James AllenThere are many things to love about Toronto’s West End, but for me, my favorite thing about this neighborhood is its diversity. This area has a significant immigrant population, and you can definitely see the diverse culture in the cuisine.
That’s why I love coming here to dine—be it for a date with my partner or a celebration with my loved ones. There are many restaurants to discover, so in a way, dining in this neighborhood is an adventure in its own right.
Of all the restaurants I’ve dined at in the West End, these are the ones that have stood out and are perfect spots for any kind of special occasion.
Enoteca Sociale
– From: enotecasociale
Address: 1288 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—5 to 10 pm
- Thursday and Friday—5 to 11 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165341200
As someone who loves Italian cuisine, I’m always on the hunt for great Italian restaurants, and Enoteca Sociale is one that my friends keep recommending. Fortunately, they didn’t disappoint.
I love coming here for brunch, and my favorite thing to order is the Gnocchi Pomodoro because I love how tangy, garlicky, and spicy it is. The Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe is also a great choice; it’s simple, yet the peppery flavor hits the spot every time.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the classic tiramisu. It’s so creamy and decadent!
| Pro Tips: If you want to reserve a spot for your group of up to six (or by yourself), you can do so via OpenTable. If your group has more than six members, you should contact the restaurant via email ([email protected]). If you’re dining alone or with a partner, try to book your spot at the Chef’s Table. You’ll be able to enjoy an exclusive tasting menu and see the chefs preparing your food in the kitchen. |
Le Baratin
– From: lebaratinyyz
Address: 1600 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—5:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165348800
What I love about Le Baratin is that it has such a lovely, cozy atmosphere. The experience is made even better because the French dishes served here are absolutely delicious.
I recommend the magret de canard, which is a duck dish. The duck breast is perfectly tender and juicy, and I love how the port wine sauce adds a bittersweet flavor to every bite.
The steak frites is also a must-try. The striploin has been marinated for a long time, so the flavors penetrate deep into the meat. For a more savory flavor, smother the steak with the shallot sauce.
| Pro Tip: Give a fellow food lover a gift card from Le Baratin. |
Antler Kitchen and Bar
– From: antlerkitchenbar
Address: 1454 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—5 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—3 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16473458300
Canadian cuisine deserves more love in my opinion, and fortunately, Antler Kitchen and Bar is here to truly celebrate it. This restaurant makes sure to only use seasonal and wild foods that can be found in the country.
I love ordering the Alberta Bison Ribeye. This dish is a symphony of sweet and savory, thanks to the cheddar polenta, bourbon onion jam, crispy leeks, and game jus. The steak is also so tender that every piece practically melts in my mouth.
Pair your meal with an alcoholic beverage. You have several wine options to choose from, but you can also get a cocktail instead. Pear Pressure is my go-to recommendation because it’s sweet enough that I forget I’m drinking alcohol.
| Pro Tip: Secure your spot by booking a reservation beforehand. |
Sugo
– From: sugotoronto
Address: 1281 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—3 to 9 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165351717
Another great Italian restaurant in Toronto’s West End is Sugo. This restaurant specializes in classic Italian sandwiches, and it also has an old-fashioned atmosphere that I find endearing.
My favorite sandwich here is the Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich, which is earthy, tangy, and savory at the same time. The chicken is also perfectly crispy.
If you want something more filling, you should order the classic spaghetti. The sauce is rich and tangy, and it also has ground veal, pork, and beef mixed in, so every forkful is satisfying. To make it more savory and nutty, be sure to add a lot of parmesan cheese.
| Pro Tip: Right next door is Bar Sugo, which is perfect for families. There, you can enjoy a family-style tasting menu, and it has several courses. |
The Good Son
– From: thegoodson_to
Address: 1096 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday—5 to 10 pm
- Friday—5 to 11 pm
- Saturday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165510589
The Good Son is usually where I go when I’m feeling stressed because of work and I need to decompress. My friends sometimes join me, which makes the experience even more fun.
The Good Son Burger is my go-to order because it’s so hearty. The patty, which is made with brisket and hanger meat, is so tender and juicy, and it’s paired with a zesty Russian dressing.
