Canada’s most diverse city, and one of the more multicultural cities worldwide, Toronto, is home to a restaurant scene as eclectic as the population itself. From the city’s historic cobblestoned Distillery District to the charming and lavish Yorkville, the best seafood restaurants in Toronto offer a glimpse and taste (literally) of a city that continues to impress.
Step into an elegant and artsy seafood destination inspired by the Dalmatian coast to enjoy octopus and clams over a bottle of wine, or take a blast to the past at a laid-back oyster house in a lovely former distillery.
Take a culinary journey through the depths of the world’s oceans and sip your way through the world’s finest regions at the best seafood restaurants in Toronto, and book on OpenTable today.
The 10 best seafood restaurants in Toronto – read on for a guide
For a lobster paradise in Toronto – visit Lobster Burger Bar in the Entertainment District
Lobster Burger Bar in Toronto’s bustling Entertainment District is home to one of the best PEI lobster rolls in the greater Toronto area. Fresh lobster comes from the East Coast right to your table weekly and is so highly regarded that it has been dubbed by customers as “lobster paradise”. Its Instagram-worthy lobster dinner is one of the various must-try lobster-centric menu options, along with lobster risotto, lobster burger, and the famous, eye-popping seafood tower. Pair any of the mouth-watering menu highlights with a pineapple margarita or blueberry mojito, two smash hits from the bar menu. Top your meal off with a sweet dessert option like the peanut butter cheesecake or the chocolate lava cake for the cherry on top of your experience. The colors of all the dishes brighten this dimly lit seafood gem and make for a wonderful night out on any day of the week.
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For a step back in time at a stunning architectural gem – don’t miss Pure Spirits in the Distillery District
Located in Toronto’s historic Distillery District is Pure Spirits, a laid-back seafood hot spot situated in a former distillery. The name comes from the story itself and is highlighted through the drinks menu with a wonderful selection of pure spirits – much like it did under that roof over a hundred years ago – along with stellar Ontario wines and creative cocktails. Showcasing seasonal produce and sustainable seafood, this architectural gem is recognized annually as one of the very best seafood restaurants in Toronto. The house specialty focuses on a mix-and-match approach that allows diners to pick and put together their meal combinations from the menu.
The raw bar features oysters sourced from coast to coast, as well as punchy oyster shooters in spirit and hot sauce — a mischievous combination. The hot starters include a must-try Manhattan clam chowder and Dungeness crab poutine, to be followed by stellar mains such as the wild Argentinian shrimp pappardelle and the yellowfin tuna poke bowl. Put a bow on your experience with the mile high chocolate cake with cherry compote, praline ice cream and port syrup, to be shared in two or four people.
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For a trendy sea-to-table gem loved by locals – visit Pink Sky in King West
Dubbed as a seafood lover’s mecca, Pink Sky in Toronto’s King West area is a trendy and buzzing seafood gem in the heart of the city, boasting a modern and upscale interior much like the area it resides in. The sea-to-fork restaurant is a local neighborhood favorite, offering top-notch seafood sourced from the East to the West Coast. The ceviche and crudo are beautiful introductions to the hearty menu, followed by enticing mains such as the truffle lobster mac and cheese, and the caviar latke: an elevated take on the traditional Jewish classic. The water-themed cocktails make wonderful pairings, including the shareable The Leviathan for the whole table. Don’t leave before trying the sticky toffee pudding or the dulce de leche and white chocolate chantilly banoffee pie. Pinky Sky is a seafood lover’s paradise for a meal to remember.
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For a harborside seafood dining experience – be sure to try Cove Bar and Restaurant in Oakville
Nort of Marine Drive in beautiful Oakville is Cove Bar and Restaurant, a sleek dining destination boasting stunning harborside views, and a menu featuring Italian takes on seafood classics. The stunning interior design and the spacious accompanying patio make for a lovely alfresco lunch with a group, or a romantic date with cocktails and oysters at sunset. Start with the New England-style cove clam chowder and the shrimp cocktail before moving on to the must-try beer battered haddock fish and chips or the seafood linguine with crab, shrimps, bay scallops, baby clams and mussels in cajun garlic butter and white wine. Pair your favorite seafood with a pitcher of white or red sangria to share with your group, or order from the selection of white, rosé and natural wines off the drinks menu. Cocktails are great too: the Monica Bellucci with vodka, elderflower liqueur, lime and cucumber and mint syrup is a refreshing way to start – or end – your meal while observing the boats go by.
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For a Mediterranean seafood experience – head over to Estiatorio Volos in Financial District
Estiatorio Volos, located in Toronto’s Financial District, is an elevated Greek restaurant with an emphasis on Philoxenia–meaning hospitality, in the Greek native tongue. The Mediterranean-inspired concept is revealed throughout the menu and through the beautiful interiors created by designer Marc Kyriacou, which transports you right to a feel of the islands. Start your experience with a traditional or tiger prawn saganaki, a flaming cheese dish that will have you saying “Opa”! Diners can enjoy the best of both worlds when looking to have both seafood and a traditional Greek experience, with mains including a volos warm seafood salad with tiger shrimp, grilled octopus, mixed greens, and Greek yogurt dressing, or a sesame-crusted Pacific salmon featuring spanakorizo with feta cheese and braised spinach. Volos is the perfect marriage of both worlds, making it a seafood and Greek cuisine lover’s haven.
