It’s been a red-hot summer for eating in Toronto. New restaurants are dazzling diners with their avant-garde design, spellbinding drink menus, and, of course, some of the best food in the city.
With so much happening across Toronto’s restaurant scene, the only challenge is pinpointing which new spot—whether it’s a sultry Japan-inspired lounge or an ambitious farm-to-table spot—to check out next. Read on for a guide to Toronto’s six must-book tables right now.
Read on for Toronto’s 6 most exciting new restaurant of 2023.
Kissa (King West)
When it comes to vibes, Kissa is in a category all its own. The restaurant takes cues from listening bars—lounges dedicated to vinyl records that rose to prominence in post-war Japan—which explains its sultry speakeasy ambiance. Kissa, which opened in July, brings King West flair to this retro concept with a collection of over 2,500 vinyl records, glittering disco balls, and lush velvet seats. Cocktails match the striking decor with dramatic finishes like smoked-filled cloches and edible glitter. A menu of solid Japanese-style dishes—yakitori chicken skewers, scallop temaki— confirms that you don’t have to be a music lover or a cocktail aficionado to snag a table at Kissa.
Discover more restaurants in Toronto
Lucie (Financial District)
Sophisticated interiors and an edgy approach to French food make Lucie one of the city’s most happening new spots. The restaurant, which opened in July, is owner Yannick Bigourdan’s first to focus on the cuisine of his heritage. But instead of showcasing nostalgic French dishes, Lucie is all about the boundary-pushing cooking happening in France today. Bigourdan’s menu is presented in a three-course prix-fixe form, featuring creations like foie gras with smoked eel and cherry leather; and grass-fed beef tartare with oysters, capers, mustard, and cornichons. The eye-catching main bar is the best seat in the house, and kicking off your meal with a glass of bubbly from the rolling Champagne cart is a must.
Discover more restaurants in Toronto
Ristorante Sociale (Fashion District)
When the team behind a MICHELIN-recognized restaurant opens a new concept, it’s bound to be a hot ticket. Ristorante Sociale delivers on those great expectations, fusing the exceptional Italian food that earned its sibling restaurant, Enoteca Sociale, a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award with an alluring after-hours vibe. The restaurant, which opened in June, transitions from an Italian steakhouse-inspired dinner spot to a club-like setting on weekends, complete with dancers, DJ performances, and bottle service. Tuscan-influenced dishes (poached halibut with tomatoes and capers, wild mushroom risotto) and Italian riffs on classic cocktails make Enoteca just as enjoyable for dinner as it is for a fancy nightcap.
Discover more restaurants in Toronto
Daphne (Financial District)
Combine a stunning 2,000 square-foot patio with firepower from one of Toronto’s most well-known restaurant groups (INK Entertainment, the team behind hit restaurants like Chica and Amal), and the result is a place that belongs on everyone’s summer restaurant dining bucket list. Daphne opened in June and brings a fresh spin to classic American staples like steaks, seafood, and burgers with wood-fired cooking and seasonal ingredients. With its exposed brick walls and saffron-coloured cushions, its terrace is an especially inviting spot for diving into the lengthy wine list. The Art Deco-style interiors, with arched ceilings and geometric floor tiles, are just as enchanting, proving there’s no bad seat at this modern American stunner.
Discover more restaurants in Toronto
Miss Aida (Roncesvalles Village)
Jad Sfeir and Tara Tang turned heads with their first restaurant, J’s Steak Frites, which serves just one prix-fixe menu, leaving Torontonians eager to see what would come next for the pair. Their new restaurant Miss Aida opened in July and takes inspiration from Sfeir’s Lebanese roots. From manti dumplings stuffed with beef to charred eggplant, dishes here are made for sharing, making this an ideal choice for groups. Like she did at J’s, Tang uses her Le Cordon Bleu training to design an inventive dessert menu that features deconstructed baklava topped with ashta (thick clotted cream) and pistachio ice cream—so save room for an epic final course.
Discover more restaurants in Toronto
Rawley Resort (Simcoe County)
Toronto lost a farm-to-table legend when Marben closed in January after a six-year run. Fortunately for fans of locally sourced food, Lighthouse45 at Rawley Resort, Spa, and Marina in Port Sever (north of Toronto) is shining a spotlight on homegrown cooking under the guidance of consulting chef Chris Locke, who previously led the kitchen at Marben. Dishes like a whey-poached butterball potato with fermented red chilis and a heritage pork chop with dandelion caper rely on ingredients from nearby farmers, butchers, and producers, while also leveraging zero-waste processes as much as possible. Add serene views of Trent-Severn Waterway and a meal here is one of the most locally accented ones in town.
Discover more restaurants in Toronto
Jessica Huras is a Toronto-based food and drink writer. Eat your way across the city (and beyond) with her on Instagram @waysofwanderers