This restaurant also has wood-oven pizza. I recommend Picante, especially if you can tolerate the heat. This pizza is spicy, but it also has hints of sweetness from the caramelized onions and nuttiness from the walnut pesto.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant serves brunch but only during the weekends (11:30 am to 3 pm). |
Cafe Polonez
– From: cafepolonez
Address: 195 Roncesvalles Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14165328432
It’s rare for me to find a restaurant serving Polish cuisine in Toronto, so you can imagine how delighted I was when I first came across Cafe Polonez.
This restaurant offers authentic Polish dishes. My favorite to get is the Sledz w Smietanie Lub Oleju, which is essentially herring topped with sour cream garnish. The fish is perfectly flaky, and it pairs well with the garnish’s tangy and acidic flavors.
The pierogi is also a must-try. It’s Polish-style dumplings, and I love how they’re always oozing with savory flavors from the filling (usually meat). I prefer my dumplings pan-fried for extra crispiness.
| Pro Tip: Sometimes, this restaurant participates in fun events like the Polish Festival Toronto. Attend one when you can. |
La Palette
– From: lapalettequeenwest
Address: 492 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday—5 pm to 12 am
- Wednesday to Friday—5 pm to 2 am
- Saturday and Sunday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14169294900
I first came to La Palette because of its rustic vibes, but I keep coming back because of the food.
I usually start with steak tartare, which is served with crostini and pickles. Then, for the main course, I recommend getting Steak Frites. The steak is served with wild leek butter, which has a lovely earthy savory flavor to it.
You might also like to try their charcuterie board. I love the cheese version because it’s jam-packed with different cheeses from France, but I also recommend the meat version, which has six different cured meats and cold cuts from Italy, Spain, and France.
| Pro Tip: Complement your meal with an alcoholic drink. This restaurant has many options for wines, including bubbly champagne. |
Gusto 101
– From: gusto101to
Address: 101 Portland St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11:45 am to 11 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165049669
Named after the Italian word for “tasty,” Gusto 101 truly does deliver delicious food. This dining spot specializes in dishes from Southern Italy, but this time, they add a modern twist to them.
I prefer to come here for weekend brunch, and my go-to order is the Arancini (fried risotto). It comes with a Pomodoro sauce that packs quite a punch and mozzarella that adds a nice cheesy pull.
If you like something sweet, you should get the Ricotta Pancakes. These pancakes are topped with candied pistachio, cherry compote, and whipped ricotta; every bite is sweet, tangy, and nutty!
| Pro Tips: If you’re planning to dine with a group, you should book your reservation ahead of time. To make your party even more special, host it at this restaurant. |
Black + Blue
– From: bandbsteak
Address: 130 King St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +16473688283
If steak is your favorite food, then you’ll love Black + Blue. This classic steakhouse only makes use of premium cuts of meat, such as Kobe Beef Certified, Canada and USDA Prime, and Japanese A5 Wagyu.
I’m personally fond of the Wagyu steak because of its exceptional marbling and tenderness. I usually pair it with red wine jus because it adds sweetness to the meat. The peppercorn sauce is also a great steak add-on.
If you want something other than steak, I recommend getting Lobster Vongole. The bucatini pasta is perfectly al dente, and the lobster is so soft and buttery. The white wine sauce is sweet and slightly herby from the oregano and thyme/
| Pro Tip: You can book a private dinner here for an intimate celebration with loved ones. |
Barque Smokehouse
– From: barquebbq
Address: 299 Roncesvalles Ave
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165327700
My family and I love barbeque, so whenever we don’t feel like grilling our own meat, we go to Barque Smokehouse instead.
We usually get the Meet Meat Platter, which contains a half-pound smoked brisket, a full rack of Rack O’ Bama Baby Back Ribs, two smoked farmer’s sausages, and more. It’s definitely more than enough to feed everyone.