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For seafood-steakhouse fusion – be sure to try The Shore Club in Financial District
The Shore Club in Toronto’s Financial District is an upscale social hotspot for seafood and steak with a lavish interior and ambience, much like its menu. Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, steak, or both, The Shore Club has you covered. To start, the beef tenderloin carpaccio is a lovely shareable, as well as their selection of market oysters, which is perfect for the table to enjoy. Highlights of the grill menu include filet mignon, short ribs and lamb chops with add-ons of shrimp, lobster tail and seared scallops, with a choice of sauces such as truffle mustard butter or chimichurri. Make sure to try the signature surf and turf: the steak and lobster makes for an ideal best of the land and the sea. Creative cocktails like the Honey Please with spiced rum, honey, ginger beer, fresh basil and Angostura bitters sets the tone for a romantic evening while the selection of red and white wines pairs beautifully with seafood and steak. For a celebratory special occasion or an intimate meal at one best seafood and steak restaurants in all of Toronto, The Shore Club awaits.
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For a culinary day trip by the lake – Sandbar Waterfront Grill awaits in Belle River
Just a few short hours outside of the city in Ontario’s beautiful Belle River is the quaint Sandbar Waterfront Grill, serving seafood, steaks, and pizza by the water. The charming eatery with lakeside views is accessible by both car and boat, situated right by the docks. For fish lovers, the loaded haddock bites are a treat of an appetizer, as well as the cheesy crab and lobster wonton. Pair it with a sandbar Caesar or a spicy mango margarita, and you’re off to the races. Make sure to order chef Carlo’s signatures like the striploin and lobster or shrimp, or classics like the halibut dinner or the seafood medley. Satisfy that sweet tooth with Sandbar’s peanut butter fudge or a caramel carrot cheesecake offered at one of the best seafood restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area.
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For a romance-filled trip to the Dalmatian Coast – book at Joso’s in Yorkville
Just like Drake, you could be “eatin’ like I’m seated at Swish, Sotto, and Joso’s, where his famous Take Care album cover was shot. The Dalmation coast-inspired seafood destination awaits in Toronto’s charming Yorkville area for a wonderful night out with a date, family, and friends. Considered a landmark of Toronto’s hospitality scene, Joso’s is a “feast for the eyes, ears, and mouth”. Boasting fish from across the globe straight to your plate, Joso’s has been a must-try seafood destination in the city for over 50 years. The smoked Ontario trout salad is a great way to start before making your way to mains such as the black ink spaghetti, the steamed octopus morsels or the delectable clams, mussels and shrimp sauteed in white wine and garlic. For dessert, Joso’s Palacinke (two crepes filled with apricot jam), is an absolute delight to put the bow on a mouthwatering, memorable dining experience.
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For an authentic Greek seafood experience – book at Petros82 in the Entertainment District
Prepare for a night in Mykonos, one of the most beautiful and bustling Greek islands, at Petros82 in the Entertainment District. Petros92 welcomes you to “an endless Aegean summer” right in the heart of the city, offering luxurious Greek cuisine and top-notch hospitality. The stunning interior features white-themed decor much like in the islands, as well as a fresh market, and even converts into an event space. Begin tasting your way through the cultural menu, from traditional starters like the ouzo shrimp to Greek-themed pizzas, and comfort food like the famous moussaka. At Petro82, the main event is certainly The Main Attraction where diners can handpick their own oysters, shellfish, or whole fish, served and prepared fresh daily. Petro82 is undoubtedly a seafood lover’s dream and an inner-city getaway to the Greek Islands.
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For an out-of-town waterfront dining experience – head over to Harbour House Waterfront Eatery in Downtown Windsor
Step out of town to the beautiful Detroit River, where the Hampton-inspired Harbour House Waterfront Eatery boasts an impressive waterfront patio and a large dining and bar area, making it the perfect setting for parties and occasions of all sizes. Seafood stables like crab and lobster dip and fresh mussels are a lovely way to begin your meal, before feasting on lobster roll or haddock sandwiches for a light meal. For a celebratory occasion, order the seafood feast platter featuring lobster tail, calamari, scallops, clams, mussels, and octopus on a bed of rice. Additionally, diners can also choose from the extensive selection of seafood pastas or steaks, each of which can be upgraded to a surf and turf. Your seafood feast with a view awaits you at Harbour House Waterfront Eatery.
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The best seafood restaurants in Toronto and surrounds will take you from the nation’s coast to the Dalmatian coast, and even the Greek islands, as you make your culinary escape at each of Toronto’s best seafood restaurants. From hand-picking your very own fresh shellfish to dining in storied landmarks of hospitality featured in Drake albums, the top 10 best seafood restaurants in Toronto each have the makings of moments and dining experiences to last a lifetime. You’ll venture from the city’s old cobblestone roads to the most lavish and charming parts of this buzzy metropolis, as unique takes on classic and fusion seafood experiences await you.