Being a culinary adventurer means discovering more and more about recipes, culinary cultures, settings, and flavours. And you can do all this at a very affordable price in the beautiful city of Toronto. Treat yourself to a journey through the flavours of Europe, whether in Spain, Italy, France or England, from casual lunches to budget-friendly tasting menus, the best affordable restaurants in Toronto await to be discovered.
Let yourself be tempted, without worrying about the price, by Filipino recipes for a special occasion or grilled meats for a trip to Korea. And if you prefer to savour typical Canadian dishes over a glass of cider or enjoy a juicy American-style burger, Toronto has it all.
The best affordable restaurants in Toronto await: here are the top spots to book right now on OpenTable.
For the best of Toronto’s affordable restaurants – keep reading
For one of the best affordable restaurants in Toronto for a Spanish feast – head to Bar Isabel in Little Italy / College St.
With a focus on Catalan cuisine, Bar Isabel invites you to discover the best of Spanish cuisine in a warm setting with colourful stained-glass windows. Nestled in Toronto’s Little Italy district, this tavern-style restaurant offers a wide-ranging menu with dishes designed to be enjoyed in family style. Share a tasty, finely seasoned whole grilled octopus, treat yourself to “the best Jamón in the world” with a dish of hand-cut Jamón Ibérico. Finish in style with Basque cakes served with hot sherry cream. To make sure everyone can enjoy the delicious flavours on offer, many dishes on the menu can be adapted to be made gluten or dairy-free.
For a pizza party the whole family will love – try Pizza e Pazzi in St. Clair West
If you’re after lunch or dinner in a rustic unpretentious setting, the menu at Pizza e Pazzi is full of authentic, homemade and mouth-watering recipes. With a name that means “Pizza and the Crazies”, this restaurant offers a range of authentic Neapolitan recipes prepared with care by the owner and the chef, who bring twenty years’ of experience to your table. For a spicy touch, choose the diavola pizza, an assortment of fior di latte, a fresh and creamy Italian cheese, spicy salami and flavourful hot peppers. For a cheesy touch, order a bowl of cacio e pepe, traditional homemade spaghetti seasoned with black pepper and pecorino romano under a runny whole burrata. Buon appetito.
For one of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Toronto for brunch and drinks – book a spot at Fox on John in Entertainment District
Enjoying a good meal doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank, and Fox on John certainly understands that. Located in the lively Entertainment District, this restaurant offers tempting dishes ranging from half-priced 2lbs of tasty chicken wings on Monday to a selection of signature pasta dishes at only $15 on Wednesday. In a luminous and comfortable setting, enjoy a lovely lunch from the two-course menu at $25 with a plate of warm mozzarella sticks and a flavourful roasted chicken Caesar wrap with crispy bacon. For brunch lovers, the Early Bird brunch special offers the half priced Big Fox Breakfast, a savoury assortment of eggs of any style with smoked bacon and delicious chicken sausage with a fruity fresh touch. For night owls, enjoy the after dark experience with colourful and delicious drinks starting at $5.75, from 9 pm until the middle of the night.
For an Italian happy hour aperitivo – take a seat at Gusto 101 in King West
Italy and its recipes can also be found in the King West district with the luminous Gusto 101. This restaurant is well-named, since gusto means tasty in Italian and the menu, whether for brunch, lunch or dinner, is full of delectable recipes. Under the glass ceiling, start your day with fluffy pancakes covered in a cloud of whipped ricotta, topped with candied pistachios and sweet cherry compote. Relax at lunchtime on the terrace over a comforting bufala e bresaola pizza, or treat yourself to a romantic dinner in the evening over a risotto verde made with hen of woods mushrooms and seasoned with pine nuts. Enjoy an Italian happy hour from Monday to Thursday between 3 and 5 pm, with a 6oz wine for $3 accompanied by delicious items at a reduced price.
For one of Toronto’s best affordable restaurants for steak – head to Smoque N’ Bones – Baldwin in Chinatown / Kensington Market
Tasty grilled meat is the heart of Smoque N’ Bones – Baldwin. Proud of its American heritage, Smoque N’ Bones brings Southern hospitality to the great city of Toronto for all lovers of good meat and BBQ. Treat your table to the Southern Family Experience, with award-winning BBQ & signature sides, curated by the executive chef and pitmaster. Select two of the shareable plates, with choices such as juicy BBQ riblets, pulled pork sliders, or tacos with refreshing pineapple pico. You can also choose from four BBQ mains, among beef brisket or the signature SmoQued turkey. Don’t forget the Southern sides to complete your experience. You have options like classic creamy mac ‘n’ cheese or cornbread with sweet butter, for a true Southern taste. Enough to delight young and old alike for just $69.50 per person. For those who prefer their meat with good bread, let yourself be tempted by a tasty turkey sandwich made with fine sliced turkey, tasty herb mayo and house-cured bacon. Enjoy it all in a leafy, natural dining space in the heart of Toronto’s Baldwin Village.
