Amelie CameronWhenever I hit an important milestone in my career or I’m celebrating a birthday with a loved one, I like to go to fine-dining establishments. This usually means heading to a restaurant with a Michelin star because what’s fancier than that?
I have many options here in Toronto, and they specialize in different cuisines (Japanese, French, and more), so I’m always in for a unique dining experience.
So far, here are the ones I’ve tried and loved and highly recommend. You might have to book your reservation soon because these places tend to get fully booked really fast!
Sushi Masaki Saito
Address: 88 Avenue Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday—6 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14169240888
If you can only check out one restaurant on this list, let it be Sushi Masaki Saito. This is the only establishment that has ever received two Michelin stars in Toronto, and if you ask me, they totally deserve that recognition!
This restaurant follows the omakase practice, which essentially means that you’re leaving the decision on what you should eat up to the chef. Because of this, you never know what to expect, and the anticipation makes the experience extra memorable!
During my last visit, some of the highlights include the impossibly soft Zuke (marinated tuna) nigiri and the precisely sliced kasugo (young sea bream). I also loved the toro (fatty tuna) sushi with black truffle and egg yolk soy sauce—so rich and savory!
| Pro Tip: Book your party at Sushi Masaki Saito for an unforgettable time! |
Edulis
Address: 169 Niagara St
Operating Hours:
- Thursday—6:30 to 11:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—6 to 11:30 pm
- Sunday—12 to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14167034222
What I love about Edulis is that it has such a down-to-earth atmosphere—even though it’s one of the few spots in the city ever given a Michelin star! Don’t let that humble appearance fool you, though; getting a reservation here is tricky.
They specialize in prix fixe meals, which let you enjoy up to seven courses. The menu also tends to change daily, so your dining experience will be different every time you come and visit.
The last time I came here, I enjoyed a seven-course meal that included scallops with strawberry purée and runner beans (an interesting combination, for sure), roasted lamb leg that was incredibly tender, and Baba au Rhum cake with fluffy chantilly cream.
| Pro Tips: Be sure to ask the staff for special supplements that are in season. These can be black or white truffles, whole roast foie gras, and more. If you have any dietary restrictions, let them know. They’ll be more than happy to accommodate your needs. |
Osteria Giulia
Address: 134 Avenue Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—5 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14169648686
Featuring cream-colored walls, oak tables, and flickering candlelight, Osteria Giulia is the very picture of a romantic dining spot. This restaurant also specializes in Italian cuisine, specifically the traditions of the Liguria region, so you can expect great food.
I recommend the Spaghetti Neri ai Gamberi, which has squid-ink spaghetti and sweet, tangy king prawns. I also love the Frutti di Mare alla Griglia, which is essentially grilled seafood drizzled with lemon and olive oil.
If you’re a dessert lover like me, then you should Millefoglie al Cocco, a white chocolate and coconut mille-feuille. It has some tangy, refreshing undertones, thanks to the different tropical fruits added.
| Pro Tip: Purchase a gift card from Osteria Giulia for a fellow foodie in your life. |
Quetzal
Address: 419 College St
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday—6 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16473473663
Experience Mexican cuisine like never before at Quetzal!
Just like other Michelin-starred restaurants, Quetzal offers a prix fixe dining experience with a menu that changes often. I’ve never tried it myself, but I hear good things about it, so if you can, be sure to give it a try.
I usually come here to order the a la carte entries. My favorite thing to order so far is the Bone Marrow and Wild Argentinian Shrimp, which has a lovely combination of creamy umami (from the bone marrow) and sweet flavors (from the wildflower honey glaze).
End your meal with a dessert! I recommend the Spiced Mexican Chocolate, which is made of fluffy sponge toffee, passionfruit, and tonka bean. It’s so decadent!
| Pro Tip: Take note that Quetzal only accepts reservations and walk-ins from Wednesday to Sunday (from 6 to 10 pm). |
Aburi Hana
Address: 102 Yorkville Ave, Unit 4 Lower Level
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday—5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16473438887
Aburi Hana is the place to go to experience the Kyō-Kaseiki dining experience. If you’re unaware, Kyō-Kaiseiki is essentially Japan’s version of haute cuisine, which means the food is treated like an art form that balances taste, color, and texture.
