The Distillery District of Toronto is a global hub for the arts, culture and entertainment. People flock by their thousands to bask in the light of this creative area, where colours, sounds, shapes, scents and more abound. Some of the city’s top restaurants have their home here, from street food to MICHELIN-recommended hotspots, classic Canadian to European and much more. From romantic destinations for date night to family-friendly joints to must-visit hotspots for a fun night out with a group, the best restaurants in the Distillery District await.
Sample fiery Mexican at a fun and family-friendly neighbourhood gem. Take a short stroll and reach a Canadian wine bar right on the harbourfront serving classic Mediterranean fare. Gather the gang and book a private dining experience at some of the best Italian places in town. Pop out for tapas with friends and catch up on all the latest news over some delicious small plates in a hidden speakeasy.
Reserve your spot at one of the best Distillery District restaurants in Toronto by booking on OpenTable today.
The best restaurants in the Distillery District of Toronto – read on
For family-friendly fun with Mexican tapas – feed the hordes at El Catrin
The country’s largest collection of tequila and mescal alongside a modern Mexican tapas menu awaits at El Catrin, one of the best restaurants in the Distillery District of Toronto. The fiesta vibe continues from morning until night, with brunch, lunch and dinner menus available. Always lively, always entertaining, and with a vibrant patio area for al fresco meals, bring the family or a group of friends and join in the fun. The contemporary Mexican menu brings you Latin classics with innovative twists for every meal of the day. For brunch, try the huevos rancheros fried eggs with salsa roja, black bean puree and guacamole to kick start your day. For lunch, perhaps a braised beef quesadilla with cilantro and red onion. And for dinner, maybe lamb chamarro with red onion and lime in a tortilla.
For date night at one of the best Distillery District restaurants – head on over to Cluny
A French bistro inspired by the modern European food movement, Cluny bills itself as “not your parent’s bistro” – a nod to the young, hip and artistic vibe that pervades. Personalised service, breathtaking interior design and lively music paired with a Parisian bistro and café style menu have led to this hotspot being named Toronto’s best restaurant by numerous respected publications, including Top Choice and USA Today. In the summer, the stunning patio decorated with thousands of twinkling fairy lights has a romantic, magical feel. Sample French-inspired dishes such as fillet of branzino with orange and brown butter and toasted almonds, flat iron steak with jus, spiced frites and sherry vinegar aioli, and baked brie brulee with lavender honey, Or take a trip to the raw bar for freshly shucked oysters, tuna tartare nicoise, amberjack ceviche and more.
For MICHELIN plate recommended dining – choose Madrina Bar y Tapas
Awarded a MICHELIN Plate in 2022, Madrina Bar y Tapas has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best restaurants in the Distillery District of Toronto. Watch as classic Catalonian tapas dishes are prepared before your eyes in the theatrical open kitchen, with a traditional ham carving station and cold bar delicacies displayed in a Spanish-style glass cabinet. Located in a beautiful Victorian building in the heart of the main Distillery District square, the building is seeped in history and adorned with the vibrancy of Barcelona and adorned with handmade terracotta tiles. Menu highlights include eggplant escabeche with goat’s cheese and walnut, patatas bravas with wasabi aioli, and crab and avocado salad cannelloni with romesco sauce and salmon roe. Book for early evening happy hour between 4 pm and 7 pm and you can grab a free pintxo dish with every purchase of an 8oz glass of Estrella or Inedit.
For one of the best seafood restaurant in Toronto – book at Pure Spirits
Housed in a former distillery with industrial-style Victorian architecture, Pure Spirits historically sent barrels of whiskey across the pond to temperance-era America. Today, the spirits are more refined and with a wider choice, and the menu offers sustainable seafood, shareable sides and seasonal mains. Add signature cocktails and a fine list of Ontario wines and you can’t really ask for more. Oysters from both coasts of Canada take pride of place on the menu, served with a variety of condiments or as part of a spectacular seafood platter. Maritime mains include grilled fish tacos with avocado crema, whole butter-poached lobster charred on the open grill, and shrimp pappardelle with porcini truffle and parmesan cream. Add a Cranberry Mule with vodka, ginger beer, cranberry and mint, or choose from a vast selection of local craft beers and regional wines to finish your order.
For one of the best gastropubs in Toronto – try Mill St. Brewpub
Operating out of the Mill Street Brewery, which is the first microbrewery venture to open commercially in Toronto in a century, Mill St. Brewpub is an experience not to be missed. Over 22 handcrafted beers and ales brewed in-house are available daily on tap, alongside a top-notch pub grub menu featuring stone-baked pizzas, juicy burgers, and takes on classics such as fish and chips with organic lager batter, Brewpub wings with a choice of sauces, and vegan penne with cauliflower cream and black mushrooms. Take a seat around the huge bar area on a high-top seat and admire the working brewery vats while you drink and dine. House specialties include the light and hoppy Original Organic Lager, the fiery, malty Tankhouse Organic Pale Ale, and the chocolatey Irish-style Cobblestone Stout.