For one of the best affordable restaurants in Toronto for Middle-Eastern sharing platters – try Fat Pasha in The Annex
Just Good Food is the motto of this cosy restaurant in the Annex district, serving Middle Eastern flavours. Start your meal at Fat Pasha by sharing a large, Salatim platter with friends, featuring the chef’s choice of four dips, spicy dill pickles and hot peppers falafel and traditional pita for just $46. For fans of plant-based dishes, you can’t go wrong with the famous whole roasted cauliflower with skhug, classic tahini and creamy halloumi, garnished with pomegranate and pine nuts. Head out to the elegant terrace for brunch and try the lil’ salatim, a tasty platter featuring chef’s choice of dips and fluffy falafel balls served with pita. Don’t forget to accompany your meal with a glass of wine, like the les Olivers rose, a refreshing French rosé wine with fruity notes of vine peaches.
For stellar Italian recipes and wine pairings – visit Ascari Enoteca in Leslieville /Riverdale
A rustic wine bar in Toronto’s east end, Ascari Enoteca brilliantly offers a menu full of delicious Italian meals to wash down with a superb bottle of wine. For under $30, enjoy a generous plate of pasta, like the creamy spaghetti alla carbonara with house made guanciale. Or opt for a meatier option like the hearty rigatoni bolognese, combining veal, pork and beef under flakes of parmigiano reggiano. As for drinks, get festive with the pesca pallida cocktail, a harmonious gin-based blend with lemon sweet and bitter notes. Alternatively, enjoy a subtle Venetian bottle of pra otto soave, a Garganega wine with fruity and floral aromas.
For a budget-friendly tasting menu for special occasions – book a table at Mineral in Rosedale /Summerhill
Under a painted ceiling reminiscent of Manila nightlife, Mineral offers a sophisticated Filipino cuisine experience with artistically crafted recipes by the executive chef Daniel Cancino. On Tuesdays, the 7-course tasting menu for $75 per person will delight your taste buds and take you on a journey of discovery. From Wednesday to Saturday, settle down for a 9-course tasting menu for $95 per person. For light, refreshing bites, take a break at the cold bar and enjoy a refined Kinilaw tuna with sweet fruit on a tangy note decorated with ikura. Finish your dinner on a high note with the ube leche flan, white chocolate and fruity hibiscus on crispy rice.
For one of the best affordable restaurants in Toronto for date night – take a seat at Le Baratin in Parkdale
In French, “baratin” is a discourse that often seeks to seduce, and what better way to do so than through food. In a setting reminiscent of Lyon’s bouchons, Le Baratin invites you to share its passion and expertise for simple, classic French food without spending a fortune. “You don’t need to use your line of credit to eat French cuisine,” says chef Jean-Régis of his menu which offers budget-friendly deals throughout the week. The Tuesday daily special menu for $45 includes a comforting soup or a bistro salad and a glass of wine of your choice with your main course. On Wednesdays, enjoy a French-style starter and a glass of wine with a tasty steak and fries for the same price. For those who love brunch, the croque-monsieur made with egg bread with tasty black Forest ham and creamy Swiss cheese under béchamel sauce will get your day off to a great start.
For one of the best inexpensive restaurants in Toronto for a casual lunch – book a spot at Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen in Harbord Village
Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen is a bustling hotspot where excellent cuisine from Ontario’s rich culinary traditions pairs beautifully with a good glass of cider. Situatedin the heart of Toronto in the historic Harbord Village, settle into a comfortable seat next to the large painted brick wall and peruse the menu for brunch or dinner. The kitchen serves up a rotating seasonal selection of typically Canadian meals. With vegetarian dishes, seafood recipes, meat expertise and sweet treats, there’s something for everyone. Let yourself be tempted by the applewood smoked Arctic char, nicely served on crispy potato rosti topped with caramelized onion creme fraiche. Save room for dessert and enjoy a mascarpone espresso crème brulée with a fruity strawberry balsamic coulis.
For a delicious Korean-style barbecue – choose Takja BBQ in Little Portugal / Dundas West
Takja BBQ serves up flavour-packed Korean cooking in a sophisticated red decor reminiscent of the rich aesthetic history of the Korean peninsula. Situated in Toronto’s West End, its welcoming staff and cosy, luxurious atmosphere makes it perfect for a special evening with friends and family. Discover Korean charcuterie with a platter featuring Korean sausage, delicate terrine and tender suyuk to whet your appetite. Then move on to the tasty meats and make your own selection: pork belly, short rib galbi or striploin, there’s something to suit every taste and cooking style. And for a more complete experience, choose the A table full of food option, which allows you to taste and share everything while drinking a bottle of crémant du Jura, a blanc de blancs with aromatics of apple, citrus and toasted brioche.
If you’re a food lover, you probably want to try a bit of everything, and luckily it doesn’t have to involve breaking the bank. Toronto offers a varied landscape of budget-friendly restaurants, ensuring there’s something for everyone to try. Whether you’re into Korean-style grilled meat, American BBQ or traditional Canadian dishes, you’ll find flavours to savour. From early-morning brunches to late-night drinks, every occasion is catered to. Take your tastebuds around the world without breaking the bank at the best affordable restaurants in Toronto.
Reserve now your seat in one of Toronto’s best affordable restaurants with OpenTable.
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