Cathy MerrittI visited France for the first time a year ago, and I fell in love with everything about it—the historic cities and, of course, the cuisine. Almost every day, I treated myself to all sorts of French pastries and dishes.
When I came back, I felt a hole in my chest, and I kept craving fluffy croissants and the rich, buttery foie gras. So I started looking for French restaurants in Toronto, and thankfully, I found a good number of them!
Out of all the ones I’ve tried, these are the ones that have made it to my favorites list.
La Palette
– From: lapalettequeenwest
Address: 492 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Wednesday—5 pm to 12 am
- Thursday and Friday—5 pm to 2 am
- Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
- Sunday—12 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14169294900
La Palette is one of my restaurants to go to when I’m craving steak frites because it serves some of the best in the country. There’s even an option to order horse steak! It sounds weird if you’ve never tried it before, but it’s actually pretty good (it’s essentially like beef steak, but only leaner).
Other than steak frites, I recommend the confit de canard. The duck leg has a wonderful crispy exterior, but on the inside, it’s tender and succulent. It’s also served with an orange duck essence dressing, which adds notes of sweet and savory to the dish.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant tends to get fully booked very fast. If you want to dine here, I recommend calling to reserve your spot ahead of time. |
Le Baratin
Address: 1600 Dundas St W
– From: lebaratinyyz
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—5:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165348800
If you’re in the West End, you have to check out Le Baratin. This cozy restaurant serves simple, classic French food that feels like a warm hug. That’s why I love coming here with my friends or family to hang out during brunch.
I love getting the Petit Déjeuner because it’s super filling. It comes with two fried eggs, ham, toasted bread, home fries, and mixed greens.
When I’m feeling something sweet, I order the baked French toast, which is topped with maple syrup, whipped cream, and fresh fruits. So simple and yet so satisfying!
| Pro Tip: Give a fellow foodie a gift card from this restaurant! |
Alo Restaurant
– From: alosrestaurant
Address: 163 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—5 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14162602222
Feeling fancy? Then, Alo Restaurant should be on your itinerary. This restaurant is one of the few that have received a Michelin star, so you can just expect to find nothing culinary greatness here!
This restaurant has two areas: the Dining Room and the Bar at Alo. Both areas offer multi-course prix fixe meals, and the menu changes every now and then, so you’ll be at the edge of your seat anticipating the next dish.
The last time I came here, I was served a lamb shoulder dish that was so tender it practically melted on my tongue. I still think about that dish sometimes.
| Pro Tips: You can book any of the venues at Alo Restaurant for a party! If you already have a venue, book their catering services instead. |
Le Sélect Bistro
- From: leselectbistro
Address: 432 Wellington St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Saturday—10:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Sunday—10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14166266262
What I love about Le Sélect Bistro is that it features an interior that looks similar to the ones I visited in Paris. Because of this, it’s easy for me to pretend that I’m actually back in France.
I recommend getting the poulet rôti, which is roast chicken drizzled with truffle honey. The chicken is tender and juicy inside and slightly charred on the outside. The truffle honey adds earthy-sweet flavors to the dish, while the lemon adds a bit of a tangy kick.
| Pro Tip: Host your party at this restaurant for a memorable time! |
Dreyfus
– From: dreyfustoronto
Address: 96 Harbord St
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—5:30 to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14163231385
Dreyfus is the kind of restaurant that adventurous foodies would enjoy. This place only has a small menu, but it changes every day, so you never know what to expect before dining here. How thrilling!
When I came here the last time, I got the coq au vin, which is chicken braised in red wine. The chicken absorbed all the light sweetness from the wine, and it also tasted kind of earthy because of all the mushrooms it was cooked and served with.
| Pro Tip: Though walk-ins are allowed, this restaurant gets booked easily, so I recommend booking a reservation ahead of time to ensure your spot. |
Auberge du Pommier
Address: 4150 Yonge St, North York
– From: aubergedupommier
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—11:45 am to 2 pm, 5:30 to 9 pm
- Thursday and Friday—11:45 am to 2 pm, 5:30 to 9:30 pm
- Saturday—5 to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162222220
If you’re in for a fancy dining experience, then you need to head out to North York to try Auberge du Pommier. This place has an a la carte menu, but if you want the best experience, try the tasting menu instead. That way, you can enjoy multiple courses.
My favorite dish from the tasting menu has to be the duck dish. The duck is aged, so the flavors from the seasonings seep deep into the meat. It’s also served with duck jus and sour cherry, so you can have savory and tart flavors with every bite.
| Pro Tip: You can host special events here—from intimate, private dining to elaborate weddings. |
Batifole
– From: batifole_bistronomy
Address: 744 Gerrard St E
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—5 to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14164629965
Batifole is a Leslieville restaurant that specializes in refined French cuisine. It also has a lovely, warm setting that allows you to sit back and relax. In my opinion, this is a great spot for date nights.
I usually get the hanger steak here. The steak itself is well-seasoned and so tender, and it’s served with bone marrow and bordelaise sauce, so every forkful becomes even richer and more savory. Pair the steak with the crispy potato mille-feuille, and I’m heaven.
| Pro Tip: If you want to host an event here, you can send a request to [email protected]. |
Le Paradis
– From: paradisbistro
Address: 166 Bedford Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—5 to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—5 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14169216424
Le Paradis is a casual bistro serving refined French dishes. What’s not to love?
My go-to order here is the paleron au poivre, which is essentially a flatiron steak with peppercorn sauce. It’s a classic French dish, and I love how simple and tasty it is. The sauce, in particular, adds an oomph to every slice.