This restaurant has a tasting menu that lets you enjoy either eight or twelve courses. This menu also tends to change every now and then, so you never truly know what to expect when you come here.
From my experience, I remember trying and loving the Quebec duck break that’s stuffed with foie gras (it has a nice smoky taste) and otoro sushi (fatty bluefin tuna) on a rice cracker tartlet and topped with lots of caviar (rich, umami, and salty).
| Pro Tips: This restaurant requires you to wear business casual or formal attire. They also ask you not to wear perfumes or apply fragrant lotions so as not to hinder the multi-sensory experience. If you’re dining with a group, book your reservation on this page. |
Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
Address: 6 Sakura Way, North York
Operating Hours: Thursday to Monday—5 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14164447100
Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto is another Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in the kaiseki tradition. This place is designed to look like it came straight from Japan, and the minimalist look makes you feel comfortable and peaceful.
Aside from kaiseki, this restaurant also practices omotenashi, which means that the chef prepares your food right before your eyes. It’s such a fascinating thing to watch; the deft movements of their hands have always entranced me.
During my last visit, I treated myself to the eight-course meal, and the highlights for me were the sea bream sashimi, grilled cutlass fish, and grilled Wagyu. I also love the musk melon; it actually made me lament the fact that not all fruits are as sweet and refreshing!
| Pro Tips: You can bring your own bottle of wine (up to two) here, but take note that they will charge you a corkage fee. You’re also allowed to bring outside cakes if you’re celebrating a birthday. The restaurant will charge a small fee to keep your cake stored in the refrigerator. Cell phone use is strongly discouraged here. Be sure to put your phone on vibrate mode and turn off its sounds. |
Alo Restaurant
Address: 163 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—5 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14162602222
Are you craving French cuisine? If so, then you should look no further than Alo Restaurant, the award-winning contemporary French restaurant located atop a heritage building in Toronto’s downtown area!
This restaurant has two distinct areas: the Dining Room, which serves multi-course tasting menus, and the Bar at Alo, which also has a six-course tasting menu but lets you enjoy a la carte dishes as well.
The last time I came here, I was able to enjoy Dungeness crab with a wonderful chili lime sauce that added a nice kick of tang and spice and the Dorset lamb shoulder that was so tender that it practically melted in my mouth.
| Pro Tips: You can book any of the venues at Alo Restaurant for your party! If you already have a venue, you can consider booking their catering services instead. |
Alobar Yorkville
Address: 162 Cumberland St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14169611222
It’s easy to mistake Alobar Yorkville as nothing but a humble spot because it doesn’t have a striking facade. Many people also have the wrong assumption that it’s just a cocktail bar. In reality, it’s a full-fledged restaurant that has received a Michelin star!
I love starting my meal with East Coast oysters because they’re always fresh, and the citrus adds a nice tanginess to them. Confit Duck Pappardelle is also a great appetizer; I love how tender and juicy the duck meat is.
For the main course, I recommend the Iberico pork chop, which is served with chorizo jus. The meat tastes wonderfully savory with strong notes of nutty and sweet. The jus adds even more sweetness and slight heat to the dish, which I also enjoy.
| Pro Tips: If possible, take a seat on the courtyard patio because the view there is lovely. It’s highly recommended that you book your reservation 60 days before your scheduled date. If you have any other questions regarding reservations, you send them to [email protected]. |
Don Alfonso 1890
Address: 1 Harbour Square, 38th Floor Westin Harbour Castle
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—5 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—5 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14162145888
Sitting atop the Westin Harbour Castle, Don Alfonso 1890 boasts a commanding view of the city and the water. Of course, it also serves great food, and that’s why it’s a popular spot among couples for their romantic dates.
I highly recommend trying their tasting menu. It features unique dishes like eel gelato and pulverized egg yolk, and for the main course, you can enjoy seared duck breast with a sweet pomegranate sauce. Fresh bread is also available for this experience!