Some of us love chicken, so we also add chicken wings and smoked chicken to our order.
| Pro Tip: If you have children, you might want to dine on a school night (sometime between 5:00 pm and 9:30 pm) because the restaurant has a Kids Eat Free promo. |
Queen’s Pasta Cafe
– From: queenspastacafe
Address: 2263 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167660993
Queen’s Pasta Cafe brings the romantic atmosphere of Italy to the bustling city of Toronto. Because of this, this restaurant is perfect for romantic dates.
Pasta is undoubtedly the highlight here, and my favorite is Fettucine Pescatora. This pasta dish has a buttery, sweet, and garlicky white wine sauce and is then topped with various seafood (e.g., sea scallops, shrimp, and lobster meat).
If you don’t like pasta, you might want to try Chicken Parmigiana instead. The chicken cutlet is crispy and soaks all the tangy and savory flavors from the tomato sauce.
| Pro Tip: Complete your meal with an alcoholic beverage like a glass of wine or cocktail. |
Good Fork
– From: thegoodforkto
Address: 1550 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday—10 am to 3:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 3:30 pm
Contact Number: +16473525955
Do you love Middle Eastern cuisine? Then, I have the perfect spot for you: The Good Fork!
I usually come here for brunch, and the dish I always order is the pancakes. They’re so fluffy and cakey, and I love that they’re topped with orange blossom ricotta and crumbly cinnamon amaranth. As a result, the flavor combination is sweet and earthy.
For drinks, I always get the Purple Reign. Frankly, I got it the first time because it looked so pretty, but now it’s my go-to because it’s actually delicious. It’s refreshing and sweet, with strong sour and mint notes.
| Pro Tip: Book your private event at this restaurant for a memorable time. |
Mamakas Taverna
– From: mamakastaverna
Address: 80 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—5:30 to 10 pm
- Friday—5 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165195996
Mamakas Taverna celebrates the very best Aegean cuisine, so dining here feels like you’ve taken a trip to Greece.
I love starting my meal with Elies, which is essentially marinated olives. The olives taste citrusy, salty, and garlicky—a flavor combination that excites my palate.
For the main course, my favorite is the Kotopoulo because I love how briny and tender the roasted chicken is. The Paidaka is another great option; the grilled lamb is so succulent, and the tzatziki adds a nice zing to the meat.
| Pro Tips: Are you planning a special occasion with loved ones? You might want to book this restaurant as a venue. If you already have a location for your event, you can book this restaurant as a caterer instead. |
Richmond Station
– From: richmondstation
Address: 1 Richmond St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday—4:30 to 10:30 pm
- Tuesday to Friday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 4:30 to 10:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—3:30 to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +16477481444
Located at one of the busiest places in the city, Richmond Station is my go-to place when I’m in a rush or I don’t know what I’m craving. This restaurant serves comfort food that hits the right spot every time.
One of the standouts here is the Lamb Merguez Fettuccine, which is salty and savory because of the mint pesto and black olives. The lamb is also delicious; it has some tangy undertones that mesh well with the sauce.
Another one that I highly recommend is the Stn. Burger. The patty is so juicy, and I love that it’s topped with garlic aioli and beet chutney, so every bite is a symphony of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors.
| Pro Tips: If you’re feeling adventurous, you should try the Chef’s Tasting Menu. It changes every few weeks, so you never know what to expect. How fun! You can also book this restaurant as a venue for your special event. |
Nodo Junction
– From: nodorestaurant
Address: 2885 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—5 to 10 pm
- Friday—5 to 11 pm
- Saturday—12 to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14169011559
Nodo Junction is another wonderful Italian place in Toronto’s West End. I love that the menu is filled with regional dishes prepared in the traditional methods—but with slight creative tweaks here and there.
The Nodo Spaghetti and Meatballs is a simple yet classic option. The tomato sauce is tangy and slightly sweet, and the baby meatballs soak up all these flavors.
This restaurant is also known for its pizza. I recommend trying Milazzo at least. It has an interesting combination of toppings (mozzarella, prosciutto, and cantaloupe), but somehow, the sweet-salty flavors work.
| Pro Tips: Host your special event at Nodo Junction for an unforgettable experience. If you already have a venue, you might want to book the restaurant’s catering services instead. |
