Every winter in Toronto, tons of restaurants join in the annual Winterlicious event, offering amazing deals on special prix-fixe menus.
This year, there are 215 restaurants taking part in the festival, and it’s a great way to try out a new restaurant in the city, or one that you might not typically splurge on due to high prices.
Taking part from January 26 through February 8, now is the time to start making your reservations. Unsure where to start? Here are some of the best restaurants to try at Winterlicious 2024.
New Restaurants
Black + Blue – $55 Lunch / $75 Dinner
This buzzy new steakhouse in Toronto’s financial district serves both steak and seafood. Their set menus are a great way to get a sampling of both, with items like beef carpaccio, lobster bisque, striploin, and a selection of desserts to choose from.
Margo – $65 Dinner
Somewhat of a hidden gem in the King West neighbourhood, Margo’s Winerlicious menu highlights Mediterranean cuisine set within their beautiful building tucked away on the 4th floor of Clio.
Paris Texas – $65 Dinner
Texas-style food with a French twist is what you’ll find at Paris Texas, from cornflake-rolled chicken tenders to cod tacos. Save room for dessert, including their apple crumble or black forest cake.
Meals Under $27
Cafe ZUZU – $27 Lunch
Gusto 54 Group, behind Toronto favourites Gusto 101 and Trattoria Nervosa, opened Cafe ZUZU last year, serving up Italian eats in a beautifully-decorated 50s-inspired setting. Their $27 lunch special for Winterlicious includes their hits like spicy vodka rigatoni, brussels caeser, and butternut squash risotto.
Bangkok Garden – $27 Lunch
Considered one of North America’s best Thai restaurants, Bangkok Garden’s lunch Winerlicious menu features pad thai, spring rolls, satay, and some sweet treats to finish you off for dessert.
District Restaurant and Bar – $27 Lunch
Head to the Entertainment District if you’re looking for Canadian cuisine that caters to both vegans and meat-eaters. District Restaurant and Bar is also known for their offering of draft beer and craft cocktails.
Bar Bacan – $20 Lunch, $25 Dinner
Roncesvalles’ Bar Bacan is offering great deals for both lunch and dinner, serving up Argentinian and Venezuelan 3-course meals with items like empanadas, arepas, Bacan Criollo, and Dulce de Leche or cheesecake for dessert.
Her Chef – $20 Lunch, $25 Dinner
You’ll find Asian fusion cuisine at this small neighbourhood restaurant in the Annex, like Korean BBQ, chicken karaage, sous vide top sirloin steak, coconut shrimp, and more.
Great Deals
Sara – $75 Dinner
Acknowledged in the 2023 Michelin Guide, SARA on Portland has internationally-inspired share plates including a wagyu reuben, blackened bass, or a refreshingly tart key-lime ice cream sandwich.
PAI – $34 Lunch, $45 Dinner
Northern Thai cuisine is PAI’s specialty, and you’ll get to try everything from their khao soi to their massaman curry during Winterlicious. Save room for the mango-coconut mousse cake for dessert.
AP Restaurant – $75 Dinner
This Yorkville restaurant is sure to impress, situated 51 floors up in the Manulife Centre. If you aren’t wowed by the sweeping skyline views, the Japanese Latin fusion cuisine should do the trick. Typically, their chef’s tasting menu is priced at $95, but Winterlicious lets you try it for $75, and includes items like miso black cod, hamachi crudo, omakase sushi, and fantastic desserts.
Lapinou – $65 Dinner
Recommended in the 2023 Michelin Guide, Lapinou on King West offers contemporary French bistro-inspired fare. Their set menu includes favourites like ricotta gnocchi, short rib wellington, and fried rock shrimp.
Miku – $55 Lunch, $75 Dinner
Miku’s set menus include their beloved Aburi sushi and contemporary Japanese dishes with gorgeous Harbourfront views. There’s also soy braised lamb and sauteed branzino for those who aren’t a fan of the raw items.
Indian Street Food Co. – $34 Lunch, $45 Dinner
Recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand Award, Indian Street Food Co. is a tribute to Indian coffee shops of Delhi and Mumbai. Their Winterlicious menu has items like their crispy eggplant chaat, saffron chicken korma, and prawn balchao.
REIGN – $55 Lunch, $75 Dinner
Housed within the iconic Fairmont Royal York hotel, REIGN’s Winerlicious offering features refined Canadian and French dishes like steelhead trout, steak frites or a flat iron cut, leek and potato soup, and blueberry cheesecake.
TOCA – $55 Lunch, $75 Dinner
Another hotel restaurant not to be missed is TOCA at The Ritz-Carlton, with its prix-fixed menus of classic Italian. Homemade pasta, seafood, short rib risotto, and more are highlighted this year at Winterlicious.
R&D – $55 Dinner
This modern Canadian Asian restaurant found in Chinatown is a must-try, considering it was honoured with a Bib Gourmand Award with the Michelin Guide. Their Winerlicious menu includes po-boy bao, lamb spiducci, king salmon, duck fried rice, and tea-ramisu for dessert.