If you’ve ever been curious about the food at the 2022 Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto but are intimidated by the price point, then do we have the guide for you. Sometimes it’s about being creative with how to order and split dishes up while other times it’s about splurging on a signature dish that’ll be worth the bang for your buck. Here’s our reserached guide on how to order the cheapest thing on the menu at Toronto’s 13 Michelin Star restaurants. And just a disclaimer: emphasis on cheapeast. Some of these dishes may not be cheap and some restaurants only offer one pre-fixe menu at a certain price, but we’ve done our best!
1. Aburi Hana
Canada’s first Michelin Star, Aburi Hana is a Japanese restaurant that’ll delight the senses. Make sure to read up on what to do before arrival, as the rules and procedures in place are there to ensure you make the most of this multisensory and lengthy dining experience. At 2 and a half hours with a price point of $380 dollars, that may seem pricy, but remember that each dish is carefully and meticulously foraged, prepared, and presented, meaning it’s an experience like no other. There’s only one pre-fixe course to choose from but the cheapest option is to do so without beverage pairing, which will bring you up an extra $120 for the late summer five-course deal.
2. Edulis
A weekly changing menu that’s prepared with fresh and local ingredients, Edulis is for the adventurous eater, as you don’t know what you’ll get until it’s presented to you. Stick to a resevation on Sunday during lunch if you want a cheaper option, coming in at only $100 per person. Full bottles of wine are also half-priced and the restaurant has a no-tipping policy. Reservations, as of now, are sold out but you can sign up for the waitlist.
3. Don Alfonso 1890
The dining room signature tasting menu is $280 per person but if you’re okay with kicking back in the lounge, you can enjoy Don Alfonso’s immaculatepanoramic views at a fraction of the cost. Their lounge menu is made up shareable items like cheese and meat platters for 30 CAD or less. The wagyu carppacio comes in at $32, and their nova scotia lobster is $34. Come with a group, split a few sample dishes like this alongside a shared bottle of wine and you’re having a luxury evening that won’t break the bank.
4. Yukashi
Another iconic Japanese restaurant in Toronto, run by Executive Chef Daisuke Izutsu. There’s just one course on the menu for purchase, the 9 dish seasonal tasting course for $280. Maybe just skip the sake pairing if you want the cheapest option. Just so you know, Yukashi is taking a break until September 7th.
5. Osteria Giulia
An excellent Italian restaurant where the chef’s station is the heart of the restaurant, giving diners an inside look at Chef Rob Rossi’s talent. Their four course menu is $120 per person, but there’s no reason why you can’t head over on a girl’s night out to split a couple bottles of wine, which range from $20-$40 and a dessert or two, like the Torta al Pistachio for $19 or the Gelato del Giorno for $16 to keep things on the cheaper side.
6. Quetzal
Dig into Mexican cuisne at the Michelin star restaurant, Quetzal, here in Toronto. The tasting course is $105, the cheapest we’ve seen so far, but their dishes are also priced extremely well. Starters like scallop ceviche costs $35 and is perfectly shareable, and their Pork Secreto Al Pastor is the cheapest meat on the menu, costing $46. Stick to their starters and vegetables though if you want to walk away without breaking the bank and a delicious medley of flavors.
7. Frilu
Frilu offers a tasting menu that reflects the four seasons of Canada while including some Asian influences into their flavors and ingredients. Another restaurant where the tasting menu is the only option, get it without the beverage pairings to save some money.
8. Alo
Alo is a French restaurant nestled in downtown Toronto that serves a blind multi-course tasting menu at $225 of internationally-inspired foods. Fortunately, their sleek Barroom offers a la carte dishes to order from. From meat to vegetables to raw-seafood, these dishes pair perfectly with their expertly made cocktails for a pre night out stop.
9. Alobar Yorkville
Head over to Yorkville to grab some a la cart menu items from this sleek and stylish cocktail bar. Pair a signature or classic cocktail with a perfectly made dish of fish and chips off the charcoal grill and you’ve got yourself a meal–cheaper than their private dining experience that costs $185 per guest at their space next door, Salon.
10. Enigma
Enigma is dedicated to seasonal ingredients to create their dishes and uses local farmers and the like to source from. The chef, Quinton Bennett, has experience around the world in places like London and Johannesburg and uses molecular technique to craft technically unique and delicious dishes. Yes, chef. There’s only one thing to order so the cheapest way to dine here is through their tasting course at $230 per person.
11. Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
The tasting course starts at $350 per person with an eight course menu, mostly grilled aside from a sashimi course and dessert, and no sushis is served. The entire kaiseki (or traditional Japanese tasting course) lasts 2 to 3 hours.
12. Shoushin
Shoushin specializes in edomae-style sushi which is essentially excellent fish on top of a mound of rice. The cheapest pre fixe menu is $330 with soup and 10 pieces of sushi, dessert, sashimi, and grilled cutlass fish.
13. Sushi Masaki Saito
The only restaurant on here with 2 michelin stars, Sushi Masaki Saito’s fish comes exclusively from Japan, making you feel like you’ve crossed the ocean to devour it’s greatest secrets. Since it has 2 stars, we’ve saved the most expensive for last. We couldn’t call $680 per person for omakase cheap but maybe someone reading this will. Cheers and enjoy the best sushi the Michelin guide claims Toronto has to offer.