Amelie CameronNorth York is literally right next to the City of Toronto, but for some reason, I’ve barely explored the area. Recently, I decided to fix that mistake, and now I’ve discovered one thing: this district is teeming with amazing restaurants!
I suppose that makes sense; North York is a melting pot of cultures, too. So, naturally, the food scene is just as diverse. Whether I’m craving pasta, ramen bowls, and fancy steaks, this neighbourhood has something for me!
After going on a food crawl in the neighbourhood, these are my favourite restaurants there so far.
- Paisano
- Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle
- Nomé Izakaya North York
- Old Avenue Restaurant
- MeNami Udon and Izakaya
- The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
- Bao House
- Evviva Breakfast and Lunch
- A Corner Cafe
- Shinta Japanese BBQ
- Auberge du Pommier
- Le Montmartre
- Lavash Authentic Armenian Restaurant
- Good Luck HK Cafe
- David Duncan House
- PHO OK
- Hero Certified Burgers
Paisano
From: paisanosoriginal
Address: 865 York Mills Rd #8, Liberty Plaza
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 9 pm
- Friday—11 am to 10 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14162225487
Italian cuisine in a casual, cosy atmosphere? Yes, please! If this sounds like your cup of tea, too, then you have to stop by Paisano.
I’m a big fan of the pasta dishes here, but I have to say that the veal scallopini has captured my heart. The veal has a lovely crunchy exterior, but the meat itself is tender.
It’s smothered with mushrooms, red peppers, and a red wine tomato sauce, so the flavour profile is a mix of earthy, spicy, tangy, and bittersweet.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services for special events. |
Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle
From: foodtourage
Address: 5505 Yonge St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14162219696
Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle is a popular noodle spot in Canada, so I’m thrilled to discover there’s an outlet here in North York.
You can’t go wrong with the traditional Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodles. I chose the thicker noodles with a nice peppery broth. The bowl also comes with tender and fatty beef slices and a few pieces of Chinese daikon that add a bit of crunch.
| Pro Tip: If you don’t eat meat, there are some vegetarian options. You can also ask your waiter for assistance. |
Nomé Izakaya North York
From: nomeizakaya
Address: 4848 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday and Monday—5 pm to 12 am
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—5 pm to 2 am
- Thursday—5 pm to 1 am
Contact Number: +16473477937
North York has a ton of izakayas (or Japanese tapas bars, as I like to call them), and one of my faves is Nomé. This one is also open until 1 or 2 am, so it’s a great late-night spot.
The shrimp katsu sliders are my go-to order because they’re so easy to eat, but they’re also hearty. The black tiger shrimps are breaded well, giving them a crunchy exterior while the inside is still soft and juicy.
The sliders also come with a honey tartar sauce, which adds a burst of tangy sweetness to every bite.
| Pro Tip:To secure your spot, book a reservation ahead of time. |
Old Avenue Restaurant
From: oldavenueca
Address: 1923C Avenue Rd, Bayshore
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday—4 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14167811117
Old Avenue Restaurant caught my attention because I heard they’re offering South Caucasus cuisine. That’s such a broad culinary range, and I have to admit that I’m intrigued.
The shah plov (an Azeri rice dish) is the main highlight for me. The basmati rice is so fluffy and aromatic, thanks to the saffron, and the beef is tender and intensely rich. There are also dried apricots and dried plums in the mix, which add a sweet contrast.
| Pro Tips: Vegetarian options are available for shah plov. If you don’t eat meat, there’s a separate vegan menu here. |
MeNami Udon and Izakaya
From: torontofoodgourmand
Address: 5469 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—5 pm to 12 am
- Friday—5 pm to 2 am
- Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
- Sunday—12 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14162296191
Another great izakaya option in North York is MeNami. This one, in particular, is perfect if you love eating ramen during the wee hours of the morning (frankly, that’s the best time to eat ramen).
