique hotels. Many of the city’s buzziest spots are concentrated here, which makes bar hopping and late dinners easy without needing a car.

General Public – A contemporary Canadian restaurant that has been recognised as one of Air Canada’s Best New Restaurant finalists.[3] Expect modern plates, seasonal ingredients, and a lively atmosphere; a good choice for an upscale but relaxed dinner.
Prime Seafood Palace – A highly rated, design-forward restaurant focusing on seafood and steaks; reservations are recommended, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.[1]
Rosie’s Burgers (Queen St W) – Known for smash burgers and much-loved banana pudding; open roughly 11am–11pm most days, slightly shorter on Sundays.[2] This is a popular late-night snack option if you are staying nearby.

3. College Street, Little Italy & Dundas West

From a Singapore lens, this stretch feels a bit like combining Joo Chiat’s food culture with a more European street vibe. It is particularly strong for Italian, Korean, and creative dessert concepts.

Giulietta – A much-loved Italian spot and sister restaurant to Michelin-starred Osteria Giulia, known for excellent pastas, pizzas, and a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere.[2][1][3] Book 2–3 weeks ahead for weekend dinners.
Takja BBQ House – Korean BBQ on College St, with a popular Hansang set that showcases multiple dishes in one meal.[2] Typical hours are about 5–10pm from Tuesday to Sunday, making it ideal for dinner after exploring nearby Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Gateau Ghost – A creative bakery/café with dishes like cereal shrimp toast and playful desserts, open from early morning to evening and later on some days.[2] It is a good brunch or coffee stop before starting your day.
Clandestino Food & Drink / Bar Vendetta – Well-regarded for Italian and contemporary Canadian small plates; you will find a mix of locals and visitors, similar to a good neighbourhood spot in Tanjong Pagar or River Valley.[1]

4. Yorkville & Midtown

Yorkville is Toronto’s answer to Orchard Road and Dempsey combined: high-end boutiques, galleries, and some of the city’s most polished dining rooms. It is especially convenient if you like staying in luxury hotels and doing most of your eating nearby.

Osteria Giulia – Michelin-starred, widely cited as one of Toronto’s top Italian restaurants and a past top spot in Air Canada’s Best New Restaurant list.[3] Reservations are essential; consider booking once your flight is confirmed.
Café Boulud (Four Seasons) – A French brasserie in the Four Seasons Hotel, consistently well-reviewed and ideal for business dinners or special occasions.[1]
Alobar Yorkville and ONE Restaurant – Upscale, contemporary Canadian spots that fit well into a day of shopping and gallery-hopping.[1]
Hemingway’s – A Yorkville institution with rooftop seating and a more casual vibe, useful if you want something laid-back after a full day of luxury shopping.[1]

What to Eat: Toronto Specialities for Singapore Palates

If you are travelling from Singapore, you will likely compare everything to hawker standards: is it worth the queue, how far is it from public transport, and is the pricing transparent? Toronto does well on all three if you know what to target.

Must-Try Styles and Cuisines

Modern Canadian tasting menus at places like Alo, Edulis, and General Public for seasonal ingredients and refined techniques.[5][3]
Italian at Giulietta or Osteria Giulia for excellent pastas and pizzas, comparable to premium Italian restaurants in Singapore.[2][1][3]
Asian comfort food at spots like Pai Toronto (Thai), Sunnys Chinese, and Alma Toronto for a taste of home with North American twists.[1][3]
Casual burgers and desserts at Rosie’s Burgers or inventive sweets at Gateau Ghost for late-night cravings.[2]

Insider Tips For Singapore Travellers

Portion sizes in Toronto are typically larger than in Singapore. If you are a light eater, plan to share mains or skip appetisers at Western-style restaurants.
Peak dining hours are usually 7–9pm. If you are dealing with jet lag, consider 5–6pm dinners; many premium restaurants are quieter then and sometimes easier to book.
Transit planning: The TTC subway and streetcars are the equivalent of Singapore’s MRT and buses. Many restaurants listed are within a 5–10 minute walk of a station—ideal in winter when you want to minimise time outdoors.

Sample 3-Day Food-Focused Toronto Itinerary

This itinerary assumes you are staying near Union Station or in the Entertainment District, a common choice for visitors coming from Pearson Airport or Billy Bishop Airport.