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One of the best things about traveling is getting to eat new kinds of foods, and traditional meals, and trying new restaurants. Whenever I start planning a trip I like to search for the best places to eat to try new foods or unique spots in Toronto. Here are some of my favorite places when we visited Toronto.
O.Noir
O.Noir is such a cool restaurant. The concept is that you are plunged into complete darkness and served by a visually impaired waiter/waitress. You order the food before being seated and then are asked to store away all devices that emit any light.
Now I will say I have NEVER experienced darkness that was so deeply dark. Definitely worth a try even if it’s a little bit on the pricier side ($36-$46 per person). NOTE: A reservation is required!
Learn more about our full experience at O.Noir in this post.
Good Fork
Good Fork is found in Little Portugal. It is a Mediterranean place with an excellent brunch. Situated at the corner of the block this restaurant has ample indoor seating and some outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching.
The Spanish Hash and the Blueberry Pancakes are ridiculously good. Definitely get a reservation or arrive early, they are busy for good reason. We arrived right around when the restaurant opened so we avoided any lines. By the time we left they were hopping. You could tell its one of the best places to eat in Toronto.
FIKA Cafe
FIKA Cafe was top on my must-try list when planning our trip. I loved the idea of going to a FIKA style Swedish cafe. Ever since reading about Hygge, these cozy Scandinavian lifestyle terms have been incredibly interesting to me.
The cafe is located in a cozy looking home-like building with a backyard patio. Definitely try the Swedish cinnamon buns.
Smoke’s Poutinerie
Smoke’s Poutinerie is a fun, casual restaurant that has a ton of poutine options. The traditional was good but definitely try the less traditional ones. The Butter Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, and Bacon Cheeseburger poutines are worth trying!
Canada is known for its poutine. Fresh French fries smothered in rich gravy and sprinkled with cheese curds. Smoke’s likes to take their own twist on this tradition which gives you some fun options.
As a casual restaurant you walk into Smoke’s order at the counter then seat yourself. They will call your order. These poutines are definitely some of the best to eat in Toronto.
Nom Nom Nom
Nom Nom Nom is voted one of the best poutines in Toronto. Since you’re in Canada you MUST have poutine at least once. Definitely try the traditional, but don’t scare away from less traditional poutines.
I know, I know, TWO poutine places?! But trust me they’re both so worth it. I might be a little poutine obsessed, but I have a strategy here. So look at both menus and select your favorite non-traditional poutine. Go to that place for the non-traditional one and the other restaurant for traditional poutine.
It gives you the best chance at trying multiple types of poutine WHILE sampling the best places to eat in Toronto. Win-Win if you ask me.
Restaurants @ Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a fun and dynamic indoor/outdoor market with a ton of different vendors. There is food, groceries, local artisans, and everything in between. I have never seen more kinds of rice in one place than in this market.
A great place to get groceries while stopping for lunch or getting a coffee break. There are little tables set up downstairs where you can take your food to eat. Some stands even have seats set up like a food hall.
Istanbul Cafe
I love different kinds of coffee shops. This one fits the bill with Turkish Coffee and food. Istanbul Cafe has a variety of coffee options, alcoholic beverages, and food.
Like I said, I enjoy trying new kinds of foods! Nearby we didn’t have Turkish Coffee shops. This gave us the best opportunity to try out one of the best places to eat in Toronto while also trying unique food.
Poop Cafe
I will say the Poop Cafe was one of the most unique places we ate at. There was a group of tween girls celebrating a birthday, that was definitely the target audience. We had fun sitting on toilets and eating our desserts.
I wouldn’t necessarily say the food is exceptional, its pretty normal. You really come here because it’s funny. You order downstairs then find a seat upstairs. They will bring you your sundaes when they’re ready.
Food Tours
Another fun way to explore Toronto and enjoy all the food it has to offer is doing a food tour. There are several tours that go through Kensington Market and Lawrence Market. There’s even some fun distillery and brewery tours. My personal favorite is a donuts and coffee tour!
Final Note on Best Places to Eat in Toronto
There are a lot of great places to eat in Toronto with a wide variety of food options. A long weekend just doesn’t seem to be enough to explore all the places. Here I rounded up just a few of my favorites, but I’m interested in hearing all of the ones you enjoy!