For a speakeasy vibe with small plates and cocktails – pay a visit to Secrette in the Distillery District
One of the Distillery District’s best-kept secrets and a real neighbourhood favourite, Secrette takes you back to an age where glamour, sophistication and above all, an air of mystery, were essential to a good night out. This intimate speakeasy is part of the George restaurant, serving delectable small plates crafted by the acclaimed chef Lorenzo. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5 pm until 11 pm, with George a la carte and small plates served until 10 pm. The team of artistic, expert mixologists have created a cocktail menu that is quite unique. Showstoppers include the Secrette Cat with rhubarb and ginger gin, Fever Tree tonic and cucumber foam, and the Scarface with J&B scotch, honey syrup, egg white, lemon and smoked rosemary. Add a plate or two to soak it all up – perhaps scallops with cauliflower and saffron mayo, or wagyu beef with porcini mushrooms and corzetti.
For one of the best restaurants near the Distillery District – take a stroll to Region Food & Bar in Harbourfront
The name of Region Food & Bar reflects the essence of what the place stands for – a winning combination of global flavours with local charm. Just a short stroll from the Distillery District, Region focuses on a bright and fun menu comprised of small sharing plates and artistic cocktails. The dedicated team strive to make every aspect of the customer experience memorable, while the interior is creative, cool and relaxing. Only the freshest seasonal ingredients make the menu at Region, so dishes could change regularly. Showstoppers include Atlantic salmon tartare with maple miso sweet and sour sauce, 45-day aged flank steak with a peppercorn crust and green chilli chimichurri, and smoked gouda and pulled chipotle chicken flatbread with a lemon and lime crema. Craft beers and artisanal wines complete the offering.
For brunch at one of the best restaurants near the Distillery District – check out Terroni Sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio (Spaccio East) in Leslieville / Riverdale
Terroni Sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio (Spaccio East) has been serving uncompromisingly authentic Italian to the Tortonian audience since 1992. Over thirty years in business stands testament to the quality of the ingredients, recipes and hospitality that have made this hotspot a local favourite. The open-concept central kitchen provides a live show, where you can watch the experts at their craft while you drink and dine. Gaze on as these masters of the culinary arts mould the “Materia Prima”, or raw materials, by hand to create dishes that you will be talking about for weeks to come. Try a freshly baked baguette filled with Italian prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes and basil for a delicious lunch, or a rich and creamy handmade garganelli pasta sausage, dandelion, fontina cheese, white wine and garlic for a hearty dinner. Have an exclusive VIP experience with Spaccio Group private dining, or visit one of the Terroni Group’s sister venues scattered around the city.
For one of the coolest joints in town with 90s hip-hop and eccentric cocktails – head on over to Reyna on King in King East
Just steps away from the historic Toronto Distillery District lies Reyna on King. Self-described as “the cool kid on the block”, Reyna brings 90s hip-hop tunes and an energetic vibe from lunchtime until the early hours. Designed to transition seamlessly from a daytime hangout with a living ceiling created from jungle plants, into a buzzing evening destination where the energy glows out into the night through the wraparound windows. Cocktails and small plates with a European influence dominate the menu, drawing in locals and visitors who want to feel like they’re vacationing in Santorini. The scallop and blood orange crudo with candied ginger and squid ink crackers, halloumi souvlaki with Turkish salsa and tzatziki, and the New Zealand lamb chop with chermula and mint are all must-tries from the menu.
For a soulful experience at one of the best restaurants in the Distillery District – venture to Gusto 501 in King East
The younger sibling of Gusto 101 and with the same soulful hospitality the venue is famous for, Gusto 501 opened its doors in 2020 as the newest venture of Janet Zuccarini. A unique experience, the space revolves around a multi-level dining theatre reached through an oversized façade designed to look like a garage door. Enter to glowing walls of terracotta and be transported to the Mediterranean. Book a private dining experience for your next group event and enjoy all this with privacy and VIP service. The menu delivers a fresh take on Italian classics – think beef carpaccio with mushroom conserva, burrata with figs and pistachio, and sourdough crostini with wild mushrooms and garlic to start. Follow this with a lamb ragu with ricotta and mint, a hand-stretched pizza with taleggio and pistachio, or tiger shrimp with fennel polenta, chilli and garlic.
The Distillery District of Toronto is widely regarded as a premier Canadian destination for soaking up the arts, culture and entertainment. Many of the best Distillery District restaurants pay homage to the creative vibe of the area, with innovative menus and inspirational decor designed to tantalise and delight.
Book yourself and the gang a table now at one of the best restaurants in the Distillery District of Toronto with OpenTable.
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