The cheese udon is my guilty pleasure. The broth is thick and creamy (reminds me of a pasta sauce, to be honest), and the saltiness of the mozzarella and cheddar complements the bacon’s savoriness and the prawn’s subtle sweetness.
| Pro Tip: After 8 pm, you’ll get access to their drink special. Options include soju, tap beer, hot sake, and shots of either vodka or tequila. |
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
From: thekegsteakhouse
Address: 5015 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—4 pm to 11 pm
- Friday—4 pm to 12 am
- Saturday—3 pm to 12 am
- Sunday—3 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14167332555
It’s always steak o’clock in my house, and one of the places I go to when the craving hits is The Keg Steakhouse + Bar.
The blackened blue cheese sirloin steak is a must-try. The meat is encrusted in this salty, savoury, and earthy spice blend, and the blue cheese butter adds notes of mild tanginess to every slice. Oh, not to mention that the steak is incredibly tender, too!
| Pro Tip:Give a fellow steak lover a gift card from this restaurant. |
Bao House
From: roxicious
Address: 5336 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—9 am to 11 pm
- Friday to Sunday—9 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14378808864
Bao House? More like Bao Heaven! This restaurant offers everything—from pastries and dim sum to dumplings and noodles—and that’s why it’s one of my faves.
The steamed beef soup dumplings are my go-to orders because I’m obsessed with how umami-rich the broth is and how juicy and rich the beef filling is. Add a dollop of chilli oil into the dumpling, and I feel like I’ve ascended!
The pan-fried versions of the soup dumplings are also great. The crispy bottom offers a satisfying crunch.
| Pro Tip: It’s difficult to find parking here, so I recommend coming here via public transportation instead. |
Evviva Breakfast and Lunch
From: mystylefoodpicks.to
Address: 5221 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7 am to 4 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—7 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16479322020
Looking for a fantastic brunch spot? Then, you have to stop by Evviva!
I’m a dessert enthusiast, so I usually get their pancakes, which are super fluffy! I also love how sweet they are, thanks to the berry compote and the toppings of fresh strawberries and blueberries.
If you prefer a heartier meal, I recommend their classic breakfast, which has bacon, sausages, ham, eggs, toast, and a side salad. This definitely keeps me fueled for hours!
| Pro Tip: You can host a special event here. |
A Corner Cafe
From: moonspear
Address: 5193 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—9 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—9 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14168009647
A Corner Cafe is another restaurant I love visiting for brunch. The chicken and waffles is my current obsession; the combination of crispy chicken and fluffy waffles is delightful, and the sweet and savoury flavours taste amazing together.
I’m also a big fan of the pasta dishes here, especially the squid ink spaghetti. The sauce has a nice tanginess that pairs well with the mellow sweetness of the seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels, and octopus).
| Pro Tip: This restaurant also has board games available, so feel free to play one (or two) while waiting for your order. |
Shinta Japanese BBQ
From: shintabbq
Address: 5095 Yonge St, 2nd Floor, RioCan Empress
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 11 pm
- Friday to Sunday—12 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14165517446
Starving? You might want to stop by Shinta Japanese BBQ. This is an all-you-can-eat restaurant, so you can grill as many Wagyu and Angus beef strips as you want. The dining experience is even better if you’re with your loved ones.
When I can afford to splurge, I order the Gold Wagyu ACE because the meat is just unbelievably fatty and rich. Sometimes, I also get other proteins, like the marinated chicken thigh and thinly cut pork belly.
| Pro Tip: As a customer of Shinta, you’ll receive free parking for two hours at the car park at 8 Hillcrest Avenue (underground floor 2). Just show the parking pass to the restaurant so that someone can validate it. |
Auberge du Pommier
From: aubergedupommier
Address: 4150 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11:45 am to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Saturday—5 pm to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162222220
If you’re in the mood for a fine dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Auberge du Pommier. This French restaurant exudes old-school country charm, and the wood-burning fireplaces and the floral terraces also make everything extra romantic.
The steak frites is a classic dish. The tenderloin is super juicy, tender, and savoury. The au poivre sauce adds a burst of sweetness to every slice. Meanwhile, the fries are perfectly crispy and well-salted.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant has an exclusive afternoon tea experience. |
Le Montmartre
From: lemontmartreto
Address: 911 Sheppard Ave W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday—5:30 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14166303804
Still craving French cuisine? Another spot you can check out is Le Montmartre. This one, in particular, boasts a modern space decorated with impressionist art, which feels very Parisian to me.
