With summer just around the corner, grabbing a bite to eat by the water is one of the best ways to enjoy the season. Luckily, Toronto’s home to some pretty epic waterfront restaurants where you can gaze out over Lake Ontario while enjoying your meal.
Here’s our round-up of 12 gorgeous waterfront restaurants in Toronto to add to your list this summer:
1. Toronto Beach Club
Perched on the shoreline of Toronto’s Woodbine Beach, Toronto Beach Club is a Mediterranean restaurant that will transport you to Europe with its gorgeous design. Serving seafood, pasta, steaks, inventive cocktails and dessert, you can also catch live music or immersive performances on Wednesdays through Saturdays during the summer.
Where: 1681 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto
2. IRENE
Found at Queens Quay and Jarvis, IRENE serves up French-inspired dishes with an Asian twist. Don’t miss their weekend brunch offerings from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Their lakefront patio is also dog friendly, so you can take in the city sunsets with your best furry friend!
Where: 25 Dockside Dr, Toronto
3. Valerie
Taking over Hotel X Toronto’s top three floors, Valerie has one of the best skyline and lakefront views in the city. Their menu is Asian-inspired, with options ranging from Omakase to Wagyu skirt steak. Don’t miss live music in the evenings on Friday and Saturday nights!
Where: 111 Princes’ Blvd 28th floor, Toronto
4. Amsterdam Brewhouse
Spanning 14,000 square feet, this iconic restaurant and brewery is perched on Lake Ontario and boasts four huge outdoor patios. Enjoy one of their many in-house craft brews via a tasting flight or a frozen cocktail to cool down on a hot summer day. They’ve also got a large menu of casual bites, which includes burgers, salads, tacos, wood-oven pizza, and much much more.
Where: 245 Queens Quay W, Toronto
5. The Goodman Pub and Kitchen
Elevated pub fare with panoramic Toronto Island views is what you’ll find at The Goodman Pub and Kitchen on Queens Quay. Enjoy one of their curated craft pours or inventive cocktails as you nibble on classics like chicken fingers or smash burgers, or opt for Asian-inspired bites like Wagyu beef gyoza or honey sesame chicken lo mein.
Where: 207 Queens Quay W, Toronto
6. Bluffers Restaurant
Found within Scarborough’s Bluffer’s Park Marina, Bluffers Restaurant and Event Centre is an upscale yet casual spot to grab a bite with a beautiful patio overlooking the lake. Their menu is Mediterranean-inspired, featuring seafood, pasta, and steak.
Where: 7 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough
7. Boxcar Social Harbourfront
With multiple locations, Boxcar Social’s Harbourfront restaurant is their largest with arguably the best views overlooking Lake Ontario. While they’re known for their coffee, you’ll also find lunch and dinner offerings here, as well as wine, craft beer, cocktails, and more.
Where: 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto
8. Don Alfonso 1890
Enjoy Michelin Star fine dining with a view at Don Alfonso 1980. The essential Italian restaurant was ranked the second best in the entire world outside of Italy, and has breathtaking panoramic views to match. Using the finest and freshest ingredients, you can choose from their A La Carte menu or opt for their signature Tasting Menu, with standouts like seared duck breast, saffron risotto, or even wild rose scented tagliatelle.
Where: 1 Harbour Square 38th Floor, Toronto
9. Joe Bird
Fried chicken, ice cream, and views of the Lake are what Joe Bird is all about. Whether you like your chicken fried, grilled, or between two buns is up to you. They’ve also got a few salads and other types of sandwiches to choose from if you prefer. Don’t miss a sweet treat at The Fix Ice Cream Bar, which has got some seriously-Instagrammable offerings.
Where: 207 Queens Quay W #150, Toronto
10. Alexandros Take-Out
Alexandros Take-Out near the Westin Harbour Castle is the perfect spot for waterfront views and food on the go. Head over and keep your fingers crossed for no line and order a delicious gyro, the Greek staple food that consists of lush, warm pita bread, seasoned meat, veggies like tomato and onion (fresh or pickled) and often, feta cheese. Grab one for take away and enjoy by the water.
Where: 5 Queens Quay W, Toronto
11. Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisine
Established in 1983, Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisineis an award-winning Cantonese-style restaurant. Delicious dim sum, fried tofu, turnip cakes, and other shareable plates are what you can expect here, alongside beautiful waterfront views.
Where: 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto
12. The Upper Deck
Located on the Toronto Islands, The Upper Deck boasts breathtaking views of the city skyline from across the lake. The food menu is casual, witha selection of salads, burgers, and shareables, but the real highlight is the live entertainment on weekends.
Where: 40 Avenue of the Island, Toronto