To complete your meal, order a glass or bottle of wine or whiskey. There are many options here.
| Pro Tip: You can buy a gift certificate here to give to a fellow foodie. |
Le Swan
– From: leswanfrenchdiner
Address: 892 Queen St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165364440
Le Swan combines the casual environment of a diner with the simple elegance of French cuisine. Because of this, this restaurant is ideal when you’ve just finished work and want to enjoy some good food and drinks with friends.
I usually get the steak frites or the porkchop and applesauce because either option is incredibly comforting.
I also like the corn dogs. I love how they’re so crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. The hot dog is also a salty-savory delight!
| Pro Tips: I recommend getting the fondue to make your meal extra special. If you want to host an event at this restaurant, you can send an inquiry to [email protected]. |
Chantecler
– From: chanteclerto
Address: 798 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—5 to 11 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14166283586
Chantecler is a restaurant in the West End that I love going to for brunch. My favorite dish to get for this meal is the breakfast cassoulet, which is loaded with so many things, such as cassoulet beans, bacon, sage sausage, and more. As such, I always feel full afterward.
If you don’t like brunch, don’t worry because this restaurant also offers dinner. From the dinner menu, I recommend ordering the ribeye, which has been dry-aged and served with bordelaise sauce and bone marrow. It’s incredibly rich and also pretty big, so you can share it with other people.
| Pro Tips: During happy hour, you can enjoy oysters for a discounted price. You can host a private dinner with large groups here. The package already includes a prix fixe menu of your choice. |
Café Boulud
– From: cafebouludto
Address: 60 Yorkville Ave, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—7 to 11 am, 11:45 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
- Sunday—7 to 11 am, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Contact Number: +14169636000
Featuring dishes inspired by the main chef’s family meals in Lyon, Café Boulud exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere. It also boasts a menu that changes every season, so your experience dining here will be different every time.
So far, my favorite dish is the selle d’agneau, which is roasted lamb saddle with confit belly pressé. I love how the lamb falls apart easily with my fork. It also comes with a delicious jus that packs quite a lot of heat.
| Pro Tip: You can book a private dinner with your loved ones here. You can also choose to get a package that comes with a prix fixe menu. |
La Banane
– From: labananeresto
Address: 227 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday—5:30 to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—5:30 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165516263
La Banane is a picture of timeless elegance, so if you’re looking for a place to go for a romantic date, it’s a wonderful choice.
Every time I come here with my partner, we like to start with East Coast oysters because they always taste so fresh and tangy. For the main course, my partner orders the Wagyu beef (it’s super tender and fatty), while I order the duck breast, which is served with foie gras, making it super rich and extra buttery.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant can accommodate large group dinners with a set menu. For more information, send an inquiry to [email protected]. |
Côte de Bœuf
– From: cotedeboeufossington
Address: 130 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—12 to 10 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—12 to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165322333
Located in the Trinity-Bellwoods area, Côte de Bœuf is a restaurant with an old-school vibe. It even has a traditional-style butcher shop to complete the aesthetic!
Get the titular côte de bœuf, which is the French term for “beef rib.” This beef rib weighs a whopping 48 oz, making it perfect for sharing. It’s also dry-aged, so the rich, savory flavors penetrate deep into the meat. To make it even richer, the dish is served with bone marrow butter and potatoes cooked in duck fat.
| Pro Tips: If you want to book a private dinner here, send an inquiry to [email protected]. Once a week, the butcher shop sells locally sourced beef and pork and a fine selection of Canadian and French products. |
Jules Bistro
– From: 6ix.foods
Address: 924 Queen St W
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165335454
Jules Bistro features an understated interior design. In fact, the first time I came here, I mistook it for someone’s house! I really like it because it makes me feel like I’m escaping the city whenever I come here.
The steak frites is the main highlight here. The striploin steak is tender and juicy, and the fries are perfectly salty and crispy. If you don’t like steak, you can get the sauté de poulet (sauteed chicken). It’s creamy and earthy as well, thanks to all the mushrooms.
| Pro Tip: Complete your meal with a cocktail or a glass of wine. I recommend Veuve Cliquot’s champagne, which has lovely notes of vanilla, apple, peach, quince, and pecan. |
Le Montmartre
– From: lemontmartre
Address: 911 Sheppard Ave W, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 2:30 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday—5:30 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14166303804
Le Montmartre truly embodies the spirit of France. The interior looks rustic, very reminiscent of the places I visited in the French countryside, and there’s always music by French artists playing in the background.
On top of all that, the menu is full of classic French dishes. My favorite dish to get is the Le Suprème de Poulet Toulousaine, which is baked chicken with tomato sauce, herbs, and Swiss cheese. This dish is tangy, herby, and salty at the same time, and I can’t get enough of it!
| Pro Tip: You can host special events here with up to 75 guests. The package already comes with a special prix fixe menu that’s tailored to your preferences. |
Maison Selby
– From: maisonselby
Address: 592 Sherbourne St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +16479431676
Maison Selby looks like a whimsical escape, what with all the pastels and adorable silverware. It also exudes old-school charm since it’s housed inside the historic C.H. Gooderham House.
I love coming here for brunch, and my go-to order is the French onion beef chuck burger because it’s just so rich and filling.
When I’m craving something sweet, I order the waffles, which are topped with honey butter, maple walnuts, and Ontario blueberries. Every bite is an explosion of decadent sweetness and fruity tartness.
| Pro Tip: You can host a private dinner here. Or, if you already have a venue, you can hire their catering services instead. |