The deboned duckling is my favourite dish so far. It’s roasted and then flambéed, so it has an addictive smoky flavour on top of the rich savoriness. It’s also served with an orange sauce, which provides a fruity, sweet contrast that elevates the dish.
They also offer sautéed frog legs, which are hard to find in Toronto! The legs have a nice crunchy exterior, and the flavour profile is garlicky and zesty. Don’t knock this until you’ve tried it!
| Pro Tip: If you have any dietary restrictions, let your waiter know so that the kitchen can provide the necessary alterations. |
Lavash Authentic Armenian Restaurant
From: eatsofdurham
Address: 2746 Victoria Park Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14164192525
It’s not every day I find an amazing restaurant serving delicious Armenian dishes, so of course, I was thrilled when I discovered Lavash.
I like to start my meal with an order of shanklish, which is dry-aged, crumbled cheese served with diced tomatoes and onions. It has an interesting combo of flavours—sour from the cheese and slightly sweet and tangy from the tomatoes—and I like that.
For the main course, I can’t resist a plate of shish tawook (chicken skewers). So smoky and savoury and also succulent! This dish pairs really well with fluffy white rice.
| Pro Tip: On a budget? Try any of their combo meals instead. These combo meals already come with your protein of choice, rice, fattoush, and hummus—all for an affordable price! |
Good Luck HK Cafe
From: goodluckhkcafe
Address: 5533 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14162268666
A friend of mine, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, told me that Good Luck HK Cafe is one of the few places in Toronto offering an authentic Hong Kong dining experience. The vibe is lively, and the menu is filled with all the classics.
I love the satay beef and scrambled eggs on rice—such a hearty meal. The eggs have a silky texture, and their rich flavour complements the beef’s savoriness.
I also really like that the dish comes with hot milk tea (or hot lemon tea/coffee/lemon water). This beverage feels like a warm hug!
| Pro Tips: There’s no dedicated parking lot here, so finding a parking spot for your car may be tricky. I also recommend avoiding coming here between 11:30 am and noon because that’s when the restaurant is at its busiest. |
David Duncan House
From: davidduncanhouse.to
Address: 125 Moatfield Dr
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—5 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14163911424
David Duncan House is a household name in North York, not just because of its delicious food, but also because of its space. It sits on 4.25 acres of land, and you’ll dine inside a restored Gothic Victorian or on the patio with a scenic view around you.
The fish and chips is a standout—simple yet so flavourful. The halibut is flaky and tender, and paired with the malt vinegar and tartar sauce, it tastes salty and tangy.
| Pro Tip:You can host a special event here. |
PHO OK
From: phooktoronto
Address: Unit 21, 4664 Yonge St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14162222668
Looking for a spot that offers amazing pho? I just have the restaurant for you: PHO OK!
Pho with brisket and beef balls is my go-to order here. I love how the broth has a layered flavour profile; it starts rich and umami, and then peppery and even sweet notes surface to the top.
The brisket is also tender, while the beef balls are bouncy and absorb the broth. That’s why biting into them is like a flavour bomb!
| Pro Tips: If you pay in cash, you’ll get 5% off. Additionally, if you’re paying in cash and the order exceeds C$35, the discount becomes 10%! Let them know if you have any kind of allergies. Free underground parking and Wi-Fi are also available here. |
Hero Certified Burgers
From: heroburgersca
Address: 4698 Yonge St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14167333919
Hero Certified Burgers may not have an extensive menu, but the burgers here hit the spot.
The Heavy Hitter is my favourite thing to order because it does hit heavily! It comes with two thick patties and lots of cheese, so I’m full in just a few bites. I also really like how the sauce adds a bit of sweetness and tanginess to the burger.
| Pro Tips: Book their catering services for your special event. They have their own app where you can earn points and rewards. They have special deals and offers every day. Check this page to see what’s currently active. |