You can also choose to dine a la carte. Try the Wagyu beef tenderloin, which is tender and juicy. It’s also topped with balsamic vinegar caviar, which adds sour and salty flavors to the dish.
| Pro Tips: Planning an event with loved ones? You can book this restaurant as a venue! This restaurant hosts a special New Year’s Eve dining experience. It lasts for about three hours, and you can enjoy an indulgent four-course menu! |
Enigma Yorkville
Address: 23 St Thomas St Unit 1
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—5 to 8:30 pm
- Saturday—12 to 2:30 pm, 5 to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +14169611111
Located in this historic neighborhood of Yorkville, Enigma is an elegant fine-dining restaurant specializing in modern European fare. They also have an impressive selection of wines—both traditional and modern ones.
The tasting menu changes often, so you have to come in here blind. Some dishes you might be able to try include the three-week dry-aged duck with plum sauce and 12-month-aged manchego with pear and pink peppercorn.
The tasting menu also includes drinks. A few options you can get include Pinot Noir, Ratafia Champagne, and Henri Giraud.
| Pro Tip: Book a private event here with your loved ones. The maximum number of people that they can accommodate is 32. If you have a fellow foodie in your close circle, give them a gift card from Enigma! |
Kappo Sato
Address: 575 Mt Pleasant Rd
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday—5:30 to 11:30 pm
Contact Number: +14164886868
Kappo Sato follows the tradition of kappo, a Japanese cooking method that’s characterized by precision cutting and meticulous boiling. This technique requires a lot of training, so it’s impressive to see the chefs here do it in front of you with ease.
The omakase here features 12 courses! You can expect to be served a noodle bowl, a seasonal sashimi platter, a seasonal tempura, a Wagyu dish, and more. There’s even homemade ice cream and matcha tea, which I personally appreciate.
To make your experience even more memorable, go for the premium sake pairing. The in-house sake master and sommelier will pick out the drinks for you, and it’s always interesting to see what they’ve chosen and why.
| Pro Tip: If you’re dining with a group, book your reservation beforehand. If your group has more than five people, you should contact the restaurant directly via phone. |
Restaurant 20 Victoria
Address: 20 Victoria St
Operating Hours: 5:30 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14168046066
If you’re looking for a restaurant with an intimate dining space—maybe for a date with a partner—then you should consider Restaurant 20 Victoria.
The limited menu isn’t set in stone, but it is rotating, so there’s a possibility you’ll see dishes that were available a few weeks ago. You can also expect the menu to feature seasonal ingredients, so be sure to inform the staff regarding possible allergies.
From my last visit, I can recall loving the oyster topped with peppery watercress and citrus caramel because the flavors (sweet, peppery, and tangy) combine really well. I also enjoyed the lamb saddle that tasted umami and sweet at the same time.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested in hosting a private dinner with a loved one, fill out this form. |
Shoushin
Address: 3328 Yonge St
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday—5:30 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14164889400
The word “shoushin” stands for “craftsman heart,” and I think that perfectly encapsulates what this restaurant is. The chefs here pour their hearts out into every sushi they make!
There are two omakase options here: Sakura and the Obsession Perfection Omakase. Sakura features seasonal sashimi, 10 nigiri sushi, and bluefin tuna in sweet miso vinaigrette, while the Obsession Perfection Omakase is up to the chef.
The Obsession Perfection Omakase is the more expensive one, but I highly recommend it. Since there’s no set number of courses, it feels endless, but even if you’re already full, you’ll still want to take another bite.
| Pro Tips: If you want to host a party at Shoushin, you can send a request to [email protected]. Try their sake pairing service as well. You’ll be surprised to discover how certain drinks can influence the different flavors of dishes. |
Yukashi Japanese Cuisine
Address: 643a Mt Pleasant Rd
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—5:30 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164896993
Yukashi Japanese Cuisine has been impressing customers since 1998, so it’s not a surprise that it has finally earned its much-deserved Michelin star.
Just like the other Michelin-star restaurants, this place has a tasting menu with nine courses. These courses change at random because the chefs will depend on seasonal ingredients, but you can always expect a wide variety of sushi and sashimi.
When I came here a month ago, I had the pleasure of enjoying the fatty cuts of toro and hay-smoked hamachi. Of course, I also loved the tender Wagyu beef, sweet Hokkaido uni, and rich foie gras.
| Pro Tip: If you know someone who loves Japanese cuisine as much as you do, present them with a gift certificate from Yukashi for their birthday. |
